Post by Dread Gnat on Jan 4, 2012 22:36:41 GMT -5
Common Opinions: (Celestine Empire)
Ad Decimum
~Nobility: They are a good ally and a very knowledgeable people. Unfortunately, for all their wisdom, they lack many of the social graces which are needed to do well in political matters abroad.
~Peasantry: They seem like a good enough people. They sometimes strike me as a bit silly, but maybe that's just me.
~Military: Ad Decimum doesn't have much of an army to speak of, but we do bring on some of their wizards to help train our own soldiers. The lectures are typically a bit too theoretical for my taste, but at times, even that is needed.
~Clergy: They are a good natured people who are very...enthusiastic about many things. Unfortunately their curiosity can also prove to be dangerous, as more than once the wizards there have released dangerous creatures which later must be stopped.
~Academic: Discussing philosophy with a scholar of Ad Decimum is a true pleasure. It is always nice to chat with a peer, who understands the intricacies of logical structure.
~Mercantile: There are some great trade opportunities within Ad Decimum. They have a great deal of knowledge, and that can be a valuable commodity.
~Bards: Few tales ring from the halls of Ad Decimum, yet there sits a tower of wizards, perched on a throne of books. From that vantage they gaze into the past, and predict the future.
Amalgamation
~Nobility: A long time ago, their nation held purpose. They stood for some great ideals which involved the unification of mankind under a common philosophy. Now their nation stands for corruption and conquest.
~Peasantry: From what I hear, they treat the commoners who live in their nation dreadfully. I'd hate to live there.
~Military: The forces of the Amalgamation are our largest threat. We've been at peace for some time, but to call our relationship 'friendly' would be a lie.
~Clergy: If the Amalgamation's church had their way, they would hang each and every one of us as 'heretics'. What they don't understand is that their faith is false, and that we stand because our gods will it. That will never change.
~Academic: The kings of the Amalgamation remain in power because they keep their people ignorant. The Amalgamation also burnt almost every book that predates the year 1c. In short, they are the enemies of knowledge.
~Mercantile: There is a good amount of trade that goes between our nations. You just have to be careful, especially is trying to peddle any books. The Amalgamation takes a very hard handed approach to things. The last thing you want is to be labeled a heretic.
~Bards: Few tales ring truer then Ellidyr 'The Outlaw' and his band of free men. This tale simply explains the unjust rule of so many nobles in the Amalgamation's court, and the abuse that the peasantry are so frequently subjected to.
Celestial
~Nobility: The Celestials are a beautiful and gracious race. Though we have much that still needs to be done, we have tried to model our very nation in a way which the Celestials might approve of.
~Peasantry: People say that they're divine. I believe it.
~Military: The Celestial are as beautiful as they are deadly, but having one on your side does unimaginable good for your soldier's moral.
~Clergy: The Celestial are heralds of the divine. They are warriors of both wrath and purity, and though some of their kind have fallen in the past, they ought always be treated with respect.
~Academic: Though I admire the Celestials as much as any other person may... I also understand that there have been many incidents of, oh-shall-I-say, -insanity, among their kind? Some Celestials view all life as impure and that it must be cleansed. Not all are as nice as our poems seem to indicate.
~Mercantile: Though they do understand the concept of fair exchange, they can be easily tricked or taken advantage of. We do what we can to make sure that this doesn't happen.
~Bards: There are countless stories of the heralds of light driving back the darkness. There is something poetic about these beautiful agents of fiery destruction, and though it is very rare to see one in person, it is not unheard of.
Celestine Empire
~Nobility: We view rulership as much as a burden as a privilege. If we are to be called 'noble' then we must act in a way which deserves such a claim. We act to better our people, and we mustn't ever lose sight of that.
~Peasantry: You know, no one likes being poor, but we hear stories about how it is elsewhere. Compared to other places, we live in bliss.
~Military: We have a powerful army, but more than that, we hold deep alliances with many of the citystates. Should we ever need to call in those favors, our army would double over night.
~Clergy: We are a nation whose leaders are not born, but chosen through trial, and by the gods. Our devotion is strong, and so is our nation.
~Academic: Our nation is built upon philosophy and faith. We war only when we must, and in all things we strive to work in a manner which is designed to better our people, not ourselves.
~Mercantile: Since we have such great ties with the citystates, our economy is very strong. The Celestine Empire is a great place to be a merchant.
~Bards: The Celestine Empire is home of the silver knights, clad in their shining armor, saving damsels, and defending the weak. We are the nation of chivalry.
Cestral
~Nobility: The people of Cestral are some of the most goodly, and down to earth nobles you will ever meet. They have known little but sorrow, yet they do not let these tragedies burden their spirit.
~Peasantry: Ever seen a Horse from there? Beautiful animals.
~Military: Cestral is constantly being raided by the Vicaul. They do what they can, but are kept in such poverty that they can't seem to make any headway.
~Clergy: Until recently, the people of Cestral followed the Old Ways. Though we do not agree with such traditions we still respect their views. In recent times, missionaries from the Amalgamation have begun to convert the people there, and in time, we worry that their very culture may be erased.
~Academic: One of the gems of Cestral is the institute of Alexander. It is well known in every nation, and in no other place will you find such a convergence of knowledge. What is less well known is that Alexander exists because the Celestine Empire put it there. It was a gift given to their nation from ours as a means of strengthening our relations. Cestral has since put a great deal of effort into maintaining it, but we know its origin, and it pleases us that our gift is appreciated.
~Mercantile: Cestral is such a distant and impoverished nation that considering making major trade routes there is a waste of time. Dace is a far better option when it comes to trade.
~Bards: Cestral is home to the bards, and anyone who is unencumbered by material possession. They have grand tales, and a hearty spirit.
Coatl
~Nobility: The Coatl once had control of most of the western expanse. Now they are a beaten shadow that is awaiting final destruction.
~Peasantry: They're feared hunters and warriors to the far east. They aren't a threat to us, but I hear they've been battling against the Amalgamation for centuries!
~Military: The Coatl blend cunning strategy, excellent horsemanship, and a technique of mounted spell casting to make for a very fast and mobile enemy. Their decline mostly came when they began fighting against enemies who used shield walls, and castles.
~Clergy: The Coatl once devoted themselves to demonic practices, and for a time were very powerful. When their gods were driven off, and they were left betrayed and in shambles, they had nothing else to live for. Their people have lived in shambles ever since.
~Academic: Some academics believe that the Coatl, Vicaul, and Gael are all descended from the same common ancestors. I like to believe that if this is true, where as the Gael follow totems like the wolf and raven, the Coatl follow the horse. Even if this is incorrect, it's a concept that makes sense to me.
~Mercantile: I wouldn't even know what to ask for, nor where to find them, nor why Im traveling so far east for some furs. Waste of time.
~Bards: They say the Coatl use molten silver to cover a liar's tongue, and a traitor's eyes. The silver is said to stain the spirit, so even in the afterlife, they will wander mute or blind.
Cole
~Nobility: Our allies in Cole are not the most reputable, but they live by their own sort of honor. They are charming and charismatic, but difficult to rely on.
~Peasantry: Never play a game of cards with someone from Cole. You'll lose.
~Military: Cole has a decent fleet, but most of their forces exist solely as a garrison. There is also a bit of corruption in their ranks. More than once secrets have been leaked through their chain of command.
~Clergy: I truly believe that deep down, they are good. Unfortunately there is a great deal of corruption that lurks in their city.
~Academic: I hate going to Cole. People speak of the excitement of the city, and that it's a place of wonder. Whenever I go, I wind up drunk, poor, and the victim of countless pranks.
~Mercantile: Cole is a great place for trade. Good prices too, and its less structured, so if you're patient, you can get some great deals.
~Bards: A bard can become quite wealthy in Cole. It is a place where fame is not earned but rather purchased through the services of a skilled bard.
Dace
~Nobility: Dacians are a people who live in their own world. What is important to the world, and what is important to a Dacian is never the same. The Isle of Dace is indeed an odd place.
~Peasantry: Everyone knows that if you need something, you go to Dace... Well, their merchants anyway. People can't just sail there, they need to be invited to Dace itself.
~Military: Dace has virtually no military aside from a strong fleet. More than anything, their alliances keep them safe. Everyone needs Dace; and they know it.
~Clergy: Dace was founded upon our faith, but they long ago forswore it, clinging to their masks as a way where they could somehow avoid the all-seeing gaze of our gods. Now, for them, religion is simply viewed as art.
~Academic: Dacians are very well educated, but at the same time, don't place much of an emphasis on knowledge. They have excellent plays, and poets, but talking philosophy is not very high on their list of priorities.
~Mercantile: Dace is the nexus of trade. Everyone knows that. That's not to say that you get the best deals in Dace, but it certainly involves less hunting and travel. That alone can sometimes save you money.
~Bards: Dacian artists consider themselves to be the finest in the world, yet there is an eloquent rawness that is found elsewhere that is absent in their grand and majestic theatres. This is not to say that their actors and performers are not skilled, quite the opposite, but one can not discount the song and tales of other cultures.
Demon
~Nobility: We all must be ever vigilant in the presence of demon kind. They have been driven off, but in the time that has passed, they have been marshaling their forces, and will one day return. We must be ready.
~Peasantry: For a while I thought demons were just something from stories to scare children. Knowing that they're real is far more frightening.
~Military: Demons caused the war of faces, where they pitted man against man. They have powerful abilities that allow them to assume different shapes, and with some cunning, they can kill and assume the shape of even familiar people. This was used to cause mass confusion and war. Make no mistake, this could happen again.
~Clergy: The abyssal are our sworn enemies, and the Celestine Empire has championed the fight against them with the formation of the Silver Chalice. When mankind can put aside our differences, we will destroy demon kind once and for all.
~Academic: You know, even the body of a demon can result in some very rare and useful alchemical components. Even studying a demon's corpse can teach a surgeon a lot about the anatomy of all magical creatures.
~Mercantile: Most of the cursed artifacts in the world come from breach. They can be alluring, because they are powerful, but everything has a cost. With demons, the cost seems slight, but over time, you realize it was far more then you bargained for.
~Bards: Every hero only becomes great because of the trials set before him. Demons provide such a trial for us all, and should they ever fully be defeated, some other great evil shall rise and take their place.
Draconic
~Nobility: The legends of Knights and dragons are true, but it happened so long ago, who can be sure of the details? What we do know is that Dragons are no longer here, and we are.
~Peasantry: Knights in shining armor, vanquishing demons and dragons. I love those stories!
~Military: Dragons lay dead and forgotten, but their bones remain. I've heard of weapons made from their bones which are indestructible, and often rune inscribed. The weapons are rare, but said to be powerful.
~Clergy: They say that there are cults of people who still worship the draconic. They pray to the bones of dragons and claim to draw power from the dragon's spirit. These cults are dangerous like so many others.
~Academic: Most people believe that the dragons are long gone. Others still maintain that they instead went into a deep slumber. The legends vary, but so claim dragons sleep in the depths of the sea, others that they reside under rocks in mountain ranges. If this is true, it would be fascinating to discover one.
~Mercantile: I've seen a dragon bone weapon before. Extremely rare, but amazing to behold. Typically it would be a tooth, fashioned into a blade, but they were almost always enchanted and enspelled in ancient times. Little of the culture surrounding those times remain.
~Bards: In days of old, long before the knowing, dragons ruled the skies. With one bout of flame they could cover a city in ash. Their wings could blot out the sun. In all things they were massive, yet even they could not stand to the smallest of stout hearted men who carried devotion as their shield.
Effendal
~Nobility: Long ago, their people attacked our nation and assassinated the last emperor that we ever had. Our nation suffered for a time, but we grew stronger for it.
~Peasantry: I'm not sure what to think. If they're descendants of the fae, and that means they steal children, shouldn't we hate them?
~Military: The effendal are a wounded animal. They are weakened, but because of this, they are all the more desperate, and therefore dangerous.
~Clergy: The effendal consider themselves the equals of the gods, and for that they were punished.
~Academic: Historically we were put into a difficult position. The Celestine Empire had no intention of getting involved in the Purification, but when our Emperor was assassinated, and our lands attacked, we were forced to respond. When the battle was over, we were too weak to even protest the Amalgamation's actions against the effendal.
~Mercantile: I'd be astounded to see the craftsmanship of the effendal. Even now, artifacts from the purification are rare and valuable.
~Bards: Though many have forgotten, there was a time when we were ruled by an Emperor and not a Queen. This all changed the day that the elves came. Through savage nature, they assassinated our emperor and caused a chain of reaction that almost sundered our nation. They are not to be trusted.
The Eirie Isles
~Nobility: The Eirie rarely engage in outside politics. Some people view this as selfish, but I think they just prefer a simpler life. They don't see a need to mettle in foreign affairs, so they don't.
~Peasantry: I'd sure like to go visit that place some day. People call it a island of paradise. I like the idea of that.
~Military: Its odd. The Eirie have no military to speak of, yet any time there has been some arrogant noble or warlord who has sought to take control those islands, the enemy force has always just vanished. Warships normally collide on reefs or just disappear at sea. The Eirie isles seem blessed.
~Clergy: They worship goddesses of beauty and of the arts. They try to model their society off of that beauty as well, but unlike Dacians, the Eirie focus on more senses than just what you can see. We don't necessarily agree with their choices, but we do not condemn them either.
~Academic: The Eirie isles were settled by Dacian explorers, but later split from the majority of Dacian customs and traditions. They have however kept their desire for the luxurious.
~Mercantile: We do plenty of trade with the Eirie, and now that more and more trade is being done with Tear, the Eirie Isles are becoming a major port for trade.
~Bards: There is a lingering and old magic to those isles. It is a place where people from all lands may come and go in peace. A place where, while you are present, the stresses of the outside world do not matter.
Fae
~Nobility: I prefer the legends which speak of the fae as beautiful forest spirits, nymphs, and dryads. I know there are darker legends too, but those stories are best forgotten.
~Peasantry: In the legends, they say that even the ugliest crone can turn into a Faery Princess. The moral is to treat everyone with respect and kindness. I like that story.
~Military: The fae disappeared when the Iron Chalice tracked them down and put an end to their villainy once and for all. People get caught up with the legends, but they forget that the fae once upon a time, were a great threat to us all. They have no regard for mortal life, and used us as pawns in their games between one another.
~Clergy: The fae are a paradoxical creature, and are as much creatures of good as they are creatures of evil. It is a pity that no sort of agreement could be reached between our two peoples.
~Academic: It is documented that the Fae are not completely extinct, but even still, those that do remain are so fearful of humans that they rarely show themselves to anyone except perhaps children.
~Mercantile: I know fae still exist because they keep stealing and misplacing my belongings! Damn fae!
~Bards: Of the Fae, there are many morals to be learned. They teach you that, it is always wise to be kind to those around you, that you must care and look after your family, and you must always keep watch over your children. These are the lessons of the fae.
Gael
~Nobility: They are barbaric savages, nothing more. How many people must die before they let their rage subside?
~Peasantry: I hate them Gael. They'd kill us all if they could, fortunately they are no match to our forces.
~Military: The Gael are no match for us, especially with their tribes as divided as they are. With each passing year, we win triumph after triumph. In time, the Gael will have no force left to throw at us.
~Clergy: The Gael follow the Old Ways, and these beliefs have failed them. Though we admire their stubborn devotion, they must adapt to the times, or be destroyed.
~Academic: The Gael are a superstitious people who use a mostly oral tradition. We've tried to come to common grounds with them, but every attempt at peace has failed.
~Mercantile: We don't trade with those we war against.
~Bards: With drums and chants the Gael prepare for war. They paint with blood and smear crude designs into the earth. They savage the weak and rend the weary. Tribe after tribe have fallen to our armies, and still they persist.
Drir
~Nobility: They are a wild people who practice curses and dark magic. They are the ancestors of humans who were long ago driven off the mainland. It is death for any traveler to go to their territory.
~Peasantry: You hear awful stories about the place that they live. They sacrifice people in their rituals, and use human body parts for their curses. It gives me shivers just thinking about it.
~Military: The Drir are a minor threat, but a constant one. Periodically they raid the nearby coastal villages and citystates for fresh 'supplies' as they call it.
~Clergy: Who knows what beliefs drive these people. They do not respect life, and are capable of such evil that it makes one shutter. With demons, their evil is inherent in their nature, but these men have common ancestry with us all. The Maelificar's evil should serve as a warning for us all, as each one of us have the ability to fall to the temptations of corruption.
~Academic: It is very interesting to see what a culture founded by necromancers, cultists, and blood mages evolves in to over time. Nothing good, obviously, but it is an interesting study.
~Mercantile: Every once in a while you hear horror stories of a ship getting damaged or lost at sea and winding up near one of their islands. The stories don't come from survivors, they come from sailors who pass by the destroyed ship. The stories are always the same though. No survivors.
~Bards: From darkened past, to darker future, the witches of the western isles plot and brood. There they wait with curses foul, for passive wanderer to travel by. Woe be it for any who share this fate, and travel too far western way, for there they lurk in clouded darkness.
Mandala
~Nobility: It is always a pleasure to visit Mandala. They are a clever and elegant people, but they are also pragmatic and understand not only how the world ought be, but also how the world operates now. They are masters of doing whatever it takes to get what they want.
~Peasantry: Not sure what to make of them. They're alright, I suppose, but I hear they have a bit of an odd temper too.
~Military: The Blood Knights of Mandala were once greatly feared. These men hunted blood mages and cultists, coating their own armor in some specially prepared blood to protect them from these foul magics. The Blood Knights are all dead, but the society that they came from remains. They smile, but are deadly with a knife.
~Clergy: They are not a religious people, but they are very spiritual. They have a keen understanding of the flow of the world around them, yet they seem to use this wisdom for personal gain rather than a higher cause.
~Academic: It is true that the Knights of Blood were feared hunters of blood mages, but what many speculate is 'why?' That is to ask, 'why were they effective?' Many believe this is because there are some within Mandala who also practice these dark arts. The knights are dead, but that knowledge may remain.
~Mercantile: We have an excellent trade relationship with the people of Mandala. Some of them can be tenacious bargainers, but that is to be expected when dealing with any merchant.
~Bards: Some say that the people of Mandala sent such a message to the cultists of old, that they even to this day, fear to once again set foot on land. And so the Maelificar lurk on their island homes, and plot to one day have vengeance on those who cast them out so long ago.
Nadine Empire
~Nobility: The ruling class of the Nadine Empire are by no means noble. For them, the peasantry exist to raise them up, and those in power will exploit and abuse those around them for as long as they are able. They think this makes them strong, it makes them weak.
~Peasantry: Their empire is tough, but it needs to be, it also keeps the Amalgamation on their toes. I don't agree with the Nadine's methods, but as long as they keep the Amalgamation's gaze fixed away from us, they're alright in my book.
~Military: The Nadine Empire is at war with everyone. To this regard, they frequently conduct raids on many of the nations, all for very specific purposes. These missions are hard to anticipate and harder to stop.
~Clergy: Their Empress has adopted the methodology of the Greater Demon Zyte, and has started to force her people to worship her as a goddess. I hope the Amalgamation can someday succeed at destroying their nation.
~Academic: The Nadine Empire is a military nation. Their soldiers train every day, and many scholars believe that they war, not for conquest, but for training, and to keep their soldiers sharp. Whatever the truth is, the Empire will use any method to achieve their goals.
~Mercantile: The thing that is tricky about doing trade with the Nadine Empire, is that they don't have law. It is a tyranny, and if someone is strong enough to do something, they can. This means that getting a fair deal is pretty difficult.
~Bards: There are countless tales of the shadowy Black Knights of the Nadine Empire. Said to ride on steeds made of smoke and ashes, these knights ride collecting the souls of necromancers and foul practitioners of dark magic. But they collect the secrets that the wizards once held, and deliver them to their dark mistress.
Saek
~Nobility: We know so little of these people, only that they dwell in the demon lands, and war against the demons who surround them. If this is true, then we support them whole heartedly.
~Peasantry: Ain't heard much but whispers about their kind. I hear they are ferocious warriors.
~Military: They are no strangers to brutality, and it is from them that a style of combat was born where a limb is tortured so frequently that over time, that limb becomes able to withstand even an axe's blow.
~Clergy: From what I understand, they are another spiritual people, but ones who have seen what false religion can do. As a result, their faith has been shattered.
~Academic: It is hard to imagine a people who have somehow survived in the desolation that is breach. Never the less, they have.
~Mercantile: The Saek are far too distrusting to deal with outsiders, plus we have no outposts in breach. Trade isn't an option, even if we wanted to.
~Bards: Legends tell us that the first of the Saek were freed by a single man who was fed up with the injustices around him. We all should learn from such a tale. Every one of us can make a difference.
Castle Thorn
~Nobility: Those men of Castle Thorn stand vigil defending us all from the creatures of the night. They are rarely nice or even polite, but that is because their situation requires such steely hearts as theirs. We respect them greatly.
~Peasantry: They be proud warriors. Too proud to ever give up, and they ain't going nowhere. They're the expanse's silent protectors.
~Military: The Knights of the Thorn are valiant warriors, but their forces are always taxed and there have been times where the castle itself has almost come down. The entire region is devoid of life from the constant battling, and there will come a day when the soldiers of Thorn cannot repel their demonic invaders.
~Clergy: Castle Thorn is not a place of philosophy, and religious elements have been all but shut out. They follow a warrior's code of honor, but they will ultimately do whatever it takes to defeat their enemy.
~Academic: If you're looking for the authority on combating Demons, the authorities are the Effendal, the Celestial, the Silver Chalice, and the Knights of Thorn. They have all the practical knowledge they'll ever need. Unfortunately they lack some of the theoretical.
~Mercantile: The men and women of Castle Thorn do us all a great service. As such, we contribute more than any other nation with donated supplies, weapons, food, and whatever other provisions they need. This all comes at a cost to the Celestine Empire, but it is well appreciated.
~Bards: Bards know well the day Johannas sacrificed his own life to bring down the mightiest of demons. Since that day, his name and monument have been inspiration for knights of all nations.
Vein
~Nobility: The Vein are an honorable people, but it disheartening to see the virtuous be manipulated and used. In our eyes, they were tricked into joining the Amalgamation, and though we don't know all the circumstances, we hope that one day their nation will once again be free.
~Peasantry: They be the Amalgamation's enforcers. Some of their strongest inquisitors have come from there. They hate magic. That's one thing we got in common.
~Military: The Vein are known for their walls. Some say that they are the descendants of the mountains themselves, and built their cities with a similar foundation. It seems though that even the mightiest of us are destined to fall.
~Clergy: I find it odd that a people who once despised magic, are now ruled by a nation that follows a so called 'god of magic'. I have little else to say on the topic.
~Academic: The Vein were a people who saw the wielding of magic as a crime, and were intolerant to anyone practicing the magical arts. This actually helped strengthen their nation for a time, but it also proved to be their undoing.
~Mercantile: The Vein don't like outsiders much. When a boat lands on their shores, its assumed that it is another Vicaul raid. So.... Trade is scarce with them.
~Bards: And one of the Kings of the Amalgamation did draw his sword and challenge the Lord of the Vein to honored combat. They battled for seventeen days, and sixteen nights, until bested by skill alone, the King was victorious. On that day, the generals of the Vein fell on bended knee and swore a sacred oath of fealty binding, them, their children, and all Vein to come, to the service of the Amalgamation. They were respected as honored foes, and have been loyal ever since.
Vicaul
~Nobility: the Vicaul are the savages of the sea. They exist by preying upon undefended settlements and weak cities. They would never dare to venture so far west and attack us, but their actions have not gone unnoticed.
~Peasantry: I hear that they're some sort of a pirate people. They raid ships and cities. Personally, I'd rather be farming. Unfortunately, they can't farm. The weather is too cold up where they're at to farm. Must be a tough life.
~Military: The Vicaul could reach us if they so desired, but there would be little point in it. The Vicaul act to survive and have no interest in conquest. They are indeed blood thirsty, and certainly an enemy of every civilized society, but we do understand their motivation.
~Clergy: They follow the old ways, and worship most heavily their gods related to the sea and the elements. They are cunning, and skilled sailors, but their lives are filled with bloodshed. They are cursed to this cycle of violence.
~Academic: Some scholars believe that the Gael, Vicaul, Coatl, and even the Vein all descend from the same common ancestry. Though this is a hard theory to prove, there are certain similarities in their culture and mannerisms.
~Mercantile: They are raiders. They don't trade, they take.
~Bards: Legends say that the Vicaul were birthed from a wolf in the heat of battle. Some say that when they battle, they fight with such ferocity that their wolf spirit comes to life.
Ad Decimum
~Nobility: They are a good ally and a very knowledgeable people. Unfortunately, for all their wisdom, they lack many of the social graces which are needed to do well in political matters abroad.
~Peasantry: They seem like a good enough people. They sometimes strike me as a bit silly, but maybe that's just me.
~Military: Ad Decimum doesn't have much of an army to speak of, but we do bring on some of their wizards to help train our own soldiers. The lectures are typically a bit too theoretical for my taste, but at times, even that is needed.
~Clergy: They are a good natured people who are very...enthusiastic about many things. Unfortunately their curiosity can also prove to be dangerous, as more than once the wizards there have released dangerous creatures which later must be stopped.
~Academic: Discussing philosophy with a scholar of Ad Decimum is a true pleasure. It is always nice to chat with a peer, who understands the intricacies of logical structure.
~Mercantile: There are some great trade opportunities within Ad Decimum. They have a great deal of knowledge, and that can be a valuable commodity.
~Bards: Few tales ring from the halls of Ad Decimum, yet there sits a tower of wizards, perched on a throne of books. From that vantage they gaze into the past, and predict the future.
Amalgamation
~Nobility: A long time ago, their nation held purpose. They stood for some great ideals which involved the unification of mankind under a common philosophy. Now their nation stands for corruption and conquest.
~Peasantry: From what I hear, they treat the commoners who live in their nation dreadfully. I'd hate to live there.
~Military: The forces of the Amalgamation are our largest threat. We've been at peace for some time, but to call our relationship 'friendly' would be a lie.
~Clergy: If the Amalgamation's church had their way, they would hang each and every one of us as 'heretics'. What they don't understand is that their faith is false, and that we stand because our gods will it. That will never change.
~Academic: The kings of the Amalgamation remain in power because they keep their people ignorant. The Amalgamation also burnt almost every book that predates the year 1c. In short, they are the enemies of knowledge.
~Mercantile: There is a good amount of trade that goes between our nations. You just have to be careful, especially is trying to peddle any books. The Amalgamation takes a very hard handed approach to things. The last thing you want is to be labeled a heretic.
~Bards: Few tales ring truer then Ellidyr 'The Outlaw' and his band of free men. This tale simply explains the unjust rule of so many nobles in the Amalgamation's court, and the abuse that the peasantry are so frequently subjected to.
Celestial
~Nobility: The Celestials are a beautiful and gracious race. Though we have much that still needs to be done, we have tried to model our very nation in a way which the Celestials might approve of.
~Peasantry: People say that they're divine. I believe it.
~Military: The Celestial are as beautiful as they are deadly, but having one on your side does unimaginable good for your soldier's moral.
~Clergy: The Celestial are heralds of the divine. They are warriors of both wrath and purity, and though some of their kind have fallen in the past, they ought always be treated with respect.
~Academic: Though I admire the Celestials as much as any other person may... I also understand that there have been many incidents of, oh-shall-I-say, -insanity, among their kind? Some Celestials view all life as impure and that it must be cleansed. Not all are as nice as our poems seem to indicate.
~Mercantile: Though they do understand the concept of fair exchange, they can be easily tricked or taken advantage of. We do what we can to make sure that this doesn't happen.
~Bards: There are countless stories of the heralds of light driving back the darkness. There is something poetic about these beautiful agents of fiery destruction, and though it is very rare to see one in person, it is not unheard of.
Celestine Empire
~Nobility: We view rulership as much as a burden as a privilege. If we are to be called 'noble' then we must act in a way which deserves such a claim. We act to better our people, and we mustn't ever lose sight of that.
~Peasantry: You know, no one likes being poor, but we hear stories about how it is elsewhere. Compared to other places, we live in bliss.
~Military: We have a powerful army, but more than that, we hold deep alliances with many of the citystates. Should we ever need to call in those favors, our army would double over night.
~Clergy: We are a nation whose leaders are not born, but chosen through trial, and by the gods. Our devotion is strong, and so is our nation.
~Academic: Our nation is built upon philosophy and faith. We war only when we must, and in all things we strive to work in a manner which is designed to better our people, not ourselves.
~Mercantile: Since we have such great ties with the citystates, our economy is very strong. The Celestine Empire is a great place to be a merchant.
~Bards: The Celestine Empire is home of the silver knights, clad in their shining armor, saving damsels, and defending the weak. We are the nation of chivalry.
Cestral
~Nobility: The people of Cestral are some of the most goodly, and down to earth nobles you will ever meet. They have known little but sorrow, yet they do not let these tragedies burden their spirit.
~Peasantry: Ever seen a Horse from there? Beautiful animals.
~Military: Cestral is constantly being raided by the Vicaul. They do what they can, but are kept in such poverty that they can't seem to make any headway.
~Clergy: Until recently, the people of Cestral followed the Old Ways. Though we do not agree with such traditions we still respect their views. In recent times, missionaries from the Amalgamation have begun to convert the people there, and in time, we worry that their very culture may be erased.
~Academic: One of the gems of Cestral is the institute of Alexander. It is well known in every nation, and in no other place will you find such a convergence of knowledge. What is less well known is that Alexander exists because the Celestine Empire put it there. It was a gift given to their nation from ours as a means of strengthening our relations. Cestral has since put a great deal of effort into maintaining it, but we know its origin, and it pleases us that our gift is appreciated.
~Mercantile: Cestral is such a distant and impoverished nation that considering making major trade routes there is a waste of time. Dace is a far better option when it comes to trade.
~Bards: Cestral is home to the bards, and anyone who is unencumbered by material possession. They have grand tales, and a hearty spirit.
Coatl
~Nobility: The Coatl once had control of most of the western expanse. Now they are a beaten shadow that is awaiting final destruction.
~Peasantry: They're feared hunters and warriors to the far east. They aren't a threat to us, but I hear they've been battling against the Amalgamation for centuries!
~Military: The Coatl blend cunning strategy, excellent horsemanship, and a technique of mounted spell casting to make for a very fast and mobile enemy. Their decline mostly came when they began fighting against enemies who used shield walls, and castles.
~Clergy: The Coatl once devoted themselves to demonic practices, and for a time were very powerful. When their gods were driven off, and they were left betrayed and in shambles, they had nothing else to live for. Their people have lived in shambles ever since.
~Academic: Some academics believe that the Coatl, Vicaul, and Gael are all descended from the same common ancestors. I like to believe that if this is true, where as the Gael follow totems like the wolf and raven, the Coatl follow the horse. Even if this is incorrect, it's a concept that makes sense to me.
~Mercantile: I wouldn't even know what to ask for, nor where to find them, nor why Im traveling so far east for some furs. Waste of time.
~Bards: They say the Coatl use molten silver to cover a liar's tongue, and a traitor's eyes. The silver is said to stain the spirit, so even in the afterlife, they will wander mute or blind.
Cole
~Nobility: Our allies in Cole are not the most reputable, but they live by their own sort of honor. They are charming and charismatic, but difficult to rely on.
~Peasantry: Never play a game of cards with someone from Cole. You'll lose.
~Military: Cole has a decent fleet, but most of their forces exist solely as a garrison. There is also a bit of corruption in their ranks. More than once secrets have been leaked through their chain of command.
~Clergy: I truly believe that deep down, they are good. Unfortunately there is a great deal of corruption that lurks in their city.
~Academic: I hate going to Cole. People speak of the excitement of the city, and that it's a place of wonder. Whenever I go, I wind up drunk, poor, and the victim of countless pranks.
~Mercantile: Cole is a great place for trade. Good prices too, and its less structured, so if you're patient, you can get some great deals.
~Bards: A bard can become quite wealthy in Cole. It is a place where fame is not earned but rather purchased through the services of a skilled bard.
Dace
~Nobility: Dacians are a people who live in their own world. What is important to the world, and what is important to a Dacian is never the same. The Isle of Dace is indeed an odd place.
~Peasantry: Everyone knows that if you need something, you go to Dace... Well, their merchants anyway. People can't just sail there, they need to be invited to Dace itself.
~Military: Dace has virtually no military aside from a strong fleet. More than anything, their alliances keep them safe. Everyone needs Dace; and they know it.
~Clergy: Dace was founded upon our faith, but they long ago forswore it, clinging to their masks as a way where they could somehow avoid the all-seeing gaze of our gods. Now, for them, religion is simply viewed as art.
~Academic: Dacians are very well educated, but at the same time, don't place much of an emphasis on knowledge. They have excellent plays, and poets, but talking philosophy is not very high on their list of priorities.
~Mercantile: Dace is the nexus of trade. Everyone knows that. That's not to say that you get the best deals in Dace, but it certainly involves less hunting and travel. That alone can sometimes save you money.
~Bards: Dacian artists consider themselves to be the finest in the world, yet there is an eloquent rawness that is found elsewhere that is absent in their grand and majestic theatres. This is not to say that their actors and performers are not skilled, quite the opposite, but one can not discount the song and tales of other cultures.
Demon
~Nobility: We all must be ever vigilant in the presence of demon kind. They have been driven off, but in the time that has passed, they have been marshaling their forces, and will one day return. We must be ready.
~Peasantry: For a while I thought demons were just something from stories to scare children. Knowing that they're real is far more frightening.
~Military: Demons caused the war of faces, where they pitted man against man. They have powerful abilities that allow them to assume different shapes, and with some cunning, they can kill and assume the shape of even familiar people. This was used to cause mass confusion and war. Make no mistake, this could happen again.
~Clergy: The abyssal are our sworn enemies, and the Celestine Empire has championed the fight against them with the formation of the Silver Chalice. When mankind can put aside our differences, we will destroy demon kind once and for all.
~Academic: You know, even the body of a demon can result in some very rare and useful alchemical components. Even studying a demon's corpse can teach a surgeon a lot about the anatomy of all magical creatures.
~Mercantile: Most of the cursed artifacts in the world come from breach. They can be alluring, because they are powerful, but everything has a cost. With demons, the cost seems slight, but over time, you realize it was far more then you bargained for.
~Bards: Every hero only becomes great because of the trials set before him. Demons provide such a trial for us all, and should they ever fully be defeated, some other great evil shall rise and take their place.
Draconic
~Nobility: The legends of Knights and dragons are true, but it happened so long ago, who can be sure of the details? What we do know is that Dragons are no longer here, and we are.
~Peasantry: Knights in shining armor, vanquishing demons and dragons. I love those stories!
~Military: Dragons lay dead and forgotten, but their bones remain. I've heard of weapons made from their bones which are indestructible, and often rune inscribed. The weapons are rare, but said to be powerful.
~Clergy: They say that there are cults of people who still worship the draconic. They pray to the bones of dragons and claim to draw power from the dragon's spirit. These cults are dangerous like so many others.
~Academic: Most people believe that the dragons are long gone. Others still maintain that they instead went into a deep slumber. The legends vary, but so claim dragons sleep in the depths of the sea, others that they reside under rocks in mountain ranges. If this is true, it would be fascinating to discover one.
~Mercantile: I've seen a dragon bone weapon before. Extremely rare, but amazing to behold. Typically it would be a tooth, fashioned into a blade, but they were almost always enchanted and enspelled in ancient times. Little of the culture surrounding those times remain.
~Bards: In days of old, long before the knowing, dragons ruled the skies. With one bout of flame they could cover a city in ash. Their wings could blot out the sun. In all things they were massive, yet even they could not stand to the smallest of stout hearted men who carried devotion as their shield.
Effendal
~Nobility: Long ago, their people attacked our nation and assassinated the last emperor that we ever had. Our nation suffered for a time, but we grew stronger for it.
~Peasantry: I'm not sure what to think. If they're descendants of the fae, and that means they steal children, shouldn't we hate them?
~Military: The effendal are a wounded animal. They are weakened, but because of this, they are all the more desperate, and therefore dangerous.
~Clergy: The effendal consider themselves the equals of the gods, and for that they were punished.
~Academic: Historically we were put into a difficult position. The Celestine Empire had no intention of getting involved in the Purification, but when our Emperor was assassinated, and our lands attacked, we were forced to respond. When the battle was over, we were too weak to even protest the Amalgamation's actions against the effendal.
~Mercantile: I'd be astounded to see the craftsmanship of the effendal. Even now, artifacts from the purification are rare and valuable.
~Bards: Though many have forgotten, there was a time when we were ruled by an Emperor and not a Queen. This all changed the day that the elves came. Through savage nature, they assassinated our emperor and caused a chain of reaction that almost sundered our nation. They are not to be trusted.
The Eirie Isles
~Nobility: The Eirie rarely engage in outside politics. Some people view this as selfish, but I think they just prefer a simpler life. They don't see a need to mettle in foreign affairs, so they don't.
~Peasantry: I'd sure like to go visit that place some day. People call it a island of paradise. I like the idea of that.
~Military: Its odd. The Eirie have no military to speak of, yet any time there has been some arrogant noble or warlord who has sought to take control those islands, the enemy force has always just vanished. Warships normally collide on reefs or just disappear at sea. The Eirie isles seem blessed.
~Clergy: They worship goddesses of beauty and of the arts. They try to model their society off of that beauty as well, but unlike Dacians, the Eirie focus on more senses than just what you can see. We don't necessarily agree with their choices, but we do not condemn them either.
~Academic: The Eirie isles were settled by Dacian explorers, but later split from the majority of Dacian customs and traditions. They have however kept their desire for the luxurious.
~Mercantile: We do plenty of trade with the Eirie, and now that more and more trade is being done with Tear, the Eirie Isles are becoming a major port for trade.
~Bards: There is a lingering and old magic to those isles. It is a place where people from all lands may come and go in peace. A place where, while you are present, the stresses of the outside world do not matter.
Fae
~Nobility: I prefer the legends which speak of the fae as beautiful forest spirits, nymphs, and dryads. I know there are darker legends too, but those stories are best forgotten.
~Peasantry: In the legends, they say that even the ugliest crone can turn into a Faery Princess. The moral is to treat everyone with respect and kindness. I like that story.
~Military: The fae disappeared when the Iron Chalice tracked them down and put an end to their villainy once and for all. People get caught up with the legends, but they forget that the fae once upon a time, were a great threat to us all. They have no regard for mortal life, and used us as pawns in their games between one another.
~Clergy: The fae are a paradoxical creature, and are as much creatures of good as they are creatures of evil. It is a pity that no sort of agreement could be reached between our two peoples.
~Academic: It is documented that the Fae are not completely extinct, but even still, those that do remain are so fearful of humans that they rarely show themselves to anyone except perhaps children.
~Mercantile: I know fae still exist because they keep stealing and misplacing my belongings! Damn fae!
~Bards: Of the Fae, there are many morals to be learned. They teach you that, it is always wise to be kind to those around you, that you must care and look after your family, and you must always keep watch over your children. These are the lessons of the fae.
Gael
~Nobility: They are barbaric savages, nothing more. How many people must die before they let their rage subside?
~Peasantry: I hate them Gael. They'd kill us all if they could, fortunately they are no match to our forces.
~Military: The Gael are no match for us, especially with their tribes as divided as they are. With each passing year, we win triumph after triumph. In time, the Gael will have no force left to throw at us.
~Clergy: The Gael follow the Old Ways, and these beliefs have failed them. Though we admire their stubborn devotion, they must adapt to the times, or be destroyed.
~Academic: The Gael are a superstitious people who use a mostly oral tradition. We've tried to come to common grounds with them, but every attempt at peace has failed.
~Mercantile: We don't trade with those we war against.
~Bards: With drums and chants the Gael prepare for war. They paint with blood and smear crude designs into the earth. They savage the weak and rend the weary. Tribe after tribe have fallen to our armies, and still they persist.
Drir
~Nobility: They are a wild people who practice curses and dark magic. They are the ancestors of humans who were long ago driven off the mainland. It is death for any traveler to go to their territory.
~Peasantry: You hear awful stories about the place that they live. They sacrifice people in their rituals, and use human body parts for their curses. It gives me shivers just thinking about it.
~Military: The Drir are a minor threat, but a constant one. Periodically they raid the nearby coastal villages and citystates for fresh 'supplies' as they call it.
~Clergy: Who knows what beliefs drive these people. They do not respect life, and are capable of such evil that it makes one shutter. With demons, their evil is inherent in their nature, but these men have common ancestry with us all. The Maelificar's evil should serve as a warning for us all, as each one of us have the ability to fall to the temptations of corruption.
~Academic: It is very interesting to see what a culture founded by necromancers, cultists, and blood mages evolves in to over time. Nothing good, obviously, but it is an interesting study.
~Mercantile: Every once in a while you hear horror stories of a ship getting damaged or lost at sea and winding up near one of their islands. The stories don't come from survivors, they come from sailors who pass by the destroyed ship. The stories are always the same though. No survivors.
~Bards: From darkened past, to darker future, the witches of the western isles plot and brood. There they wait with curses foul, for passive wanderer to travel by. Woe be it for any who share this fate, and travel too far western way, for there they lurk in clouded darkness.
Mandala
~Nobility: It is always a pleasure to visit Mandala. They are a clever and elegant people, but they are also pragmatic and understand not only how the world ought be, but also how the world operates now. They are masters of doing whatever it takes to get what they want.
~Peasantry: Not sure what to make of them. They're alright, I suppose, but I hear they have a bit of an odd temper too.
~Military: The Blood Knights of Mandala were once greatly feared. These men hunted blood mages and cultists, coating their own armor in some specially prepared blood to protect them from these foul magics. The Blood Knights are all dead, but the society that they came from remains. They smile, but are deadly with a knife.
~Clergy: They are not a religious people, but they are very spiritual. They have a keen understanding of the flow of the world around them, yet they seem to use this wisdom for personal gain rather than a higher cause.
~Academic: It is true that the Knights of Blood were feared hunters of blood mages, but what many speculate is 'why?' That is to ask, 'why were they effective?' Many believe this is because there are some within Mandala who also practice these dark arts. The knights are dead, but that knowledge may remain.
~Mercantile: We have an excellent trade relationship with the people of Mandala. Some of them can be tenacious bargainers, but that is to be expected when dealing with any merchant.
~Bards: Some say that the people of Mandala sent such a message to the cultists of old, that they even to this day, fear to once again set foot on land. And so the Maelificar lurk on their island homes, and plot to one day have vengeance on those who cast them out so long ago.
Nadine Empire
~Nobility: The ruling class of the Nadine Empire are by no means noble. For them, the peasantry exist to raise them up, and those in power will exploit and abuse those around them for as long as they are able. They think this makes them strong, it makes them weak.
~Peasantry: Their empire is tough, but it needs to be, it also keeps the Amalgamation on their toes. I don't agree with the Nadine's methods, but as long as they keep the Amalgamation's gaze fixed away from us, they're alright in my book.
~Military: The Nadine Empire is at war with everyone. To this regard, they frequently conduct raids on many of the nations, all for very specific purposes. These missions are hard to anticipate and harder to stop.
~Clergy: Their Empress has adopted the methodology of the Greater Demon Zyte, and has started to force her people to worship her as a goddess. I hope the Amalgamation can someday succeed at destroying their nation.
~Academic: The Nadine Empire is a military nation. Their soldiers train every day, and many scholars believe that they war, not for conquest, but for training, and to keep their soldiers sharp. Whatever the truth is, the Empire will use any method to achieve their goals.
~Mercantile: The thing that is tricky about doing trade with the Nadine Empire, is that they don't have law. It is a tyranny, and if someone is strong enough to do something, they can. This means that getting a fair deal is pretty difficult.
~Bards: There are countless tales of the shadowy Black Knights of the Nadine Empire. Said to ride on steeds made of smoke and ashes, these knights ride collecting the souls of necromancers and foul practitioners of dark magic. But they collect the secrets that the wizards once held, and deliver them to their dark mistress.
Saek
~Nobility: We know so little of these people, only that they dwell in the demon lands, and war against the demons who surround them. If this is true, then we support them whole heartedly.
~Peasantry: Ain't heard much but whispers about their kind. I hear they are ferocious warriors.
~Military: They are no strangers to brutality, and it is from them that a style of combat was born where a limb is tortured so frequently that over time, that limb becomes able to withstand even an axe's blow.
~Clergy: From what I understand, they are another spiritual people, but ones who have seen what false religion can do. As a result, their faith has been shattered.
~Academic: It is hard to imagine a people who have somehow survived in the desolation that is breach. Never the less, they have.
~Mercantile: The Saek are far too distrusting to deal with outsiders, plus we have no outposts in breach. Trade isn't an option, even if we wanted to.
~Bards: Legends tell us that the first of the Saek were freed by a single man who was fed up with the injustices around him. We all should learn from such a tale. Every one of us can make a difference.
Castle Thorn
~Nobility: Those men of Castle Thorn stand vigil defending us all from the creatures of the night. They are rarely nice or even polite, but that is because their situation requires such steely hearts as theirs. We respect them greatly.
~Peasantry: They be proud warriors. Too proud to ever give up, and they ain't going nowhere. They're the expanse's silent protectors.
~Military: The Knights of the Thorn are valiant warriors, but their forces are always taxed and there have been times where the castle itself has almost come down. The entire region is devoid of life from the constant battling, and there will come a day when the soldiers of Thorn cannot repel their demonic invaders.
~Clergy: Castle Thorn is not a place of philosophy, and religious elements have been all but shut out. They follow a warrior's code of honor, but they will ultimately do whatever it takes to defeat their enemy.
~Academic: If you're looking for the authority on combating Demons, the authorities are the Effendal, the Celestial, the Silver Chalice, and the Knights of Thorn. They have all the practical knowledge they'll ever need. Unfortunately they lack some of the theoretical.
~Mercantile: The men and women of Castle Thorn do us all a great service. As such, we contribute more than any other nation with donated supplies, weapons, food, and whatever other provisions they need. This all comes at a cost to the Celestine Empire, but it is well appreciated.
~Bards: Bards know well the day Johannas sacrificed his own life to bring down the mightiest of demons. Since that day, his name and monument have been inspiration for knights of all nations.
Vein
~Nobility: The Vein are an honorable people, but it disheartening to see the virtuous be manipulated and used. In our eyes, they were tricked into joining the Amalgamation, and though we don't know all the circumstances, we hope that one day their nation will once again be free.
~Peasantry: They be the Amalgamation's enforcers. Some of their strongest inquisitors have come from there. They hate magic. That's one thing we got in common.
~Military: The Vein are known for their walls. Some say that they are the descendants of the mountains themselves, and built their cities with a similar foundation. It seems though that even the mightiest of us are destined to fall.
~Clergy: I find it odd that a people who once despised magic, are now ruled by a nation that follows a so called 'god of magic'. I have little else to say on the topic.
~Academic: The Vein were a people who saw the wielding of magic as a crime, and were intolerant to anyone practicing the magical arts. This actually helped strengthen their nation for a time, but it also proved to be their undoing.
~Mercantile: The Vein don't like outsiders much. When a boat lands on their shores, its assumed that it is another Vicaul raid. So.... Trade is scarce with them.
~Bards: And one of the Kings of the Amalgamation did draw his sword and challenge the Lord of the Vein to honored combat. They battled for seventeen days, and sixteen nights, until bested by skill alone, the King was victorious. On that day, the generals of the Vein fell on bended knee and swore a sacred oath of fealty binding, them, their children, and all Vein to come, to the service of the Amalgamation. They were respected as honored foes, and have been loyal ever since.
Vicaul
~Nobility: the Vicaul are the savages of the sea. They exist by preying upon undefended settlements and weak cities. They would never dare to venture so far west and attack us, but their actions have not gone unnoticed.
~Peasantry: I hear that they're some sort of a pirate people. They raid ships and cities. Personally, I'd rather be farming. Unfortunately, they can't farm. The weather is too cold up where they're at to farm. Must be a tough life.
~Military: The Vicaul could reach us if they so desired, but there would be little point in it. The Vicaul act to survive and have no interest in conquest. They are indeed blood thirsty, and certainly an enemy of every civilized society, but we do understand their motivation.
~Clergy: They follow the old ways, and worship most heavily their gods related to the sea and the elements. They are cunning, and skilled sailors, but their lives are filled with bloodshed. They are cursed to this cycle of violence.
~Academic: Some scholars believe that the Gael, Vicaul, Coatl, and even the Vein all descend from the same common ancestry. Though this is a hard theory to prove, there are certain similarities in their culture and mannerisms.
~Mercantile: They are raiders. They don't trade, they take.
~Bards: Legends say that the Vicaul were birthed from a wolf in the heat of battle. Some say that when they battle, they fight with such ferocity that their wolf spirit comes to life.