~~NOTOC~~ ====== Aeserian Empire ====== //Like our frail bodies our empire crumbles and dies, but like our noble spirits our nation will never falter. Let us show the world what mighty deeds good men are capable of, that the world might look upon our example and hope. -King Nadu III// The Aeserian Empire is a powerful kingdom in eastern Centras. It is one of the political and military leaders of the area, though by the AV 1200's the empire had overstretched it's borders and was in danger of losing grasp of its vassal states and religious caste system. Leads the [[polemos:4th_age:factions:aeserian_accord|Aeserian Accord]], which is one of the few direct challenges to the [[polemos:4th_age:factions:39_shards|39 Shards]] in Centras. ===== Geography ===== The aeserian empire's FIXME distinct territories ensure it covers an amazingly diverse set of geography. ===== History ===== The history of the empire dates well before the great war, during the [[polemos:2nd_age:main|2nd Age]] (Commonly called the Imperial Era, though that term is unrelated to the Aeserians). Being a nation of writers their history is very well preserved. It began after the city-state of Aeseri-Nu (recently renamed from Goran after uniting all the Aeseri tribes peacefully) was invaded by the neighboring Sanzors in the autumn of 1384 IE. After repelling their attack and driving into the Sanzor homeland they occupied the land and set out to tame the barbarians it contained. Thus began a slow but steady assimilation of peoples to live under the [[polemos:4th_age:religions:kaliv_nush|Kaliv'Nush]] until the present day. ===== Government ===== While externally the government of the empire puts on a solitary face from it's emperor, internally is an extremely complicated and self-balancing political system centered on three pillars: the Kalisaesh, the Nurishal, and the Haiusaesh ==== Kalisaesh ==== The Kalisaesh are the landed nobility of the empire, headed by the Kaluch, or King, himself. They are responsible for making sure that the Kaliv'Nush is followed at all times, and to devote themselves to the teachings of the Nurishal. They also fight under the Nurishal in the imperial legions but cannot raise or fund armies of their own, however they may train and equip warriors within their house. They may own unlimited personal property- including slaves- and are by far the wealthiest and most powerful politically. They hold their appointments for life and may pass their title to whomever they wish, but cannot be directly promoted except by the Nurishal in rare cases. ==== Nurishal==== The Nurishal are the clergy, scholars, and wise-men. They devote their entire lives to learning and interpreting the Kaliv'Nush so that they may advise the Kalisaesh properly. They are in charge of approving and appointing titles of nobility for new positions as well as for replacements. They ultimately decide the succession of the king. The Nurishal train, lead, and fund the military, as well as any other projects beyond the provincial level. They may also dissolve local governments with the help of the Kalisaesh. Nurishal members may not generally become wealthy, and may only hold property that they can justify as needed for their position- though this may sometimes have a Nurishal of particular importance appear rich. The highest of the Nurishal contemplate training to become Zhenkah, paragons who have to most influence in their responsibilities. ==== Haiusaesh ==== The Haiusaesh are the political groups formed by all other castes, and are roughly analogous to labor unions or guilds. They have authority over most matters that are purely local, though the Nurishal may step in and decide what the Kalisaesh must enforce over the area, with which the guilds must cooperate and give aid to. The Haiusaesh may raise local or provincial armies, though again the Nurishal may override this decision or take command of their forces in emergencies. In extremely rare cases the Haiusaesh may also invoke impeachment proceedings against the Kalisaesh or Nurishal, with members of the other caste stepping in to run the proceedings. ==== Parties, Ideology, and Politics ==== ===== Political Divisions ===== The Empire is divided primarily into //peoples//. These are political divisions based on ethnicity or common creed, not by geography. Though geography does play a large part in local or regional politics, at the imperial level all decisions are done by peoples rather than provinces. The head of each people sits on the King's Council, of which there are eighteen. Ranked by order of prestige on the council: - Zhenkah (Exemplar) - Nurishal - Aeserian Ethnicity (One People per secular Caste) - Kalisaesh - Horun - Lisan - Dunisalas - Kaliv'venar - Jorish Ethnicity (Three peoples based on tribal allegiances) - Beruvk - Monistar - Kosimajen - Sanzor Ethnicity (Two peoples) - Kaliv'zor - those that follow the Laia'Nush - Zen'zor - unbelievers - Pulope Ethnicity (Three peoples based on social status) - Pulope - nobility/pure breed - Golai - impure breed - Janasin - slaves - Centolas Ethnicity - Gon Ethnicity - Ishani'Da (Members of the Ishani religious sect) ===== Foreign Relations ===== The Aeserian Empire seeks peaceful relations with all it can, but is well known to use violence to protect its interest. Having the most power of any of the surrounding nations also makes it the target of great jealousy and mistrust. Aeser's prime enemy is the 39 Shards, but both seek to avoid open combat as both suspect it would lead to a prolonged draw. The empire has little qualms with skirmishing with the Shard's lesser members, however, at least to the point that it won't force the involvement of their masters. ===== Military ===== ==== Paragon ==== Zhenkah (literally translating to "Exemplar") of the Kaliv'Aesani ("Order of Truth") are counted among the most elite of the Nurishal caste and are commonly called "Paragons", or sometimes "Paladins." Warrior-monks of nearly super-human status, they are the pinnacle of mental, moral, and physical training. Most train for at least 20-30 years before leaving their home monastery, usually with an entire sect centered around an individual's training and support. Zhenkah are unable to own property, hold any title other than Zhenkah for the rest of their life, and must follow the orders of any Kalisaesh caste member unerringly. Legend has it that Zhenkah have near-absolute moral and mental willpower, to the point that they can resist even the power of direct contact with a Dovin stone. ===== Economy ===== basic economy info ==== Income and Human Development ==== ==== Science, Magic and Technology ==== ===== Demographics ===== general ethnicities ==== Language ==== ==== Religion ==== ==== Education ==== ==== Health ==== ==== Crime and Law Enforcement ==== ===== Culture ===== ==== Popular Culture ==== ==== High Culture ==== ==== Food ==== ==== Sports ==== ^ Aeserian Empire ^^ | flag || | {{:polemos:4th_age:factions:the_aeserian_empire_-_4e_1235.png?200|Map of the Aeserian Empire}} || |Capital|[[..:Locations:Aeseri'Nu]] (Largest City)|| |Official Languages|[[..:Languages:Aeseri'Nush]]|| |National Languages|[[..:Languages:Aeseri'Nush]], [[polemos:celestials:languages:erihal|Erihal]], [[..:Languages:Halser]]| |Races|87% Human\\ 8% Anthegal\\ 2% Dragoon\\ 1% Syphkolk\\ 1% Shapeshifter\\ 1% Agkelos|| |Demonym|Aeserian (Aeseri for ethnicity)|| |Government|Theocratic Monarchy|| |Alliances|[[polemos:4th_age:factions:aeserian_accord|Aeserian Accord]] (Founding Member, 998-)|| |Official Religions|[[..:Religions:Kaliv'Nush]]| |Area| Apx 20,000,000 km2|| |Population|AV 1250 apx 45,000,000|| |Currency|Rajali|| |GDP|(total) AV 1250 apx 100 billion Rajalis\\ (per capita) 2200 Rajalis|| |Agriculture|grains, orchards/vineyards, tubers/roots, spices|| |Staple Foods|flatbreads, beef, rice|| |Imports| || |Exports| ||