Arkania

Overview of Arkania
Arkania is the one country that can strike fear in king and peasant alike. It's powerful military, unique government, and fair laws make it almost heavenly for its citizens and impossible to besiege to enemies. Unfortunately their arrogance is troubling as well as their open door policy and the fact that their grass is unmanageable for horses.

Origin
In the year 100 BC(Before culture), 30 of the 81 Valor Temples rebelled as well as the area's Monotan people. The reason was because Argus Muolthan the master of the Temple of Manervi heard a voice that told him to go out into the wilderness with his most trusted men and go to a stone stairway. Muolthan went to this stairwell with his 10 most trusted men. He heard the voice again, "Place the glyph of Manervi on the pillar next to stone circle on the stair top." As he did so a portal opened and the glyph melted. Before him was a red colored human with sharp claws and teeth. The man smiled as friendly as he could and said, "My name is Goreth the demon lord, do not be worried, I am an ally, the voice you heard was mine. The gods you worship are false. Let me tell you a story." Goreth told the tale of the gods up to his disappearance. Argus Muolthan new this tale was true as did 5 members of his entourage.Two members of the entourage did not believe, but chose to trust their friend. Another two decided they took offence and chose to prepare to kill their friends. The last ran for the temple to tell of this sacrilege. The two most powerful members of the entourage attacked the 7 believers. One died almost instantly and a traitor also was cut down. The more skilled of the two struck at another target wounding him mortally. Two demons came out of the portal and consumed the traitor. Asking Goreth if there was anything to do to save his two dying friends. Goreth sent two possessor demons to inhabit the bodies of Muolthan's friends. Saving a piece of their soul and increasing their strength. This created the possessed legionaires. Goreth sent crazed devils to the bodies of the traitors making the devil jesters. As the nine allies made their way back to the temple they found the last man, pin-cushioned with arrows. When they got back Muolthan spread the word to other temples and Monotan cities. In the riots that followed(against the loyalist temples) all but 6 of the temples that rebelled still stood.Led by Muolthan and his possessed generals, All'Mankin and Zebalzeen, the militia armies and possessed heroes of war(the original legions) attacked the temples for their freedom. After a string of defeats and many losses, The Bentrians to the south, oppressed for so long, saw hope, and fought back. This gave the newly formed Arkanian army hope for the future and a new and powerful ally. In the battle that won them independence a brave militia-man with the family name Arkania, took a magical curse for Lord Muolthan. Muolthan promised to private Arkania their country would forever be called Arkania.Lord Muolthan was pronounced king. His generals and legions had to go back to the Demented realm, as the demons were becoming weak.In 60 BC Arkania's unique government was formed.

Location
Arkania sits at the edge of the continent of Gaal. It's Southern neighbor is Bentria which is across Obergon's Sea. It's western neighbor is Epomius. And to the east is the open and peaceful plains owned by nature and is used by all races as neutral territory.Finally, to the north is the Bleakstone sea.

Geography
The majority of Arkania is rugged lowland covered in rough grass. The north is very cold compared to the mild conditions of the rest of the country. Up north the area is very bleak and covered in mountains and deposits of ore. The south is great for farming,logging,and beef raising. As the north is used more for production and fishing.

Government
The government of Arkania is unique as before mentioned. There are three branches. The Republic, the Aristrocrats, and the Emporer. The Republic is the people. They gather the people's votes to make decisions and to detect problems/needs. The Republic then communicates to the Aristocrats who uphold laws, conduct trade, create foreign policy,and keep things in check. They also supply the military and guard the borders. If there is a problem they cannot handle, such as in case of invasion,miscommunication,or if there is an indesicion, they consult the Emporer's class. The Emperor's class are generals, lords, the Emperor, religious leaders and the Emperor's family. They make decisions based on their sub-class. Law is decided by the Emperor himself, military action go to the generals, religious decisions go to the religious leaders, and any other indecision is controlled and taken care of by the lords.It is an effective government,The emperor making laws, the Aristocrats upholding them and the Republic giving feedback on such laws.

Religion
The Arkanian religion is simple and easy to follow. They simply worship Goreth, who does not require much from his followers. Simply be a loyal and good citizen of Arkania. Goreth truthfully favors the hard working and soldiers but hates the lazy and tyrannical. The religion structure consists of priests who devote their lives to the ways of Goreth, rarely even resting when they do is only when they are about to collapse. Next are the Contriarches, who lead massed worship and who work as the taskmasters for the priests. Next is the Pontiffs, who leads the Contriarches and who hear the words of Goreth personally to hear his wishes and how pleased he is. Finally are the High Contriarches, who oversee everything and change doctrine as well as making religious decisions. For about half an hour each day all citizens of a settlement gather at the temple or shrine, instructed by priests where to go and lead in chanting and prayer around thousands of candles and glyphs. This is for the entire half hour. Then the people go back to their day.

Military
To join the military a person simply volunteers. Normally there is a sign-up area in any given barracks or militia house. Since the dedicated worship of Goreth partially trains workers for war anyway, conditioning is light and if the person cannot keep up they are trained as militia. If they pass each person is chosen by build and personal attributes. There are three builds to fit certain needs- strong and bulky people would be trained as spear men and a personal attribute for them should be bravery or being okay with being on the receiving end of blows;large and fast people normally are trained as swordsmen and should have natural fighting skill and good stamina;finally small,strong,and dexterous people are trained as the infamous crossbowmen of Arkania and should have previous experience shooting crossbows. Soldiers who do not fit any other position are trained as crew for heavy weaponry. The training of each group are role specific and as such Arkanian troops are in themselves lethal weapons in their role. Arkanian weapons are very utilitarian and many are unique. Their crossbows fire 12 shots each and work on large block magazines. Their spears are also designed for tight quarters. Their armor is utilitarian as well.The Arkanians are near masters of strategy and tactics, as well as having the riches required to hire mercenaries and have a large number of spies and assassins at their disposal.