Nestled within a vast expanse of jungle and swamplands, extending into western deserts and bordered by mountains and oceans, lies the enigmatic Theocracy of Franz. This nation is predominantly inhabited by the Saurops, though it is also home to various other races. The theocracy is a unique and intricate society, unified under the spiritual and political guidance of the Oracle of the Eclipse.
The Theocracy of Franz follows a duotheistic religion that venerates a dual deity represented by the sun and the moon. This belief system intricately ties the natural world to the divine, with high noon and midnight being considered sacred times. The most revered events are solar eclipses, seen as moments when both aspects of the divine are in perfect harmony. Dragons, regarded as the celestial servants of the dual divine, and play a significant role in the religious teachings of the nation.
Repaire, the capital city, thrives within a lush, swampy jungle along a major river that connects it to the ocean. This city is both the political and spiritual heart of the nation. An unusual settlement combining both surface structures and subterranean dwellings, the two most significant landmarks are the Palace Temple of the Sun and the Palace Temple of the Moon - serving as both governmental hubs and vital religious sites, symbolizing the nation's fusion of spiritual and temporal power.
Historically, the Saurops were divided into various tribes, each venerating a distinct Dragon God. Around a millennium ago, an important spiritual leader emerged, the first Oracle of the Eclipse; they united the fragmented tribes under the new teachings of the dual divine, establishing a unified nation. This momentous unification laid the foundation for the nation’s current religious and political structure, fostering a deep sense of shared identity and purpose among the population.