Overview
The Republic of Darokin is the mercantile heart of the Known World. It is a vast and wealthy nation, a land of sprawling cities, extensive farmlands, and a powerful merchant class that holds the reins of power. It is a nation of commerce, diplomacy, and law, where a person's worth is measured not by their lineage or their skill with a sword, but by their wealth and their business acumen. The Darokinians are a pragmatic and rational people, who prefer to solve their problems with a contract and a handshake rather than with a battle and a sword. It is a nation of bureaucrats, merchants, and scholars, and its influence is felt throughout the Known World.
Appearance
The landscape of Darokin is one of rolling hills, fertile farmlands, and sprawling cities. The nation is crisscrossed by a network of well-maintained roads, which are constantly filled with merchant caravans and travelers. The cities are a marvel of organization and planning, with wide streets, grand marketplaces, and impressive public buildings. The people of Darokin are generally well-dressed and well-fed, a testament to their wealth and their agricultural surplus. They are a diverse people, with many different ethnicities living side-by-side, all united by their shared love of commerce and profit.
Culture
The culture of Darokin is one of commerce, law, and diplomacy. They are a highly pragmatic and rational people, who believe that all problems can be solved with a fair deal and a good contract. They have a strong tradition of bureaucracy and law, and their legal system is one of the most complex and respected in the Known World. Their religion is a mix of various pantheons, with a strong emphasis on gods of commerce, justice, and knowledge. They are a well-educated people, and their scholars and librarians are highly respected throughout the Known World.
Society
Darokinian society is a plutocracy, a republic where a person's power is determined by their wealth. The nation is governed by the Grand Council, a body of powerful merchants and guild masters who are elected by the various guilds and city councils. Below the council are the various guilds, which control every aspect of life, from trade and banking to law and education. There is a great deal of social mobility, and a person can rise to great power through hard work and cunning. The military is a professional, well-trained force, but it is often used as a tool of diplomacy rather than conquest.
Territory
The Republic of Darokin is a vast nation, located in the heart of the Known World. Its borders are defined by the various mountain ranges that surround it, and its territory is a mix of fertile farmlands, dense forests, and rocky hills. The nation is crisscrossed by a network of rivers and roads, which serve as the arteries of its vast trade network. The capital city of Darokin is the hub of the nation, and it is a center of commerce, diplomacy, and law.
Resources
Darokin's primary resources are its rich agricultural land and its immense wealth. It is a nation of farmers, and its agricultural surplus allows it to feed its large population and to export food to other nations. It has a number of valuable mines, which produce a variety of metals and gems. Its greatest resource, however, is its vast network of trade routes and its shrewd merchants, who can turn a profit from any situation.
Military
The Darokinian military is a professional, well-trained force, but it is not a large one. Its primary purpose is to protect the nation's trade routes and to act as a deterrent to foreign invasion. The military is made up of a mix of professional soldiers and mercenaries, and it is well-equipped and well-disciplined. However, the Darokinians prefer to use diplomacy and economic pressure to solve their problems, and they will only resort to war as a last resort.
Relations
How Darokin Feels about Others: Darokin has a pragmatic and business-like approach to foreign relations. They are willing to trade with any nation, as long as it is profitable. They have a competitive relationship with the Empire of Thyatis, a rival for trade dominance. They have a cautious but respectful relationship with the Kingdom of Alfheim, as they often trade with them. They have a hostile relationship with the monsters of the Broken Lands and the nomadic horsemen of the Ethengar Khanates, who often raid their trade routes. They have a good relationship with the Kingdom of Karameikos, and the two nations often work together.
How Others Feel about Darokin: Many nations view Darokin with a mix of respect and contempt. They are seen as a powerful economic force, and their merchants are known for their shrewdness and their cunning. They are also viewed as a nation of soft, greedy merchants, who would rather count their coins than fight a battle. The Empire of Thyatis sees them as a rival in trade, while the Northern Reaches see them as a land of soft people with no honor. The Ethengar Khanates and the monsters of the Broken Lands see Darokin as a ripe target for a raid.
Reputation
The Republic of Darokin has a reputation as a magnificent and powerful economic force. They are known for their shrewd merchants, their vast wealth, and their love of law and order. They are seen as a nation of diplomats and bureaucrats, a people who would rather win a war with a contract than a sword. They are a testament to the idea that a strong economy and a good legal system can be more powerful than any army.