Illyria (Ill-eer-ia)

Illyria is an industrialized Empire in the north thats home to some of the finest artificers in the world. They saw value to mechanization over magic and it has changed them as a people, seeing brawn and brilliance as a solution over temperamental magics and religion. Ruled by the orderly but brutal Steel Throne and the Emperor Emhyr var Emreis.

Structure

The Illyrian Empire based out of its largest and wealthiest city, Forlond. The Emperor, his family and his retinue live there. Each city is ruled in Emperor's name by a Lord Governor. Within his/her city and surrounding territory, the Governor's power is nearly limitless.

Culture

Illyria culture is diverse with many races and kinds of people. The people see their Emperor as strong if harsh. The problems of the common folk are secondary to the desires and needs of the noble class. Still, the people's base needs are usually seen to, ensuring that no kind of revolt or uprising occurs.

Assets

The Illyrian Empire is known for its industrialization and its artificers. While other nations resist the push of science, the Empire has embraced it. This has improved the daily life of its citizens as they use alchemy in their homes and engines in their factories. Mass production has created jobs and driven down prices of many every day items.
The Empire is also has rich mines of gold and silver. While hardly unique, the Illyrian mines produce much of the world's precious metals, which gives them an obvious advantage economically.

History

Each of the Empire's 6 major cities rose out need for varying resources. Divided and leaderless, each muddled through with only trade passing between them.
With the development of better ships came more trade with the south. This greatly enriched Forlond, so much so it became the preeminent place of culture and wealth for the region. During this time, a human named Emhyr Var Emreis, rose to power. He used his influence and skill to insinuate himself into high society, making him 2nd to the Duke of his city. He was at the forefront when a sister city of Narwen attacked Forlond and when the Duke died, Emhyr took up the banner of leadership and his army was unleashed, slaughtering the Narwen forces.
With Narwen defeated so soundly and Emhyr's station secured, he began a campaign to unite Ilyria under his rule. City after city fell, though some simply forfeit and bent the knee to him. Those that didn't were slaughtered to the last man, earning him the official title of Deithwen Addan yn Carn aep Morvudd, which in the old tongue means "The White Flame dancing upon the graves of his enemies". 
In 334, Emhyr's rise to power was complete with the total and unconditional surrender of Duskvol, a small fishing city to the north. Emhyr then placed members of his own family at every city, naming the Governor and giving them near full autonomy to do as they wish so long as taxes were paid and the proper respect shown. 
Generation after generation began to pass and Emhyr never died, he didn't even seem to age. He has been hailed in the centuries since as "The Immortal Emperor", a title he must have heard by now but has made no effort to curb. His family has also shown near infinite life spans, though Emhyr has killed several that have tried to usurp his power over the centuries. Seems whatever his secret to longevity he shares with his House, but them alone.

Demography and Population

Much of Illyria is a human dominated society, but thats only around 70% of the population. The other 30% are a variety of races and people, halfling being the most prominent at around 10%.

Military

The Empire's standing army is known as the Dusk Legion. They dress in black armor and gold cloaks and are kept well paid by the throne, making joining a desirable position.
The Illyrian Navy is much larger and they are called the Cobalt Host to defend their coasts and trade routes. The Host also has their own knightly order for sea bound warriors called the Kindred. These are some of the best warriors in the Illyrian military, known for their skill and dedication to the King.

Technological Level

Illyrian technology stands at about WW1 level. These advancements are thanks to the Artificers Guild, a collection of inventors who have learned how to channel magic into items to create useful effects. These have led to magical engines being available to a larger portion of the population, which in turn aids with production and industry.
Articifed trains called Lightning Rails have lent speed to trade though the track system is still being built. Currently the rails can take one from Doskvol to Lunea and then Andyl. The tracks to Arwen are underway, and last year Emperor Fredrin gave his official backing to the project. With the Crown's aid and finance the hope is that within the next 5 years Lightning Rail tracks will replace caravans and speed trade and travel throughout Aelyr.

Religion

The state religion of the Illyrian Empire is the Church of Eternal Light and the Creator's House. Worship of the Shadow in any way is not tolerated, so much so that proven worship is grounds for execution, as is outsider worship. The worship of archfey is tolerated but deeply frowned upon, so much so that it is often done in secret.

Foreign Relations

The Illyrian Empire has good relations with most other nations. The city states of Highrock trade freely with Illyrian merchants. Things are less friendly with Soletar, who are naturally aggressive by nature. They have little contact with Alik'ri due to the Sindor war with Soletar.

Agriculture & Industry

The Illyrian Empire has become an industrial power over the last few decades, utilizing artifice to mass produce things that used to take weeks or months to build. Factories in Doskvol churn out everything from cotton and textiles to weapons of war. These efficient centers of employment and innovation are starting to catch on in the other cities as well, though the tall smoke stacks and faint smog that fills the air do detract from their appeal, limiting them to 2 or 3 factories per city. Doskvol on the other hand has 4-5 per district. This has earned it the title the City of Steel, though some also derisively call it the City of Smog as well.

Trade & Transport

Trade flourishes within and beyond Illyrian borders. Within, trade is transported by way of the Emperor's Way, a system of raised stone walkways that connect each of the 6 major cities. These are well maintained and fairly well patrolled by the Redguards. When crates and goods need to be shipped from one side of Aelyr to the other, they usually go by ship. The average journey from Doskvol to Forlond takes about 10 days by vessel depending on the weather, but thats better than the 12-15 days by land to cross the continent, even with the aid of the Lightning Rail.
Trade between Illyrian Empire and other countries takes longer but always results in higher profits. Highrock and Soletar pay top prices for Illyrian goods and the merchants are happy to make the longer trips for massive profits. Illyrian ships travel back and forth to Highrock and Soletar almost constantly despite threats from pirates and dangerous weather. Merchant lords can lose 2 ships in 3 to these threats and still make a massive profit. And they don't lose that many ships, usually more like 1 in 8.
The newest invention called the Lightning Rail was developed 3 years ago from the Artificers in Doskvol. So far, the tracks from Doskvol and Lunea are complete, allowing the trip from one city to the other in just over 10 hours. Currently there are only 4 trains, and only 2 are active at any one time, 1 coming and 1 going. Work has begun on new tracks from Lunea to Andyl with plans to to go to Forlond.

Education

Illyrian children receive a state sponsored education up to the age of 11. This teaches every child the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic. This education is voluntary and held at the Church of Eternal Light or the Creator's House where the pastors of Light and Creation see to teaching children the basics necessary for civilized society. Further education is available at bodies of higher learning such as academies and then universities, but they are far less common practice as they do cost is up to the individual or their family. These bodies of higher learning are also only available in the urban areas of the country, namely the 6 cities with most of them being in Forlond.

Infrastructure

Every city has a sewage system and a system to bring in and maintain fresh water. Furthermore, each city has several townships beyond their walls to bring in food necessary to keep the city fed in a constant cycle of trade.

One People, One Nation, One Destiny

Founding Date

334

Type

Geopolitical, Empire

Demonym

Illyrian

Government System

Monarchy, Constitutional

Power Structure

Feudal state

Economic System

Traditional

Currency

The gold piece for Illyrian Empire is called a Mark. Silver pieces are called a Dime. Coppers are known as Pennies.

Legislative Body

While the Emperor has absolute authority, he is only one part of the government. The Senate is a body of representatives from the 6 major cities that come together in Forlond and take care of the various law writing and administration. These men and women are elected by the people and represent their interests. These laws and rules are brought before the Emperor for his final approval and they are duty bound to follow the Emperor's policies.

Judicial Body

Laws are carried out by the Chancery, a system of judges and lawyers that defend and prosecute criminals. They can do everything from levy fines to death penalties, though death sentences must be signed off on by the city or region's Lord Governor.

Executive Body

Each city is expected to keep the peace for their own region using some form of City Watch.
There is a level of police force above them called the Redguards. These red clad men and women are well trained and well equipped, sent around the Empire to assist and support their city's constables. Redguards are also responsible for the collection and safe transport of taxes. While never said out loud, everyone knows that the Redguards are also there to keep an eye on a city and make sure that dissent and rebellion are discouraged with extreme prejudice.
Above even a Redguards is a level of executive magistrate known to answer only to the Emperor called the Silver Ravens. These are exceptionally well trained people and they outrank any form of city guard or Redguards. They even outrank many members of the Army and Navy, so much so that even the highest ranked officers are expected to defer to a Silver Raven in regards to the area of their investigation. Even Senators are expected to cooperate with a Silver Raven, though the Silver Raven is expected to show proper respect.

Neighboring Nations

• Highrock