Capitol

Capitol
The compact density of Capitol's core zone as seen from the Ostria shipping lanes, 2061
Location of Capitol
Administrative capital of	█lmarkan Empire
Province	Veridia
Founded	Pre-2035
Government	Imperial municipal council
Population	2.4 million (2061 est.)[6]
Diversity	█lmarkan, Veridian, Wex, Veyari
Economy	Maritime trade, freighter construction
Notable features	Isthmus location, Gulf Stream access
Religion	Church of Mark (majority)
Coordinates	58°12′N 14°03′E

<b>Capitol</b> is the administrative capital city of the █lmarkan Empire, situated on the continent's western coast within the province of Veridia. As one of the primary economic, political, and cultural hubs of the empire, the city serves as a strategic nexus located on an isthmus between two major river systems that feed into the Gulf Stream, facilitating vital maritime trade routes. The urban geography of Capitol is defined by its compact density, where critical infrastructure concentrates in a core zone that manages the flow of goods and people for the entire region. The city's status was solidified following the conclusion of the Protectorate Wars, during which the empire consolidated territories extending from Rendorlin in the east to the coastal plains of Otharion in the west. Today, the population is a diverse tapestry of descendants from █lmarkan and Veridian roots, alongside smaller communities hailing from nations such as Wex or the displaced Veyari. This demographic mix has fostered a rich cultural environment, though it remains under the watchful eye of imperial authorities who prioritize stability over dissent.

The Silica Peaks shapes the local weather patterns for the entire continent, acting as a natural barrier that divides the land into eastern and western sections. While the northern reaches of the empire are dominated by jagged peaks with glaciers, the southern and western regions around Capitol and the Ostria shipping lanes feature rolling hills covered in dense forests and fertile plains. This topography has historically influenced migration patterns, directing populations toward the coastal lowlands where agriculture and industry thrive. The climate varies significantly across the region, from the harsh winds of the Aerokh to the humid, trade-dependent atmosphere of the Gulf Stream corridor. In 2058–2060, a severe famine affected these agricultural zones, leading to crop failures that strained the empire's resources. The geography also played a crucial role during the Siege of Anselmar, where night scouts guided by "attendants" utilized the terrain to outmaneuver larger forces under General █████ Huss.

█lmark began as a small island kingdom in the northern waters near Otharion before expanding through conquest. The Protectorate Wars, spanning from 2035 to 2041, saw the empire conquer four territories, including Rendorlin in 2040 and parts of Wex. These conflicts resulted in approximately 240,000 deaths, with a significant portion being Veyari civilians killed during the Clearances ordered by Marshal Hjalmar Sorn. The conquered lands were settled by █lmarkan homesteaders in Oil Homesteads, creating new social hierarchies that persist today. Following the wars, the empire published a Second Settlement Plan in 2058, naming two more coasts for colonization. However, this expansion coincided with rising tensions regarding the treatment of ███████. The secret ███████████████████ signed by the Church of Mark in 2056 established a supply line of "████████████████" to Santa Berllium. Critics label the resulting state in the east as the "Markian Empire," while the empire itself maintains that its subjects are merely attendants without souls.

Ostria serves as the primary maritime gateway to the empire, strategically positioned at the confluence of the Gulf Stream and the continent's longest river system. The cityscape is characterized by expansive dockyards where massive freighters are constructed alongside smaller fishing vessels, employing a significant portion of the local population. This reliance on maritime industries has contributed to high levels of economic output but also makes the region vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions. The ██████████████ corporation dominates the economy through its production of ███████, with operations in the ████████ of Tessavane. The company supplies "attendants" to the Church of Mark and manages the ██████████████s where ████ ███████ are raised as children. A portion of the revenue, approximately one part in three, is taxed by the ██████████████████████ to fund the ████████████████ in Montespera. However, the company's debt collection practices and the high cost of the ██████████████████ have sparked ongoing ethical debates among citizens and legal bodies like the ███████████████████████.

In public discourse, all ███████ are referred to as "attendants" regardless of their origin or status, a requirement mandated by the Church of Mark doctrine. The ████████████████ mandates that every ███████ over three must wear a transmitting silver-plated bell that reports its position to the ██████████████ registry every 90 seconds. This system allows for "stray hunters" to collect finder's fees from lost animals, though the ███████████ notes that some hunters may drive ███████ to the northern border instead of returning them. The ████████████████, officially known as the Lamp Quarter, is a walled area in Montespera where about 900 adult █████ attendants are housed and valued by the ██████████████████████. Church doctrine dictates that these beings cannot consent or refuse due to their perceived lack of souls, yet the institution's hold on this population is described by critics as institutional exploitation. Despite this, interbreeding between humans and ███████ is possible, with mixed children being healthy and fertile, a fact the personhood movement uses to argue against the separation of species.

• █lmarkan Empire
• Veridia
• Ostria
• Montespera