A bit of Cardien history:
The first post-Banestorm immigrants to what is now Cardiel were a mix of Sunni and Shia tribesmen. After the Megalan crusades against al-Wazif began in the fifteenth century, they organised for self defence as the nation of al-Kard.
However, al-Kard was never as unified as al-Wazif or al-Haz, and it swiftly fell to Megalan conquest, beginning at Hadaton. After the conquest, the crusaders divided the country amongst themselves and began importing Catholic immigrants.
Many of the early lords treated their Muslim subjects harshly, provoking revolt. This, combined with the pressure of an occasional failed jihad from al-Haz, had a selective effect on the local lords. The tolerant ones who integrated with the local community thrived, while the harsher lords withered.
Eventually, these more tolerant lords came to dominate. Their subjects were more productive and less likely to assist the Hazi invaders. In return, these lords came to see their interests as being more aligned with the people of Cardiel than the Emperor in Megalos, and successfully declared independence in the late 18th century. However, the Megalans hung onto Hadaton for twenty years; it wasn’t conquered/liberated by the Cardiens until the early 19th century.
Cardien law has three unusual features. Firstly, religious tolerance is guaranteed. Secondly, slavery is illegal. Thirdly, execution by torture is banned (although “given to the Mages’ Guild for experimentation” is not…).
The country is divided into seven semi-autonomous regions, each ruled by a great Lord. The country overall is ruled by a Prince. This isn’t a hereditary title; the Prince is elected by the Lords. Election as Prince is a lifetime appointment, but any Prince who irritates the Lords too much won’t have a very long lifetime.
The previous ruler, Prince Micardene of Tredroy, died a year ago. The current ruler is Prince Crivelli of Hadaton.
As mentioned above, Hadaton was the first region of al-Kard to be conquered in the Megalan Crusades and the last bit to be liberated in the Cardien War of Independence. It is still the most Catholic and Megalan part of the country, where the usual Cardien tolerance isn’t quite as guaranteed as in other places.
Imagine Northern Ireland if it had been forcibly reunited with the Republic of Ireland, two hundred years previously. They’re loyal Cardiens these days, but culturally a bit distinct from the rest of the country.
Hadaton itself is a port city of about 50,000 people. Not a match for the 200,000 found in Tredroy, but substantial.
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