Korathis - Politics

INTERNAL:

The Grand Marshal is the ruler of Korathis. The level of control the Grand Marshal exerts depends entirely on the person in the role, though very few Grand Marshal's have been considered anything close to weak.

The Korathi society worships prowess in battle so much that every Grand Marshal ever chosen has been a highly proficient fighter. However, not every fighter has been an apt politician, which is why wise Grand Marshal's listen to their council.

The Council is comprised of members from most powerful clans, with the 8 most influential clans choosing their own delegate to the Grand Marshal's council. These council positions often see much longer tenure than the Grand Marshal's position, since they need to be removed by the clan in order to be changed out.

The Grand Marshal is chosen via combat trials in The Crucible. Every 5th year the trials are held, and only the winner of the trials is eligible to challenge the Grand Marshal for his position. Many years, the winner of the trial chooses not to challenge the Grand Marshal. This is usually either out of respect for the current holder of the title, or because they they have entered the trials to ensure the current Grand Marshal remains in power in the first place.

EXTERNAL:

Korathis engages other nations with a warrior's pragmatism—allying with the strong, conquering the weak, and respecting the Veilsea Accords only insofar as they prevent unnecessary wars that could drain their fighting forces. They use Thaloryn's diplomacy to broker arena-style resolutions to disputes, viewing external relations as extensions of the Crucible's trials.

With regard to individual nations:

Duskreef: Korathis views Duskreefers as unworthy cowards who strike from shadows, leading to tense relations with naval chases and retaliatory strikes on pirate vessels, though they engage in black-market trades for gladiatorial slaves and combat artifacts.

Kragvost: Korathis views Kragvost with utter hatred. They despise the Kragvostians lack of discipline, and the two nations clash frequently due to proximity. All out war has only been declared an handful of times, mostly due to Thaylorn pushing for sanctions on nations that stray from The Veilsea Accords.

Ironcrag: Korathis view Ironcrag through a lense of strict competition and, secretly, grudging respect. Korathis recognizes the quality of smithing to come from Ironcrag is likely higher on an individual item basis, but reaffirms that on average Korathi arms and armor are more consistently of a higher standard. The Dwarves and Korathi citizens share many traits, including hardheadedness.

Sylvara: Korathis stance on Sylvara is widely one of indifference. The consider the Sylvarans to be tree and nature obsessed nutjobs, but because the Sylvarans traditionally choose to limit their travel outside their own nation, they don't tend to find themselves at odds.

Nyxumbra: Korathis believes Nyxumbrians are dangerous and need to have a close eye kept on them. They appreciate the power the Nyxumbrians can wield, but they don't trust them at all, and mostly choose not do deal with them by choice. Korathis supplies captured foes to Nyxumbra's rituals in exchange for undead for the Crucible, but distrust runs deep, with frequent accusations of foul play leading to Thaloryn mediating tensions.

Thaloryn: Korathis respects Thaloryn's neutrality as a stabilizing force, using their diplomacy to host multi-nation tournaments that reinforce the Accords, though they push for more martial resolutions to disputes and despite Thaloryn's political system.

Valthorne: Korathis purchases skilled slaves from Valthorne for the gladiator pens, engaging in profitable trades but competing over prime captives, with relations balanced by mutual interest in combat entertainment and trade of Korathi armaments to outfit Valthorne forces.

Zephyris: Korathis admires Zephyris's aerial prowess but finds them distinctly second class to their own Dragon Riders. Distance and a lack of optimal trading assets limits the interactions between the two nations.

Lumivale: Korathis trades gladiators or artifacts with magical potential to Lumivale for arcane enhancements to their arenas, maintaining pragmatic but wary relations due to Lumivale's disdain for physical over magical prowess.