The Immortal Kingdom is the central country of the campaign. It also has a central position in the world, being a flourishing, prosperous state with a metropolitan melting-pot, Sant'utheer, as its capital. It is a mostly grassy land and enjoys both colder and tropical climates at its north and southern borders respectively. The kingdom is a monotheistic state with only the worship of Telsaan being sanctioned. Strict control exists to restrict other worship (this point will be expanded upon later).
The kingdom borders on the Kjelga and the Marches of Iskra to the east, while a vast expanse of wasteland separates it from the wild lands of Kroan to the west. Further to the east is Ember, a country that has suffered strained relations with the kingdom in recent times, due in part to its more liberal ideals of worship.
Despite its name, The Immortal Kingdom is often called a city-state because of the far reaching influence of Sant'utheer and its structure. The capital is governed and guarded by a regimented order of ranked officials and soldiers. Under the king are his most loyal warriors, underneath those are the captains of the ten arms of Vested (the royal guard) and their respective soldiers with everyone from noble merchant to humble baker collectively at the bottom. While the Vested have a fierce reputation, they are known to be fair and citizens know that Telsaan presides over everyone equally in the great city.
Telsaan
The citizens in some cities within the kingdom enjoy more freedom than others, with those at the borders being more difficult to govern despite sharing the same legislature. One example of this is Vinischram, City of Art and Wine, that until recent times shared as much of the kingdom's influence as it did Emberian, Kjelgan or any other influence that travelled to the port city on the back of its visitors.
While this has generally been the case, opinions have wavered in recent times. Apparently recruitment of guard has become more meritocratic, with more thuggish types patrolling the streets. Those captains who have retired have been replaced not by leaders, but by those who shown their skill in arm instead. This, with the tensions mounting in Iskra between the two great countries and trade struggling due to difficulties on several fronts, an uncomfortable sense of unease has spread through the kingdom. Those in appropriate positions have tried to calm the collective disturbance with attempts at bolstering nationalism, while others use the names of nations like swords to cut down anyone deemed to be 'enemy'. Vinischram's culture and business has suffered most of all, with suspicions being the cause of many of its far-reaching inhabitants to return home.
Relations with Ember
Thankfully, however, a reprieve from the mounting worries has come in the form of the inauguration of a new heir to the Burning Throne. Every ten years the Burning Throne alights and a new heir is brought to the capital following the departure of the previous on the Golden Line to join Telsaan in his palace in the sky. The coronation of a new heir is a celebration of the departed one, the ten years of fortune the next brings, and of Telsaan's glory and wisdom. Citizens of all ages the kingdom over chatter and gossip, guessing who the new heir might be and what their reign might bring to the kingdom. The elderly remember fondly while parents try to contain their children's excitement while preparations are made to line the streets and cheer in unity when Telsaan, or at least his avatar, stride upon the palace steps for all eyes to see. Before that, however, King Jole, the current heir, will depart.
Despite the recent skirmishes in the east resulting in some movement of the kingdom's military in that direction, a portion of the forward standing army has been brought back to the capital to maintain order for the coronation. They walk through Sant'utheer's grand promenades to see, some for the first time, the capital's distinct, timely architecture said to have been crafted by Telsaan himself in a day. Those returning notice the differences; banners and flags and all manner of furnishing the city has undertaken anticipating the imminent celebration. They notice the energy in the air. The familiar smiles of their countrymen nodding in deference of their service is mixed with a general sense of elation; one that can be pointedly attributed to the next few days' events. The soldiers make their way to the innermost districts, watched by excited children who, after being told stories of past coronations, can only imagine what tidings these good days bring.
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