The Republic of Khalidor is located to the far north of the Jade Ocean. It's a very independent nation that prides itself on individuality and the accumulation of wealth. It is rather sparsely populated, however it is very urbanized with nearly forty percent of the nation living in large cities.
Due to living in a tundra, the majority of the population has hugged to at least one hundred miles to the coastline for more suitable weather. There are few cattle barons and even fewer farmers. The country produces very little in terms of grains and is dependent on other nations for food. It does, however, produce many goods varying from precious metals or stones to oil and lumber to even mithral, to which is very valuable to the Khalidoran military. They also trade coffee, cotton, cocao, and exotic fruit from their colonies beyond the Frozen Sea.
Cities and Forts of the Republic
Khaliras
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Khaliras is the fabled birthplace of Khalidor's chief diety Khali and a sacred religious site. Nestled within the mountains and on top of a high plateau with high walls, it is a fortified city. The land around it is green and somehow the temperature is fair. Many believe this to be the work of the Goddess the blesses her people. Khaliras is a thousand years old and boasts a large population of 100,000.
Jodan
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Jodan is the largest city in the nation and the capital of the Republic. Because of its immense size it is the busiest, most productive port. Nearly 30% of all the wealth of the Republic flows through the city. Even the senate meets there instead of the capitol. Even with the great wealth there are still many problems. Many buildings and roads within the city are in poor repair even with the government pushing to fix the problem. There are slums the size of city states that grow as one goes farther away from the ocean. Jodan hosts a crushing population of 1.2 million and rising.
Lodricar
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Lodricar is the second largest city, but not even close to the that of Jodan. The city is keen on manufacturing and is the producer of many fine products made from the metals hauled from the north. The two biggest industries in the city are smithing and mining the coal outside the city. Population of 300,000
Vestacchi
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The key prospect in Lodricar though is the mining, particularly that of silver, gold, and mithral. Nearly all the work in the city and surrounding communities is working in the enriched mines both in the mountains and under ground. It also serves as the largest barracks for the nation as it is close to the other cities. Population of 80,000
Cenaria
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A small sprawled colony inland just shy of Ashkara, Cenaria grows valuable cash crops that would normally be unavailable to Khalidor. The city grows its own food and then ships the cash crops through a small port to the fatherland. Crops include coffee, cocoa, bananas, spices, peppers, and vanilla. Population of only 6,000
The Government
Khalidor is ruled by a senate and a king. The senate is elected by those that can vote; any landowner, even the poorest of farmers or taxpayer. The senate then votes on policies, war, and domestic issues. Each has a term limit of six years before running again and each represents a different region of the Republic.
The Ursuul Kings have fewer responsibilities. He is the figure head. Responsible for religious ceremonies, international negotiations, and treasurer. The only real power they have is through the College of meisters, the religious authority in the country. In there eyes the Ursuul line are known as the Godkings, a line of men blessed with power from Khali. Although each Ursuul is given magic by the goddess, the must sit upon the throne in Draíochta in order to get all the magic given to them. Once the Ursuul becomes Godking, they have complete control over the College of Meisters. This act is generally disapproved by the senate, who needs to vote on it. It has only been approved four times since the foundation.
The constitution follows a guide line of rights that the government must protect:
1: Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assemply
2: In order for seizures to be conducted, a warrant must be placed first
3: In time of peace, soldiers cannot be station in a citizens place of living without permission
4: No person shall be held for a crime without representation in court. If one cannot afford a lawyer, the state shall give them one.
5: Trials shall be judged by a jury of peers.
6: Slavery, as well as any indentured labor, is prohibited within the borders of the Khalidor
7: All those with land, or have payed a significant tax, must be allowed to vote
Religion of Khalidor
Although all religions are tolerated in Khalidor, their chief deity is the goddess Khali, for which the nation is named after. Khali imbued power into the founder, Roygarris and his lineage, creating a line of what the Khalidorans call the Godking. This religion dominates much of the aspects of life in the country. Khali's clerics are known as meisters and she blesses them with her own magic to use in a form called Vir. Generally meisters only gather at holy places such as Khaliras or Draíochta.
Draíochta
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A massive fortress originally built to house the Godking and the birthplace of the College of Meisters, who rule over the lower meisters. It now serves as the base of operations for the College of Meisters who await for the day where an Ursuul will once again sit on the Khali's appointed throne. Until that day they are content in study, prayer, and pilgrimage. There are 3,000 meisters in total across Khalidor.
Military
The army of Khalidor is small yet effective. It is highly disciplined and mobile on account of light armor and mithral being worn. There are no cavalry within the ranks. However, they are armed pike and shot. Three of every five soldiers are armed with an arquebus (late middle ages). These guns, though incredibly expensive, allows the army to mobilize very quickly to defend targets. It is also devastating against their enemies, especially in volleys. The rest of the army is armed with pole pikes and halberds that can be used against infantry and cavalry alike. Pikes are used mostly to protect the gunners. Lastly the artillery. Slow heavy cannons that are most valuable in a siege situation, either as the attacker or defender.
3,000 Arquebuisers
2,000 Pikeman
50 cannons
The Khalidoran navy is the real investment. Each ship is a galley able to either combat other ships, transport troops, or shell a harbor. The ships are made out of hard oak lined with porous wood to cushion the ship against ballistic attacks. Four cannons line each galley. The crew numbers from 30-50 carrying a mix of arquebuses, pike, crossbows, swords, and flails. The men are lightly armored with studded leather. Each ship is stocked with rations to last 5 months at sea.
Merchant ships are required to be made of oak and carry at least a ballista on it in case the ship is needed to be conscripted. Three fourths of the navy is stationed in the Jade Ocean while only one fourth is located to the north of Khalidor.
2,000 ships in total
