The Marasen Empire
Champions of the Elderlight
The Marasen Empire is likely the most hated governing body on the continent. They have a long history of war and conflict with most everyone- but especially Namiza, Ardenmore, and Kardath who managed to win back their freedoms from the Empire over the past few centuries. Both the elves of Astrithyr and the halflings of Hywela hold this empire in contempt- by their standards they are an arrogant, fledgling nation composed of bullies that take what they want. It is their belief that this empire will soon get what they deserve by forcing the halflings and elves to make space for them and then greatly destroying the pristine country they received. Marasen also has a long-standing rivalry with The Provinces of Belstrad, the large country to the south that they were never able to conquer.
Elderlight
The shining capital, radiant heart of the kingdom, the sacred city; it goes by many grandiose names. It is actually a special place. For no discernible reason, fiends, fey, undead, and the like cannot enter. It is not due to any magic barrier put up by Marasenian wizards, it is the reason the city was built here. This protection, which extends 5 miles across and likely five miles into the sky forming a dome, is called the “Elder Light” and it gives the city its name as well as the official pantheon of the empire. For whatever reason this is hallow, consecrated ground. According to Marasenian doctrines it is because this land was promised to chosen leader of all humankind- the God-Blooded, The First King of the East, Alenai Marasen, aasimar champion of Ilazran. Others just think it is a weird phenomenon caused during the Event, perhaps a strange pocket of wild abjuration magic.
Elderlight sits near the banks of the Fion River- the largest trade route in the kingdom. This river and it's tributaries connect Marasen to Namiza as well as to Kardath, Ardenmore, and Belstrad. The city sits about a half mile from the riverbank- the township of Kingsdock being the actual city on the river. It is said that Elderlight is the second largest city in the world, beaten only by Kharo'jhan of the kingdom of Va'Sehir and rivaled by Emenna. It is a massive, sprawling, labyrinthine metropolis. It is composed of two major areas- The Sun Ward and The Corona- the Sun Ward being composed of most of the major municipal buildings, military ward, major temples, and palace as well as the oldest areas of the city (Old Town) and much of the aristocracy's residences. The Corona is where the city has spread further- beyond the border of the Elder Light's protection. The Corona district can still be roamed by extra-planars. Elderlight is home to the royal palace of Marasen, as well as the Izumirian Academy and it's college of magic known as the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts. It is a major trade hub linking much of the east with Namiza and therefore much of the rest of the world. It is the most multicultural of Marasen's cities, and is the kingdom's largest tourism draw. It is well known for its five massive temples that make up the Marasenian Higher Pantheon and the "great hall" that connects them. There are also some very impressive museums, libraries, and theaters. The only other city in Marasen to rival this one culturally speaking is Alderstone- though much of Alderstone's culture is halfling-related.
Gallonry
Gallonry is a decent sized city, though it doesn't compare with the sprawling metropolises of Elderlight and Rhylmera. It began as a rural trade hub for the surrounding farm towns of the Royal Acreage. It has grown to an impressive size over time and become a major stop along the Fion River. It's farmer's markets are some of the largest you could hope to find. The city is actually known in the region for it's watermills. The city processes the majority of Marasen's wheat and cracked barley. It is also well known for its famous breweries and its bakeries. It is known as a place for entrepreneurs and many folks move here hoping to start a new successful business. There's a sizable temple to Torav (god of coin) but it lies in the shadow of Gallonry's temple to Medeh (goddess of the hearth), which might be her largest temple in the world. Gallonry takes things like tradition and family very seriously and promotes itself as a safe, happy, devout, wonderful place to live and rear children. Though Gallonry is beautifully kept and wealthy, it is a difficult place to move to. The price of housing and rent is absurd and the taxes are outrageous. Most, other than the wealthy, live outside of the city and commute in to work lower level jobs. One other thing Gallonry is known for is its festivals- they are large and they last much longer than is probably warranted. Those in the know are aware of a hidden temple to Orahna in this town.
Rhylmera
Rhylmera was one of the first large empire cities build outside of Elderlight. The surrounding region- now called the Broken Plow Acreage- was originally part of the elvish woodland of Astrithyr. Rhylmera was built on the ruins of a former elvish town which was burnt down along with some of the surrounding area. It was rebuilt by the famous Lockwood family as a logging town, the superior fey lumber being sent upriver to the new budding towns in the west around Elderlight. The town, mainly built from the surrounding wood, became colloquially known as The Wooden City as it spread rapidly, accommodating new settlers heading east. By the time most of the surrounding area had been thoroughly deforested, it was ripe to become a major farm town and trade center. At the time they did not understand the future consequences of their reckless destruction of these woods. Much of the good soil has been swept away by rain and wind, leaving the area nearly fallow. At one time there was one of the world's largest temples to the goddess of grain located here, but it has been largely abandoned by the farmers.
Today some determined farmers still try to make the Broken Plow Acreage bear fruit and they blame an elvish curse for their failures. Many old long-time farm families have had to turn to other professions as a means of survival- including crime. Rhylmera is infamous in Marasen for its issues with thieves and cutthroats and it's become a hotbed of political corruption. In the name of their failing economy they have managed to legalize things like gambling and prostitution which are not allowed in most cities in Marasen as they are seen as blasphemous to the Higher Pantheon. There is one empire-approved deity here who still keeps her temple well-attended- Dathira (goddess of the arts). Despite all its issues, Rhylmera has become a bit of an artist colony (even if they are a starving artist colony). Many move to or visit Rhylmera specifically for its art scene and many famous painters and sculptors are from here.
Redgarden
The history of Redgarden is awash with the blood of innocent lives. Before the empire spread in this direction this was the seat of power for the sizable kingdom of Mullbrad. Mullbrad, along with the far northern kingdom of Hollgraeve, were the two largest eastern kingdoms Marasen absorbed during their main era of conquest. Mullbrad had spent centuries fending off the kingdoms to the south that would one day become the provinces of Belstrad, but it was no match for Alenai Marasen. The people- some of the most stubborn in the world- fended off Marasen to the death. They never surrendered, and as a result most of them were slaughtered. Some bitter descendants still remain (mostly the descendants of children who were told to run away and hide in the Wolfswood). They continue to hold a grudge, though most live in current day Ardenmore and not Marasen. Nearly every citizen of Mullbrad perished in a terrible genocide, and something like that leaves a dark mark that cannot be erased. The entire region is said to be deeply haunted by furious and even dangerous spirits. The surrounding plains, which include the massive Somberveld, are full of old Mullbradian ruins and former battlefields.
After the Marasenian conquest, which burnt down the majority of these towns and farms, most of the area was actually not re-inhabited by Marasenians. So brutal was the slaughter and so angry were the spirits that most people were too afraid to settle the area, leaving it a massive barren graveyard of sorts. Redgarden, at the southernmost edge of Old Mullbrad, was built upon the ashes of their former keep and the surrounding town was retrofitted into a military city while the empire's eyes turned south. To this day this city doubles as a military base. It's the first line of defense in the case of a war with Belstrad. It has huge military barracks, the empire's most secure prison, a military academy, and is the location of the Order of the Knights of Ghoeth. Located here are three large temples: a huge temple to Helora which honors dead soldiers, and flanking it the twin temples of Tirias and Ghoeth, the gods of duty and war. Other than Redgarden and a handful of nearby farm towns which mostly exist to grow food for the military, there are very few settlements and no major trade routes other than the dangerous swampy road to Belstrad. The surrounding townships are all well-known for their vineyards and the majority of Marasen's wine comes from the Mullbrad Acreage.
Alderstone
Alderstone was originally a halfling settlement- one of the oldest around at the time of the Marasenian conquest. It was one of the halfling's largest settlements, the closest they had at the time to a proper city. When the Marasenian Army was at their doorstep, hearing well of the slaughters in the far south of the Mullbradians, they rose a white flag and pledged to join the new empire willingly. There is a mythos to this town and it's origins involving the halfling deity Nerys and a single alder tree sitting upon a lone hill- now the location of the city. Alderstone is about half-human and half-halfling at this point in time and is considered a major cultural center in regards to it's music and theater productions. It is also known for no small amount of charlatans and swindlers- secretive worshipers of the deity called Arloh (whom humans call Eilann). The town is fairly wealthy, surrounded by good well-tended halfling farms. It's farmers markets can nearly rival Gallonry. Though the town has a number of large temples, including to Hallar and Medeh, they are not your typical ones as they feature statues of these gods in the guise of halflings. One other area Alderstone is well known for is it's pet shops. Some of the halflings here specialize in domesticating unusual animals. It has something to do with the myth of Nerys, the halfling's deity of small beasts, though no one would say that out loud of course. After all, worship of the halfling pantheon would be illegal in the empire and surely they would never dare break empirical law. Alderstone is not far from the city of Wyngybi, which is actually a fair amount larger, but Alderstone is a significantly nicer place to live. There is actually some recent crime issues in Alderstone because a number of halflings from Wyngybi have begun to move into town in the wake of financial collapse. With them they bring a culture of rebellion towards the empire which has recently increased the number of Kingsguard in the city.
Wyngybi
Wyngybi... is a mess of a city. It would be more accurate to call it several large towns that melded together over time and spread out. Originally it was just a small town near the Marasen/Hywela border- a pitstop for folks traveling to and from Alderstone and Knockatee. Halfling immigrants from Hywela set up shops along this stretch of road and over time a city began to grow there. Marasen sent a governing baron there to manage it as well as the border and several church missionaries were sent to convert halflings to the Elderlight Pantheon. It got the name "Little Hywela"- at least in the early days when they still shared a culture with their homeland. The region around it is notoriously deadly- a territory claimed by a number of goblinoids that have never been successfully weeded out. The city is located near the Galatea River- the divine border of Hywela which large folk cannot cross- not without an invitation from a halfling anyhow. As a result, many halflings (and humans with halfling friends) who run into issues with the law can simply jump the border not far from here and not be followed by the Kingsguard. As a result, crime has begun to flourish here- especially in regards to religion and magic. Because of all these issues a large number of Kingsguard are stationed here to enforce empirical law, but it just results in backlash from the largely halfling population who have come to despise these bullies. Many halflings here have devolved into makeshift "gangs" for their own protection. Seemingly out of spite, the local baron has increased taxes and the price of housing as a form of punishment but all that has come of this is an angrier more rebellious population who want this Baron gone. Many have considered actually trying to get Wyngybi to secede from the Empire and become a part of Hywela- even though it is not protected by the divine barrier.
Most would wonder why these halflings do not simply return to peaceful Hywela- why stay here in the empire and struggle? The answer is that these halflings have been so long removed from their original rural culture that most feel like outsiders in Hywela and most do not know the art of farming any longer. Even the halfling language is dying out in this town. Most produce is actually brought here from Alderstone because of Wyngybi's dangerous outskirts. Simply put, even those who would want to farm the area would be put in great danger by goblinoid raiders and threats from the Tallwood. The halflings here are bizarrely 'human', having grown up in an urban atmosphere very separate from the surrounding nature. Many halflings who immigrate here from Hywela are quite confused and even pity these halflings who have lost their way. The town was once known for it's traditional halfling crafts- textiles, pottery, and the like, but over time these skills have faded out through cultural assimilation. Now much of the population is poverty-stricken and residents have to find creative ways to make income. As there are no solid exports, no income from tourism, and lots of mouths to feed, the city rests on the brink of total economic collapse. As of late a number of halflings have moved on to Alderstone, Northkeep, and Rhylmera- still determined to stick to urban areas even if they do not share as high a population of fellow halflings.
Northkeep
Northkeep is Marasen's only actual seaport, sitting on the edge of the endless North Sea. It is the empire's only good local source of fresh seafood. It's main trading partners are Port Adenir just down the coast in Ardenmore and the dwarven port of Ghezlahn on Namiza's northern shore. Some ships do go as far as Dawnport but traversing that swampy eastern coastline is incredibly dangerous. Some ships also do continue down the coast of Namiza, but generally no further than the Ashen Sea which separates northern Namiza with the Ilvare Isles. Northkeep was once the main castle keep of the small human country of Hollgraeve that existed here before the Marasenian Conquest. The surrounding hills and grasslands are known for being particularly treacherous due to hill giants, goblinoid raiders and dangerous wild beasts. There are also some issues with coastal lizardfolk raiders, the only upside being their presence seems to have kept the sahuagin menace at bay. The northern coast of Arna, often called the Empty Coast, is notorious for it's thick rolling mists, and these raiders use these mists as cover to raid fishing villages and even the larger cities when they have the numbers. Strangely they only seem to destroy what they can and kill humans- they rarely take anything with them, so their purpose for raiding is not entirely understood other than as an act of hatred. As far as the city itself, it is mostly a manufacturing town. Imported ores and other raw materials are generally processed here and sent elsewhere in the empire. It actually boasts a small dwarf populace as well as some other unusual characters. There is a small population of Kenku here as well as a few stray but friendly fey folk who appear to have wandered over from the dangerous Tallwood. Northkeep doesn't have a great number of temples like many other large cities in Marasen. The only truly impressive one is it's temple to Tulmar, god of sea and weather, and a smaller one for Torav.
Inhabitants
The inhabitants of Marasen are overwhelmingly human. In the north, in cities like Wyngybi or Alderstone which were originally halfling settlements, the demography can actually hit around the 50/50 mark between humans and halflings. Occasionally in the areas bordering around Kardath you might find the occasional half elf or even full-blooded high elf but it's not very common. Similarly, elvish-blooded individuals- if they are exceptionally renowned or talented- can be found living in some of the larger cities of Marasen like the capital of Elderlight or the trade hub of Rhylmera. The further away from these trade hubs the less likely a given town will be particularly warm and welcoming to those who are different. That is not to say they will be hostile, but they are likely to start off on a distrustful note unless proven otherwise. Dwarves are found almost exclusively in the capital working as well paid blacksmiths or within the mining settlements of the Ochre Mountains. Gnomish kind and most others are rare and usually only found wandering the large cities as tourists or travelers just passing through.The Importance of Religion
The Marasen Empire is a near-theocracy centered around five gods they refer to as the Elderlight Pantheon. There are others included in the pantheon, but these five are integral and said to be the gods that established this kingdom and bestowed upon their first king the divine right to rule. According to their doctrine, all other deities bow to these five eldest gods of law and order and civilization. As such, citizens are required to make an oath to at least one of them and keep an empire-made religious pendant on them as a show of loyalty. Though its rare for there to be Actual Punishment for not proudly displaying this, those who would not will often be regarded with suspicion, or in the worst case, be accused of blasphemy or potentially oath-breaking. This can result in a multitude of consequences but it generally includes being sentenced to community service in the hands of the church they swore an oath to. Included in this is usually a bit of “behavior therapy” at the hands of the church and a little brush up on what that god expects of you. Proudly presenting the holy symbol of your god is both a show of patriotism and an indicator of citizenship. Not displaying it will often be a sign to others of an outsider or tourist- potentially one to be wary of. Open worship of non-empire gods by citizens is a crime whose punishment can range from compulsory conversion and behavioral therapy to expulsion from the realm, or even long-term imprisonment depending on the severity of their actions in the name of their heretical deity. The Elderlight Pantheon consists of Danha (God of Peace), Ilazran (God of Law), Izumir (God of Knowledge), Torav (God of Craft & Coin), & Tirias (God of Protection). Additional deities whose worship is sanctioned within the empire include Hallar (Goddess of Grain), Medeh (Goddess of the Hearth), Tulmar (God of Weather), Ghoeth (God of Warfare), and Dathira (Goddess of the Arts). These deities are sometimes referred to as the “Lower Pantheon” and are worshiped secondary to the deity a citizen has sworn an oath to. Ghoeth once held station closer to the elites but has fallen out of style with the current era of relative peace. He is still popular among soldiers. The deities known as Oranah and Khalil are not officially sanctioned, however, for the most part people are happy to look the other way or accept a Don’t Ask Don’t Tell situation. The goddesses of Love and Festivals may invite raucous or improper behavior but two things universally loved by most citizens are parties and getting laid so most folks wont judge. Similarly Pelenei is considered mostly harmless so it’s rare for her followers to get into trouble unless they ask for it. Things get a little hairy when it comes to the deity Zhella. In fact, it was the outlawing of the worship of this goddess of beasts that caused the civil war of Ardenmore and their eventual independence. As a region that depended on hunting and safe travel through their woodlands, the inability to make offerings to this wild and often vicious goddess whose domain they were living in was outright dangerous.A Tight Leash on Wizardry
Outside of their strict rules on religion, The Marasen Empire also severely regulates the usage of Magic. In order to openly perform arcane magic one must be licensed- they must be taught at an empire-run school of magic that only teaches magic that is non-destructive in nature or incapable of mentally manipulating others, like illusion or enchantment magics. Magic in Marasen is to be utilitarian only and only by licensed professionals who have proven their loyalty to the empire, its gods, and it’s laws- including a two-year period of military service. To perform unlicensed magic or unapproved magic if you are licensed is a criminal offense that could have dire consequences based on the magic performed and for what reason. The only people who are given a free pass in this are priests and clerics of the Elderlight Pantheon. God-given gifts are the only exception. The school of magic in the capital of Elderlight is called The Royal Academy of the Arcane Arts. Even those with military service under their belt must test into this academy and show exceptional memory and potential. Certain aristocrats have been rumored to have skipped both the military service requirement and test if their family has enough political sway. Similarly, some with enough wealth for an exceptionally large bribe may skip the testing phase. Entering Marasen as a spellcaster can be a difficult process. There is an intense screening phase for non-citizens entering the empire and if a spellcaster is discovered, have to go through a rigorous process of interrogation including providing a good reason for entering the Empire and, if possible, an empire citizen to vouch for them. If they are lucky and manage to get in, they are given a badge that must be displayed at all times indicating that they are a known unlicensed spellcaster. They are not, however, permitted to utilize their magic while within the Empire except for in life or death situations or if someone of high station is able to grant them a measure of leniency.Life in Marasen
As long as one minds the concrete rules and regulations, Marasen is a fairly peaceful place to live. The streets in most towns and trade routes are safest in the world due to the Kingsguard. That is not to say it is a country without crime, but compared to Namiza or Kardath, it is a veritable haven. There are issues with poverty, something to be expected in a monarchy with a very old, well established aristocracy. There are also some issues with racism, as many Marasenians distrust elvish kind and those they have limited contact with such as dwarves, gnomes, and those with extraplanar blood, such as tieflings or genasi. They can be hostile towards those with orc heritage, particularly in the mountainous west where orcish tribes may still occasionally raid settlements and trade caravans. They are perfectly fine with halfling-kind, and halflings represent a sizable portion of their population in places.The Great Cities
Marasen, being a fairly massive country with almost too much fertile farmland, has a number of large cities and an absurd number of rural townships to support them.
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