League of Polania

The Noble Houses of the League of Polania:

Ruling: Michael Sobieski of The Sobieski House, the third, defender of Europe/Europa
Champions: Vlad von Paelor The Paelor House , Motherfucking Vlad dude
Economy: Tito Sktodowska of The Sktodowska House, depressed yugoslavian, just trying his best man
Magic: Wojtek Votek The Votek House, bear druid, insane man, pagan
Military: Peter Pilsudski The Pilsudski House, military mastermind, best moustache on the continent, inventor of fighting unfairly on an army-wide scale
Diplomacy: Franz Castran of The Castran House , Franz Ferdinand + Castro, assassination magnet, bad guy, but effective
Religion: Josephina Jadwiga of The Jadwiga House , Pious queen, unifier of Polania, beloved by all

General Information:

Archetype and Culture: Discount Polish/Baltic states - The League of Polania is a young nation born out of the chaos of war and conflict. They are a proud and resilient people, always outnumbered, but never outmatched. Despite being a new and small nation, they are fiercely independent and determined to protect their sovereignty against those who would seek to take advantage of their perceived weakness. At the heart of their culture is the belief in personal responsibility and reliability. Every citizen of Polania is seen as a king or queen unto themselves, and it is up to them to carve out their own destiny and protect their own interests. While this may seem selfish, the desires of the Polanians are aligned towards a common goal - the protection and advancement of their nation. They have a deep respect for their history and culture, however brief it may be, and this is reflected in their architecture, art, and literature. They are a people who value hard work, perseverance, and the importance of family and community as a means to achieve great power and protection for those they love. This does lead to a great deal of internal strife as different families and communities compete against one another for their own interests, this creates perhaps the greatest weakness, one that has been attempted to be exploited often. Yet despite their internal strife and division, they have an undying resolve in the face of insurmountable odds, and this has allowed them to all band together in their darkest hour and weather countless storms throughout their short history.

History: Polania's history is a storied one. During the Age of Apostasy, the lands that would become Polania were invaded and occupied many times by the neighboring elven empire and Aasimar nation, leaving them with scars of destructive wars and many ancient castles and dungeons from different overlords. During the Devastation, Polania played a crucial role in the human rebellion, with their lands being the first to free themselves from the tyranny of their oppressors, and providing seasoned warriors and great tacticians to the cause. However, their internal strife prevented them from forming into a unified nation. In the Age of Armistice, Polania was divided by their former allies Saxony, Rusonia, and Astrasan, and occupied for hundreds of years as backwater peasants worth only for labor. It wasn't until the Year 490AD, during the Europa setting, that Polania finally achieved its dream of independence. The team of heroes that saved the world from the Cult of Martius were approached by the various cultures and communities of Polania who begged them for freedom. The heroes took up the offer and managed to unite Polania into its own nation, finally giving birth to the dream that so many of its people had held for so long. Today, Polania is a young nation seeking to prove itself and protect its sovereignty against its neighbors who eye them for weakness. They believe strongly in independence and personal reliability, with every son and daughter of Polania seen as a King and Queen unto themselves. Polania is still dealing with instability from various warlords taking up residence in their lawless lands, but adventurers flock to Polania in search of wealth, glory, and more, bringing with them an ever-growing supply of heroes who have and will answer the call to defend this new nation when needed.

Client Race: Tieflings, as a race, are a constant reminder of the sins of the gods and their maker Tarsil, but they themselves bear no direct responsibility for the devastation wrought upon the world. With their unique features, tieflings have been feared and hated by many other races, being often attacked on sight and forced to either hide or fight for their survival. Despite this, many tieflings have found their way to Polania, feeling drawn to this new nation and seeking refuge from the prejudice and genocides that they have faced elsewhere. While tieflings still struggle against racism and prejudice in Polania, many have become working members of society, trying to integrate into the broader community. However, others have turned to a life of crime, becoming bandits and warlords who prey upon the chaos and internal strife of the nation. Despite their combative nature with the authorities of Polania, their loyalty to the nation is never in question. They stand ready to defend Polania against any threat, and the tieflings are starting to overcome the hatred that they have suffered for so long. In the end, tieflings in Polania are seeking a new life, a new start, and a place where they can belong. They have faced hardship and persecution, but they stand with the people of their new home and are slowly carving out a place for themselves in the nation. As Polania continues to grow and thrive, the tieflings hope to one day be fully integrated into the society, living side-by-side with the other races as equals.

Leader: Michael Sobieski is a man who has seen it all, he fought tooth and nail for Polanian independence and knows the price of freedom all too well. He has grown old and fat, but still manages to command respect from his people with his wit, charm, and grandfatherly demeanor. The common folk adore him for his easy-going nature and willingness to listen to their troubles, and he is often seen in the streets chatting with the townsfolk. However, behind the scenes, there are whispers of Michael being manipulated by the tieflings and various noble houses vying for power in the new nation. His failing health and age have made him vulnerable to their schemes and plots, and there are concerns among some of the elites that he may not be able to keep the nation together much longer. Despite this, Michael remains a strong figurehead and a symbol of hope for the Polanian people, holding their fragile nation together with his unyielding will and determination. Michael's leadership style has a focus on chivalry, honor, and respect for tradition. He has a deep love for his people and is willing to make sacrifices for their well-being, but his health issues and the political infighting threaten to undermine his rule. Nonetheless, Michael remains steadfast in his devotion to Polania and is determined to see it grow and prosper, no matter the cost.

Source of Power: The League of Polania's power source is not in their military might or wealth, but in their heroes. Their troops are often under-equipped and lack proper training, and their lands are constantly plagued by instability and disunity. However, what Polania lacks in traditional power, it makes up for in the sheer strength and will of its people. Polania's history is filled with tales of great heroes who fought against overwhelming odds and won. These tales are what inspire the adventurers and mercenaries who flock to Polania, seeking fame and fortune in its lawless lands. These heroes are often the ones who lead the charge against the nation's enemies, using their wits and cunning to outsmart and defeat opponents many times their size and strength. The greatest of these heroes are said to be blessed by Tarsil himself, and their deeds are celebrated throughout Polania. It is said that the power of Tarsil courses through their veins, giving them the strength and ability to overcome any obstacle. This power is evident in the strong core of knights that protect Polania, made up of these heroes and leaders. They may lack the resources and stability of their neighbors, but they have something far greater: the power of their heroes. These heroes are the ones who will protect Polania from all manner of threats, and lead the nation towards a brighter future.

Religion: Tarsil, the God of tieflings, is widely reviled and feared by most of the world. His role in the Devastation that led to the downfall of the superior races and their Gods has earned him a reputation as a troublemaker and a destroyer. However, in Polania, his worship has taken hold, particularly among those who have been oppressed for so long. Tarsil's tenets of self-reliance and selfishness are particularly appealing to the people of Polania. Having been occupied and oppressed by other nations for so long, they have developed a strong sense of independence and self-reliance. The idea of looking out for oneself and one's own interests above all else resonates deeply with them. Despite its negative connotations, Tarsil's teachings in Polania have taken on a more positive light. To the people of Polania, it represents a way to achieve personal power and self-protection, particularly against the oppressive forces that have kept them down for so long. In this way, the worship of Tarsil has become a symbol of resistance and defiance against those who seek to control and dominate them. However, Tarsil's teachings also have a darker side. His emphasis on selfishness and personal power can easily lead to cruelty and exploitation. Many tieflings in Polania have used these teachings to justify their own acts of banditry and oppression, preying on the weak and vulnerable in order to further their own interests. It is a delicate balance that the people of Polania must strike, between taking the paths to power that Tarsil offers, while also not being corrupted by those same paths, in every single case, Tarsil does no corrupting at all, it seems the power he gives is enough to do that all by itself.

Capital: Krakwa, the capital of Polania, is a city with a rich history and a vibrant culture. The city's importance to the people of Polania is evident in the many battles that have been fought there over the centuries. It was chosen as the capital because of its significance to the rebellion of human slaves, who first rose up against their elven overlords there. The city's strong walls and fortifications also make it an ideal location for a capital, offering protection against any potential invaders. Despite being occupied by Saxony, Rusonia, and Astrasan for many years, Krakwa never lost its spirit of resistance. It was the last city to fall to the three nations and the first to rise up against them. Even during the Age of Armistice, the people of Krakwa remained defiant, never forgetting the injustices they had suffered. When the cultists of Martius came to conquer Polania, Krakwa became the site of a pivotal battle that turned the tide of the war. Against all odds, the city held out against the cultists, proving the resilience and strength of the Polania people. Today, Krakwa stands tall as a beacon of hope and pride for the people of Polania. Every street is adorned with statues and monuments to the many heroes who have fought for the city and the nation. Its people are strong and resilient, embodying the spirit of the nation itself. The city is a hub of culture, with bustling markets, vibrant festivals, and is one of the few places where tieflings walk openly among other races. Despite its tumultuous past, Krakwa remains a symbol of hope and a shining example of the strength of the Polanian spirit.

History of Polania:

Age of Apostasy: Polania during the Age of Apostasy was not yet a nation, but rather a patchwork of conquered lands between the powerful Elven Empire to the west and the Aasimar nation to the east. These lands were constantly invaded, occupied, and passed back and forth between the two powers. The humans in the area were treated as little more than slaves, forced to toil endlessly to build the many fortifications needed for the wars that constantly ravaged the land. As a result, Polania still bears the scars of this era, with the remains of ancient castles and dungeons from the many different overlords who occupied the land. The people of Polania were a scattered and disparate group, divided by language and culture, and with no sense of unity or purpose beyond their own survival. They were constantly caught in the crossfire of the conflicts between the larger powers around them, and had little hope for a better future. Despite this, there were still those among the people of Polania who clung to their independence and their desire to be free from the constant wars and invasions. They were a resilient and hardy people, accustomed to living in harsh conditions and fighting for their own survival. It was this spirit of determination and self-reliance that would eventually lead to their freedom.


The Devastation: During the Devastation, the people of Polania rose up against their oppressors and fought fiercely for their freedom, the internal strife that had plagued them for so long disappeared in the face of a common enemy, but only until a scant few days after they had thrown off their shackles. Despite their courage and skill in battle, they were unable to unite and establish themselves as a nation, and their efforts were often overshadowed by the larger and more organized nations. Nonetheless, the warriors of Polania played a vital role in the human rebellion, and their impact was felt far beyond their borders. Many of the greatest heroes of the age hailed from Polania, their legends spreading far and wide as the people of Europa struggled to rebuild in the aftermath of the Devastation. Despite their contributions, the people of Polania were left vulnerable in the wake of the war. Their numbers were decimated, their resources depleted, and their land ravaged by the conflict. Other nations began to take notice of their weakness, and many feared that they would be left at the mercy of their more powerful neighbors.

Age of Armistice: During the Age of Armistice, Polania was still a fractured and divided land, and before it could take form, it was occupied and controlled by the nations that were supposed to be their allies. With the fall of the elven empire, Saxony, Rusonia, and Astrasan all converged to carve up Polania between themselves, each taking a portion of the land and claiming it as their own. For centuries, the League of Polania was stuck in this state, constantly rebelling against their foreign overlords, but never having enough power to effectively overthrow them. Despite their efforts, Polania was never able to unify and form a strong, independent nation. They were constantly split and divided, with their people oppressed and exploited for their labor. The three foreign powers saw Polania as a backwater region worth only the effort it took to extract resources and manpower. Despite this oppression, the people of Polania continued to resist, fighting back against their oppressors whenever they could. They became known for their stubbornness and resilience, refusing to be fully subjugated by their foreign rulers. But as time went on, their situation became more and more hopeless, and it seemed that Polania would forever be a land torn apart by the ambitions of others.

Year 539AD: The year 490AD marked a new chapter in the history of Polania. During the crisis of the Cult of Martius, the heroes who would save the world from destruction were hailed as liberators and saviors by the people of Polania. They were approached by representatives from the various cultures and communities of Polania, who begged for their aid in securing their freedom from their three overlords. Tieflings in particular, who had long suffered under the constant genocides since their fall from power, pledged their support in the struggle against the cultists in exchange for the promise of freedom from their oppressors. The heroes accepted these offers and launched a daring campaign to unite Polania into its own nation. Despite the challenges they faced, they succeeded in their mission, finally giving birth to the dream that so many of the people of Polania had held for so long. The newly formed nation was not without its challenges, but with time it fell into line with its neighbors as allies against a common foe once more. Polania played a crucial role in the war against the cultists of Martius. Their knowledge of warfare, gained through centuries of being occupied and oppressed, proved invaluable in fighting against the enemy. With the help of the heroes who had united the nation, Polania was able to hold the line against the cultists and prevent them from advancing further into their lands or the lands of their allies. Their resilience and determination were an inspiration to the other nations fighting in the war, buying valuable time for them to mobilize and launch a counter attack that ended it all. Polania is still dealing with the aftermath of the long years of foreign occupation and instability. Warlords and bandits still roam their lands, threatening the fledgling nation's stability. Yet, in the midst of these challenges, Polania is also experiencing a new era of growth and opportunity. Adventurers and heroes flock to the land in search of wealth, glory, and more, and with them comes the promise of a new and bright future for this young nation. The people of Polania are determined to protect their newfound freedom and defend their sovereignty against any who would seek to take it from them.