I have to admit it took me a while to find a focus for the world building project. I pushed it to the back of my head, but now I’m finally going to do it justice. I’m not sure if I’ll get the entire world figured out, but I do happen to enjoy what I’ve got going for the Orestian Empire.
Political Structure
“The Empire spans thousands of miles, contaions hundreds of thosands of people. No one man can rule them properly alone.”
-Book of Laws
The Empire has always been a fuedal state. Because it is so large, and expands fairly often, the Houses are left to rule over their provences. There are 8 Provences, which will be outlined in a later chapter. Each house has a Head, who amlost always stays in the Capital. Often the day to day life of the provences is ruled by a nephew or the youngest child of the Head of the House. The provences are often considered to be terribly dull, as often the noble is forced to stay in a small city or large town, and deal with the basics such as taxes, crop rotation and solving petty disputes. Indeed, thesee nobles are the ones who truly run the Empire, though they each report to a king. They are also responsible for seeing out the Emperor’s Vision, be it constructin new roads, temples or castles, and most likely on thier own dime.
For the common citzenry of Orest, they have almost no political future. The only chance they have is if they show intelligence, and a benevolent noble of a House decides to adopt them. Of course, some nobles are not so benevolent, and will kill a smart citizen to boost self confidence, or to quell the competition. On occasion, a citizen will be taken to the Capital to serve, that is the only way for a dense citizen to get anywhere near politics.
Citizens belong to the house whose land that they live on. They have few options in terms of career, as most are farmers. Those who live in a city or town will often follow a craft, or choose to become an Imperial soldier.
“No Emperor of Orest shall ever reach an elderly age, his tired blood shall be sacraficed to curry favor from the gods.”
-The First Emperor
The Orestian Empires’ vastness cannot be walked by one man be traveled in his lifetime, even with the infrastructure improvements made by his ancestors. The Emperor of Orest has a grand job, ruling people that are so isolated and distant from the capital that the only Imperial official they will ever see is a tax collector. And not only does he have the weight of vasts kingdoms on his shoulders, but he also knows that his death will come; not from old age, disease or the war front, but from one of his children’s hands.
The Imperial family has been one cohesive inheritance line, from the time of the first Emperor till the current Emperor Avernus took the throne. While they may be a dynasty, each new Emperor must prove his loyalty to the people he rules. He is responsible for taking the life of his father, the old Emperor. It is an ancient, psuedoreligious ritual, to bathe the land in the dying Emperor’s blood, to bring change anew. Sons and daughters of the Emperor must decide when they feel that their parent is too old to rule, or too mad, or if they have decided that they lust for the throne enough to commit patricide. And while there is sadness at the death of the old Emperor, the Orestian citizenry will soon see greater harvests, better business and often unrivaled luck with diplomacy. Indeed, if a child waits too long, reverse effects will often be seen. Even the kindest son or daughter will kill their father eventually, to bring about the good of the people. However means that they see fit, be it poision, stabbing or a duel in front of the court. No Emperor has been cowardly enough to postpone having children to avoid his own death.
“Ah, to be in Court once more! To listen to the lies and intrigue, a beautiful orchestra sung by a myriad of caged birds”
-Unknown Courtesan
All noble born Ortesians are required to be at Court for at least 4 months of the year. When those 4 months are is there choice, but many nobles come in the winter season. Traveling to court is quite the expense for nobles from farther provencies, and some simply choose to stay home, leaving behind siblings or cousins to tend to the family estate. The noble Court is made up of 8 houses. Lark, Sparrow, Finch, Robin, Bluebird, Hummingbird, Quail and the royal house, Nitengale. Each house has a leader, individuals of great power. While houses are not as strictly based on lineage as the royal house, most houses include a main line along with several smaller, offshoot branches. It is not unusual, however, for particularly intelligent individuals from home provinces to be adopted into a house. These houses will often bring servants, warriors and courtesans with them to the Capital. Indeed, during winter, the Capital is a beautiful place to be, as the houses often vie to impress the Nightingales and the Emperor.
Court is where all of the great political dealings take place. Treaties, invasions and espionage are planned here. During the winter, there are a great many bazaars and merchants, each vying to sell expensive foreign goods to the nobles. Each house will often give gifts to the Emperor in an attempt to earn his favor. Because of this influx of gifts, the royal palace is a beautiful museum as well as the living quarters for the Emperor and his house. Noble houses are required to have mansions elsewhere.
While much of the politicing, espionage and diplomacy take place in the Capital, there is much more that goes on there that will be covered in later chapters. The importance of religion, the history and the culture of the capital are far too rich to be covered in one entry, though they have a heavy influence on the political structure.
