Kingdoms & Empires

## Overview

Ixallia is home to many kingdoms and empires, all stretching out and competing for land, resources, and control. The primary focus is on the eastern part of the largest continent, Amerii. The four super powers that control this region are Commonwealth, Andrada Imperium, Veil Dominion, and the Sumara Kingdoms. There are many smaller kingdoms and city states between these 4 great powers, getting caught up in trade disputes and wars on a regular basis. Some are absorbed over time, others rise and fall, while few endure.

## The Commonwealth

Formed nearly 2000 years ago as an alliance against the forces of darkness that threatened to consume the world. However, other unlikely unions of the past that so often dissolved, the threat of the Abyssal Maw had the unique side effect of forming something new. To guard the demonic portal in the cold wastes of the northern region, the alliance became a nation, ushered in brave new era.

The Commonwealth is primarily human, but also includes several other races that live and work together. Kingdoms of Elves, Dwarves, tribal Wolfkin, and other races are unified in a fight against a greater evil. Overtime, other races such as the Tabaxi, Mouslings and even some Dragonborne have joined, creating a unified power unlike the world has ever seen.

The Commonwealth controls the largest territory in the known world, and has chosen to often stay out of disputes between other nations, at least officially. Though it maintains vigilance, they prefer to think of themselves as peacekeepers, and not conquerors. Despite all their talk of harmony and peace, they do also have a great military presence. Often this is used to patrol the frontiers, fighting off pirates, slaves, and powerful monsters that rampage unexpectedly. However, its main purpose is to be ready should another coming darkness, such as the one that brought them together, ever return.

While most of the Commonwealth is quite progress and open to innovation, the politics are not so. One foot in the future and one foot in the past.

Originally ruled by something once known as the Tri-Council, an Emperor (human) and two High Kings (elf and dwarf) and aided by a **Council of Nobles**. This worked, sort of, but now in the new age, there is a multi leveled bureaucracy. So not much better. Though the Council of Nobles was dissolved in favour of elected officials from the public, many of the **Noble Houses** still involve themselves in politics. These royalists aren't given any special treatment, and run for office just like everyone else...except with a lot more money...

**Federal Government**

- The **Tri-Council** still exists but act as "Heads of State"

- The **House of Commons** make the laws in the Commonwealth. Representatives are called **Members of Parliament**, and made up of both publicly elected officials and nobles

- The **Prime Minister** is the head of government in the Commonwealth, and chooses MPs to be part of his ministers in the cabinet.

- The **Senate** reviews the laws proposed by House of Commons. **Senators** are chosen by the Prime Minister and the Tri-Council

**Provincial and Territorial Government**

- The **Arbiter** is the preventative of Tri-Council

- The **Legislative Assembly** makes law. Originally the duty of local nobles, representatives are now publicly elected instead of assigned

**Municipal Government**

- Residents of the municipality elect the mayor and council members to lead the local government. **Committees of Councillors** discuss budget, service and administrative issues that are then passed on to the council for debate. Citizens, business owners and community groups can present their concerns to **Councillors** at committee meetings

The military power of the Commonwealth went from having to gather the private armies of all the nobles, to having a full time standing armed forces. The benefits outweighed the disgruntled feelings of those who didn't want to tell let go of their forcefully conscripted armies, and a civil war was fought over this.

Today, the Commonwealth military is divided into five main organizations: Guardsmen, Navy, Battle Mages, Engineering Corp, and Knights

**Guardsmen** - The cornerstone of the Commonwealth military. They are used as both military assets, and local police. Garrisons are more than just training and housing areas for troops, but also have a public function to report, investigate, and deal with local criminal activity. This replaced the need for militias in most parts of the Commonwealth.

**Navy** - In the age of airships, naval warfare has gone up, literally. Naval vessels can both act on the high seas, and in the air. Members of the Commonwealth Navy often have to work under difficult conditions, as they take on long-term assignments. Much of their role during peacetime involves patrolling provincial borders, isolated frontiers, and trade routes. Besides pirates, slavers, and other unforeseen dangers, the men and women of the Navy also have to deal with nature and isolation. As a result, they are some of the most disciplined and well trained.

**Battle Mages** - Those that show promising magical potential can often find a home in one of the two places, the College of Magic, and the Battle Mages. These warrior casters have honed their craft to a razor's edge, able to cast spells and channel energies even under the most difficult circumstances. Those who graduate, are automatically officers, and treated with respect, even by nobles.

**Engineering Corp** - Masters of the science and magic, the Engineering Corp builds, maintains, and operates all the heavy machinery that is in use by the Commonwealth military. From airships to exo-frames, they do it all.

**Knights** - Once a title given only to nobles, the knights have opened up their ranks to anyone who has potential. This

caused quite a stir when it was first introduced, but has been well worth it. The academies are still filled mostly by nobles, but the mix of "common blood" is a humbling experience. In the end, these elite warriors are both feared and respected. Many tales and songs of valiant knights still live on to this day, with new legends being made everyday.

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## Free Kingdoms and Independent City States

To the west of the Commonwealth is a land of independent cities states and small kingdoms. The lands they occupy is vast with warlords and would be kings claiming territory and waging wars in a constant struggle for power. After the battle of the Abyssal Maw, these lands finally began to settle down, focusing on industry and economics in a vain attempt to catch up to Commonwealth.

The peace did not last long. During a diplomatic trip to Luthengen, the crown prince of Camore was assassinated, sparking a war that has raged on for the last 200 years. There is almost no end in sight, with no faction gaining a clear advantage over the other. Five main factions are involved with the majority of the fighting, with many city states caught in the middle.

Luthengen (human)

Camore (human)

Austragar Alliance (human + mousling)

Nofliem Union (dwarf + tabaxi)

Nef'Anla Forest (wood elf + wolfkin)

## Other Places

The other regions of Ixalia include, but not limited to Euros, Afkana, Salkhi, and Cathaya.

While Euros Salkhi and Cathaya are considered separate by most, they are infact one continent with the Salkhi planes making up the largest area and betweent he other two.

Euros is Afkana is considered the origin of most races of Ixalia, including humans, dwarves, tabaxi, and tortle.

## Temura Empire

The Salkhi region is home to many peoples and creatures, but most famously for the Temura Empire, also known as the Shining Horde. Salkhi has vast grasslands with floating isles and towering mountains in the distance, and because of it's scenic vistas, it is often referred to as the Emerald Sea.

A predominantly human culture of horse lords and eagle riders make up the Temura Empire, but also includes Hobgoblins, Tortle, Tabaxi, Wolfkin, and Elves. These lands have seen the rise and fall of heroes and villians, creating a rich history that has spawned many myths and legends. Famously, the Temura Empire held back the demonic hordes from the northern wastes, but also then turned their blades on much of the world, conquering the largest empire from Cathaya to Euros for nearly 400 years before collapsing under it's own weight.

Their peoples have the greatest collection of art and knowledge in the world, and despite their decline, the site of their warriors still give pause to even the mightiest of foes. It is rare to find someone brave or ignorant enough to face off against a Sky Kheshig, and even fewer who live to tell the tale.