Nostrum
Not the largest, nor the strongest. Nostrum sits in the center of everything, in the middle of the sea dividing all the powers of the world from each other. Because of its central position, Nostrum is the lingua franca of the world.
Demographics
Nostrum has more a reputation as a place people choose to leave, rather than immigrate to. Nonetheless, it has a large population of mainly humans. Elves are welcome there as well, though do not have as many advantages or privileges as a native Nostrumite. The third largest demographic in Nostrum would be Beastmen, but they do not tend to live in the major cities, or if they do they tend to keep to their own quarters like elves. Valleymen are rare to see unless they are bound to the Immortals, as Cthonia's long history of invading Nostrum for slaves has made them rather unpopular there.
Institutions
Nostrumites consider themselves a free people. They weigh freedom as being free from something, not necessarily freedom to do whatever they may want. The common man is protected by the king, who himself is not strong by comparison to contemporary rulers. By tradition, the king owns nothing but holds his land in common with the people, who are free to work it without charge or being bound to the land by grace of the king.
As such, the institutions of Nostrum do not necessarily have any executive oversight at all. The monarch is in a delicate position: do too much, and the people will call them a tyrant; do too little, and the people will wonder where their protector is.
Militias
Mercenary Companies
The Great Houses of Nostrum
The House of Fallen Leaves
Immortals
House Vance
House von Sabot
Order of Saint Vaesus
House Serenity
The Churches of the Pentarchy
The Church of Malakar
The Risen
The Church of Serene
The Shieldmaidens
The Orders of Veils
Memoria
Memoria, or the Order of Memories, is the smallest part of the Church of Selene. The order is made up of specialized priests called Memories, and their purpose is to provide funerary services for anyone, free of charge.
The Church of Krig
The Church of Valor
Seekers of the Black
The Church of Euphoria
Provinces
The Four Duchies of Nostrum. By tradition, Nostrum is said to have five. But which of the five varies depending on who is asked: some would consider Suzer the fifth duchy, because it was founded by Nostrumites. Some from Eastla would consider Eastla the third, for the same reason. The northern kingdom of Blackport is also sometimes in the running, given it began as a penal colony from Nostrum.