Kingdom of Mandia
Structure
As with any monarchy, Mandia is officially ruled by a king or queen. The succession is based on the eldest child, whether male or female. In truth, the monarchy is very weak, with the monarch being little more than a figurehead, at best.
Mandia is truly ruled by the nobility. While the monarch technically has the ability grant titles, the nobles are the ones who decide who they accept into their ranks. Organization among them is very informal and primarily based on their own influence games that are completely baffling to outsiders. The High Lord of Whiteriver is considered to be the true ruler of Mandia.
History
In the earliest days of humanity, the race was very disorganized. Elves were the dominant life, and the power of the Ancient Elven Empire was unmatched. The young human race refused to bow to elven rule, and fought back. This was the First Imperial War.
The elves, with their greater organization were easily winning when the mind flayers attacked from below. The First Rising turned these peoples from bitter enemies to reluctant allies. When the creatures were beaten back, the humans were now on more equal terms with their old enemies.
When the war ended, they began creating towns and cities of their own, among them the city of Ondolan. Human power grew, but they remained at an uneasy peace with the ailing empire of the elves. This was when Mandia was truly born, and the first king was crowned.
All knew the peace between humans and elves couldn't last, but none knew that it would be shattered as quickly and as brutally as it was. One of the swordwizards of the elves, Ansarien Ill'conter, used the power of the glaive, Dominion to enslave the minds of human warriors and led a campaign of genocide against them. In retaliation, the new kingdom of Mandia fought back against the elves. The Second Imperial War had begun.
The elven empire was handily defeated. With their last act before their total surrender, the Grand Cabal that ruled the empire imprisoned Ansarien deep beneath the earth. The world of Amaun belonged to humanity from that moment onward, as they began to spread.
The victory against the elves was pyrric, however. Soon after, the mind flayers attacked once again. In the battle against the
Second Rising, humanity stood mostly alone.
Their magic was not as advanced as that of the elves before them, and they started to fall to the mental powers of the invaders from below. The tide didn't turn until the creation of the Greenstone Amulets. Protected with such items, the heroes of Mandia and its allies defeated the Overbrain and ended the threat.
After that, Mandia waxed and waned as all civilizations do. Over time, the kingdom's cities grew, and noble houses rose and fell. Eventually the powers of the monarchy dwindled until it almost fell to nothing, and the Mandia of today began to take shape.
A long way into the 3rd Age, a most unexpected threat emerged. Ansarien Ill'conter had returned, and his hatred of humanity had not diminished. When he saw that human civilization had all but replaced the glory of the elves of old, he wept. In the ruins beneath Whiteriver, he swore revenge on all "lesser beings".
Mandia was his first target. With the powers of Dominion, he again created an army of enslaved humans. These poor souls, along with the Sentinels of Iv'arill attacked by surprise and with such strength that there was no resisting him. Port Vald fell before they even knew they were under attack, and Whiteriver fell before they could prepare. The people of Ondolan put up a valiant fight but could not stand against the mad wizard's power. Gate Town surrendered soon after, truly cementing Ansarien's control over the entire kingdom.
All non-elves were enslaved to restore the glory of the elves and create a new empire. The capital was moved to Whiteriver, which was renamed to the ancient elven name: Vil'serenn. After his control was truly established, he turned his attention north to Eroch, so that his conquest could continue unended.
Thankfully this was not to be. The tyrant was defeated by the a force of Erochans and Mandian rebels led by his nemesis, the elven adventurer Eldain Mal'atre. He was driven back all the way to Whiteriver, where in a moment of defeat Ansarien attempted to unleash the fury of the Planes on the city. He failed and fled through a portal. Eldain then pursued his enemy and slew him.
With the people of Mandia freed from their enslavement, the work of rebuilding could begin. With the aid of Eldain and the newly formed Blackcloaks, it went surprisingly smoothly. Within only one human generation, life had returned to normal in the kingdom of Mandia.
Demography and Population
The majority of the people of Mandia are human, although many halfling communities exist there as well. The populations of elves and dwarves are relatively high, but the these people rarely interact with outsiders. Most of the traveling caravans of the gnomes also travel within Mandia.
There are also many peoples who are considered less than civilized. In the sewers and alleys of Mandian cities live populations of kobolds, ostracized by larger peoples. Tribes of goblins live their lives while their more brutal kin, bugbears and hobgoblins raid their neighbors.
Military
The kingdom of Mandia has a very extensive military for the purpose of defense. It is a very organized force of full-time professionals that include scouts, archers, and cavalry. In times of great need these troops can be supplemented with mercenaries, such as hobgoblins or verbeeg.
These soldiers are generally poorly trained, but well-organized and numerous. Due to the purchasing of commissions, the officers in charge typically come from wealthy families, although promotion through merit is not unheard of. The army swears fealty to the king, but behaves like an independent entity.
The Mandian army lacks the support of mages and priests, however these weaknesses are normally overcome by other organizations. The followers of the Selai or Colrum often march alongside the soldiers, offering the powers of their gods. The Order of the Arcane Eye offers their magic when necessary for the protection of Mandia, as well.
Religion
As is common in the Twin Worlds, there is no official religion in Mandia. Rather, many orders exist in the service of many of the gods. Some of these orders work in service of the people, such as the Order of Eternal Repose in the service of Ilovar.
Others are not so benevolent. One of the most infamous of these is the Shadow Cathedral, a clandestine group in the service of Nightshade, the god of stealth and subterfuge. Another is even more secretive than that in that it is only rumored to exist. This is the Fraternity of Bone and Ash, a cabal of necromancers and death priests in service to Lesav.
Foreign Relations
Mandia is a melting pot of many different peoples. As such it rarely goes to war against its neighbors unless heavily provoked. The Mandian borders are, likewise wide open to travelers of every stripe, from traders to adventurers.
This leaves Mandia somewhat open from threats from within. Magical threats are to be expected as well, such as liches and dragons. These factors make adventurers largely welcomed, despite their rather unstable nature.
Agriculture & Industry
The lands of Mandia are known for their rich soil and fertile pastures. This makes the area a veritable breadbasket for all the surrounding area. Many villages of humans and halflings survive by growing wheat, corn, beans, or sunflowers, or by raising livestock such as goats, sheep, or cattle.
Being bordered by mountains also allows for a great deal of mining and quarrying. There are a great many mountain communities that live off of the wealth pulled from the earth. The largest of these under the Mandian crown is Gate Town.
Trade & Transport
Mandia is a massive center for trade in all the Twin Worlds. In particular, the great metropolis of Whiteriver serves as the center of this network of trade. Overland, the entire kingdom is connected by an extensive network of roadways. The quality of these roads varies from a simple trail to wide cobblestone highways.
The eastern shoreline is both long and gentle, making sea trade easy. The port city of Port Vald is one of the largest and most active ports on the world of Amaun. It is said you can find captains there mad enough to take you anywhere in the world.
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