[hider=The Ethean Empire][center][b]Nation[/b][/center] Nation Name: The Ethean Empire National Flag: [img]http://pre10.deviantart.net/0551/th/pre/i/2013/215/a/3/the_elder_scrolls__flag_of_valenwood_by_okiir-d6gfuoo.png[/img] What do you call the denizens: Etheans Government type: Monarchy Leader/Leaders: Emperor Orion II “The Avenger” - A competent ruler, Emperor Orion is best known for leading a retaliatory military campaign after a number of Ethean cities were attacked. He has traditionally favored military campaigns against the nomads surrounding the empire, but has listened to his son’s requests to seek a more peaceful alternative. Over the past few years he has delegated more and more responsibility and power to his son. Ruling dynasty: Katsaros Other Important political figures: Prince Farris Katsaros “The Just” - The heir apparent of the Ethean Empire, Prince Farris is a very skilled administrator and charismatic leader. The people refer to him as “Farris the Just” due to his strong sense of justice. At one time he sought coexistence with Ethea’s traditional enemies, but after his eyes were gouged out by some nomads during peace talks he has given up on coexistence. Currency: durgma State Religion: Northern Orthodoxy (Ilinucism) [center][b]Demographics and Geography[/b][/center] World map location: Purple territory Interior map: Major cities: Astraea, Tylissio, Colonnos Major military installments: Kosila, Milicea, Nicopossos Important locations and buildings: Capital: Satrea Population: 53,920 Race and Ethnic demographic: The Ethean Empire is racially and ethnically homogeneous. Etheans are a near human race made distinct by the presence of horns on their heads. Their skin ranges from bronze to golden beige in color. There are also a species of hand sized faeries, referred simply as the fae, that also lives within the Ethean Empire. The fae are generally not recognized as part of the empire due to usually not contributing to the economy or military. Economy: Decently strong, all things considered Wealth balance: Balanced Major exports: None Major Imports: None Staple agricultural crops: Barley, Olive trees, Garlic, Figs, and Mint Trade partners: None [center][b]Culture[/b][/center] Religion demographics: 100% Northern Orthodoxy (Ilinucism) Religious heads: Matriarch Cynthia Popular opinion on the volcano: It is the mother-goddess’s greatest servant Popular opinion on wars: War is a necessity for survival Popular opinion on magic: Magic is a sign of divinity, something to be cherished Popular opinion on religion: Highly pious Popular opinion on the Aristocracy: They are the intelligent and strong that make up the government Pauper opinion on the Government: It is what keeps the the “xenos” at bay Popular opinion on foreigners: Very wary of foreigners, the only foreigners they have ever met wishes to destroy them. They have a word of foreigners, xenos, which literally means “not us”, though it could also be translated as “barbarian.” While it is not inherently a derogatory term it is usually used as such. Popular opinion on other cultures: Xenos cultures are inherently inferior to that of Ethea’s, naturally. Cultural name for the Volcano: Magalis, which literally means “great servant” A look into the unique culture: To understand the culture of the Ethean Empire, one must look at it through the lens of religion. The people of Ethea are followers of the faith of Northern Orthodoxy, the oldest denomination of Ilinucism. Northern Orthodoxy has three important deities: Aketa the world-mother, Fengri, and Kafto. Fengri, the diety of the the moon, and Kafto, the deity of the sun, are both rivals for Aketa’s love, thus rarely meet in the sky. Magalis, which literally means “great servant”, is the name by which the Etheans refer to the volcano by. It is the world-mother's first and greatest servant. Ancestor worship is an important facet of Northern Orthodoxy. This practice is based in part on respect and love for the dead, but also because it is believed that the deceased have a continued existence as part of Aketa and are capable of exerting some influence over the living. According to Northern Orthodoxy there are two holy lands, the volcano and the city of Satrea, which was the birthplace of Northern Orthodoxy’s prophet and first saint. Ethean culture views the hair and body as a gift from one’s parents, thus it is something of a taboo to damage them under normal circumstances once an individual has reached adulthood. Adults would typically allow their hair to grow long until death, although most men would cut their facial hair. Cutting one’s hair off and tattooing is a punishment for humiliating criminals. An Ethean’s outfit is made up primarily of two pieces: a chiton and a himation. The chiton is a simple tunic garment that usually falls to the ankles of the wearer, although shorter chitons are worn during vigorous activities. A himation is a basic outer garment worn over the chiton; it is made of a heavy rectangular material that went under the left arm and secured on the right shoulder. A garment called a peplos is sometimes worn over the chiton and under, or in place of, a himation. A peplos is a square piece of cloth with the top third folded over and pinned at both shoulders, leaving the cloth open down one side. Sometimes the peplos is worn alone, in place of the chiton. During colder seasons it's not uncommon for Etheans to wear a heavy cloak. Sandals are the most common form of footwear, but soft shoes and boots are not uncommon, especially when not in an urban setting. Traditionally silk, linen, and wool were used to make clothing, but currently wool is the most common material. Dyes are used to make Ethean clothing vibrant and colorful. Women commonly wear jewelry, both as rings and necklaces, as well as small ornaments that are sewn into their clothing. They also usually have elaborate hairstyles and makeup, both of which, in conjunction with jewelry, are used as a status symbol. Cultural history: Notable figures: Prince Xanthus Katsaros Princess Aleris Katsaros Praetorian Brygus Ionessa Soukis Talia the Fae Empress Euphemia I (deceased) - Seen by her people as the empire’s greatest hope of achieving peace, her assassination assured centuries more of warfare between Ethea and the Egun Senxi. [center][b]Military and History[/b][/center] Type of Military: Standing - The military is well equipped and well trained; recruits go through four months of training ranging from marching to weapons training. Total Military fighting units: 13,480 troops Unit demographics: Roughly sixty percent of Ethea’s soldiers are heavy infantry, thirty percent are archers and other types of auxiliary troops, and the remaining ten percent are heavy cavalry. Notable figures: Past wars and notable events: A thousand years of war with the Egun Senxi [center][b]Other[/b][/center] Artifacts and famous enchantments: Anything else we should all know: The Ethean Empire has been presumed destroyed by the rest of the world, besides the Tribe of Long Night of the Egun Senxi.[/hider]