Seibeq

Seibeq is a smaller nation on a continent far to the west. To its east and west, it is flanked by the countries Vowen and Krildorne. To the south, the waters of the Aley sea are warm and lively with sea trade. Iralia is its capital which sits astride the Tem River. Aside from the capital city, the other three major cities are Alessis, Drakkem, and Merra. The primary population is humans but culturally, they are welcoming of many other races. Among notable landmarks are the scorched beaches on the south coast, the Ancient Plateau that forks the Tem, The High Cliffs, the Herrsen Forge, and even Sansaru Tower. Seibeq's climate is mostly temperate which transitions to near-arctic in the north. In the winter, snows may drift down to Iralia or even north of the desert but it is uncommon.

Major Cities
Seibeq has several levels and areas of national and regional leadership.

Iralia
The national government of Seibeq is seated in the capital, Iralia. There, Lord Irek Orrs run most matters of internal affairs from infrastructure and national guard to economy and exports. Historically, however, despite being the third in the ruling line of Orrs, Irek and his family are not the true kings of Seibeq. The last line of royalty mysteriously ended a hundred years ago and rule was handed over to the Orrs, who were traditionally trusted advisers to the kings.

The military is also governed here, commanded by Gen. Rhys Orrin. It is responsible for providing guard service in the capital and mobilizing against threats against Seibeq on a national level (invaders, terrorists, etc.) when they arise. Citizens from any city or town are free to enlist. Currently, most of the general's time is split between investigating the [REDACTED] cult and keeping the guard running despite losing men to the House War.

Iralia is the only significant settlement in its region.

Alessis
The regional capital of Hillsreach, Alessis is the home of the Great House Jaumhati. Located in the west of Seibeq among the rolling hills, this Romanesque city resembles the North-African colonies of the ancient, IRL Roman empire. Of all of the major cities in Seibeq, Alessis is the the smallest both in area and population. However, what it lacks in numbers, it makes up in skill.

Alessis is place for warriors and their honor and House Jaumhati rules with exactly those things. A "ruling elder" type of patriarchy, the Jaumhatis command many of the strongest and most skilled combatants to their ranks. Sere-Oterick Jaumhati is the Grandmaster and highest voice of the house. Father of two and grandfather of five, he demands honor and respect and gives no less. While he rules at the top, he delegates two major divisions to his sons. Ser-Kralin Jaumhati is Master of Coin, the economics and markets overseer and accountant, and Ser-Mudrus Jaumhati is Master of Steel, captain of the city guard and house militia. Ser-Kralin is also the mayor of Cliffside.

Alessis is joined in its region by four other towns: Homal, Anda, Serren, and Cliffside.

Drakkem
Located in the corner of the nameless desert to the southeast, Drakkem is the largest city in Seibeq and seat of the Great House Taladen. Very technomagically advanced, the city employs some of the most brilliant wizards, engineers, and artificers to create and maintain powerful and complex infrastructure including not one, but two rail lines.

House Taladen operates on a primarily council-based government. The mayor and other city councilors reach agreements on how to deal with issues and present legislation. The current mayor, [TBD] Taladen and his council of economic, engineering, magic, and martial experts have helped to turn Drakkem into the technomagical paradise it is, minus the slumworlds, of course.

The House continually professes itself as the "powerful family" rather than the "ruling family" despite the fact that every mayoral election that they host results in a win by a Taladen. The House has come under scrutiny many times for this but the attention often falls off shortly after.

Smaller towns in the region include: Yik, Feris, and Post. Also, although it is not explicitly in the region, a rail line does travel to the harbor city Odel.

Merra
In the northeast region of Zanaser, the highland hills are home to the city of Merra and its Great House: House Kelec. Merra is approximately the size of the capital city, Iralia but supports a significantly larger population. Drakkem is still larger in that regard, however. Merra is very economically diverse and strong. Markets specialize in exotic goods and even casinos bring in tourists and vacationers from all over.

However, even in a Vegas-like town such as this, there are secrets everywhere. Despite the Kelec officials being outwardly welcoming, the House hides many skeletons in its dark closets. Historically, the Kelec have been masters of subversion, intelligence, and espionage who command in their ranks a secret order of very skilled spies and assassins known as the the Elite Rogues. Few and far between are any skilled House fighters or soldiers so their causes are advanced by blades in the dark.

House Kelec is managed by another conciliatory body however all members are blood, are family. This mafia, so to speak, keeps the city alight and alive from their den of darkness and diversion. Casinos front money laundering, exotic traders disguise black markets, and among the shadows cast by the lights do move the secret strikers.

Hillsreach
From the High Cliffs to the beaches of the Aley and from the Tem river to the Vowen border, the western half of Seibeq is named for its soft rolling green hills. Hillreach is dominated politically by House Jaumhati but most cities are not under house control. They may service Jaumhati institutions while being protected by the house but are free cities with Jaumhati alliance only.

Beyond the jurisdiction of the house, many old sites can be found among the forested groves and hidden nooks among the hills. Weathered tombs and ruins hide in the woods while wayshrines of ages past stand aloft the hilltops, marking the paths to destinations unknown. From north to south the regional biomes shift from hilly open plains upon which sit Alessis, to the forests which extend to the coast and flanked by mountains to the east by the Tem.

Zanaser
This northeastern highlands region extends from just below the Herrsen Forge all the way to the Vox River. It is much hillier than Hillsreach and it's major city, Merra is built to accommodate the rapid changes in elevation. Zanaser is politically controlled by House Kelec who also has controlling figures in the majority of the minor cities as well.