The Successor States
The Successor States occupy the lands between the Divine Empire and the Old Empire, forming a patchwork of independent realms that refused to submit to either great power. Born from the collapse of the Kaegorian Empire, these small kingdoms, republics, principalities and city-states chose independence over allegiance, believing that their prosperity depended upon remaining free to govern themselves. Whilst many expected them to be swiftly absorbed by one empire or the other, the Successor States have instead endured for centuries, becoming some of the wealthiest and most influential realms in eastern Warlderia. No two Successor States are truly alike. Some remain ancient feudal baronies ruled by hereditary nobles, whilst others are governed by merchant guilds, religious orders or elected councils. Their governments range from the prosperous oligarchy of the Republic of Zargoza to the harsh authoritarian rule of the Hierarchy of Ludoc. The Theocracy of Ülm entrusts all commerce to its resident Gnomes whilst forbidding its own faithful from engaging in trade, whereas the free port of Spadoria has earned a reputation as little more than a respectable haven for privateers and smugglers. Every state possesses its own customs, traditions and ambitions, giving the region a remarkable diversity found nowhere else in Warlderia.
Although fiercely protective of their independence, the Successor States are bound together by necessity as much as geography. Their rulers quarrel constantly over trade, borders and ancient grievances, with alliances forming and collapsing as circumstances demand. Wars between neighbouring states are common, though they are usually brief and limited in scale. Yet whenever an external power threatens the independence of the region, these same rivals have repeatedly demonstrated a surprising ability to set aside their differences. History has shown that whilst the Successor States may disagree on almost everything, they remain united in one belief—that none of them should ever become subjects of another empire.
Trade forms the foundation of their prosperity. Positioned between the Divine Empire and the Old Empire, the Successor States control many of the principal roads, rivers and mountain passes linking the two great powers. Merchants from both empires reluctantly conduct business through their markets, enriching the city-states whilst maintaining a flow of goods between realms that remain, at least officially, in a state of perpetual hostility. Banking, shipping and caravan trade have flourished under these conditions, creating wealthy merchant families whose fortunes often rival those of the greatest noble houses. The god Zilchus is widely revered throughout the region, particularly amongst merchants, bankers and guildsmen, though few Successor States possess an official religion. Most instead honour a patron deity reflecting their own history and character, resulting in an extraordinary variety of temples and religious traditions existing side by side across the region. This tolerance has attracted scholars, artisans and traders from every corner of Warlderia, further enriching the states both culturally and economically.
To outsiders, the Successor States often appear hopelessly disorganised—a bewildering collection of competing rulers, conflicting laws and ever-changing alliances. Yet beneath this apparent chaos lies a remarkable resilience. Their diversity has become their greatest strength. No single conquest can dominate them all, no single political movement commands universal support, and no empire has yet found a reliable way to absorb such a fragmented but determined collection of independent realms. Wealthy, confident and fiercely independent, the Successor States remain the diplomatic and commercial crossroads of eastern Warlderia. Wedged between two rival empires, they have survived not through military might but through adaptability, commerce and an unwavering determination to remain masters of their own destiny. In a continent dominated by ancient kingdoms and powerful empires, they stand as proof that even the smallest states may flourish when independence is valued above ambition.
Illustration by Santiago Iborra (Quellion) - please do not use without permission
