Caspia
"Caspia is alike a cornered rat. Backed into a corner it turns and bares its teeth, jagged and chipped from the fight, but still sharp for all that. Khandar could kill it, with effort. But will they risk getting bit?"Once the kingdom of Caspia dominated much of northern Khandar. It once exchanged ambassadors with Myzia on an equal basis. Its spare sons and daughters married would only deign to marry into the most prestigious royal houses in the land. Then came the Mahdyan tribes. In a lightning campaign they conquered most of Khandar. Caspia was one of their last targets. They were given time to prepare, yet fell all the same. Everything save for a few fortified cities on the north-eastern coast. These strongholds proved too formidable for the Khandari to storm by force of arms. In time the sieges were lifted. Caspia survived, if barely. Today Caspia is a proud but sharply diminished kingdom. Its domains are smaller and poorer than many of the Free Cities it once viewed as lesser. Most of the country's remaining wealth is invested into its fortifications and its navy. It is a member of the Northern League, and currently competes with Pergina for a leadership role within that organization.
Demography and Population
The population of Caspia is unusual in that a large part of it is located in cities and towns. This was not the case before Caspia was nearly destroyed, but it is true now that the kingdom is reduced to a handful of fortified holdouts and their surrounding lands.
The city of Lebis and the surrounding area form the largest and most heavily populated part of the kingdom. Here, in a strip of land guarded by the Kassite Mountains live around two hundred thousand people. Mostly humans and halflings. Around a quarter of these live in cities and towns, while the rest primarily consist of farmers and fishermen along the coast.
Around a hundred thousand people populate the area in and surrounding the city of Lixus. Here around half live in the city and towns, while the remainder are farmers. The people in this region are generally wealthier than those living around the capital.
Another few thousand live on the various small islands and isolated enclaves under Caspian control. The people here are often fishermen.
Territories
Today the territories of Caspia are limited to the areas surrounding its two principal remaining cities: Lebis, the traditional capital, and Lixus, the largest and wealthiest city. In addition the farmlands surrounding these cities along with a few fortified towns and a smattering of small islands form the entirety of the once proud kingdom's remaining lands.
Lebis is the traditional capital, and it remains the official city of the monarchy. However, the city's main worth is in its fortifications, which are extensive and modern. The city is protected by a range of mountains which make sieges difficult. The city's harbour is also deep shielded, making it ideal for basing the Caspian fleet.
Lixus is the richer of the two remaining Caspian cities. The city is famed for its glassmaking and its artisans. It is slightly larger than Lebis and far wealthier. Its port is large and plays host to a number of shipyards. Even after the Mahady conquest most of the imports of overseas goods coming into northern Khandar comes through Lixus.
Religion
Caspia has its own native religion, "the path", focused on the worship of a trifecta of gods known as the "forgotten ones". Religious worship focuses on the "path of memory", wherein the devotee gradually over the course of life, with sacrifice, study and worship "walks the path of remembrance". The doctrine of the religion holds that this path has nine stages, each containing a revelation of a forgotten truth about life and the nature of the universe. Revealing these secrets is punishable by having one's eyes, ears and tongue removed. Most people in Caspia are casual members of the religion. They are taught the first step of the path at age thirteen as a coming of age ritual known as "taking the first step". Most go on to learn the second step just before marriage. Those who are very ill or very old often make an effort to learn the third step before they die. Only dedicated members of the priesthood normally go beyond these first three steps.
"The Path" is often regarded with suspicion by outsiders. The mysterious teachings of the religion, the rumored sordid rituals and the strange accessories that come with advancement on the path add to the rumors.
The religion of Sol is present in Caspia, having become more significant in the kingdom as its territories have diminished. This is due to its popularity among the communities of foreign merchants who bring in much of the wealth on which the country now depends. Thus, as the kingdom has waned the Solarites have been granted many concessions, and their temples can be found prominently placed in both Lebis and Lixus.
Foreign Relations
While diminished in stature Caspia still maintain relations with many countries. Not least because of the many family connections they trace to many noble families across the Imperial Realms. Caspia is one of the leading states within the Northern League.
Caspia is not yet lost
Founding Date
527
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Leader Title
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Constitutional
Power Structure
Federation
Economic System
Market economy
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Comments