The Kingdom of Marcia was established during the eternal wars between Warden and Furis by independent humans seeking escape from the constant warfare and seeking a racial identity beyond serving their creator in battle. It is the oldest human kingdom by nearly a millenium, and responsible for many of the technologies and philosophies shared by humans across Equinox.
By the time of the Gods' Fall, the kingdom had succeeded in finding autonomy. Following the sundering of the world, however, the kingdom caught the attention of the newly ascended Judicus, who sought to spread his divine influence through the mortal world in order to ensure his brothers and their followers would be kept in check. Though he never appeared directly, he worked miracles and displays of his power through his prophet Renald, who established the Church of Balance's center of power in Gardrun within the walls of Honor's Hold and gradually morphed the independent state into a devout theocracy.
Modern Marcia is a vastly different place than the kingdom of old. Though it served in ancient days as the cradle of human civilization and the birthplace of philosophy and science, the steadfast independence and agnostic ways of thought that once marked its people have been subsumed by a devotion to order, and the needs of many rather than few. Many of the ancient scrolls and tomes of that era have been lost, destroyed, or sealed within the Temple of the Inquisition; any that seek to return to these old ways are branded heretics and quickly disappear. Most Marcians are completely unaware of their nation's history, instead believing the Church's doctrine that their kingdom was only founded after the Gods' Fall.
Throughout the intervening centuries, the Marcians and the Wardenians have fought thousands of skirmishes, several battles, and even a full-blown war — most of which have gone badly for Warden. Marcia is ruled by the Righteous King of Balance (generally simply referred to as "King"), who in turn answers to the Patriarch of Scales, the head of the Church. Marcian citizens close to the kingdom's centers of power are forced to obey rigid doctrine, constantly watched and guided by the near-omnipresent Marcian Guard, though those in smaller or less vital communities can find more relaxed atmospheres. Punishments for breaking the nation's many laws are severe, though usually nonlethal, and few citizens of Marcia can claim to be truly mistreated beyond their lack of freedom.
A Marcian is often a dour, grim individual who goes about his business with set shoulders and a bowed gaze. Many younger Marcians are more exuberant, constantly testing the boundaries that limit them until they either find their way to another land, or reality slowly crushes their idealism. Perhaps as a result of such repression, a growing number of Marcians are finding their way into the so-called Cults of Chaos, despite the threat of the sadistic Lawful Inquisition.
With the area's cool climate and cold wind blowing off the northern sea, a Marcian in his homeland will often wear heavy leather coats lined with fur, usually favoring darker earth colors paired with harsh, bright colors like red or green. The symbol of the Church of Balance, scales beneath an open eye, is a common decoration on clothing, weapons, buildings, and even gourmet food.
Marcian warriors often favor heavy armor and sturdy shields, though many instead specialize in two-handed swords or axes.
Marcia's major cities and settlements are…
- Honor's Home, the capital city.
- Judgement Keep, a major fortress with a city grown around it; site of many battles in the War of the Tipped Scales.
- City of Balance, a major trading hub for both sea-faring merchants and those going over land.
- City of Equality, a pleasant town that sees occasional trade with Majiran.
- City of Justice, a settlement constantly besieged by any monsters that get through Ringwelas.
- Bastion of Order, a tough community scraping out a living on the tundra as they guard Marcia's northern border.
Other major landmarks include…
- The Temple of the Inquisition, headquarters of the Lawful Inquisition.
- The Watchful Eye Monastery, a secluded compound where the Church of Balance's guardians are trained.
