The Kingdom of Naican is a human splinter kingdom that emerged from the collapse of the Empire of Sherpven following the decisive Battle at the Ford (~40 years ago). It is a militarized, pragmatic realm located west of the Queendom of Odruila and northwest of the Kingdom of Atozar.
Geography & Location
- Situated in the northern temperate landmass, directly bordering Odruila to the east and sharing a portion of the Vraitnik Planina mountain arc as its southern border with Atozar.
- Terrain consists of rolling hills, forested uplands, and river valleys that feed into the northern drainage systems.
- Climate is continental with cooler winters and moderate summers; the proximity to the Vraitnik Planina provides some natural defensibility but also exposes it to wilderness threats from orc and goblin tribes.
Size & Population (Locked)
- Area: Approximately 80,000 – 100,000 square miles (smaller and more compact than Atozar or Odruila).
- Population: Approximately 1.8 – 2.2 million (predominantly human, with small elven minorities in border regions). The population is relatively dense in fortified settlements due to the militarized nature of the kingdom.
Government & Political Structure
- A feudal kingdom ruled by King Augustýn Beran III.
- Central authority is stronger than in Atozar but still limited by the post-imperial fragmentation. Local lords and military commanders hold significant power, especially along the tense Odruilan border.
- Governance is heavily influenced by the lingering militaristic culture of the old Sherpven Empire. The army and border defenses remain the primary focus of royal resources.
Economy & Trade
- Economy is oriented toward military production, mining, and limited river trade.
- Naican maintains some black-market connections with the Confederation of Jabezidanian City-States for restraint artifacts (iron and adamantium sets), which are used both for internal security and border control.
- Trade with Atozar is cautious and limited due to ongoing border tensions.
Demographics
- Predominantly human with Czech-inspired naming conventions.
- Small elven populations exist in border areas, but relations with light elves are strained due to the history of conflict with Odruila.
Relations with Neighbors
- Odruila: Tense and occasionally hostile. Naican is in a cold war posture following the collapse of the Empire of Sherpven and the Battle at the Ford. Border skirmishes and raids are common.
- Atozar: Cautious and pragmatic. Some trade occurs, but relations are complicated by Naican’s history of aggression and its use of Jabezidanian restraint artifacts.
- Confederation of Jabezidanian City-States: Distant but economically relevant through black-market trade in slave restraints and occasional joint raiding ventures.
- Wilderness Threats: Constant pressure from orc and goblin tribes in the Vraitnik Planina region.
Notable Characters
- King Augustýn Beran III: Current ruler, focused on maintaining military strength and border security.
- Captain Ladislav Sládek: Naicanian Army officer directly involved in the capture of the three Odruilan Royal Guards (Siphanien, Meriel, Nakiasha) in the comic events.
- Leopold Přibyl: Captain Sládek’s aide-de-camp.