Provinces & Territories

Ignia, the world Alinea is set in, is divided into two types of regions: Provinces and Territories.

• Provinces are governed regions with clear leadership and laws. Residents pay taxes in exchange for stability and protection. Many provinces also allow their residents to participate in decision-making.
• In contrast, Territories are ungoverned regions with no central authority. They offer freedom but little protection, making them unsuitable for permanent residence. These areas are better suited for exploration or temporary structures like farms.

Overview of the World

The map below shows a map of Ignia and its surrounding islands. Provinces on the map are labelled, while Territories are not. Not all provinces are shown on the map, as some are located outside of the visible area.

Governance

Provinces in Ignia are governed by player-appointed leaders. These rulers have wide discretion in how they organise their province, including its rules, community structure, and goals.

In addition to player-run provinces, some regions are designated as Crown Land. These areas are managed directly by the Crown and are typically restricted. Residency is not usually permitted, and their use is often reserved for administrative, ceremonial, or infrastructural purposes.

Provincial Tax

Provincial tax is a weekly fee rulers pay to the Crown to keep their province recognised and active. This tax is based solely on the province's area—larger provinces pay more due to their greater potential for development. Importantly, this is not the tax paid by citizens but a responsibility of the ruler, who typically collects taxes from residents to cover the cost.

This system ensures efficient land use by incentivising rulers to maintain active provinces and avoid wasting space on inactive players. Rulers unable to pay their tax are usually replaced by the Crown with someone who can manage the province better. Only as a last resort is the province abolished, with the area reverting to a Territory.

Below is a table showing the weekly provincial tax for each province, determined by its size: