Banpour (Bahn-Poor)

The Jewel of the Tizac Desert, Humanity's Rebirthplace

History

Banpour is the oldest of the Human nations, the seat of the high king of the Council, and a powerful empire that once spanned half of Solace. The nation and capital city are named for their founder, a Human slave named Banpour. For hundreds of years, both in Solace and The Outside World, humans and halflings were kept in bondage by the Draego empire, Aleuzlatu. They were treated as chattel and bred for specific functions such as farming, construction, civic wizardry, and even livestock.
When the The Tragedy of Mamlakat Hadaan devastated the Draego, the young Banpour was stricken with divine inspiration. The Lord of the Sun descended to him and blessed him with The First Sword Spear, which held the power of the sun within it, and two divine steeds named Roshan and Ragar. He used this power to kill the masters of the great desert city, then known as Muruna, and claimed it as the first bastion of humanity in Solace. The new nation of Banpour fought the Draego overlords for years, whittling them down as the other members of the First Council of Kings closed in on their former leaders. Banpour's forces were able to push the remaining Draego out of the western reaches, and they moved on to deal with attacks from the armies of other races that wanted to conquer the hoard of the fallen dragons.
In many ways Banpour used the tools of the masters to build this new empire, and to this day the High King draws comparisons to the Empress of the Draego. To ease conflict with the former council members, Banpour redirected their ire at the Goblins, Orcs, and Beastmen, convincing the other races that their Dark Magic with the power to sink cities was more of a present danger than the newly freed peoples of Banpour. King Banpour led crusades against these races and gained even more power by absorbing their lands and artifacts, eventually leaving them with only the Wildwood Boneyard.
Banpour has had its trials, but thrives today as the head of the Second Council of Kings after reforming it.

Culture

Banpour is the oldest existing human culture, steeped in the beliefs of The Divine Monarchy. Names and titles hold a great deal of weight as many of them span back to the roots of the Nation. Even some prominent families in Felize and Ortemha that migrated from Banpour long ago are still known, but are somewhat less respectable in Banpouri eyes.
Everyday life is relatively peaceful and affluent, even when the nation is at war, said wars rarely enter the borders of Banpour these days. Most citizens will own a horse, and streets are built wide to accommodate horse drawn vehicles. Only the most squalid wretch or the laziest noble would not know how to ride.
The nation breeds the sturdiest horses in all of Solace, a Banpouri Mare will serve you well for 20 years at least, wearing full barding the entire time. A good amount of money is brought in by the trade of horses, and the ranching scene is quite competitive being seen by some as a religious undertaking.
The high number of clerics and their availability to citizens and military forces make sickness an uncommon occurrence. This extends natural life to its full potential, as even in small villages trained clerics are present.
The national diet is made up of many grains, tropical crops, chicken, curry, goat, and all of the products harvested from these sources like milk, eggs, and cheese. While most of the nation's food is grown by Tellum County, there are some crops that require hotter environments which thrive in Banpour and are exported.
Other exports include fine silks, silver from The Silver Mounds, and unofficially, sellswords. Many people trained in warfare by the Banpouri military choose to become sellswords and travel the world, they are by far the most common type to encounter while not necessarily the best quality one can find.
Fashion is simple but elegant, silken garments, traditional headscarves, bold patterns, bright colors, and golden jewelry with gemstones. The standard of beauty for men and women is similar, they prefer toned, athletic, and proportional bodies, short and well groomed hair for both men and women, and styled beards for men. Body hair is expected and mostly goes un-groomed. Physical disability is considered to be unattractive unless it is a condition caused by injury.
Communities are religious and insular, word travels very quickly around the congregations of individual churches, but is rarely shared with outsiders.

Politics

The current High King Banpour, Tizac Saraan, is a seasoned veteran of war, a tactical mind, and a skilled politician. He is well loved by many outside of his homeland, which is very uncommon for one who holds the title. To be as popular as he is has caused trouble in his court before, with some even accusing him of being a genie that can control the minds of the masses. He is a calm and just ruler, who takes action only in complete certainty, he is able to do this only because of the Inquisitive order of Paladins he founded, Bhagavaan ka Haath. Their sole purpose is to find the truth of important matters by any means necessary, sometimes in trials judged by the high king, and other times in the field by their own discretion. This has made Saraan unpopular among the clergy, but the results are undeniable, and the common folk see the inquisitors as paragons of justice and true heroes.
Civilians of Banpour are conscripted at the age of 18 to join either the military or the clergy, to gain full citizenship they must accept one of these offers. Those who join the military are bound for 3 years and are allowed to resign anytime after that, clergymen however are bound to the order for life, and subsequently must choose to become either clerics or Paladins to serve the gods. Those who desert or never become citizens are barred from most of the rights citizens enjoy. They are unable to own land or businesses without a co-owner that is a citizen, they are barred from holding membership in a church congregation, and are forbidden from holding honorific titles.
The broader military might of Banpour is built on the back of their mounted cavalry, this is seen through their use of curved blades, sword spears, lances, and their mastery of mounted archery. A Banpouri Rider is a fearsome foe at any range, and the Paladins of Banpour ride fierce divine steeds that can break through enemy formations. While most common warriors will wear lightweight metal armor, the Paladins of Banpour will often employ plate armor and shields in their fighting.
While Banpour is not strictly a Theocracy, the clergy holds a great deal of influence over the lives of citizens. They act similarly to judges in hearings that are not presided over by the king, as community leaders, and as trusted advisors. This power and trust given to them by the people has sometimes led to corruption as such power always can, but it is quiet and widespread enough to be invisible to most.

Organizations of Note

The Church of the Divine Monarchy

The first pillar of the nation, founded by Banpour as a pact between humanity and The Lord of the Sun, this institution is the symbol of humanity's grace and faith. Banpour is the seat of this religion, both the High King and the Uchaguru take residence in the Capital city.

Bhagavaan ka Haath

An order of Inquisitors within the church that serve the High King above all else. They act as The Crown's check to the church and as enforcers of divine law that do not face the judgement of that law themselves.

Savaarsena

The second and largest pillar of the nation, founded by Banpour as a promise to all of humanity to never be slaves again, this institution is the symbol of humanity's ingenuity and strength. The Yuddeva of Banpour leads this army and holds the highest voice in military matters.

The Crown

The third pillar of the nation, founded by Banpour as a pact between humanity and the world, this institution is the symbol of humanity's honor and nobility. The High King Banpour and the noble courts act as the nation's bridge to The Outside World, guaranteeing sovereignty and securing resources.

Nation of Banpour

बानपुर(Banpouri)

Capital

The City of Banpour

Official Languages

Banpouri

Recognized Languages

Common(Elvish), Fel

Racial Groups

83.0% Human, 11.6% Halfling, 5.4% other

Religion

93.6% Church of The Divine Monarchy (official, 55-60% House of Sun, 30% House of Night, 10–15% House of the Maiden), 3.9% Primordial Pantheon, 1.6% Bahamut Almasdar, 0.9% others

Demonyms

Banpouri

Government

Constitutional Theocratic Elective Absolute Monarchy
High King Banpour- Tizac Saraan
Uchaguru-Ola Vicario
Yuddeva-Salaman Bin Salman

Type

Territory

Included Locations

• The Silver Mounds

Area

Total-130,672 mi² or 338,438 km²
Water %-2.77

Population

-48,701,000
Density-144/km²(373/mi²)

Currency

Banpouri Crowns