Deltora and Ulanazar: A Guide

    Here at SPFT, you may be encountering a great deal of words you do not understand. In upcoming (and past) posts there'll be talk of two entities which are very important to understand. A detailed history of each should come in due time, but today we're here to outline the basics for you. 
    The rival empires of Deltora and Ulanazar are two of the largest and most influential states in Shaarian history. At the start of Overture in 6009 H.E. (Human Era, as opposed to the previous Demon Era and the preceding Dragon Era) the two powers have been locked in cold war for over a generation. To understand the bad blood between the two powers you must understand the culture differences they fail to overcome.
    Deltora is a constitutional monarchy with a parliament and sorcerer's guild, each balancing each other, and in effect making up the imperial government. Historically prone to civil war and regicide, Deltora has seen a wild variety of identities, and recently taken up the sword of the conqueror, setting its sights on neighboring countries and long-contested colonial possessions. Why? Following the most recent Deltoran War of Succession, the House Glasskard of the Kulikov Province came to power, backed by the powerful Nexus Corporation. Over the next nine years the political branch of the Nexus Corporation, known as the Nexus Party to the people, became wildly popular with it's promises of restored economic prosperity and military domination. With Queen Elaine Glasskard on the throne, the nation certainly did flourish, and by the start of Overture the empire is overflowing with ultra-nationalism and practically fascist levels of bloodlust. The Nexus party controls five hundred seats in a six hundred seat parliament and the royal family is heavily invested in the company itself, which incidentally produces guns, airships, steamcars, and electronics. 
    
    Naturally war with their old rival seems inevitable. The Holy Ulanazar Nation has been noted for not being very holy, or by any means Ulanazar, and certainly not a nation per say. Traditionally Ulanazar refers the long-annihilated ethnic group from which the Church of Ulanazar originated. Dating back to 3000 H.E., the Church of Ulanazar Embarked on a spirited campaign of conquest and evangelization following the ascension of their lord and prophet, a vastly influential goatherd from the desert regions of Western Greater Shaar. His apostles each headed armies of their own and carved the region into a dozen "Aposolates", a few remaining to the present age, but most slowly consolidated by the central orthodox sect of the Church of Ulanazar, either through violent inquisitions, or even more violent crusades. The leadership of the Church and the Military in the Ulanazar nation has remained a mystery even to its own people. While it's clear the Church elders and high priests hold authority over the Church and state, the military and even some sects of the Church are rumored to be controlled by the Ulanazarul Scion, a supposed descendant of one of the apostles, and a powerful wizard as well. The empire has gradually expanded and solidified over the millennia and its leadership are as accustomed to their power as their people are eager for change. Unfortunately for the serfs of Ulanazar, a call for a ninetieth crusade has been issued, this time a war not against the heretic Aposolates neighboring Ulanazar, but against the heathen Empires across the deserts, namely Deltora and her allies.