The Empire of Draconia

The various realms of Humanity, United into an Empire

Map of Draconia

Structure

Within Draconia, no one is higher ranked than the High King or Queen of the country, who sits atop the throne and rules absolutely and completely...their will is law, and paramount. Sitting beside them in the pecking order is Kygoss, the legendary Gold Dragon protector of the Draconian Throne whose sworn duty it is to keep the King or Queen safe from threats both internal and external...Kygoss enjoys a level of power only superseded by the High King or Queen, and none dare challenge him or his invincible might. He holds no official title, but holds power equal to the High King or Queen.

Draconian Noble Ranks

The ranks of the nobility are given below, from greatest to smallest.

• High Queen: The Queen of Queens that rules over the entirety of Draconia and is responsible for ruling all of the twelve vassal nations that make it up. Has ultimate and supreme authority and power within the country and makes all the decisions for the country, though they often leave many duties to the Vizier, such as Taxes. They are seen as the divine representative of the Gods, Chiefly Bahamut, in the mortal world and are heralded as a divine being, often worshiped as a conduit to those very gods and the closest thing most mortals will ever see to a god. Kygoss, the protector of Draconia, does not hold this rank but is treated as equal to it, as he holds no "official" title, this is simply the closest to how he is seen and treated.
• Vizier: The Voice of the High Queen and her second-in-command who is responsible for ruling on all petitions and grievances brought to the court. All royal commands pass through their hands before being transmitted to the High Priests in their office. They in turn dispatch orders to the heads of distant towns and villages, and dictate the rules and regulations related to the collection of taxes as ordered by and for the sake of the High Queen. Their authority is second only to the High Queen herself, and their orders and commands are considered to be those of The High Queen. They are chosen and handpicked directly by the High Queen herself.
• High Priest: The lowest rank of the "High Nobility" responsible for carrying out the decisions of The Vizier, and assisting them in their day to day duties. They hold no land in their own right, are employed directly by the crown, and while most reside in the Capital alongside the Vizier, there is at least one High Priest in each major city that works alongside the Duke or "King" of that country to ensure the Crown's orders are being met. They each hold rank that exceeds that of the Dukes, and given near peerless authority by The Crown. They are chosen and handpicked directly by the High Queen herself.
• Duke: The highest rank of the ruling nobility, Dukes are the titles given to those who rule over the ten countries that make up the whole of Draconia. There are only ever 12 Dukes in existence at any given time, who all report directly to The Crown and the High Priests and Viziers who disseminate the orders of the High Queen or King. They hold the unofficial titles of "King" in their own right, each managing a massive swath of area that once stood alone as a country in its own right. Uniquely, dukes are elected to rule their respective country by the other nobles that make it up.
• Marquess: Marquis are one of the most powerful nobles in the country, ruling from massive castle complexes and the largest cities to oversee a massive county with many smaller regions located inside of it. They are chosen and given their titles exclusively by The Crown.
• Earl: Earls are powerful, high-ranking nobility who govern an entire region often filled with several smaller cities. They are chosen and given their titles exclusively by The Crown.
• Viscount: Viscounts are the first rank of the nobility chosen almost exclusively by The Crown, and who can come from the ranks of the military but are just as often elected from other nobility or favored of The Regent, at their royal discretion. They run the cities of the land, managing them with the assistance of several Barons in outlying castles in the surrounding area. They are chosen and given their titles exclusively by The Crown.
• Baron: Barons are not neccesarily full-time soldiers but nonetheless reside in large castles with several Lords assisting them as they oversee a vast area large enough to fit several groups, and thus an expansive area with many villages and Knight Sigilites, and down to Knights and so on. They receive no wage, and instead profit off the taxes and profits of the land they manage, as do all other nobles above this rank. They are chosen and given their titles exclusively by The Crown.
• Lord: The first rank of true nobility, Lords hold little of the expansive power held by true nobility and serve instead as assistants and adjutants to Barons and sometimes other higher nobility, assisting them in running their lands and territories. They do not come exclusively from the ranks of the military, and are just as often given as a gifted title to those trusted by higher-ranking nobles. They recieve a very respectable monthly wage, and are the last rank of the nobility to get such from the crown.
• Knight Sigilite: A rank reserved for the elite knights who have proven themselves and earned admittance into the legendary "Dragon Sigil", better known as the Draconian Sky Cavalry. Much like a knight, they are elite full time soldiers with excellent training and gear, and serve full time in times of war as part of the military. During times of peace, they are expected to dedicate fully four to six months out of the year to their duties as a warrior, training their steeds and any subordinates, during which time their land is maintained for them by the government. They are gifted larger manors or sometimes small forts and plots of land compared to knights, earn a much more modest monthly wage, and often manage and oversee several knights and their villages and land. Much like Knights, they are not true Nobility but are often considered as extremely respectable Nobility by many.
• Knight: They are the basic Nobility, and well-trained and armored full-time soldiers of the land during all times of war, but during times of peace they are only expected to serve one month a year. They exist above the common soldiery and men-at-arms, and though they do not properly belong to the nobility, they often are considered as Nobles by most. They may be named after bravery in Battle or as a reward for other out of the ordinary actions, and are granted increased holdings, a manor, and the rights to own and oversee a large plot of land and often a village broken up into smaller plots run by the peasantry as a reward for their service as well as a monthly wage.

Draconian Societal Ranks

The Different ranks of Draconian Society are listed below, from highest to lowest:

• High Nobility: Refers to the High Queen, Vizier, High Priests, and the Dukes. The elite of the elite, these nobility make the decisions that run the country and all its constituent territories. They are unfathomably wealthy and powerful, hold immense power and authority, and hold some say in the running of the country at the highest level. They have near limitless rights to do anything within the country under the law, and have extremely favorable considerations and allowances within those laws compared to other lesser nobility, such as extreme privileges and are almost immune to punishment or imprisonment(but not payment, fines, restitution, etc) unless irrevocable proof of some heinous crime is shown.
• Nobility: Refers to the other noble ranks beneath that of Duke. They hold immense power, but have no true say in the running of the country's day to day(Aside from ruling those beneath them according to their wishes of those above them), though they may hold the ear of those who do. They have several privileges under the law, punishments are lessened, and they're given favorable treatment.
• Freeman: A rank mostly considered the same to the Peasantry, but denotes those in actively service to the army, guard, or other military or religious organization. They have a few extra privileges compared to the peasantry, are given some allowances, and given the benefit of the doubt when punishments need to be bestowed upon them.
• Peasantry: The rank most all basic and average citizens are at. They have full rights, such as the right to move, to breed, own land, etc.
• Yoked: Those who have committed a crime horrific or deemed bad enough to be Yoked lose all rights(including Breeding, Food, Etc.), are not protected by law, and are used and expended according to their skillset or the needs of the nation. They are indebted to society as a whole, therefore they "work" for the crown. Those born to a Yoked are considered Yoked themselves, for life.

Public Agenda

Officially, Draconia's public agenda is the spreading of the word of Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon as well as the protection and safeguarding the sanctity and continued existence of the Human species. They have historically believed it is their destiny and divine right to expand to conquer the entire continent, but this belief has waned slightly in recent years.

Assets

Draconia covers a truly titanic amount of land, and covers the central part of the western continent...being made up of 12 smaller vassal nations, Draconia has a truly massive amount of resources and assets to call upon. They have dozens of border castles all across the lands, dozens of battalions of soldiers both in air and on land and sea, defensive castles, towns, and a massive amount of wealth dug from the ground and the lucrative trade caravans that pass through their lands.

Demography and Population

The population of Draconia is divided up into 12 smaller vassal kingdoms which, ages ago, banded together to found the nation beneath the banner of the Empire's Founder, Juliana El-Draco. The population is thus split evenly across these twelve vassal territories. The Birth rate and death rate of Draconia can vary from territory to territory, but on average the birth rate lingers around 1.5 to 2 children per woman, though this number can fluctuate. The death rate has drastically decreased in recent years thanks to the reforms of Julian Alexander El-Draco and the now Queen Olivia Couvillion, and is altogether low due the current era of peace.

Territories

Draconia is made up of twelve smaller vassal nations which were united beneath the banner of the country's founder, Juliana El-Draco, in a war to unite the last lands of humanity.
The twelve vassal nations of Draconia are as follows, in no particular order:

• The Archduchy of Ullanova

Ruled by Archduchess Mirajane Ullanova in the stead of her elder sister, Olivia Couvillion, who is the current acting Head of the House, but cannot actively rule the territory due to her obligations to the throne.

• The Chamberway Protectorate

Ruled by Duke Milton Chamberway.

• The Sarranne Protectorate

Ruled by Duchess Sophia Sarranne.

• The Duchy of Gatrois

Ruled by Duke Buford Belmont.

• The Duchy of Tuvona

Formally ruled by Duke Julian Alexander El-Draco. After his death at the hands of Olivia Couvillion, the Duchy has been delegated to be run by his sister, Duchess Leliana Draco.

• The Barony of Barutai

Ruled by Duke Korsaav Bixby.

• The Castevau Consortium

Ruled by Duchess Camilla Castevau.

• The Archduchy of Bougaitré

Ruled by Archduchess Lucretia Bougaitré.

• The Barony of Salana

Ruled by Duchess Lorelei Hartstrong.

• The Marquisate of Brandemere

Ruled by Duke Seamus Brandemere.

• The Barony of Drisdon

Ruled by Duke Percival Drisdon.

• The Barony of Colfaen

Ruled by Duchess Lucille Raventomb.

Military

The Draconian Military has several branches and varying organizations, but at its core is structed much like the ancient military of The Aurelian Hegemony of Man. The various divisions of the Draconian Military, as well as their function and purpose, are listed below.

• The Iophine Sisters - The organization which serves as both the royal guards to the Crown and High King/Queen, but also as Religious and Military Commanders. They are the ultimate authority in The Empire, and the group is mainly tasked with protecting and serving the direct interests of the Crown.
• The Conduit - The organization that serves as the primary law enforcement arm of The Draconian Empire, as well as its military reserve. They are in every major and minor city to keep the peace, and exclusively serve the crown, and no noble house or family.
• The Wyrmguard - The military force of The Draconian Empire. House Sarranne has a lineage of excellence in the military, and a vast majority of important commanders and notable warriors in the land branch are members of House Sarranne, who many Wyrmguards are a member of. Likewise, House Chamberway has the same influence in the navy.
• The Dragon Sigil - The hyper-elite Draconian Sky Cavalry which made its military so famous. An entire group of wyvern riders and dragon riders raised from birth alongside their mounts to bond with them. Their HQ is top-secret and they report directly to the Crown.
• The Seventh Sacrament - The main Draconian Intelligence Gathering, Espionage, Assassination, and Underworld organization that serves the Crown as a sort of "Public Secret".

Religion

Most prominent throughout the history is the faith of Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon. His faith was the first and founding one as laid down by the country's founder so long ago, and it is to his creed the country has clung throughout the eons...besides him, the country has developed its own unique pantheon over the years which has expanded to include the religions of their new gods such as Khazum Khalum, The Divine Patriarch, Nicodema, Lady Victory, and Lumirana, The Platinum Daughter, whose religions all see a great deal of worship within the country as it was their birthplace. No religions have ever been truly 'outlawed' by Draconia as it has always posited itself as a country of religious freedom, but many have been historically shunned due to the frequently evil nature of those who practice it.
Historically, the Church of the Platinum Dragon has held the most immense amount of influence in the country by a massive margin, but lately this has changed with the ascension of Olivia Couvillion to the throne...now, it is her church that venerates her as a Goddess herself that has become the most rapidly rising religion in the entire country, despite her claims that she is naught but a saint of Bahamut.

Foreign Relations

Draconia has had notoriously bad relations with its neighbors in the past for its Imperial behavior and tendency to annex and attack the territory of other nations to claim it as their own, but during this era of peace and under the former leadership of Julian Alexander El-Draco, Draconia has slowly dragged itself out of the hatred-filled relations it has had and at least now claims neutrality with its neighbors, though it still wars against The Wild Lands and the Orcs who live there.
Historically, the country has had awful relations with its neighbors in a radical belief of Human Supremacy and a desire to completely purge and eradicate all non-humans from the world...or at least, subjugate them and make them kneel. This behavior grew in intensity until the rule of Julian Alexander El-Draco, who set about purging the rampant religious corruption that had taken root in the country's churches and purging his country of their Human Purist beliefs...and continuing his work, Olivia Couvillion accomplished all he could not in a much shorter time, albeit with much more brutal methods.

Agriculture & Industry

Draconia has a great deal of highly fertile land, and has a booming agriculture industry that produces a titanic amount of food daily...farms, homesteads, and farming communities are plentiful around the country, as well as extensive animal husbandry and massive grain plains. The country often has a surplus of food and expertly trained animals, that they often use for trading purposes.

Trade & Transport

Draconia is located in the center of the western continent, and as a result it has become a center of trade and transportation whether others like them or not...they have gone to a great deal of effort to create large, comfortable highways that have become famous for being incredibly straight and well-made. Usually, they build around an obstacle rather than go through it, and their roads are often elevated to allow for better drainage...made of carefully laid brick, Draconian Highways are the standard by which all other countries judge their internal infrastructure.
It is along these very same roads and highways that Draconia accommodates and sends the plethora of trading caravans all across the nation and even into other ones.

Education

Education is a thing mostly reserved for the nobility in Draconia. The Commoners can often speak and understand common, but it isn't uncommon for many to lack the ability to read in any meaningful capacity. Proper Educations are the mark of a social elite, and of the ruling class...though the various libraries and places of learning around Draconia are open to any, they give preference to nobility...and as commoners often cannot read they see little reason to care. However, if they are possessed of a certain drive and the desire to learn, Commoners and other citizens are not restricted or banned from bettering themselves in such ways.

Infrastructure

Draconia has a well-made and maintained series of Aquaducts that carry water throughout the nation, sewer systems in its major cities, and many other cities, villages, castles, and the like around the country.

The last bastion of humanity.

Founding Date

1298 AF

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Alternative Names

Draconia, The Draconian Empire

Demonym

Draconian

Leader

Olivia Couvillion

Head of State

Olivia Couvillion

Head of Government

Olivia Couvillion

Government System

Monarchy, Theocratic

Power Structure

Feudal state

Economic System

Market economy

Currency

The official currency of Draconia is the simple three-coin system, which has become so universal it has spread throughout the western continent. Born from and inspired by the legacy of The Aurelian Hegemony of Man and their ancient system of currency, the three-coin system places coins in ascending order of wealth, each worth 10 of their inferior denomination, from Copper Coins, to Silver Coins, to Gold Coins, and finally Platinum Coins, which break the normal rule and are worth 1000 Gold Coins.

Major Exports

Draconia is a titan of the agriculture and husbandry industries, and the food the country produces is famed the world over for its filling nature, delicious flavor, and incredible depth of taste. Likewise, they often export and are well-known for their powerful and well-trained animals such as horses, farm animals, and others...both food and animals are exported regularly, and to great effect.

Major Imports

Being a primarily agrarian country, Draconia has a long-standing trade deal with The Gordrix Empire to the east that sees them import massive amounts of metal, steel, and other valuable ores to supply the metal for their military, and supplement the few metals and ores they can get from the Barrier Peaks Mountains, on the countries' southern border. They have little sea access, and often import seafaring goods such as fish and pearls, etc.

Legislative Body

The High King or Queen of Draconia is the sole legislative power in Draconia.

Judicial Body

The High King or Queen of Draconia is the sole judicial power in Draconia, and while previously there was a "Council of Kings" made up of the 12 Dukes and the High King that decided jointly on such matters, Olivia Couvillion abolished this council, declaring it corrupt, and took sole power for herself, creating the ranks of Vizier and High Priest to replace the council.

Official State Religion

The Draconian Pantheon

Official Languages

• Common

Neighboring Nations

• The Elvenwood
• The Golden Sands
• The Inhuman Coalition
• The Kingdom of Aslaga
• The Scar
• The Wild Lands

Divine Pantheon

The Draconian Pantheon

A Mighty Protector

No symbol of Draconia is as recognizable nor as well-respected and feared as the legendary Golden True Dragon, Kygoss, who serves as a protector of the High King or Queen of the country and has ever since the country's inception, when he helped the country's founder, Juliana El-Draco, unite the disparate human nations into a unified whole.
With his invincible might as the eldest of his kind, more than a match for the mightiest of heroes, Kygoss serves as a powerful deterrant for any who would dare threaten Draconia from within or without and has continued his service to the Draconian crown even long after the country's founder passed away. He is, to many, synonymous with Draconia itself and serves as an invincible symbol of the unity and strength of Draconia's people.

Many countries united as one

Though now it exists as a unified whole, Draconia was not always so mighty and united a country. Long ago, during The Age of Heroes, the lands now occupied by Draconia were instead the site of 12 seperate smaller human nations that each constantly warred against each other, each vying for control over the rest and dreaming of a unity that would never come. They were a scattered, paranoid, and secular people - despite their dreams of ruling the other nations, none of the 12 had ever managed to truly gain such a footing. It was not until one of the legendary Heroes of Highmire - the most famous and powerful band of heroes that operated in the Age of Heroes - returned from her journies along with her True Dragon friend and ally, Kygoss, and waged a unifying war from her home territory of The Duchy of Tuvona which would ultimately result in her conquest of the other 11 nations, and the formation of Draconia from the united remnants of those nations.
With the formation of the country and the new "High King/Queen" to serve as a central figure, Draconia became the mighty force it is today, with each of the twelve countries subservient to the whole, but with each having a say in the affairs of the country and the High Regent in charge of it by way of "The Council of Kings" - a council made up of the Dukes of the Country that held the ear of the High Regent and served as a check to their power - until recently, when The Council of Kings was disbanded by Olivia Couvillion, who restructured the country to empower the central government and lessened the say of the individual nations that make it up.

Related Reading