Noxis

On the south-western shore of the nothern continent of the known world - the Kingdoms of Mankind - lies the country of Noxis, an Oligarchy controlled by the dukes and duchesses of powerfull noble houses. Noxis is renowned worldwide for it's bank, slavery system, sell-swords and headhunters. Like the tradesmen of Lodesquier, the noxic people are known all over the world and can be found in any civilized city. Gold means everything to them and they offer monetary loans to nearly anyone. Every deptor has to be carefull though since those who can not pay back the loan plus interests find themselves enslaved to work off the dept. In Noxis roughly 80% of the populations are slaves, some for their own accord, most because they were born there, sold by their parents to pay off the dept of ancestors. A large number of slaves are trained sell-swords, shipped throughout the world for gold to pay off the dept and enriching the nobles who own them in the process.

A system based on greed and corruption. The whole system grew this way because of the fantastical history of the founding of noxis. All the 5 houses that rule Noxis still represent the sin that originally led to the creation of this country. Internal struggles lead regulareley to disputes, even to power shifts within the order and generally an unstable inner freedom. If faced with a threat from outside though the Nobility of Noxis will always stick together.

Hierarchy

The Society of Noxis is mostly saperated into two groups, the Free People and Slaves. Both groups are seperated further into different casts, determining their reputation, responsibilities and rights. Generally speaking, any free person is worth more than a slave but on the higher slave ranks there are some exceptions.

The Free People of Noxis

The 5 Sovereigns

There are exactly 5 Sovereigns in Noxis. They are the ghosts of the 5 founders of Darklin, the Capital of Noxis. Just the Dukes, Duchesses and a selected group of noxic nobles know about their existence. They technically are the highest form of authority in the city but mostly they decide on goals that the Dukes and Duchesses have to accomplish. Usually they don't set requirements how to achieve them. There are more powerfull individuals among nobles and dukes compared to the 5 sovereigns, but the sovereigns are always reincarnated after being killed and together the five of them can take on nearly any opponent.

The Priest: Praiael

He founded the golden cathedral in Darklin and started the religion of Midas, god of wealth and gratitude. He was known as caring and loving. These traits masked his self-righteous narcissism and his need to be loved and looked up to. The religion of Midas is a perfect example, since he was the one using the golden Golem to create a church in his name, just to elevate himself to the highest priest. Every "gratefull offering" ends up being a hypocritical gesture, for he is the reason the golem gave up his body in the first place. They are the ones accasionally buying children off of enslaved people to reduce their sentence or they offer holy magic for those in need for sizable amount of gold.

The Sculptor: Sculpius

He founded the University "Silent Halls" in Darklin. He was known to be a talentless artist, but a genius scholar. He was never able to create beauty but was actually very capable of pragmatic science. His strife for perfection never reached creativity or beauty though which fuled his envy of those who were able to create pieces of art. Out of spite he became skilled in investigation and observation, learning all the dirty secrets of his competitors, blackmailing them or using the stolen knowladge for his own gain. To this day the scholars of the Silent Halls trade information and use blackmail for "voluntary gifts" for the university.

The Headhunter: Hurare

He founded Mudrock harbor in Darklin and the Headhunter guild called the "Widows Tears". He was known as a criminal, a Headhunter without mercy. Even though he bareley left people alive, after some time many people wanted his death. His natural instinct saved him every time though, always being one step ahead. His Insight and Perceptiveness were nearly unmatched and his tracking skills were legendary. Headhunters of the Widows Tears are not only noxic. Many free people from all over the world join this guild, being promised great rewards to the point they can't leave it behind anymore. If people try to, they are hunted by their own former colleagues.

The Banker: Bantos

He founded the Black Bank in Noxis, the biggest bank in the known world. He was knows as a large, fat and heartless business man with an unending hunger. Parred with his persuasiveness and intelligence he seemed to others always like a trustworthy partner though. To this day many noble houses all over the world are indepted to the bank and are just granted the freedom to coninue their reign as long as it benefits the Black Bank. If nothin else helps, a bribe will do.

The Soldier: Soldio

He founded the Darklin Fort and the Golden Order, the Mercenary Army of Noxis. He was known to be a sadistic military drill instructor. Aside from his terrible nature, he was excelent at his job of breaking down people to create loyal and skilled soldiers. If soldiers are needed somewhere in the world, the golden order can provide them. Especially a century old cooperation with Lodesqier helped financing this organisation of sell-swords and helped them grow to a sizable force with excellent fighting power.

Duke/Duchess

The Dukes and Duchesses of Noxis are seen by the world as the rulers of Noxis. This Oligarchy consists of 5 Dukes or Duchesses, representing one of the sovereigns each and thus leading one of the big 5 institutions in Noxis: The Religion of Midas, the Scholars of the Silent Halls, the Widows Tears guild, the bankers of the Black Bank and the Golden Order. Some of these Individuals belong to the bloodline of the 5 Sovereigns but not all of them. They are at all times in a struggle with each other for more control, unless something threatens Noxis as a whole.

Barons

Barons are the active liveblood of the country, while the 5 great institutions provide a solid foundation for Noxis to function as a whole. Each Baron belongs to a Duke/Duchess and acts on their behalf. They are to a great extend selfserving though and loyaltys can change. Barons come and go, just the best of them can hold this position over a long time. Barons need to be appointed by a Duke/Duchess and they need an area that they are ment to control. The big 5 institutions do not fight openly with each other, the Barons are doing the dirty work for them.

Noble

Nobles are appointed and serve in most cases directly under a higher authority within Noxis. No Land or area of control is needed. This position is most often granted to those succeeding on the behalf of the Barons.