During the 12th century, during the Cretian occupation, the empire grew so large that management became quite difficult. The ongoing civil unrest from the conquered did not made it easy for the empire as well. As a result, Emperor Constance I, the Enlightened, decided to divide the Empire in two, with Cretus controlling the Varsemian side and the newly founded Zancium the Nahjari side.
Zancium ended up influenced by the neighbouring countries. Architecture mainly from the Sephs and the old Lampa empire. Their military, heavily inspired on the Armatians, use heavy chainmails and barded cavalry, creating an army of anonymous, cold, merciless and disciplined soldiers (known as cataphracts), combining the best of two worlds. Constance I, was always a fan of the Kaastian pantheon and quickly made it the official religion of the new empire. All this changes made Zancium achieve some international recognition, and the word of cultural freedom in it's borders quickly attracted flocks of great minds to it's courts.
Zancium, also known as the Cretian Empire of the East, Zancian Empire or Nahjari Cretian Empire, Is currently ruled by Emperor Horace IV, the Truthful, son of Constance I. The empire is facing pressure from several sides, but mainly from the najhani nations of Muab, Armatia and Barcagenia. Even so, their strong walls have so far kept any enemies at bay and the cities blossom with the internationality of it's citizens, bringing currency and wisdom to it's walls.
Having such powerful minds in the courts can be dangerous, tough. The court has become a nest of snakes, constantly vying for power. Court intrigue is intense and deadly. People fall from grace with words or worse. So the rich have their own bodyguards, and even still that could not be enough.
While the court might be savage, commerce is another beast. With routes heavily guarded, but with merchants flowing in, and the spoils of the recent war, Zancium has become a pivotal economy in the region. this made the merchant-class thrive to the point of hiring companies of mercenaries to defend their lands. The emperor himself has done the same, and the elite of the mercenaries, a group of heavily disciplined Tvor, is known has the Varangui Guard.
A typical zancian is similar to a cretian. They have between 1.60m and 1.80m of height. They usually have dark and short hair and clean shaved. Their eyes match their hair. A citizen in it's daily life does not wear much more than a toga and some sandals.
Main Hub
Constancinopole
The capital of the Zancian Empire is a place of marvel, where east meets west. The city is strategically located and it's massive walls and surrounding water makes it extremely hard for invaders to penetrate it's defenses.
The city is by far one of the largest commercial hubs in all of Najha with boats arriving from far away lands to do ply their trade amidst the opulence of the zancian aristocracy.
The zancian main hub is also one of the largest and most crowded settlements in all of the known world. That, combined with it's opulence and it's intrigue, makes it one of the most devious but prospectful places for someone looking for opportunities.
