Chamlek

Chamlek
Politics and Religion
Capital: Arbor Religion: Primarily Kamyu-To, with a few pockets of Old God worship Government: Democracy/Meritocracy Emperor:
Population and Economy
Population: Dryad Languages: Tax Revenue: Resources:

History

Chamlek is an ancient but insular and isolated nation, on the outskirts of what was once the Alfar Empire. Home to the secretive Dryads the nation has rarely become involved in outside affairs. They were conquered by the empire after a series of very bloody and hard fought campaigns, but apparently struck some sort of deal with the Emperor.

When the Empire began to break down and disintegrate the dryads quietly reasserted their independence, crushing the feeble resistance raised by the legions. Afterwards Chamlek remained insular and for the most part uninvolved in outside affairs and politics, though at times they were drawn in or forced to become involved. Their are still tales told about the Dryad's march on the Tyrants of Urtim. And it is not uncommon to find Dryad mercenaries or adventurers, often unhappy with the insular nature of Chamlek society.

The Necromantic War changed that though. The Dryads of Chamlek are still a secretive people but they can no longer afford to be as insular and isolationist as they once were. Chamlek had been providing supplies, information, and other things to those realms facing the Necromantic armies despite the dryad's insular nature. In turn the Necromantic Army attacked, marching on the nation with a massive host and razing all in their path.

The High Constable and her forces had been preparing for a suspected attack for several years, ever since the conflict had begun to near their homelands. But even with all of their preparations they were unable to match the sheer might and number of the Necromantic host. The ground was soaked in blood as the war raged on, the necromancers slowly driving the dryads back. Within five years the black host had captured over half of Chamlek. But they were never able to take the capital city and it's precious wood node, giving the dryads a place to rally and regroup. It took another ten years of warfare to drive the necromantic host out of Chamlek, and another five years after that to clean up stragglers and other pockets of undead. But in the end the Dryads were victorious.

Today they are still an insular and secretive people but the affairs of the war have forced them to become much more involved in international affairs and politics.

Government

The Dryads of Chamlek are apparently ruled by a democratic fashion. Every ten years the Festival of the Trees of Life is held, where the Dryads return to their birth tree and give thanks/commune with them. At the same time they cast their votes for the members of the High Council, the rulers of the Dryad race. While officially any Dryad can run for election; in truth they only have a chance if they have already proven themselves as great warriors, merchants, mages, artists, etc etc. The rules are fairly simple - if you are Dryad and are not a criminal then you may vote. Non Dryads are not permitted to vote, and indeed many of the religious ceremonies carried out during the Festival are forbidden to non Dryads.

The city of Arbor and the two towns of the nation have a similar establishment. Every Festival of the Trees of Life the inhabitants cast their votes for the town/city councils, who report to the High Council but rule over the town/city.

Race

The Dryads are an all female race of Half-Human/Half-Plant tree spirits. They are much stronger and tougher then humans and other races, and can live for many centuries.

Dryads technically reproduce by a semi-parthenogenesis system, but it is not something that is discussed with outsiders. Every once in a while a Dryad will become pregnant and her tree will bud. After about twelve months the infant dryad is born and the seed is ceremonially planted in a religious rite. As the Dryad grows the seed, the child's tree - of which she is actually a spirit, will sprout and grow alongside the dryad. As such Dryads have long childhoods and take a great deal of time to grow to maturity. This process can happen to any mature dryad, but having sex (with a male or a female) greatly increases the chance of it occurring.

It is one of the highest honors a Dryad can grant to invite a person to attend the planting ceremony of their child's birth tree, which is considered to be extremely private. Crashing etc one of these is very rude and is widely considered grounds for a blood feud.

Domains

40 points for Dryads, 50 points for Military

1x Elven Wilds

• City
• Keep
• Wood Node

1x Elven Wilds

• Town
• Wizard's Towers

1x Elven Wilds

• Town
• Wizard's Towers

1x Elven Wilds

• Stockade

1x Elven Wilds

• Town

1x Demesne

• Levistone Quarry

1x Underhaven

• Stockade