Ris: The Kingdom of Dragons
Ris. An old region wearing a new face. It serves as one of the three bastions of the north at this point. And they never forget that fact. The farther north you go, the hardier these draconics get. But they never let that ruin their lives. They are some of the most honorable people I have ever met. People straight out of stories about the knights of yore who fought for the Dragons and during the Warring States period. And yet behind all that, I see the fragments of distrust and schemes that plagues all of us. I see people hungry for recognition and to finally end the Demon threat. And I have to wonder if one day, i'll be forced to raise sword against them to protect my homeland once the Demons are gone.
Ris is one of the three major powers of the North, standing as a bulwark against Dagdra alongside Britvalia and Yehlet. Home to Draconics of varying hues and even species, it is known as the Kingdom of Dragons. While cold, Ris and its people face whatever challenges from the north, standing stronger and taller because of it. And they hope that one day, the challenges they face will culminate in one final victory against the Demonic horde that has caused them so much grief for centuries.
Structure
- The Monarchs of Ris
- The Generals of The Northern Lands
- Nobles of the Southern Lands
History
Ris was born in the fires of the Warring States period and the Long Night, same as so many other kingdoms. The Draconics fought hard against the Demons same as the Dwarves in the center and the elves of the east. Countless Demons broke upon the blades and the breath weapons of what would become Ris. Dragons who abandoned the world and the soldiers and creations they left behind fought side-by-side. Sacrifice after sacrifice was given to stop the horde. And yet there was no great honoring by the rest of the world. Because Ris was never able to strike the final blow.
Yes, heroes of Ris fought alongside the Lions of Leowyn and other heroes but they never received true recognition. That was given to the Lightbringer who slew the Beast. To the Lions who gave everything against the Dead Queen. To the Fey Strategist and Harbinger of Shadows who fell the Lustful King and Spore King. Even as heroes of Ris devastated the Horned Queen, they were celebrated at home but not by the rest of the world. And Ris has never let that go.
But that bloodshed united Ris until one banner for half a millennium. And it continues to unite them as they stand against the darkness that encroaches once more. But with a Firebrand King at the helm and whispers of cultist activity intensifying, some begin to wonder how long the Unity of Dragons can truly last. And whether Ris will live to see the end of Demonkind.
Demography and Population
1.3 million people reside in Ris. The majority of them reside by settlements near the rivers or south of the capital near the Ris-Travland border. The ones who reside near the north face constant threats from demonic forces from Dagdra and tribes that seek to undermine both sides. As a result, most people in the far north have far shorter lives as they constantly face threats from creatures and nature alike.
The majority of the population claims some connection to Dragons. Dragonborn, Dragon Fera, Firebrand, Kobolds, and Yuan-Ti are the races that laid the foundations for the kingdom. As such, they are the majority when compared to the non-Draconics. Dragonborn and Yuan-Ti rank amongst the highest, especially since they are the only two who can become monarchs of the kingdom or have at least have been for the past five centuries until the most recent monarchs. Dragon Fera and Kobold make up the next segment but the latter mainly stay in the mountains or look after the upper Undrek lands Ris has control over.
The Firebrand stay at the lowest population but the only reason for this is the nature of their creation. While many of the Firebrand were naturally born, plenty have roots in being creations of the Dragons. And since they are technically weapons, there is a theory that Ris keeps their population low to keep more of these weapons in their hands. One of the biggest examples of this is the Doom Slayer, a Firebrand created to be the enemy of Demons. However, they have gained prominence with the rise of a Firebrand King.
Territories
78 provinces exist in Ris, split amongst the different noble families in the south and military factions in the north to defend against the Demons and Travland alike. The most recent acquisitions were far northern holds and an island to the northwest to protect Lupin and Goliath alike against the hordes of the Demons. However, Ris continues to weed out demonic factions that hide in these newly acquired lands. How long they can secure these holdings has yet to be seen.
Military
Ris is home to a capable military that has grown in prominence and political power thanks to the efforts of officers such as the Hero of Chaos and the Bastion of the North. Some would even say that the northern generals hold more sway in politics than the nobles who were raised to do the same. Which has caused tension between the military and the nobility for now.
King Kazir is the commander of the entire Risian military and he has a keen mind for strategy and tactics. It helps that he has an inner council where the Hero of Chaos, The One-Eyed Visionary, The Bastion of the North, and the Trickster to Rival Devils serve as advisors and officers. The Visionary and Trickster also report to Queen Si-Avarshi who deals with all matters of subterfuge. With these officers and more, Ris has plenty of talent to use.
A large chunk of the military defends the northern lands across different fortresses and encampments meant to monitor any Dagdran movements. The rest of the military defends the interiors of Ris and there's even a contingent meant to defend the southern border of Travland and Britvalia. The south often faces war games from the Sleeping Dragon and other rising figures in Travland and as such has received a reputation for being inferior to the northern forces as they are often defeated by Travland's soldiers.
Religion
The Dragon Pantheon serves as the main religion in Ris that is widely accepted. The Dwarves, Elves, and Lupin have spread their faiths as some of them live in these parts. However, they can't hold a true presence like the Drakon pantheon as the Dracon Knights, faithful paladins and soldiers of the gods fight to spread their message against the heretical hordes of the North.
However, the Demonic scourge remains a constant threat for Ris. As they take more and more land, they have to hunt more and more cultists. However, Ris faces another issue in the form of Devil worshipers. The devils are an uneasy ally to the world against the demons but they are not to be trusted. And with the rise of more and more devil cults and warlocks of them, they will soon have to find out for themselves what will be done with the Devils when the Demons are gone.
Foreign Relations
Ris is always at war with Dagdra as the demons attacked their lands first during the Long Night after the fall of the Cixian Empire. Due to the Horned Queen's lands bordering Ris, they constantly face excursions from cultists, feral tribes, and lycanthropes for the most part. Sometimes, there are also raids from the Beast's Island now after Dagdra took over one of the Lupin Isles. Currently, they are at a deadlock, with both sides looking for a way to break the other's defenses.
Ris finds an ally in Yterius and a friend in Yehlet. Both relationships come from the Dragon Knights who were part of the knightly orders of the Warring States on both sides. However, Ris saw more of an ally in Yterius due to their warriors even with the Jade Knights of Yehlet rising back into prominence. Beyond that, Ris is surrounded by those it distrusts and rivals.
Ris and Travland have often had a rivalry before the Storm Empire rose from the ashes of the numerous human kingdoms. This goes back all the way to the rise of the Tempest Empire under the Tempest King when he was still human. The countless wars he raged on draconics to take their land soaked their border in blood and with that same lineage ruling the Empire of Travland, Ris isn't sure what to make of them. It doesn't help matters that the crown prince has embarrassed their best strategists and warriors in mock war time and time again.
Nauthion is a rival to Ris despite their shared bloodshed. The Dark Elves and Grey Dwarves often fought side-by-side with Draconics... but past glories don't always come forward. Due to Drow and Duergar forces hiding amongst Nauthions, Ris has no choice but to view Nauthion as a threat as much as Dagdra. A threat that might one day end with the two bloodied nations fighting for the fate of the North when Dagrda is gone.
Britvalia and Ris have an age-old rivalry, dating back to the War of Giants and Dragons. Since the Dwarves were slaves and sometimes willing soldiers under the Giants adn the Draconics under the Dragons, the two sides have many grudges they still have not gotten over. While not as vicious as Ris and Travland, it still exists nonetheless. Especially when Britivalia is given praise by the rest of Acria for stemming the tide. This same distrust spreads to Steamer as Risians do not trust the planar touched who live in their borders. For where were the Celestials and Elementals when the Demons ravaged their lands. And who can truly trust these spawn of Devil and Demon alike when they could be spies in waiting as some were before the Long Night?
Agriculture & Industry
Most of Ris's agriculture comes from their southern lands where temperate forests are cleared to serve as farmland. While it is not as fertile as the lands of Travland, it is enough to service their people when backed by trade. As one travels further north, farmland is restricted to lands by the river only. People eventually trade in their farming tools for fishing instead, relying on them as a stable source of food whether from the seas and coast or the lakes and rivers. When it comes to their best commodity, lumber would suffice as they host a large amount of forests in the area.
Industry wise, Ris is a nation who's industry is backed by their drive towards war. While Britvalia has them beat in quality, Ris makes up for it in quantity. Forge clerics and craftsmen alike toil day and night to perfect their arts in as many tools as possible. The Orange Craftsman makes sure to look after each of his follower's creations and to make sure they live up to the mantle he has offered them. On the coast, countless trees that are constantly regrown by druids are made into ships of war to defend their interests at sea.
Trade & Transport
Ris relies on sea trade for the most part with a navy to defend it. It only ever goes to the capital and then flows back down due to increased ice from the north due to falling temperatures and raids from demonic forces. On land, the major road Ris heads straight to the capital. After that, it breaks off into smaller roads as the northern holds have to rely on either magical transportation or their own hunting and farming to survive. As such, Northern Ris has become self-sufficient compared to the south.
United the Dragon Stands
Founding Date
1000
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Alternative Names
The Kingdom of Ris, The Dragon Kingdom, The Risian Kingdom
Demonym
Risian
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Copper, Silver, Gold, Platinum
Major Exports
- Lumber
- Fish
Major Imports
- Metals
- Grain
Executive Body
King Kazir Aj'norah & Queen Si-Avarshi
Location
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
Comments