Kingdom of Lamporia (Lamp-Oh-Ree-Ah)

The reformed Kingdom of Lampa, now formally known as the Lamporian City-State, occupies the rugged, mountainous island of the same name. Though a mere shadow of its once-glorious past, its people remain as unyielding as the stone that fortifies their great city. Fiercely traditional and unwavering in their devotion to discipline, the Lamporians carry their ancestors' legacy with unshakable pride, bound by their warrior ethos and rigid customs. Strength and resilience are not just admired—they are the foundation upon which their entire society stands.

Society & Government

Lamporia is governed by a diarchy, an ancient system in which two rulers from separate noble bloodlines share equal power. Their rule is neither absolute nor unchecked, for their authority is primarily military and religious in nature, serving as the highest generals of their armies and the intermediaries between the people and the gods. Judicial and political matters rest in the hands of the Ephors, a council of magistrates overseeing law and civic order, and the Gerousia, a revered assembly of twenty-eight elders, all beyond sixty winters, whose wisdom guides the fate of the city. These councils hold the power to determine policy, enforce tradition, and, above all, decide when the city marches to war.

Military & Defense

The Lamporians hold physical excellence above all else, valuing martial skill and endurance over scholarly pursuits. Their laws are strict, their expectations harsh—newborns deemed weak or malformed are left to the elements, a grim practice meant to preserve the strength of their people. From a young age, boys are taken from their families and forged in the fires of the agoge, an unforgiving system of military training that hones them into disciplined and ruthless warriors. They are taught to endure hardship without complaint, to fight without hesitation, and to uphold the sacred duty of defending Lamporia to their dying breath.

Education

Yet, unlike many other martial societies, Lamporian women stand as pillars of power in their own right. Trained in literacy, arithmetic, and oratory, they wield influence over trade, land ownership, and finance. Their education surpasses that of many men in other nations, as they are expected to be not only wise but formidable in both mind and body. Though barred from the battlefield, they hold sway over politics, diplomacy, and commerce. No Lamporian woman may marry before the age of twenty, ensuring that she is strong and healthy enough to bear robust children—a practice that further cements their belief in natural selection and the supremacy of their lineage.

Religion

Religious devotion runs deep in Lamporian culture, particularly to gods of war, strength, and fertility. Before any major endeavor—be it battle, a great festival, or a crucial political decision—sacrifices are made in honor of their deities, seeking their favor and protection. The most revered among their spiritual figures are the Oracles, powerful priestesses whose divine visions guide kings and warriors alike. These mystics hold a sacred place in Lamporian society, their words shaping the course of history with the weight of prophecy. And so, with unwavering faith and unmatched discipline, the Lamporians march forward, ever ready to defend their land and uphold the unbreakable legacy of their ancestors. Their patron god is Ahres.

Main Hub

Eskartos

Rising from the rugged cliffs and windswept plains of the Isle of Lampa, Eskartos stands as an unyielding fortress-city, a testament to the Lamporian people's resilience and martial prowess. Encircled by massive stone walls, reinforced over generations of warfare, the city is built for defense, its narrow streets winding through a labyrinth of fortified structures designed to withstand both siege and time itself. Unlike the artistic splendor of other great capitals, Eskartos is defined by its austere beauty—its buildings are carved from the very bedrock of the island, their facades plain yet imposing. Great statues of past warriors and kings, their gazes stern and unrelenting, watch over the city's plazas, reminding every citizen of the duty and discipline expected of them.
At the heart of Eskartos lies the Agora of Kings, a vast open square where warriors train, merchants trade, and citizens gather to hear the pronouncements of their rulers. Unlike the vibrant marketplaces of other city-states, the Agora of Kings is a solemn place, where commerce exists only to serve the needs of the people, and public discourse is dominated by matters of war and governance. At its center stands the Hall of the Diarchs, a formidable structure where Lamporia’s two rulers reside, flanked by the Hall of the Gerousia, where the council of elders convenes. Here, the most critical decisions of the kingdom are debated and enacted, determining when and where the might of Lamporia will be brought to bear.
A city of warriors above all else, Eskartos is home to the Agoge Barracks, where every boy is raised from childhood to become an unbreakable soldier. These spartan training grounds echo with the sounds of rigorous drills, the clash of iron on iron, and the barked commands of seasoned instructors. Alongside them, the Temple of Ahres, dedicated to the god of war, stands as one of the city's holiest sites, where young warriors undergo sacred rites before battle. Here, priests perform ritual sacrifices to secure the gods' favor, their hands steeped in the blood of beasts offered in exchange for victory.
Yet, for all its military might, Eskartos is not without its mysteries. The Sanctuary of the Oracles, an isolated enclave hidden within the mountains overlooking the city, serves as the sacred refuge of Lamporia’s famed seeresses. These enigmatic priestesses, said to be guided by divine visions, wield immense influence over the city-state’s rulers, their prophecies shaping the course of war and destiny. To seek their wisdom, even kings must humble themselves, for the Oracles answer only to the gods.
Though the city lacks the grandeur of wealthier metropolises, its people are bound together by a shared creed of discipline, honor, and sacrifice. Every citizen understands their place within the city’s rigid hierarchy, and none shirk their responsibilities. In Eskartos, there is no room for decadence, no patience for weakness—only the relentless pursuit of strength and survival. It is a city that does not yield, does not falter, and will stand against the tide of time as long as its warriors draw breath.

Lamporian Traits

Lamporian Society

Male characters get +1 to Survival, Perception and Intimidate skil checks.

Female characters get +1 to Knowledge (Geography, History and Nobility), Diplomacy and Sense Motive skill checks.

These bonuses increase by 1 every 5 levels.

Battleborn Men

Male characters get Endurance and Diehard as bonus feats at level 1.

Women of Power

Female characters get "Persuasive" and "Rethorical Flourish" as bonus feats at level 1.

Lamporian Hoplite

Male characters get +1 AC, +1 Attack and damage rolls while using a weapon of the spear family and a shield. These bonuses increase by 1 every 5 levels.

Lamporian Oracles

Female Oracles get +1 to their Spells DC. This bonus increases by 1 every 5 levels.

Female Casters spells are considered 1 level higher.

Defenders of the Unknown

Characters with this trait get +1 to their save checks vs non-human enemies. This bonus increases by 1 every 5 levels.

Heavy Armor Restrictions

A character with this trait can't use heavy armor or tower shields.

Type

Geopolitical, Kingdom