hi ^^ i'm currently working on a fanfiction story series, but have hit a bit of a block. I've been looking all over the forums and can hardly find any information regarding Istarian Politics, the nature of the Empire or how exactly the Gifted fit into it. So far most of the information i'm working with comes from the Timeline, but it is woefully short on current arrangements. So far from a combination of existing lore, gameplay and complete speculation I have:
All the Living Races have signed (in some cases, reluctantly) a non-aggression pact for the duration of the ongoing war against the Withered Aegis.
Most races, with the notable exception of the Dragons, have only a single political faction representing the majority mindset of their race. There seems to be little in the way of race-integral governments, though independant governments take precedence over loyalty to the Empire.
The Empire acts more as a coalition rather than an actual Empire (because the word 'empire' implies conquest and servitude- seemingly all races within the Empire have equal rites and presumably equal voting powers.) All the Living Races are members of this coalition, though not all interact with it readily. The Empire seems to be more a militaristic organisation rather than a political one. Conflicts between the Living Races are dealt with quickly and very harshly.
The Gifted act outside of the influence of any single racial government; though they seem to have an affinity for their 'home' race and its nation, they are not automatically bound by loyalty to it. Presumably the Gifted are better represented by the Empire as a nebulous military organisation; given free reign to travel amongst the lands as they would to better protect their borders, they would naturally be set apart from the rest of their home race by their abilities. Rather than specific races or cities, the Gifted collect into independant Guilds that are not bound to any particular 'official' organisation, but are theoretically sworn to defence of the Empire. Guilds act in a way similar to private military contractors (PMCs) except that they draw their pay from the vaults of the Empire.
Aside from this, i'm stumped. Could a Dev or anyone with more information add to or clarify this?