Dacrame
THE KNOWN WORLD
Major Countries
The Kingdom of Rivian
Demonym: Rivenian; Population: 24 million; Principal Currency: Gold Crowns
The Heavenly Kingdom of Rivian, or Rivian, is the centre of power in the region of Dacrame. Once a great empire, the kingdom has slowly been in decline ever since and even before the Last Dragon Emperor, Caesar Mirmos* of the Asarakh line, handed power over to a human dynasty 600 years ago. This is not to say however that Rivian is a failing nation, having in recent history undergone a period of rejuvenation under the current Papal Dynasty.
The country's recent history is fraught with internal conflict and civil war, but a peace has reigned for 60 years, and national unity is growing in the threat of the Great Horde to the East.
Pope Augustin III, also known as Caesar James Augustin Andolyn, is the current Caesar of the Kingdom, having ruled for 17 years incumbent. Rivian controls several Marches, remnants of their once expansive empire.
*The naming convention for Rivenian Monarchs goes as Title, Given Names, House name. Dragon monarchs traditionally do not take on a surname, being known as 'son of [the previous monarch]' instead. Their dynasty name is treated as a separate name.
The Frisian Empire
Demonym: Frisian; Population: 14 million; Principal Currency: (Rivenian) Gold Crowns
The Friçerriche, in Rivenian the Frisian Empire, lies to the northwest of Rivian. Its borders stretch up to the Northern Coast, and to the uncivilised tribes.
In the past Rivian conquered the Friese, the people group living in the region which then became the dominion of Frisiarus. In the wake of the great decline, when Frisia found itself independent it adopted the old Rivenian form of government, leading to a centralised and organised Frisian Empire today.
Though somewhat smaller in size, being just over half the size of Rivian, the Empire can punch above its weight, due to pragmatic rulers streamlining the bureaucracy, and creating a professional army and strong economy. However very recently the monarch died of sudden disease, leaving six-year- old Jan Charles Avergnion on the throne as Charles IX, watched over by his mother as regent.
The Hélios City States
Demonym: Elyrian (Leukoric/Pyrinic); Population: 3 million; Principal Currency: Gold Talent
The cities of the Southern Sea has always been, and always will. Each city acts almost as an independent state, formed into coalitions. Two powers dominate Hélios: the City of Hélion to the north, and the city of Herakleion in the south.
Hélion controls the Theian League, masters of the sea, and the purveyor of trade across the ports of the region. Within are influential trade cities such as Makedonia and Malages, to name a few. The Theian league is a bastion of democracy, philosophy and commerce.
Herakleion controls the Iokharian League, the oldest of all alliances within Hélios, formed back in late Age of Dragonkind against the advance of the Parsii Empire. The Iokharian League keeps to strict principles, lead by a King in Herakleion elected by the citizens of the League.
Tensions are rising between the two giants, as the power of Herakleion falls, and Hélion rises.
The flags from top down: Herakleion and the Iokharian League, Hélion and the Theian League
The Great Horde
Demonym: Kagul (Velyrian); Population: 7 million; Principal Currency: Vyszh
The Great Horde is part of the powerful and rising Golden Khaganate, a coalition of northern plains tribes from Aseron. Their appearance is a recent thing, steamrolling through the various Velyrian duchies totally out of nowhere, sacking Velgra and executing the Grand Duke and his family.
They rule over the region of Velyria with an iron fist, tolerating no dissent from the local populous, but allow the culture of the people to carry on, as long as they pay their deference to the great Khagan in the East.
The Kaguls are also the controllers of the Great Way, the trade route that connects, however tentatively, the Ancient Empire in the East, to Rivian and the Western States.
Being foreign, from Aseron, and warlike in nature, all the kingdoms of Dacrame can unite in the common goal of keeping them at bay.
Mauentyr
Demonym: Mauren; Population: 1.1 million; Principle Currency: Invar Standard
Mauentyr is the kingdom of the dwarves, ruled from the mountain fortress of Mam Mauen. For forever and an age, the dwarves of the Greater Tyrol Range have existed solitary and alone in cities of stone, seldom interacting with the Draconic Empires of the world, except for the odd trade in resources, and that was the status quo, for millennia.
That is, however, until the end of the Second Age of Dragonkind, and the start of the 170 years of turmoil known as the Rebirth, where the People of the Mountain saw fit to band together and create a stronger united front. After all, the dragons who ruled the old kingdoms were much more predictable than the humans who rule the new.They were right in their judgement, and many in the new fractured world have tried to invade the mountain fortress, and all have failed.
The Parsii Empire
Demonym: Parsii; Population: 14.6 million; Principle Currency: Gold Nadí
Parsor is an old civilisation, almost as old as the Ancient Empire, and have been forever the power in their homeland. In ancient times, Parsor was the sole overseer of a vast stretch of the Jade Road, and was one of the wealthiest and most powerful civilisations upon the face of the world, rivalling the Empire of Rivian in the west.
Historians say the fall of the Parsii first began when their attempted invasion of the States of Hélios fell in crushing defeat to the Iokharian League, and subsequently several losses to the Golden Khanate and their northern territories, and it continues to this day, as the Empire is surrounded on all sides by enemies.
The borders of Parsor in the south is marked as where Dacrame ends, and Aseron begins.
Note: Parsor is often said to be Asyrian, rather than Dacramean, however due to the geography and demarcation of Dacrame it has been included as part of the West rather than the East
Minor Countries
Tarkavia
Demonym: Tarkan; Population: 532 thousand
Tarkavia is a small kingdom on the borders of the Great Horde, north of the Tyrol Mountains. They were formed recently as one tribe, the Tarkans, conquered and unified the others in the area, during the Age of Rebirth. The country is relatively isolationist, and militaristic in the wake of the Great Horde.
Visigean Tribes
Demonym: Visigean; Population: 1.42 million
Visigea is a loose coalition of tribes and duchies of the North, who have kept their independence, but live under an electoral system where the various dukes and chieftains elect a ‘king’ who guides the coalition as a whole. Visigea was never wholly conquered by the Rivenians, but nonetheless their culture has permeated through the land, and many are beginning to, or already have adopted a Rivenian way of governance.
Crimon Tarthe
Demonym: Crimon; Population: 122 thousand
The Crimon of the Tarthelands are an ancient people who migrated from as far away as Marakar, and the great plains of Aseron, seeking greener pastures. They settled around the Sea of Ancients some one millennia ago, even today keeping some vestiges of their eldritch traditions, though now more human, and Velyrian than those of the true north.
Trier
Demonym: Trierer/Tyrelian; Population: 93 thousand
Trier, the white city by the river, is as ancient as Rivian, forever presided over by a divine king, chosen by a Shadow Council. This King has been dragon, has been elf, and is currently aasimar, but never has a human or dwarf been chosen for the title, as in the scripture of the ancient mountains they are fickle, and impure.
Trier is the creator of the Pact of Tyrol, an alliance of four mountain nations, to counter Mauentyr, but also to act as holy knights who are sworn to maintain peace, justice, and rule of law in Dacrame. Their knights come from all backgrounds, and are often sent on far-flung missions in the name of God, Family and Tyrol.
Valycia
Demonym: Valycian/Velyrian; Population: 100 thousand
The Duchy of Valycia is one of the last vestiges of the independent nations of Velyria, and even still is half the size it was at its height, a mere 31 years ago. Valycia pays tribute to Rivian, in an attempt to counter the looming presence of the Great Horde.
Feyan
Demonym: Fai/Mauren; Population: 31.4 thousand
Feyan is a small duchy, created after a bloody secession from Mauentyr 170 years ago. It is a republic, with a Duke elected by his citizens every time the old one dies. Feyan is known for its silver work, and for being a major exporter of Tourmaline. Their jewellery is well desired amongst the rich, and their weaponry desired upon those wanting to hunt beasts of the night. Feyan is a member of the Pact of Tyrol.
Amuren
Demonym: Amur/Tyrelian; Population: 61.2 thousand
Amur was a human duchy subjugated under Mauentyr for many many years, until it, too broke away in the same rebellion as Feyan. Amuren is a member of the Pact of Tyrol.
Hafar
Demonym: Hafarian/Mauren; Population: 14.9 thousand
Hafar is the last member of the Pact of Tyrol, a Dwarven state that did not join Mauentyr during the years of Rebirth. They are a country famous for their weaponsmithing, and along with a sizeable population of elves, Hafarian weaponry is some of the best in the land.