For many life in the Jagiellon Empireis harsh and short. The lands, only recently united, are in a state of turmoil. To the north lie the lands of the Volk Knights, a powerful order once sent to convert the pagan Polish and Lithuanians in the name of the Holy Church. Now they wish to expand their state at the expense of their neighbors. While the Polish army was victorious in the battle of Grunwald, raids still continue. Add to this the growing hostilities from the Orthodox Russian Principalities to the east and it is easy to see why it is not uncommon to see soldiers moving to defend the considerable borderlands of this nation.
While life for the peasant farmer is quite rough throughout the lands of the empire, learning and wealth flourish in the cities, particularly in the capitol of Krakow. Influences from the west can be seen most evidently at the Jagiellonian University where advanced theories of magic are taught, quite unexpected for what many westerners consider a backwards nation. The Holy Church is also quite well represented here as this land is the border between the Orthodox and Holy churches. Great effort is spent on the churches part to maintain and expand its influence toward the east, another reason for the state of tension that grips the nation.