The Empire of Arak

Overview:
	Although, certainly, the Empire of Arak has had its fair share of wars 
and contests of power with the Kingdom of Ganthes, the Emperor has managed to 
establish a high standard for excellence in his nation.  The Empire of Arak's 
most recent military success was the expansion of its borders over Roman, a 
small hamlet which was formerly part of the Ganthesian Kingdom; as well, they 
took control over the small island of Sorenz, which was formerly independant.  
Neither of these places being significant to control, the Emperor simply sees 
them as necessary goals.
	To the north, the Theoren Nomads have caused little trouble for the 
Empire.  However, the Empire has been a constant trouble to them.  Since 
Theoren is largely a nomadic people, the Empire heads north with a well 
prepared army when the nomads are not in the immediate vicinity, and take a 
little land.  The nomads have no way of preventing this, but have managed to 
keep the land they currently hold through no other means than magic.  The 
Emperor is extremely angry for not being able to take out the nomads.
	The area is half covered in swamps, which severely cut down living 
area, though Emperor Ghalin has been investing in constructing castles within 
the swamps in order to cut down the bullywug populations which are a constant 
threat to the capitol city.  The other denizens of the swamp have been known 
to slink within the city, but disturbances such as these are quickly 
eliminated with one of the best trained armies in the known world.  With a 
much smaller base of soldiers, the Empire won victory over a tribe of lizard 
men which numbered at least 5 to 1 over the Arakian soldiers, with minimal 
losses.
	The capitol city of Alpis is a bustling city of merchants and rather 
rich working men.  It is fortified with walls, and a pit surrounds the base 
of the wall.  Most would see this as a possible moat, but truly it is more a 
defence against the swamps over-filling in a bad rain, than a defence against 
outside attacks.  The city is the center of commerce, merchants come from all 
over the known world to sell their wares.
	As a sea force, the Empire is relatively weak.  Possessing only 
meager defences against sea attack, they haven't found much use for a navy, 
except just recently with the conquest of Sorenz.  Rumors state that Sorenz 
is being used for its sea knowledge for the construction and mass production 
of boats.

Government:
	Dictatorship (recent, only one generation before Emperor Ghalin.  
Preceeding the Empire was an Oligarchy, centered around the lifestyle of 
merchants)

Population:
	About 600 000 people (80% human, 5% elf, 5% half-elf, 5% dwarf, 
5% other)

Armed Forces:
	About 50 000 (with 4 000 as a standing garrison in Alpis).  More 
trained than most other countries, about 50% of these would count as 5th 
level fighters, 25% 7th level fighters, 15% 8th level fighters, and 10% 10th 
level fighters.  Of the highest decorated warriors, only a dozen are mounted 
cavalry, but the army has never seen the need for a large cavalry.  The 
warriors are well experienced in ground combat and are especially prepared 
against cavalry and have no bias against killing another army's mounts.  The 
army is extremely selective about their warriors, and thus, each fighter has 
a minimum strength of 14 and constitution of 15.  In general, the army is 
specifically trained in swords and long bows, although some specialize in 
other specific weapons.
	The Empire's navy is by far one of the weakest of the seaside 
countries.  At this time, only a dozen warships are in commision, with about 
twenty minor skiffs and other warboats as support.  Luckily they've only got 
a couple of seabord cities and towns.