The Kingdom of Uziel

Uziel is a powerful kingdom with a gruesome reputation. To those outside of its borders, Uziel is a barbaric, expansionist, warmongering nation. A scourge upon the world clad in iron grasping for any iota of power it can reach. However, should you get past its calloused exterior and dogmatic belief in strength, you will find a surprisingly inclusive society. A strict meritocracy where the only thing that matters is your strength and nothing else. Not race, gender, methodology, or creed, Uziel cares only that you support her cause. Its history is built upon the shoulders of raiders who found themselves in a hostile land, they defiantly planted their standard and pushed their borders out with each year that passed. This struggle for survival has molded them into a deeply proud people who care only about power. Anyone can rise to a position of authority in Uziel should they show the aptitude required regardless of who they were.

Society

Uzielians are known for their single minded adoration of strength. This often manifest as what the world would see as a brash and confrontational attitude. However in Uziel it is simply the way of life. One cannot grow strong in a vacuum the only way to grow stronger is to be tested over and over and over. Any challenge is an opportunity to learn new things, find your own weaknesses, and test your mettle. It is not only physical strength that Uzielians admire, mastery of of body, mind, and soul is desired. Every craftsman, politician, merchant, and artist that are at the top of their fields and fly Uziel's colours today help create a stronger Uziel tomorrow.

Uzielian Nobles

Often seen as greedy and envious of others Uzielian nobles are born with great ambition in them, if it wasn't it was beaten into them. Where the lower class must learn their lessons the hard way Uzielian nobles from a young age are entered into the finest schools the nation has to offer. These schools are often a streamlined learning experience turning young minds with into talented warriors, diplomats, and spies. For this reason despite Uziel's meritocratic ideal the old noble families hold still hold a considerable amount of power in the nation's heart.

History

The First Invasion of Cloudestria 821-829

Cloudestria is a land known for its near limitless source of magic and bountiful lands. However Cloudestria for much of it's history found itself in a constant infighting. This was a weakness Uziel could exploit. It started with adventurers paid to see the problems that plagued the local lands. Then came the spies to identify targets and find any chinks in the armour. Soon after that came the warships and the beginning of the invasion at the port city of Yahui. As Uziel took land grand colosseums were constructed and warriors that were once rotting in a cell were allowed to hone their craft once more. At the beginning of the war the Cloudestrians were apprehensive in fighting the Uzielians only meeting them in open combat. However towards the end the Cloudestrians became spectacular warriors, striking in the night, assassinating key generals, and unleashing a majestic force that swept over the land to purge Uziel from its land. The Plague Witch struck with unnatural speed, within a month of her arrival Uziel had lost all of it's major footholds in the land and surrendered.

The Second Invasion of Cloudestria 839-???

Ten years after the first war Uziel has once more set its eyes on Cloudestria. Now armed with the knowledge of the last war the warships have been launched once more. Though forward camps on the coast have been established, Cloudestria has been vigilant in pushing back the soldiers. Little has happened in the war as its still in its honeymoon, though there is no intention to let the war play out the same way a second time.

Government

When Uziel was first being founded it was decided that no one man would rule the soon to be great nation, rather it would be ruled by the people. The Uzielian government is ran by the Triad Pillars each of which represents the ideal Uzielian in either Mind, Body, or Soul. The Pillar of Body of course represents strength of one's body. A strong and sturdy form, one that can swing a sword and pull their own weight. The Pillar of Mind represents strength of intellect. A logical and pragmatic mind, one that can think laterally and reach a solution when a problem is presented. Finally The Pillar of Soul represents strength of heart. A courageous and unfaltering heart, one that won't waver in the face of adversity, or falter when tasked with making an impossible decision.
It was reasoned that with a council of three each representing one aspect of the ideal Uzielian no single person could doom Uziel through incompetence, madness, or corruption. With three pillars there will always be two others to hold any rogue member accountable, ensuring no individual can rule unopposed.

Foreign Relations

• Uzielian and Seloran relations have always been tense. Both nations are technically still at war with each other though 18 years ago an armistice signed leading to a very tenuous peace between them. Selora and Uziel are generally viewed as military and political rivals to each other.
• While many Cloudestrians harbour a deep resentment to Uzielians for what they did during the first war, Uziel for the most part holds no such resentment. The Uzielian nobility view the Cloudestrian Kensei with incredible reverence. So much so that there have been several cases of Uzielian nobles found in Cloudestria under false identities learning from notable dueling schools.
• Due Orhill's neutral disposition Uziel Heavily relies on the port to wrap around it's neighbors Selora and Cloudestria, while also accessing Kormad. Publicly Uziel attempts to maintain this working relation with Orhill. In reality Uziel has sent many agents to infiltrate the different levels of the Orhillian nobility in preparation for a possible invasion.
• Due to Sifr's absence of any localized government and authority many Sifran ports in the north have opted to be assimilated by Uziel. The inhabitants of these settlements live in relative peace compared to the rest of the nation, seeing trade taxes to Uziel as a price worth paying for military protection from raiders.

Military

The Uzielian military enforces a mixture of scorched earth and shock and awe policies when they attack. Often choosing to burn the target and everything around it down to the ground if they don't bend the knee and bow to Uziel. An Uzielian military unit often leans heavily into close-quarters warriors with a healthy amount of support casters.

Geography

When Uziel was first settled every bit of land was paid for in blood and fire. Much of Uziel's countryside is covered in hostile dense dark woods. You'll often find the red eyes of Shades haunting the briars, salivating over their potential prey. During the night terrible shrieks echo through the trees. Whether it was from victim or victor, only the forest can tell.

Flora

Uziel's forest are almost primordial, with centuries-old trees and their sprawling limbs blotting out any sunlight. Their bark a splotched nicotine brown with trickles of poisonous sap gleaming beneath the canopy. On the ground you'll find a blanket of moss with blood-red toadstools spattered haphazardly on top. The thick musty air of these forest are often accented with acrid odour that hangs off of every surface.

Shades

The animals of Uziel are dark reflections of other animals in the world. Stronger, faster, tougher, larger, and smarter than the originals, these beast gave the early Uzielian settlers no quarter. Though these animals vary in size and shape they all share a handful of characteristics. All of them are nocturnal with a intense vulnerability to light, almost never to been seen during the day they will scramble back to their caves at the first crack of day. The dark inky scales, hide, and fur of these animals give them a supernatural affinity for stalking prey in the shadows, only being revealed by their red eyes and markings. Uzieilians today take extra care to make sure they eradicate any Shades they have to fight. Should any survive an encounter and lick their wounds they'll learn, they'll adapt, and they'll remember. Many fairy tales told to scare children involve Shades who survived an encounter with people. Most are just that, fairy tales, but some hold a sliver of truth.

Through strength we can change our destinies

Type of Nation
Geopolitical Kingdom
Capital
Lance
Demonym
Uzielian
Government System
Meritocratic Oligarchy
Religion
Strength, Conquest, Growth
Ruler(s)
Pillar of Body: Chro Shvets
Pillar of Mind: Thalia Sokolov
Pillar of Soul: Gareth Lebedev
Official Languages
Uzielian, Common, Orc