The Azure Empire
- Victoria McKinnon
- Jun 20, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 6, 2022
Overview
The Azure Empire is the most powerful faction in the Isles, boasting the largest population and rivaling Arcadia's technological advancements. It is primarily composed of Mani humans in the east, and Okunan humans in the west on the continent of Azura.
The Azure Empire is well known for its feudal government, religious ties to Paolu, and its legendary Azure Liege: a woman who has unlocked the secrets of immortality.
The capital of the Azure Empire (and of the An'mani Kingdom) is Seian City.
The Azure Liege
The Azure Liege is the current ruler of the Azure Empire. Typically, it is a woman, and the closest blood-related female is her heir. The top Azure Liege is known as the Azure Empress. Her daughters are the Azure Princesses. Each Princess is taught to be the perfect court entertainer, host, and diplomat in case the heir is abducted or perishes.
The Azure Empress and her family live in the Azure Palace, located upriver from the capital of An'mani known as Seian City. The Emperor of the Azure Empire, her husband, supports the Empress in her administrative work but largely holds lesser influence than she does.
Government
The Mani once treated their Azure Empress like the absolute ruler of their country, but when the long and bloody war for the colonization of Arcadia failed she lost immense respect. Armies led by powerful noble families returned home. To avoid being usurped, the Empress granted each army commander the title of Kyō and ushered in an era of feudalism.
The Kyō
The leaders of different armies (the Kyō) control pieces of land in An’mani. Their favorite soldiers and fiercest warriors became wealthy landholders, who further divide the land into smaller areas. They use indentured servants (serfs) to farm the land. Each Kyō keeps trained men-at-arms. Some became comfortable, fat, and rich, while others continued the art of warfare so that their bloodlines remain strong warriors today.
Though the Azure Empress’ family remains in power, her ability to declare war and conduct conquest is reduced because the Kyō are relatively independent. The Empress appears at ceremonies, celebrations, and parades, and serves more as the cultural and spiritual head of the country than its military might. She is not powerless; the Empress’ coffers hold enough gold to hire all the armies in the Empire; but her own men-at-arms are not enough to fight a rival nation without the help of her Kyō.
Additionally, the Empress exerts her influence over the Kyō with the Sworn Promise (Dai Lo) which keeps the families of Kyō in the capital city and requires the Kyō to travel her lands extensively.
The Dai Lo (Sworn Promise)
This decree demands that every Kyō reside in the capital city for a prescribed number of months every other year. Furthermore, all Kyō are required to leave their families in the capital as permanent residents. The decree serves a few purposes.
The Azure liege keeps the Kyō's families to serve as virtual hostages
The Azure liege can keep an eye on the wealthy and powerful families in his/her realm
Kyō who the Azure liege wishes to keep out of power can send them far away, forcing them to incur the expenses of traveling across the country
No Kyō in distant provinces can grow strong enough to usurp the Azure liege
This tradition began long before, when Kyō were disorganized noble lords beneath an Azure Prince rather than an Empress. It has continued until present day. Each Kyō maintains several mansions in the capital Seian City for family members and retainers, complete with elaborate compounds and landscaped gardens. By expending so much time and money traveling back and forth and maintaining residences in both the provinces they hold claim to, as well as Seian City, Kyō do not have the resources to wage war against the Azure liege.
Territory
Kingdom of An'mani - An'mani is the eastern half of the Azure Empire. It is technologically advanced, and full of various people from all walks of life.
Realm of Okuna - Okuna is the western half of the Azure Empire. It is rich with natural resources, and tribal peoples whose expertise with soul magic is unrivaled worldwide.
Azure Empire Artwork
The Azure Empire encompasses all of Okuna and An'mani, and its geography, cultures, and cities are diverse.
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