Other countries : Amagal / Begus / Dorgania
Author's note: It's... finally... done!!! Overview about Central! This will be the longest one because there's new sections with lots of contents talking about different ideas and even some character origin. Now let's dive right in!
Central, the country we’re ruling. Since the game is already viewing things from Central’s perspective and lots of contents are subject to update, I decided to try something different. The usual geography, culture and military will have less content this time. Instead, the new sections “history” and “minister’s ideas” will have a lot of contents. Hope you enjoy it.
Geography
Central has the mildest weather, richest soil and overall the best living condition. A river separated the territory in two, which are often nicknamed Northern Central and Southern Central. Apart from lush forests, it also has lots of different geographic features like mountains, caves, lakes, tundra and even lava. This mean Central is inhabited by a wide variety of wild lives, both animals and monsters. Iron and coal are quiet abundant as well, though not as rich compared to its neighbors.
Central is surrounded by 3 other countries: Amagal, Begus and Dorgania. In the past there were some border disputes, but nowadays it has pretty much stabilized by natural borders. Right now Central might be the weakest country, but it has the potential to become a great power if properly developed.
Politic, Economy and Culture
Compared to other countries, Central has the most tolerant attitude toward various species. Since it’s right on the cross road of the continent and has lots of different habitats, people generally are used to different faces by now. Beside since it has such a nice environment, there’s usually enough food and other resources so there’s less reason to compete, arguably the most important factor that makes this tolerant attitude possible.
This open-minded attitude attracts not only colorful species of immigrants who brought alone their unique culture, but also entrepreneurs who wished to try their new ideas. As a result, Central becomes the melting pot of the world. Ideologies interact with each other and give birth to new one while creativity flourishes like flower, turning Central into a birthplace of great artists, philosophers, theorists and innovators. Independent businesses, along with food industries and trading, form the bulk of Central’s economy. In fact, Central pioneered steelmaking industry in the world thanks to the creative blacksmith in Calbridge Stronghold invented a new foundry and techniques. Central’s high quality steel is sought after by blacksmiths around the world and becomes the third most exported goods for the kingdom, after only food and lumber.
In the past, the respect of diversity was represented with their highly autonomous feudalism as the king respected regional differences. However, the War of Liberation had shown such system couldn’t survive the changing world. As a result the political structure is now highly centralized and people are no longer separated by regions. The entire Central is their shared canvas, and everyone will use their different ideas and methods to decorate it together.
Of course, being rich in resources will inevitably draw the ire from envious neighbors. Central couldn’t compete with them in military, but it has another powerful tool that never fails: Diplomacy. Central’s Ministry of Foreign Affair is a veteran in international politics with countless experience in manipulating foreign intrigues. With agreements, intimidations and even straight out lies, diplomatic ministers had saved the kingdom for generations without shedding a drop of blood.
There’s another crucial players here as well: The Spirits. Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Ice and Magic, all 6 Spirits used to live together on this colorful land for a long time. They use their immense power to help Central citizens and maintain peace, while generally avoid politics. Other countries also want Spirits in their country as well and they couldn’t risk antagonizing them by kidnapping or invasion. The Spirits soon started to discuss whether they should help other countries in need as well. Central eventually allowed some Spirits to move out after achieving some agreements with its neighbors.
However, the peaceful attitude in Central has a severe downside. With Bloody Crusade and War of Liberation gone in history, the population grows complacent. Soldiers receive little respect from the society and drafting will often be met with vehement opposition. If thing go on like this, Central will stand no chance against Raziel’s titan army even with Spirit’s help.
Military
In the past Central’s armed force were composed of noble’s armies and the king’s Royal Army. After the War of Liberations all the armies were merged and reorganized into a national force: Central Army, commanded directly by the king, while the noble’s role were reduced to simply provide recruits. Apart from land force, Central also has a small fleet of navy based in Havaria Port, made of small vessels for littoral patrol.
Central also has its famous Military Academy, which has a long history as it was established since the time of Bloody Crusade. For years the Academy trains generations of fighters specialized in monster hunting and contributes greatly in containing monster threat. However, the Academy started to receive some criticisms in recent days. The complaints include the lack of military training that doesn’t include monster hunting as well as pointing out the serious bullying hierarchy among students.
Central Army in current time has fallen a long way from its prime back in Golden Age. It is composed of Heavy Infantry, Archers, Light Calvary and some support mages, nothing too special compared to neighboring countries. Their job nowadays are mainly guarding the cities and hunting stray monsters. Combat experience isn’t that great, to say the least.
However, there’s also a small but famous detachment: Vanguard Force. They are cheaper to maintain and thus saw much more actions, making them battle hardened. They are also a quiet diverse bunch, making them suitable to test out new army templates, new weapons and even new species as well.
I’ve mentioned a lot about War of Liberation. So next let’s dive into history and talk in detail about how this crucial event shaped the world as we know it.