Banivian Empire
| Nation | The Holy Banivian Empire |
|---|---|
| Planet | Earth |
| Government | Monarchy |
| Motto | "By diligence we drive back the darkness" |
| National color(s) | |
| Population | Approx. 15,000,000 (Was upwards of 20,000,000 at its peak. Total does not count Zombies, as they generally do not act as citizens.) |
| Demographics | 83% Human, 6% Werewolf, 5% Vampire, 3% Demon, 2% Archon, 4% Other |
| Location | Northeast Banivian Continent |
| Primary Languages | Banivian |
| Founded | 714 AE Original Founding ; 1711 AE Re-establishment after Necromantic Wars |
| Capital | Perivel |
| Owner | Kristen (formerly Seth) |
Overview
The Banivian Empire was officially established in 714 AE. The origins of the empire still existed prior to its founding as individual kingdoms that collaborated (thought mostly just fought) with one another. After the empire's collapse during the Necromantic Wars, it was re-established in 1711. This re-unification happened under the first High King Cyneric Perivel, after he managed to end the Necromantic Wars.
The Empire has limited access to technology, which has greatly influenced the cultural development during recent times. However it has not restricted its exploration of various magic, art, and architecture.
The current High King of Banivia is Roland Bors.
History
It is unclear how the original kingdoms were established. It is theorized that it was a transition from people coming into the country and forming a government that would ultimately form the kingdoms. In 713, after the Great Cataclysm, the various kingdoms were united under a unified leader known as King Roland the First. He is most famous internationally as one of the Eight Legends. However, within the Banivian Empire, he is known for the many legends that surround him, including his many deeds and adventures both alone, and with his circle of knights. It is said that he had a sword of flames, though any remnants of such an amazing sword remain to be found.
It was during Roland's rule that a new magic appeared within the Empire. The origins of it are a mystery to this day, however it possessed properties never before seen, and could perform miracles. The most impressive accomplishments of early practitioners was the ability to communicate with the dead through the reading of sticks and other material objects. As time progressed and the magic became studied more in-depth, techniques were created to use a spirit board in order to communicate with the dead. This ability became hugely important with the appearance of the Plague, which emerged around the same time that this magic was developing. It was the Plague that fueled the country's need and desire for this new found sorcery to save them.
The name that was chosen for this new magic was Necromancy, due to its ties with the dead. The practice helped the Empire to become more profitable by attracting scholars from all over the world to study this magic. Entire universities were built for the purpose of studying it, and creating better ways of communicating with the dead.
The first documented case of a practitioner raising someone from the dead, and controlling them, was Ardith Saxon. She taught at the university in the Dukedom of Otrelia. After she published her work, the practice increased in popularity. The prevailing thought was that this magic could end the human condition of death.
Unfortunately, as the practitioners grew more powerful, the more greedy they became. It became less about discovering more about death, and became a mere game of who was more powerful. Consequently, this led to the outbreak of fights. The Empire stepped in as an attempt to resolve the issue, but this backfired and turned into an all out war between various Necromancy groups and the Empire. The One-Thousand year period between its first appearance and subsequent outlawing in 1750 are known as the Age of Necromancy within the nation.
The first of the Necromantic Wars officially began in 1288, and the last war ended with the rise to power of King Cyneric in 1711. This is considered to be the most turbulent period of time within the Empire's history. These wars tore the nation to shreds, losing more and more land as time went on. While the loss of Ibadia in 872 was prior and unrelated to the Necromantic Wars, the loss of Alba in 1323 was a direct result of the earliest parts of the wars. Ellenikos was later lost to them in 1456, as was Chanvierre in 1673. After the loss of Chanvierre, the remnants of the Empire began to crumble.
Time after time, a military leader would attempt to unite the crumbling dukedoms against the Necromancers, but all attempts ended in failure and death, the leaders' corpses ultimately being used against all who opposed them. Finally, in 1684, a young man by the name of Cyneric Perivel was born to the King and Queen of the dying Empire. Born shortly after the Empire had lost Chanvierre, he grew up in an age where the Empire was on the verge of collapsing into chaos. Even aside from fighting with the necromancers, the Empire was also facing a threat from the mysterious plague, as well as from within its own government. By this time, the practice of Necromancy had made its way into the courts, causing fractures within the central government. This young man would grow up to unite what was left of the Empire and drive out the Necromantic forces, reuniting the empire and earning the title High King. It is said that High King Cyneric was a direct decedent of Roland the First, and history surrounding the man are as illusive as that surrounding the First King, his legends rivaling those of Roland the First.
Since this time, the country has found itself under recurrent siege from a variety of sources. All of which stem back to the use of dark magic. While it is well-established that various races made their home within the Empire, ever since the arrival of Necromancy, their frequency has increased. Vampires, Demons, Werewolves, Archons, and the Undead have all found a place within the country in far greater numbers than the neighboring countries. As an Empire, they are still trying to resolve this unforeseen consequence of the Necromantic Wars.
Government
The ruler of the Empire is the High King, a title established by High King Cyneric. Beneath him are the Dukes or Duchesses, who each rule their own Dukedom.
Each Dukedom is governed independently, until such time that the High King (with support from the other Dukedoms) deems a Duke or Duchess incapable of performing his or her duties, in which case a new ruler will be announced. The title of High King is handed down by the King himself. Usually it is an heir who is chosen, though it is possible to choose a non-heir. The Duke and Duchess title passes down to direct heirs, though they can hand-select which child obtains the title. If there are no children, then the current Duke or Duchess can name any noble man or woman.
The High King is in command of national affairs. These include (but are not limited to) diplomacy, national crises, wars, replacing Dukes or Duchesses, and controlling the High Court.
Each Dukedom has its own court system for dealing with local problems. The High Court is for problems relating to the nation as a whole. Such cases tend to involve the misuse of enchantments, or the use of the dark arts. Necromancy is punishable by death.
Immigrating in and out of Banivia is tricky. Citizens may obtain permission to leave, and it is possible to acquire permission to be in Banivia if there is a purpose for your visit (such reasons include tourism, education, and work). However the government keeps a close eye on who is going in and out. The reasons for this are due to its continued problems with dark magic practitioners. Despite Necromancy being made illegal, there are still masters of the art within Banivia's borders, and there are always those seeking them out.
Military
Each Dukedom maintains an individual army, but they are required to send a certain number to the High King in the form of knights. It is in this way that the High King ensures that the Empire remains united under the crown.
Each Dukedom has at least one military academy. Students, generally children of nobles or wealthy citizens, begin training at age 13, and at age 17 they graduate. Those at the top of their class become squires to knights, and in turn, they become knights themselves. Knights either serve the Dukes and Duchesses, or are given into service to the High King.
Culture
Many types of art are popular within the nation. Most works of art are in a gothic style. Fresco, stained glass, and paintings use an oil based paint. Architecture is very reminiscent of gothic styles, including ribbed vaults, pointed arches, and the very distinct flying buttresses. All of these are showcased in the Cathedral of Otrelia, which also features a famous rose stained glass window.
Artistic themes often involve religious themes, or depict legends. Most artwork involving legends have to do with King Cyneric and his knights. There is also an entire genre of art dedicated to traditional children's tales.
Dance is also very popular among much of the population. There is a wide variety of folk dances, including everything from country dances, to dances that had once been done only in court. Today court dances are very stiff, and the movements not as open and lively.
The Empire has a rich history of story telling, particularly for children. With the invention of the printing press, one of the first industries to begin printing books aside from the religious communities was the children's literature industry. Every type of material has been created from children's poetry, to stories for fun, to tales of warnings, and fables. It is one of the most profitable industries within the nation.
The literacy rate within the country is surprisingly high, given the nation's lack of technology and other low standards of living. However, formal education is still considered a luxury, and while most everyone agrees that literacy is worth learning, the value of higher levels of education is debated among the general population.
Religion
Many religions have found their roots within the country, in part because the country has come into contact with so many dark forces. This has left the country grasping for answers as to why this is all happening. The religions that have formed range from the worshipping of devils, demons, and vampires, to the worshipping of a single deity, the worshipping of idols, or gods and goddesses.
This desire for answers has also led to the creation of many fringe religions. These fringe groups have caused problems on and off over the centuries for the dukedoms and Empire as a whole. Each dukedom has a way of dealing with certain groups. The more peaceful ones they mostly ignore and let them be. If a group ventures into the use of dark magic, or Necromancy, then the government will step in and put a stop to it.
Technology
One of the more peculiar side effects of the Necromantic Wars has also had a much larger social and world political consequence than the original High King could have imagined. When technology first began being used on the planet, scholars noticed that it was inconsistent at best within the confines of Banivia. In fact, the further within Banivia you go, the more inconsistent technology becomes. In only the Dukedom of Koronos is there an area where technology can be found to work well, and even there it is spotty at times.
The reasons for this phenomenon are unknown, although a mostly recent theory is of the believe that there is a certain element within the Banivian soil which seems to be capable of absorbing traces of magic. Due to the wide spread use of Necromancy and the subsequent wars that followed, and given how frequently dark magic is used even in modern times, it is believed that the ground has not only soaked up this magic, but is also leaking it back out. The technological inconsistencies occur when someone uses dark magic in an area, or when holy magic is used, purifying a region.
This energy has the ability to disrupt electronic machinery, as well as block Aether flow. Forms of technology that do make it over the border include vaccinations, medical education, and any new technology not fueled by either aether or electricity. (Such as the printing press, wind up watches, etc.)
Many have attempted to cleanse the land, but none to date have succeeded. Thus, very few people in Banivia bother with modern technology. Even the simplest of things, such as guns, malfunction too frequently to be of common use. A result of this is that the Banivian Empire is home to some of the greatest blacksmiths on Earth, second only to the Dwarves, and is well known for having sword masters teaching at the academies. Many masters have retired and train only select students in remote areas of the Empire.
There is a charm which can be used to protect some forms of technology from disruption. While locals do not often use it, due to the expense of replacing them when they break, they are common among tourists from Disparatus and other parts of Earth.
Dukedoms
- Cydonia: Borders Ibadia as well as the eastern coast. A section of this region is desert, located in the southeast.
- Koronus: Located in the southwest, and contains the only city in the Empire that has access to technology reliably. Said city is the city of Chantment, which rests on the Empire's border with Ibadia and Chanvierre.
- Dregg: The hardest hit by the Necromancy Wars, and is in the dead center of the Empire. As a dukedom, it has not bounced back as well as the others, and is hardest hit by practitioners of dark magic, as well as dark creatures.
- Tragen: Located in the northeast, it contains the nation's capital of Perivel, where the High King lives.
- Trevine: Located in the northwest, and known for its lively sea ports. This is where you go for a good time, and an adventure. Pirates often spend time in this area, and are always looking for new crew members.
- Otrelia: Located north of Dregg, Oretlia is the second wealthiest kingdom, second only to Tragen. It contains the largest cathedral in the empire, as well the most well known library.
