With control over much of the central lands, the Golden Empire encompasses a variety of landscapes and some of the biggest cities in this part of the world; and its hard to deny their beauty with the shining white stone and deep blue roofs.
Core to the Empire are the Heartlands, fertile plains with snaking rivers and gently rolling hills that provide high yields of food for the large cities. Sometimes called the Fields of Gold due to the expansive, yellow wheat fields.
The Golden Empire is the victor of the power struggle that happened when the alliance of eastern Halantrea - the Indrante - was torn apart after its purpose was fulfilled. Arkandir was still one of the largest powers; and a lot of the leaders of weakened surrounding territories accepted a deal of them and their families becoming nobility and living a life in luxury over fighting wars that they were uncertain to win. This snowballed as the now stronger Empire was even harder to oppose, until the entire central lands were captured.
As a result, the Empire has a very large and very demanding noble class, and keeping them happy in a luxurious life is one of its core goals. Life for commoners is generally safe, however the tributes are high and leaving is not free. Falling into a near inescapable debt trap is not uncommon, and all but guarantees a life of servitude for the Empire.

The shining example of the Golden Empire’s luxury, Arkandir stands proud in the middle of the Heartlands. The massive, double-ringed City is constructed out of bright stone and paints, giving it a shining white color, combined with deep blue roofs.
The inner ring is home to much of the nobility of the Empire. A large tower-palace of white marble stretches into the sky, towering above everything and visible even from far away in the surrounding plains.
The outer ring is a dense city of wealthier citizens and artisans. In addition to its streets, its lined by canals, enabling easier transport of the large amounts of goods that flow through it daily from the outside.