Al'Badadi Empire
The Al'Badadi Empire is an ailing state that once controlled most of western Ur'En. The heart of the empire is it's jewel, the shining city of Wes'Alom. The empire was forged hundreds of years ago by the great Tuk'Badad for whom it was named. While it still holds sway in the Telentia River Plains, abandoned settlements and outposts litter everywhere from the Blood Swamps to the Redlands. Today, the empire sees encroachment on all sides as it struggles to hold on to its historical territory and prominence.
History
The history of the empire is inseparable from the history of the Al'Quam people. Long ago, their people were a scattered collection of tribes that inhabited the Telentia River Plains. Then came Tuk'Badad who untied these tribes through conquest and diplomacy and founding the legendary city of Wes'Alom.
With the tribes behind him, Tuk'Badad raised a formidable army. He then marched east, winning a stunning victory at the siege of Fort Terus. He continued until reaching the White-Bone-Teeth Mountains. He pushed north but encountered setbacks in the Redlands as his army found it difficult to maintain supply lines. Al'Badad decided to declare himself ruler of them anyway and headed back east. He set his sights upon the Mar Fields, conquering territory and pushing north into the Blood Swamps. This was the beginning of disaster however, as Tuk'Badad's armies suffered heavy casualties in the fetid mires. Disease, heat and wildlife took a heavy toll but it was a surprise attack from the Chult of the Unseelie Court that finally broke his forces. Defeated, his forces limped back to Wes'Alom.
After Tuk'Badad's death, a series of successive emperors consolidated the power of the Al'Badadi. Grand cities such as Des'Alom were founded. The empire expanded, albeit much more slowly than under Tuk'Badad, and both trade and culture flourished.
After a time however, prospects for the Al'Badadi got steadily worse. Corrupt emperors drained coffers with vanity projects like the city of Es'Alom. Slave revolts became more frequent and the empire became embroiled in a conflict with the Shivra of Ashur, leading to the War of Splintered Trees. By the time the Blood-Pox began to ravage the cities of the continent, the empire was already losing power and territory.
The current ruler Empress Shimi'Badadi inherits a land who's glory days appear to be behind it. She is a cunning woman however, and likely has plans to try and turn the empire's prospects around.
With the tribes behind him, Tuk'Badad raised a formidable army. He then marched east, winning a stunning victory at the siege of Fort Terus. He continued until reaching the White-Bone-Teeth Mountains. He pushed north but encountered setbacks in the Redlands as his army found it difficult to maintain supply lines. Al'Badad decided to declare himself ruler of them anyway and headed back east. He set his sights upon the Mar Fields, conquering territory and pushing north into the Blood Swamps. This was the beginning of disaster however, as Tuk'Badad's armies suffered heavy casualties in the fetid mires. Disease, heat and wildlife took a heavy toll but it was a surprise attack from the Chult of the Unseelie Court that finally broke his forces. Defeated, his forces limped back to Wes'Alom.
After Tuk'Badad's death, a series of successive emperors consolidated the power of the Al'Badadi. Grand cities such as Des'Alom were founded. The empire expanded, albeit much more slowly than under Tuk'Badad, and both trade and culture flourished.
After a time however, prospects for the Al'Badadi got steadily worse. Corrupt emperors drained coffers with vanity projects like the city of Es'Alom. Slave revolts became more frequent and the empire became embroiled in a conflict with the Shivra of Ashur, leading to the War of Splintered Trees. By the time the Blood-Pox began to ravage the cities of the continent, the empire was already losing power and territory.
The current ruler Empress Shimi'Badadi inherits a land who's glory days appear to be behind it. She is a cunning woman however, and likely has plans to try and turn the empire's prospects around.
Demography and Population
It should go without saying that the overwhelming majority of the population are Al'Quam Radashi but there is a sizeable population of other peoples. A large minority of Shivra live within the boarders of the empire, but face severe prejudice from the long conflict with Ashur. Many Kalari merchant caravans pass through here by sheer proximity. In the last century, many have rejected the nomadic lifestyle of their ancestors to settle in cities like Des'Alom. Finally, various people from across Ur'En were brought here against their will by Slavery. Roughly, one-third of the population is enslaved, most of them serving in agriculture, mining or other exhaustive work.
Military
The Al'Badadi military is still a formidable force in the world, being one of only a few with full-time soldiers. Conscripts are still called in times of conflict but the standing army helps maintain the empires crumbling borders. The army itself is organized largely by socioeconomic status. Wealthy nobles make up the core of the army, while supported by the lower classes acting as auxiliary and infrastructure. Most of the
The Al'Badadi army conquered most of western Ur'En by utilizing battlefield tactics while most their opponents were am undisciplined mob. The army fields a core of light infantry, armed mostly with spears and bronze shields. The infantry is supported by regiments of slingers, who can throw special lead and sometimes alchemical projectiles at dizzying speeds, often fast enough to dent an iron helmet. The true stars of the Al'Badadi military are its Crixel-drawn war chariots, terrifying machines of death that will swoop in from the flanks and sew chaos among the enemy.
While war-chariots do the lion's share of the killing, it is perhaps the iconic Al'Badadi Dervishes who most terrify the enemy. The Dervishes are an elite unit of fighters who fuse magic and deft swordplay into a whirling dance of death. Their distinctive masks and graceful ballet have garnered a reputation for brutal effectiveness and beautiful, if intimidating style of combat.
The Al'Badadi army conquered most of western Ur'En by utilizing battlefield tactics while most their opponents were am undisciplined mob. The army fields a core of light infantry, armed mostly with spears and bronze shields. The infantry is supported by regiments of slingers, who can throw special lead and sometimes alchemical projectiles at dizzying speeds, often fast enough to dent an iron helmet. The true stars of the Al'Badadi military are its Crixel-drawn war chariots, terrifying machines of death that will swoop in from the flanks and sew chaos among the enemy.
While war-chariots do the lion's share of the killing, it is perhaps the iconic Al'Badadi Dervishes who most terrify the enemy. The Dervishes are an elite unit of fighters who fuse magic and deft swordplay into a whirling dance of death. Their distinctive masks and graceful ballet have garnered a reputation for brutal effectiveness and beautiful, if intimidating style of combat.
Religion
The Al'Badadi are a religiously progressive society, at least compared with many others. While worship of the The Civilized Gods is officially endorsed, the empire allows for the open practice of most religions.
Trade & Transport
Most goods that travel in and out of the empire do so by boat. Because of this, the Telentia River is crucial to the empire, both in terms of feeding its people and enabling trade. The river is wide and deep enough to allow for trade ships to sail from Nor'Alom to Des'Alom and back without much difficulty. While many of the empire's roads have fallen into disrepair, the highway that runs from the capital, up through Des'Alom and to Camp Former-Lake still functions. Merchants from the Kalari Lashes bring goods from beyond the empire back to the capital and carry Al'Quam goods out to the rest of the world.
Infrastructure
The Al'Badadi Empire once held the envy of the known world with its great infrastructure projects. Great aqueducts carried water to far-flung settlements in the desert. Roads spanned the length and breadth of its's territory and forts helped defend its borders. However, many of these projects have since been abandoned, the techniques for their construction lost to time.
Founding Date
307 B.E
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Capital
Demonym
Al'Badadi
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Currency
The empire typically uses silver, stamped into coins for common measurements. Copper coins are exchanged for silver at a rate of 10:1.
Official State Religion
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Related Ethnicities
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