Azcarian Empire
Azcaria is not available as a character origin - It has been recently discovered and is heavily isolationist with plenty of its lore unexplored. GM should only use NPCs from Azcaria when it makes sense.
| Formal Name | N/A |
|---|---|
| Capital | Nova Aeterna |
| Head of State | Emperor Antonius |
| Government Type | Absolute Monarchy? |
| Cultures | ~100% Azcarian |
| Religions | Native Azcarian Religion |
| Population Density | High |
| Population | ~2 - 8 millions? |
The Azcarian Empire is a thalassocratic country located in the western side of the Arcane Seas. It was only (re)discovered by the rest of the world by 1052 A.D. - its previous incarnation within Ramul Ta having never made contact with the largely uncivilized and unsophisticated east during its prime. The Empire once spanned much more land within the Prime Realm itself and ruled over dozens of conquered people - or so its history proclaims, but were beset by an unknown force and saw it forced to evacuate its survivors into the Arcane Seas, where they reformed the Azcarian Empire and has apparently kept it existing for over a thousand years.
They are likely to be the force that keep the Veil or perhaps, part of the force that keep it shut down between east and west and allowed them to stay hidden from discovery for all these years.
History
Few is known about Azcaria's history as the country have deliberately taken on an isolationist policy and refuses to sell or give up any maps or educate the foreigners on any more than necessary. Most known Azcarian history were gleaned from second-hand reports, from books within the Royal Library of Epinecote that were accessed by the Rumhainn Royal Society Expedition (RRSE) of 1051 - also the same expedition that discovered the Azcarian Empire.
Ancient Azcarian Empire
The ancient Azcarian Empire is known to be immensely powerful and capable of fielding a massive standing army alongside specialized mages, and supported a highly urbanized society with powerful magic - some of which are not recreated nor known in eastern Ramul Ta or Panguea.
Little is known about the ancient Azcarian Empire but it is known that is ruled by an Emperor with an iron fist as it is right now, supposedly of divine lineage, with few institutional counterbalances on their power except the obvious need to retain their own soldiers support.
Modern Azcarian Empire
The modern Azcarian Empire was rediscovered around late 1051 - early 1052 P.S., when the RRSE, in collaboration with Epinecote, Montemara and Viridia reopened the ancient Arcane Rift between their islands - that the ancient Azcarian Empire forced open by dumping Arcane Crystals. After sailing through the gate on a joint fleet composed of a ship from each nation (Except Rumhainn, as the expedition had crossed over by land), the RRSE met with Azcarian naval patrols who took them north to the capital of Nova Aeternae, and were granted audience with the Emperor. Though details of the expedition remain unknown outside of the broader publics, the Rumhainner eventually secured the right to trade and convinced the Azcarian to cast a spell, or do something in order to lift the veil. With that - the Azcarian apparently did a ritual to undo the closing of the veil and created what is known as the Northern & Southern Veil Passage in the Arcane Seas - allowing it to make contact with the east once again.
Since first contact, Azcarian naval patrols has strengthened with at least a dozen ship patrolling western end of the entry to the passage - ensuring no smugglers can push past. Foreigners were informed of the new law on transit and trade with Azcaria - transit are allowed toward one of the opened Arcane Passages in the south for free, but foreigners may only land on the specifically designated port-island of Mercatorum within the main island chains, and any attempt to sail north or south of a prescribed boundary is to be met aggressively.
Government
Little is known about the Azcarian government besides there's an Emperor who seems to hold a lot of overt power.
Locations
The Azcarian has maintained a policy of deliberate isolation and hands off approach when it comes to dealing with foreigners, such that very little is known about the major cities, locations and even the population and power of Azcaria - and they looks eager to arrest and detain any foreigners who do so.
It is known that Azcaria's domain likely stretch beyond what is shown on the map - dark spots representing either the Northern Veil - which may exist to the north and block passage from the so called Northmen, and also uncharted seas.
Azcaria's population and economy seems to be concentrated on the main twin island of Capraria and Aenaria, both of which are nearly equal in size when its minor islands are included.
Important locations includes:
- Nova Aeterna (80,000 - 150,000?) - A massive metropolis at the western end of the Caprarian islands, it is full of statues of old and monuments to past Azcarian glory.
- Mercatorum (2,000?) - A small island to the northwest of Nova Aeterna, recently designated and cleared as a place for merchants to dock and trade at to prevent smuggling and contacts elsewhere on the island. A small group of privileged Azcarian and their servants - usually brought over from the capital, are allowed to deal with the foreigners themselves, but are prohibited from leaving.
- Custodia (2,000) - This small island is located at the western end of the Northern Veil Passage, and contain a massive stone monolith that still surges magical energy into the sky - or drain it, it is unknown how it functions and the Azcarian seems eager to keep it a state secret. This island were subject to a brief attack by the "Northmen" in 1052.
Trade
In less than a year since RSSE has rediscovered the Azcarian Empire a flourishing trade has developed at its port of Mercatorum. The most common Azcarian exports are sugar (often sold at a discount), silk and textiles, which is generally traded for iron and bronze ingots which the country seems to be short on. Recently, grain has been exported to the Azcarian remnants kingdoms through the portal.
Policies
The Azcarian Empire has been enforcing a policy of isolationism. All foreigners who passes by the Northern or Southern veil passage must pay a tribute equal in value to 50 kilograms of iron ingots for passage, as a toll, though some Rumhainnese ship seems to get a discount. Ships are only allowed to dock at Mercatorum and not anywhere else - and breaking the rules will result in arrest, confiscation of cargo and possibly death - though so far most foreigners has been detained and simply sent back to their home country on the next ship that take them. Ships are otherwise allowed to pass by to the southwestern portal on their way.
Culture
They speak Latin.
Military
Little is known about the Azcarian land capability, but heavy armor usage and spellblades seems to be prominent and by most mean, the Azcarian Army is simply behind Ramul Ta in usage of gunpowder and mass production of armor and metallurgy by around 3 - 4 centuries.
Navally it possessed a large navy mostly consisting of medium-sized sailing hybrid vessels with oars, designed to patrol the Arcane Seas for internal dissent. Merchants who sail by Nova Aeterna notes that larger vessels are being constructed in large numbers recently, likely with taller castles meant for naval combat. Cannons are not used at all amongst the Azcarian navy as they are currently very expensive imports.
Rumhainn has been the primary trader of high quality iron and steel ingots.