Dulkan Merchant Commonwealth (Dul-kan)

The Dulkan Merchant Commonwealth is a country based on city states. These city states are each economic hubs of their specific Quarters and are referred to as City States. There are 7 Quarters within the country, with each being considered their own entity bound by their Free Cities. There is a distinct difference between life inside the Free Cities and life within the rural villages and towns that aren't Free Cities, with most people within the large Quarter capitals being ignorant of where they get their goods from and the hard work the people take.   Each Free City is lead by a Graf (feminine: Grafine), as well as a Altermanner that owns the Kontor (Local Banks and Stock Exchanges) which is seen as a sign of prestige and crowning for villages when they become a Free City. The people here are focused on making money and keeping the money flowing into and out of their Free City. Without money, the whole idea of the Dulkan Merchant Commonwealth cannot survive.   The capital city of The Dulkan Merchant Commonwealth is Lulbeck, and it is one of the most populous cities in not only the Commonwealth, but the whole world. Despite this city being exceptionally gaudy, no one is allowed within their governmental district without clearance from the Archduke.

Dulkani culture focuses majorly on the money flow in and out of the country. Most people within the massive and influential Free Cities focus on money, buying fashionable clothes, jewelry and making sure your house shows the most opulent in the block. This is completely disingenuous to what most of the people within the countryside deal with. When most affluent individuals go to a rural village, they are completely taken by shell shock at how different these people live their lives.

The Dulkan Merchant Commonwealth is one of the richest countries on this side of Syken. Over their time of ruling, they have amassed a large quantity of gold, silver, currency through their Kontores. With this wealth tied to their name, the government has even bought off the Quazil Horsemen, supplying them with goods, weapons in exchange for keeping themselves safe. This has lead to their own selfish safety, but could also lead to the power dynamic of Syken being shifted with an increase in Quazil weaponry. The governmental factions of the Merchant Commonwealth are:

The Legion of the Coin

The Legion of the Coin is the main army of the Dulkan Merchant Commonwealth. Their Army is unique as their armor makes noises similar to that of a coin purse. With unique indentations, the noise is both unsettling as it is a massive display of wealth, and a unique sign that the army is on it's way. Although the Army is rarely used, as the Government much rather solve their problems with money, the Legion of the Coin is trained to keep the Southern Border safe with a long set of Star Fortresses known as Midas' Purse.  

The Boreal's Gaze

Compared to the Legion of the Coin, the Boreal's Gaze acts as the watchmen for the towns and settlement of Commonwealth. There is a bit of rivalry between the two factions, as the Legion of the Coin despite their lack of use get more funding for military operations compared to the Boreal's Gaze. This leads to the Boreal Gaze either having to make their own weapons or armor, or not having proper commanders or military training. Most people believe in the Boreal's Gaze more than the Legion of the Coin, as the Gaze are often comprised of natives to the towns they watch over, where the Legion of the Coin almost always come strictly from the Capital, Lulbeck.  

The Polymath's Assembly

The Polymath's Assembly is the governing body within each town of the Commonwealth. Depending on the size of the town, they are delegated more seats and over specific aspects of control. They are usually elected by the Graf, as well as some that specifically deal with the civics of their town are voted by the people. The Polymath's Assembly is purposefully kept weak, and many towns elect not to have Polymaths because what purpose does a title with no power hold? Polymaths with real purpose are only useful in the bigger cities where they are given more power.  

The Divine Synod

The Divine Synod is the clerical organization that has become a growing faction within the Merchant Commonwealth. In a world without Gods and Goddesses, what purpose does a clerical orgfanization have? The purpose of the Synod is to provide hope for the people of the Dulkan Merchant Commonwealth. Hope that there is something to believe in with this world. A collection of Frau (Saint) that are said to be blessed with divine power, their Clerics travel around the Commonwealth performing miracles.

The Dulkan Merchant Commonwealth was formed over 350 years ago. Syken was a completely different place 400 years ago. States that existed then were gone in the blink of an eye. The Dulkani Merchant Commonwealth formed together from a collection of small and influential city states. The Commonwealth formed and began to expand their influence through money and diplomacy. It has been noted by historians that the Dulkan Merchant Commonwealth never formally declared a war in it's 350 years of existence.    The Commonwealth thrived due to it's amount of money it could pay off any invader and keep themselves safe. That was until the Quazil Horsemen began to dominate the Plaines to the south. After besting the Gnolls that lived there and forced the Gnolls to head to the Many Howling Mountain Range. The Quazil were different in that they do not care about money and how it moves societies like the Dulkan Merchant Commonwealth. The Quazil care about wealth, but not of the monetary variety.    However, over time, the Commonwealth made themselves look weak and despite money being their main focus, the Legion of the Coin used their massive amount of wealth to create a mass of Star Fortresses that managed to repel the Quazil and make the Commonwealth an unfavorable target. Decades later and the Quazil are stronger than ever, but now, the Commonwealth and the Quazil have signed an armsitice to ensure that both sides don't destroy one another in a long and drawn out war.   Now in an era of peace, the Dulkan Merchant Commonwealth is happily in a state of stagnation. It's future lies in the balance, if changes happen across Syken, the Commonwealth will either be at the center of it, or will be affected by it.