County of the Gilded Isles

Known as "the Colonies", The Tropical islands and jungle settlements of the Gilded Isles are known for being the Empire's first colonial venture, with a strong Heartlander majority, and a very vocal Northern minority. Known to be a land of riches and wonder, near every exotic resource can be acquired in the colonies' many trade ports, for a price, of course, and many a pirate made his fortune here over the years and buried it someplace or the other, sometimes not without cursing it first. A bastion of personal freedom, liberty, and ruthlessness, the notion of "every man for themselves" is taken quite literally here, and travelers would be wise not to trust sailors offering exotic journeys or peddlers with strange potions.

Structure

Ruled by the Count Palatine, of House Ardus, who bears the title of honor for being directly appointed by the Emperor when the Colonies were first founded. The throne sits in the fortress known as Kraken's Reef on Galdr. Beneath the Count Palatine are several Counts and countesses ruling Counties, and at the bottom are the Barons and Baronesses, ruling baronies.

Public Agenda

The colonies have a strong interest in freedom and independence, and a large portion of them is of the notion that the place mostly rules itself anyway, so what do we need this empire for, exactly? As a region growing richer and more populous by the day, it has already underwent several rebellions, insurrections and declarations of independence in a span of several centuries, all unsuccessful in the end - they are much too valuable an investment to the Empire to lose willingly.

Assets

A rich and self-sufficient nation, ever growing in wealth and population thanks to the stories told at home about its riches, a cycle which perpetuates itself. The greatest Naval power among the Principalities, with the biggest Imperial Fleet, though understandably lacking in its ground forces. Magic training is largely outsourced, with many a Magical Professor happily taking a calm job in a tropical paradise, free from the politics of the Empire.

History

In the 'Storm Rebellion', the Count Palatine joined in the declaration of independence by House Taurus in the North, and the Colonies paid the price for it. The Colonies had always had a strong Northern minority, and House Ardus swiftly joined in the rebellion thanks to previous tensions between the Colonies and their Imperial masters. Now fighting a war on two fronts, Marius tried everything he could to win without invading either the North or the Colonies. When he saw he couldn't, he decided to do what he thought was right. He invaded the Colonies and struck down Count Ardus, cutting off the second front and setting the stage for an all-out invasion of the North. Then, he sued for peace. Surprising most of the nobility, peace talks were begun shortly. The North gained more control and autonomy, and thanks to a "open secret" agreement to keep the Inquisiton out of their "cultural affairs", a shaky peace was established.

Type

Geopolitical, Colony

Parent Organization

The Empire of Truth