Zendylite Empire
The Zendylite Empire was founded in 1025ATC by Zendyl Heste do Shaphel, also known as Zendyl the Messenger, when he executed a successful coup against the ruling Targarch of Targos.
At the height of its power and territorial extent, the Empire controlled extensive portions of several other nations, including all of Akeaom and Mor'Rhavid, and was the dominant naval, military, and economic power in most of the known regions of Gæðí.
Note: 'Zendylite Empire' is an exonym used by peoples from without; to the Zendylite people, their country is 'Sharr Zendylhia', translated as the 'World of Zendyl' or 'Zendyl's World'.
Structure
Prior to the Collapse, the Empire was ruled from Col Zendyl by the Sharrarch. Each of the major cities (e.g. Carosh, Col Shaphel, Col Aylia, etc.) is ruled by a Colarch, who were subordinate to the Sharrarch, but otherwise reign supreme as governers of their city's territory. After the Zendylites' final expulsion from Akeaom in the late 27th century ATC, and the Mor'Rhaia invasion that resulted from the weakening of the far-east garrisons, the Colarchs of Col Shaphel and Col Aylia successfully forced the creation of a new triumvirate under which the office of Sharrarch would remain vacant, and they, along with a Colarch of Col Zendyl, would rule with as (theoretically) equal Triarchs.
Culture
Imperial culture is one of absolute conviction in their natural superiority to others. Zendylites believe their military is better than any other, their art is better, their music is better, their language, and so on. For their military, their natural tendency toward agression and belligerence has historically validated their belief, as they have often been victorious through sheer ferocity and tenacity. Though The Collapse sorely tested the Empire's faith in their guiding principles, the Zendylite Tenets, the subsequent relative stability of the Triarchy and resulting paranoid militancy have given the Zendylite people a renewed sense of pride.
History
The Zendylite Empire was formally proclaimed in Col Zendyl in the year 1025ATC, after Zendyl Heste do Shaphel defeated and executed the Targarch of Ancient Targos, Kimil Atoria do Targos, and named himself Sharrarch.
In 1090ATC, Sharrarch Zendyl Heste do Shaphel died, aged 101yrs. In his final will, he elevated his wife's cadet branch of Family Heste do Shaphel to its own Great Family, Family Nayaman, codified the power and influence of the Great Families into Imperial Law, and revealed the fourth and final of his Tenets, "Perpetuity".
In the middle 14th century ATC, the Empire first encountered and established commerce with the people of Akeaom. This was the first time the Zendylites had encountered a new civilization since the pre-Imperial era establishment of trade with the enigmatic Tanaari in the early 5th century.
Early in the 16th century ATC, Zendylite eastward expansion lead to first contact with the seclusive Mor'Rhaia of Mor'Rhavid.
Mythology & Lore
Even in the early days of his Empire, Zendyl Heste do Shaphel was revered as a prophet by his people, his word treated as dogma. Thus it is that almost two millennia after his death, he is regarded as near-divine by the Zendylites.
Tenets of Faith
Ascendancy- By their survival of the Targotian Cataclysm and their subsequent resurgance, the Targotian people have proven their worthiness to endure and expand; They are chosen.
Mastery- By their boldness in exploration and their skill in navigation, the Targotian people have proven their worthiness to rule the seas; The oceans are their domain.
Supremacy- By their tenacity, ferocity, and the strength of their armaments, the Targotian people have proven their worthiness to dominate; They are superior.
After his death, in his will he revealed the fourth and final Tenet:
Perpetuity- It is the duty and destiny of the Empire, in fullfilment of the first three Tenets, to endure eternally; They are eternal.
(NOTE: After the founding of the Zendylite Empire in 1025ATC, the wording of the first three Tenets was changed slightly, erasing mention of 'the Targotian people' and replacing it with 'the Zendylite people')
Sharr Zendylhia, or the Zendylite Empire
Legacy is Eternal
Col Zendyl- The spiritual center, and former capital city, of the entire Empire. Col Zendyl was founded and built by the Messenger himself, and is the location of his royal residence and fortress, the Baz Hesteran. In the modern era, it is ruled by the Triarch Col Zendyl, one of the three greater Colarchs that rule the Empire as a triumvirate. It is also the home of the fanatical Hesteri Guard.
Col Shaphel- The birthplace of Zendyl the Messenger, founder of the Empire, and seat of power of his family, Family Heste do Shaphel. Col Shaphel was the second major city built by the resurgent Targotians after the Cataclysm, and has served for over two millenia as the administrative center of its region. In the modern era, it is ruled by the Triarch Col Shaphel, second of the three greater Colarchs that rule the Empire.
Col Aylia- Built only a century and half after Col Shaphel as a far eastern administrative city, Col Aylia quickly rose to prominence as a major political power under the influence of the Targotian Great Families. In the middle 6th century ATC, the balance of power in Targos began to shift eastward with the discovery and exploitation of new found islands in the Targotian Sea by both Col Aylia and Col Shaphel. In the modern era, it is ruled by the Triarch Col Aylia, third of the three greater Colarchs that rule the Empire.
Carosh- A major port and naval city on the Bay of Carosh, it was the first new city built by the Targotians after the Cataclysm, and is the location of the Empire's oldest naval institutions. In the modern era, Carosh constitutes a western frontier for the Empire, guarding the border with the recently independent modern nation of Targos.
Sia Alderstinia- A distant archipelago off the west coast of the Akomeron Peninsula in Akeaom, Sia Alderstinia is the location of the city Col Alore and the mighty Baz Dragoran. It is ruled by the Colarch of Col Alore, who also acts as commander of the formidable garrison that the Empire keeps permanently stationed there. The heart of this garrison are the elite Dragons of Alderstin, who are named after a fierce and hardy predator native to many islands in the Targotian Sea.
How is succession of a triarch handled? Is it an inherited position, or is a new Triarch selected by another mechanism?
Thanks for reading and commenting! You've reminded me that I need to finish writing up the article for the office of Triarch. To answer, the Triarch of Col Zendyl continues the old Sharrarchial tradition of appointing their successor, knowing that their own legacy will be measured accordingly. In Col Shaphel and Col Aylia, the ancient Targotian tradition prevails, wherein their Triarchs are elected by the property-owning citizenry of their respective cities.