Name: Monastic Sovereignties of Iik'ka'an

Short Name: The Sovereignties (not Iik'ka'an)

Demonym: Iik'ka'ani (uncommon)

Leader: Sovereign Orator Ciado

Claim: http://i.imgur.com/qNoue4Y.png

Capital: Vermilion Flower State

National Climate: Agrarian

Grand Focus: Expansion

Weekly Focus: Expansion

Color: #e6e6fa Border: #e34234

Cities:

Vermilion Flower State: The closest thing the Sovereignties have to a capital. Vermilion Flower State was the sovereignty that began the unification of the sovereignties, and was also the first sovereignty to establish a monastic presence. VFS was the first city to consolidate from the nomadic Tei v̂okrai, who still make up a majority of the city's population. VFS began as a trading post along a southbound trade route, and still remains a major trade city to this day. The city is known for its use of canals, and remarkably decentralized construction, which leads the city to look more like a village with a massive footprint than a city.

The Vermilion Flower State is led by Damir Taiŝa.

Chakat: The most architecturally impressive city in the Sovereignties. Predominantly stone architecture makes up the city, though even the oldest stone bulidings remain in use. Chakat is considered the ancestral home city of the Neitht, and still maintains a Neitht majority. Chakat is the only Sovereign Capital with a major port. Chakat is the Sovereign Capital of the Sovereignty of the same name.

Chakat is led by Lavender After.

Rheinheim: Originally a mining colony in the Rheinberg, Rheinheim grew to become the royal seat of the Rhein sovereignty. Rheinheim's palace is the largest government structure in the Sovereignties, but is offset by the mostly simple architecture of the rest of the city. Mining operations in the city itself are no longer active, and the city serves mostly as an administrative center for the Rhein Sovereignty.

Rhenheim is led by King Löwen.

Divided We Stand

The Monastic Sovereignties of Iik'ka'an are a geopolitical paradox, lacking any true central government or history of cooperation, yet still managing to operate as a nation state. The Sovereignties gain their name from the numerous independent Sovereignties within their borders, none of which technically have any greater power, nor any power over each other. It is only the ties of the Monasteries within each of the Sovereignties that keeps them united.

The Sovereignties first came together through trade, with roaming Tei v̂okrai merchants bringing the cities together. It was along these trade routes that the Monasteries spread, and cooperation with them. Today, the Sovereignties stand as a loyal client state to Iaoai. The Sovereignties are represented in international affairs by a neutral mouthpiece, the Sovereign Orator. Despite being on paper separate from the influence of any one Sovereignty, the Orator is bankrolled by the Vermilion Flower State, and operates from within it.

Ciado Rises to the Challenge

Sovereign Orator Ciado, a Tei v̂okrai woman from a nomadic clan within the Vermilion Flower Sovereignty, had aspirations of serving within her Sovereignty's government from a young age. At the early age of 15, she passed the civil service examination, and entered a role as a government secretary in the farming village of Amber Thistle. Over the next few years, she rose in both position and power, soon gaining the trust of Damir Taiŝa, leader of the Vermilion Flower State. From there, Ciado found herself maneuvered out of service within her Sovereignty, and into the service of the Sovereign Orator. When it came time for her venerable predecessor to step down, Ciado assumed the post, but retained her loyalties to the Vermilion Flower State.

Ciado shares the same aspirations as Damir Taiŝa. She wishes to bring those remaining states that have not yet unified beneath the Monastic Sovereignties banner into the fold, thus securing the entirety of Iik'ka'an for her people. Though publicly she has the interests of all sovereignties in mind, she privately places heavy concern on the advancement of Tei v̂okrai interests, particularly those of the Vermilion Flower State. Ciado values expansion, and places a high value on trade like many of her people.