The Arton Empire

[Grandmaster]

Geography:

The Empire of Arton is the largest nation in the world. Starting from a relatively small country, the Empire has expanded across impressive tracts of land and has even conquered island nations upon the seas. Unlike Sarkozsy, a great deal of the Empire’s land is habitable and productive. There is no limitation to the geology of the Empire either for it has conquered nations consisting of forests, plains, swamps, mountains and desert. It is, indeed, mostly a landlocked nation but it has managed to expand its borders to include countries and tribes that control coastline so that it could eventually spread its conquest upon the waters. As a result, the Empire does control a considerable amount of shoreline.

The capitol of the Empire has been moved several times in its history to accommodate its expansion. At present, it is in the relative geographic center of the Empire but it is upon a shore and it includes an impressive port and shipbuilding industry. Accordius is, indeed, the jewel of the Empire as it is a center of trade, culture and the very foundation of civilization itself. A plethora of other cities throughout the Empire also exist, each serving as capitols for regions controlled by governors. An extensive highway system connects all of them.

The size of the Empire is one of its most impressive features but also one of its limitations. The border settlements and cities are becoming increasingly difficult to control and barbarians are beginning to take advantage. In addition, its typical arable land has been plagued with drought and malnutrition. The lands of neighboring Demeria have been repeatedly touted as a necessity for the Empire’s survival...

[Grandmaster]

Culture:

The Empire is intensely militaristic, even in its culture. A highly regimented society, massive emphasis is placed on rank rather than class. Where a citizen lives, what he wears, what he eats and drinks, and how he passes his time in pleasure is entirely determined by his rank.

Within the Empire, there are five social ranks that stand as equal to military rank:

Noble/Patrician - the equivalent of Prefects in the Artonian Army, this is the highest rank and the least numerous. These are the first families of Arton, governors of military regions, members of the Conglomerate and often, some of the wealthiest and most influential names in the Empire.

They often provide officers for the Imperial forces, senators for the Imperial Assembly, and sponsor much of the public works projects throughout the Empire in addition to managing large portions of the Empire’s land mass, the fleets and transportation. Many nobles sit as magistrates over the cities, or on their own lands to resolve the disputes of the peasants.

The university and its associated branches are open to the patricians as well.

Mercantilus (Merchants) - The most narrow class in the Empire, the Mercantilus operate outside of most classes. There are levels within levels to this class, depending on the items being sold and the volume of items, yet all require a license to act as merchant from the lowest peddlar-wagon to the mercantilus prince who has won a fortune from moving items for sale throughout the Empire.

They also have the fewest rights - Mercantilus may not levy accusations of impropriety, crime, or inappropriate trade actions without proof. Merchants caught operating without a license face seizure of their goods and imprisonment, as well as stiff fines.

However, the Mercantilus rival the patricians for wealth and investment - many are looking to expand beyond the boundaries of the Empire, but due to embargoes, find themselves restricted, causing strife between the Imperial government and the merchants.

Medio ( Middle Class/Skilled) - To many of the Empire, the Medio are the heart of the realm. Composed of artisans, tradesmen and skilled labourers, they maintain the imperial economy through the purchase of resources, employment of others to create their wares and ultimately selling those items. If the strength of the Empire rests on the backs of any, it is unquestionably the Medio citizens.

Accordingly, they are granted significant rights - their own sections in the cities where only they, their apprentices, staff and family may reside, working spaces, access to some of the more elusive resources, and obtain patrician/Imperial patronage. Tax discounts may be given to the Medio to stimulate the economy, though no citizen, regardless of rank, is exempt from taxation.

The Medio are allowed to appoint their own representatives and establish their own board of special magistrates to hear trade disputes and issues. Each Medio quarter has a special contingent of guards to patrol and prevent theft, looting, etc.

Plebeians/Peasants - The equivalent of a cornicen (foot soldier), the peasants reside on the outskirts of the city or within the countryside as freeholders. They have the right to speak on their own behalf, to own land and slaves, to host, raise, slaughter or sell herds, to work for a negotiated wage and receive a fundamental education in reading, writing, arithmetic and natural history.

A plebeian may own a short sword or dagger to be used in his own defense. He may apply force in the defense of his home, women and children, but must answer to the magistrates if the force applied is deadly. Plebes who reside in the towns and cities are often sneered at by those who reside in the countryside as they seldom own lands or homes, and are beholden to employers. However, many plebes who find employment in the cities and towns prosper.

They are allowed to elect magistrates, city watchmen (in the absence of Imperial troops), and representatives to speak on their behalf to the ruling patricians over the area.

Slaves - The lowest rank within the Empire, slavery has become an institution on which the Empire is decreasingly dependent as the peasant class expands. Initially, it was argued that the Empire was built on the backs of the slave trade, but as the Empire spans nearly two millennia, the saying has lost meaning. Slavery is not a profitable trade any more as the Empire has diminished its conquests and prefer to entice membership and submission rather than compel.

Slaves have some basic rights - they must be housed decently, fed two adequate meals per day and receive two new outfits of clothing and a pair of sandals each year minimum. Many slaves may approach their masters to discuss a conversion to indentured servitude whereby they may earn their freedom and convert to a wage for their work.

If a master beats, rapes or otherwise savages a slave, the slave may sever their service without fear of recompense by approaching the local magistrate. If after investigation, the master is proven to be cruel, the slave is freed and the master must pay a fee equal to one year’s service in punishment.

A slave who runs away and remains uncaught for one year becomes free but is not entitled to any compensation or further consideration from their master.

Any child born in slavery is freed upon his or her thirteenth year or younger if apprenticed to a tradesman.

[Grandmaster]

Military:

The Empire is one of the only nations in the world able to support a professional standing army. Indeed, its military is one of the primary reasons for the Empire’s successful expansion and size. The military forces of the empire are feared throughout the world for their efficiency and proficiency in many fields of combat.

The army of the Empire is divided into legions which can support up to 5,000 soldiers. A typical legion consists of soldiers, sergeants and officers to maintain the structure of command. In addition, a legion will consist of support staff present to maintain the supply lines and general logistics of the legion. Depending on the mission of the legion, it can be supplemented with artillery, additional archers, or cavalry. The standard equipment of a soldier of the legion will include tough leather or metal armor, a shield, a short sword and a spear. The legion practices the method of phalanx in addition to regularly relieving the front lines with the line of soldiers immediately behind it. In addition, specialized legions exist for archers, artillery and cavalry though the Empire firmly believes in making the legions entirely self-sufficient and adaptive to suit a variety of missions.

The Empire has also established an extensive navy, yet its technology is considerably lagging behind those of other nations. While nations such as Demeria, Ixo and Linten have designed vessels that rely entirely on their sails, the empire still uses vessels that depend on the traditional power supplied by rowers. Nonetheless, the Empire makes up for its lack of technological advancement for sheer numbers; they support the largest navy in the world. While a trireme may be inferior to a caravel, the Empire has the resources to make several while Demeria can scarcely afford its own navy.

Indeed, the military technology of the empire is somewhat antiquated, having relied on their highly trained and highly numbered military forces for the bulk of their existence. The weapons used are largely outdated. The Empire has only just recently begun production of steel weaponry, but it cannot hope to supply its vast military in a short time period and not without bankrupting their treasury. Additionally, as tough as their armor and determined their soldiers may be, they cannot hope to compete against technological advances such as the crossbow and trebuchet.

Fortunately for them, the organization of their military is unrivaled. A rigid structure of officers ranging from generals to lieutenants works to keep sergeants and simple soldiers firmly in line. While it is common for officers to come from noble families, any man that joins the army can become an officer through the merit of their actions. The army of the Empire prides on using the experience of their soldiers and officers to further their goals and secure the glory of the Empire.

[Grandmaster]

Politics/Government:

For the past few centuries, the Empire has been ruled by an Emperor, which is inherited, for the moment, by blood right. The Emperor has the final say in all matters of governance, has command over the military and can establish new laws as needed. To ensure that the Emperor does not possess tyrannical or despotic control over the Empire, the Emperor must convene the Imperial Assembly of the Empire before declaring any changes or effecting any laws that have significant changes in society. The balance of power between the two entities has always been tenuous and has shifted one direction or the other.

What determines this balance depends on the influence of the Emperor and the influence of the Assembly. Some Emperors are more charismatic and generally liked or are more capable leaders than others. During their reigns, the power tends to rest on the shoulders of the Emperor. When the Emperor is weak, the Assembly tends to have more control over the Empire. The Assembly is comprised of men, usually upper class and wealthy, from all over the Empire. Elections are held for seats, but most elections are typically for show for the lower classes. It is impossible for anyone of the middle and lower classes to become senators.

The central core of the Empire is directly controlled by the Emperor and the landowners of the Assembly. The regions that have been conquered and absorbed into the Empire are under the command of a military governor, who is appointed by either the Emperor himself or the Assembly. Military governors have the authority to run the region as they see fit and are responsible for maintaining the peace and security of the region.

The Empire once prided itself on its bureaucracy. Logistics and record keeping prevent it from being torn completely asunder despite its impressive size. Various government offices have been founded to control taxes, food supply, construction and maintenance, safety, and employment. While its records and methods are effective, it is not exactly the speedy process that it once was. The Empire has grown too large to be managed swiftly. Thus, the middle classes have been granted more powers of government if only to save on money and resources.

[Grandmaster]

Religion:

A pantheon of the Old Gods endured the passage of years in the Empire, supporting the idea of polytheism. There are twelve gods and goddesses encompassing the various aspects of life in the Empire:

Zerius - Father of the Gods and Lord of the Heavens [ weather ]
Juniata - Mother of the Gods and Lady of the Earth [ land ]
Dortix - Lord of the Underworld and Keeper of Souls [ death ]
Mirteia - Lady of the Scales and Keeper of Wisdom [ wisdom, learning, justice ]
Selius - Lord of the Blade and Bringer of War [ war, conflict, battle ]
Voria - Lady of the Hearth and Keeper of the Home [ home, family, fertility ]
Grendus - Lord of the Vine and Purveyor of Mirth [ wine, music, poetry, arts ]
Landara - Lady of the Waters and Mistress of the Seas [ ocean/sea, rivers ]
Amoriano - Lord of Passion and Keeper of the Heart [ love and romance ]
Plentia - Lady of the Plow and Bestower of the Bounty[ farming, foodstuffs and charity ]
Dinerus - Lord of the Coin and Master of Good [ currency and trade ]
Aescalpia - Lady of the Staff and Bringer of Health [ health and healing ]

The people of the Empire give veneration to all twelve as a whole, but will seek out a priest or a temple to a specific God in times of need to offer prayers, sacrifices or extend gifts of thanksgiving. The Temples are independent of the Imperial bureaucracy; they rely strictly on the tithes and generosity of wealthy patrons to maintain their property, staff and services.

The specific temples offer services and benefits to the people, their doors open to any citizen of the Empire. A citizen may seek counsel, justice, protection, a meal and shelter, medical care and education within the confines of the Temples.

Much of the Temples’ hierarchy comes from the patrician and merchant classes; it is considered appropriate to tithe a child of a wealthy family into the service of the God who ensures the family’s prosperity, whether a male or a female child. That child’s dowry is granted to the Temple as a gift and to ensure the child’s upkeep during training.

The Temples are located in the cities, but each village has its local shrine, tended by an itinerant priest. The youngest priests are given the tasks of traveling the Empire and tending to the people as a final lesson in humility and the arts of charity, grace and wisdom.

Festivals, feasts, fasts and other events are held to honor the Gods and observe their Holy Days. In the cities, these are hosted by the Temples, but in the villages, it is a joint effort. No event is complete without the priest’s blessing on the people, calling for the Gods to be generous, forgiving and kind. Conversely, in times of trial, the priests lead the calls for mercy, making sacrifices and other offerings to placate the gods.