Halharent

The Empire of Cain

The realm of Halharent is situated in the northern hemisphere of Myrth and shares a landmass with Kalbaek. It is a harsh land, that offers it ritches only to the strongest of peoples. To the north is the Isle of Kethraelm from which the freezing winds blow ice and snow across the Sea of Crystal Rain. To the south, the Forsaken Sea and Seas of Shadow come together in a crash of otherworldy and ethereal magics, bringing forth the undead pirates from the dark realm of Gorgamen below.

Culture

Halharent is a harsh land that requires strength from its denizens. Plagued by constant threats from all sides, the various ancestries that make up its population became civilly united under a primary ruler long ago. In the last few generations, a formalised empire came to be under the iron hand rule of the bloodline of Cain. From their chosen seat in Rextrium, the populace pledge allegiance to their emperor, currently Octavian Gaius Cain.

Halians openly embrace Lycanthropy. All militia who are officially recruited as career soldiers and to be included in one of the many Legions of the Empire, are blessed with the power.

Settlements within the realm are free to govern as they see fit, though they are typically lead by chosen Consuls or Senators from the ranks of Nobility. Most governments tend to align with the laws and rules of the Monarch. Hence the Empire is considered a Federal Monarchy. Common affairs in Rextrium are led by a group of elected nobles known as the Council of Nine. They also serve as the voices of the people and have the ear of the Emperor. The Emperor has power to veto any decision made by the counsel, and tend to all inter-regional, diplomatic affairs personally.

Ecology

Ranging from the frigid north to the dry plains of the Inanian stretch, to the forested south. Halharent is mostly a dry region that sees only intermittent rain in fall, and snowfall in winter months.

The forests in the south are both deciduous and coniferous, along with being the most biodiverse region in the realm. On the open plains are many herding species of large deer, along with packs of dire wolves, the latter of which are revered and protected by the inhabitants.

History

Before the Empire, Halharent was sparsely inhabited by Elves along with scattered tribes of Humans and Werewolves. The Colonial wars against the Dver forced the Elven population to formalise many key strategic locations in the region, though they never claimed ownership or dominion over the lands. Many of the non-Elven tribes were recruited into fighting the Dver, formalising most of the current social hierarchies, with tribe leaders forming a new nobility based on strength and power.

After the battle at Bonaduic, and the end of the Colonial War, most of the Elves abandoned their outposts. Tribe leaders laid claims to regions and the now formalised society began to settle the rest of the realm.

As their culture expanded, more tribes were absorbed into the social hierarchies. Some favoured the new social structure, though most were brought in line through battle. Strength in numbers meant they had a more powerful front against the raiders from the west, and future invasions from across the seas. It is during this time, that the bloodline of Cain rose to the fore to become the royal bloodline of Halharent.

Settlements

Settlement	Description	Size	Authority	Government
Altmea	A metropolis half outside and half carved into the mountain. The primary mine and producer of refined metals for the Empire.	Metropolis	Senator Titus Metilius Falx	Meritocracy
Arbora	A large town and forestry industry. Supplier of lumber to the Empire.	Large Town	Senator Sertoria Remutia	Kleptocracy
Caderstell	Northern garrison of the Empire. Protects the lands from the magical beasts from the Desolate Peninsula, as well as invasion from Kethraelm.	Large Fort	Commander Julius Conrad	Stratocracy
Capri	A small logging and farming village for the north. The land here is uncustomarily lush.	Small Village	Consul Vesnia Bolana	Democracy
Corvica	An outpost garrison that guards Bellator's Pass and the surrounding regions from raiders coming from Kalbaek.	Large Town	Commander Lucius Dar	Stratocracy
Mercia	The furthest outpost in the realm, broken off all allegiances to the Empire. A haven for outcasts.	Large Village	Sylmare Elawynn	Democracy
Nixia	Historically a diplomatic outpost to Kethraelm. Now an independent city state with an army unaligned to the Empire.	Large Fort	General Lucilius Soro	Kraterocracy
Perdia	Seemingly abandoned by the Empire, Perdia serves it's own ends. They openly trade with the Empire's enemies and seen as a harbor for those trying to escape the justice of the Empire.	Medium Town	General Catinia Auralia	Kraterocracy
Petramport	A large port city that serves as the primary trade hub into the realm.	Large City	The Triumvirate	Plutocracy
Piscea	A small outpost that historically served as an entrypoint into the Inanian stretch.	Small Town	Consul Flaviusus Aquirius	Democracy
Rextrium	A sprawling metropolis and seat of power for the Empire of Cain. Home to the Imperial fleet.	Metropolis	Emperor Octavian Gaius Cain, Council of Nine	Federal Monarchy
Rubrax	A large garrison that guards all trade and triffic leading into the Golden Dawn areas.	Large Fort	Senator Flavious Arlo	Stratocracy