Theagus Hegemony
While the Gorgons of Lyrrachium are snake in body, they are not in mind. In fact, I have found them to be more likely to apply force than to slither in the shadows.
-Exekias the Drinker, Theagan traveling bard
Structure
Gaius/Gaia: The ruler of the Hegemony. Supposed to the voted in by the Hibernaculum Quorum at the death of the previous ruler, but it has become a hereditary position in recent centuries.
Hibernaculum Quorum: Where the magistrates of the Hegemony meet to vote on issues. Theoretically have the power to check the Gaius, though that has yet to happen.
Assets
- Olive fields across the islands
- Some of the finest craftsmen the Known World Over
- 650,000 Gorgon soldiers
- 535,000 Centaur Dragoons
- 400,000 Minotaur soldiers
- 5,000 Cyclops soldiers
- 95,000 Siren sailors
- 180,000 Satyr scouts and sharpshooters
- 1,200 Naval Warships
History
Much like the Vampires of Strahld, the races that make up the component parts of the Theagus Hegemony owe their entire existence on this planet to the Realmshatter. As worlds collide with each other, several distinct species were deposited onto the Theagus Island Chain with little to no other remnants of the worlds they used to inhabit. Through random chance, these peoples remained entirely separate from each other, partitioned by the clear and deep waters that separate the islands of the chain. Enough water that they could establish themselves without even knowing there was a foreign and alien species an island or two over.
As centuries passed; each species, diminished in number by the Realmshatter, built singular homes for themselves. These City-States eventually grew out of their archipelagic homes and took to the seas to find what might be out there.
To their surprise, they found many other Cities around that had been born in the same circumstances and doing the same as they were. This common ground provided a base for diplomacy, that kept them from tearing each other apart immediately. For centuries, however, they competed and conflicted amongst themselves. Over money, land, women. Each one could bring conflict to each and every City, but in the end, would fall back to the way it had been. One city could build a mighty army and fleet, but then two others would unite to beat it back down. But before they could be conquered themselves another would join the fight and maintain the equilibrium. Thus, most cities turned to exploration, rather than conquest, to expand their power in the island chain. That was, until the discovery of Aballava
The discovery of a city was nothing new, they were found every few years after all. Explorers from Epossos, the City of Centaurs, sailed into harbor, spoke with the Cyclops there and trade luxury good for luxury good and sailed back home with the news before the ink had dried on the maps. What the Centaurs did not know, is that Aballava had been conquered mere months before and agents of the conquerors remained in the walls. As the centaurs returned to their homeport, sails bearing the twined snakes of an, at the time unknown, faction unfurled
In the year 62 of the Age of Wounds; Lyrrachium, the City of Gorgons, made itself known when it launched the largest invasion it had yet undertaken. Hundreds of ships, bearing the legions of Minotaurs and Gorgons that had conquered two or three dozen other cities before, sailed towards the unsuspecting cities. The first to feel the sledgehammer of the Lyrrachium Imperium, in what would be known as the War of the Vipers and Stallions, were the centaurs of Epossos. The centaur heppie (pronounced hep-E-Ay) were skilled soldiers that were often hired as mercenaries. The Lyrrachium strategy of isolation and piece-meal destruction of the enemy was providing dividends hand over fist. When the enemy you face is only capable of a cavalry charge due to their physiology, they are easy to counter. Superior tactics and troop composition outfoxed the centaurs until they were forced to retreat behind their walls, further restraining their ability to fight. The following siege was short, as Lyrrachium onagers cracked the walls and legions marched in. One of the final centaur commanders, a young stallion by the name of Agapias recorded what happened in the final turns of that battle. A record that is preserved in the Museum of Historical Preservation.
"All of a sudden, an assault that had seemed unending and unstoppable, halted as if they had never been there to begin with. The city that had been raging with the clash of swords and the sounds of our own hooves, became so quiet that I heard a peasant drop what must have been silverware that they were attempting to loot in the chaos two streets away. Looking over the barricade, I could see the Legionaries looking at each other in confusion. Were the situation not so dire, I would have laughed at the image of hundreds of Minotaurs looking at each other in confusion like so much cattle. Like Epeigeus himself had intervened on our behalf, the invaders started to turn and leave. Looking up at the statue of the Horse Lord, I saw the kindness in his eyes. There was something else there, however, something...mischievous. As the last of my men sent up cheers, I couldn't help but smile at whatever Epeigeus had planned for our enemies. Looking back across the barrier, I could still see the column of minotaurs, their segmented armor glinting in the noon-day sun. And then one of them collapsed. A minotaur in full plate falling to the ground is not a quiet thing, and the other legionaries took note. Within a moment they had formed into a tight circle, waiting for the enemy...and waiting...and waiting. As the seconds dragged on, the legionaries started to look at each other, confused about what was happening. That's when the harpies descended. A dozen of them came shrieking down on the defensive circle, though I could hear what must have been hundreds them all around the temple, their claws and knives slicing flesh and opening throats. The legionaries I could see were thrown into disarray, but still putting up a fight. Then I heard a sound, something like pebbles raining on metal. The minotaurs started falling, even when not harried by the harpies. When the last of them fell, I could finally see what had felled them. Satyrs revealed themselves on the rooftops and in the alleys, arrows knocked in their bows."
While his account continues after the siege, to describe how the legions were pushed out of the city by the newly formed coalition. They did regain their courage, just before they were utterly destroyed, and managed a fighting retreat to their triremes. The legion, or what would be more accurately referred to as a legion, might have been licked but it was not beaten. And the War of Vipers and Stallions would continue for another 15 years. A deadlock formed. The United Cities, united under their bronze and red flag, barely held back the legions that were flooding into the west, but they did hold. So long did the war continue, longer than any the United Cities had pursued before, that the Kings and Queens started to discuss offering peace amongst themselves. As if by providence, an ambassador arrived from Lyrrachium and offered just the thing. They were hesitant, of course, at such an offer but the fatigue of the fight pushed them to entertain the idea at least. Sending their closest advisors to the city of Lyrrachium where they were wined and dined by the imperium. Wargames were put on in the Coliseum, lauding the United Cities victory in the siege of Epossos. Great feasts were put on to honor this most commendable enemy, and try to build a budding friendship. It worked. The Kings and Queens were promised the roll of Magistrate and the retention of their lands under their own rule, as long as they paid the tithes of foodstuffs and soldiers that were asked of them. Convinced of the good faith of the Imperium, they agreed. With a few signatures, the Lyrrachium imperium closed the circle they had built around the Hegemony became complete.
One who had studied history would hold their breath at the idea of a bloodless bringing into the fold. Waiting for a knife, or poison, or coup. None of those ever came. The Hegemony, as it was henceforth called, has stood for centuries since.
The current ruler, Gaia Ampinomine, has proven herself an effective, but proud ruler since inheriting the Hegemony from her mother. Insults from the Theske, directed at Ampinomine herself, have driven tension through the roof and the Queen of Serpent's advisors only just kept her from landing legions in the desert sands of Theske.
Military
A highly professional army, the Theagan armed forces drill endlessly. They are also an incredibly flexible force, given the greatly differing races that compose its makeup.
Minotaurs provide the muscle and ability to assault a position.
Gorgons and Satyrs provide sharpshooters, with Satyrs also working as scouts and pathfinders.
Harpies and Sirens act as irregular infantry in their respective elements.
Centaurs act as assault troops and cavalry all rolled into one.
Lemurae, last but not least, act as magical support more than the other races in the Hegemony.
Foreign Relations
While it has managed to stay out of foreign conflict, the Hegemony has never maintained stellar relations with any other nation.
Like a small dog with something to prove, it has set a precedent of making demands that it couldn't back up in a thousand years. While many powers simply ignore it, it has worked with certain nations, but one might get the sense that those that give in are doing it out of amusement instead of fear of reprisal.
Founding Date
77, Age of Wounds
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Leader
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Theagan Drachmae: An emerald green note, with a gilt trim denoting it's precious metal value.
Legislative Body
The Hibernaculum Quorum, made up of the territorial magistrates of the Imperium, vote on every issue. From the tax on olive oil to the exact blade that will be made standard issue to new recruits, the Quorum has something to say. Theoretically, the even have the power to check the Gaius, though most have little faith that they actually could.
Official State Religion
Deities
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