Adamas is a land in the north of the Siranian Empire, protected from the south by high mountains, and from the east and west by two rivers whose winding courses are surrounded by marshes. To the north, Adamas is bordered by the sea. It is on this coast that the largest city of this small country lies—Visant Aira. It is a port city for the Adamantian fleets that reign over the northern ocean, the Maranudran.
The Adamantine fleet ensures protection for merchants and maintains permanent dominance over the waters of the Maranudran.
The land of Adamas is fertile in the north and mountainous in the south; the climate is somewhat raw, but its forests are among the most beautiful, and its white cliffs soar perhaps to the very heavens. The population of Adamas—the Adamantians—is divided into three distinct groups: the Forest, Field, and Marsh Folk, possessing remarkable customs and traditions (more about them in a separate article).
To the south of the city of Visant Aira stretch fertile plains and hills that gradually turn into mountain slopes. Directly south of the port, some eighty miles from the shore, towers the highest peak of the Adamantian Mountains, named Adamas. Upon one of its deep saddles rises the white city of Adamas, a small copy of the magical Sairis, and on another saddle loom the steep walls of the fortress of Kirasa, which guards one of the few passes in the mountains.
However, perched directly upon the jagged peak of Mount Adamas is the Citadel—the seat of the Maghavan Adamas, the true protector, god, and lord of the entire land.
In the city of Adamas, below Mount Adamas near the headwaters of the River Adamas, is the famous School of Rulers. Once in a while, twenty-one talented children are chosen to be prepared for governance here for a period of twenty-one years. During this time, a narrower selection is made from the original number every seven years until only the three best remain.
These three—educated for over twenty years in history, warfare, combat, magic, art, sciences, religion, geography, and many other matters—are designated for rule. However, only one shall become the executive ruler.
The remaining two who were not chosen become either teachers at this school or fulfill diplomatic roles beyond the Empire’s borders. Yet they remain ready as substitutes should any unfortunate accident befall the chosen ruler before the end of their designated term of rule. The ruler has ministers chosen by him, his teachers, and other experts. The ministers are executors of his will in the fields of their expertise.
All of this functions independently of Adamas, who is the true sovereign of the land and can at any time deputize for any minister and veto any decision. At any point, he may intervene in matters of governance and religion, and his act is considered holy and is not debated.
