Kafotia

The hot, arid lands of Kafotia are dotted with volcanos, hotsprings, and rocky outcroppings. The people are bold, brazen, and value strong warriors. Those unfamiliar with Draenea often assume that Kafotia is the predominant state among the Draenean states, or that it somehow controls the others with its great military force. However, while they are certainly the state possessing the largest military, they are unable to fully compete with the strength of the Oxian navy, the territorial Pagians or the magic of Astrinth. They fight frequently with Astrinth, in order to gain farmland, and have made recent victories, but are unable to push further in to Astrinthian territory. They can make base raids upon Pagos and often do, but Pagians rally quickly to defend their land. The only state that Kafotia is not hostile with is Oxeos, largely due to their removed proximity and mastery of the waters that surround their homes. In times past, Kafotia and Magnorum fought brutal wars against each other, with the area that is now eastern Magnorum being in constant state of changing control. However, as the Empire of Elf and Man solidified, their power far outgrew what Kafotia could hope to combat. Magnorum and Kafotia now enjoy an uneasy yet lucrative trade relation.

Religion and Exemplars of Kafotia

Kafotia's religion is more complex than most Draenean states, seeing as there are technically two draconic gods of fire. Ignisseus and Thermicles are both equally respected and revered in Kafotia, despite their conflicting ideals. As a result, Kafotia has a tumultuous history, prone to sudden large upheavals in policy and moral stance. Kafotia's current moral atmosphere is largely decided by the current Exemplar, and which god it belongs to. Despite all this, both the people and Exemplars of Kafotia inevitably respect and honor past Exemplars, as well as both of the gods, even when they are in direct opposition to their nature of good or evil.

The Death of Firthir

The great red dragon Firthir was the most recent Exemplar in Kafotia, representing the dark dragon god Ignisseus. Firthir was known across all of Wulsten as a dragon to be greatly feared. However, with Firthir's death at the hands of The Royal Court, Kafotia is now newly without Exemplar, and must scramble to find their new Exemplar. Firthir's great might and fearsome reputation offered Kafotia incredible victories against their neighbors, though now Kafotia may be seen as vulnerable to invasion.

Demographics

Kafotia, like all Draenean city-states, is primarily human, with a sizeable population of kobolds and dragonborn. It also possesses the highest amount of elemental-kin, as ifrits find themselves naturally drawn to regions with volcanic activity, and are highly valued by Kafotians for their affinity with fire. Dwarves are exceptionally rare in Kafotia, as red dragons typically have a strong disdain for dwarves. There is a decent elven population due to proximity with the Empire of Beleduin and Magnorum. Kafotia also has a higher amount of tieflings and aasimar than other Draenean states, though they are still rare.

Government

The Exemplars of both Thermicles and Ignisseus are notoriously uninterested in governing Kafotia, with many not even residing within the nation. That isn't to say they don't enjoy the attention, tribute, and respect that comes with being a Draconic Exemplar, far from it in fact. Exemplars of Ignisseus are often extremely arrogant and relish the thought of being held as the sole, lofty example of dragonkind within their clade. Likewise, Exemplars of Thermicles usually eagerly seek to serve as a font of wisdom and moral instruction towards humanoids, seeing the potential of the good that they can inspire humanoids to do. As a result, Kafotian government does not lean upon their Exemplar whatsoever, instead using them only as a source of wise input and advice.
Kafotian government is overseen by a council of three pairs of councilors. These councilors run for election together as a pair, and are nearly always a married couple. Occasionally, a pair of councilors may seek the endorsement of the current Exemplar, which has always led to their election. The council of Kafotia holds regular debates on the central plaza in the acropolis of Ilos, so that the general public may listen in on these debates if they so wish. Each pair is also afforded a third of the Kafotian military force to use as they see fit. Many appoint generals to manage their share of the forces, but others choose to lead their soldiers instead.

Industry & Trade

All Draenean's know that the flames of Kafotia's forges blaze with the fires of war, even in times of peace. Kafotia boasts many smiths, producing arms and armor, either for use in the Kafotian military or for export to foreign lands (often Magnorum). Because of this, quarrying and mining are also common careers in Kafotia. Agriculturally, Kafotia is underdeveloped, and as such must rely on both inporting food, as well as regular raids on Astrinth. In recent times, Kafotia has conquered much of western Astrinth, and made use of the farmland there. The wealthy citizens of Kafotia are often military leaders or owners of independent militaries, and make their wealth through raids and mercenary work.

Currency

1 Copper Piece = 1 Brass Obol
1 Silver Piece = 1 Brass Drachma
1 Gold Piece = 1 Gold Obol
1 Platinum Piece = 1 Gold Drachma

Geography

Northern Kafotia is hilly, with an abundance of volcanic activity. The hills of Kafotia are adorned with large, freestanding rock formations, dusted with volcanic ash, and have little shade to combat the heat of the sun. It is arid, bordering on desert status, though regions close to the Draenean Sea experience plentiful rainfall. Southern Kafotia is less arid, especially towards the far south, where there is fine farmland, though that region was once a part of Astrinth.

Natural Resources

Kafotia has an abundance in deposits of gold, which accounts for a large amount of their export, as well as copper and zinc, making brass a common alloy made in Kafotia. There is also very fine granite to be found, and is commonly sought after for construction and art. Due to the arid and rocky terrain, goats are one of the preferred form of livestock and more common wild animal within Kafotia. Kafotia is also one of the few places in Draenea where deposits of iron can be found, meaning iron and steel equipment is in far greater abundance here than elsewhere in Draenea.