Neo Tsov Imperium

The Neo Tsov Imperium is an ethnostate of the Tsov people that occupies the northernmost region of the Ephon continent. It is a unitary state, with most settlements being only military strongholds along the border and research stations further inland. The supreme head of state, who is responsible for making decisions on law, trade, production, foreign relations, and overall large-scale administration, is known as the emperor. Since the nation's founding in 3545 IC, the current emperor remains its first emperor; Østaig Earth-Maker. Earth-Maker's wife, the empress, is Kyoiv Long-Path.

Culture

The people of the Imperium trust in the virtues of family, wisdom, duty, and spirituality. Even in their newly industrialized society, the old ways shine through their modernized facade on a regular basis; oral history, ancestral worship, the warding of malignant spirits, and tributes to the sky mother on the solstice are juxtaposed with military discipline, factory labor, mining, and running supply lines. Despite their compulsory military service, the Tsov do not believe in killing out of selfishness, and see the military as a necessity; a necessity that also tests one's moral judgement and strength of will. The Tsov of the Imperium take pride in their heritage, and hold a deep mistrust of outsiders.
The Sethodj of the Neo Tsov Imperium, on the other hand, do not participate in regular traditional practices; they believe it's part of a history they hold no place in, making them largely ambivalent to cultural matters, so long as they are able to work in peace. The Tsov sometimes see the Sethodj as sullen, disrespectful, and unappreciative of their culture, but for the most part, the Tsov are accepting or at least indifferent to them. Generally, a mutual acceptance between the Tsov and the Sethodj prevails.

Public Agenda

To preserve the cultural independence of the Tsov people against the ambitions of foreign nations; to be a recognizable power that ensures the greater good for all Tsov.

Assets

An economically modest nation with considerable military power for its size, several military strongholds and missile silos secure the border. Nearly every citizen having military training makes for a quick and hardy supply of troops if conscription is necessary. Untapped sources of common metals allow for a surplus of raw materials. Easy access to the ocean makes fishing an option for reliable food supply. Yaokuj, hefty mastodon-like creatures, possess large amounts of meat and ivory, and have been hunted since prehistory.

History

Most of Tsov history is in oral tradition passed on by the wise-women and the elderly, telling tales of past deeds and what can be learned from them. More limited storytelling in paintings and logographic inscriptions also keep record of the past.
The Neo Tsov Imperium itself is relatively new, being established as a nation after the 4th Insurrection and the founding of Terra Consortium. In 3536 IC, Terra Consortium personnel, mostly made up of soldiers, scientists, and artificers, made their way north to survey, occupy, and salvage whatever they could in the old Carcid research outposts. Their eye on the natural resources of the north, as well as the newly found portal to Back Wards, was enough to prompt Consortium authorities into sending more personnel to create a military stronghold that secured their foothold in the region. Great effort was made into assimilating the Tsov natives into the work force, but a lack of pay and morale eventually caused them to rebel in 3540 IC; the rebellion routed the Consortium from the north, leaving the military stronghold, now called Aødask Base, in the hands of the Tsov. To this day, the Tsov still occupy the stronghold, with the strict policy of "we built it, we own it."
The Tsov knew Terra Consortium would not tolerate their independence after the mutiny, which prompted Østaig Earth-Maker, 25 years of age at the time, to step up and devise a plan that would protect the Tsov from the outside world; he knew Carcidelic from his mother and father dealing with them before the 4th Insurrection, meaning he could not only secure diplomatic relations with the Sethodj through the portal the Consortium tried to secure, but he could also try deciphering the Carcid documents left behind. Doing this would allow the reverse-engineering of more research and military infrastructure, as well as the production of their experimental technology. By late 3540, the Sethodj of Back Wards made an alliance, with only limited trade and minor technical assistance from them offered at first. By 3544, constant shifts of training artificers and translators, working the laborers with no reliable source of food and income, and hazardous work conditions abounding in the vicious tundra finally paid off; a reliable border security system engineered in Yømovk and a food-growing plant in Tyoak secured the Tsov's foothold of the region, and some rest was well-earned. Despite the trial-and-error and harsh working conditions, the threat of Terra Consortium was enough to keep up morale. By 3545 IC, the Tsov realized a barter economy was no longer reliable for achieving their goals, making the transition to yoss. The workers, who respected Earth-Maker for his tenacity, cunning, work ethic, and leadership in the face of hardship, held a new ceremony, unheard of in Tsov culture prior to that moment; the naming of Earth-Maker as emperor of their new nation.
From 3545-3548 IC, Kyoiv Long-Path and her apprentices negotiated with the tribes further north to settle their disputes and grievances for the sake of Tsov independence. Healing ceremonies under the light of the aurora, with all the ancestors watching from above, were held in Akyeut's Crown to forgive the age-old conflicts.
In 3575 IC, the city of Jyemasav was built to the southeast of Aødask Base. The purpose of the city was to have access to more natural resources, particularly lumber, and warmer water at the coast. While the Keepers of Aurora only had light presence in Jyemasav during the construction of their new military base, Jyemasav was surprise attacked in 3576 IC for trespassing on Terra Consortium territory. Reinforcements from further inland put up an unexpectedly heavy fight against the Consortium, but the city was eventually wrested from Imperium control in 3577 IC. Several incidents at the border have occurred since, until a temporary armistice was declared in 3585 IC.
In late 3595 IC, the Neo Tsov Imperium officially stated they have a complete TOSA ready for launch if Terra Consortium breaks the terms of the armistice. Whether or not this is a bluff is unknown.

Demography and Population

As of 3595 IC:
Fertility Rate: 1.1
Population: 43,950
Species: 90.8% Humans, 8.3% Sethodj, 0.9% Other
Human Ethnic Groups: 99.9% Tsov, 0.1% Other

Territories

With an area of about a million km², the entirety of the Neo Tsov Imperium is the ancestral homeland of the Tsov, though the city of Jyemasav further south remains occupied by Terra Consortium. Being a unitary state, no provinces exist within the Imperium, and the relatively small area of the nation (compared to Terra Consortium) allows for a compact network between major sites, being a necessity for such an inhospitable environment.

Military

Only one official military organization exists in Neo Tsov Imperium; the Keepers of Aurora (KoA). The aurora is a reference to the Tsov belief that the northern lights are the gateway between the living and the dead. Serving in the KoA is mandatory for citizens who have reached 17 years of age for a minimum of one year.

Technological Level

Despite the Imperium's diminutive size compared to Terra Consortium, they possess an edge in certain technologies that make them a force to be reckoned with; harnessing geothermal energy for powering auxiliary functions, such as lights and heating, has been pioneered and put to regular use by the Tsov. Occupying the old Carcid research facility in current-day Tyoak, food production now consists of limited cloning technology used to grow sampled meat and plant material in techno-organic spawning vats. Basic rations are made with machines that extract and process nutrients and minerals from the air and rock deposits. Supposedly, the Carcids started the development of such technology to supply future expeditions in the north, but never completed it due to a lack of funding at the time. The military stronghold of Aødask was built by the Consortium with shelter and exterior defense in mind. Additions, such as missile silos, and new military bases were built locally by the Tsov with assistance from the Sethodj. Another Carcid research outpost in current-day Yømovk held schematics to an experimental defense system that could detect active sources of thaetrium in its magical field from a mile away. Supposedly this was intended by the Carcids to secure a line of defense in the northern passage between Ephon and Axtanthia, but was never finished. This technology has been produced and integrated in military strongholds and additional pylons along the southern border, making the passing of vehicles and devices nigh undetectable. The Tsov also refined a system of automatic missile targeting that uses the magic detection fields as a groundwork for its precision.

Religion

Ancestral spirit worship, as was practiced since prehistory, remains the most common religion. Agaiyek, the primordial sky mother, is also included as part of religious worship and ceremony. Decisions from the emperor are often secular, while the empress is known for spiritual counsel. Because no other religions are relevant to the Tsov, spirit worship remains the one and only state religion.

Foreign Relations

The Neo Tsov Imperium has a long-standing trade partnership with the Sethodj nation of Back Wards on Dathael. The Sethodj of Back Wards are promised asylum from the upcoming Phase of Incursion on their homeworld in exchange for their labor and technical assistance in the Imperium. The Imperium is mostly an afterthought to many other nations, with the exception of Terra Consortium. Bad blood remains between the Consortium and the Imperium; the Consortium sees the Imperium as a barrier to economic expansion in the north of Ephon, while the Imperium sees the Consortium as a threat to their cultural integrity and determinism as a nation.

Agriculture & Industry

The capital city of Akyeut's Crown possesses a geothermal energy rig, steel processing, and weapon production factories, with the portal to Back Wards, several mining towns, and a trading outpost in the northern outskirts of the city. Conventional agriculture is not used. Meat is sometimes still hunted from yaokuj, fish, and cetaceans, but large supplies come from the food production plant in Tyoak. Military strongholds across the border also contain geothermal rigs as a direct source of energy for auxiliary functions.

Trade & Transport

Thaetrium-powered aircraft is the standard option for supply lines, since yaokuj remain undomesticated as beasts of burden. The tight border security systems, constant military patrols, and frequent research and refueling outposts makes trade to the vital areas safe and efficient for the most part. Goods are exchanged directly between the Imperium and Back Wards via the portal north of Akyeut's Crown.

Education

Even before industrializing, it was standard practice to have children around 11 years of age study under a wise-woman for a couple years, making literacy fairly common. The common Tsov do not necessarily learn much scientific or mathematical theory, but are trained in many practical skills, such as first aid and home economics, and all have extensive knowledge on their people's history. Tsov who are training for more advanced careers typically work under a mentor who imparts information orally while on-site.

Founding Date

3545

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Alternative Names

Imperium

Demonym

Tsov

Government System

Monarchy, Absolute

Power Structure

Unitary state

Economic System

Command/Planned economy

Currency

Bartering is still used commonly among close associates for everyday transactions, but for greater economic purposes the Back Wards currency, yoss, was adopted.

Major Exports

Common metals (aluminum, iron, copper, etc), preserved fish, furs, and other animal products.

Major Imports

Thaetrium, precious metals.

Legislative Body

The laws of Neo Tsov Imperium are often flexible, with the general rule that theft, rape, murder, assault, and intentional sabotage are punishable on common moral custom. The most serious offenses are judged on a situational basis by the emperor and empress themselves.

Judicial Body

Minor offenses are still dealt with on a local level by common civilians, with restitution to the family or individual being the most popular option. Greater offenses are often brought to the emperor and empress directly, especially if the offender has been captured; civilians are brought in as a jury to offer evidence for more complicated cases. Immediately recognizable crimes of deadly assault, murder, or sabotage are dealt with by local military, usually with a shoot-on-sight policy.

Neighboring Nations

• Terra Consortium

Related Ethnicities

• Tsov