The Empire of Canares

## Overview

The Empire of Canares (pronounced Ken-nar-rus) is the largest single nation on Verramar; a mighty conglomerate of regions on the continent of Arucar, under the rule of the Canaren Monarch. People from Canares are known as Canaran, and their national colours are red, green and gold.

## Geography

### Borders and Territories

Canares dominates much of the Arucar continent, only bordered by the nation of Toria to the south and the Lycanhold to the southwest. Due to its nature as an expansive Empire, it also hold dominion over a handful of foreign territories and nearby islands, the largest of these being Malus to the east.

### Interior

Due to its size, the interior of Canares varies wildly in terms of climate and biome. To the north lies mountainous, snowy tundra and to the south lies the beginnings of an arid desert. Much of the the Empire's land is dedicated to agriculture, mining and construction in order to sustain the massive population it houses.

Internally, the Empire is divided into Dukedoms, large regions that swear fealty to the Canaren Monarch and contribute taxes, good, services and soldiers to the crown. Many of these Dukedoms stem from individual nations conquered by the Empire decades or centuries ago. Each Dukedom is relatively independent, ruled by a Duke and their council of representatives comprised of the towns within the area.

Each Dukedom and its major cities are:

* Canar
	+ Prenmane
* Daal
	+ Goldhewn
* Vinli
	+ Vinli
* Briyan
	+ Niroda
	+ Lecru
* Barod
	+ Wardtown
* Lochlo
	+ Lochlo
* Riegor
	+ Maison
* Vuton
	+ Vutol
* Opinhan
	+ Opin
* Malus
	+ Neapren

### Climate

Most of Canares' climate is pleasant, ideal for farming and population growth.

## History

The Empire of Canares has very distant roots, with the earliest records of it's history dating back almost two thousand years. However, it's current state is relatively recent and it's territories are somewhat in flux. This is especially evident in the context of the Splintering War, where the nation of Toria successfully pushed Canares out of it's borders and politics.

## Culture

### People

The Canaren people are quite diverse, due to the size of their Empire. However, on average they have dark tan skin and brown hair. They are of middling height and weight, though typically more lean than bulky. Green and red eyes are another common trait of their people. Canaren men are often clean shaven and keep their hair short. Canaren women keep their hair long, and often braid it.

### Colours and Symbols

The primary colours of Canares are a crimson red and a deep forest green, accented with gold or brass. Their primary symbol is the Gilded Dragon, a stylistic interpretation of the golden nail dragons ridden by the nobility and certain military or messenger units. Dragon claws, eyes, wings and scales are also commonly used symbols.

### Hierarchy

The highest authority is the Canaren Monarch, either an Emperor or Empress. It is determined by both bloodline and political position, making it a somewhat volatile position. All Monarchs take the surname 'Canar' once they sit upon the throne. Underneath them is the Royal Advisory, a guild of representatives consisting of the most powerful individuals across the Empire. The Dukes that rule each Dukedom are technically a part of this Advisory, but often have other council members that present their ideals and stances on their behalf.

From here, power trickles down to local city and town lords and ladies, whose title and power vary somewhat depending on their Dukedom and their closeness to the Canaren seat of power.

### Militarism

Canares is heavily militaristic, with Dukedom border conflicts occurring every second week as the various Dukes and lords beneath them vie for power, status, wealth and resources. This is not to mention the larger border disputes and conflict overseas. Many of the peasantry are trained in some form of militia training in order to be called to action should the need be great enough.

### Religion

The Empire's primary religion is known as Cathunity, which much of the population following the great deity Cathune. The Cathunin Church is an incredibly powerful political force that encompasses much of the Empire, though it's weight is certainly heavier in certain Dukedoms. The Cathunin Church teaches of Cathune as a being with many faces, which allowed Canares to incorporate the religons of those they conquered quite easily into the broader Cathune religion.

### Language and Writing

The Canaran language is derived from the Cathan language family, originating in ancient Catha. It is broadly spoken and taught across the Empire, though many Dukedoms also speak derivatives of their own ancient languages.

Literacy is common across the Empire, due to a schooling standard set in place by Monarchs of long ago. However, it's effectiveness varies from Dukedom to Dukedom.

## Magic System

The magic system of Canares is known as Signumancy has been heavily militarized over years of expansion and conflict. Those that practice the art are known as Battle Mages, Battle Casters or Signumites, depending on the region. It is currently taught and regulated by the Drakesworn Battle Mages.

Signumancy is a versatile, powerful system, but hard to control. It's effects are dictated by the twelve sacred Signum and the use of a Globe of Magic in order to cast spells. These spells take the form of a magical shockwave centered on the Caster's target. The closer to the epicenter, the more powerful the effect.

Its most common use is in the military, training Battle Mages for foreign and domestic conflicts, though some cities utilise Mages for transportation, as guards, construction workers, healers and agricultural labourers. It is not a detailed or small-scale magic, and less useful from an everyday perspective.

Military

Overall, the Canaren military is heavily reliant of the advent of technology and gunpowder, and the exceptional skill of their Battle Casters. Squads of Drakesworn form ranks wielding rifles unmatched the world over, able to fire further and reload faster than countless others.

The Canaren training program is also highly efficient, with a focus on ranged and spear-based combat. These regiments are bolstered by cavalry wielding outguns, and powerful machines of war designed to trample all before them.

However, due to its sheer size, Canares often tends to value manpower over skill directly. The Drakesworn Riflemen are generally lightly armoured, and the Spearman are trained to overpower an enemy with numbers and formations rather than heavy armour or talent.

Canares is divided into Fiefdoms, large regions areas that swear fealty to the Canaren Monarch and contribute taxes, good, services and soldiers to the crown. Many of these Fiefdoms were once individual nations that were conquered by the Empire many decades or centuries ago. However, each Fiefdom is still self-governed, ruled by a Baron and their council of representatives comprised of the towns within the area.

The only exception to this is the Fiefdom of Canar, the smallest Fiefdom, which is ruled by the Monarch directly.

Though some Fiefdoms are more diverse than others, all are still unique from one another and specialise in different areas.

Canar

Canar is the most important Fiefdom within Canares, as it houses both great political power, as well as historical weight. Canar was where the Emprire was founded and, as such, has gone through a tremendous amount of change throughout the years.

Canar is dominated by the capital city of Prenmane, an expansive metropolis with the mighty castle The Empire’s Heart  at its center. Prenmane also houses the guildhalls of the various magical schools, as well as the primary technological institutes that have built Canares reputation.

Prenmane itself is built as a series of circular walls, each separating the districts by wealth or specialisation. The outer wall is armed with early cannons and magical ballista, capable of shredding foes from afar. The outer wall is also encircled by a moat, which connects to the Concer River.

The rest of Canar is filled mostly with farms, vineyards and villas for the rich.

Daal

After Canar, Daal is the richest Fiefdom of Canares. This wealth stems primarily from the region’s deep mines that bring up gold and gems by the bucketload, alongside various other minerals that are exported all across the Empire. The land is built primarily of thick mountain ranges and verdant hills, and is overall quite rocky. The primary city of Daal is Goldhewn, a city that prides itself on its beauty and grandiose architecture.

Goldhewn is also one of the few Empire cities that has no ‘slums’ to speak of, due to their world-renown bank and the subsequent sharing of coin. Of course, there are poorer districts, but none that would be classed as run down. Goldhewn also has no castle and is run by a seat of the city’s most wealthy merchants and bankers.

However, the further away one draws from Goldhewn, the rougher the people become. The Fiefdom is filled with mining towns and a few scant farming villages, all working to send their efforts to the city to be redistributed elsewhere.

Vinli

The Fiefdom of Vinli is the primary source of agriculture within Canares, due to its fertile soil and many connections to the Concer River. Vinli primarly consists of rolling hills, with a few mountain ranges scattered throughout. It also borders the Lycanhold, a dense lush forest home to the Lycan, though the forest itself extends into Vinli’s land.

As such, the Fiefdom mans several lumber mills and exports timber across the Empire. Several mining villages can also be found across the land, boring into the mountain ranges that border Daal.

Vinli’s capital is also known as Vinli, and is relatively quaint in comparison to its neighbours. It is mostly known for both the white-walled castle of Tressey at its heart and its odd layout, surrounded and broken apart by farms and storage houses.

Briyan

Known as the trade capital of the Empire, Briyan is a coastal Fiefdom that focuses on importing and exporting the goods of the Empire to the other nations of the world. The eastern side of Briyan mostly consists of port cities, dock yards and smaller fishing villages, while the west leads into the mountains of Daal. Though there are several villages scatted throughout, these lands are mostly deserted.

Briyan is famed for housing both its many trade halls and the bulk of the Emperial Navy. In fact, without the early conquest of Briyan, the Golden Age of Exploration would never have occurred.

Briyan has no true capital, but its largest cities are Niroda and Lecru. Both are sprawled across the coastline and act as melting pots for the Empire, with travelers and tourists filling their walls. Niroda is the older of the two, and is the primary port for exporting goods, whereas Lecru acts as the main shipyard for the Navy.

Barod

Barod is a mostly landlocked Fiefdom surrounded by Daal, Vinli and Briyan. Like Vinli, Barod is mostly used in an agricultural capacity, due to its fertile lands and mostly flat terrain. However, Barod (due to its centralized location) houses the primary training grounds for the Archwatch, the Empirical guard force that is dispatched and operates within all Empire cities.

Barod’s capital is known as Wardtown, and is built around the Ironyard, the Archwatch training grounds. The city itself is relatively humble with a shifting population as soldiers come through and are dispatched every day. The main castle, known as the Ward, is an ancient stone monolith of simple design that has stood through the ages, protected by countless soldiers.

Lochlo

The Fiefdom of Lochlo does not hold the best reputation amongst the Empire and the people that reside there are often hardy, salty and mean. The land primarily operates as the fishing capital of Canares, as well as holding a few farms and shipyards designed to bolster the navy.

Lochlo’s capital city is also named Lochlo, and resides in an inland cove well known for its abundance of sea life. It is somewhat ramshackle and the countless sailors that call it home only garnish its reputation. However, the city is not anymore dangerous than most others, though this may be due to the close proximity of the Yard.

Castle Loch is the home of the Baron, and resides on the cliff overlooking the city itself. Its dark blue coloration has made it unique, though its design is relatively simple when compared to the likes of its neighbours. Lochlo also holds dominion over a handful of nearby islands, which are home to several fishing villages.

Riegor

Bordering the Kingdom of Toria, Riegor acts as the military capital of the Empire. The finest of the Archwatch are sent here for specialised training to join the ranks of the Drakesworn, and are drilled regularly to keep them in prime fighting condition. Though the peace between the two nations has held in recent years, small border skirmishes still occur from time to time and the land is watched at all times.

The capital of Riegor is Maison, the City of Spears. It is a heavily fortified city bristling with gunpowder and magical wards. Its people are mostly soldiers or the families of soldiers, and the city churns with industry, producing the war machines that make the Empire famous.

Maison’s main castle is Keep Maison, a squat building used primarily as the final line of defence for the occupants in case of a breach in the outer walls. It also houses some of the more elite units and machines that the Empire deploys.

Vuton

The northern most Fiefdom of Canares is home to some of the hardiest people of the Empire, honed in the cold and windy nights. Vuton consists of high mountains and rocky crags, though there are several snowy plains throughout. The Fiefdom is not densely populated, but it is vital to Canares for a few reasons.

The first is that Vuton is the breeding ground for the mighty dragons that the Generals of the Empire ride into battle, screaming fire and death and majesty. The creatures first evolved there with fire in their bellies to combat the constant cold all around them. Nail dragons in particular, with their scales and spines of icy flesh, are well known to inhabit the frozen peeks.

Vuton’s capital city, also known as Vuton, is a frozen landmass powered by dragon fire and magic. Here, dragonlings are bred to bear the champions of Canares, and the various riders are also trained how to handle their beasts.

Another reason for Vuton’s importance is the production of various plants and crops that will only grow in the frigid conditions. These crops, like chillroot and viensta, are vital for certain spells and fulfill the requests for the powerful lords and ladies of Prenmane.

Opinhan

The northern region of Opinhan is similar to its neighbour of Vuton, though it is much flatter and warmer to the south. A handful of dragons call the Fiefdom home, but they are few and far between and any breeding is handled by Vuton. Opinhan’s primary exports are ice, lumber and salt, which the Fiefdom sends to the south to fulfill the needs of the warmer Feifdoms.

Opinhan shares a border with the Lycanhold, and respects the great forest far more than most other regions of the Empire. The kingdom that existed before Canares was the first nation that made peace with the wolfmen, and this peace has lasted for generations.

The capital of Opinhan is known as Opin, a humble yet sprawling city with no defined outer walls or exact limits. The Baron of Opinhan resides in the Frozen Bast, a castle of modest design constructed of large icy blocks, giving the entire building a crystal sheen.

Malus

The colony of Malus was the first overseas colony to be established in the Age of Exploration, and is still loyal to Canares today. Though classified as a Fiefdom, Malus is mostly self-governed, paying tithes to the Monarch and the Empire and exporting its goods.

Malus was a mostly barren land when initially discovered, with the only occupants being the wandering tribes of the early Drityak people. Upon making ground, the ancient Canaren people built a colony and rooted out the Drityak tribes to begin farming the new resources the land provided.

Today, Drityak and Malus hold an uneasy border, with neither one wanting to incur the loss of either people or landmass. The capital of Malus is known as Neapren and is a mix-match of Canaren and tribal styles, all draped in crimson livery. Castle Neapren is the name of the vast palace with pointed steeples and powerful architecture, and it has held back the tide of any invaders for years.