Traticean Empire

A nation that sprawls almost the length of the continent, Traticea is the most powerful human nation- and has maintained its status as an Empire for generations.

Structure

The Empire is, predictably, lead by the Emperor. He holds near absolute power- with the only individuals able to challenge him being the Legate Primus (Commander of the Military, second only to the Emperor) or possibly the Council of Advisors, if they acted unanimously. Beneath him, each of the Council hold sway over their own districts, ruling under the more modern titles of Dukes. Below them are the various expected minor nobility, arranged by family. As the Emperor is always drawn from one of those families, whichever is involved with the current ruling dynasty has immense power. Should an Emperor die without an heir, the Council meets and votes on a new family to take the helm. Since, naturally, each family would vote for itself, the votes can take a while. Bribery, political alliances, intrigue and assassination are rife in these periods.

Assets

The Traticean Empire is vast, and so are their assets. Perhaps the most important asset is the Legions. Thousands upon thousands of well-trained heavy infantry, cavalry, siege engineers and scouts that operate as a professional army, lead by well-educated soldiers and backed by a vast storehouse of weapons, armor and supplies. These soldiers provide both military strength and internal security, staying neutral in political affairs as much as possible and patrolling the highways. The Empire owns two of the most ports in the world, and though their coastline is limited they have a decent fleet. The focus on the army in past years has lead to the fleet being somewhat neglected, outside of their merchant marine. The Empire has the capability to produce vast quantities of goods- mainly metalwork- if provided with proper motivation. Additionally the Imperial War College and the <IMPERIAL ALCHEMICAL COLLEGE> have some of the greatest collections of written knowledge in the West. Additionally, the Empire is the only place to get true Traticean wine, which is valued the world over as being the highest quality.

History

The Empire was founded by the near-mythical Emperor Tratica, who united a handful of the small, disorganized nations of the era. Originally a simple warlord, he claimed to have been visited by the gods and shown a vast empire he and his kin would rule. This dream fired him, and he took action. By arming and training his soldiers carefully instead of simply handing them weapons, he produced a military force that could take on his near rivals even when outnumbered. Through a combination of raw military might, political maneuvering and sternly worded ultimatums, the first Empire was established, and the first Dynasty. Despite this, Tratica almost never saw his own capital, living his life armored and seated in his saddle. Over the years, the Empire grew as his legacy of conquest continued- but by 1445 the Empire had begun to stagnate due to the weakness of the last few rulers. The Emperor at the time was an inbred idiot, incapable of even figuring which boot went on which foot- and nearly bankrupted the Empire with his own stupidity and the greedy operations of his family. A brief but bloody military coup removed the imbecile from the throne, and the former Legate Primus became Emperor. He promptly relocated the High Command and War College, so as to prevent a coup from being so effective again. As that former soldier gained power, he attempted to reform the Empire into a Republic. Though at first this had promise, within five generations the Empire was nearly brought to its knees again by the sheer amount of political infighting, backbiting and bickering. The then emperor, last in the line of that former Legate, declared his ancestor's decision to be a mistake. Through the sheer weight of the Legions- and some judicious hostage-taking- he quickly dismantled the republic and appointed powerful families to fill the ranks of Duke and other nobility. He also made it more than clear that if they continued to fight so openly, he would take steps. Then after a period of stability, the Senate was reformed, with some Imperial oversight intended to keep things from going overboard again. In more recent history, the Empire has fought three seperate wars. First was against the <FORMER HUMAN NATION, SOUTH> that forced it and and the <SOUTHERN DWARVEN NATION> to merge. This war ended without the great gains that the Emperor of the time had hoped for- stagnating and bogging down at the <RIVER BORDER>. Eventually a cease-fire and truce were called. To the north, the Empire has waged war against the smaller, unaffiliated human nations, capturing several of the smaller border nations, then settling down to integrate them. But most recently the Empire attempted to conquer and annex the lands of the <WILDSMEN>, turning them into vassal states. Many people believe the Empire has stretched itself too far, however- and the <WILDSMEN> are still fighting by both force of arms and other methods to try and regain their freedom, and retain their own culture.

Territories

The Empire occupies a vast swath of the continent- though it began as simply another small nation, with the southern provinces having been in the Empire longest. The eagle banner of the Empire has been carried north and west, absorbing many smaller nations in a series of bloody territorial wars. The Empire only stopped when communications and logistics began to unravel, and many fear that certain alchemical developments- such as Mirrorslate- will signal a new period of Imperial expansion, and soon. Additionally the Empire is currently occupying the <WILDSMEN> lands to the far north- hungry for the possibilites of northern ports (even if they freeze over for half the year) and more timberland, the nations have been conquered and declared vassal states. This has caused massive amounts of friction as the <WILDSMEN>, determined to remain free and keep their own culture intact, continue to resist Imperial assimilation. And, being as they're at the far end of an Imperial supply line and are spread across their unforgiving terrain, crushing them into line is too costly an option for the High Command to consider, for now.

Military

The Traticean Imperial Military is one of the strongest in the world, and the backbone of their vast empire. The only truly professional military in the world, the Legions and their tower shields are known as some of the most fearsome and disciplined soldiers. Every Legion is headed by a Centurion, an officer title that hearkens back to the oldest days of the Empire. And every Legion consists of multiple companies of heavy infantry equipped with the traditional short spear, tower shield and shortsword, but also includes Auxiliaries which vary by the legion's specialty, from archers and siege engineers to cavalry and scouts. Traditionally, a Legion numbers five thousand legionnaires and officers, though "over strength" legions are not uncommon. Individual companies within a legion are under the command of a Praefectus, who commands several Sergeants. The command structure of the Auxiliaries varies depending on specialty. A Legate stands above the Centurions, often assuming direct command of one Legion and appointing that Centurion as his second in command. And above them all is the Legate Primus, the high commander of the Imperial Army- second only to the Emperor himself. In addition to the rigorous training given to the men of the Legions, the Officers must attend the Imperial War College before they can be made Centurion or Legate (Short of a field promotion), meaning that incompetent officers tend to be weeded out before they can do too much damage.

Religion

[TBD]

Foreign Relations

Relations with most of the world are currently strained. The southern nation of <DWARVEN-HUMAN NATION> And the Empire have enjoyed an extremely uneasy peace for the last thirty years, with soldiers from both nations staring across the river <BORDER RIVER NAME> at each others' patrols and watchtowers warily. The <WILDSMEN NAME> to the north are a conquered, vassal people- and yet constantly attempting to break free of the Empire, leading to constant friction. The Human nations of the <HUMAN MEDIEVAL AREA> are each small enough that the Empire could crush the individual states easily, and they know it- but they also have mutual assistance treaties in case of that contingency, and the Empire knows that as well. The truce there has lasted longer than that with <DWARVEN-HUMAN NATION> and optimists are beginning to hope that the Imperial saber-rattling has finally ended. The Dwarven nations of the mountains hold the Empire as a respected trading partner. With the <HUMAN MEDIEVAL AREA> standing as a buffer, and the protection of their incredibly rough terrain, they believe that the Empire would never attempt a military action and therefore have a more cordial relationship. The Ameri relationship with the Empire is a love-hate situation. The Ameri enjoy the protection of the Imperial legions along the highways they've built, but don't like their taxes, their rigorous record keeping, or their obsession with order. For their part, the Empire enjoys the Ameri traders who help keep their economy running, but dislike the wanderlust-driven Ameri and their "vagabond" ways. Elven contact with the Empire is limited, mostly reduced to trade through the overland or sea routes, and diplomatic discussion. As a result the three Elven nations view the Empire with well-concealed jealousy, and the Empire views them as too far to deal with. For now.

Agriculture & Industry

Though the Empire is vast, their Agricultural concerns are... at best mediocre. They produce enough to feed themselves, the Legions and their subjects, but the passion isn't there. As a result the Empire is more than happy to let others do the farming and simply buy food in bulk, or hire farmers from outside to come in and toil in the fields. A near constant annoyance is the Imperial husbandry project. For some reason, Imperial horses never quite match those of <NOMATIC NATION>. While they are strong enough and fast enough, they're outclassed- and officers happily purchase <NOMADIC NATION> horses as a status symbol. The place the Empire excels however is in metalworking. Short of the Dwarven nations, the Traticean Empire can produce some of the best steel on the continent, and their vast amount of soldiers (as well as a carefully planned standardization program) means they can produce far more swords, shields, helmets and armor than anyone in a given period of time. Entire towns ring with the sounds of blacksmiths' hammers when it is time to outfit a Legion.

Trade & Transport

Most Imperial trade is overland, through the many highways patrolled by the Legions- and a vast amount of it is carried by Ameri traders. Though this rankles somewhat, the profits brought are enough to sooth over most tempers. The Imperial ports at <CITY IN HARBOR> and <CITY AT BORDER> are bustling hubs of commerce, but also the only major naval ports available to the Empire- something that still chafes, as it gives the southern provinces a decided advantage over those to the north. Additionally, the <NAME OF LAKE, FOUR BORDERS, SHATTERED CITY> lake is a vast hub for trade, and the floating freeport at the center is heavily trafficked.

Infrastructure

The biggest asset to the Traticean infrastructure is the Imperial Highway network, which stretches from either end of the empire and even a good ways into other nations thanks to a particularly complicated tangle of treaties. Each highway is patrolled by the Legions, offering security, and is dotted with Imperial Hostels which, while expensive, provide regular rest points for travelers who can afford them. The roads are kept in very good condition. Second is the Imperial Aqueduct project currently under development that will carry water from <NORTHERNMOST LAKE> to several provinces, providing a needed agricultural and trade boost. And third are the three main ports- <CITY IN HARBOR> and <CITY AT BORDER> on the southern coast, which provide access to the sea trade, and the trading city on the coast of <NAME OF LAKE, FOUR BORDERS, SHATTERED CITY> which allows Imperial merchants to cross into several nations easily.

Founding Date

1036

Type

Geopolitical, Empire

Capital

Val Calvus, Imperial Capital

Alternative Names

The Empire, Traticea

Demonym

Traticean

Government System

Monarchy, Absolute

Power Structure

Unitary state

Economic System

Mixed economy

Currency

The Imperial Gold Aquilla is one of the strongest currencies in all of Khalar- and is one of the easiest to understand. Perhaps because of the organization-obsessed mind of Imperial bureaucrats, the divisions of the Aquila are as follows. 1 Gold Aquila = 2 Gold Wings 1 Gold Wing = 10 Silver Shields 1 Silver Shield = 25- Brass Crowns All Imperial coinage bears the face of an Emperor on one side- the reigning emperor, specifically, when it is minted. Opposite that, however, the design changes by denomination. The Aquilia is stamped with the eagle standard that is the Empire's emblem. A "Wing" is a coin with the a laurel draped over an eagle's extended wing. A Shield coin displays the shield of one of the legions- usually the leading legion in the province where it was minted. A Crown simply carries a laurel crown on the reverse side.

Major Exports

The Empire exports food, some textiles, timber from both the southern and northern provinces, expensive Traticean wines, books- and mercenaries, often semi-retired legionnaires.

Major Imports

The empire deals in everything that can be sold, but particularly prized are fabrics, gold, jewels, art, horses and exotic foods.

Legislative Body

The Emperor's word is law. However, the Senate carries a lot of political power and unless overridden by the Emperor, any law they propose and sign will be enforced throughout the Empire. There is an informal Council of Advisors headed by the dukes leading each province that was born of the old Empire- but it can only advise, and carries little power in the face of a direct Imperial command.

Judicial Body

Justice is carried out by Imperial Arbiters, nobles that have been elevated by Imperial decree. Often these are people from the Emperor's extended family- meaning that justice can be a bit lopsided sometimes. A clever emperor, however, attempts to select Arbiters who will be relatively impartial.

Related Ranks & Titles