Purshand Empire
The second largest nation of the continent of Khilgara, and one of the most powerful, the militaristic empire of Purshand has been growing steadily since the second age. Seen by many as a bully of the continent, their friends are shrinking in number as their ranks of soldiers grow. The outward show of might belies larger problems internally, including corruption and a growing inequality of wealth in the citizenry.
Demography and Population
The Empire is primarily human, with pockets of other races in key areas. Predictably, the mountain border with Skald hosts the empires Dwarven population, with small communities spilling out and into the neighboring cities and villages. The Southern border is primarily Orcs, having been formerly land from Stoneheart. There's growing concerns, as the Imperial citizens see it as fresh opportunity to buy and lay claims to this land, developing or speculating as they see fit. Those native to the lands have been vehemently against this from the start. The Empire tried to broker an agreement, but that's been ignored of late, and the Emperor is either unaware or unconcerned.
Quargh's holy edicts demand that they defend their homes, and in the likely event that violence breaks out, it could turn into a much larger issue, with Queen Dynix ordering her warriors across the border to protect "her" people. If she does, it will likely not come without help.
Quargh's holy edicts demand that they defend their homes, and in the likely event that violence breaks out, it could turn into a much larger issue, with Queen Dynix ordering her warriors across the border to protect "her" people. If she does, it will likely not come without help.
Territories
Measuring at about 1.9 Million Square miles of territory, the Empire of Purshand rivals Hylsa for the position of eigth largest nation in T'sara. Distantly behind D'arcan, it is the second largest of the continent of Khilgara. It's capital is in the northwest most portion of the country, making the distance between the Emperor and his subjects an issue of increasing seriousness, as regional leaders fail to address local problems, and may even be contributing to them.
The empire is very diverse geographically, with a wide variety of resources. The numerous rivers, including the kion's share of the Fizzakhem river; the largest in the continent, permits for agriculture in wide areas and for transportation of food and goods to move both inland and to the shores. The Tubatach River particularly breaks off into a multitude of smaller rivers and tributaries westard, permitting a lush wildlife.
The Bray Mountains provide a heavy resource of Iron to power the weapons of war for the Empire, and extensive land for the Dwarves to build their deep mountain holds. Gold and some other precious resources have been found here too, but with increasing rarity of late. The mountains run the majority of the border with Skald, meaning if any military conflict were to break out, it would have to bethrough narrow and easily defended passes, or by sea, less likely.
The Bray Mountains provide a heavy resource of Iron to power the weapons of war for the Empire, and extensive land for the Dwarves to build their deep mountain holds. Gold and some other precious resources have been found here too, but with increasing rarity of late. The mountains run the majority of the border with Skald, meaning if any military conflict were to break out, it would have to bethrough narrow and easily defended passes, or by sea, less likely.
Military
Purshand's military has been embarassed since it's most recent conflict against D'arcan, and has been in need of restructuring. Training has been more extensive for recruits, but many of the senior officers don't feel that is enough. The soldiers aren't the problem, it's how the Army conducts it's business, something that will require the Emperor himself to change. The problem is that those that want to see the changes made are being hamstrung by the more numerous and more powerful who are benefiting from the status quo. Even if the force is poorly organized, the numbers are too large and too well equipped to allow for anyone to dare attacking, though some push their luck. The "Marsh Men" of Nomniza that patrol the river border have gotten more confident and daring, even taunting the Imperial patrols they see.
While the army has logistical and organizational problems it can fix, the Imperial Navy has problems it can't resolve. The Empire has a major seperation between it's coastal borders. Inchopping between the northern and eastern flotillas require passing through two of the major straits of the world, the Cygian Strait, and the Strait of Oxbreach. This and the logistics requires the ships to function almost as two separate navies. This could be a problem if brought into conflict with at sea, as there is no situation where conditions are favorable. The Linthalians to the East have more ships with greater firepower, easily the dominant naval power of the world. Any conflict in the North would bring forth the whole alliance, and although they would lack the organization or experience as in the east, they would still outnumber ships and sailors.
For now, the Empire's growth is stalled, until another force causes them to react, or makes a fatal flaw to explit.
While the army has logistical and organizational problems it can fix, the Imperial Navy has problems it can't resolve. The Empire has a major seperation between it's coastal borders. Inchopping between the northern and eastern flotillas require passing through two of the major straits of the world, the Cygian Strait, and the Strait of Oxbreach. This and the logistics requires the ships to function almost as two separate navies. This could be a problem if brought into conflict with at sea, as there is no situation where conditions are favorable. The Linthalians to the East have more ships with greater firepower, easily the dominant naval power of the world. Any conflict in the North would bring forth the whole alliance, and although they would lack the organization or experience as in the east, they would still outnumber ships and sailors.
For now, the Empire's growth is stalled, until another force causes them to react, or makes a fatal flaw to explit.
Religion
The Empire relies heavily on the words of Glokrei, the God of War and of Sport, to justify their actions. Not only is war permitted, but it is only through conflict and competition that it is possible to reach the highest possibilities. By warring and threatening their neighbors, Purshand is not only strengthening themselves, but their neighbors as well. Those who are conquered become part of the Empire, are taught the right and proper ways, and are dragged to greatness they would not have thought possible. When asked about Vilory, the nation that believes they are the chosen of the God of War and who blessed their land with his two own male children, The Emperor has held that this heresy and the beliefs of a mad people clamoring for relevancy.
Foreign Relations
Purshand sees a target rich environment in it's neighbors, most of whom have faced them on the field of battle and won, or come to decisive standstills.
The most recent of those adveraries would be against the orcs of the Queen's Realm of Stoneheart. For all of their claims of being the oldest country in T'sara, it mattered little on the field in the Triumverate War, when they joined alongside Drow, Dreadlords, and the Orcs of other nations on a global scale. That they did so reluctantly and out of a sense of honor meant nothing, other than easy means for the Emperor to push their borders south, until reaching the Gazzal'guh River.
Rivers have also proven to be the borders along the west and east as well, as the Sultan of Stahldyr and the Halfling King of Nomniza both have relied heavily on the defense of these veins to protect themselves. Although the Tubutach River and Skarghar River respectively are not the largest in the region, they are enough that fording is problematic; taking enough time and resources necessary that any journey accross makes the forces easy targets.
As much as those smaller nations have been difficult to content with, none have been a larger nuisance and threat to their goals than the Mage Lords of the D'arcan. They embarassed the Purshand forces in The Quasi War, taking land in a war that wasn't even declared. The cowards over reliance on the arcane arts is well known, and are as reliant on it for their entire identity as they are for any victory they've ever had in war. The Emperor has a few tricks of his own, especially as the dwarven community has begun greater development of cannonss that can be carried by hand; the gun. Magic has no answer for hot steel traveling faster than eye can see.
Skald remeains a thorny subject. The dwarves in the holds of the Bray Mountains extend on both sides of the border, and have been going through a civil war that neither nation is immediately involved in. The Emperor of Purshand has agreed with the Skaldic Dominion to leave "Dwarvish Business" to the Dwarves, and to honor whatever way the conflict naturall concludes. Whether the Emperor's citizens will respect that decision, and what they may demand of him, is another matter that only time will tell.
The Shogun has too many allies to make an assault against them worthwhile. Cygia holds great influence in the northern lands, with strong navies. The Empire would not be able to repel an armada.
The Maiden Queen is a warry partner. Thankfully, they care little for local politics, so long as the coin and the trade flows unimpeded. On the other hand, they are far from a nation of pacifists, and will exert their influence on the high seas. It is fortunate that the capital is also the furthest from Linthalia. Even the mighty Sovereigns of the Sea would struggle reaching and raiding Boxbury, though that is a sword that cuts in both directions. Notably, with Fastira taking the throne from her mother, in their royal tradition, perception and some tolerances shift. She is taking a much closer look into the behavior of her partners, which could spell trouble, especially if a trade embargo was levied.
The Maiden Queen is a warry partner. Thankfully, they care little for local politics, so long as the coin and the trade flows unimpeded. On the other hand, they are far from a nation of pacifists, and will exert their influence on the high seas. It is fortunate that the capital is also the furthest from Linthalia. Even the mighty Sovereigns of the Sea would struggle reaching and raiding Boxbury, though that is a sword that cuts in both directions. Notably, with Fastira taking the throne from her mother, in their royal tradition, perception and some tolerances shift. She is taking a much closer look into the behavior of her partners, which could spell trouble, especially if a trade embargo was levied.
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Purshand has been a Kingdom from the early days, with a heridtary monarchy. As Dynastic lines have failed or been overthrown and replaced, Purshand has survived. The longest Dynasty to date is the current, running by a family of ELves, begun by the infamous Geospha Ylannas. It is through Geopsha that the King became an Emperorer, and so not only commandeered great swaths of land, but also greater authority.
All decisions are made by the Emperor, or those who are granted explicit delegated authority. With how large the Empire has becom, and the millions of inhabitants, there is a great deal of such authority. Imperial Governors manage much of the day to day of their provinces or districts, with magistrates controlling the city guards to keep the law and order. Issues that pertain to multiple areas, or the Empire as a whole, are manged by administrators or bureacrats within the capital city in Boxbury.
All decisions are made by the Emperor, or those who are granted explicit delegated authority. With how large the Empire has becom, and the millions of inhabitants, there is a great deal of such authority. Imperial Governors manage much of the day to day of their provinces or districts, with magistrates controlling the city guards to keep the law and order. Issues that pertain to multiple areas, or the Empire as a whole, are manged by administrators or bureacrats within the capital city in Boxbury.
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