CAPITAL: Asaris | POPULATION: 8 MIL
RULER: King Jahan Abbasi | LANGUAGE: Habaken (Punjabi)
Habaka is famous for two things: being the least religious country, and having the largest population of slaves in a world that's more or less abolished the practice. With more than half of the people currently enslaved, Habaka entertains a relatively tenuous relationship with the other nations, but their collective talents with science, mathematics, and their merchant trade makes them indispensible. Yet that somehow doesn't prevent them from making their fair share of enemies, either - they often refuse to assist Yoscos, which leads to the occasional skirmish along their borders.
CAPITAL: MIDDLEBURY | POPULATION: 4 MIL
RULER: President Bartholomew Jones | LANGUAGE: Yosi (Russian), Felesian (English)
One hundred years ago, New Allem was a territory of Yoscos. Originally colonized by the Yosic, the New Allems began petitioning for their independence over seventy five years into it. The Yosic were arrogant enough to believe themselves powerful enough to quickly crush those rebels and put an end to any talk about revolution. What they hadn't expected was the rebels being supported by Pitchfell, an alliance that eventually led to New Allem's victory. Since then, New Allem's success has been something of an irritation to the rest of the world. Though they're a peaceful nation whose education is among the highest in the world, they are proof that a democracy can work, that the people don't require a king or queen to rule over them in order to prosper. And that frightens some people.
CAPITAL: Cinehagen | POPULATION: 10 MIL
RULER: Princess Helena Fairchild | LANGUAGE: Felesian (English)
Pitchfell is the most technologically advanced nation, thanks to the Fairchilds, the country's Royal Family. Though it's relatively small, Pitchfell has become a global powerhouse, producing the most advanced airships in the world. As the years pass and other countries begin to catch up, however, their political influence has become a driving force behind keeping them relevant. A traditionally conservative and deeply religious people, the Felese are known for their commitment to faith and the Crown, though their social politics are severely lacking.
CAPITAL: Herberg | POPULATION: 5.5 MIL
RULER: King Erwan Kistner | LANGUAGE: Voen (German)
The country of Voxford is one with deep, complicated ties to both Yoscos and Pitchfell. As the largest export of iron and steel, Voxford is relied upon for most of the resource material required to build both airships - and weapons of war. Because of this, nations often vie for Voxford's allegiance, and when even a whisper of tension arises, Voxford finds itself at the center of every treaty. The people are generally apathetic about this fact, however, as they're too busy with far more important things - like training their blacksmiths and iron traders.
CAPITAL: Järvenpää | POPULATION: 3 MIL
RULER: King Jarl Leifsson | LANGUAGE: Steillish (Swedish)
If it wasn't obvious already, then you should know "Murdoc" is not Luis' real name. In fact, it's hard to say whether or not Luis is Luis' real name. Whatever the case may be, Luis has had something of a complicated past. As a young man, his apprenticeship alongside the best known doctors in the city was paid for by an anonymous benefactor for unknown reasons. Once completed, he came into the service of a man with a rather questionable reputation and then, suddenly, the man died from sickness and Luis was out on the streets. At least, that's the story Luis has told anyone who's bothered to ask. While that aspect of his life is kept secret, what is known is that Luis is a dedicated provider for the poor and, perhaps more interestingly, for anyone waving a black flag. Whether it's physical or spiritual healing, Luis offers both these service basically for free. All he asks in return is protection against whatever his past may throw at him.
Thief, Con Man
Every tragic story starts off with a dead mother and, sadly, the same applies to Tristan Stark. At the time of his birth, it was believed he was the only son to Brendan Stark and, perhaps more importantly, his wife Cosette. While the first few years of his life were comfortable, everything changed when his mother was assassinated by a foreign dignitary. Brendan followed her less than a year later, effectively leaving Tristan an orphan in his brother's care. Everything might have worked out in the end had it not come to light that Tristan was not Brendan's son at all, but the product of a secret affair with a man only known as "G". Although the entire affair was kept secret, arrangements were made behind closed doors; Tristan was formally disinherited and removed from the Stark household at the age of seven. Since then, he's been raised by the leader of the Thieves' Guild -- a man called OLIVIER? sitting neatly on Michael Stark's pay roll for his services.
Noblewoman, Assassin
There's something wrong with Cordelia Tremayne. Her behavior could be chalked up to that of a typical spoiled noblewoman, raised by a family who couldn't say "no" to her, yet that isn't entirely true. The Tremaynes came into the Court's favor under mysterious circumstances sometime ago, when Cordelia's paternal grandfather came into the service of King [GRANDPA KING]. Suddenly, this family of blacksmiths and woodworkers were thrust into high society and have remained there for some time now. Fact is, the Tremaynes have been assassins for the Crown since then, although the tradition quite nearly died when Cordelia was born. Nearly being the keyword -- Cordelia is a killer, just like her father and her father's father, though she seems to take far more pleasure in the act than they ever did. Even after she married, she refused to give up her favorite hobby, and now that her son is reaching the same age she did when she began her career, she's taken a keener interest in the fine art of murder.