Geopolitical Layout of Falderia
The continent of Falderia is currently dominated by three major powers, each with distinct governance systems, cultural values, and strategic interests. The current political landscape is shaped by the devastating The Race Wars, which saw the population of Falderia decrease by over 60% and resulted in the Scorched Earth event that destroyed the original Thonham. While The Thonham Accords have maintained a fragile peace for over a century, the underlying tensions from this brutal conflict and competing visions for the future of Falderia threaten to destabilize the region.
The Three Powers
The Falderian Empire - Constitutional Monarchy with Parliamentary System
- Capital: New Thonham
- Government Type: Constitutional monarchy with elected Chamber of Deputies (30 seats)
- Population: ~800,000 (majority human)
- Economic Focus: Trade dominance, naval power, urban development
- Military Doctrine: Naval supremacy with minimal standing army (per The Thonham Accords)
- Religious Influence: The Church of Kulkysm (state religion)
- Current Crisis: The Reform Party has gained majority control, undermining King Ailas Titanfoot’s authority
Sylvana - Decentralized Council Democracy
- Capital: Rotating (Elvenwatch, Vaeril Caiwarin Fort, various settlements)
- Government Type: Decentralized representational democracy via The Council Watch
- Population: ~200,000 (majority elven)
- Economic Focus: Forest resources, magical research, cultural preservation
- Military Doctrine: Defensive guerrilla warfare, magical defense
- Religious Influence: Nature-based spirituality, ancestral worship
- Current Crisis: Succession crisis following the end of the Royal Family of Gannelore line
Emberia - Post-War Nation (Member of Eschenfeld)
- Capital: Embersail
- Government Type: [Undefined - needs development]
- Population: [Undefined - needs development]
- Economic Focus: [Undefined - needs development]
- Military Doctrine: [Undefined - needs development]
- Religious Influence: [Undefined - needs development]
- Historical Context: Embersail was a strategic port and stronghold of Eschenfeld during The Race Wars. The city survived a brutal year-long siege by The Falderian Empire, ending in a stalemate. The surrounding farms were burned by retreating Falderian forces.
- Current Status: Part of Eschenfeld union, but specific governance structure requires development
Historical Context and Legacy of The Race Wars
The current geopolitical situation is deeply rooted in the devastating The Race Wars, which fundamentally reshaped Falderia:
The War’s Impact
- Population Loss: Over 60% of Falderia’s population perished
- Scorched Earth Event: The original Thonham was destroyed, killing an estimated 4 million people
- Gannelore Flooding: The elvish capital was flooded, ending the Royal Family of Gannelore line
- Embersail Siege: A year-long siege that ended in stalemate, with surrounding farms burned
The Thonham Accords Settlement
- Eschenfeld Victory: The free-folk alliance received every demand they raised
- The Falderian Empire Humiliation: Seen as a humiliating defeat for the old empire
- Elvish Decline: The long-lived elves face potential extinction due to low fertility rates
- Fragile Peace: Equality was never truly achieved despite the accords
Current Legacy
- The Falderian Empire: Rebuilt as New Thonham, but still bears the psychological scars of defeat
- Sylvana: Struggles with leadership vacuum after the end of the Royal Family of Gannelore
- Emberia: Part of Eschenfeld but specific role unclear
- The Primarch’s Dawn: Seeks to “reclaim former glory” - potentially undoing the accords
Current Tensions and Conflicts
1. The Reform Crisis in The Falderian Empire
The most immediate threat to regional stability comes from The Falderian Empire’s internal political crisis:
- The Reform Party has gained majority control of the Chamber of Deputies (16 seats vs 5 for The Titanfoot Loyalism Party)
- King Ailas Titanfoot’s authority is being systematically undermined by the new majority
- The Reform Party’s stated goal of “reclaiming the empire’s former glory” suggests they want to undo The Thonham Accords and reverse the humiliation of The Race Wars
- Growing unrest in the 7th octant of New Thonham as veterans feel betrayed by the new political direction
- Secret military preparations under Admiral Heth Bellstone and General Yeoman Ferant suggest preparation for large-scale conflict
- The party’s rhetoric appeals to those who still resent the “humiliating defeat” of The Thonham Accords
2. The Succession Crisis in Sylvana
Following the flooding of Gannelore and the end of the Royal Family of Gannelore line, Sylvana faces a leadership vacuum:
- No clear successor to the Sylvana family line after the Massacre of Gannelore killed over 100,000 free-folk
- The Council Watch provides governance but lacks central authority
- Regional councils increasingly act independently, creating fragmentation
- Growing calls for a centralized military to counter perceived threats from The Falderian Empire
- Tensions between urban Elvenwatch and rural settlements over resource allocation
- The elvish race faces potential extinction due to low fertility rates, adding urgency to leadership decisions
3. Economic Competition and Trade Disputes
- The Falderian Empire seeks to expand trade routes northward, potentially threatening Sylvana’s control over The Eroan Wilds
- Disputes over resource extraction rights in contested border regions
- The Falderian Empire’s naval dominance creates tension with other powers
- The 4th octant of New Thonham houses the majority of the military force, suggesting aggressive posturing
4. Religious and Cultural Tensions
- The Church of Kulkysm serves as the state religion of The Falderian Empire but its influence in Sylvana is unclear
- Sylvana’s nature-based spirituality and ancestral worship may conflict with imperial religious policies
- The flag of Sylvana explicitly references “blood of enemies shed on Sylvana lands,” suggesting historical grievances
- Cultural differences between human-dominated The Falderian Empire and elven Sylvana create ongoing tension
5. Military Buildup and Suspicion
- The Falderian Empire’s naval expansion under Admiral Heth Bellstone raises concerns about aggressive intentions
- Sylvana’s magical research programs (rumored to include Scorched Earth recreation) alarm The Falderian Empire
- Intelligence reports suggest The Falderian Empire is preparing for large-scale conflict despite The Thonham Accords
- The military structure shows both Navy and Army components, suggesting preparation for various types of warfare
6. The Scorched Earth Research Crisis
- The Primarch’s Dawn is actively researching the reconstruction of the Scorched Earth spell
- The spell requires 9 spellcasters and has a large sacrificial component
- Darneth Kumal Shuttereye is using his authority as Darneth of New Thonham to sanction forbidden magical research
- Admiral Heth Bellstone is spearheading hidden government research programs into the spell
- The potential recreation of this devastating weapon threatens to restart the cycle of violence that nearly destroyed Falderia
Regional Flashpoints
1. The Gannelore River Dispute
- The Falderian Empire claims full navigation rights
- Sylvana seeks to maintain environmental protections for the river
- Unclear how Emberia fits into this dispute (requires development)
- Recent incidents of “accidental” blockades and “misunderstandings”
2. The Eroan Wilds Border
- Unclear territorial boundaries between The Falderian Empire and Sylvana
- Sylvana claims ancestral rights to the entire region
- The Falderian Empire seeks logging and mining rights
- Frequent “border incidents” and resource disputes
- The region’s magical nature makes it strategically valuable
3. The Thonham Gulf Naval Zone
- The Falderian Empire’s naval dominance creates tension
- Sylvana wants to protect coastal settlements
- Recent “fishing rights” disputes mask deeper military concerns
- The port of New Thonham serves as the central trading hub
Emerging Threats
1. The Primarch’s Dawn Conspiracy
- Secret organization within The Falderian Empire preparing for large-scale conflict
- Multiple high-ranking officials involved in conspiracy (Admiral Heth Bellstone, General Yeoman Ferant, Balreth Darnal Ironside, Darneth Kumal Shuttereye, Ridgel Luthehd)
- Research into forbidden magics and weapons (including Scorched Earth recreation)
- Potential for internal coup or external aggression
2. Resource Scarcity
- Growing population pressures in New Thonham (over 200,000 during intra-dominance period)
- Deforestation concerns in The Eroan Wilds
- Competition for arable land and fresh water
- The “Tillers” (rural citizens) are essential for food production but often overlooked
3. External Pressures
- Rumors of other continents and advanced civilizations (as mentioned in High Level Plan)
- Potential for foreign invasion or trade competition
- Technological and magical developments elsewhere
- Pressure to modernize or face obsolescence
Potential Conflict Scenarios
Scenario 1: The Reform Coup
The Reform Party successfully removes King Ailas Titanfoot and establishes a military dictatorship, leading to immediate conflict with Sylvana and potentially Emberia.
Scenario 2: The Succession War
Multiple claimants to the Sylvana throne emerge, leading to civil war that draws in The Falderian Empire as they support different factions.
Scenario 3: The Resource War
Competition for The Eroan Wilds resources escalates into open conflict, with The Falderian Empire and Sylvana claiming territorial rights.
Scenario 4: The Primarch’s Dawn Revelation
The conspiracy is exposed, leading to internal conflict within The Falderian Empire and potential external intervention.
Diplomatic Relations
Current Treaties and Agreements
- The Thonham Accords: Post-war peace settlement (fragile, under pressure)
- Trade Agreements: Basic commerce between The Falderian Empire and Eschenfeld member states
- Military Restrictions: Limits on The Falderian Empire’s standing army
- Religious Tolerance: The Church of Kulkysm is the state religion of The Falderian Empire
Ongoing Negotiations
- Resource Sharing: Disputes over The Eroan Wilds access
- Military Cooperation: Potential alliance against external threats
- Succession Recognition: Sylvana’s leadership question
- Trade Route Access: Gannelore River navigation rights
Intelligence and Espionage
Known Intelligence Operations
- The Falderian Empire: Monitoring Sylvana’s magical research, potential external threats
- Sylvana: Tracking The Falderian Empire’s naval expansion and political instability
- Emberia: [Undefined - requires development]
Suspected Operations
- Primarch’s Dawn: Infiltrating The Falderian Empire’s government and military
- Foreign Powers: Potential external intelligence gathering
- Religious Factions: Cross-border religious influence operations
- Economic Espionage: Trade secret theft and market manipulation
Economic Interdependence
Critical Trade Routes
- The Gannelore River: Primary north-south trade route
- Thonham Gulf: Maritime trade hub
- The Eroan Wilds: Resource extraction and magical research
- New Thonham Port: Central trading hub
Resource Dependencies
- The Falderian Empire: Depends on Sylvana for magical components, requires external trade for prosperity
- Sylvana: Needs The Falderian Empire for manufactured goods
- Emberia: [Undefined - requires development]
Economic Vulnerabilities
- The Falderian Empire: Over-reliance on trade, vulnerable to naval blockade
- Sylvana: Limited industrial capacity, dependent on external manufacturing
- Emberia: [Undefined - requires development]
Cultural and Social Tensions
Racial and Ethnic Divisions
- Human Supremacy: Growing sentiment in The Falderian Empire
- Elven Isolationism: Traditionalist movements in Sylvana
- Mixed Heritage: Discrimination against half-elves and other mixed-race individuals
- Emberia: [Undefined - requires development]
Class and Economic Inequality
- The Falderian Empire: Growing gap between octants, veteran poverty in 7th octant
- Sylvana: Urban-rural divide, traditional vs. modern values
- Emberia: [Undefined - requires development]
Generational Conflicts
- Veterans vs. Youth: Different perspectives on The Race Wars and future direction
- Traditionalists vs. Reformers: Clash between old ways and new ideas
- Urban vs. Rural: Different priorities and values between city and country
Future Prospects
Potential for Peace
- Economic Integration: Deeper trade relationships could reduce conflict
- Cultural Exchange: Greater understanding between peoples
- External Threats: Common enemies could unite the powers
- Religious Reconciliation: Unified interpretation of The Church of Kulkysm
Risk of War
- Political Instability: Any major change could trigger conflict
- Resource Competition: Scarcity could lead to aggression
- Military Buildup: Arms race increases likelihood of conflict
- Ideological Differences: Incompatible visions for Falderia’s future
Development Priorities
Immediate Needs
- Emberia Development: This power requires significant development to understand its role in the geopolitical landscape
- Sylvana Expansion: More detail needed on culture, governance, and internal tensions
- Border Disputes: Clarification of territorial boundaries and resource rights
- Primarch’s Dawn Details: More information on the conspiracy’s structure and goals
Long-term Considerations
- How will Emberia fit into the existing power structure?
- What are the specific goals of The Reform Party beyond “reclaiming former glory”?
- How will the succession crisis in Sylvana be resolved?
- What external threats exist beyond the continent of Falderia?
The current geopolitical situation is a delicate balance of competing interests, historical grievances, and future ambitions. While The Thonham Accords have maintained peace for over a century, the underlying tensions from The Race Wars suggest that this fragile equilibrium may not last much longer. The actions of The Primarch’s Dawn and the growing political instability in The Falderian Empire could be the spark that ignites a new era of conflict in Falderia.
The potential recreation of the Scorched Earth spell represents an existential threat to all of Falderia, as it could once again devastate the continent and kill millions. The research being conducted by The Primarch’s Dawn threatens to undo the hard-won peace of The Thonham Accords and plunge Falderia back into the cycle of violence that nearly destroyed it during The Race Wars.