Castra

The Castran Empire
If there were a seat of power in Oros, it would surely be occupied by Castra. Boasting the largest economy and most citizens, the empire’s sphere of influence spans a vast region. Such power and wealth has brought with it corruption and conspiracy. A council of religious zealots and wealthy merchants hold substantial influence over the incumbent king. Many citizens grow distrustful of the ruling class when their own voices go unheard. In some places, recent events have nearly brought rebellion as poor governance and dissent have festered. The prohibition of spell magic was enacted 12 years ago across the empire and perpetrators of such crimes are punished harshly. However outside of larger cities and away from the eyes of guards and officials, magic is sometimes used without attracting too much attention.
The empire is controlled by two kings who rule the land in 5 year rotating terms. They are selected and raised from birth to be rulers before serving when they come of age. Their identities are hidden behind masks and by remaining secluded in their keeps. The kings of Castra are seen by some as mere figureheads for the council. However the reigning king has supposedly started a new war in search of new lands and conquests for the empire. Unfortunately for the empire, the war with Itza has not been going as planned. It seems that Itza was underestimated and little progress has happened since the capture of Lustria. Countless lives have been lost fighting in what many see as a pointless colonial war.
Even with an unmatched navy and endless treasure, the empire seems to be on the edge of a disaster. And as if it were not bad enough, a new dark kingdom has risen in the East.
The Founding of Castra
Hundreds of years ago, humans returned to resettle the lands of western Oros. These people were largely desperate folk, criminals and families looking for a new life. Among them were some lesser nobles from the east, looking to claim a piece of land and build a domain of their own. These people were cast offs, and often called Castrans, as an insult to their lowly backgrounds.
In time, a mosaic of small kingdoms formed around the lands overseen by these cast-offs. Countless wars, treaties and alliances would drive these kingdoms to side with one of two banners. One was the Kingdom of Grace, who had great warriors and many allies but they were vastly outmatched. The Kingdom of Justice had an even greater army and a vast Navy. The two forces would battle for nearly a century in what was called the Forever War, until one day a deal was brokered.
Grace was outmatched, and had no choice but to make terms. However, the Gracians fought bravely for decades and would not simply hand over their sovereignty. So the two kings met and made an agreement in the year 955. A new Empire would be formed under a new banner and with it a new capital city. The empire would be ruled by two kings, one from Grace and one from Justice in terms of 5 years. As for the name? The one one thing these warring people had in common was their common origins. Each kingdom was founded by cast-offs, by Castrans, and thus the Castran Empire was formed.

From the Journal of Xanaar Shallermanx: Two Evenings in Harvest
The Eighteenth Day of Winter, 1192
Word from Gardo and Anatrix came in today. My mother and father have been greeted in Farpointe as honored elders. They are eager to assume the privileges they’ve rightly earned. Gardo wishes I would join them, see the old garden they’ve told me so much about. It’s already splendid, but next year…
But Oros is so alive! Even in an isolated town like Harvest, new flavors and styles trickle in. A caravan came through, goats out of the mountains, their carts laden with new– I wouldn’t call them inventions. Clockwork devices have been making their way into the cities and manufactories of Oros for most of my childhood. In the mountains, though, they make mice of bronze to scoot around while a crank prepares a housecat to pounce. A charm to lighten the day of the herbalist waiting for their cauldron to boil or ease the stress of a child awaiting their parent. Who is this for if not for everyone?
The First Day of Spring, 1203
Word from Farpointe. Gardo is proud of the garden’s latest blooms. He’s sent a few seeds along with a pressed flower. I am to see how well they grow in Oros. “Mother would ask when you are coming home.” I’m unsure how to answer him anymore. The Inquisition and the Quislings have become very close. He agrees I should move on, and wonders why I delay.
I almost told him about the woods-witch. The complexities of our meeting, even in my own mind, dissuaded me, but it could explain much. She was right. Without her hand to guide them, the people of the mountain are making their own way. Some have trickled into Harvest or settled around it. I tried to follow one of their fur trappers, hoping to see if they were maintaining their ways as the witch described them, but he lost me as easily as if he had dissolved into mist. Those who are living in the town are certainly livening up the culture in the tavern. New stories and rivalries are forming, but the weight of the Inquisition is heavy here. The kind of magic that would thrive in the wild places of Castra could hybridize with the novelty that still occasionally crosses its borders. What new alchemy that could lead to– It’s still a world full of possibilities, even if they’re determined to stifle it.

Type

Geopolitical, Country