A generation ago the Kingdoms faced the end of a devastating, continent-wide war. At the end of it, the once-proud Kingdom of Vespar was a humiliated vassal state, the borders of Zuscan had expanded from one territory to a third of the continent, and the ascendant Bravaria had to work with the other Kingdoms to work out how to create a lasting peace.
Two years ago, after a lot of compromise, discussion and disagreement, the Officer's Academy was founded. This military school would take in cadets from every place it could and teach them together. The hope was this generation, working together, would avoid the mistakes of the previous one.
Tonight, a delegation is headed to the graduation of the first class. If they arrive safely, peace may spread across the Kingdoms...
The foremost chivalric tradition in the continent is the knighthood of Vespar: every leader from the royalty to the minor aristocracy are expected to serve and call up a fighting force from their lands when the warhorn sounds out. Vespar wins wars with ferocious fighters and glorious battles: their mounted charge is rightly feared everywhere.
Vespar views itself as honourable, noble and brave, though its detractors call it backwards, hierarchical and stubborn. They have long rankled at the imposition that being a vassal state of Bravaria places on them, and about the assassinations, theft and dishonor Zuscan has commited towards them.
Internal Vespar politics deals with rising tensions between the commoners and the gentry about the reforms Bravaria force on Vespar, which are resisted by the aristocracy but are gaining acceptance among their people. Several aristocrats have been executed by Bravaria for resisting these changes.
The People’s Militia of Bravaria is where many of its civilians choose to undergo their mandated service to the state. An army with a professional core supplemented by volunteers - and, in times of emergency, enlisted conscripts - the militia is the largest force operating on the continent. Bravaria wins its wars through size, logistics and grand strategy: its generals study supply trains as much as battlefield tactics.
The Confederation views itself as promoting equality, progress, and unity, though its detractors would call it controlling, ruthless and soulless. It is infuriated at how it's vassal state Vespar resists the reforms that would better the lives of its people, and at how Zuscan will raid, spy and steal across borders in the name of more than money.
Bravaria is accused of being reform-obsessed and constantly changing in the name of progress. The rash of political arguments occurring within its borders does little to stop this narrative. The other kingdoms look on to see who will lead Bravara into the future...
The Zuscan Expeditionary Force uses the latest technology and tactics from their homeland - the Central Zuscan Empire that sits across the Deep Sea - to protect their holdings here. Having arrived recently, they supplement their forces with the knowledge of scouts recruited from local minorities to help defend their investments. Zuscan wins wars with surgical strikes and brief bursts of overwhelming power: their army is all cutting edge.
Zuscan views itself as open-minded, curious, a melting pot for all sorts of people. Its detractors describe it as a foreign and mercenary invasion. It has clashed with Bravaria over how its financial regulations impede their operations, and views Vespar as violent, honourbound idiots.
Money is always important within Zuscan, especially among those of the native forces who feel their opportunities are limited and those within the Expeditionary Force who believe the Central Zuscan Empire doesn't care to support the costly ventures of someplace this far away.
The Three Kingdoms were not the only forces present at the war. Many mercenaries, bandits, pirates and opportunists followed the carnage around, making what living they could in a time where honest work could be just as risky as joining the fight.
No war is complete without civilians. The armies were followed by a baggage train of traders, spouses and scavengers. They emptied food stores and left refugees wherever they went. Many settled on the disputed borders where the Kingdoms still disagree on who owns the territory, and these places remain at risk from bandits and border raids.
The war left many marks on the land and its people, and peace only left the Kingdoms with many armed soldiers who knew nothing but how to fight and had the equipment to do it with. The problem of bandits was inevitable, and is a problem that the Academy hopes that its officers will be able to solve. Despite all their high ideals, the Kingdoms must look after their citizens - the war showed just how costly the loss of their people could be, and the continent has only just recovered from the damage.