The Ondari Dominion

Presiding over much of the Northern half of Esseas, the Ondari Dominion looms over its domain like an old lion ravaged by illness. After the overthrow of the Zentherian Dynasty, it stood as a beacon for grand civilizations everywhere. Now it stands a juxtaposition; a stagnant, decaying nation; a nest of corrupt nobility seeking to revive old glories, lurking monsters that prey on the unwary, and desperate common folk trying to survive both; and yet, still a beacon of hope for much of the world. Despite this stagnancy, it is still viewed by most of its neighbors as the political, military, and economic superpower of Esseas. But those within the Ondari Dominion live each day with the sense that the end is near. Whether that end comes by war, cults of strange gods, rebellion, plague, famine, economic collapse, or some other extra-planar threat; it matters not. But many do feel the Empire is seeing its last days.

A Diverse Society

At it's core, the Dominion is a Theocratic Imperialist nation, formed through religious rebellion and the miss-governance of the previous Zentherian Dynasty. Culturally the country itself is fairly open and free; all manner species from all across Esseas are a common sight in most larger cities; and people are free to act as they will as long as they follow the laws of the land, worship the approved Celestia Divinica, and pay their taxes. Divisions exist within society though. Lingering racism against Elves, Orcs, and others considered (rightly or wrongly) to be "dregs of society" like Kenku, Goblins, Tieflings, etc. who are often associated with the poor and criminals remains strong. Trade, culture, and people flow freely between provinces and cities across the empire. Magic is practiced fairly openly, with a limited system of regulation over its use. The core of the Dominion is the area of land surrounding the Bay of Tureon and the Eastern Sea of Ulmo, and is heavily populated and urbanized. But as one progresses from the core, the land becomes increasingly wild, untamed and unmapped. There is no formal caste system within the empire, and slavery is outlawed. Despite that, there is growing gulf on inequality between those that prosper, and those that don't. Likewise, those born with magical powers are often considered a higher class of citizen, destined for greatness after attending one the great universities. Ondari citizens are free to pursue growth and prosperity in their lives, and while there is no caste system upward mobility is a difficult, but not unattainable. The kingdom is also ridden with dark corners. Wealth inequality is rife, and a dark underworld flourishes between the criminal underground and the cults attempting to erode the support of the Celestia Divinica. Disease and famine are constants throughout the lands these past several years, along with a growing darkness while seems to creep ever westward. Old tensions remain with neighboring states like the Kingdom of Tiriande, Grand Duchies of Aranoc, and the Principality of Danothmire, with whom unsettled land claims and other contentions still exist from the dissolution of the Zentherian Dynasty. Likewise outside forces continue to persistently tug at the fabric of the states; foul Beast hordes, Orc warbands, giants, barbarian human warbands from the north all continue to threaten the national stability.

Land Without a King

The Ondari Dominion was born when a blacksmith known only as "Ondar" from a small village led a religious uprising against the oppression of the Zentherian Dynasty and the Ordo Draconis; and He become the first Ondari Emperor in 1468 5E. The Emperor remains the chosen servant of Azyr on the Material plane, as such bears unnatural strength and longer life than a normal human; but does indeed remain mortal. Once the Emperor dies, the flame at the top of the Spire of Azyr in Antares magical self-extinguishes until the God Azyr - God of Light, Justice, Order and Summer selects a new Emperor, the flame re-ignites itself. For 216 years after the fall of the Dynasty, an Emperor reigned, of which there have been five Emperors. But the last Emperor went missing in 1684 5e along with his war party. For 55 years after Emperor Jasric Vyridian went missing, the throne of the Emperor sat empty, and the flame on the Spire of Azyr remained lit. That is until 1739 when the fire extinguished and several weeks later relit itself; but none has stepped forward to claim the throne... Ruling in his stead is the High Steward of the Dominion, and the High Lords of Ondar. The High Steward and his successors were hand picked by the Emperors from lowborn families to act as his confident, aide, and advisor; and to rule in his stead until his return. The High Lords are a body of representatives for the major organs of the government which oversee most of the day to day operations and administration of the country. These individuals also make up the most powerful people in the kingdom, either directly through their authorities, or indirectly through their influence and wealth. These High Lords are in a constant state both of cooperation, and competition with each other for power, wealth and influence in a nation that seems to be crumbling from all sides. Within the Ondari Dominion, real power and influence is divided between a number of factions. The largest of these three are the Office of the High Steward, Church of the Celestia Divinica, and the Wizards of the Violet Eye. While the High Steward may be the accepted defacto political leadership of the Dominion, factions such as the Church of the Celestia Divinica and the Violet Eye wield a considerable amount of influence themselves, and seek to wield it to their own benefit, advantage, and objectives. These three remain in a constant state of internal tension, as none could survive alone (at the moment), but also seek to undermine one another. Political Alliances between the High Lords are most often tenuous, and short lived. Beneath the High Lords, who are in a constant state of competition for power, wealth, and influence; lie the appointed Provincial or Imperial Governors. These individuals are appoint from noble families or the aristocracy to run the provinces as their own minor fiefdoms.

Magic in the Realm

Unlike it's neighbor Tiriande, magic in the Ondari Dominion; along with Aranoc is largely unregulated. As magic is considered fairly rare across the world, there are few places for one to formally study magic, and fewer still open to the public. Those who do choose, and are able to study magic find education in one of several ways: through a formal institute, tutored within ranks of an organization, or through one-on-one mentorship or apprenticeship. Despite there being numerous forms of formal and informal education, many of those who do learn magic tend to do so on their own. Of the formal institutes, the largest and by far the most well known, is the Dordover Collegia Arcanum; more colloquially known as "The College". It is unique in that students of any age, race, or state; who can make their way, pay a fee, and show some aptitude; can potentially attend the College. There they can study everything from Magical theory, to potions or Artificing of magical items. Other institutions like Sundermount, or the Ravencourt Sanctuary; are much smaller and secretive establishments who select and recruit their candidates. Likewise, those identified within the ranks of the army are sent to the Imperial College of Warmagic. Upon graduation from institutes such as these, the newly minted magic user is granted a "Seal of Arcana" as a sanctioned practitioner of the Arcane. There are many benefits to receiving such a seal, such as: the ability to charge more for services, be granted exclusive access to services or contracts, and be sought after for hire in their given field. Still yet there are a myriad of small, esoteric centers of learning which revolve around specific types of magic, academia, or organizations. Organizations like the Ebon Wardens, the Violet Eye, Imperial Arcanist's Society, the Askari Watchers, Order of Embers, the Sha'tar, or the Purifiers will sometimes accept those with a Seal already, but will more often train their own members from a young age according to their organization's needs. In the case of the Violet Eye, they are also able to issue their own Seal of Arcana.

A Security State

For all of its openness, the Dominion is a security state with a highly effective military bureaucracy, and security forces. Legions of scholars, artificers, scribes, magicians, artisans, and bureaucrats labor and toil in the service of the kingdom to keep it moving forward. Governors appointed from the nobility and the aristocracy lord over the provinces like kings and queens over their own fiefdoms. Through it all, the central government in Antares keeps a wary eye on all its holdings, while it plans for next expansion to spread the Celestia Divinica to all. The tip of this spear is the Ondari Imperial Legions, known as the Palatine Blade; who are the primary military force charged with the defense of the nations, its roadways, and its people from external threats. The Aquilian Guard are recruited police and towns guard used to enforce the law within the cities and towns of the Empire. Last among the major arms of security, is the shadowy Venetari Watch, who act as the eyes and ears of the High Lords across the lands.

Key Locations

Antares, The Imperial Capital of the Ondari Dominion - Located in the Province of Valamar, Antares was formerly the second largest city in the Zentherian Dynasty. When the Dynasty fell, the new Emperor decided to move the capital away from Encanis to a new location which was not tainted with the memories of the past. Over the course of many years, new enormous edifices, temples, and castles were raised in Antares; and the city has swelled in size and grandeur. It now boasts a population of nearly 100,000 inhabitants making it possibly the largest city in the known world. Despite the famine, disease, and growing darkness outside the city walls, Antares manages to remain a hub of culture, commerce, information, and adventure. It is said that every race, type of coin, profession, adventure, passion, sin or item which you seek can be found somewhere within the city if you search hard enough and have the coin to pay. As the Imperial capital, there are an extensive number of landmarks, such as The Grand Basilica Divinatus, Obsidian Halls of Mythrax, Tower or Hegemon, Pillar of the Eternal Flame, the Athenaeum of Remembrancers, Bardic College of Whispers, the Imperial Palace and Zoo, the Silent Keep, Halls of Judgement, and many more. It is filled with Guild Headquarters, Magical Orders, Libraries, criminal gangs, temples, embassies, and other spectacles of architecture and culture. Large temples to almost every god can be found here, alongside racial districts such as the Drakkenward for Dragonborn, Kleinsmoot for Halfling, or the Elven District. Elessar - Is among the largest cities in the Ondari Dominion, is the provincial capital of Kirkwall, and remains a point of contention with Tiriande who continue to lay claim to the city and its surrounding lands as part of their historical kingdom. The city is located on the Eastern Shore of the Bay of Tureon. The Skyline of the city is dominated by a single feature, the enormous Thalodan's Causeway; also known as the Giant's Causeway. The ruins of this enormous stone construct stand hundreds of feet tall, with the pillars extending out into unknown depths of the sea; to what and where has always fascinated and beguiled historians. Just about every race in the known world can be found in Elessar, as can a thriving underworld, culture, and conflict. Lake Meerdun - A large Lake in the Eastern highlands of the province. It's cold and icy depths are believed to home to a Lesser Idol of Ulmo who can control storms and the weather. Dunharrow, resides on the shores of Lake Meerdun, and is the largest city east of Elessar in the province. The Lake has seen a rise in attacks from the water from previously unknown tribes of Merfolk and Kou-toa. The Ondari Provinces and Territories - The Ondari Dominion is split between 10 Provinces, and 6 overseas protectorates and territories. The Provinces are split artificially between those five which occupy the primary agricultural area known as the Andishan Lowlands along the Bay of Tureon, and the other five which are considered "frontier" provinces and are more sparsely populated, untamed, and unexplored. Much of the land and cities the central provinces were built on was also once Elven lands, and so Elven ruins can be found and seen everywhere.