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.

Politics

The modern Commonwealth is a highly meritocratic stratocracy. All political power lies in the hands of the military. All government positions are held by soldiers, and 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 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. This second house has no executive power. Instead, it presents plans, projects, and schemes to the general council based on careful study and heated debate. Such projects often require extensive commitment of people and resources; the generals use a method somewhat reminiscent of the gambits presented by the Imperial Conclave to determine which projects will be implemented and which will be refused.

The civilian population possesses a great deal of freedom, but they cannot hold political rank nor participate directly in government and are expected to co-operate with and support the military. At all times, however, the meritocratic nature of the Commonwealth means that anyone can leave civilian life behind and enter the military, or seek acceptance into one of the universities, and gain a voice (however limited) in the running of their nation.

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.

In all cases, the Commonwealth practices a form of democracy in which people select their own leaders. When there is an opening for a position, rank, or title the people who will ultimately report to, or be represented by, that title select one of their number to hold it. For example, a unit of soldiers selects their own captain from among their own ranks - not even the generals can appoint someone to a leadership position. Rather than spending their time attempting to impress their superiors, ambitious Commonwealth citizens spend their time gaining the confidence of their peers and proving their competence to those who will be most impacted by it.

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.