Kharagess, Empire of Bones
Kharagess is a harsh and barren land, covered with the bones of ancient behemoths that once wandered the fells. The northern winds sweep across a craggy, inhospitable terrain. Forests are few and far between, mostly in the southeast, but those that exist are filled with valuable ghostwood and ironwood. Kharagess stays cold, but rarely so frigid that snow falls upon its necropoli. It is a dark land, where the sky is always overcast and the rain falls frequently.
Kharagess is ruled by the Triumvirate. At any given time, the Triumvirate consists of the three oldest and wisest deathless of Kharagess - those chosen few Kharagessians who, through their faith, their good deeds, and their accomplishments for the Empire of Bone, have been gifted with eternal life by the necromantic blessings of Nimriel. These deathless, venerated ancestors are the elite of Kharagess and their unblinking gaze is ever vigilant over the peoples of bone.
The Empire of Bone is fairly self sufficient, mostly due to its workforce of animate dead. Though the terrain is harsh, the divine miracles of Nimriel and the hardiness of Kharagess’ people provide all that they need. Some rare trading takes place with Horhiskali and other kingdoms, mostly works of ivory and bone or shipments of lumber, but Kharagess maintains no permanent trade relations. The most valuable resources of Kharagess are its necromantic magics - no where else among the civilized kingdoms is Necromancy so widely practiced and so universally renowned and celebrated.
Kharagess is constantly having to field armies of the dead along its western border to fend off attacks from the sycophants of Isill who would like nothing more than to wipe the Empire of Bone from the face of Edras. Thankfully, the harsh terrain of Kharagess and the gifts of Nimriel have made the nation an incredibly hard target.
The people of Kharagess are a solemn and spiritual people; the worship of Nimriel touches nearly every aspect of their lives. That being said, Kharagessians are not a dour or dark people, they are instead quite hopeful for all that they can accomplish in both life and death for their nation and their goddess. The most common professions in Kharagess are necromancers, bonecrafters, hunters, acolytes, and morticians.
The Triumvirate
- Kraughor the Soulreaper: The ruler of Nolkudrath, the Abode of Terrors. Youngest of the Three. He is secretive and wily, able to plan twenty seven moves ahead at all times. There is no finer mind in Kharagess than that of Kraughor - great annals of history, forgotten lores, and all manner of occult secrets and mysteries are locked with the vault of his memory. Unfortunately, his talents avail him very little but worry and uncertainty. He does not rest, as the others do, but instead ceaselessly pours over his notes and reports, always concerned with the next movement of Verathrox, the machinations of the deathless in Oss, or some other torment of the day. He has great respect for students and scholars, those that value learning and knowledge, but finds that his great intellect makes it very hard for him to truly trust anyone - even himself.
- Avragami the Deathbloom: The ruler of Ashrak Zul, the Sanguine Citadel. She is a bit haughty and vain, overly troubled by appearances and the accumulation of things. Despite her all-too-mortal faults, she is perhaps the most devout of the Three, always concerned with instilling a deep spirituality in all of her subjects. She appears in public more than any of the other members of the Triumvirate, personally overseeing important festivals, rituals, and celebrations. She abhors savages, ruffians, and those who act without the proper dignity and decorum, but above all else - heretics and apostates.
- Graedrem the Risen: The ruler of Vomkurhek, the Stronghold of Strife. Oldest of the Three. He is quiet and solemn and often difficult to rouse from his throne, tired from his centuries of defending Kharagess, but within his lifeless armor lies a wellspring of ancient wisdom. He does not play at politics, nor does he have much love for those who do. He values duty and honor and service beyond death.
The Laws of Magic
- Arcane and Divine Magic are both legal.
- Natural Magic is strictly outlawed due to the kingdom's zealous worship of Nimriel and it's close ties to the Circle of 12 Seals.
- Necromancy is perfectly legal and is viewed as the highest of magical arts.
- Aberrant magic that comes from pledging oneself to Outsiders or agents of the Primordials is strictly illegal.
- Sorcerers are viewed with distrust and fear by some, though like most cullic nations licensure can be obtained for such unnatural abilities through the Church of the Brisingelion or the Circle of 12 Seals.
Structure
Secular Hierarchy
- The Triumvirate
- Deathless
- Count/Countess
- Death Knight
Demography and Population
Population: approx. 2,100,000 (living) and 5,350,000 (undead)
Demographics
- Shadar-kai 25%
- Aasimar 20%
- Gnomes 18%
- Elves 14%
- Loxodon 11%
- Myconid 7%
- Misc. 5%
Territories
- Oss, the Alabaster Necropolis: The eastern necropoli and the capital of Kharagess. Ruled together by all three members of the Triumvirate, though none are permitted to martial significant forces there. The day to day running of Oss is overseen by the Seneschal, a title granted to the deathless who is next in line for a seat among the Three.
- Ashrak Zul, the Sanguine Citadel: The northern necropoli. Ruled by Avragami the Deathbloom.
- Vomkurhek, the Stronghold of Strife: The western necropoli. Ruled by Graedrem the Risen.
- Nolkudrath, the Abode of Terrors: The southernmost necropoli. Ruled by Kraughor the Soulreaper.
Religion
The Empire of Bones maintains a near monolithic devotion to Nimriel, Queen of Graves.
Foreign Relations
Allied with Horhiskali. Hostile towards Isill. Rumors suggest some kind of “arrangement” with Avamast.
Priesthood
Religious Hierarchy
- High Mortarch: Oversees all the churches of Nimriel in Kharagess
- Deathsinger
- Chanter
- Songstress
- Chorister
- Anointed
- Celebrant
- Attendant
- Celebrant
- Eidolon
- Geist
- Specter
- Haunt
- Ravager
- Butcher
- Harbinger
Founding Date
2891
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Capital
Alternative Names
Empire of Bones
Demonym
Kharagessian
Ruling Organization
Government System
Thanatocracy / Necrocracy
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Palace economy
Currency
Coinage made from metal that is either pale ivory or dusky coal in color, depending on the denomination. Officially called 'Triumvirate Osseons', they are referred to casually as 'moans' and 'wails'.
Official State Religion
Location
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Comments