The Curpeakian Empire

The Curpeakian Empire

The Curpeakian Empire is the largest state in Pania. Considered to be undergoing a golden age Curpeakia was once a city state on the Island of Briria that rose to prominance through exploitative alliances, subtle annexations, and the might of the strongest navy in Pania to back it up.

The Bririan Island bore the empire to conquer the Numun island of giants. Alliances were formed between the other giants in the other islands of the archipelago. Eventually the conquered Numuns, now the backbone of the Curpeakian Army, became the very vessel for their own vengeance against the rest of the giants. From there the Curpeakian Empire expanded north to annex Heimland through strategic marriage and the purchase of coastal towns and cities.

After 150 years of subjugation the giants were formally granted citizenship to the Curpeakian Republic, and the first whispers were floated around the Jotun Sea. The whispers landed on the shores of Clifia, Bronshell, and Belia as giant armies landed upon the shores. Coastal defences destroyed by advanced ship-borne siege weaponry, and a treacherous advance by Crowgrasp and Drypondia against the defenders.

After the conquest of the the southern mainland kingdoms concluded the Curpeakians funded populist rebel groups in the kingdoms of its allies. The softened monarchists armies were quickly overcome by the will of the people who set up assemblies of the people wherein Curpeakian sympathists were elected to represent. Eventually, after years of stabilisation, the Curpeakians offered membership of the empire and the young republics accepted, taking representative place in the assembly.

Funding democratic rebellions became the preferred method of conquest for the Curpeakian Empire, and soon it consumed Drymouthia, Stormburnia, Dinefalls, and Flasnif. One final kingdom stood firm against the Curpeakians. Little is now known of this old kingdom as its lands were burned to the ground. Its people were sold into slavery and thrown disparately across the empire after their tongues were removed. The kingdom itself was renamed Curpeak, and the old Capital itself was also renamed Curpeak and taken as the home of the Strategos, the Military leader of the Curpeakian forces.

Politics

Curpeakian Politics is a centralised oligarchy wherein citizens of the empire are permitted to vote for representatives to represent them at the national and empirical assemblies known as Ecclysia. Non-citizens are allowed to vote in local elections for representatives who form the vulgur councils of their local areas.

The Curpeakian Ecclysia

The Curpeakian Ecclysia is the Empire wide assembly that handles, oversees, and works on all matters concerning the domestic and international running of the Empire. The Curpeakian Ecclysia is headed by two figures. The Strategos; the military ruler of the forces of Curpeakia, and the Pnyx; the chairperson of the Curpeakian Ecclysia who presides over proceedings within the Assembly and acts as a diplomatic figurehead for the Empire. The members who could vote in the Ecclysia were known as the Appelai. The original Island members, including the first Giant citizen states, are not represented in any other level than the Curpeakian Ecclysia. Curpeakians from Briria are the only ones allowed the mantle of Pnyx, whilst citizens of the originally giant nations are all that can become Strategos. These two lineages hold a majority of votes in the Ecclysia.

National Ecclysia

The National Ecclysia are the assemblies which handle domestic affairs for the provincial regions of the empire, with provincial borders based on those of the old kingdoms that they once belonged to. There are National Ecclysia for every constintuent nation except for the original islands which are only represented by the Curpeakian Ecclysia.

The Vulgur Councils

The Vulgur Councils are always overseen by a member of the National Ecclysia, who has veto powers over any decisions came to by the council. The councils have limited voting power and can only vote over restricted matters, such as local production priorities, and local garrison levies.

Culture

There is no one single culture to the Curpeakian Empire. The dominant culture, however, is Curpeakian. The citizenry of Curpeak pride themselves on their dedication to natural philosophy. They often live hedonistically. They value art, especially in the form of architecture and their buildings are designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Barbarian cultures are tolerated within The Curpeakian Empire, but there is a heirarchy in what is considered proper. Traditions and Cultural imprints from the Bririan Curpeakians is considered the highest, with dedication to philosophy, art, and hedonism. Then comes the militaristic dedication of the Giants of the Southern Archipelego wherein citizenship is earned through military service. The provincial regions each have their own distinct cultures, but widely focus on trade and metropolitan ideals.

Laws surrounding hospitality are considered sacred to mainland Carpeakians, whereas familial loyalty is what is considered sacred to the island Carpeakians.

Religion

Religion is equally varied in the Carpeakian empire. The official religion, however, is the Pantheon of the Twelve. This Pantheon of gods hold seats of power under the southern sea and protect the empire from the depths. There are minor gods that do not reside with the pantheon, some of which have been subsumed from conquered cultures. There is one god, Dios, a god of the skies and storms who is also worshipped, it is believed his is the domain of the afterlife.