Cormyr

Cormyr is a prosperous and wealthy nation located in the in the interior of Faerun. It is a nation that faced threats from all sides and struggled to hold onto order. Nobles bickered over land rights, bandits stalked the roads, and the threat of an organized group of Orcs and Goblins rose, an event that became known as the Goblin Wars. Towns fell, people died, and the country in general was in chaos. This is when the Radiant Shield grew in power, they brought order across the land and drove out those that threatened the peace. The Radiant Shield replaced the monarch of Cormyr and put in a system of strict laws bringing about order across the land. The Radiant Shield rose quickly and became a prominent world power by the early 1300's.
While Cormyr's laws may seem strict to outsiders, the citizens of Cormyr appreciate the security that they bring. These are the ten major laws that are posted at all major entry points to Cormyr:

• 1. All persons entering Cormyr must register with the officials of a border garrison.

• 2. Foreign currency can only be used in certain locations. Please exchange your coins for Cormyean "golden lions" at your first opportunity.

• 3. Adventurers must acquire a charter before undertaking any operation as a group.

• 4. All weapons must be peace-bonded. The only persons exempt from this law are members of chartered adventuring groups and those within The Radiant Shield.

• 5. Harming cats is forbidden.

• 6. You must present the official Cormyrean salute in the presence of high ranking Radiant Shield members.

• 7. The Radiant Shield retain the right to search you upon request.

• 8. Hunting on private land is forbidden.

• 9. Gospel outside that of The Radiant Shield is heresy.

• 10. Any sale or consumption of alcohol is prohibited.

Any person found guilty of breaking these laws shall be sentenced to indentured manual labor. Once the individual is deemed to have made substantial reparations they shall be absolved of their offense and released from their debt to the nation.
Eastern Cormyr used to be referred to as the "Forest Kingdom" due to once being covered in thick forests. Due to commercial logging and clearing for farming, however, the once great forests became restricted to the King's Forest in the east, the Hallowed Forest in the south, and the Solar Reaches Pass in the north.
The western part of Cormyr, known as the Heartlands, used to be a separate nation. They had no unified kingdom and had miles of rolling hills, grassy flatlands, impassable marshes, and monster filled forests. The region was dotted with isolated villages and hamlets, trading stops, and lonely castles. The Heartlands was brought under order by The Radiant Shield and became an official extension of Cormyr. It is now filled with fertile farmland that sustains most of the population on Faerun. The only remnant of the untamed land that remains are the Backlands, a large swatch of wild, untamed frontier land.
Within the Heartlands there a numerous sites that contain remnants of old battles, the Heartlands used to be a turbulent meeting ground for armies thousands of years ago. There are rumors that in some locations the spirits of the dead never stopped fighting.
Cormyr has a society where those who are not registered with the labor commission must join The Radiant Shield. To be registered with the labor commission you must obtain a permit for an approved field of work, such as farmer, laborer, miner, fisherman, etc. To perform work that is not on the roster you must go before a council and provide evidence of how your work will help better the nation of Cormyr. Those who perform jobs without the appropriate permit shall be judged and sentenced before a council. Even outsiders must obtain the appropriate permit before undertaking any chartered work.
Cormyr also offers rewards for those who inform The Radiant Shield of potential heresy. Heretical acts may include, necromancy, dealing with infernal creatures, making pacts with otherworldly beings, spreading gospel that contradicts that of The Radiant Shield, Drinking, debauchery, ill speak of the Archon, and many others that are at the discretion of The Radiant Shield.
While Cormry may seem strict it is actually a beautiful country with overall happy inhabitants. After a period of such disarray the citizens welcome this order and live out fairly peaceful lives. The Radiant Shield is not just there to protect the land and enforce the laws, they also help out the communities. Members stationed in a village may help tend to the farmland, construct buildings, and will help the locals in any way they can. For being a citizen of Cormyr means that there must be no idle time, you are to dedicate yourself entirely to your nation.

*The entirety of The Radiant Shield follows the guidance of the Archon, a holy man who resides in the capital of Cormyr. The Archon only directly interacts with the upper echelon. Not much is known about who he was before he became the Archon, but since his ascension his influence has spread quickly through the lands.

Cormyr, also known as the Forest Country and the Land of The Radiant Shield, was an independent nation in interior Faerun. It was historically one of the most prosperous countries of Faerun.

The Radiant Shield is the famous military of Cormyr and are renowned for their discipline, skill, and loyalty. They are considered one of the strongest armies in the realms and are well renowned for their heroism and acts of valor in the field of combat. All loyal Cormyrean citizens were eligible to join the Radiant Shield by taking an oath. While the oath is also available to non-human Cormyean citizens, extra measures are imposed to ensure their loyalty.
While they are based out of Cormyr, The Radiant Shield retains a presence in the vast majority of governments across the continent.

The rankings of The Radiant Shield are as follows:

• Recruit

• Legionnaire

• Knight

• Champion

• Herald

• Aspect

• Archon*

Not within the normal rank is also the Radiant Shield Inquisitor. Inquisitors are holy warriors that gather in grim orders and those who follow this path accept a live of duty, deprivation and solitude but also of honor, faith and in the end salvation. Inquisitors are judges that have been blessed by the gods and are entrusted with the mission to track down heretics and bring them judgement, be it through absolution or through death. They arm themselves with an unbreakable faith in the gods and the work they do in order to be able to resist the corruption of heresy.