The Kingdom of Dark Isle
Dark Isle is the capital province of The Bloodrealms, and the seat of power of Blood King Daxos. Originally founded by the vampire lord known as The Blood King, Dark Isle has since come to flourish under the leadership of Daxos and the protection of the Empire. Though the main roads and major cities are safe enough, Dark Isle has a reputation for being a dangerous land of monsters, storms, and hauntings.
Structure
King Daxos is the absolute monarch of Dark Isle. King Daxos raises families to nobility, who become dukes, who appoint lesser nobility, who choose mayors for each settlement in their domain.
Demography and Population
Dark Isle is a primarily human country, and most of these are Alurin, though minority populations of Skaldorans, Bazir, Paoleyans, and Jianro have been growing in the last century. Remnants of the Kene Asha Elves survive among human settlements as Half-Elves, though the bloodlines are dying out as generations pass. The ancient presence of Lycathropy on Dark Isle has also resulted in plenty of Skinwalkers, though these are often shunned by their families and forced into the wilderness.
The second most populous race of Dark Isle are Halflings, specifically Gorentel. With the scattering of Halflings across the continent, several have moved to Dark Isle to live among the Gorentel.
The nobility of Dark Isle are exclusively Dhampir, half-undead created in a special blood ritual by King Daxos. Though the least common sentient race on the island, they are the ruling class.
Military
In addition to the local branches of the Imperial Legion, Dark Isle is home to the Black Army of Valor, a professional fighting force feared across the continent. In times of war, King Daxos is one of the only leaders of the Empire to practice conscription. The Black Army is responsible for protecting Dark Isle, and considering that the island has been at peace for centuries, they've spent most of that time fortifying Dark Isle's largest cities, improving existing defenses, securing the roadways, and crushing dissension.
Religion
Among the Fifteen, The Guardian is the most popular deity of the common people of Dark Isle. Noble Dhampir tend to align strongly with Vadaszat, Ku'Qala, or Attinae. The Black Army itself practices a unique faith, believing that they are to be forever trapped as ghosts among the living, protecting Dark Isle for eternity. Thus, they have no true deity, instead invoking prayers directly to their predecessors.
Foreign Relations
Since the joining of Dark Isle with the Empire of Evermore in the 900's, Dark Isle has enjoyed immense influence among the other Imperial provinces. It's positioning allows for easy trade with the Confederacy of Elvish Tribes, and tin mined in Dark Isle can be found all over the continent. Dark Isle's control over The Spear and Seal Bay Island, collectively the Bloodrealms of Daxos, gives the Kingdom access to more resources and soldiers than it could possibly use by itself. Until the addition of Lancaster to the Empire, The Bloodrealms was considered the single strongest province.
Agriculture & Industry
The terrain of Dark Isle is not especially well-suited to most crops. However, rice grows in abundance, as does skirret, taro, rhubarb, mint, pears, and cranberries. Duck is raised as fowl in place of chickens, due to common flooding, and goats are popular livestock as they can easily climb to high places. Not many crops are exported out of Dark Isle save for rice when the River grain harvests are poor, but mint leaves are a popular herb that is hard to find outside of the island and brings in steady revenue.
Two primary industries are associated with Dark Isle, whaling and bronze. The tin mines of the island's mountains are the major source of tin for the entire continent, and whale products made in Dark Isle can be found as far away as Aaldenbur.
Trade & Transport
One of the major projects of King Daxos has been to secure and improve the major roadways linking Dark Isle's major cities together. Due to seasonal rains and common flooding, the main roads (often called the Kingsway) are made of miles and miles of cobblestones and protected by small stone or concrete walls. In many places, the roads are also surrounded on either side by drainage ditches. The less maintained common roads are often the only way to trade for remote settlements, leading to the popularity of caulked wooden carts pulled by Dark Isle oxen, which are powerful swimmers that do well in wet environments.
Bound In Blood
Founding Date
1207 TE
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Alternative Names
Daxos' Land, The Dead Kingdom
Demonym
Bloodlander
Leader
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
The Kingdom of Dark Isle is one of the signatories of the Guilded Truce, and as such uses Standard Currency in the form of the copper Pennet, silver Noblet, gold Draget, and platinum Deilet.
Major Imports
Iron is the most important import to Dark Isle, but it also regularly takes in lumber, grain, tea, and cotton. The rich are fond of having meat and dairy shipped in rapidly, occasionally through magic, as well as citrus fruits, dyes, chocolate, and silk.
Legislative Body
King Daxos authors all new laws himself, though the various duchies of Dark Isle and individual settlements are allowed to pass local laws so long as they do not conflict with the word of Daxos.
Judicial Body
Criminals are tried by the closest settlement's Mayor, confirmed guilty by the Duke, and sent to King Daxos for punishment. A specialized constabulary called the Silent Speakers travel from duchy to duchy, collecting the guilty to take back to the Blood King. The Speakers have the power to hold trials themselves if they so choose, but rarely do so.
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Location
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
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