Federation of the Fearsome Maw

Country of the Dragonkin

The Fearsome Maw is a megacity state that covers a large portion of the island of Ullindar. The federation controls the entire island. Most of its population is focused in the city-state, with smaller towns, ports, and farming communities spreading across the island. This is the largest city in the world even when compared to the grand capitals of other countries or the underground cities of the Dwarves and Silver Elves, it reaches high into the sky and far under the ground with a variety of structures that represent a highly diverse city of twenty-four subspecies and cultures. These lands are ruled by a council called the Crown of Teeth, a seat is reserved for a member from each of the Dragonkin colors who have various methods and manners of choosing their representation. The Fearsome Maw is the destination of adventure with intrigue, secrets, conspiracies, and heroic deeds aplenty for those looking to make a name for themselves. While each sector of the city has its own culture, laws, and way of doing business, there are usually few restrictions for travelers to move through the city and do business or seek out renowned residents.
The Crown of Teeth is a council that serves to deconflict the many agendas of the city sectors, with twenty-four members in total they address issues that concern their city as a whole and act as a court of disputes between sectors. No part of the city can impose its will upon another part, each sector is completely under the power of one subspecies of Dragonkin as denoted by their Draconic heritage and scale color. These sectors all have unique names, cultures, and laws within them with only a few common ones shared between them that originate from the council. Within their own sector, each of the representatives on the council has ruling power attributed to them by their people after a variety of fashions from election to bloodline, all depending upon the preference of the Dragonkin color. Because of the high variation in the sprawling city, those that are not Dragonkin nor resident are subjected to travelers law which grants them amnesty from many of the more extreme penalties or requirements in favor of a common law.
The Fearsome Maw is a premier destination for trade and a prime spot for sailors and fliers to halt on their journey from between the continents. Gold is never in short supply and there is always work to be done, many a merchant has made their start or met their untimely end through the wiles of the city. Travelers in the federation generally seek sponsorship from one of the sectors if they wish to stay for great lengths of time so they can receive a sector badge. These badges allow you to take refuge in a given sector and temporarily act as one of its citizens, allowing you favor in certain parts of the city but drawing ire from others. While the Dragonkin all call this place home, there are many complex alliances and rivalries that go back generations.
The most common species to see in the federation are Dragonkin, overwhelmingly so with a somewhat balanced amount of each subspecies present in the city. It is not uncommon to find Silver Elves and Dwarves in the lower areas of the city while Humans and Animal Kingdom races often frequent the upper portions. The seaside settlements are overflowing with activity from the water-dwelling species of the depths that come up to trade, exchange news, and bring omens from the deep waters. Despite being a complex society, it is still seen as the big stage for many Adventurers and Scholars because of how much there is to see and do. There is always a mystery to solve involving the high politics of the city or a passageway of Káto being uncovered as the city expands lower into the ground. This is a blessing and a curse, the level of activity and proximity of the various colors of Dragonkin is often thought to be the reason that many of them strike out into the world to integrate into other societies or settle in more peaceful areas.

Demographics & Territory

The population of the Fearsome Maw is robust due to the nature of how Dragonkin physiology works. A Dragonkin has a major trait that allows them to take after a Metallic or Chromatic Dragon, this is where the color of their scales and their breath weapon stems from. They also possess a minor trait that allows them to take after the part of their ancestry connected to the Elder Races, this can grant a body structure and build that is recognizable as Dwarf, Elf, or Human. Over 80% of the population is comprised of Dragonkin from 24 different major traits in varying combinations with the three minor traits that exist. Avians represent another 10% of the population, and the reamining 10% is broken up between Dwarves, Elves, Humans, and others from the Southern Continent. In the coastal areas, it is not uncommon to see water-dwelling species in the area as well. It is not uncommon for Dragons of both types, Metallic or

Quick Facts

Population Breakdown

Dragonkin

80%

Avians

10%

Other Races

10%

Other Information

Favored Cuisine

Dragon Buns

Council

Crown of Teeth

Common Flora

Oak

Common Fauna

Hummingbirds

Chromatic, to visit various areas of the city, because it has been declared a non-hostile zone and has been used as a meeting ground in the past.
The Fearsome Maw is a mega-city that acts as a city-state, it governs the entire island of Ullindar and is ever expanding. It takes a few days just to travel from one end to the other due to the massive size and sprawling geography of the city. Despite this, it does not cover the entire island. There are several small villages, rural areas, and small ports that each have affiliations with a sector of the city. These smaller areas often note and prize their affiliation with a sector over that of their actual name because of the history and culture that comes from allying yourself with the larger city. Affiliation with a city sector allows a town to fall under the laws, customs, and protection of that part of the city in times of hardship or danger.
Taxes are independently levied according to how each sector lays out its laws but each sector must contribute an amount of capital to the council on an annual basis. The various sectors are responsible for repairs, roads, quality of life, guards, and overall care of the people under their charge. There is only one tax that is centralized to the council, each member operates with the backing of their sector. The centralized tax funds an academy of sword, sorcery, and faith that provides expertise and training to the military forces of the Maw. This means that some members of the council may hold more bargaining power when working with other council members based on the capabilities and wealth of their sector.

Insignia of the Fearsome Maw

Insignia of the Fearsome Maw by Crest via Armoria, created by RiverFang

The Insignia of the Fearsome Maw has seen an immense amount of debate throughout its lifetime, with the finality winning out only in the recent era in the wake of the war. Though it is the picture of equality, it favors none and is perhaps the most heated topic of debate in snide political talks. The likeness of a Dragon is the symbol chosen to represent the country in honor of the lineage of those that call it home, however, depending on the sector of the city the likeness of the Dragon is changed to reflect that sector's heritage. In the sector where Red Dragonkin live, the insignia is that of a Red Dragon and the likeness is changed for each sector. Despite this, the unified insignia put forth by the council shows a single likeness that is voted upon at the start of each century and campaigned for based on the achievements of each sector. The insignia of the current age is that of the Green Dragon, championed and won through the political achievements of the sector belonging to the Green Dragonkin who were the first to establish ties with Fire & Gold, Inc., ushering in substantial opportunities for the country as a whole.

Military

Despite the independent nature of the megacity, their military formations have many similarities. Each sector has a dedicated military college, a college of arcane studies, and a temple for divine studies. These are influenced by the central academy of the Fearsome Maw which has three branches: Conventional Weaponry and Warfare, Arcane Application, and Divine Study. This central academy is known as the Last Breath, accomplished graduates of this academy go on to lead regiments or become experts in their field of study. The Headmaster of the academy is a coveted, elected position with a seat on the High Council of the Arcane though if a Divine Caster or Master of Weaponry were to be elected the position of Headmaster, the seat on the High Council of the Arcane default to the most senior Arcane practioner.
Each sector of the city maintains two regular forces. The first is a city guard unit that patrols the city in groups of three to thirty based on the situation and area. The second is a traveling vindicator unit that ventures outside of the main city for escort or enforcement missions. Many sectors will create small specialized units to serve specific needs but they maintain these two military branches to ensure they can integrate with other sectors for training exercises or large-scale defense operations. Despite their decentralized laws and governing systems, their military forces integrate often to accomplish difficult tasks or repel monsters that threaten the city or the smaller regions surrounding it.
The Fearsome Maw places importance upon the 3-man unit comprised of a weapon master, an arcane caster, and a divine caster. They apply this methodology to small and large-scale formations with standardized training in a given sector that allows small teams to break apart and consolidate with others of their discipline. Arcane casters consolidate into larger formations, divine casters consolidate, and martial Fighters consolidate to create large 3-part formations that exercise tactics perfected for synchronized warfare. Each sector has specialties, for example, the sector comprised of Green Dragonkin are known to produce Soldiers that wield war hammers and casters that focus primarily on spells that limit freedom of movement. Each 3-man unit has individualized, small-unit tactics that allow them to respond to situations with agile problem-solving.

Foreign Relations

The Federation of the Fearsome Maw is positioned in the center of the world geographically, they are involved with a lot of trade that goes between the two continents. Their exports are varied but they have one of the few stable relationships with the Fire Islands, granting them a unique position in trade deals of exotic goods to and from that area of the world. Their relations with foreign nations are often stabilized through their participation in regional defense and monster hunting. Various sectors will often send forces or mercenaries to escort trade routes, quell monsters in the surrounding region, and even go on expeditions to dangerous areas on the Southern Continent.
The Federation is where the Dagger Guild is currently headquartered and sees the most income. Despite not being founded in the federation, the guild has seen a remarkable membership rate in this area. Many of the international quests are submitted to and vetted by the higher-ups only after close scrutiny at this location. Guild celebrations and high-tier members find luxurious accommodations should they spend any amount of time in the Federation and they have unique benefits beyond that of other areas. The Federation sees the only international adventuring guild as a way to remain a neutral party at worst in most countries around the world as it presides over the professional Adventurer's lifestyle in the present day.
Due to the decentralized identity of the Federation, they find it difficult to station true national envoys in many locations. True representation would require a total of 24 representatives so in an effort of more realistic presence, the Federation assigns diplomatic duties to various sectors of the

city as decided upon in the Crown of Teeth. In this manner, they are able to assign diplomats to countries on the Northern and Southern Continents with ease, also being one of the few countries to have representatives on the Fire Islands by way of the Green and White Dragonkin city sectors. They also have relations in Káto and with some of the underwater civilizations, made much easier due to the respective subterranean and aquatic natures of a few of the Dragonkin species. The relationship with Fire & Gold, Inc. with the Fearsome Maw is a recent and ambitious one that has been profitable for both sides and sparked expeditions to the far depths of the ocean and trips into the uncharted and far-flung seas. Due to the lucrative nature of these interactions, Fire & Gold, Inc. has been given substantial standing with all of the city sectors and contracts have become quite competitive for Adventurers to secure.
The Federation has the newest seat on the High Council of the Arcane, only dating back a few hundred years due to a period of time where they were at odds with the council. The dispute centered around the nature of the Wandering Forest and how it should be studied among the scholarly community, if any areas were allotted to any countries as private research areas due to geographical location and standing relations. These differences were overcome and the High Council of the Arcane welcomed the expertise of the combat Mages that the Federation has long been renowned for. The study of magic is considered a prestigious pursuit in the Federation due to the demand and popularity of Mages in adventuring parties, though some sectors are more predisposed towards martial forms of combat due to honor and tradition. The various academies throughout the Federation provide ample opportunities for various pursuits of magical education while the Last Breath is considered one of the magic academies that focuses the most on practical application of offensive and defensive magic in tactics.

Government Bodies

Due to the expansive nature of the peoples and cultures within the Federation, the government systems vary from sector to sector, across the country they have come to recognize various 'authorities' as equivalent to each other which has made interaction and cohabitation significantly easier. Three major authorities and two minor authorities are recognized within the Fearsome Maw.

Major Sector Authority of Law

Individual Sectors have an authority that is given to a small group or a single person for the rule of law, this authority is considered the highest in the Federation and imparts total ruling power within a given sector of the city. This authority grants the ability to make laws, levy taxes, change construction in various parts of the city and appoint other authorities according to the customs and traditions of that sector. Each type of Dragonkin has its own way of electing, appointing, or inheriting this position though most prefer a singular entity that rules with the authority for a few decades due to the stability that it brings. Their relationship with the other authorities is that of a superior, depending on the individual customs of a sector they may be able to dismiss the other authorities and appoint them freely.
This authority is responsible for leading their people, the living conditions of their sector and treaties, and the protection of their people. The only thing outside of their purview is having a seat on the Crown of Teeth. The outward face of a sector can never be the Sector's Authority of Law.

Major Sector Authority of Representation

This authority is always a singular person and fulfills the need for representation that each sector needs on the Crown of Teeth to peacefully coexist with the other sectors. This authority has the ability to appoint, dismiss, and pursue all diplomatic ties as directed by the Authority of Law in their sector. They do not have the ability to make changes in their sector beyond representing the interests of their people, some have more ability to represent their sector than others based on the political climate. The Authority of Representation is also expected to act as a judge and arbiter on situations that concern the interpersonal relations between the various sectors or when judging offenses dealing with foreign relations in their land.
This authority is responsible for ensuring their sector's interests are represented in a fair manner and that they are not minimized in importance when interacting with foreign countries. They have no legal system authority unless the council is petitioned for a judgment or if the Authority of Law assigns them temporary powers.

Major Sector Authority of Pen

This authority can be made up of a council or several individuals based upon the customs and traditions of the city sector they hail from. These are the legal authorities that exist within the various city sectors, they act as judges and tend to many of the administrative duties of managing an active population in a condensed area. They can assemble courts, assign penalties or leniencies, direct the movement of troops, and appoint the authorities of Iron and Prayer with stipulations that have been bartered and declared through Crown of Teeth. These stipulations are usually qualifications and reports that must be verified by the Last Breath or one of their sanctioned colleges in the various sectors. Many have likened the Authority of Pen to that of a magistrate or lesser governor, they usually have a jurisdiction that covers a certain portion of the population or so many miles of land. For this reason, there are often many persons appointed to this Authority to keep a sector running smoothly.
This authority is responsible for record-keeping, licenses, observation of laws, and appointment of the two minor authorities by and large. They perform many clerical duties and can organize councils or officers under them with discretion based upon the Authority of Law in their sector.

Minor Sector Authority of Iron

These are military officers who contribute to the overall makeup of a sector's fighting forces, despite the name those of arcane or other magical disciplines may find themselves appointed in these positions. This is an authority of public service that varies in scope but can range from commanding a small guard to commanding large sections of a militia during military operations. Various military ranks are often associated with this and accompanied by an endorsement of a city sector dictating the scope, power, and duties detailed with this position. There are many Authorities of Iron in every sector, their duties are strictly that of physical law enforcement or military service as dictated by the Authority of Law and endorsed by the Authority of Pen.

Minor Sector Authority of Prayer

These are priests and Clerics that run temples and parishes in the various city sectors, they are not part of the fighting forces or militias that the city sector keeps. This is an authority of public service that grants the ability to perform ceremonies, rites, and religious services in accordance with a religion that they have been certified in. Generally, a priest is given a blanket endorsement from the Last Breath after completing a specified series of studies that allows them basic understanding of the Pantheons of Isekai at large, while specific rituals and rites require further endorsement. There are many Authorities of Prayer in every sector, their duties are only religious in nature and sequestered to the infastructure of temples as dictated by the Authority of Law and endorsed by the Authority of Pen with additional specifications imparted by the Last Breath as agreed upon in the Crown of Teeth.

Founding Date

100,000 IM

Type

Geopolitical, City-state

Capital

Fearsome Maw

Ruling Organization

Crown of Teeth

Government System

Meritocracy

Power Structure

Federation

Official State Religion

Pantheons of Isekai

Location

Ullindar

Official Languages

• Draconic

Related Species

• Dragonkin

Related Ethnicities

• Dragonkin Culture

Religion

This area worships the Dragon god Kallex as its primary deity almost exclusively, this is furthered by the demographic of the population and is one of the uniting factors of the Dragonkin due to the majestic existence of the progenitor of all Dragonkind. Other popular dieties for this area are Olik, Varell, and Cique due to their association with magic or order. Temples in the Federation are all outwardly dedicated to Kallex with lavish and ornate architecture featuring many precious metals in their construction, while the priests are often studied in minor rites of many pantheons. These temples include places of worship and libraries where travelers and residents can conduct religious or historical research. The Dragon Index has many volumes, songs, artwork, and other things that are quite popular to research in these establishments. The iconography of other pantheons is often lacking but often their religious texts are on hand and the more experienced priests have received training and certifications to facilitate a variety of functions.

Currency

The speicif ccurrency used within the Standard Metal Value system for the Fearsome Maw is called Scales. They are not lavish nor decorative coins but rather perfectly smooth coins that bear no blemish or tarnish nor outward mark. These coins are considered to be worth less in their home region if they are gashed, etched, or defaced heavily. The significance of this design is to mimic the appearance of Dragon Scales, perfectly smooth and incredibly durable. For this reason, the coins appear smaller but are the same weight as dictated by international value, the forging technique used makes them especially durable.
These coins are common to find in many countries, though they bear no outstanding markings, they are seldom recoined due to their special construction. The coins are widely collected by the water-dwelling races because they take to the dense pressures of deep water well and seem resilient to the salty waters of the sea. They have also been featured in artwork from murals to statues, often found in religious centers when creating the likeness of Kallex or other Draconic imagery.