Major Provinces

The Lead Provinces

Within the Cinder Confederation the following are the provinces that stand out. These are primarily the two founding provinces of Hubranch and Bolandy, who hold significant power within the country, and Felaria, a long-standing province that has grown in prominence over the last several centuries.

Hubranch

A kingdom still clinging to the old ways, within this large farming province the feudal system rules all. Though some of the castles of old have begun renovation, the ideals of the families in power that used to reside within have seen little change, and continue to treat the peasantry as little more than indentured servants. 

Within Hubranch, many among the populace follow the Harvest Church. This church is primarily run by Priests of Fidelée, focusing on the message of moving forward in their common beliefs and goals. The church also pays respects and has centers for worship to Vaikas, and Sonea-Paix. Most of the noble houses of Hubranch follow this church and Fidelée in particular. These groups often divide themselves from the other sects of the church based on class, avoiding mingling with the peasantry and middle class that follow the Harvest Church. The majority of the peasantry follows the Harvest Church, with many among farmers being devoted to Sonea-Paix primarily, while paying respects to Fidelée at family affairs. The Harvest Church is the most state-supported church, even though other minor churches exist as freedom of worship is allowed within Hubranch.

Centuries ago, rebellious peasants helped lead the way for an attack on Howe, Hubranch's capital, by an army of the undead. A massive battle followed as adventurers and the city's officials were barely able to repel the horde. After this event foreign diplomats no longer trusted Howe as a safe and secure location for them to meet with officers of the Cinder Confederation. This caused a shift to Felaria, an upcoming Major Province, which offered security and arcane protections over visitors in its capital city of Goraj. With this shift however the title of capital remained at Howe until twenty years ago. Throughout the time period between the lich's attack and today Hubranch has grown tense with the Confederation as it attempted to hold what power it could as one of the founding provinces, but slowly felt it was losing its grasp. That changed when the Witherers sacked and captured Howe. Which caused the Confederation to scramble and move the capital to Croit in the safer West. This has led to a major issue of the day being the potential seccession of Hubranch as its leadership feels the Confederation failed to protect Howe from the Witherers.

The current Queen, Queen Victoria, is a strong-willed woman with a quick temper which has been known to flair up frequently with recent events. She currently resides in the royal families vacation castle at Hooh. 

The primary languages of Hubranch are Common, with other major languages in the province being Halfling and Goblin.

Bolandy

A few centuries after the founding of the Cinder Confederation, dissent began growing within the Bolandian Empire. People became restless and irritated by the long work hours and cruel treatment of the working people. Resentment grew and the Empress Adrienne at the time did nothing to quell or aid the people, and that is when talk of revolution began. As feelings mustered, the Empress petitioned the Confederation legislature for troops to help stamp out the rebellion before it began. Perceived as a very aggressive gesture, the people began to riot in the streets in protest. After the first major riot the Confederation soldiers arrived and attempted to quell the riots with violence as the Empress Adrienne ordered them to. This bloodbath caused the majority of the people of Bolandy to turn against the Empress and the general opinion became to replace her. The situation became explosive when a popular Bolandian general and her forces committed to the rebellion’s side. With the additional troops and the general populace, Bolandy was able to push back the Confederation army, taking hold of the capital and the Empress. The rebellion executed Empress Adrienne for her crimes and decided to create a republic to replace the feudal system of government. 

The general was elected as the first President of the Bolandian Republic Province, and worked tirelessly to negotiate with the Confederation and legitimize her new government's place within the Confederation. After several years, the Confederation eventually relented and recognized the new government of Bolandy as the governmental body of the province. Rumors stated that this was only to keep the industry of Bolandy within the Confederation.

As the new government of Bolandy began to establish itself, many of the politicians set their agendas against all that the previous government held dear. This led to the adoption of multiple regulations on behalf of workers’ rights and the importance of the individual citizen over the business and companies within the country. One of the most major changes was the government's stance against religion, as the previous Empire had favored the Summer gods and Empress Adrienne was a devout follower of Sifyri in particular. Throughout the province, churches were seized and turned into schools, businesses, and other buildings, cited for eminent domain and “better use” for the people. The churches that remained were taxed heavily and closed down when they could not meet these steep taxes. It has become a societal taboo to worship in public throughout Bolandy, with overtly religious individuals being banned from holding office. This has led to many religious individuals simply practicing from their homes in private.

The primary languages of Bolandy are Common, with other major languages in the province being Dwarvish, Elvish, Gnomish, Halfling, Draconic, and Infernal.

Felaria

One of the oldest of the nations turned provinces, Felaria is the province of arcana and knowledge. Its governmental structure is formed by a high council of mages, each member representing one of the different schools of magic.

Each major city in the land of Felaria holds a college for magic, though they all pale in comparison to the Rose Academy. The Rose Academy is the most influential and reputable school of magic within the Cinder Confederation. Many young wizards from across the country and abroad seek to enter the school’s elite program, though only few manage to succeed and join the ranks of the master wizards. 

In the Provincial Capital of Goraj lies the Emerald Tower, a massive library complex with a single tower that protrudes into the sky. This library is one of the oldest in Embris and holds much of the world’s history and knowledge within its walls. The library sits under the constant guard of the Emerald Eye, elite warriors of magic and blade that watch over the library and protect the information within the tower with their lives. 

The primary languages of Felaria are Common, with other major languages in the province being Elvish and Draconic.

Related Pages:

Cinder Confederation (The country in which all these provinces exist)

Howe (The previous capital of the Confederation, currently under the control of Yarmehtoo)

Croit (The capital of Bolandy and the Cinder Confederation)

Goraj (Capital of FElaria, the city where foreign diplomats visit the Confederation)

Fidelée (The major god in the Harvest Church)

Sonea-Paix (A god in the Harvest Church)

Vaikas (A god in the Harvest Church)