Imperial Corporations

The Tervalkyre Empire, a sprawling dominion that spans continents and countless floating islands, is not solely governed by the Emperor and his decrees. Beneath the surface of military might and religious pronouncements, a more subtle form of control holds sway – the influence of powerful corporations whose tendrils reach into every aspect of daily life, from the food consumed to the very airships that connect the Empire’s disparate territories.
These corporations, while ostensibly serving the Emperor’s will, operate with a degree of autonomy, their leaders wielding immense wealth, resources, and a political clout that, at times, rivals that of the Emperor himself. They are the true engines of the Empire, their motivations a complex blend of loyalty, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of profit.
Each corporation controls a vital sector of the Empire’s economy and infrastructure, their interconnectedness creating a web of power that reinforces the Emperor’s authority while also serving their own individual agendas. They each hold a position on the Imperial Council, and act as advisors to the Emperor and administrators of the various tasks and projects put forth by his majesty. They are granted the right to make and enforce their own laws within their territories, operate independently of most government control, and even maintain their own security forces and armies, which often exceed the strength and quality of the official military.
The delicate balance between corporate power and Imperial control is maintained through a combination of carefully negotiated contracts, strategic alliances, and the ever-present threat of the Emperor’s displeasure – a potent mix of veiled threats, public censure, and, for those who dare to overstep their boundaries, the swift and merciless intervention of the secretive Corsairs.

Aetherius Transit Authority

This corporation holds a monopoly over airship development, production, and the maintenance of Yrdde's vital sky-lanes. Their influence extends to every aspect of air travel, from regulating trade routes and setting tariffs to overseeing the training of pilots and the construction of new airships.
Their control over the Skywrights Guild, achieved through a combination of lucrative contracts and subtle intimidation, ensures that innovation within this vital industry serves their interests. They maintain a large fleet of patrol airships, ostensibly to protect trade routes from sky pirates, but also to enforce their own regulations, secure their dominance over the sky-sea, and suppress any hint of competition from independent salvagers or engineers who might challenge their monopoly.

The Veridian Group

Led by the shrewd and ambitious Lady Elara Veridia, the Veridian Group is responsible for feeding the Empire. They control agricultural production, food distribution, and research into the application of magic and magitech in enhancing crop yields and developing new food sources. They own vast tracts of farmland, yrddestone-powered greenhouses, and research facilities dedicated to creating genetically modified crops and synthetic food products designed to withstand the unique challenges of the sky-sea world.
Their control over food distribution gives them immense political leverage, allowing them to manipulate prices, influence trade agreements, and even hold entire cities hostage should they displease Lady Veridia or the Emperor.

Aetherium Shield

This private military corporation, more powerful than many of the Imperial Army’s official legions, offers protection services to wealthy families, corporate interests, and even some Imperial government facilities. Their soldiers, equipped with the latest magitech weaponry and trained in brutal efficiency, are a visible reminder of the power that wealth commands in the Empire.
Aetherium Shield's close ties to the Emperor and the other corporations ensure their continued dominance. They maintain order, suppress dissent, and, some whisper, carry out the Emperor’s more unofficial directives, their methods unconstrained by laws or peace treaties.

Imperial Medica

Imperial Medica controls healthcare and medical research across the Empire. They operate hospitals, clinics, and research laboratories dedicated to developing new medicines, treatments for magical ailments, and exploring the potential of yrddestone-powered prosthetics and other bio-magical enhancements.
Their exclusive contracts with the College of Imperial Arcana give them access to the brightest minds and the latest discoveries in magical healing, allowing them to control the flow of knowledge and to develop treatments that are often only available to the wealthy or those deemed essential to the Empire's continued success.