Commonwealth

This is a placeholder page for content that PD are actively working on.

The information presented here is designed to give a feel for the foreign nation, and is by no means exhaustive. You can use this information to create backgrounds or inform role-playing on the field.

The focus of the Empire campaign is on the Empire and on the actions of its citizens, so every player must play an Imperial citizen following the normal rules for character creation. If you are fluent in one of the languages spoken in this nation then you can create a character who was originally from here but who has now become a citizen of the Empire if you wish.

There is no additional briefing material available to characters who are originally from this nation beyond what is presented below.^FAQ

Overview

The Commonwealth is a young nation, taking its first major steps on the world stage. Guided by a philosophy of the greatest good for the greatest number of people, the nation is convinced that it can make the world a better place - a conviction that makes its neighbours very nervous. Three times in the last fifty years, the Commonwealth has been at war with nearby countries and in each case they have been victorious. Yet rather than turning their conquered enemies into vassals, they have done everything possible to incorporate them into the greater Commonwealth.

Of particular interest to Imperial citizens are the Commonwealth ports which are open to trade with the Empire.

People

The modern Commonwealth is a highly meritocratic stratocracy. In some ways, it could also be likened to a simple caste structure. All political power in the Commonwealth lies in the hands of the military. Only those who serve are seen as worthy to make decision about the future of their nation. Final executive power lies in the hands of the general council. Retired military officers often return to civilian life, but a sizable number choose to continue to serve their nation in a support role. These ex-soldiers serve in support roles; while they no longer make decisions themselves they offer advice and logistical support to the men and women who do.

The general council does not exist in a vaccum however; a second "house" of power exists, composed of the wisest and best-educated philosophers, thinkers, and planners. The Commonwealth is known throughout the world for it's universities - centres of academic excellence that study everything from comparative religion to engineering, from medicine to ethics. Some of the most influential people in the Commonwealth are the philosophers who dedicate themselves to establishing the most ethical course of action for their nation.

The civilian population possesses a great deal of freedom, but they cannot hold political rank nor participate directly in government. They are expected to co-operate with and support the military. They can accumulate personal wealth, and ultimately serve to drive the economy of the Commonwealth, but only those who take up military service can guide the gain a voice in the running of their nation.

Politics

All political power lies in the hands of the military and all government positions are held by actively serving soldiers. Only those engaged in active service are able to participate in political decisions. Ultimate authority lies in the hands of the generals, each of whom leads a significant armed force. These generals make decisions on behalf of the entire nation as part of a unified general council.

The soldiers of the Commonwealth - from the lowest footsoldier all the way up to the most powerful generals - swear an oath not to the Commonwealth itself but to the idea of the common good. This oath is fairly straightforward and can be summed up as "Handle so, dass das größtmögliche Maß an Gutem entsteht!" (Act according to the principle of the greatest good for the greatest number of people).

Leerdam (Eastern Commonwealth)

In Leerdam the Eastern Commonwealth finds its purest expression; traders from across the sprawling nation come to trade with foreign merchants, while mendicant preachers advocate their strange philosophy of "the greatest good" to visitors and residents alike.

Volkavaar (Western Commonwealth)

The mithril spires of Volkavaar are snow-bound all year round. Here the Commonwealth operates its great university of magic and engineering, and the grand Temple of the Common Good serves as a point of pilgrimage for their strange faith.