Egeans

Egeans are the people of the Egea, a powerful human empire that covers the entire middle region of the Heartlands. They are a varied mixture of multiple ancient ethnicities that has fused together rather seamlessly over the two and a half millenia of the Empire's existence.
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Social structure, civilization and culture

The Empire of Egea functions as a confederated state that mixes the principles of democracy, feudalism and autocracy. Thanks to great advances in civic principles -- such as human rights and universal suffrage -- citizens enjoy extensive constitutional rights and liberal possibilities for societal advancement. Egean citizenship is in fact such an esteemed position that many immigrants strive towards it through arduous effort.
All throughout history, Egeans have been one of the most ingenious and industrious peoples of the civilized world. In the prehistoric days of the Black Age after the Divine Calamity the earliest cultural concepts of philosophy and classical statecraft spread via cultural osmosis from Tyria to its surrounding lands. The tribal ancestors of Egeans adopted these cultural innovations with relish and ever since then their societies have been pioneers in scientific, magical and cultural advancement.
The influence of the Empire's many advances on the world could be described as a cultural hegemony. Egean culture has dominated the development of civilizations all across the Heartlands and beyond, surpassing even ancient Tyria -- the "Cradle of Civilization" -- as a model for other nations to follow. To name a few globally dominant aspects of Egean culture, the globally used language of Common is the native language of Egea, the counting of years is known as the "Egean Reckoning" and was devised by the Egean philosopher Harptos 2,501 years ago, and the Imperial Ecclesiarchy is the ecumenical parent organization that oversees all Empyreal worship in the Heartlands.
Over the long years of its existence, Egean culture has produced many great artists, writers, and philosophers whose works are known throughout the world. Music halls, theatres, libraries, and other such hotspots of high culture are commonplace in cities of the Empire, and deep seated folk traditions -- especially musical ones -- are prevalent even in the poorly developed regions of the nation's countryside.
The latest cultural craze in the Empire are stage plays and orchestral music, both of which have also enthralled circles of cultural enthusiasts in other nations -- notably the Grand Duchies of Tyria. The many classical orchestras and acting troupes of Egea have enjoyed an overabundance of available touring locations in the past decade.
For further details, see: Egea

Synonyms
the imperials
Body tint, color and markings
Extremely varied; all normal human colors of skin, hair and eyes are possible. Markings and tattoos are uncommon.
Special characteristics
None.
Significant populations
Egea
Language
Common
Religion
Empyreal Faith

Related ethnicities
Caéled (neighbours)
Tyrians (neighbours)

Related Organizations

• Imperial Church of Loviatar

Related Myths

• Fable of the Yellow-Eyed Witch