Carenthian Empire
The Carenthian Empire is a civilisation that spans across much of central Nilandra, stretching from the southern bay near Renthis to the northern reaches of Eldrin. It is a predominantly human empire, but has a large halfling population and is also home to many other races.
Structure
The empire is ruled by two Consuls and three Assemblies based out of Renthis. The Consuls and Assemblies manage matters of state, but day-to-day operations are run by local officials.
Local officials
The day-to-day running of cities and towns in the empire is managed by Magistries. Each town or city in the empire has a Magistry that is responsible for running their settlement. In addition, there are hundreds of villages throughout the empire that are too small to have a dedicated Magistry. For these settlements, there is usually a village elder (or a council of elders) that is in charge of day-to-day matters. Local village elders report to the Magistry of the city or town in their region. Magistries in turn report to the Assemblies.History
Origins
The Carenthian Empire originated in the city state of Renthis. Renthis was constructed around 230 PC on the ruins of an ancient elf city. At the time, central Carenthia was mostly occupied by human and halfling settlements, sparsely populated throughout the region. The northern section of modern-day Carenthia was Draconian territory.Expansion
In 348 PC, the city state of Renthis began to expand militarily and officially declared itself an empire. Over the next 2 centuries, the Carenthian Empire slowly gained territory around southern Nilandra, mostly through military conquest. This growth came at great cost and was slow.The War of Claws
By around 400 PC, Carenthia held territory across southern Nilandra, including the region south-east of The Prowl encompassing the cities of Scarrus and Gallera. The Velathan Tabaxi, who at the time held only the western region of modern-day Velatha, fought fiercely to reclaim their eastern territory. The Tabaxi emerged victorious and drove the Carenthians back across the River Scarrus. Later, the victory was largely credited to the military prowess of House Gorvayne.The Pearl War
In 539 PC, the Carenthian Empire went to war with Draconir. The Carenthian Empire had expanded up to the border with Draconir, which at the time was south of the Pearl Hills. Draconir had militarised along the border in anticipation of fighting with the empire. It is unclear which side actually initiated the first battle. This was one of the longest wars in Morn's history, lasting almost 50 years. The area around the Pearl Hills was devastated as the border between the two powers shifted with varioud victories and defeats. It ended with the Carenthian Empire expanding its border to the north of the Pearl Hills.The Stead War
Until around 690 PC, the Carenthian Empire had held the territory south of the Stead Mountains. There had been an informal agreement between the empire and Shieldholme that allowed Carenthia to control the territory above ground while the shield dwarves of Shieldholme controlled the area below ground. This informal agreement was stretched when large numbers of shield dwarves began to settle in the region above ground. The dwarven king contended that the land above ground was rightfully Shieldholme's and that they had been kind enough to lend it to Carenthia until now. The territory above Shieldholme was administered by the shield dwarves of the Stead Mountains until 830 PC, when a further treaty was signed with the Carenthian Empire. The new treaty granted the empire the right to administer some sections of the land above Shielddholme in return for a portion of the produce from the region being sent into the Stead Mountains, thus finally formalising the arrangement between the two powers.Cold Blood Exodus
By around 1000 PC, the Carenthian Empire occupied the areas of Central Nilandra between Velatha and Shieldholme and south of Eldrin and the territory that was then part of Draconir. Tensions with Draconir had existed for several centuries by this point, largely due to Draconir seeing the expansionist intentions of the empire and the empire's anger at the Draconian's practise of taking non-Draconians, including humans, as slaves. In 1053 PC, the Carenthian Empire went to war with Draconir in what became known as the Cold Blood Exodus. This war lasted for several years and was heavily destructive. During these years, Carenthia slowly gained ground to its north and steadily captured Draconian territory. In 1108, the two sides agreed to a peace deal that granted Carenthia large swathes of previously Draconian territory. This granted Carenthia most of its current day borders.Hundred Days War
In 1180 PC, the Hundred Days War began. After decades of tensions between Carenthia and Draconir, Draconir launched an attack in northern Carenthia aimed at reclaiming its lost territory and capturing much of Carenthia's territory. However, due to numerous factors, Carenthia achieved such tremendous battlefield success during this time that Draconir was forced to capitulate and sacrifice slightly more territory to Carenthia. Draconir was also forced to relinquish all non-reptillian slaves in their territory to Carenthia.Annexation of Eldrin
In 1195 PC, the frost elves of Eldrin voluntarily ceded their territory to Carenthia and formally joined the empire. This was largely due to strategic reasons. Draconir, a long-standing enemy of Eldrin, had gained a dragon demigod as its ruler. Eldrin's leaders felt they needed the protection of the empire that had successfully defeated Draconir on the battlefield.Military
The Carenthian army is a large and well-trained force. The general of the military is known as the Imperator and is one of the twelve Magistrate positions.
Military service is compulsory for all citizens in times of war. For most of the empire's history, enlistment has not been mandatory. Despite this, the Carenthian army has historically had little difficulty recruiting new soldiers. Even low-ranking positions are well-paid and a career as a soldier is culturally recognised as an honourable and noble path in the empire.
The Carenthian army is seen as a well-trained and professional force. During peacetime, new recruits are trained for several months and training remains ongoing while serving. During wartime, training periods may be shorter. The army as an institution values competency and promotions are usually based on merit.
Religion
The state religion of the Carenthian Empire is known the Regia. The Regian Pantheon is a branch of the warm-blooded pantheon. Although it is the official state religion, no specific religious philosophy is enforced in the empire. Instead, the Regia is a religious institution supported by the state. Its chief priest, the Rex Sacrorum, is one of the Magistrates and provides spiritual guidance to elected officials.
Although no specific religion is enforced by the state, there are several religious laws that are enforced by the Regia. These include:
- The outlawing of worship of Interloper Gods
- A ban on any religious practises that involve the breaking of other laws (e.g. human sacrifice).
- A ban on the worship of any religious figure that is considered an enemy of the Carenthian Empire.
Founding Date
348 PC
Type
Geopolitical, Republic
Capital
Alternative Names
Carenthia
Demonym
Carenthian
Government System
Electocracy
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Within the empire, a system of gold and silver coins are used. The currency uses the following names:
- Gold: Crowns
- Silver: Bells
Legislative Body
The Carenthian Empire is ruled by two Consuls and three governing Assemblies, each responsible for varying functions of government. There is a complex set of checks and balances between the Consuls and the Assemblies. The governing principle of the empire is that power should be spread across multiple individuals in order to prevent tyranny.
Positions as Consuls or members of any of the Assemblies are not legally restricted to any race, however in practise few non-humans are elected and there has never been a non-human Consul in the history of the empire. After humans, the next most common race elected to the Assemblies is halfling.
The Centuriate
The Carenthian Centuriate is a body of representatives elected by the people of the empire. The right to participate in elections to the Centuriate depends on a citizen's class and whether they own land. Seats in the Centuriate are divided to represent the different classes of the empire. The Centuriate is the chief legislative body in the Carenthian Empire and (theoretically) passes all legislation.The Magistrates
The Magistrates are a body of twelve officials elected by the Centuriate. Each of the twelve Magistrates is responsible for exercising power over a specific area of government, such as military or judicial powers. It is common for Magistrates to be re-elected every five years at the same time as the election of new Consuls. This is not a legal requirement, but rather a custom that has developed to prevent any one Magistrate from becoming too powerful in their position.The Senate
The Senate is an unelected body comprised of representatives from the ruling classes of the empire. Officially, it is purely an advisory body to the Assembly. The members of the Senate are the only people eligible to be elected as Consul. Unofficially, there are instances of Senators manipulating Centuriate members in various ways.The Consuls
Every five years, the Centuriate elects two Consuls from the Senate to jointly rule the empire. The term for Consuls is strictly five years, with elections occurring on the first day of every fifth year. No former Consul is eligible to be elected again. Having two consuls creates a check on the power of any one ruler of the empire. Consuls serve jointly as the executive rulers of the empire. Usually Consuls deliberate privately and rarely disagree with each other publicly, however at various times in the history of the empire, there have been instances of Consuls sharply disagreeing over matters of state. When this occurs, Carenthian law dictates that the Consuls take turns as rulers, with power switching between the two every six months.
Judicial Body
The judicial body of the Carenthian Empire is the Preatorate and the highest ranking judge is known as the Praetor. The Praetor is one of the twelve Carenthian Magistrates.
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
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