Protectorate of the East

The Seris protectorate of the East ( Serisár Bohu Dunfitse in Seris) is the Easternmost territory of the Seris Empire. During centuries is was the home of the so called 5 garrisons of the East, and it was a vital trading post of the Seris Empire as well as a place from which it projected its power over the central regions of the continent of Karia.

Origins

The Seris Protectorate of the East was established in 311 BP during the campaigns of emperor Ashkuni against the indigenous peoples of the region (closely related to the Lashelians). The Seris Empire was interested in controling this area for two main reasons: first, to avoid raids from the nomads to the east as well as the Menarites and Desert peoples to the north and second, to control the very lucrative Amber road, the trading route of amber (as well as other exotic products) that goes from Northwestern Karia and ended in the territories of the Seris Empire, and from there to Blati in the western continent as well as to other ports. This route was often cut due to nomadic invasions so the Seris decided to conquer this region, strengthen its garrisons and from there lauch punitive expeditions against the enemies of the Empire. Since already its establishment, the lands of the Eastern Protectorate soon became a place to settle veteran mercenaries who had served in the Imperial armies (such as Lashelians, Oronai, Menarites and even Ikarians!). Many of these veterans, as well as the local population and the foreign traders who settle in the towns and cities of the Protectorate underwent a process of adoption of the Seris culture and language. After the campaings of Emperor Asurlan I the Kingdom of Adhel was nominally part of the Protectorate of the East, and the Seris and Local governors of these lands were accountable to the Protector General. By an Imperial decree of these famous Seris Emperor the Protectorate of the East became the only territory of the Seris Empire where slave trade was allowed. Since them, many Seris noblemen send delegates or servants to negotiate the purchase of slaves in the markets of the Protectorate. After the collapse of the Sittakid Dynasty, the Protectorate experienced a time of chaos and invasions, which were barely resisted, and which saw the territory of the protectorate gradually shrink until it was even disconnected from the very heart of the Empire. Its survival was only assured after Protector-General Ashi Arshakaru defeated a coalition of Menarites and Desert Folk in 721 AP. Rumour has it that the Emperor of Seria is planning an expedition against Lashel, theoretically his tributary, to reclaim the lost territories of Amber Pass and thus restore the direct route between the Protectorate and the Northern Provinces through Amber Pass.

Organization and government

The government of the Protectorate is practically the same as in the rest of the Empire, with a complex bureaucracy but here, you don't only have Seris bureaucrats that come from Seria proper but also locals acting as officials of the administration (especially local rulers). But most of the administration is not civilian but military; the Protectorate of the East is the only region of the Seris Empire under military administration. Not in vain, this region is the home of the 5 Garrisons of the East (which numbers around 60.000 men). The cities where these garrisons are established are under direct military control and all the matters, both civil and military, are directed to the senior officers of the army, who act as the de facto town council.

The city of Sahali

In contrast, cities that are not home to any Imperial Army garrison are governed by their own councils or rulers, often petty kings who have sworn allegiance to the Emperor. This local rulers, as well as most of their subjects are heavily "serized", and they are pretty indistinguishable from true blooded Seris, and many of them have been educated at the Imperial capital, Sakouramish where they would have learned among other things, Seris philosophy as well as Classical Seris poetry. At the top of the organization is the Protector General of the East, a very powerful and important position. He acts like the viceroy of the Seris Emperor and its the ultimate authority in the protectorate. Every ruler and member of the administration answers to him. He has the power of enacting laws and enforce them as well as to judge crimes as well as respond to requests from delegations from the cities of the protectorate.He is also the commander in chief of all of the 5 garrisons of the East. He is usually a loyal, trusted man of the Emperor (sometimes a relative) with a good military experience.

Society and Culture

As it has been said, due to all these different populations (indigenous peoples, Seris soldiers, officers, bureaucrats, mercenaries and their descendants and foreign traders, as well as slaves) the society of the Protectorate of the East is very cosmopolitan. The culture of the lands of the Protectorate is a mixture of Seris culture with influences from cultures from Eastern Karia, mostly Lashelians, Menarites, Eastern Nomads and Desert and Sun Elves. For example, you may find a temple built in the most typical seris architecture but the god worshiped inside is a Lashelian or Menarite god, or the Elven version of a Davidovian god. Some of these comunities, despite their adoption of seris customs, dress and language, have retained their original languages in private, to comunicate with their family and relatives or to talk with fellow members of their communities. For example an Ikarian leather merchant might write a letter to a relative or a fellow Ikarian merchant in his native tongue, and the sun elf spice merchant might talk to a native in Seris and then in private recite his prayers and read his or her holy books in Classical Elvish.

From Aemilius Castus to his cousin Placidius, greetings. I've received the shipment of leather you sent me. I must say that it is of excellent quality, I hope to be able to sell it soon; an officer of the Seris army has shown great interest in our products, he wants a good part of the shipment to make boots for his soldiers. If he wanted more, could you send me another shipment? I have heard that the cattle in the province of Sinoria are excellent, speak to a certain Eutropius, I have done business with him in the past and he is trustworthy. By the way, how is little Gala? Is she feeling better? I pray to the gods that she is, in the last letter you seemed somewhat worried, I hope that by the time this letter arrives the little one will already be running around the atrium of your house. Also greet young Sidonius and your beautiful wife from me, I hope they are well. Sincerely, your cousin.
— A letter of an Ikarian merchant from Sahali

Due to the fact that half of the soldiers stationed there are of Seris origin, the composition of the population leans slightly in favor of the seris.

Economy

The Protectorate's economy is based on two main pillars: trade and agriculture (especially the taxes generated by these two). The lands of the protectorate are a great center of trade. Nomads from the East come here to sell their furs and part of their herds in exchange for Seris silk and jewels. The Desert Elves and the Sun Elves trade mainly with magical objects, spices, wheat, cotton and wood from the Spearhead region in Unhellion in exchange for silk, jewels and . For their part, the Ikarians and later their Blatian descendants trade mainly with livestock, leather and jewelry, as well as being renowned artists, mainly as painters and sculptors. The Nithians were the ones who traded mainly with amber from their homeland, which they exchanged in the markets of the main cities for silk, cotton and wine. As for agriculture, it is vital for the cities that thrive in the oases and fertile areas near the rivers. Farmers have to pay an annual rent in money or in kind that goes to maintain the army that defends the region (before the region lost direct connection with the rest of the imperial territories, the army was maintained thanks to the annual salary that arrived through the Amber Pass; something similar to the Donativon of the armies of Ikaria and Blati). On the arable lands near the rivers and oases, not only wheat and barley are grown, but the area is also famous for its citrus fruits, especially lemons and oranges.

Main cities and places of interest

The main cities of the protectorate are: Sahali: The seat of the Protector General of the East and the most populated city of the realm. It is also known as the city of the 100 temples. Its surrounding areas of the city and the neighbouring mountains are dotted with temples and small monasteries of the Yemuist faith, which arrived in the Protectorate around 200 BP and is today the majority religion of the sedentary humans living there. Flakur: The westernmost city of the Protectorate of the East, very close to its frontier with the realm of Lashel. It is the home of a garrison of around 10.000 troops. The city is famous for its orange trees as well as its impressive walls. Draten: This city was once the proud capital of a kingdom that existed here before the Seris arrived. Today it's ruled by the descendants of the old royal family, who swore allegiance to the Seris Emperor and his representative, the Protector General. Its population is a mixture of serized local people, sedentarized nomads from the steppes to the East, population of Seris descend as well as an small community of Sun Elves. Courlan: Courlan is the southernmost city of the Protectorate. Its the first city travelers see once they have crossed the Amber Pass. . It is also the city with most people of Seris origin (almost 90% of the total population has ancestors from the other side of the Amber Pass). It is home to a garrison of around 6000 men. The city is famous for is vineyards and its peach gardens.