Ogre Empire of Ari'Salar

The sun-scorched lands of the Akriteru Desert are largely barren, dotted with only the faintest traces of long-lost civilizations. But in the southernmost reaches lies one enduring power: the Ari'Salar Empire. With the The Cerulean Expanse lapping at its shores, Ari'Salar has flourished, building a vast network of trade routes across Varda. At the helm of this mercantile titan stand the wealthy and ruthless Ogre families, whose cunning has forged one of the world’s most prosperous—and feared—empires.

History and Formation

Across Varda, Ogres are rarely known for intelligence. Nomadic, brutish, and dimwitted, they typically roam in scattered tribes. That such creatures have managed to forge the world’s largest mercantile empire baffles many. Yet those who’ve dealt with the Ogres of Ari'Salar know these beings are far from typical.
Numerous legends speak of the Gods of the Four Winds, said to have gifted intelligence and technology to the Ogres of southern Astiria. Around 1850 BA (Before Arden), the Old Ogre Empire rose in the southern Akriteru region—wealthy and expansive. However, a catastrophic war with the Dwarves of Dun-Rygar eventually led to the empire’s downfall.
From 1100 BA to 150 BA, a period known as the Fractured Ogres followed. Rival clans and families warred amongst themselves, almost regressing into savagery. Records from this time are scarce and fragmented.
The unification of the modern Ari'Salar Empire began around 150 BA, following a brutal series of clan wars. As they mastered seafaring, the Ogres ventured to distant lands, seizing rare and exotic resources. Their brute strength and newfound cunning laid the foundation for an expansive trade network.
But as the empire grew, so did the demands of its ruling caste. Greed soon bred slavery, not merely for profit but as the backbone of the empire's workforce. Raids on foreign lands became common—not for treasure, but for people. Gluttony and sloth soon followed; the Ogre families grew decadent while legions of slaves did the work that sustained them.
To this day, slavery, trade, and opulence remain central to Ari'Salar’s identity. Where there are people, there is coin to be made—and the Ogres will find a way to take it.

Government Structure

Ari'Salar is ruled by a caste of Ogre families, each wielding power over a portion of the empire. The number of noble bloodlines is unknown, but it's estimated there are at least a hundred. Each governs its own territory, maintains its own laws, and specializes in particular trades. While competition between families is fierce, it’s considered essential for innovation and preventing stagnation.
These families often form marriage alliances and trade pacts, yet political rivalries and trade wars are equally common. No single family has ever claimed complete control of the empire—a balance maintained by the Bank of Zulhain.
This central institution is more than a bank; it is the beating heart of the empire’s political and economic machine. Revered by some as much as feared, the Bank of Zulhain has dealings with governments across Varda. It controls the flow of wealth and enforces stability across the empire. All major decisions for the good of Ari'Salar must pass through its halls, and every Ogre family strives to remain in its favor.

Religion

The primary faith of the Ari'Salar Ogres is the The Gods the Four Winds—deities believed to have uplifted their kind from barbarism. While religious observance is culturally significant, it often takes a backseat to trade and wealth.
Among the slave caste, religion is far more diverse. Taken from every corner of the world, slaves bring their gods with them. Shanty towns often contain makeshift shrines, secret temples, and sometimes wholly new religions that rise and vanish over generations. The slave quarters are a spiritual melting pot, constantly evolving as new captives arrive.

Societal Structure

Ari'Salar society is strictly hierarchical:

• Ruling Caste: At the top are the elite Ogre families. They govern, command trade, maintain their own armies, and enforce their own laws.
• Merchant and Skilled Ogres: Below them are the lesser merchant families and artisans. These Ogres manage trade operations, crafting, and logistics, often under contract to the elite.
• Enforcer Caste: Beneath these are lower-intelligence Ogres, used as soldiers, enforcers, and guards. These brutes are more akin to traditional Ogres—simple-minded, powerful, and ruthlessly loyal. Their purpose is to raid, protect, and suppress rebellion.
• Slave Caste: At the very bottom are the slaves, who form the backbone of the empire. Born into servitude, they labour in the fields, mines, workshops, and construction sites. Life is hard, but Ogres understand that even slaves must be fed and housed to remain productive. Basic needs are met, and sprawling shanty towns provide shelter.
Disease, famine, or rebellion among the slaves is met with swift and merciless retaliation. When numbers dwindle, raids are launched to replenish the workforce. Uprisings are common—but never successful for long.

Economy

Trade is the lifeblood of Ari'Salar. The empire thrives on global commerce, powered by both internal production and overseas operations. Its trade fleets regularly visit far-flung markets in Thalios, Therrezia, The Kingdom of Arden, the Free Cities of Xebellia, and across the Sylphir Archipelago. Overland caravans reach as far as Nalharia and the The Aethean Sea region.
The Bank of Zulhain acts as a financial hub—not just for Ari'Salar but for much of Varda. It offers loans, levies taxes, and underwrites deals with other nations. Many believe it is the wealthiest organization in the world.
Slave labor underpins nearly every industry—agriculture, mining, manufacturing, construction—especially along the fertile banks of the Great River of Nahralka, where the empire’s most productive farmlands lie.
Ari'Salar also dominates the luxury goods trade. Spices, silks, rare gems, and exotic delicacies are all controlled by the empire. The global appetite for such items ensures that gold flows endlessly into the vaults of the Ogres.

Founding Date

150 BA

Demonym

Ari’Salari, Salarites

Government System

Plutocracy

Currency

Gold Zulhans (GZ)
Silver Zulhans (SZ)
Copper Zulhans (CZ)

Official State Religion

The Gods the Four Winds

Location

Akriteru Desert

Related Species

• Ogres