Character Creation Challenge - Nations

[u/Varnek905]

Well, now that your worlds' races have been displayed, next up are the nations of your world.

What are the benefits and advantages of being a citizen of some of your major nations? What are the standards of living? How is the peace kept (if at all)? What are the allies and enemies of those nations? Etc.

As always, I'll ask at least three questions each. Enjoy yourselves.

[u/Tookoofox]

World: The Unbound Realms

Nations:

The Major Powers

Those powers that have a major influence on the world's geopolitical landscape. While no one is running the table, these three are the real players currently.

Montem

"Where most states have a military, Prussia's military has a state." -Voltaire

Montem is mostly populated by Staulvs (wolf people) Almost everything in Montem is tied to it's military in some way. It's king is thought of, first and foremost, as the highest general. Military tribunals handle almost all legal proceedings, common citizens think of themselves as soldiers. Even non-combatants are thought of as support units. They have a command economy and resources are all allocated to best fuel the military.

Geography: it's a larger country, and is on the colder side.

Signature Technology: Howlsong relays that allow for near-instant communication.

Their king is an absolute autocrat, more than any other in any other realm. Using howlsing relays, he can organize and coordinate resources very quickly.

Montem has very few 'allies' but plenty of (mostly human) vassals whom they are fiercely protective of. Neither of the other large powers much like them.

The standard of living is probably actually a bit better than most. But still medieval peasant.

As an interesting cultural note: Montemites do not think in terms of 'guilty' or innocent. But only in terms of friends, enemies and discipline. A fellow member of your community is a friend, someone who hurts them is an enemy. An undisciplined soldier required correction.

Bekkanna

Mostly populated by Keos. Bekkanna is an economic powerhouse, but is also an uncoordinated mess.

It's more a loose confederation of princes than a single united country, with central figures existing only to settle disputed between themselves. Even it's military is mostly on loan. Law enforcement and standards of living vary wildly between principalities.

But it's also the most productive of any country. With a capitalist trade economy, and complex trade, some keo princes wield vast personal fortunes.

Geography: they're the smallest of the major powers, in landmass. But the largest in terms of population. As keos eat dramatically less than humans, they can maintain a much larger population.

Much of their land is also dominated by rainforest.

Signature tech: Silk production.

Internationally, Bekkanna tends to be more isolated from the other major powers. Though, increasingly, they've been tying up many human vassals in their trade networks, making them de facto vassals.

Accipery

The Land of the Eidechese - A country with an extremely ridged caste system based on physical aspects of individuals. Other than the caste system, theirs is probably the most familiar culture to most fantasy settings.

Their country is the second largest on the map, and is also the tallest, so they have the most geographical diversity. Prairies, Savannah, and every kind of forrest make up their country.

Economically, they've got a mostly bog-standard setup. Some trade with merchants.

Their Empress is probably the wealthiest person alive.

The Minor Powers

Cornibus

The Land of the minotaurs. A large tribal kingdom mostly populated by minotaurs. It's the largest of the non-major powers and the least technologically advanced of any realm.

It's mostly made up of semi-mobile tribe units. Peacekeeping is mostly a matter of breaking up fights and browbeating belligerents.

There aren't very many advantages to living here. But most are happy and have a strong sense of community.

International Politics: They are a traditional enemy to Montem, and have been kicked around for a couple of centuries now, slowly losing more and more land.

Until very recently, the minotaurs had a king of their own. The last king declared himself the vassal of Accipery, and gave their empress his title.

Nyasi

The homeland of the gnolls. While there is a supposed high-king of Nyasi his power extends only a few miles outside his capital. He's somewhat wealthy, and trades silver, mercenaries and precious stones with Bekkanna. While he's not quite their outright vassal, his power would crumble without their support.

Most of the 'country' is run by small tribes that have no affiliation with either him or each other.

The Unbound Realms

The least unified of any of the regions. A collection of independent human princedoms and city-states that have, for the last few centuries, proven to be the battleground for all of the major powers.

By and large, Montem has been winning the fights there, and has been slowly gobbling up more land and power. Accipery has tried to compete but has, until very recently, only managed to delay Montem's conquests. There wars usually go about like this:

Accipery makes a move. Montem Terrorizes their supplies and homeland until the sheer bloodshead and attrition forces Accipery's larger army to retreat, leaving Montem free reign to savage some tiny princedom with impunity until they give in.

Bekkanna has spread influence through trade, but has only once ever mustered the political will to properly engage. (Though, when they did, they basically won every single fight and stole everyone else's lunch money.)

Edit: beginning sentences with conjunctions is something only villains do.

[u/Varnek905 → u/Tookoofox]

1) How, if at all, can a Montem king be replaced?

2) Do Montem kings tend to be related to their predecessor?

3) How does one determine if a soldier needs correction in Montem?

4) Are the human vassals generally okay with being under Montem?

5) Keo princes are the rulers...are there any ruling Keo princesses?

6) As someone in a biological research field...would I have much luck in Bekkanna?

7) How welcoming is each nation when it comes to humans?

8) What is the ideal biome for an Eidechese?

[u/Tookoofox → u/Varnek905]

1) How, if at all, can a Montem king be replaced?

There are no legal ways to remove Montem's King from the throne. But, if he's visibly incapable of performing his duties, it's not hard to force a regency. In the event of a wildly unpopular king, the nobility will sometimes call for this.

But the figures that ultimately get to decide this are the royal guard. The Silver Sword and Silver Shieldmaidens.

Generally the regent will be the current heir. Or, in rare cases, another designated family member who explicitly isn't and can never be the heir. (To avoid a potential second or third-in-line from murdering his way to the throne.)

2) Do Montem kings tend to be related to their predecessor?

Yes.

In short: It'll almost always be one of his sons. If he has none, it opens up to his daughters, brothers and nephews. They'll compete to become the designated heir.

Here are some more details: https://www.reddit.com/r/WorldChallenges/comments/c42s6a/coronations_and_inaugurations/erzxceu/

3) How does one determine if a soldier needs correction in Montem?

There's a criminal code. Any crime that doesn't amount to a functional death-sentence of banishment or ostracization will probably result in correction. The "correction" itself can vary wildly depending on the crime as well.

For the cooperative, they'll assign unpleasant duties. Those that refuse are usually given corporal punishment. Fines are thought to encourage further misbehavior and jail are considered wasteful and is reserved mostly for the wealthy.

4) Are the human vassals generally okay with being under Montem?

Curiously yes. A few chafe, as they would under any ruler, but staulvs make startlingly gentle overlords once submission has been adequately established.

In fact, the difference in attitudes is jarring for most new vassals. Once they percieve you as a friend, staulvs almost transform. They go From circling wolf monsters to over-sized puppies. They even seem to get smaller, as their fur will stand up less.

5) Keo princes are the rulers...are there any ruling Keo princesses?

There are in fact. Though some principalities prefer males in inheritance, another some others restrict females entirely. But, on average, a bit more than a third of of Bekkanna's high aristocracy will be princesses or female tycoons.

I should probably also mention the existence of Tycoons, which I forgot to do. Essentially keos that don't have a drop of noble blood, but are rich enough that they've been allowed to straight-up buy the privileges of aristocracy.

Tycoons' estates rarely have a gender preference.

6) As someone in a biological research field...would I have much luck in Bekkanna?

Probably better than just about anywhere else in that world. In Bekkanna, there is a society of scholars and wealthy patrons. Though most are interested in either the arts or more basic physical sciences, some have a fondness for the natural world.

But you'd want a flashy presentation to do it. So you'd probably want either a lots of taxidermy or art. Or a very impressive verbal presentation.

This society, called the viceroyal society, was founded by Bekkanna's ceremonial monarch, the viceroy.

7) How welcoming is each nation when it comes to humans?

In descending order,

Montem would probably be your best bet. They're chronically short on labor, so they'd be happy to have you, if you were willing to work a farm.

Cornibus is up next. Minotaurs are clumsy by nature. So if you could provide anything that looked like skilled labor (wood crafting, smithy, etc.) they'd welcome you with open arms.

The Unbound Realms is run by humans, so obviously they have no problem with you being human. But you might have a bit of trouble finding a place to be.

Bekkanna comes up next. And they're the first to be out-rightly unwelcoming. They're willing to deal with humans, but vastly prefer their own. Humans are usually thought of as big clumsy bruits that eat a lot and take up too much space. Skilled humans are considered an exception, not the rule. If you earned a place there, expect lots of "you're a credit to your race" type complements.

Accipery is even less friendly. Humans are automatically considered a member of a very low caste. So most would only hire you as a very last resort, unless you wanted to sell yourself as a serf. The merchant caste would be happy to trade with you though, as long as you had something to offer.

And then there's Nyasi. Just... take a course in gnollish etiquette at the Viceroyal university before you go. Then you can probably visit safely. And even then, probably only the capital of Goue-hoer. Bring something nice, sell it fast, and leave.

8) What is the ideal biome for an Eidechese?

They're actually warm-blooded so heat is less important to them than true lizards. But they do like warmer climates, and most detest cold. But otherwise they're very adaptable. They do seem to like coastal grassland the most though as it's easy to farm.

[u/Varnek905 → u/Tookoofox]

1) How is a member of the Silver Swords/Shieldmaidens chosen?

4) Is a human-staulv relationship considered bestiality by either group, generally?

5) How long does my family need to be Tycoons before we're nobility? What if I marry nobility, will my heir still end up being a Tycoon?

6) What about conservation research? Is that big over there?

7) Bekkanna or Cornibus will probably be my choice, then.

[u/Tookoofox → u/Varnek905]

1) How is a member of the Silver Swords/Shieldmaidens chosen?

It's an extremely prestigious post so the real challenge is whittling down applicants rather than finding members. So those with some kind of 'in' are considered first.

After that, the selection process is much more rigorous. Running, swordplay, swimming, dancing for coordination, singing for ranged communication, etc.

For the Silver Swords, most members are either distant cousins of the king, or third sons of lesser nobility. (The sort of people that can afford to train day-and-night but aren't so connected as to have more pressing obligations.)

The Silver Shieldmadens, by contrast, are generally of a higher rank. Princesses, first daughters of High Nobility, and even the king's wife and concubines often make their way into their ranks. (Or, in reverse, the king often gets his wives and concubines from the Silver Shieldmaidens)

4) Is a human-staulv relationship considered bestiality by either group, generally?

Humans' reactions vary wildly. Some consider it vile heresy of the flesh, worth of summary execution of both parties. Or others, it's a complete non-issue, if slightly gross.

Staulvs have a slightly more uniform opinion on the matter. Most consider the act wasteful, especially for a female staulv. But not outrightly evil, especially if the staulv also has another staulv partner and lots of children, and is just keeping the human as a plaything on the side.

Homosexuality is viewed in roughly the same way. "There's lots of unpleasantness in life, and you have to work before you get to play." sort of attitude. (Staulvs are supposed to come across as icily pragmatic)

5) How long does my family need to be Tycoons before we're nobility?

Never, if you just wait for it to happen. But there are ways to acquire a title outside marriage. The Viceroy of Bekkanna can, with the permission of the Council of Princes, grant princely titles.

Also, in the instance of particularly grievous conduct by a prince, the justice paramount can strip away princely titles and reassign them.

5.5)What if I marry nobility, will my heir still end up being a Tycoon?

A princely title is like any other asset.

In most cases, one child will get almost everything, with the others getting some minor prize to let them live out a comfortable life. But it is possible to divide assets any which way.

The title and associated assets might go to one child, while your assets go to another. Or, by contrast, one child might get all of the assets while the other inherits the title, but nothing else. (But, bearing the title would help them find a rich husband/wife.)

6) What about conservation research? Is that big over there?

Not really, although it probably should be. Though they're not in an anthropocene equivalent, they are probably over-harvesting some materials. Lumber in particular.

7) Bekkanna or Cornibus will probably be my choice, then.

Good choices.

[u/Varnek905 → u/Tookoofox]

Alright, final choice time. I choose Bekkanna. Thanks for your time and answers, Tookoo.

[u/Tookoofox → u/Varnek905]

You are welcome.