The Empire of Ahntier
Ahntier, the city of marble! The shining jewel, and the sword of the east. This powerful city state is set upon a lone hill that provides a commanding view of the plains lands around it, the fertility of which supports the rapid expansion of the metropolis city. From this city spreads the empire of the same name, spreading their culture and law to what they consider to be an uncivilized world. The might of Ahntier's armies has only been matched by the gridlock of their supposedly democratic government system. A system that strains under the expanding bulk of empire.
Structure
The territories of Ahntier are governed by the rulings of a powerful Senate of elected officials. While there is technically a King, the position is largely a figure head, and the real political power of the crown is in breaking ties. Beneath the Senate is the Governorship, a loose confederation of wealthy barons and sitting or former senators who over see the large provinces taken by Ahntier. Beneath them is the might of the military, popular leaders of which can wield a staggering amount of public opinion.
Public Agenda
The empire seeks expansion without end. While not always blood thirsty in this goal, the Empire views itself as spreading a superior culture and civilization to the untamed wilds, and there is a deep rooted belief that others would benefit greatly by joining the empire.
Assets
The Empire of Ahntier has two major boons at its command. Sprawling, fertile lands to produce crops, and a wealth of preciouse metals from the Empires southern province, nestled in the mountains that produced the foothills Ahntier itself is located on. From these deep mines springs gold, silver, iron, and gemstones. This vast wealth allows the nation to maintain huge armies, and fleets of ships to patrol waterways. Through conquest the Empire has only grown richer, and now many great artisans and merchants consider Ahntier to be the hub of the world.
History
Ahntier began as a simple settlement of farmers, who build a fortified homestead upon the hill in order to protect themselves from raiders. As the fortress grew in size, others began seeking it for shelter, and from this the town grew. Trade with local dwarven populations from the south began as simple exchange for the plentiful food the farmers could produce, and quickly expanded until the small town was hosting ever expanding markets. The location of the city mad for an easily accessable location between the mountain dwarves, and the people of the sea to move goods inland. Eventually the Ahntier City-State would swell and annex these other regions to fuel their own growth and expanionist desires.
Demography and Population
The Ahntier Empire is dominated by Humans, who make up the largest percentage. While Ahntier city itself is roughly 80% human, across the entire empire that population spread is more like 55%.
Halflings make up 20% of the population of the empire, living primarily in the heartland where they form the backbone of the Empires agriculture.
Dwarves still control the mountains of the southern provinces, and in those craggy homes their dominance is nearly complete. On the level of the Empire, however, they make up only 10%.
Gnomes are primarily found among the sea shore provinces, or scattered in communities in the norther border. All in all the represent 10% of the Empires population.
Elfs are a rare sight in the Empire, nearly non-existent in the capital city itself, and among the forested eastern provinces they account for only 5%.
While Half Orcs and Half Elves are to be found among the empire, they don't gather in communities and represent less than 1%.
Military
The Ahntier military is primarily made up of large groups of heavy infantry formed into large units called Domini. The heavy phalanx is the primary form of military tactic. However, there is also utilization of cavalry, archers, and siege engines. The military is well trained and drilled, a professional military.
Technological Level
Steel weapons and stonework masonry are common throughout the Empire. Certain advanced building techniques have allowed for amazing works of architecture, particularly within Ahntier itself. The primary success of the Empires military comes from tactics, successful use of the Phalanx, and the strong meritocracy of the military that favors promoting skilled and particularly competent commanders.
Religion
Ahntier does not enforce a state religion. However, out of the pantheon, it has specifically outlawed the worship of Baramos, Lucia, Reaver, Khan the Shapeless One, Localith, Zazzazanx, and Dalla-Dun. Sighting that worshiping gods of evil or pure chaos are antithetical to the existence of the Republic.
Foreign Relations
The Empire of Ahntier has a mixed bag of relationships. In general many of their neighbors fear the expansionist ideology of the growing Empire, while some weaker states have welcomed annexation by the powerful and wealthy nation. The Elvin nations in particular are concerned about the rapid expansion of a nation which they remember from being naught but a fort on a hill.
Strength Through Unity.
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Capital
Demonym
Ahntian
Government System
Democracy, Parliamentary
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Ahntier uses thin, rectangular slats of iron called Talons as its official currency. However, each talon is backed by a certain amount of gold. As such gold is also widely accepted throughout the empire. Although it is illegal for vendors to give change in a currency other than talons, this is often over looked the further one gets from the city of Ahntier.
Legislative Body
The Empire of Ahntier is controlled by a powerful Senate of elected officials, with a figure head monarchy that serves mostly as tie breaker, officiator, and judge.
Judicial Body
The courts are administered by the Rex Maxum, also called the King. This figurehead over sees and determines the outcomes of smaller disputes among the citizens. Other criminal cases are tried by jury, and overseen by a Preator Judicate, who is usually a member of the senate. Cases involving the lower class citizenship often use state appointed lawyers trained from the lower classes. But cases involving higher members of society will be advocated by other senators.
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
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