The Grand County of the Darkwood
Forged from the ashes of the once-mighty Kingdoms of the Oenkanen, The Grand County of the Darkwood is a member state of the Third Empire of Evermore. It is best known for the primeval forests that make up most of it's territory and the ancient city of Dragonscale that serves as it's capital. The Darkwood has pockets of civilization, but is primarily unconquered wilderness and known to be a refuge for monsters, illegal cults, and bandits as well as revolutionaries.
Structure
The Darkwood is ruled over by the Count of the Darkwood, who ranks higher than the Viscounts below him, who rank higher than the Barons below them. Below Barons in rare occasions are minor landed lords without true titles.
History
The Darkwood was conquered during the Sylvan War and an early part of the First Empire. However, it would not officially become the Grand County until after the eradication of the remaining Dragon strongholds in the region. The formation of The Darkwood following the Draconic Wars is an important part of Darkwood culture, with dragons and dragonslayer motifs pretty much everywhere.
Demography and Population
Like most regions of the Empire, The Darkwood is human-dominated. However, due to it's proximity to The Confederacy and a tendency for Elf lords to wed their daughters to Viscounts for political gain, Half-Elves across the Empire often migrate to The Darkwood in search of a better life.
Military
The Oaken Army is the professional military of The Darkwood, made up mostly of peasant volunteers. Officer positions are the exclusive domain of the nobility.
Religion
The Darkwood is of course primarily made up of cultists of the Prime Fifteen and the manifold religions they encompass, however there are several smaller villages that practice ancestor worship, pagan nature spirit religions, and a sizable dragon cult that worship dragons as divine creatures.
Foreign Relations
The Darkwood is a trade hub next to both Kuasta and The Confederacy, and as such is often viewed more favorably by foreign powers than the rest of the Empire. The Confederacy, for instance, refuses to trade with The Greenlands, but have no problems purchasing spices from the Seven Lords from Darkwood merchants.
Infrastructure
The Kingsroad is of course well maintained, but the other trading paths are dangerous.
Iron, Oak, and the Bones of Dragons
Founding Date
298
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Alternative Names
The Forest Boundless, The Grave of Dragons, The First Colony
Demonym
Forest Folk
Leader
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Client state / puppet state
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
As a participant in the Guilded Truce, The Darkwood utilizes Standard Currency in the form of the copper Pennet, silver Noblet, gold Draget, and platinum Deilet.
Legislative Body
The nobility of any given region dictate laws as they see fit, superceded only by the laws of their superiors and of course the Common Law of the Empire.
Judicial Body
The Darkwood utilized itinerant judges, who wander the Darkwood to lay judgement on those awaiting trial. Of course, a prisoner might have to wait an awfully long time for trial and might simply plead guilty at some point to receive their punishment and move on.
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Comments