Nyztalene Empire

Once apart of the great Aenian Empire, Nyztal severed ties with the Empire in the wake of its growing corruption.
Considering themselves true successors to Sols vision the Nyztalene focus on living a peaceful and compassionate life.
However with the rise of the United Theocracy of Aman and its self styled crusade against Illium invading Nyztal from the east. The Nyztalene Empire has had to pay for mercenaries from the north for protection and to supplement their dwindling armies.

Structure

Even after breaking from the Holy Empire of Illium, the Nyztalene Empire followed a similar system of government. Using Praetors, Consuls, and even a Nyztalene Senate. However since the Atrian Reforms, enacted by Emperor Atreus, more civic authority has been transferred to military leaders.

Emperor:

As the head of state, the Emperor writes the laws and dictates policy with the guidance of their Counselors. The title of Emperor is often "inherited". While no law stipulates it is an inherited position most Emperors name their first born child as their successor

Counselor:

Counselors are what remain of the old Nyztalene Senate. Highly educated and diverse, Counselors advise the Emperor on matters of state and carry out the Emperors decrees. Counselors and their aids work with Exarchs and Kephales in executing the Emperors will.

Exarch:

Exarchs act as generals for separate provinces of the Nyztalene Empire. They raise troops known as Toxotai. These troops are then garrison within the cities and towns to act as a defense force while keeping the law. Exarchs also with the help of Counselors direct public works and collect taxes from the Kephales.

Kephale:

Kephales are city leaders who collect taxes, direct public works and are the Captain of the local garrison of Toxotai.

Citizen:

Citizens are the common folk of the empire. They are the craftsmen, traders, and general laborers.

History

Pre-Imperial Nyztal:

Nyztalene City-States

In ages past the lands of Nyztal, like Nedea, did not have a centralized government. Instead, cities would govern themselves with their own laws and customs while sharing the culture and religion of other city-states. Battles would spring up between city-states as they fought for land or resources which lead to the rise of phalanx militias. These militias would defend their cities using ranks of large shields, swords, and most importantly archers. The tactics and strategies used by these city states would go on to form the basis of the Myrmidons of Aenia.
Eventually the more south eastern city-states fell to the Kingdom of Docia. This rallied the other city-states to make the Lyrian League and with their combined strength were able to halt Docian advances. When the Kingdom of Taemia conquered Docia the Lyrian League became wary that Taemia would seek to conquer Nyztal. The Lyrian League then gathered their forces to launch a preemptive strike against Taemia. This show of strength failed disastrously and lead to Taemia going on to conquer all of Nyztal.
After several decades the Nedean prince Caran launched a campaign into Taemia. Utilizing new strategies and tactics that emphasized diversity of troops, cavalry, and flexible troop formations. This new warfare was so effective Caran not only conquered Nyztal but went on to conquer all of Taemia. When Caran died without an heir his territories were left to his generals with Nyztal being left to Captain Agathos. What followed the imperial sages call a war of inheritance. Nyztal would fight their Illian neighbors to the west and Taemian neighbors to the south east in a bid to reunify the broken territories. These border clashes would continue until the arrival of the Aenians.

Imperial Nyztal:

As the Aenian Empire expanded beyond Nedea it set its sights on Nyztal. Nyztal, having been weakened by prolonged conflict, willingly joined to avoid bloodshed and became an imperial province. With imperial support Nyztal strengthened its borders against the Taemia. Nyztal also adopted the Aenian Senate as a form of government, instituted the Za'arstra as the state religion, and began to train regiments of archers known as Toxotai to act as support for the Myrmidons.
Under Aenian governance, Nyztal knew prosperity surpassing that of the Lyrian League. Magic was used in tandem with technology, libraries became as important as temples, and its people went without hunger. When Emperor Niko sent the V Legion to the west over the Etru Mountains he also sent the IV Legion into Norredas from Nyztal. There the empire dominated the Norr Mountains. During this time the Nyztalene built the town of Auxtrum, and the mountain fortress of Norresh.
With the empire continuing to expand westward, Nyztal solidified its hold on Norredas as the bulk of the IV Legion was sent south to pacify Taemia. Nyztal attempted to build ports near the Hellgate with the taming of the Leviathan Sea being their ultimate goal. Needing lumber for a new navy the Nyztalene began to build logging camps in the Vana woods. Unaware others called the Vana woods home, the Vana elves ambushed the Nyztalene for encroaching on their land. This couldn't come at a worse time as Taemia continued to resist the Aenian Empire dealing heavy casualties to the IV Legion.
As rebellions began to rise in Norredas word reached Nyztal that Sol (the imperial name for Za'ar) had taken to the field to lead the empire. As his first campaign Sol traveled to Norredas and laid waste to the Vana Elves. His battle did not go unnoticed. As Sol returned to Aenia he was beset by three dragons. Ba'ha the Just flew from Drakes Hollow in Enes, Thogg the Drake woke from his slumber in the Skar, and Xian the Tyrant left his courtiers in Lungura. Over the Norre Mountains they fought Sol. After that Climactic battle Xian lay dead, Ba'ha and Thogg reteated suffering serious wounds and Sol stood broken, bloody, and victorious.
Having defeated the dragons Sol gathered the Myrmidon I Legion at the the Nyztalene city of Nika. From there he would launch a campaign eastward into Lungura and attempt to conquer the Kingdom of Raji and Taemia. When the imperial forces met the Taemian army in the Amman Jungle they won several early victories and thought Taemia would soon be conquered, Then at the turn of the tide Ithras, Taemian god Light, joined the battle and fought Sol. The high cost of that battle left the I Legion all but annihilated, the Amman jungle turn to a desert, and Taemia victorious.
Fifty years after this defeat citizens of Nyztal saw a bright light rising from Nedea. As sages died in Nyztal, the skies darken to pitch black, and the Bale Night began.

A Time of Troubles:

After the Bale Night, Nyztal set about reasserting order and sent diplomats to Aenia not knowing of its destruction. During this time the Nyztalene faced attacks from the Khagan in both Norredas and Nyztals northern border. After several weeks of raids by the Khagan, the Nyztalene diplomats returned with the Myrmidon III Legion and grave news. Aenia was no more, Sol had left, and chaos spread across the newly named Holy Empire of Illium. After many months of fighting the Khagan were driven off and for a brief time fighting ceased in Nyztalene lands. Using this time the Nyztal attempted to strengthen ties with Illium but were insulted by the decadence of the capital. The practice of chattel slavery boomed, more focus was put on decadent sculptures and feasts in Sols name instead of uplifting their fellow man, and instead of healers being sent to combat the Spongepox, Myrmidons were sent to quell the people. Hostilities reached a boiling point when the Nyztalene sent forces to defend against the invading Schtadt but when Praetor Atreus demanded more troops to defend Norredas the emperor spat in his face. With that Nyztal and Norredas withdrew from the Holy Empire of Illium to form the Nyztalene Empire.
Praetor Atreus now Emperor Atreus reformed the Nyztalene in what is now known as the Atrian Reforms. These reforms were meant to transfer power from the out of touch Nyztalene Senate and put it in the hands of those that would fight for the people of Nyztal. With these reforms slavery was illegal, all would enjoy an education no matter their station, and the Nyztalene Senate would be disbanded to become the emperors Counselors. Historians argue that had Atreus not instituted these reforms then the Nyztalene Empire would have lost to the United Theocracy of Amman long ago.
When Emperor Atreus first met the Amanni Caliph Saladin ibn Yusuf ibn Qasim both men were immediately impressed with the other. Both finding kindred honorable spirits their talk soon turned to potential alliances. But, as these leaders traded histories of their homeland it was apparent peace would not be an option. Saladin told Atreus of the Amannis charge to purge the light of the "Black Sun" from the world. Atreus knowing this would mean war with Illium was forced to choose between siding with the Amanni or with Illium. Thanking Saladin for his honesty Atreus let him know in no uncertain terms that the Nyztalene would not allow the invasion of Illium. With great regret Saladin thanked Atreus for his hospitality and left to marshal his armies to war with the Nyztalene.
Several decades later when fighting with the Amanni was at its worst Atreus received word from Norredas. Norredas had been invaded by raiders. These raiders called themselves Skarrans and had sailed into Norredas from the Hellgate. Seeing an opportunity Atreus rode north to Norredas to meet these Skarrans. After the defeat at the Hellport, Atreus met Sturl at Novor and brokered a deal with these new Skarrans. Hoping to use them as a buffer between new Skarran raiders and as reinforcements against the Amanni Atreus gave Norredas to the Skarrans in exchange for the service of their warriors.
Since that fateful day, the newly named Valaskar and the Nyztalene Empire have supported each other. The Nyztalene providing many technologies to the Valaskarran such as beekeeping and the Valaskarran Skeinners serving as an elite unit in the Nyztalene army.

A Note For Players And GMs

Playing A Nyztalene

Aerra is based on a homebrew setting using D&D 3.5 edition rules. Humans born and raised within the Nyztalene Empire follow these rules in place of the standard rules for Humans.
A Nation Of Scholars: Expansion and training of the mind is paramount in the Nyztalene Empire. Most puzzles and debate are a common past-time for children. Because of this a Nyztalene character receive a +2 bonus to Intelligence at character creation. 
Imperial Schooling: From a very young age children receive teaching from a mentor in classrooms. There they learn history, simple math, and most importantly how to read and write. All Nyztalene are literate.
Higher Education: After finishing primary schooling, citizens enroll in local academies. There they hone their minds and skills under the tutelage of an array of masters. Because of this all Nyztalene have a +2 modifier to Perform, Craft, and Profession skill checks (players may only choose ONE Craft and Profession to apply the modifier to and they must be related i.e. Craft (leatherworking) and Profession (tanner))

Type

Geopolitical, Empire

Demonym

Nyztalene

Leader

Emperor Solon

Neighboring Nations

• The Holy Empire of Illium
• Valaskar