Corona

Corona is a kingdom in an unexpected place, a vast desert. They are known mostly for their incredible horses and spicy foods, but have the most fire-elemental mages. They trade mostly in glassware, jewels, and horses. Corona is mostly villages, with only one major city, which is actually taken down, moved, and rebuilt, depending on the time of year. In most places, including the city, homes are nothing more than tents. The people wear airated clothing to keep cool. Men often wear jewels or other ornaments to flaunt wealth, while the women are veiled and undecorated. Corona is a patriarch society, meaning that only men are in power. However, choosing a king is not based on bloodline. Instead, about ten or more men are chosen, then a prisoner in jail is selected. This prisoner is usually convicted of an offense punishable by death, regardless of gender. The way the king is chosen is by competition: they give the prisoner one day to prepare to 'escape'. They are given only a one-hour head start and must find (and ring) a bell before one of the competitors catches and kills him or her. If they succeed, he or she is freed, and given pardons to any crimes he or she might commit in the future, except for murder. However, female survivors tend to be killed by assassins, for in a male-dominated society, it is unacceptable for a woman to 'win'. If the prisoner 'wins', the process will be repeated until they have a successor. Corona rivals the Crescent Islands, as their cultures seem to be completely opposite from each other. Although there has been no open aggression yet, there has been a lot of tension, and preparations for war on both sides.