The Dominion of Arkanmere (AR-kun-meer)
"Arkan," hails from the name of the Lord of the Dominion, King Arkan. "Mere," means "in the image of."
History
King Arkan Blightbane founded the realm immediately following the conclusion of the Blight Crisis in the Year 14 of the Gods' Peace. Blessed with immortality by the Lord of the Luminarchs, He continues to reign over His dominion from the heights of the Astralspire Citadel floating above Ferrostone. His Majesty's progeny is countless, but none possess any right to His dominion or its possessions. He alone rules.Environment
Arkanmere incorporates a variety of environments and ecosystems within its borders. Mineral-rich mountains form The Rakes, which cuts through the middle of Verda. It stretches down from the north toward the capital city of Ferrostone. The Rossitan River scprings from the red-hued, iron-rich, southern peaks and winds south toward the Gold Sea. As it approaches the Gold Sea, the Rossitan River transforms into a swampy bayou rich in nutrients and filled with an exceeding variety of flora and fauna. Its river-soaked soil is lush and ideal for farming. Northwest of Redcliff, the gently sloping hills of the Darengar Basin cede to a thick, evergreen forest that stretches from Greywatch to the north of the Avonmore Run. These pine forests, ideal for hunting and trapping, are famous for their beauty and their fabulous furs and fish hatcheries. To the east, rocky hills gently cascade from The Rakes to the Greydeep Sea, only interrupted by bustling towns, villages, and the major eastern ports of Sterlingstead and Port Edward. The south-eastern hills are more densely populated and have extensive deciduous forests between the various towns. The north-eastern hills that form the rural region of Eastvale are less populated, flatter, and more grassy. The pleasant fields and plains of Arkanmere come to an abrupt halt at the Blightbreak River. Beyond it lies the sick and twisted swamps of The Blight: a cursed and fetid forest filled with evil creatures and malevolent entities. The Blightbreak River itself is clean and comely, but the land beyond is forfeit.Government
Arkanmere is still ruled by its founder, His Majesty, King Arkan Blightbane. He is benevolent and just, often granting His subjects clemency and forgiving their trespasses. Courts adjudicate where He cannot supervise directly, but only by His blessing.Society
Arkanmerean society heavily emphasizes magic of all kinds. Every major city hosts a university or school of magical learning, but none surpasses Arkanehall University in Ferrostone.Structure
- The King
- Duke/Duchess
- Marquess/Marquise
- Earl or Count/Countess
- Viscount/Viscountess
- Baron/Baroness
- Baronet Knight
Culture
Arkanmeran culture values creation, innovation, and progress above all. Those who are viewed as drivers of change are often the most well-respected individuals in society regardless of their personal demons. To hinder progress is taboo. Arkanmerans see the world around them as clay to be molded rather than a finished product in and of itself. Their society is law-driven and contracts reign supreme. The dominion is flooded with lawyers, notaries, and judges.
Demography and Population
Arkanmere is comprised as follows:
| Ancestry | % |
|---|---|
| Human | 38 |
| Dwarf | 25 |
| Halfling | 12 |
| Gnome | 8 |
| Elf | 5 |
| Goblin | 1 |
| Other | 11 |
Military
Arkanmere maintains a semi-professional military of volunteers and conscripts at all times. The Godguard, an organization of unlanded professional soldiers imbued with divine power, is the most famous of these. Local municipalities are also welcome to levy militias (conscripted or otherwise).
Foreign Relations
The Dominion of Arkanmere enjoys peaceful relations with most realms. Trade relations with the Federation of Aurium Pirate Republics are often strained, but the value of trade is too high to cut off entirely. Arkanmere is closely allied with the kingdoms of Alandr and Kusafiri.
Agriculture & Industry
Arkanmere is primarily an industrial power, but it has a powerful agricultural base. Peasants grow and harvest cereals (wheat, rye, corn, barley, oats), oil-yielding crops (grapeseed, mustard seeds), vegetables (potatoes, etc.), lumber yielding trees (oak, pines, hardwoods), tree fruit or top fruit (apples, cherries, etc.) and soft fruit (strawberries, raspberries, etc.). Mining and ore-refining are common occupations throughout the dominion. The cities of Arkanmere import much of their produce from the feudal holdings of minor lords and focus their production on iron and ore refining, fishing, innovation, education, and civil service.
Education
Arkanmere is perhaps the best-educated realm on the planet. Mandatory early schooling means that a stunning 97% of dominion subjects are literate. Municipalities throughout the dominion fund public schools open to all, regardless of their class. Private tutors are common among the middle and upper classes. Arcane education is highly valued and taught at all ages. While not all students are gifted mages, all have been educated regarding the four classes of magic and their schools. The average Arkanmeran has been taught to read, write, do basic arithmetic, understand and/or perform magic, and understand the major events in Arkanmeran history (the Blight Crisis, the Founding, the Divine Crusades, etc.).
Infrastructure
The infrastructure in Arkanmere is among the best in Argea. Aquaducts bring water to towns that need it (although most towns congregate around pre-existing bodies of water), the major cities are outfitted with sewers, and the entire country is crisscrossed by paved, well-tended roads. The non-mountainous border between Arkanmere and the Blight is patrolled by professional and conscripted soldiers and reinforced with significant defensive barriers. Most cities' roads are entirely paved and each has a town hall constructed and funded at the crown's expense. Argea's first railroad runs between Sterlingstead and Aldenshade.
Hozme ki Whoǔr Weuh (Glory to the Gods)
Founding Date
14 YGP
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Demonym
Arkanmeran
Leader
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Arkanmere utilizes the same copper, silver, gold, and platinum system as the rest of Argea's realms, but issues them in the image of King Arkan Blightbane. The face of each coin is stamped with the silhouette of the King. The backs of the coins differ, however. The back of the copper piece depicts a radiant one-handed blade silhouetted by a bright sun, representing Sunbeam, the King's own divine weapon. The back of the silver piece is embossed with the Astralspire Citadel (the King's residence). The gold and platinum coins depict the Arkanmeran crown and the King upon a charger, respectively.
Legislative Body
Arkanmere has no standardized legislative body. Municipalities are welcome to rule by democracy. However, the rulings of these small legislatures are not considered binding upon the King or His representatives.
Judicial Body
Arkanmere has an official judicial system. Each holding is ruled by a feudal lord, duke, or other royalty. But the Magistrate (or Judge) is the monarch's official representative in the district and can hear complaints against the ruling lord and disputes between peasants and minor royalty within the district. Any disputes that cross district lines are heard by the King's Magistrate Office in Ferrostone where the monarch is technically the Chief Magistrate. However, the king rarely hears disputes and delegates His authority to the Acting Chief Magistrate.
Executive Body
The King is the ultimate executive body in the land. By His authority are all laws enacted and against His will are all laws broken. Every person and organization in the realm is subject to His will. The King delegates His authority to the Crownguard, local magistrates, and those with His official writ.
Official State Religion
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Official Languages
Related Traditions
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Comments