Parpaldia

The **Parpaldia Empire** is an empire with supreme power located in the Southern part of the Philades continent as the representative of the Third Civilization Area.

## Geography

Parpaldia occupies almost half of the continent of Philades in the South.

Parpaldia shares its entire land border to the North, with Pandora and Panera to the Northeast, Grano to the North and Riem to the Northeast. It is also bordered to the West and Southwest by the seas and straits separating it from Marl and the islands of Gossion and Charmée; to the South is the Altaras Strait separating it from Altaras and Sios; to the East and Southeast is the New Sea of Japan and the Sea of Ornal separating it from the Rodenius Continent along with the Eastern island states of Fenn, Gahara and the newly-transfered Japan.

The territories of Parpaldia in the West and East are very contrasting in topographical features. Western Parpaldia was dominated by a large delta with two great rivers flowing through it - which being inhabited by most of the Empire's population, although the Westernmost region bordering Pandora has a small plateau extending from the North in Pandora to the South in Parpaldia. Meanwhile, its Eastern half is covered by the vast Vatga Plateau spanning thousands of square kilometers, which is rich in resources including mana stones. The only flat, lowlands in the Eastern half are limited to a strip of coastal plain that runs along the Eastern coast.

## Technology

The empire is said to have reached a level of development comparable to that of the late 19th century on Earth, although there is some relative disparity, with initial reconnaissance conducted by the Japanese Ministry of Defense has confirmed the presence of paved roads, rail infrastructure, industrial complexes, and such.

Despite making many technological advances on its own in all areas, Parpaldia still relies more or less on imported technological know-how to support its research and development. For example, the technologies behind most of their naval ship’s construction were either imported from Mu or the Holy Mirishial Empire, or partially bestowed by the latter in their bid to strengthen ties with Parpaldia, including the technologies behind the construction of better quality steel, the mana circuitry that allows for the operation of the engine, and better fire control methodologies for their new guns. This was not to discount the effort of Parpaldian shipbuilders and home-based industrial prowess, however, as these were mostly supplements to knowledge that the Parpaldians independently came up with.

## Military

### Overview

Parpaldia possesses an armed force considered to be the most powerful in the Third Civilized Area, capable of deploying its military assets and operating on land, sea and air. The level of modernization of its military branches varies widely: branches with high political importance, such as the Imperial Guard, or requiring large technical investments, such as the Navy, will receive much of the investment.

The Parpaldian army is made up of many ethnic groups, from native Parpaldians to past annexed principalities and kingdoms - indeed, a significant portion of the Parpaldian army is made up of absorbed armed forces of conquered countries.

## Economy

As the most developed country in the Third Civilized Region, Parpaldia boasts the highest economic level and prosperity, achieved through its success in industrialization and attracting foreign investment, along with abundant resources in its territory.

### Service

#### Media

Parpaldia has a number of major newspapers such as Empire's Daily, The Esthirant Times and Philades Daily. Radio and television broadcasting is implied to exist, but the necessary technology and facilities are provided from outside, such as Mirishial.

## Demographics and culture

### Overview

As a result of Parpaldia's past history of expansion and conquest, the Empire is home to a diverse culture that blends Parpaldian and conquered peoples and nations - although it can be argued that Parpaldian culture is the dominant culture, whether as a result of voluntary acceptance or forced assimilation. In turn, Parpaldia was also culturally influenced by the cultures of more modern and advanced countries, such as the Mirishial or Mu culture. The cultural differences and evolution that have occurred over the centuries since the founding of the Empire have resulted in a distinctive and unique Parpaldian culture.

### Cuisine

The Empire's cuisine was as diverse as its culture in general. This can be seen most clearly when observing a party of the wealthy Parpaldian elite: fruits imported as far south as the island of Nahanath to the golden roasted pig raised from imperial pig pens in the empire's northern colonial territories. The Parpaldians also showed a strong love for seafood, which spurred fishing in all the Empire's seas.

Coffees have been seen being served in the capital of Esthirant, but it is unclear whether they are the main Parpaldian hot beverage.

## Notable characters

* Ludius - Emperor of Parpaldia.
* Ilyana - Empress, wife to Ludius.
* Elto - department chair of the First Foreign Affairs Department.
* Rius - department chair of the Second Foreign Affairs Department.
* Kaios - department chair of the Third Foreign Affairs Department.