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Carthage
Carthage was once part of the great ancient empire of Pax Romana, as were Kamarg, Southern France, the Empire, and Spain. Carthage however, were the last to free themselves from their chains which tied them to an empire already dead and growing cold. Always aggressive and war-like, Roma kept Carthage brutally subdued and hence it was generations after France and Spain were liberated before the kingdoms of Afrika began ruling themselves.
Now, generations later, Carthage has begun to grow into their own power. Largely beyond the ken of European kingdoms, and remotely located, far from both the British and the creeping horror of the Waste, Carthage has much to recommend it. Aggressive, hungry people, proximate location on the Mediterran Sea, a cold but civil border with Estalia. Carthage mainly exports fighting men and the bounty of continental Afrika. There are no tremendous centers of learning, and their culture is modest and unpretentious. Carthaginians’ are renown as being fine warriors with a bloodthirsty appetite for war. Also amongst this caste, are the exotic oliphants and their masters, tremendous beasts of burden that can also be caparisoned for war. In truth, the oliphants and their great general Hannibal are how Carthage came to overthrow their ancient Roma masters, and the continent still tells tales of the massive warbeasts in the mountains and passes of the Alps.
Carthage is still in the midst of rebuilding its sea-power, something it was never allowed to do under Roma law, for that way lay rebellion. As such they have no shipwrights or sailors to speak of. Part of the tension with the Continent lay in Estalia working hard to keep it so. Portuguese ships are forbidden to take Carthage cargo or crew without tithing enormously, and they have pressured Spain into the same. France, still aware of the great Carthage rebellion which led to the formation of Kamarg and the loss of its sea coast, also turns deaf ears to Carthage’s pleas for equality. And so Carthage makes its gains on the strengths of its arms. The armies of Libya are feared everywhere as some of the most regimented, veteran, and elite in recent memory. Assyrian bowmen, Ethiopian cavalry, and Tunisia dragoons, Carthage fields a complete army, with the addition of tribal shamans and dire warlocks practicing the blood magick of the deep south. They are fractious still though, a tension that other nations hope continues (if not actively and secretly aid and abet). Lastly, another legacy from old Pax Romana, the kingdom lacks mature and developed ironworks. These people are more familiar with bronze, copper and lacquered wood, and so their military has evolved to be light, agile, and quick, outside the of the western edge of Tunisia, where contact with Estalia has led them to barter hard for steel and develop the hoplite-esque cadre of dragoons. Carthage is a coming world power, and will need to be reckoned with, either as an ally or enemy in the coming century.
Royal Family:
The Tun’Sun’ibek, descended from a sideline from the infamous and famous Barca line, the very house that Hannibal was spawned from
Hamilcar, 15th of his name (unofficially), Highlord of Carthage, and Prince of the 17 Cities
Truent (brother), Master, Keeper of Flamebringers, and Chief of Horselords, Governor of Libya
SecondLord Hannibal 3rd of his name (unofficially), Prince in waiting, The Sea Lord to be, Master of Tunisia, Heir to the 17 Cities of Carthage (son and heir)
Cities of note:
Carthage – Seven-in-One, the eternal City (Capital and trade hub)
Cairo – the Warden of the East, home to the merchant kings of Carthage
Tripoli – “the Hawk’s Nest” , city of the wandering tribes of Libya
Tunis – burgeoning trade capital for the Mediterran
Algiers – “Cradle of Life”, Warden of the West