The Detrinian Empire
Losers of the Tunnel War
The loss of the Tunnel War broke the Detrinian Empire. They lost the Sweetwood province, which contained both the empire's capital and best farming land. Now the empire rules over the dry western savannahs and grasslands. Food was already scarce in this region, and the mass of refugees and stopping of food shipments made it worse.
Before the Tunnel War, the Detrininan Empire was ruled by a necrite tyrant - one so mighty that nobody dared to challenge their rule. The last tyrant was slain during the battle at the old capital of Detrin, and now there is no-one to unite the Detrinians. Four aspirants try to amass more power to take out the others and rule unchallenged. Their struggles eat even more of Detrin's little resources.
However, Detrin lost more than people and farmlands. Most of the empire's greatest cultural artifacts were left in the Empire’s old capital and other great cities. The lack of food forces most people to focus on farming, leaving little time for the arts. Traditional cuisines have given way to simple, cheap and small meals. Most lower-class people live in extreme poverty.
Due to the loss of the Tunnel War, no nation officially trades with the Detrinian Empire. Smugglers are willing to sell all kinds of luxuries to the wealthy, but all smugglers know just how bad the situation in Detrin is, and often charge a steep price for their goods. The funds of all but the richest Detrinians would quickly run out if they tried to rely on the smugglers. As such, even more well-off Detrinians have harder times than the upper classes of other nations.
Detrin’s Way of Life
Perhaps the most notable aspect of the nation is the way its inhabitants think. Most Detrinians are necrites, who only care for their closest kin. A person's position in the Detrinian Empire is determined by duels. While agreeing to a duel can be a pretty complex affair, the duels have few rules. Dying in one is not guaranteed, but it is not uncommon either. Only the strongest person can rise to the top - and become the next tyrant. Necrites believe that this will keep their society strong. Other races are not forbidden to live in the land, but constant challenges to duels will drive away all but the strongest.
The purpose of these duels is to ensure that whoever rules the land is a strong leader. Inheriting a desirable position means dealing with constant challenges: no weak leader can hold their position for long. Winning many duels is the key to respect and upwards mobility in the empire.
Another important part of status is marriage. A married person is considered honorable, since at least one person trusts them with their life - although most necrites still wouldn't trust someone outside their family much. Conversely, betraying one's spouse is the fastest way to ruin one's reputation: few would want to help, trade with or duel such a person. As such, one's spouse, parents and children are among the few people most Detrinians can trust.
Religious Influence
While faith used to unite the Detrinians, now it divides them. Many believe that the god of necrites, Katisan, sanctioned the Tunnel War. They believe that their god is flawed, and have moved to worshiping other deities in the Order Pantheon.Others have abandoned their belief in the Order Pantheon completely, and moved to worship more chaotic entities. But just as many believe that the war was against the will of Katisan, and view the nation's current plight as a punishment for their sins. Their faith has only grown stronger.
The Shattered Realm Type
Geopolitical, empire Population/Inhabitants
(95% necrites, 2% beetlefolk, 2% chilopodian, 1% other) Demonym
Detrinian Government System
Dictatorship Official State Religion
The Order Pantheon, primarily Katisan Dates Active
327 AO to present. Important Locations
Anchorhill, Fort Saltguard, Protector's Vale, Shaded Crack Notable Members
Acron Steelmane, Shoka Blacksight, Krev Clairvont, Thorsin Brighteye
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