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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Capellan" data-source="post: 409682" data-attributes="member: 6294">The Duchy of GalibanGaliban is the most remote principality of the far-flung Devayik Empire.  Despite its name, the Empire has no titular head of state.  Instead, it is run by an assembly of noble families, known as the Senate.Human settlement of the Galiban region began only one hundred years ago, when pirate bands began to use the area as a base for raiding south into warmer waters.  Before then, the region was home mainly to disorganised bands of humanoids, though there were isolated groups of Elves and Dwarves.After several years of the pirates' predations, the Senate offered Ducal titles and a twenty year exemption from imperial taxes to whomever established the Empire's authority in the region.  Many set out to win the prize, though few had the resources to have any chance of success.  Ultimately, however, the pirates were driven out by Idrain Galiban, who became the first Duke.Eighty-five years later, Galiban is ruled by the fourth Duke Galiban, Tarlan.  The human population has grown rapidly to some 75,000, with many people attracted by the low taxes and comparatively informal lifestyle of this 'frontier' Duchy.  There are also about 25,000 demi-humans of various kinds in the region.In and near major settlements, Galiban adheres to the Imperial Law, which is generally regarded as harsh but relatively even-handed.  Most non-violent crimes attract a sentences of indentured service to the state, usually for a period of one year or less.  The punishment for violent crimes is usually death, though it is sometimes commuted to a life sentence of servitude.  In the more rural areas, the resolution of criminal matters is often a lot less structured.  Much of Galiban's hinterland still contains large areas of wilderness, and the rule of law is often limited to the edges of the towns.Galiban nominally follows the Empire's twin gods: Heironeous and Hextor.  However, the most popular religion is the Church of Pelor, the Sun God.  The Church's uncomplicated theology of goodwill and their renowned healing powers have won many adherents in the area.Most other faiths are also present in the area, though represented to a lesser degree.  Nature deities are quite popular; possibly due to the legacy of the original Elven inhabitants of the region, who tended strongly toward the Druidic faith.</blockquote>

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