Balmoth
Placed at the southern tip of the great northern mountain ranges, Balmoth is often considered the gateway city between the more fertile and “civilized” south Kalin and the savage and “uncivilized” northern Kalin.
Most of the city is placed upon a tall mountain, making it hard to besiege or attack. Despite this the cities outer territories suffer raids from the savage Norsemen tribes of the far north. This led to the Balmoth Crusades a few centuries prior.
Balmoth has had a tumultuous history. Their royal family was wiped out by an ambitious noble who named himself Lord Regent and pinned the blame on the Paladins. This would lead to the Paladin Purge across Kalin.
After the Lord Regents deception was discovered and the Purge ended the city found itself without a leader, and the Paladin order staunchly avoids the city entirely now. While the city was nominally controlled by a “Citizens Council” the city teetered on the edge of disaster every day, with only its strong guard force keeping control of a deteriorating social situation. This led to an increase on unanswered raids by the Norsemen, who no longer fear organized reprisal. The situation came to a head when the Church of the Mantle, based out of the Basilica Maxima in the city, and The Mantle Militant overthrew the Citizen's Council at the behest of the-then High Priest during a demonic incursion.
Since then, the city has been ruled directly by The Church and the new High Priestess, Ilstus Irantha. The city has seen a resurgence under firm (if strict and dogmatic) leadership, and has finally made strides in the last decades at reestablishing its former glory and healing the rift between the city and the Paladin Order.
Demography and Population
The Fallen City of Balmoth is the main feature of Balmoth territory. It also controls the smaller cities and towns surrounding it, but not many large cities exist this far north, instead the area is mostly dotted with villages and towns. These towns and villages are mostly left to their own devices, and are guarded by the Balmothian army in exchange for giving over a portion of their resources to the government.
Racially Balmoth is made up of mostly Humans, with many Gir'an descended humans as well. Drow are also common in Balmoth surprisingly, with Balmoth having the highest concentration of them outside of Lyath'Or. Dwarves are also common.
Territories
The Balmoth region is ruled by promise of mutual protection in exchange for goods. They are surrounded on all sides by different nations and powers, with Aurelia to the west, Embrel to the South, Forelenium to the Southeast, Halteri to the East, and the Dwarven cities of Eir-Bron and Hells Gate to the North.
Military
The military of Balmoth was all but disbanded after the Churches coup. It was replaced by The Mantle Militant which has swelled its ranks considerably in Balmoth, with some local guard units outside of the Fallen City itself being kept in place, with Mantle Militant lieutenants and commanders coming in to take command of the existing force.
Religion
Balmoth is fiercely a Mantle following nation, and is perhaps one of the most pious on the continent. The Church of the Mantle taking over as the leading organization in the city has only exasperated this.
Shamanism is also not unheard of, with the Shamanistic Norse and Dwarves not far away from the city.
Agriculture & Industry
Balmoth is very much an Agrarian economy, feeding itself with its large amounts of food and trading its excess food for resources from the North and its neighbors. Dwarves are especially fond of the "Southern Delicacies" of Balmoth.
Trade & Transport
Balmoth is a hard to travel land, especially near the city itself. Rocky outcroppings, large inclines, and poorly maintained roads make travel dangerous for those not familiar with the land or not willing to pay for a guide.
Education
Balmoth as a whole has a poor education system. The rich and higher classes are educated by priests and what mages there are, but institutionalized education systems are non-existent.
Capital
Demonym
Balmother
Leader
Head of State
Government System
Theocracy
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Market economy
Legislative Body
Most laws are now made by the High Priestess and the other more influential priests.
Judicial Body
The Church now puts judgement decisions in the hands of local bodies of Clerics and Priests.
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
