Malkuth Empire
Ah, the empire. Home, sweet home. What can I say about the empire? It's rich in history, going back countless millennia, existing since the time of the Azra. We're also technologically advanced, thanks to the ruins that the capital city, Babylon, was built on top of. I've been to the capital before, albeit not much as I'm from one of the kingdoms, and it is a breathtaking sight to behold.The Malkuth Empire is a massive nation occupying at least half of the western continent, taking up the entirety of the region of the same name. Composed of four kingdoms surrounding a central capital, the empire was once divided into four warring nations, each laying claim to an ancient ruined Azran city in the center of the region. However, one day, a mysterious man emerged from nowhere and conquered the entire region, one kingdom at a time. Each kingdom fell within a day, and the conquests were spread apart by one year each. This man then proclaimed himself the emperor, and brought together the four kingdoms under one flag, one creed, for the first time in centuries.
The capital aside, the empire is divided up into four kingdoms on each side of the capital. To the north there's the Kingdom of Galen, where I'm from; To the east, the Kingdom of Ebbon; To the south, the Kingdom of Tremoria; and to the west, the Kingdom of Embrus. They used to be separate, warring nations, constantly at each other's throats for hundreds of years. After the Four Great Conquests however, they were united under a single banner for the first time in centuries, and immediately things started to look up. I was born long after the unification, but I can't imagine that the conquests were any less legendary than the mythology surrounding them would suggest. I mean, I've seen the emperor in person, and even from just a glimpse, I have little doubt in my mind that he could do everything he was said to have done and more.
Long story short, I'm a patriot. Long live the empire, Ut Simul Stare!
The empire now experiences the greatest prosperity it has ever known. Agriculture, art, science and technology, and even magic, all these fields and more have been pushed far beyond anything seen before in Malkuth. Even their religion is quite different, and rather heavily opposed, to the Aedohrian Ecclesiam, the dominant religion of the east. In fact, while the empire has not had an active conflict in over a century, the emperor himself has voiced his disapproval of the Ecclesiam and has declared open hostility towards its practice, a sentiment which is almost universally shared amongst the populace.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the leadership of Emperor Garleus, a man who blurs the line between reality and legend. He is a towering man, clad in a glorious suit of armor, and those who look upon him find little doubt in the idea that he could conquer a nation single-handedly. He has been mythologized to an unsurprising extent, and even his face is hidden to all but his inner circle. Yet despite the mysteries surrounding his enigmatic person, he is universally beloved by his people, and all who flourish under his rule respect and revere him as more than just a man, but closer to the level of a shining golden god.
Structure
Malkuth is ruled over by the emperor, Garleus Mateia Palamecia I. He commands all of Malkuth from his throne in the capital city of Babylon. Beneath him are the four kings, those who rule over the four realms where the emperor performed his four great conquests. They maintain dominion over their kingdoms, and while they possess their own courts in their own kingdoms, they are also a part of the emperor's greater court. The emperor's greater court contains thirteen members, not including himself as the leader, a trait shared with each of the kings' lesser courts.
While the identities of all thirteen members of the emperor's court are not known, known members include: the Adjudicator, Yuris Lex, who presides over the legal system and arbitrates legal matters, but whose verdicts can be overturned by the emperor; the current leader of the archaeological group which helped to excavate the Azran ruins, who is one of the few people who can translate the sacred language of the Azra; the chairwoman of the Babylon Adventurer's Guild, who was one of the first to arrive in the capital and help it become a sprawling population center; the high priestess of the Malkuthian religion; the imperial archmage; and for unknown reasons, a mysterious jester, about whom little is known. Rumors say he was the one who delivered the emperor's challenges during the great conquests, though this has never been confirmed. The rest of the court is only known in rumor by vague titles: the Lovers, the Chariot, and the Hermit.
While the identities of all thirteen members of the emperor's court are not known, known members include: the Adjudicator, Yuris Lex, who presides over the legal system and arbitrates legal matters, but whose verdicts can be overturned by the emperor; the current leader of the archaeological group which helped to excavate the Azran ruins, who is one of the few people who can translate the sacred language of the Azra; the chairwoman of the Babylon Adventurer's Guild, who was one of the first to arrive in the capital and help it become a sprawling population center; the high priestess of the Malkuthian religion; the imperial archmage; and for unknown reasons, a mysterious jester, about whom little is known. Rumors say he was the one who delivered the emperor's challenges during the great conquests, though this has never been confirmed. The rest of the court is only known in rumor by vague titles: the Lovers, the Chariot, and the Hermit.
History
For over seven and a half centuries, the four kingdoms of Malkuth had been fighting over a ruined Azran city in the center of the region. One day, however, in the year 2245, a mysterious man named Garleus emerged and began to conquer the region. Once a year for four years, he would challenge each of the kings to a contest of their choosing for the fate of their kingdoms. The kingdom of Embrus was first, and the challenge was denied. Garleus subsequently invaded by force, single-handedly fighting his way to the throne room and dueling the king in person. After his victory, he dubbed his opponent the King of Might.
After this, the other three kingdoms followed suit. The king of Galen accepted the challenge one year later, and the two engaged in a duel of the minds. Garleus was victorious, and he dubbed his opponent the King of Wit. One year after that, the king of Ebbon took the initiative and sought out Garleus himself, surrendering his land without resistance in the hopes of giving his people the comfort of a peaceful transition. In acknowledgement of his kindness, Garleus dubbed him the King of Mercy. Last was Tremoria, and their king was Garleus' greatest opponent. For three years he had prepared for the challenge, and presented the emperor with a series of games which would test each and every skill, but most importantly his endurance. Their battle lasted until the next sunrise, when Garleus barely managed to emerge victorious. In honor of his opponent's preparedness and endurance, Garleus dubbed him the King of Patience, though many also refer to him as the King of Games.
With the once divided region united under one banner, the ruins were excavated, revealing immense riches and powerful relics. A new city was built on the ruins, carrying the name which was discovered to have belonged to the ruins themselves once upon a time: Babylon.
After this, the other three kingdoms followed suit. The king of Galen accepted the challenge one year later, and the two engaged in a duel of the minds. Garleus was victorious, and he dubbed his opponent the King of Wit. One year after that, the king of Ebbon took the initiative and sought out Garleus himself, surrendering his land without resistance in the hopes of giving his people the comfort of a peaceful transition. In acknowledgement of his kindness, Garleus dubbed him the King of Mercy. Last was Tremoria, and their king was Garleus' greatest opponent. For three years he had prepared for the challenge, and presented the emperor with a series of games which would test each and every skill, but most importantly his endurance. Their battle lasted until the next sunrise, when Garleus barely managed to emerge victorious. In honor of his opponent's preparedness and endurance, Garleus dubbed him the King of Patience, though many also refer to him as the King of Games.
With the once divided region united under one banner, the ruins were excavated, revealing immense riches and powerful relics. A new city was built on the ruins, carrying the name which was discovered to have belonged to the ruins themselves once upon a time: Babylon.
Demography and Population
Malkuth contains a massive population of roughly 65 million people, and this population is rather diverse. People of many races can be found within Malkuth, from humans and elves to astrians and even a few kizodae here and there. Frostkin can also be found there, but they are looked upon with a certain amount of suspicion by the populace due to their inherent ties to one of the Primordials. That said, the Frostkin citizens of Malkuth tend to abide by the law, lacking faith and therefore not guilty of Primordial worship.
However, one of the most prominent races in Malkuth are the elemental-kin. Each kind of elemental-kin can be found most prominently in their respective kingdom, but they are all equally dispersed within the capital as well.
However, one of the most prominent races in Malkuth are the elemental-kin. Each kind of elemental-kin can be found most prominently in their respective kingdom, but they are all equally dispersed within the capital as well.
Territories
The empire lays claim to the entire region of Malkuth. From the eastern coasts to the western deserts, from the northern planes to the southern mountains, all of Malkuth falls under the dominion of the empire.
Military
The imperial army is massive and nigh indomitable. The greatest advantages of the four kingdoms are combined into one massive force: the raw strength and training of Embrus, the strategical genius of Galen, the naval dominance of Ebbon, and the wealth of resources of Tremoria. In addition, the imperial army enjoys the benefit of reverse-engineered Azran technology on their side, improving nearly every quality of the army.
Technological Level
The empire enjoys great boons from the Azran relics found within the ruins. The empire has spent the past two centuries attempting to reverse engineer as much of their technology as possible, and have come up with various astounding results. Powerful weapons and armor enhancements benefit the military, while communications technology allows the empire to be more efficient than ever. Most impressively of all, the most recent of these innovations has been the creation of large airships, which has revolutionized travel and trade within Malkuth.
Religion
Various temples to the gods are kept in the empire, all across Malkuth. However, the worship of the Primordials is strictly forbidden. The empire sees the Primordials, also known as the World Keepers to the Aedohrian faith, as dangerous and evil, and Garleus wishes to purge all who worship them in order to diminish their power. Worship of the Primordials is strictly forbidden, and is punishable by death. By extension, the empire is an enemy of the Aedohrian Ecclesiam, the dominant religion of the east.
Foreign Relations
The emperor's chief diplomat is the current king of Ebbon, Leinur Ren Ebbon XV. The empire maintains peaceful relations with most other nations. However, the emperor, and by extension the empire, is openly hostile towards all who worship the Primordials, and the area surrounding Malkuth has already been purged of all such groups.
Agriculture & Industry
The agriculture is strongest in the northeast, between Galen and Ebbon. Crops and livestock flourish there, and provide high quality meat and produce for the empire.
Trade & Transport
The four kingdoms openly trade with each other and the capital. Galen and Ebbon provide crops and livestock to the empire, as well as water to Embrus specifically, as the latter lies within a desert and thus benefits greatly from the trade. Tremoria provides material goods and valuables, such as gems and ores, while Embrus provides spices and exotic materials such as fabrics. The capital provides all sorts of things, as well as the technology excavated from the ruins.
Ut Simul Stare. (Together We Stand.)
Founding Date
2248
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Capital
Babylon
Demonym
Malkuthian
Leader
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Federation
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Malkuthian currency takes the form of gold, silver, and copper coins. On both sides is printed the crest of the empire.
Legislative Body
The emperor, with consultation from his court, creates the laws of the empire.
Judicial Body
The laws of the land are carried out by the Justiciars, the main judicial organization of the empire. The current grand judge, also known as the Adjudicator, is Yuris Lex. Of course, any and all judicial decisions can be overturned by the emperor should he see the need, but the judgement of the Adjudicator is typically trusted.
Location
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
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