Sarkation Empire

**Population**: 92% Westrasi human, 5% T'lc-Kha, 3% other

Capitol: Etaliana

Government: Theocratic Constitutional Monarchy

Home to the Church of the Divine Duality and the two holy cities of Gloriana and Etaliana, the Sarkation empire is central to the religious landscape of the west and anyone in the world who worships Gloria-Etalia. The country is powerful in of itself. Being the link between the Westrasi sea and the west sea, it has gained much wealth through trade and pilgrimages, and it possesses a strong army bolstered by the infamous Wyvern Knights.

#### **Culture**

Being influenced by the noble roots of Belara, the revolutionary ideals of Morloux, the devout nature of the church and the mercantilist mindset of the inland sea, the Sarkatians have developed an interesting, seemingly contradictory world-view. On one hand, they believe that unity is the greatest virtue and that true order and civilization can only be achieved through a strong, moral authority. On the other hand, they believe the individual is the ultimate master of destiny and that no one should pursue a cause that is not their own. There's a common saying, "The best blessing is a Sarkatian friend, the worst curse is a Sarkatian enemy". Those they consider to be friends they'll do anything for, even sacrificing their own property and well-being to help someone in need and those who're enemies are treated with utmost scorn and hatred and rivalries can last for generations, even going out of their way to hurt their foes. Relationships between nobles and the common folk are generally good, as these attitudes incentivise the rich to donate much of their wealth to either the church or directly to the people. Visitors tell of the excellent service and courtesy they receive in Sarkatia by there are also many tales of strangers being harassed and even killed for perceived disrespect.

#### **Religion**

Being home to the Church of the Divine Duality, an organisation with branches in all of westrasi and even the rest of the continent, spirituality and worship is deeply ingrained in Sarkatia, easily being the most religious country on the western continent. Many people make pilgrimages to the cities of Gloriana and Etaliana, the former of which holds the headquarters of the church . The church itself is largely independent and is the official authority on all religious matters for most worshipers of Gloria-Etalia.

#### **Organisation**

While Gloriana is the home of the church, Etaliana is the home of the emperor and the parliament. Inspired by the Morloux model, the parliament members are elected in the various regions of Sarkatia, however unlike Morloux, the emperor and church still hold much power. The emperor must approve the laws parliament writes before they go into effect and has the right to veto many of their decisions, as well as being the sole authority in all matters of warfare and being absolute ruler of the Imperial province. While members of the church can't officially be members of parliament, many priests will resign their position while they run for election and sit in parliament to then resume as priests once their term is over. This is accepted since the Gloria-Etalia faith considers politics to be a worthy endeavor as it’s integral to all civilisation. They possess an impressive military but their most iconic units are the Wyvern Knights. During the persecutions by the Belaran empire, monks fled into the mountains where they learned to tame Belaran wyverns and used them to fight against the Belarans. The revolution was the first time they were using wyverns as mounts and Emperor Sarkan used them to great effectiveness, gaining them their fearsome reputation. They’re still a religious order but have sworn total loyalty to the emperor and only act according to his command.

#### **Origin**

The Church of the Divine Duality has existed since the 4th era for over 2000 years, with the two holy cities being even older, possibly dating back to the 3rd era. The land surrounding the cities has been conquered many times and through the many kingdoms that’ve risen and fallen around them they’ve experienced both golden eras and hard oppression. Their worst oppression however began a thousand years ago in the 5th era when they were conquered by the Belaran empire. The empire sought to control Westrasi through the faith and therefore turned the church into a puppet and any priests and bishops who dissented were imprisoned or executed. During the Belaran revolution, lord Sarkan the 5th of Gloriana, who was skeptical of the Belaran royal family, was inspired by Prince Layron’s strategy of gaining power by promising the halflings freedom and Sarkan did the same by promising the church full independence if they recognised him as the sole ruler of the surrounding lands. Devout worshipers across the continent flocked to join his army to escape persecution. Once the revolution was over, the peace treaty recognised the Sarkatian empire as an independent nation. During the Morloux revolution only a few centuries later, the Sarkation empire was still an absolute monarchy and a similar revolt was brewing. It was however much less bloody as emperor Tianan had seen what happened to the nobles in Morloux and decided to concede much power by founding the parliament.

#### **Diplomacy**

While they have good relations with most Westrasi nations because of their religious importance, their relationship with both Belara and Morloux has been sour. Sarkatia is the second most hated country by Belara, right after Morloux, seeing them both as treacherous. The Morloux kingdom saw them as a threat, believing their church would try to influence Morloux in service of Sarkatia. In addition Sarkatia has a pass through the mountains, meaning they’re the only nation with a link between the Westrasi sea and the west sea and for this reason, both kingdoms have tried to invade multiple times. After the Morloux revolution, relations between the nations have somewhat mellowed although old grudges remain.

#### **Geography**

Sarkatia is a very mountainous land with much rocky terrain all the way down to the coast. Much of the lush forest has been converted into farmland. The mountain range is almost impassable except for certain passages. Gloriana is located down by the bay while Etaliana is located up in the mountains, which is why Emperor Sarkan made it his capital for its defensible position.

#### **Economy**

Sarkatia has quite a strong economy, both because of the many pilgrims who travel to and from the land as well as the many Westrasi merchants who have to travel through the mountain pass to trade with the rest of the continent. Both Belara and Morloux have attempted to set up tolls for any ships trying to leave the Sarkation bay but neither have been successful due to the others' presence, so getting out to the west sea is quite safe.