Speydom

No scholar ever expected one of the most powerful political fragments of the Volum Empire to be centered in Spey Swistan. This nation of mostly halflings has evolved into a rich, expansive empire that controls nearly all of he trade across both the Sea of Strife and the Southwaves Ocean. Its ruling body, known as the Masquerade, can easily be recognized by the elaborate masks worn at all times by every individual. Actually identifing a Masker, however, is near impossible. In Speydom, the mask one wears marks one’s identity even more than the body wearing it.

Structure

The Masquerade is the ruling body of Speydom. It consists of 100 masks who create laws, judge cases, and can declare war. One member of the Masquerade, called the Glass Mask, wears a completely transparent mask. The Glass Mask is the tiebreaker and public face of the Masquerade. The position is described as being “the mask of the Masquerade.”
Every citizen has a personality test that determines their position in society Breeders use these tests to optimize the scores of children Measures dozens of categories, organized into six broad groups Taken once a year Masks of Identity: all government workers Huge businesses devoted to helping you increase your scores. Technically illegal, but that's hard to enforce Branches of Governement. On paper, all are equally ranked Bureau of Advancement and Personhood (Masquerade) controls citizenship, citizen databases, personality tests, position appointments, and masks of identity. In practice, most powerful branch Bureau of Resources and Defense: controls trade, tariffs, and navy Bureau of Civilility and Justice: suppresses rebellions, law enforcement, court systems Bureau of Health and Mind: controls hospitals, studies disease, and treats people with physical and mental illnesses, as well as education Bureau of Arcana and Science: Researches magic and science for the betterment of the state, and prevents unauthorized magic and technology use Bureau of Infrastructure and Transportation: Organizes construction of buildings and vehicles, and their use
You must be a citizen to own land, own or work for an authorized business, appeal to court, use public resources, carry weapons or use magic in Speyish territory CItizenship takes 2 weeks to 4 months, depending on how much you pay and how good your sponsor is If you are denied, you cannot reappeal for 1 year.

Assets

Speydom fated through the Volic Wars relatively well, and managed to snatch up three colonies of the Volum Empire: Sunderden, Freecaster, and Thiyj. These were all new, small cities at the time, but due to their locations are now economic powerhouses controlling three of the major trade routes into western Bruidan. Sunderden borders Estaria, and diverts powerful magic reagents, artifacts, and inventions from that land away from Ushal and to the Speyish homeland. Freecaster is the headquarters of the Swamptongues and controls the Tall Tree Passage through Sharynnuur. The food, spices, herbs, and artwork from Casgalias through this city are quite valued. Thiyj, on the north coast of Scasal, has not yet proven its worth as much as the others, but many explorers seek riches and power from the monster-infested jungles of Scasal.

Demography and Population

Total Population: 111,000

Population by Race:

Halflings	35,200
Humans	27,000
Elves	15,000
Gnomes	9,000
Tieflings	7,000
Half-Elves	5,000
Half-Orcs	5,000
Lizardfolk	2,000
Dragonborn	1,000
Tritons	1,000
Goblinoids	500
Kobolds	500
Yuan-Ti	100
Aasimar	100
Triton Hybrid	100
Uncommon Species	2,500

Population by City:

Spey Swistan	25,000
Everster	20,000
Colworth	18,000
Freecaster	14,000
Sunderden	12,000
Thiyj	6,000
Smaller Towns and Villages	16,000

You can be anyone when no one sees your face.

Maps

• 

  Everster

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Demonym

Speyish

Government System

Democracy, Parliamentary

Economic System

Market economy

Legislative Body

The Masquerade

Controlled Territories

• Everster
• Sunderden

Neighboring Nations

• The Estarian Sanctuary
• The Timocracy of Chanard