Thousand Cities:Kingdoms

Kingdoms in the Thousand Cities

Most of the Thousand Cities are nation-states; fiercely independent localities that maintain their own laws and governments. Wars of conquest are not uncommon, but the Thousand Cities era is filled with epic heroes and the manipulations of the Gods. With such an array of generals, rulers and warriors, no single city has yet managed to impose its might upon any large area of Creation.

Ildur and Ildrin

The twin cities of Ildur and Ildrin share the island of Nerethain, in the central Southeast. Separated by a steep mountain range, both cultures are entwined closely throughout their long history. Their relationship is defined by their intense competition in all aspects of life. Outsiders often have difficulty distinguishing between the two groups when outside their cities, as they appear to dress and speak in a similar fashion. While the cities share a common root language, attempts to speak the local dialects are fraught with danger, as slight differences in meaning can twist a casual comment into a killing insult.

Unsurprisingly, the God Cypher has played a role in the development of the twin cities. Both cultures are warlike and volatile, quick to avenge a perceived insult. The two royal families are deeply intermarried, as tradition dictates that a victorious army should seize a royal son or daughter from the defeated city for a forced marriage with the victor. Despite their intermingled blood, the inhabitants of both cities would sooner die than give their rivals any advantage.

Constant conflict has driven great advances in engineering, especially in the field of warfare. The Sea Wall of Ildur is considered a marvel of Creation, rendering the city's central port almost impregnable by naval assault.

In 1265AF, Ildur seized the upper hand after acquiring a large number of essence gems from Cinnador. In response to this, the general Ariach Dawn-Treader, born to Ildrin in 977AF, sent his agents to seek out Exalted allies, reasoning that mortal troops would not be sufficient to turn the conflict. Ariach is widely considered the greatest strategist of his era, bearing the favour of Roane herself.

In 1275AF Ildrini troops, aided by a cadre of young Exalts, successfully breached the Ilduran defences. During the conflict two Ilduran heirs were slain, and the youngest was chosen to marry the Ildrini heir. With the Ilduran line crushed, the two cities were joined for the first time since their founding.

In 1282AF, an assassin entered the Ildrini palace and slaughtered the Anjou family members present. As the alarm was sounded, a vast Regolean army attacked both Ildur and Ildrin. Despite taking vast casualties in Ildur, the Regoleans successfully captured the island. It is currently under their control.

Regolus

Regolus is the heart of the Regolean Empire, spreading rapidly outwards from the Central island of Caraille. Less than a century after its founding, the Empire is growing faster than any other Kingdom. This is primarily due to the presence and vision of its first Emperor, Sartrin.

Emperor Sartrin is a devout follower of the Gods Klesthes and Yedan, rulers of the Cerulean Host. His impassioned speeches stir the hearts of thousands, and his troops carve a path through all that oppose them. In 1230AF, the Emperor commissioned the largest temple ever built for his capital city of Regolus. Here, priestesses of Klesthes proselytise while priests of Yedan train the warriors of the Empire's armies. With the favour of two powerful Gods, he fears no opposition.

The armies of Regolus are famed (and feared) for their heavily armoured infantry, supplied by the many Rakandran armourers who live in the capital. Regolean divisions fight with regimented precision, executing intricate tactical maneuvers that have defeated much larger forces. The troops are renowned for their discipline, and are considered the finest infantry of the current age.

In 1242AF, Sartrin commanded his armies to begin a war of conquest throughout the Central Islands. Regolean troops quickly took the surrounding islands, and began to move outwards to larger kingdoms. By 1268AF the front had reached Carakas, once a major power in the region. Absorbed into the Regolean Empire, Carakas now produces supplies for the Regolean war machine.

With an established military training program in place, the Regolean Empire was able to capitalise upon the greater rate of Exaltation observed from 1280AF onwards. New Exalts are quickly recognised and sent to Regolus for training, before returning to the active front. The presence of such troops allowed the Third Army to crush both Meredius and the Twin Cities in 1282AF, cementing the Regolean hold on the near-east archipelago.

Umbra

Umbra is the newest of the Thousand Cities, founded in 1279AF by the Exalts Icarus, Jocasta and Armelle. The city lies on a tributary of the river Mzima, situated between the druids of Bronach and the forests of the Hunter's Tribes. Most inhabitants of the city hail from the Central islands.

The first residents of Umbra fled the twin cities of Ildur and Ildrin after their homeland embraced a necromantic tradition, returning honoured dead to unlife, so that they might serve the living. Political differences of opinion with the current (Anjou) ruling family led to a division within the ranks of the Ildrini families, and many travelled East to settle a new land.

Umbra's residents have developed a rapport with their warring neighbours. Soon after the city's founding, Icarus made contact with the tree-dwelling kingdom of Bronach, forming a pact between the cities. Armelle impressed the savage hunters calling themselves Vergolte's People, defeating many during the first attempted raid on the new settlement.

In 1282AF, Jocasta Mien was exalted by Vergolte in a temple to his honour. Together with Icarus, she has earned lasting respect from the Hunter's Tribes - although some have spoken of their great shame at seeing city-dwellers earn such attention from their patron God.

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