Maybe I should give a gist of the story, or the entire draft:
Azure: Legends of Alterra
Story:
On a world called Alterra, the east and west have been separated that a wide chasm called the Rift, so wide that no bird or dragon can fly over it. The Rift was formed when one of Alterra's two moons, the Azure moon, suddenly crashed into the planet a millennia ago, destroying the original 4 kingdoms and plunging the east into a period known as the Age of Chaos. During this age, a celestial being appeared in the form of a young woman, travelling Alterra and witnessed horrors as Warlords tried to pick up the pieces of the 4 kingdoms and establish themselves as rulers. Much blood was spilled over race, ideology, species and religion until one day, this celestial being met a young knight named Vlad who sought to bring peace to the land. Blaming the violence on ideological and cultural differences, Vlad sought to build a utopia where only one ideology and culture reigned. The celestial being fell in love with Vlad who christened her Azural and the two began their conquest. Azural wielded infinite sorcery while Vlad commanded legions of loyal Acolytes. Their good intentions to unite the world turned sour when all of the fighting factions of the East did unite...against them. After a great battle in the ruins of the Ancients, Vlad fell in battle, his death forcing his army to scatter while Azural disappeared off the face of the planet. Vlad's body was never found...
600 years later, 7 kingdoms have arisen in the east, some with roots to the 4 kingdoms, others new kingdoms forging their own legacies. The Age of Chaos had ended but war still reign through the east. Zhang Jiang, an aged advisor to the Empress of Zou, one of the original kingdoms of Alterra, seeks a way to attain youth and immortality, travels to the Northern ruins in hopes of discovering some secrets, only to awaken the sleeping Azural. Deciding that the time was ripe for her to return, Azural uses Zhang Jiang's unique ability of Necromancy and her own Demonology to raise an unholy army of dark minions to succeed where Vlad had failed. Attacking Zou and Xeria, her forces sweep through the land like a devastating plague, forcing the Empress of Zou to send out her daughter Sun Yi to form an alliance among the kingdoms to fight this mutual foe, but can the kingdoms put aside their hatreds and mistrust for one another long enough to face the common enemy or will their hatred doom them all?
Kingdom Description:
The Holy Xerian Empire:
The Holy Xerian Empire was one of the 4 Kingdoms before The Descent shattered the world and plunged Alterra into the Age of Chaos. During the Age of Chaos, Xeria was a war torn land ruled by Barons and Dukes of the original Xerian Kingdom who sought the opportunity to carve out the remains of the once great nation for themselves. It took nearly a century of war and three short dynasties before the Xerians began to unite under the banner of the Holy Light, the main Faith of Xeria. Through war and conversion, the Order of the Holy Light finally united Xeria and declared it the Holy Xerian Empire, championing their faith and ruling by religious mandates. In its first 100 years, the Hoy Xerian Empires control spread as far as the reaches of FaZar and Kelan but the Sorathian rebellion and Lacins military conquests would later drain the Empire of its prestige and power. Ruled by the Holy Emperor, Xeria, though not as great as it once was, remains a power in the East, rivalling Zou in strength. The Xerians are famed for their Emerald Rangers and their War Dragon cavalry. The Empire is made mostly out of Humans but it is common to see Minotaur Merchants, Felinx vagrants and other pilgrims of all creeds and races on their way to The Holy City, capital of the Xerian Empire
Zou:
Old Zou legends state that Zou was created when the Dragon of the Earth agreed to marry the Phoenix of Heaven and from their marriage, the great civilisation of Zou was born. Like Xeria, Zou was one of the original 4 Kingdoms that ruled Alterra before the Decent destroyed all semblance of order in the world, however, unlike Xeria or Lacin, Zou was quick to recover from the debacle. Even prior to the Descent, Zou was considered to be a nation of intellects, ruled under the Principles set by the 12 Great Sages, near-divine figures in Zou culture. Under the teachings of the 12, Zou enjoyed wealth through agriculture, trade, and political and social reformations. Even then, they had an impressive military that was well coordinated and commanded by some of the finest strategists in Alterras history. For a short while, Zou was consumed by a number of succession wars after the Royal family was killed in the Descent. After the smoke settled, the Sun family earned their place on the Celestial Throne and have ruled since. Zou is a feared nation known for its vast armies and militaristic policies. During the reign of Emperor Sun Kai Shang, Zou waged war on its neighbours, the Monarchy of Lacin and Ying over the Disputed Territories, a cluster of unaligned islands located off the coast of Zou. These conflicts proved fatal for all sides involved and the Emperor would fall in battle in an assault against Ying. Empress Sun Qiyang, wife to Kai Shang, currently rules Zou. She continues to press on the war against Ying and control over the Disputed Territories, inspiring Patriotism from the populous of Zou.
Ying:
After the Age of Chaos, a small island off the coast of Zou broke away and claimed independence. This was Ying, populated by a people whose practices and culture differs greatly from their former overlords even though they appear similar to the casual onlooker. The Ying consider themselves the true children of Heaven and Earth, claiming that in the years of the succession wars that took place in the mainland, the Zou had forgotten the teachings of the 12 Great Sages. Their independence was not hard earned as the Zou themselves were too embroiled in restoring their once great nation to its place of power, leaving Ying to make a place for themselves. However, in the years after their independence, the Ying made bold steps to expand their rule into the mainland. Their ambitions were cut short when the Sun clan became the ruling family of Zou and swiftly crushed Yings delusions of grandeur. Ying is a mountainous island nation, which makes some parts of the island natural fortresses, which is how they have managed to repel Zou for so long. Aside from humans, Zou is also home to a race of Cat-like people who reside in the mountains known as the Felinx. Legend has is that the Felinx are the children of the Dragon of Earth and its mistress, the Tigress of the Sea. The Felinx are a monkish race, preferring to keep to themselves. However they are responsible for teaching the people of Ying some of their most efficient and deadly martial arts, including Shadow Arts, the style adopted by the illusive Ninja of Ying. They are ruled by a Shogun who commands legions of Bushi. However, Ying continues to be focal points of violence as the Zou see them as traitors to their nation. Despite this, Ying has been able to survive this long by cleverly forging trade alliances with Xeria and Lacin, both kingdoms being long time rivals and enemies of Zou.
The Monarchy of Lacin:
Lacin is an ancient kingdom ruled by Elves. Like Zou and Xeria, it was one of the 4 kingdoms, but lost nearly 3/4 of its kingdom when the Azure moon descended onto Alterra, separating East and West. Because of this, the Lacinards were forced to expand aggressively, coming into conflict with other nations and warlords. Their new domain once included the vast deserts of FaZar however after years of poor management, failed agriculture reforms and rebellions from the native FaZari who were being taxed heavily, the Lacinards were forced to give up much of its territory after years of fighting took its toll on the Monarchy. Lacin is an Elitist society where Elves make up the Upper Class, taking up positions from Councilmen to Generals while Humans and other races are deemed Second-class or lower citizens, given menial tasks such as farming or construction. The Elves of Lacin have long been fascinated in the ways of Alchemy and sorcery, which is why of all the kingdoms; they are the most advanced in magicks. Their cities are also fortified by the presence of large cannon towers that defend the coast and its borders. Despite their elitist rule, Lacin has a large population of non-Elves that are deeply loyal to the Monarchy. Though charged with lesser tasks and often bullied by the all-too cocky Elves, non-Elven citizens of the Monarchy can hold titles above their Elven masters depending on their contributions to Lacin. Some of these lucky few are even privy to the thoughts and decisions of the Archon, whose word is law. The Monarchy is ruled by an Archon who must be an Elf of the Viridius bloodline. The Lacinards have a long-standing hatred against their one-time vassals, the Fa'Zari.
Sorath:
Sorath is not a kingdom by any means, but rather a state ruled by three Warlords vying for control of the land. A breakaway from Xeria, Sorath is a desolate place consumed in civil war as the three ruling Houses: Hector, Thorne and Marius struggle for total dominance. Soraths past is covered in as much blood as its present. During the waning years of the Holy Xerian Empire after its devastating war with Lacin over FaZar, three generals of the Xerian army plotted a coup against the Holy Emperor. The plot was discovered early in its planning stages but the generals, Marius, Hector and Thorne fled to the south of the Xerian continent and prepared for a reprisal from the Xerian forces. But with its most important elements of its military locked in combat with Lacin, the Xerians could not field an effective force to deal with the treacherous generals whom were masters of war. Soraths war of secession was short but brutal and resulted in half the Xerian continent falling to Sorath. The Holy Xerian Empires power base was shattered, leaving the Sorathians to bicker among themselves to decide who shall rule Sorath. The bickering and bloodshed has gone on for nearly 200 years. However, there are times when the three houses find themselves in agreement such as when an invading army attacks or if they believe that they should try to invade others. When in unison, the three houses lay devastation to nearly all who oppose them, only Fa'Zar and Geradon can lay claim to actually defeating the united might of Sorath. The Sorathians pride themselves on their brutal Gothic Knights, a legion of their finest infantry and are arguably the greatest infantry in the East. An Archduke rules House Hector, Marius by a Baron and Thorne can only be commanded by a woman with a strong command of sorcery and magick to attain the title of Witch Queen
Geradon:
During the period of the 4 Kingdoms, the Xerian fief lords kept whole communities of slaves to serve them, forbidding them the knowledge of reading or writing. As the Azure Moon descended and the Age of Chaos began, these slaves escaped their overlords, travelling by sea to a cluster of snowy islands south of the Xerian continent. There, the slaves divided themselves by the fiefs they once served and became the Clans of Geradon. They are feared warriors but are more known for their skills as sailors. The nine clans that make up Geradon live in surprising harmony, each clan ruled by a Chieftain and a Chieftain is chosen to become High Chieftain of the Clans based on his reputation as a warrior. Though their population is small as compared to nations like Fa'Zar, they were able to repel an invasion by the dreaded Sorathians, soundly defeating them at sea and later, taking the fight to Sorath itself along with their Fa'Zari allies. The Geradon language was at one time only verbal, but after an alliance was made with Fa'Zar, the Fa'Zari scholars had discovered and reintroduced runes that the Geradon clansmen had used as a language before their enslavement. Geradon is the staunch ally of Fa'Zar, its current High Chieftain, Nevarr Stromsword treating the Khalifah of FaZar as his own son.
The Caliphate of Fa'Zar:
The desert region of Fa'Zar has a history of being conquered. Before the Descent, Fa'Zar was at one time the neglected desert territories of Xeria and during the Age of Chaos; it was torn apart by Xerian Warlords hoping to carve out fiefs for themselves at the expense of the local population who suffered greatly. Then came the Lacinards having lost most of their realm to the Rift, conquered Fa'Zar from its rivals, establishing a caste system that placed the desert dwelling Fa'Zari in its lowest level. For three hundred years, the FaZari had never ruled FaZar until the Akdar tribe rebelled against the Lacinards along with the other 4 tribes that made up the Fa'Zari. Together they pushed the Lacinards out and the tribes elected the Akdar bloodline to rule over Fa'Zar. Fa'Zar is a strange mix of militarism and theology, but places high emphasis on religion and education. Ruled by nearly 23 generations of Akdar, Fa'Zar has known great peace and prosperity until a recent assault by a Sorath-Lacin alliance snapped up half their territory. The young Prince Mikhail Akdar assumed the throne and reclaimed the lost territories in a short period of two years, dealing with the rebellious Ismin tribe that has feuded with the Akdars since the birth of the Caliphate. Despite his victories, Khalifah Mikhail grew unpopular among the people who considered him a warmonger. Accepting the fact that he was more of a warrior and a general than a ruler, Mikhail abdicated the throne and left it to his younger brother Musa before disappearing. The Fa'Zari are well known for their Cavaliers as they have a strong connection to horses. The Futawwa Outriders are the deadliest cavalry on Alterra who serve only the Khalifah. The FaZari are also known for their sporadic tactics that boggles the minds of even the most experienced of generals, originating from the stratagems of Harun Akdar, the leader of the FaZari rebellion and the first Khalifah of FaZar who mastered the art of desert and cavalry warfare after years of conflict with the Lacinards.
Other states and nations:
Kelan:
Called the jewel of the East, Kelan is a magnificent island state west of the Xerian continent. It was built by the Minotaurs of Xeria, these ancient beings enslaved by the Humans that had come to power. After the Descent, the Minotaurs, along with slaves of other races fled to Kelan with a promise of freedom for all and built a neutral nation for themselves. Their greatest city and capital is Orith, considered by many to be Alterra's most beautiful city. Kelan is populated by an assortment of races, from Humans to Elves to the cat-like Felinx people. Kelan is ruled by the Doge, who is elected by the people regardless of his/her race. Their neutrality also allows them to enjoy great trade with the other nations, making them one of the wealthiest on Alterra.
The Ismin Dominion:
A small state wedged between Fa'Zar and Lacin, the Ismin Dominion is populated by the Ismin tribe whom were exiled by their fellow FaZari and ousted by their former overlords. Their exile came about hundreds of years ago when the leader of the Ismin tribe refused to help the other Fa'Zari rebel against the Lacinards, instead choosing to side with the Overlords. After the Lacinards were defeated, the other tribes refused to allow the Ismin into their newly found cities and settlements, deeming them outsiders. Even their former masters turned on them, believing that they had secretly aided the rebels against Lacin, which caused their defeat. The bad blood between Akdar and Ismin has fuelled only more anger, and during the Sorath-Lacin invasion of FaZar, the Ismin tribe attempted to claim territories for themselves only to have their forces slain by FaZari troops. Zahra Ismin, daughter of Yassir Ismin, now rules the Dominion. Zahra's hatred for Mikhail Akdar is legendary and it is whispered that she had attempted an assassination of Akdar during FaZars war of retaliation against Sorath that was costing FaZar too many lives. The attempt failed and Zahra was oddly released. Even now she continues to plot against Fa'Zar regardless of the mercy shown to her by Mikhail Akdar with a fervour and fury that has earned her the name Zahra the Vicious. The Dominion is home to the Sisterhood of Shadows, formerly a male assassin sect. That changed when the Akdars slaughtered all the males of the order after an assassin tried to take the life of an Akdar Khalifah, leaving only the women and children alive. They are a feared sect who is believed to have thought Zahra how to fight. The symbol of the Dominion is the Chimeras Tail, often mistaken as a Scorpions tail, the same mark that is wrapped around Zahras right arm. The Ismin are best known for their Black Sky Raiders, a cavalry that is in many ways opposite to their Caliphate counterparts. Whereas the Outriders are lightly armoured in Chain mail and seasoned leather and are generally armed with reed lances, Shamsir scimitars and steel bucklers, the Raiders are hardly ever armoured, carry only Kilij scimitars and strong bows to provide more manoeuvrability and mobility. Hit and run tactics are their forte and the Dominion has used them to strike at both the Caliphate and the Monarchy.
The Republic of Kobard:
Like Kelan, Kobard is a neutral nation, centrally positioned near many of the kingdoms. This location made Kobard popular among mercenaries who hired themselves out to the Kingdoms, and thus, Kobard gave the mercenaries a substantial port-city that many call the Mercenaries' Star; in return they would receive 20% of the Mercenaries' earnings. Kobard is ruled by a Primus and is known for being a crime-ridden and chaotic nation.
