Kingdom of Huran
The seat of the empire, Huran lies on the coast of the Carnamus Sea. It is home to the proud Hurani people and is the site of several heritage sites, such as the Red City. Historically, the region has had a diverse set of inhabitants of different races, religions, and cultures, although after the Hurani conquest, during which the first emperor,
Emperor Dinir conquered the surrounding lands and formed the Hurani Empire, the region has seen an increase in cultural homogeneity as people increasingly bow down to the Empire's dominant culture, language, and religion.
The capital of Huran is Tralb, although Finas is considered the country's- and indeed the Empire's- cultural center. Home to the Tuolan Academy, Finas draws tourists, artists, and scholars from all over the world.
The capital of Huran is Tralb, although Finas is considered the country's- and indeed the Empire's- cultural center. Home to the Tuolan Academy, Finas draws tourists, artists, and scholars from all over the world.
Structure
At the pinnacle of Huran's hierarchy is the Emperor, whose rule is absolute. The imperial family, including the Empress, heirs, and close relatives, holds privileged status, with their actions and alliances significantly shaping the Empire's future. Second only to the Emperor, a vizier serves as the Emperor's right hand, acting as the chief administrator and advisor. The vizier is an influential figure who oversees the implementation of imperial policies and manages the day-to-day affairs of the government. The immense power wielded by viziers has often been seen as a threat to Hurani Emperors, as they are used to keep the Emperor in check and have sometimes even usurped the throne, as in the case of Hatamur, an infamous vizier who became Emperor after arranging the assassinations of nearly the entire imperial family.
Assisting the vizier in governing the Empire, a tier of government officials is tasked with executing imperial decrees, administering justice, and resolving disputes, as well as managing and organizing Huran's guard force. These officials are appointed based on merit and their relation to Huran's major noble families. The General of the military also holds a significant amount of power, leading all of the imperial armies and securing the Empire's borders. Due to the importance of this position, the General is selected based on skill and loyalty, usually from one of the select few noble families close to the imperial family.
Huran's aristocracy is often perceived as the true power controlling the Empire, with its members holding key roles in all aspects of the government. Those who can claim a direct relation to the imperial family, in particular, enjoy high status, although other nobles are also afforded a great deal of power and respect in Huran. They control all aspects of Huran's, and the Empire's, economy, trade, and military, with their influence tied to their contributions to the empire's prosperity and stability.
Note on religion:
In Huran, religious and political affairs are deliberately kept separate. While men of religion have significant social power, they are excluded from formal government structures. The Hurani people believe in the independence of religious institutions and view any attempt by religious leaders to seek political power as a betrayal of their faith.
Culture
Huran has a dominant culture that has profoundly influenced the rest of the Empire. The Hurani people value beauty in all its forms. Even mundane, everyday objects, such as cutlery, are adorned with intricate artistic patterns. Hurani architecture, in particular, is quite distinctive, characterized by wide, open courtyards and hypostyle halls with ornate columns. The majority of Hurani art features repeating interlaced, interlocking patterns of flowers or foliage carved into stone or marble.
Competition is also an important part of Hurani culture. It is considered the duty of every individual to excel and prove their worth in their respective fields. A lack of ambition is, to most Hurani, viewed as one of the gravest character flaws. The Hurani people's competitive and ambitious nature manifests itself most clearly in their passion for sports and martial pursuits. This drive for excellence also fuels the Empire's constant expansion, as the Hurani believe that victory is worth any cost and that their might gives them the right of governance over other nations within the Empire. Indeed, Huran boasts one of the most well-trained and skilled armies in the world.
However, this ambition is not confined to the battlefield; it is a prized trait in every aspect of Hurani life. Excellence is demanded of every individual in their respective area of expertise. One infamous incident, often cited as an extreme example of Hurani competitiveness, involved three cooks in the Imperial Palace. All three were highly skilled, each vying for a higher position serving the Imperial Family. Among the cooks' elaborate attempts to sabotage their rivals, several of their assistants were caught in the crossfire, 'accidentally' meeting unfortunate ends. In addition, a batch of contaminated food found its way to the table of unsuspecting nobles. As a result, the dispute between the cooks culminated in the deaths of nineteen people in total and the subsequent execution of all three cooks.
History
Founding of Huran
One of the oldest civilizations on the continent, archaeology has found evidence of several distinct cultures dating back to almost 11,000 years ago within the Vasar region that would become modern Huran (which literally translates to land of rivers). Rock carvings along the coast of the Carnamus Sea depict a tumultuous history of conflict among ancient factions within Vasar, culminating in the establishment of a unified kingdom 7000 years ago under the rule of King Tammen I, whose line ruled over Huran for nearly 600 years. During this period, the kingdom underwent unprecendented growth and witnessed the construction of several of its most iconic monuments, such as
Queen Meluga's Mausoleum, which is still considered one of the greatest wonders of the world.
Queen Meluga's Mausoleum
Spread of monotheism
Although the people of Huran once practiced ancestor worship, most now follow a monotheistic faith. During the reign of Queen Ceneta, increased contact and trade with the kingdom of Inar spread the word of a monotheistic God in Huran. Inarian devotees and emissaries to Huran introduced the teachings of their religion, which were rapidly adopted by the Hurani people, including the royal family, leading to intensive contruction efforts as places of worship were built throughout the country, the most notable of which was built within the capital on Queen Ceneta's orders.
The golden age
Following the adoption of Inarian religion, Huran experienced a golden age of the arts, sciences, and commerce. As its religious tenets emphasized the importance of beauty and creativity, the patronage and sponsorship of the arts became not only a secular pursuit but a religious one. The patronage of the wealthy and influential individuals of Huran led to a growing interest in the arts, resulting in the development of the modern, distinctive Hurani art style.
Religious encouragement of scientists and scholars also contributed to the flourishing of the sciences during this period. The establishment of the Tuolan Academy led to unprecedented scientific growth, particularly in the fields of astronomy and medicine, for which Hurani scholars quickly became known. The academy became a center of intellectual exchange, attracting brilliant minds from across the continent to this day. The completion of the
Halls of Serenity during this era also solidified Huran's standing as a cultural powerhouse.
Founding of the Empire
After a series of strategic conquests in neighbouring
Yatham, Notar, and the Casamin Islands, the then Hurani King Dinir unified all four nations, forming the Hurani Empire and becoming the first Emperor. His reign marked the beginning of a new era of Hurani supremacy and prosperity. The newly formed Empire quickly became a commercial, creative, and scientific hub, with merchants, artists, and scholars from all over the world travelling to contribute their talents to the growing might of the Hurani Empire. Today, Hurani culture has become entirely dominant throughout the Empire, with its religion and language being enforced in all of the Empire's territories.
Agriculture & Industry
Huran thrives as an agrarian society, blessed with a surplus of fertile land and domestic animals thanks to its mild weather conditions. The kingdom is largely self-sufficient in terms of food production. The soil of Huran yields a diverse range of crops, including wheat, barley, legumes, and a variety of fruits, particularly grapes and mangoes. Cotton cultivation is also a key resource for the textile trade. In addition, Huran's expansion and defense demand a high cost in terms of resources. Immense iron mining efforts are therefore necessary to ensure the Empire's military strength and security.
Trade and commerce
Integral to Huran's trade success is its mastery of shipbuilding. Wood and timber, harvested from the kingdom's forests, play a crucial role in ship construction, as well as in Huran's many construction projects. Consequently, Huran's advanced maritime trade capabilities have turned it into a hub of commerce. The kingdom engages in both trade with other nations within the Empire, as well as long-distance trade, exchanging fruits, textiles, cotton, and iron for precious metals, gems, and spices.
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Demonym
Hurani
Subsidiary Organizations
Related Traditions
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