Welcome to the immersive lore of the Splinterlands. In this series of articles, we present a comprehensive exploration of the major splinters of Praetoria. Each week, you’ll learn about a new splinter: its governance, economy, races, religions, culture, and more. Gain a deeper understanding of the Splinterlands and the splinters that shape it so the next time you see Eternan Brune or an Imperial Knight on the battlefield, you’ll know exactly what you’re up against.
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Gloridax Empire

"For dragons' flames."

Overview

The Gloridax Empire is an absolute monarchy and an aggregate of many separate polities under the supreme rule of the Suam Emperor. The center of the empire exercises political control over its subordinate peripheries, with different populations having different sets of rights and forms of governance, all of which answer to the emperor.

Originating from the continent of Draykh-Nahka, the Gloridax Empire began its colonization of Praetoria shortly after the fall of the Wizards’ Veil. It has laid claim to much of the northern portion of the Northern Highlands and continues to expand into the Pristine Northwest territory, where it has established settlements along the west coast of Icewall Bay, and Wild Northeast territory, establishing several garrisons and settlements on the kingdom’s frontier in the western area of the Northeast Machair. Its capital, Oasis, is located in mountainous foothills and protected by the range’s towering slopes. The city of Solace is located on the southern shore of Icewall Bay and is a major trading port for the empire.

Governance

Grounded in an ethos of duty and honor, the governance of the Gloridax Empire is meticulous and deliberate. At its heart, the Suam Emperor presides as the supreme ruler and the axis around which all political activity revolves.

Grand Consul

The Suam Emperor’s power is consolidated and articulated through the Grand Consul, a council of advisors and ministers who serve at the emperor’s pleasure.

The Grand Consul is organized as follows:

• The Imperial Councilor serves as the personal advisor to the emperor.
• The Imperial Priest or Priestess serves as the emperor’s personal religious advisor.
• The Commandant Councilor serves as the military advisor to the emperor and is charged with the administration of the Imperial Academy.
• The Justice Councilor serves as the judiciary advisor to the emperor.
• The Minister of the Guards serves as chief of the imperial guards, who are hand-picked from among the Dragonsguard to protect the imperial family and its properties.
• The Minister of the Imperial Household serves the emperor in all matters concerning the imperial family and its properties.
• The Minister of Finance serves as the financial advisor to the emperor and is charged with enforcing the emperor’s fiscal policies, to include tax collection and the disbursement of expenditures.
• The Minister Steward manages the palace treasury and the finances of the imperial family.
• The Minister of Ceremonies serves as the emperor’s master of ceremonies.
• The Minister of Heraldry is charged with keeping an official record of the imperial lineage and line of succession, as well as a private record of the emperor’s daily activities.

Dragonsguard

The Dragonsguard is the military arm of the Gloridax Empire, responsible for the law, order, and protection of its lands. Extremely prestigious and disciplined, it is comprised primarily of drakoshans, although nagas, serpentine, high elves, Draykhan humans, and various minority groups are found within its castes as well.

The Dragonsguard fosters a deep sense of belonging and purpose. Service is considered a great honor and increases a family’s hierarchical status within the empire. Likewise, the Imperial Academy plays a pivotal role, serving as a crucible in which raw talent and inherent abilities are honed to perfection. Subsequently, many drakoshan broods are bred and raised solely to maximize their potential for acceptance into the academy and advancement within the ranks of the Dragonsguard.

Led by the Dronach Shogun, the Dragonsguard has a clear hierarchy of castes that echoes the social order of the empire.

• Dragyo are regional commanders charged by the Dronach Shogun—and, by extension, the Suam Emperor themself—with the rule and governance of their area of responsibility.
• Shiminach are a caste of land-owning elite within the Dragonsguard. The size of their land and the number of Dragonsguard under their command is directly proportional to their standing in the caste’s hierarchy.
• Kuteiragan are knights that fight from the skies while mounted upon the backs of drakes; a rare few have had the privilege of serving a dragon as its rider, as well. Those at the top of the caste’s hierarchy often command a contingent of Dragonsguard.
• Dragutsu are knights that fight dismounted or as cavalry. Like the kuteiragan, those at the top of the dragutsu’s hierarchy may command a contingent of Dragonsguard, although the caste is considered lower in station than their airborne counterparts.
• Dragudo are accomplished archers and also proficient in mounted combat.
• Ashinach are foot soldiers and form the bulk of the Dragonsguard forces.
• Ronach is a general term that encompasses ashinach in training, conscripts, and those of the Dragonsguard who have left the ranks of their caste, either in retirement or disgrace; the difference between each is distinguished by subtle inflections in the pronunciation of ronach.

Economy

The Gloridax Empire has a complex, hierarchical economy centered around its capital city, Oasis. A significant portion of the empire's wealth comes from its aggressive colonization and control of resource-rich areas. The Central Fire’s Northern Highlands is known for its abundant mineral resources, and the Pristine Northwest and Wild Northeast are known for their fertile lands and forests, while Icewall Bay provides abundant seafood.

Trade is also a vital part of the empire's economy, with the city of Solace serving as a major port. The empire exports raw resources and imports luxury goods for the elite classes. Internally, a complex system of tribute and taxes is managed by the Grand Consul’s Minister of Finance. Wealth from these systems supports the infrastructure of the empire, funds the Dragonsguard, and underpins the opulence of the ruling classes.

Because of its use in the Arena Games, Gloridax coinage is the most commonly used currency of the Splinterlands. It is almost universally recognized and accepted, and Gloridax money lenders and changers can be found in nearly every major city.

Demographics

Races

The Gloridax Empire’s citizenry is a collection of diverse ethnic, national, cultural, and religious components, with a hierarchy of rights and prestige radiating from the empire’s center. At the top of its hierarchy are the drakoshans, followed closely by naga. Draykhan humans and serpentine fall slightly lower, and other minority groups are near the bottom. The empire also comprises a large population of kobolds, who mostly function as servants and slaves.

Religions

Most of the empire’s citizenry worships Helios, Sun God of Dragons, although a significant portion worship Brood Mother Yrsiss, Goddess of Dragons.

Culture

The Gloridax Empire's culture reflects the core values and heritage of its people. Rooted in duty and honor, its long-held traditions resonate with a deep sense of purpose and shared identity.

Common characteristics of its architecture include dragon motifs; sweeping, multi-tiered roofs; strong, prominent beams; and sturdy, stilt-like pillars that elevate structures off the ground. Interior spaces are simple and efficient in design, often featuring versatile sliding partitions, while exterior landscaping traditionally consists of gardens that harmonize the flow of elements.

Ancient epics and other tales are traditionally told in text and illustrations inscribed on scrolls crafted from paper or silk and rolled around wooden dowels, with the story unfolding as the scroll unrolls horizontally. The performing arts are vivid spectacles, with traditional dragon dances, martial demonstrations, and ballads accompanied by string instruments creating a captivating symphony of the empire’s past, present, and aspirations for the future.

The Gloridax Empire’s cuisine is known for its robust and eclectic flavors. A typical meal is a balanced mix of spiced meats, fruits, and grains. Cooking is usually done over open flames, and the Gloridax’s proclivity for strong spirits is said to invigorate the soul as much as the body.

Physical prowess and strategic acumen are highly regarded, as reflected in the popularity of competitions showcasing skills such as drake riding and martial arts. Likewise, the Arena Games are ingrained into the fabric of Gloridax culture, with the Imperial Academy’s Drakon Crucible being a popular venue for both high-profile tournaments and ranked battles among the sport’s most renowned battle mages.