Dwendalian Empire
The Dwendalian Empire is a nation on the continent of Wildemount, dominating the western half of the region of Wynandir. the Empire has slowly encompassed territory on the continent and continues to seek opportunities to expand its influence. The capital of the Dwendalian Empire is Rexxentrum, a massive city more than twice the size of Emon.
Demographics
Trostenwald is a small town in the Marrow Valley, with Alfield to the north being even smaller. Zadash, the second-largest city in the Dwendalian Empire, is the geographic center of the Marrow Valley and the Empire.
In Zadash, and other regions previously ruled by the Julous Dominion before being conquered by the Dwendalian Empire, some of the traditional cultural practices and beliefs were merged and adjusted to enable a more stable integration with the laws and rules of the empire. This is reflected by the fact that the peoples of the empire and those that enforced its rule were progressively more tolerant and willing to bend the rules as one moved further away from Rexxentrum towards the outskirts of the empire.
Politics
The current head of state is King Bertrand Dwendal. His law is absolute throughout the kingdom.
In exchange for protecting its citizens from chaotic horrors and shadowed evils beyond its borders, the crown of the Dwendalian Empire demands that its citizens pay it tithes, follow its laws, worship its gods, and bow to the installed local leadership (known as "Lawmasters", such as Norda in Trostenwald). This accord has led to a prosperous century, primarily for the Dwendalian political elite. Otherwise, most citizens of the Dwendalian Empire are left to their own devices. However, tensions brew beneath the chafing watch of the Crownsguard.
Tensions are also rising with the land of Xhorhas, which borders the Dwendalian Empire to the east. In the past, the Dwendals have mostly left Xhorhas to its own devices. However, there is constant unrest at the border.
Tithe collectors
Every six months, tithe collectors (known to the commoners as "Reapers") go through the empire, each usually escorted by a couple of Crownsguard. They are recognizable by their black cloaks with gold trim. Reapers go building to building, business to business. They inspect ledgers, ask about each business, look at the means by which citizens are living, and then make an estimation of what each Dwendalian citizen would owe for the biannual tithe. Reapers then collect the money and move on their way. Officially, this process is to enforce each citizen's responsibility to contribute to the military spending and social programs of the Empire as a whole. Unofficially, it is also used as a means of inspecting for any illegal activity and anything that goes against the Crown. Often, many people get arrested for illicit goods and activities discovered while tithes are being collected.
Laws
As judged by the eyes of the local lawmaster, appointed hands of the lawmaster, or the The Lawbearer herself, any criminals discovered and/or convicted of crimes within local halls of judgement throughout the empire are subject to punishment befitting the crime. All fines and punishments for crimes against a Crownsguard member, Righteous Brand soldier, or noble are doubled. All fines and punishments regarding crimes against an imperial official of the Cerberus Assembly are tripled.
Theft: 5-10 days incarceration and/or a fine of twice the worth of the stolen goods.
Worship of Non-Empire Gods: 30 days incarceration and a fine of 250 gp.
Slavery: 12-20 months incarceration and a fine of 1800 gp.
Trespassing: 12 days incarceration and/or fine of 215 gp.
Tax Evasion: 5-30 days incarceration and a repossession of property equal to the amount owed.
Damage to Private Property: 5-15 days incarceration or a fine of twice the worth of property damaged.
Damage to Crown Property: 15-60 days incarceration and a fine of twice the worth of property damaged.
Kidnapping: 60 days incarceration and/or a fine of 800 gp.
Assault with Intent to Injure: 30 days incarceration and/or a fine of 350 gp.
Assault with Intent to Kill: 250 days incarceration and/or a fine of 1800 gp, or execution.
Murder: 8-15 years incarceration, and/or a fine of 6000 gp, or execution.
Treason: Execution.
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