Monster Kingdoms

The Monster Kingdoms, situated within the vast and wild landscapes of Aevolacor, serve as a stark and fearsome contrast to the human realms. Here, amongst the crags and crevices, the dense forests and the echoing caverns, dwell monstrous entities, alien and unnerving, shaped by strength and primal instinct rather than laws and civil conventions. These kingdoms, inhabited by an assortment of powerful creatures like liches, mindflayers, and others, form a parallel civilization of their own, a shadowy reflection of the realms of mankind.
The concept of sovereignty in the Monster Kingdoms differs greatly from traditional human kingdoms. They function as forms of despotism, wherein the rule of law is determined by the rule of power. The most formidable creature — often referred to as the overlord — exercises dominance over the other inhabitants. Under the overlord, heavenly knights, entities possessing tremendous strength and prowess, are given control over distinct regions of the kingdom. These powerful knights frequently organize and conduct raids on the territories of mankind.
The Monster Kingdoms were not born out of a desire for dominion, but out of necessity. Monsters, when alone, fell prey to the more organized forces of men and elves. Over time, the grim art of survival demanded the forging of alliances, leading to the formation of these kingdoms. These volatile entities mutate and evolve with time, often splintering into different factions or merging into more potent entities. The relationships between these monster kingdoms are typically indifferent unless the opportunity for conflict presents itself, with each one reserving their strength for conflicts against mortal realms.

History

The history of the Monster Kingdoms is a tale as old as time itself, one that mirrors the rise and fall of civilizations and the constant, cyclic struggle for dominance between mortals and monsters.
Before the Age of Mortals, monsters roamed freely across the vast expanse of the First World. These monstrous creatures, in their myriad forms, were the unchallenged rulers of the land, living in accordance with the law of the wild, where might was right. During this time, early mortal civilizations began to emerge, initially coexisting with the monstrous inhabitants of the world. However, as these civilizations grew and expanded, conflict was inevitable.
Thus began the era known as the Age of Mortals, marked by over a thousand Holy Wars, where mortals and monsters clashed in epic battles for control over the land. Over the course of three millennia, mortals gradually carved out territories for themselves, pushing the monsters back. This hard-fought equilibrium was maintained until the pivotal moment when Luminifer, the Illuminated Enchanter, descended upon the First World and sparked the Enlightenment of Luminifer.
Luminifer's teachings allowed mortals to harness the chaotic magic that pervaded the world, heralding the beginning of the Magic Renaissance. This newfound power tipped the scales in favor of mortals. No longer mere victims of the world's wild magic, they now had the means to control it and use it to their advantage. The use of magic bolstered mortal forces, and the monster realms began to shrink, their inhabitants pushed back into the darker corners of the world.
The discovery of crium approximately 500 years ago only exacerbated the decline of the Monster Kingdoms. The Sarentek Confederation, utilizing the potent power of this unique mineral, crafted powerful warmachina, tools of war that further pushed the monsters to the brink of extinction.
The Terminal Catastrophe, however, marked a turning point. With the crium supply dwindling and the Sarentek Confederation unable to power their warmachina, the Monster Kingdoms saw an opportunity. The monsters began to reclaim their lost territories, growing in strength and numbers, marking the first time since the Age of Mortals that the balance of power was shifting back towards them.
Now, the Monster Kingdoms are stronger than they've been in millennia, a testament to their resilience and adaptability. Despite the countless trials and tribulations they've endured, the monsters have persevered, ensuring their survival in a world that has often been hostile to them. And while their history is marked by conflict and strife, it's also a testament to the innate will to survive, a trait shared by all inhabitants of the First World, mortal or monster.

Monstrous Governance

In the Monster Kingdoms, the organizational structure is heavily based on the principle of might makes right. Each kingdom is ruled by an overlord, a creature of exceptional power and cunning. These overlords can vary widely from kingdom to kingdom, ranging from ancient liches weaving complex plans to brutish dragons ruling with raw strength. Regardless of their nature, it is the overlord's might that secures their position and forces the other denizens of their kingdom to obey.
Beneath the overlord, a tier of powerful monsters known as heavenly knights command portions of the kingdom. These knights are trusted, or in some cases, feared by the overlord and are granted authority over specific territories or functions within the kingdom. These could include commanding raiding parties, overseeing defense against external threats, or simply maintaining order among the kingdom's inhabitants. Each knight's role is generally shaped by their unique abilities and the overlord's needs.
The rest of the kingdom's inhabitants are a diverse collection of creatures, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Most are part of a feudal system, serving the knights or overlord directly in exchange for protection or resources. However, the specifics of this hierarchy can vary greatly from one kingdom to the next, shaped by the nature of the overlord and the type of creatures that live within the kingdom.
Communication between the different strata of this hierarchy is often a matter of force, not diplomacy. The language barrier, as most monsters do not share a common language, and the inherent lack of trust among the inhabitants further complicate this communication. However, all understand the language of power and the consequences of defying those stronger than themselves.

Unexpected Cooperation

As varied and chaotic as the Monster Kingdoms are, they still possess outliers within their realms. These exceptions are typically characterized by a deviation from the traditional despotism commonly seen across the kingdoms.
Some of these anomalies may be Monster Kingdoms ruled by unusually intelligent or cunning creatures that value strategies and alliances over brute force. They may see the value in cooperation and diplomacy, forging alliances with other kingdoms, be they monster or mortal, for mutual benefit. In these exceptional realms, inhabitants may find themselves under a leader who respects their autonomy and treats them as more than mere pawns. These overlords could be charismatic vampires, ancient sphinxes, or even cunning mindflayers who perceive the value in alliances and foresight.
There are also kingdoms ruled by overlords who consider mortals not as enemies or resources, but as potential allies or even equals. They may maintain a form of peaceful coexistence with neighboring mortal realms, and these relationships may range from non-aggression pacts to mutual aid agreements. Such arrangements are precarious and rare, given the natural fear and suspicion between mortals and monsters, but they do occur.
Furthermore, not all who reside within the Monster Kingdoms are mindless beasts or nefarious villains. There exist beings who have been forced into these lands due to their monstrous appearance or magical abilities but possess the heart and soul similar to those of mortals. These creatures may form their own small societies within the kingdoms, trying to live as peacefully as they can within the tumultuous realms.

Mortals Within the Kingdoms

Existence as a mortal within a Monster Kingdom is a daunting prospect, often marked by hardship, fear, and the constant threat of danger. However, it is not an impossible existence and comes with its own unique dynamics.
Mortals found in these kingdoms typically fall into one of several categories. Some are captives, taken during raids and brought back to the kingdom for various purposes. These individuals may be kept as slaves or prisoners, exploited for their labor or magical abilities, or even used as a food source by some of the more malevolent creatures.
Another category of mortals in the Monster Kingdoms are the outcasts, those driven from human society for various reasons. This group could include individuals branded as criminals or those persecuted because of their magical abilities or physical differences. For these people, the Monster Kingdoms may provide a sanctuary of sorts, a place where they are no longer the outliers.
Then there are those who choose to live among the monsters of their own free will, a rare and brave breed indeed. These individuals may be researchers studying the creatures, thrill-seekers chasing the adrenaline rush, or negotiators trying to broker peace between monsters and humans. Some might be adventurers or treasure seekers, drawn by the allure of powerful artifacts or ancient knowledge guarded by the kingdoms' inhabitants.
Regardless of how they find themselves in the Monster Kingdoms, life for mortals is undoubtedly challenging. Navigating the social dynamics can be a treacherous endeavor, as one must constantly prove their worth and strength to avoid becoming prey. This, coupled with the harsh environments, lack of resources, and constant threats from all sides, make every day a fight for survival.
Yet, despite all these difficulties, a unique form of community and resilience often blossoms among mortals in these kingdoms. They band together, pooling their diverse skills and resources to survive. Over time, some may even develop a mutual understanding or form alliances with the less hostile monsters. In such a hostile environment, cooperation and adaptability become vital traits.

Monstrous Beliefs

Religious beliefs within the Monster Kingdoms are as diverse and complex as the monsters themselves, often differing vastly from the faith systems practiced within the realms of mortals. There isn't a unified, standardized religion that encompasses all monster species, but rather an amalgamation of beliefs centered around individual deities, creators, or revered ancient beings. It's a vast tapestry of religious pluralism where coexistence of multiple faiths is the norm.
Monsters typically venerate deities that reflect their own nature, whether it's a primal entity embodying raw power for a giant, a deity of secrets and knowledge for a mindflayer, or a god of the hunt for a gnoll pack. These deities are often depicted as powerful exemplars of their kind, embodiments of the traits most admired or feared within each species.
The style and form of worship also varies significantly across the Monster Kingdoms. While some practices may be similar to mortal religions, such as prayer or the construction of shrines, others can be dramatically different. They may involve complex rituals, rites of passage, or even acts of violence or sacrifice. For instance, some monsters might make offerings of treasures, others may perform ritual hunts or battles, while certain abhorrent creatures may engage in acts of cannibalism as a sacred rite.
Despite the chaos and diversity, there are some common themes that run through the religious beliefs of the Monster Kingdoms. For one, the idea of strength and survival often plays a significant role, reflecting the harsh realities of life within these kingdoms. Additionally, many of these religions lack the concept of an afterlife, reflecting a focus on the immediate, physical world.
Another noteworthy aspect is that the gods of the Monster Kingdoms are often very active in the lives of their followers. They are not distant, aloof entities but rather beings who engage directly with their worshippers, rewarding loyalty and punishing disobedience.
However, it is essential to remember that these are general observations and not universal truths. Each Monster Kingdom, each species, and sometimes even each individual may have their unique interpretations of faith and the divine, making the spiritual landscape of the Monster Kingdoms a truly complex and fascinating field of study.

Type

Geopolitical, Nomadic tribe