Imperium
The Imperium of Man, or just "Imperium" for short, is a powerful empire made up of many vassal states. It boasts itself as the most progressive and powerful nation in the world being a democratic republic with an elected emperor presiding over a senate and high council. Though the empire's demographics are primarily human, it welcomes all peoples and creeds within its fold granted they adhere to the Imperium's laws. As the Imperium continues to expand, many see it as a growing threat to peace in the Midlands while others see it as possible salvation from the divisions of the past.
The peninsula of Defteros was once a collection of colonies under the rule of the Promethean Empire before it crumbled as a result of the death of its demigod emperor. After the Promethean Empire fell, a few general and councilors set up shop in Defteros and slowly began building a new empire upon the remnants of the old one. This new empire is now called the Imperium of Man.
Locations of note:
HUMANIS
The central city of the Defteros peninsula and supposedly the birthplace of mankind, Humanis boasts a variety of human cultures, artifacts, and ruins throughout its territories. Great buildings of various styles rise high above the land as engineering marvels. The grandest of all its towers is the Tower of Man, where the throne of the emperor resides as well as the senate chambers.
MELA SUREJ
Once home to the southern dwarves, it was easily conquered by the Promethean Empire and again by the Imperium. Now Mela Surej is a vassal state. Many southern dwarves continue to live in their ancient home, though they are now subject to human rule.
PROTA
Once the capital to the Promethean Empire, native Protans insist their lands are the true birthplace of mankind, not Humanis. Protans are known for their incredible warriors and ruthless battle tactics. They cast their own young over cliffs if they are seen as sickly or malformed at birth and raise their male children in the art of combat before they've even see their ninth winter. Protan warriors are often called inhuman in these practices, but none can deny their effectiveness. The Imperium attempted to conquer Prota numerous times, and failed every time with devastating losses. Eventually, the Imperium elected the Protan's cousin as their emperor who then begged his blood family to join the Imperium not as a vassal but as a partner. The Protan king agreed, and thus they are now part of the Imperium and enjoy the most freedom of any state within it's borders. So much so, that people know not to break Protan law within their borders, because no extradition is honored in Prota. Disrespect in Prota could easily mean death even for one of royal blood, so few dare to enter without knowing the local customs and respecting them.
SOL
Sol, the City of the Sun, and Crown Jewel of the Central Sea was the founded upon an island where a temple to a sun god once presided. The temple was known for blessing travelers so regularly with greater power than most clerics would muster, that it became a place of pilgrimage. It grew into a palace temple and grand city adorned with gold and jewels, blessed as sacred and holy. Legend says that coming with an open heart and clear mind and praying in the temple is all that is needed to achieve a miracle. However, closed hearts will be cast out quickly. Or so the legend says...
SWORDAINE
Located just outside Protan borders and known as the City of Swords and Colosseum City, Swordaine is a sight to behold. Filled with a hodgepodge of different bars, taverns, temples, and smaller arenas surrounding the largest Colosseum in the world. People come from all around the world to watch the fighting festivals.
The Grand Colosseum was founded nearly 100 years ago by the infamous Protan warrior known as the Gladiator King. Arenas had become popular in his day and age but he rose up from a slave and earned his freedom as a gladiator and then proceeded to go into the military, rise through the ranks, marry into noble blood, go into politics and eventually earn the title of emperor. He used the Colosseum to help the new Imperium avoid the declining ruin of the old empire.
The colosseum may be the largest and most sophisticated arena ever seen, but not all gladiators here are criminals who've been enslaved for their crimes. Many have come to compete willingly to test their mettle, earn coin, prove their worth, train and study warfare, or just come to satisfy their own bloodlust...legally. Freely participating gladiators are often found hanging out in one of the taverns and inns that surround the area when not training or competing. One of the most infamous taverns is the Hungry Dragon, a tourist spot renowned for its bar fights, security team and the fact that it is the only tavern known to have hosted a barfight that the Gladiator King himself participated in.
The Grand Colosseum is not purely a place for competitive matches in the arena, but also serves as a military barracks and school for training in the many martial arts. Even mage academies and religious temples send their spellcasters and monks to train here for every purpose from medic to commander. Many areas of the colosseum are split up into various training schools, each with a different art of war to be taught. Some students enroll in multiple schools at a time and oddly enough this is encouraged by most instructors who are just as eager to learn new ways of war as they are to teach them. Many instructors were once gladiators in the arena, although most have retired their gladiatorial days in favor of teaching.
Public violence is not illegal if all involved in it consented (although proving this is difficult and controversial) and all damages are paid for. However, locals are warned not to disrupt tourism and to ensure that they personally know who they're beating senseless before they risk getting themselves arrested (the irony of this matter is not lost on the guards or the local riffraff but it is still enforced). Only the most brutal and sadistic crimes get someone enslaved in the arena, though the arena loves an excuse to take in more gladiators. They even accept prisoners from neighboring cities and countries offering to take the cost of feeding and housing them off their hands. The people of Colosseum City rarely pay more than menial taxes because the revenue from the arenas, training schools, free trade and confiscated possessions from slaves keeps the entire nation wealthy.
TRIPORT
Triport was once three separate port cities across the Midlands. As they expanded, their borders became so close together, all three cities and ports became collectively known as Triport. It now stands as the largest port city in the world as well as the largest port in the world and a bustling center of trade and travel in the Midlands. It's been said that you can find pretty much anything in Triport.