Well, it took me longer than I thought it would, but it was alot of fun to do some worldbuilding. So without further ado, here is my addition to the World of ArgentDawnia:
Nation/Kingdom Name: The Empire of Indomin
Government Type: Hereditary Monarchy
Ruler: Emperor Desartin VI “the Steadfast”.
Coat of Arms or Banner: A clenched Silver Hand upon a field of blue
Capital: Light’s Reach
Ethnic Groups/Species: 65% humans, 15% dwarves, 10% high elves, 10% gnomes
Religions: The Church of the Holy Light
Imports: Strawberries, oranges, bananas, spices, rice, silk, scholars, knowledge and various other things.
Exports: Metals, alloys, religion, grain, weapons, ships, culture, mercenaries, and some other things.
Hallmarks: Churches and priories dotting the landscape, vast cultivated grainfields, wide grassy plains, dense forests, large and clear rivers and a large mountain-range surrounding the Kingdom.
Signature Weapon: Crowbeak, a large warhammer where one part of the head curls into a beak-like shape that makes the weapon capable of both dragging foes and piercing armor.
National Dish: Fish-and-chips
Interesting Things About Indomin:
Originally, the Empire of Indomin, situated in the Sunlands in proximity to nations like the Distant Peak, the Confederation of Krasarang and others, consisted of a loose gathering of city-states with their own chosen leader. Oftentimes, they warred against one another, or made alliances, only to break them at the nearest opportunity. The leader of Light’s Reach, Desartin I, who would later become known as the Unifier, recognised that if this state were to persist, other nations, especially those situated in the Moribund Scar and the Dark Lands of Sorcery, or even the more closely-situated nation of Ebon, would take advantage of the persisting chaos.
Thus he began the great effort that would later be called the Great Unification of the Empire, by bringing the rivalling city of Drisburg to heel. Rather than executing or exiling the ruling family upon conquering the city, Desartin I instead allowed them to stay in power, and promised to treat Drisburg’s citizens as equal to those of Light’s Reach in the to-be-formed Empire. In exchange, Drisburg had to swear fealty and accept the Church of Holy Light as it’s religion. Drisburg accepted, and the two cities then went on to conquer the other City-states. By the time the Great Unification was complete, Desartin I was an old man, and the crown passed to his son, Desartin II “the Wise”. It has since been custom to name the crown-prince after their father. And so the Empire of Indomin exists tot his day.
Thanks to the presence of a sizable portion of dwarves, elves and gnomes, the kingdom of Indomin is far more industrious than one would initially believe of a human kingdom. This goes so far that the city of Drisburg, the second-largest city in Indomin, houses many factories, forges, armories and foundries that churn out all manner of weapons , using both metal and gunpowder.
The Capital, Light’s Reach, meanwhile houses the Imperial Cathedral of the Holy Light, a showcase of architecture that combines the best elements of human, elven, dwarven and gnomish knowhow. It is a beacon of faith, tranquility, knowledge and health, for the ever-present priests, paladins and clergy always stand ready to lend their holy powers in service to the citizens. The place houses a large library where vast stores of knowledge are kept and made accessible for everyone wishing to learn.
Light’s Reach also houses a large port and shipyard. Merchant-vessels that travel from-and-to distant lands, but also mighty warships to protect the coast and the merchantfleets. As a result, Light’s Reach also houses the Imperial Admiralty, where many a Captain, Commodore and even Admiral was trained.
Characters of the Empire of Indomin:
- Every citizen, whether human, dwarf, elf or gnome, holds religion in high esteem. Whilst worship of the Church of Holy Light is prevalent mostly amongst the humans, the other races living in the Empire also hold a healthy respect for it, even if they do not worship it themselves. Worship of other religion -is- allowed, as long as the Church of Holy Light is recognised as the official State Religion.
- Unlike most nations that are religious, bordering on the theocratic, the Empire of Indomin does not shun new knowledge and influences from elsewhere if they are not in direct contradiction of the Church’s teachings. Rather, they seek to adjust the existing knowledge to the best of their ability, stating that “ clearly the Holy Light saw fit to illuminate this new knowledge, for us to be discovered.”
- Originally hailing from a joint kingdom underneath the Empire, the dwarves and gnomes that lived there maintained good relations with the humans living above. But when a catastophre, now lost in time, led to their near-annihilation, the decision was made to abandon the kingdom, and plead for citizenship in the Empire. Desartin II “the Wise” , recognising what great benefits they could bring, especially their knowledge of metallurgy and the secret of gunpowder, allowed their request.
- The elves meanwhile arrived from across the sea, but from where, they would not say. Upon landing upon the shore near Light’s Reach, the Emperor bid them welcome and granted them the same offer as the dwarves and gnomes. He did so to bolster his ranks after the losses from the Great Reunification.
Places of Interest:
-
The Imperial Cathedral of Holy Light in Light’s Reach. As mentioned before, a marvel of architecture, with it’s large glass-stained windows and marble floors. An institution of knowledge and healing, with both a library and an infirmary to both encourage learning and heal those in need. Later refined by the elven, gnomish and dwarven immigrants to truly make it a bastion of secular tolerance.
-
The Entrance-to-Down-below, as it is called. Situated in the mountains near Drisburg, it is a large, cavernous gateway crafted by the dwarves and gnomes, that leads to the underground remains of their fallen home. Riches are rumored to still be buried, but only the brave, the foolhardy, the desperate, and others of such ilk venture there, for only very few return. Those that do bring tales of hearing skittering in the dark, a sense of being watched. The dwarves and gnomes themselves speak not of it, but further questioning revealed the kingdom’s woes started after a mysterious bell was crafted upon the directions of a hooded stranger. The bell tolled thirteen times, and after the thirteenth toll, horror was unleashed. Or so the stories go. Since then, the Empire of Indomin maintains a strong garrison near the entrance. Although service there is often uneventful and perhaps even boring, nobody questions it’s necessity, incase the legend turns out to be more than that.
-
The Market of Goldsun. Goldsun, the third-largest city in the Empire, is situated further inland, between Light’s Reach by the sea, and Drisburg closer to the mountains on it’s northern end. It received it’s name due to the large concentration of elves in this city, who lend their knowledge of nature to help enhance the nearby agriculture, leading to it being the granary of Indomin. Due to it’s location, both goods imported from Light’s Reach’s harbor aswell as crafted wares from Drisburg, find their way here, and along with the bountiful harvests, this has lead to the Market of Goldsun being established, where one can find a large range of wares, sometimes even magical!
Politics And War:
-
Ruled by the Emperor, the highest authority in the empire. Below him are the Dukes of Light’s Reach,Drisburg, Goldsun and other major cities, each governing their own city. Together with the Archbishop of the Church of Holy Light, whose rank is equal to that of Duke, they form the Ducal Council to help advise the Emperor, aswell as choose a new Emperor should the line of Desartin I ever falter. Smaller villages and towns are lead by mayors and counts respectively. These villages and towns fall under the jurisdiction of the nearest city.
-
Whilst each city houses a garrison of the professional standing army of Indomin, they can also levy troops from their own populace to further bolster the ranks of the Empire,but this is done only when times are truly dire. Indomin’s land-army consists of ranks of footsoldiers equipped oft with sword, shield and pike. They are supplemented by the Paladins, religious soldiers clad in heavy armor and armed with the signature crow’s beaks and powerful holy magic that can heal, harm or safeguard. They also often serve as mounted heavy cavalry if need be, wielding lances. Next to that, archers and gunners provide the ranged force of the army, and they can also rely upon support by cannons and mortars from the foundries of Drisburg.
-
Indomin’s Navy meanwhile is made up of all manner of warships, from smaller gunboats to large ships-of-the-lines that boast rows of cannons to ensure supremacy at sea. Lead by the Grand Admiral, his rank is also equal to that of Duke when it comes to advising the Emperor, but in matters sea-related, he supercedes the Dukes.
Inspirations/Cultural Analogues:
World of Warcraft’s human kingdoms, sprinkle of Warhammer Fantasy’s Empire, Kingdom of the Isles from Raymond E. Feist’s works, High Fantasy.