The Republic of Sudenia

South of the Kingdom of Aquila lies the Republic of Sudenia, reaching all the way to the tip of the southern peninsula. Sudenia was originally a duchy of the Aquilan Empire, and was the first to join Falkenstad in revolt. The Mages Guild seized power during the chaos and established a magocracy in Sudenia.The nobility of Sudenia are all wizards, or at least descended from wizards. Non-wizard noble family members are usually relegated to the military, the navy, or to the bureaucracy. The heads of the noble houses are styled Mage Lords. The most powerful and influential Mage Lords form the ruling parliament, called the Synod. The Head of the Synod, elected by the Mage Lords, is called the Hierophant.The state religion of Sudenia revolves around the worship of Empeiria, goddess of magic. Other gods are not forbidden, but she is revered first and foremost among the gods, unlike the rest of the human kingdoms who revere Arete as the Queen of Heaven.Due to the widespread literacy fostered by worship of the goddess of magic and learning, Sudenia has the highest literacy rate of any of the human kingdoms. Slavery is officially outlawed in Sudenia, but debtors are sometimes sentenced to indentured servitude.The Synod’s official police force is the corps of mage-knights known as the Order of the Dragon. The Order of the Dragon serve the Hierophant and the Synod directly and as such are feared and respected, despite owning no land or business interests of their own.The capitol of Sudenia is Gustin, the second largest and richest city in Nowalde. Gustin is the seat of power of the Synod, as well as the various non-mage guilds, known collectively as the Collegia.The Collegia is for the most part corrupt, and is synonymous with the Thieves Guild. Most craftsmen and merchants pay fees to the Collegia in exchange for protection. In return, the Collegia keeps petty thieves and thugs in check, and mediates disputes among commoners. The tax revenues generated by the Collegia insure little interference from the Synod, so long as crime is kept at a reasonable level.An order of eunuch monks dedicated to Empeiria, known as the Jetti, act as household bodyguards to the Mage Lords and clerics of Sudenia. The Jetti are superb athletes and bodybuilders, renowned for their feats of strength and grappling prowess. Sudenian executioners are always Jetti, and the favored method of execution is to drive a large nail into the head of the condemned with the flat of their palms.