Ðojeðit Empire (ðoˈjəðit)

The Ðojeðit Empire originated in the Fourth Age, in what would later become Jarturlan, and expanded steadily through the Age, reaching north, to the coast of Erwā and into southern Ophoné, and as far south as acostaal.
Although funcionally extinct since the late-Fourth Age, Ðojeðit influences can still be felt in Hrimar and - to a much lesser extent - Vehka cultures, but its most remote outpost, Ekhna still exhibits the culture's language, customs, and culture with minimal outside interference.

Socal structure

The empire had a strong social hierarchy, with three broad tiers: royalty, a miliatary class, and labourers. These tiers were demarked through clothing, language and accomodation.

Ruling class

The royals claimed descent from the Ðojeðit gods, evidenced by their magical talents (the Forth Age being pre-universalisation of magic). Practitioners born into lower classes were adopted by royal families at the first manifestation of their abilities (see the Bjerian practice of raising Kingsmagen). The royals spoke the Ascalc dialect of Huswat, were permitted to wear onate headpieces mde of jewels and precious metals.

Warrior class

The warrior class consisted of soldiers and their families. They lived in garrisons around the palaces, and spoke the Swomiki dialect - a simpified version of Ascalc that exists almost unchanged as the dialect of Ekhna. Children of soldiers were expected to become soldiers unless they married outsie of their class.

Working class

The labouring class accounted for the vast majority of the population, but are barely mentioned in the survivng literature. The primary written sources regarding life as a labourer are in the rules concerning what they may not wear, and grafitti. Artifacts that might shed more light on thie lives are more plentiful than any othe class, but the difference in lifestyle - especially due to their lack of arcane ability - makes deciphering the fragmentary leavings difficult.

End of the Empire

The Ðojeðit Empire entered a terminal declne in $FOURTH_AGE_DATE, due to the formation of Gnóttvǫllr pass. The disruption of magic in the heart of the empire rendered the empire leaderless and, by $FOURTH_AGE_DATE+100, the empire had broken into warring fiefdoms.