THE THREE KINGDOMS, BLESSED BY THE SILVER GODDESS
Hestia, the Forest Kingdom.
Founded by Hero Asfalthe, this country has been living relatively peacefully for the last 490 years. It is the only of the Kingdoms to practice feudalism; the second century of the Kingdom's existence saw the King's power diminish and the Nobles have nested themselves neatly into the government. Now, powerful families vie for King's ear and graces; while everything seems honorable and well on the surface, the alleys are full of backstabbers, spies and criminal activity.
Currently ruled by elderly King Asfalthe V and his sons, Crown Prince Cymon, Prince Seleth and Prince Aland, all of them young adults, are performing various governmental and/or military duties. And military activity is on the rise, with the outlying villages reporting increased bandit activity and the mountainous border passes to the Martial Kingdom having to deal with vagabonds, deserters, and worse.
Unlike the other Kingdoms, worship of Silver Goddess Umi is mandatory; heresies are stamped out and atheism is deeply frowned upon. It's capital is the stone city of Grandkeep.
Nelestia, the Water Kingdom
Founded by Sorceress Nelestia, the Water Kingdom has been focal point of magical study since Queen Nelestia founded the first Anima Academy. Since then, the discovery of Northern Isles and the faraway Kodak Kingdom in the west bolstered trade and commerce, to the point where mercantile class became dominant in the politics of the country. Their diplomatic corps also are prized for establishing ties with distant islander kingdoms, as well as be the go-to people when mediations are needed between Martial and Forest Kingdoms, or their noblemen.
Nelestian Kings and Queens are mostly to ensure the continuation of the polity and its traditions; the major political power is vested in the Minister of the State. The Ministers are always by appointment of the predecessor, or in case of sudden death of such, an election voted upon by the rich and powerful of Nelestia; the Nelestian monarch can NOT vote, but they can veto the election's results.
Queen Naria, having ascended the throne at the age of 13, has been trying hard to be more than a ceremonial figurehead; but five years later, Gustav Amalf Hemerio is still the 'top dog' in the government, enjoying the title of Minister of the State for more than twelve years. Nelestia's population is highest in the region, twice that of Khernell and nearly thrice that of Hestia. While the royal capital is located in Magecrown, the biggest city and the traditional seat of Minister of State is in Rivertown.
Khernell, the Martial Kingdom
Founded by Grath the Brute, the rocky valleys and snowy mountainpeaks of Martial Kingdom are not place to live for the weak and timid. Grath's descendants soon realized that they need to become prosperous and wealthy to ensure the Martial Kingdom survives.
Since then, the mining industries as well as breeding of winged mounts (wyverns especially) have been major source of income for Khernellian government. In turn, the money is spent on helping the farmers cultivate the land and caravaneers to bring foodstuffs from the other two kingdoms.
Per ancient tradition, all regnant Kings rename themselves after their great founder, and all regnant Queens take after his wife, Tarna; born Erlath Parim, King Grath XXIV rules with iron fist and no mercy to dissidents. His only child and heiress to the throne, Crown Princess Semilia, is groomed and educated to eventually succeed him as Queen Tarna VIII, to rule from the capital city of Axehead.
OTHER POLITIES:
The Monster Kingdom of Ural
The ancient nest of evil and worshippers of Black God, Asharath, the entrance to it was sealed off by Sorceress Nelestia to ensure that the miasma of corruption does not spread to the east and north.
Once considered a green land of rivers and swamps, it is now suredly a wasteland of debris and rock, its inhabitants (if any) long dead.
Kodak, Kingdom in the West
Located on a big island in the west, Kodak people trade extensively with Nelestians, exchanging sugar, dyes and jewels for Nelestian fabrics and metal items. They have a matriarchal monarchy, led by Queen Dasha, and, unlike the people of Three Kingdoms, they do not have blonde or red-haired people amongst them. Their skin is also a bit darker, and they worship (non-maliciously) Astaran, the Sun God, and Om, the Moon God. They're considered Kodak equivalents of Asharath and Umi, respectively.
The Northern Isles
An archipelago of small, tropical islands, the Northern Isles are dominated by petty, tribal kingdoms. Nelestian merchants bring wonderous animals and exotic fruits from these lands, which prices reach exorbitant values on the continent. Little else is known about the people residing there.
THE DIVINE DRAGONS:
Umi, the Silver Goddess, the White Dragon
Blessed protector of humankind, Umi has once waged war against Asharath, the Black Dragon, to free those oppressed by him and destroy the vile monsters he had created. Since then, the Monster Kingdom of Ural lies in ruins, and the three kingdoms prosper under benevolent light of the Goddess.
Temples to Umi are made of white stone, and just like her raw hide, so are the temples devoid of gilding and silverware, except the ceremonial Cup of Bounty. Many families (especially in Kingdom of Hestia) have their own personal altars, often decorated and located within the central area of the household.
Priests of this faith dedicate themselves to charitable acts, especially as wandering healers and chemists. They usually ask for monetary gift in return for the services, to support the Temple they live at, but when touring the countryside they usually ask just for food and shelter for the night instead.
Asharath, the God of Darkness, the Black Dragon
Corruptor and enslaver of humans in the early days, Asharath is the one responsible for introducting jealousy, pestilence and war to the world. In the Battle of First Days, his cohorts were decimated, and he himself was banished from the World.
The Monster Kingdom of Ural continued to exist until five hundred years ago, when their dark magics and perverted influence caused The Second War to occur. This caused numerous casaulties before the Three Heroes - Asfalthe, Nelestia and Grath - united the humankind against the monsters, destroyed the Monster Kingdom, and sealed it off the fertile valleys by raising the ground, sealing the gap between Black and Southrange Mountains.
The Lesser Dragons
Four other dragons that lived before the time of Battle of First Days. Their colors - Blue, Red, Green and Gold - and their association with Asharath is the only information that is currently known to us.
//joined after Chapter 2.
