In the northern area of the Boyarska region lies the nation of the Violet Empire of the Tvor Principalities.
The Tvor have it's origins on the principality of Slava (who in turn were once a Sythanian tribe), on nowadays kingdom of Khivania. Since then, the Tvor have turned into an expanding empire, menacing the nearby regions. Along with the Sythanians, they make the Tvorlinian Confederation.
The empire is divided in several regions, each with their own political entity. In it lies the Republics of Novigorsk and Peskohvia, the Grand Duchies of Musthovia, Rosthavia, The Kingdoms of Karsan and Khivania, the Khanates of Karkhavia, Nobaihvia and Sythavia, and the Astrokhia Theocracy.
The region slowly evolved into minor states that often quarreled with each other.
The Novigorsk Republic was the first territory to take measures to create a united Tvor Empire. Made initially by merchants and frontiersmen, and quickly establishing trade outposts through the untamed wilds, it swiftly prospered due to the rich supply of pelts and ore veins in the area. The following years, the republic's prospered cities grew and the capital of Novigorsk continued to expand. Their uncontested dominion over the frozen North would come to an end soon though.
With the prospect of riches in the land the Polzani financed a proxy group to establish a colony in Tvor territory. Radenian frontiersmen quickly established a territory south of Novigorsk borders, to much surprise of the republicans. These Radenian had other intentions though, and quickly cut ties with their Polzani masters, establishing the newfound Grand Duchy of Musthovia. Musthovia offered a new beginning for people in the region, with a focus on local industry. Some Polzani deserters, Novigorskian disbelievers, but mostly Odrisnian and Daxissian simple folk converged to the Dukedom. The first years was an utopian government that resulted in a quick expansion and the Novigorskian Monopoly of the region being shattered. Unfortunately, the utopia would soon end. The Musthovian rich, eager for more wealth, started implementing draconian laws upon it's citizens. Since then, the Grand Duchy of Musthovia is known for it's oppressive regime.
Novigorsk needed support to stop their downfall, thus they helped their southern region, Peskohvia, into becoming an independent republic. This ensured Novigorsk would no long be bordering the might of the Polzani Commonwealth and could concentrate onto eastwards.
The financial backing of Novigorsk (and secretly Musthovia) helped Peskohvia flourish and become a regional player. Under the leadership of "Grigory Orlov" at the time, Peskohvia improved their relations with Polzani but better yet, they brought to the republic's alliance another powerful player in the region, the kingdom of Khivania.
The Khivanians were the birthplace of the principalities and they had remained neutral until then. They despised the Musthovian rulers, who threatened them with ease, so they naturally got to a good start with Peskovhia and Novigorsk. The Khivanian power brought an equal ground to Novigorsk.
With Novigorsk and Musthovia expanding more and more Eastward, they soon found out the local inhabitants, the Sythanian tribes, that were not too pleased to see their land occupied by these newcomers. Thus, started a long war with the Sythanians. During the war two new states would appear. The Kingdom of Karsan and the Grand Duchy of Rosthavia.
Just North of Novigorsk, a local Sythanian warlord named "Vladimir I" wanted to consolidate his folks' dominion on the area, thus he struck a deal with Khivan nobles and Novigorskian bureaucrats. By backing the warlord, the Sythanian quickly amassed enough power to grab a vast area, Including the most important strait of Ngansk, that funnels the human realms from the northern wastes of the Great Unknown. Vladimir didn't stop here though, contrary to his nomadic nature, he quickly fortified the region with vast stone walls and fortresses. Thus the Kingdom of Karsan was born. The Karsani, under Vladimir I rulership, went from a nomadic tribe to a well established and well defended kingdom. Since then, the Karsani have specialized in their defensive nature, their soldiers known throughout the land as some of the best defenders the region can offer. Indeed they have more than once showed their mettle against the savage raids from the northern wastes.
During the Sythanian Wars, the Novigorsk Republic would be dealt a harsh blow by their Musthovian rivals. Even though both were fighting the same enemy, the Musthovian secretly backed a separatist group of oligarchs to claim the region of the republic surrounding the Tvorlian Sea. Under the flag of the noble and oligarch "Rudolf I", this army quickly seized the region and named it the Grand Duchy of Rosthavia. The newfound Duchy had the difficult task of surviving the southern Sythanians but also a potential reclaim from the Novigorskians. Luckily, the Republic saw this as an opportunity to diminish their army expenses. They accepted Rosthavia as independent and agreed to help them hold the region, and thus managed to focus solely on the Sythanians established south of Rosthavia (since the Kingdom of Karsan was holding the Sythanian in the north) and the treacherous Musthovians. The Rosthavians, however, had a cunning plan to subdue the surrounding tribes. But first, it was time to do something about these quarrels with their neighbours.
The Rosthavians were aware (just like the Novigorskians) that a long war with the Sythanian could have a Pyrrhic outcome. Inviting representatives of each of the nearby non-nomadic states, the Meeting of Rosthavia (as it became known) is the official birth date of the Violet Empire. Putting their differences aside, respecting their boundaries, and the hardest part for most, to respect each member as equal, the Empire could unite these folk under a single banner while preserving their entity. With their strength combined, the Rosthavian ensured they would not be surrounded by their enemies, but more importantly they could now focus on their next masterplan.
The Sythanians have a knack for being vain. They love being well dressed and adorned in gold, and while they do not lack these things, they are equally ambitious. Thus Rosthavia used this against them. Using local gold and silk from nations far south, the Rosthavians bargained with the Sythanians tribes of the North, the ethnic group known as Karkhavia, and forged an alliance that would soon change the shape of region.
The Karkhavians are a nomadic group of Sythanian tribes that live on what is now North Tvor. Initially just happy to sack each other and their neighbours, the arrival of Rosthavian riches and promises made them stop warring with each other and unite under a single flag. Thus, the Karkhavian Khanate was formed and joined the Violet Empire. The Karkhavians benefited from the support from Rosthavia but also from Karsan expertise. Weapons using gunpowder from the Polzani came to influence the locals heavily. The local folk showed a natural knack with these long firearms and their lavish ways and unique looks (men pride in their long mustaches and shave their heads besides the top) made them a peculiar bunch in the Empire. Though what they lacked in looks and courtly manners they more then make up for it in battle. Making the upcoming battles against the Sythanian Tribes much easier.
With the Karkhavian assimilation (and model) being a success the Tvorlinian Empire decided to focus their attention South. The united Empire strode downwards towards the Sythanian tribal group known as Astrokhians. These Sythanian group would not be an easy fight however.
The Astrokhians differed from the other Sythanian tribes in their faith. While other Sythanians still worshipped their ancestral gods, they Astrokhians had embraced the teachings of the Monotheistic Religion of Hadan. Their religion stated they were chosen by god and the earth in which they bare their foots is their by divine right. This religious belief made them extremely ferocious to preserve their lands and showed that even with increased numbers the Violet Empire could still be outmatched. That is, until Rosthavian and Musthovian diplomats came forth with promises of riches, but most importantly, the promise of preserving their beliefs. The Astrokhian theocrats gladly accepted joining the Empire under these conditions, thus the Astrokhian Theocracy was born, and only the East was now left to conquer.
After that it was a decade trying to bring the Nobaihvians into the Empire. Nobaihvia was (and still is) mostly composed of thick forests, and their folk prized in their skill with axes and their mastery over bears. The first years of the war was a disaster for the Empire. The Nobaihvians were adept ambushers and the Empire's war machine couldn't operate with their full strength in such thick woods. Only after a long diplomatic tug of war did the Nobaihvians eventually accepted to join, fearful that the attrition war would be too devastating for them.
The next decades were arduous efforts in the Sythanian Wars, though slowly, the Empire was conquering land.
The Sibihvians held a large territory mostly of tundra and frozen wasteland, but rich in ores. The Empire knew that it would be beyond immoral to try and conquer these folk by force, due to the climate and also to the widespread population. Thus they paid handsomely for them to join the Empire. Years after the unification, Sibihvia would be use as a land for exiles to be sentenced to.
The Sythavian were a large group Sythanian nomad tribes that proved fearsome to fight and difficult to bribe. Like true Sythanians, their love for the horse and bow proved a harder challenge then the empire anticipated. Though eventually they managed to subdue the region. Assuring they would have their autonomy in the land, with both parties tired of war, finally agreed terms. The Empire also didn't see any benefits in continuing a war with the Sythanian tribes further East thus they struck a mutual cooperation deal and created the Tvorlinian Confederation.
With the empire now in solid ground, they started sending envoys to other lands, pursuing riches and knowledge from farther lands. One such envoys went to the Minzao. He returned with three Wizards who helped establish the Arcane Schools of Novigrosk, Peskohvia and Musthovia.
Recently (and against Novigorsk will), they cut ties with the Polzani Commonwealth and have started an escalating conflict with the neighboring factions. Their vast land increased military presence in the region has put all the other nations of the region on high alert.
The empire's borders (and it's various regions) have been fortified by tall violet colored walls, making it harder for enemy intelligence to be gathered. Truth is, the empire lives in a ruthless leadership under it's oligarchs.
Most people live quiet lives (mostly in the fields) unless they are conscripted, quickly boosting their already sizable army. Citizens are allowed to come and go as they please inside the empire, though most citizens found outside of it are either deserters, diplomats or other special cases. Besides the Astrokhians (that worship Haddan) and Karsan and Khivanian (who worship Klaar), it's inhabitants worship the polytheistic pantheon of the Tvor.
Their warfare is known for their mobile light cavalry, who quickly swipe any loose archers or infantry, and their ruthless light infantry, who fight like dervishes on the field of battle. Their nobles charge into battle on top of well trained and armored battle bears.
Their oligarchs have most of the power in the empire, being an oligarchy, though what makes this nation different from other oligarchies is that all oligarchs work tightly with each other to make their sinister motives (and of the empire) thrive.
Main Hub
Novigorsk
Lying in the area surrounded by foreign borders lies Novigorsk, the capital of the Tvor Empire.
The area is well defended, with tall violet walls covering the city's districts and outskirts. Indeed it works as both a fortress for the troubled region and hub for the denizens of the empire.
One of the main sites of the prosperous fortress-city is the main square, where the Violet Palace is located. This works as an embassy for the various oligarchs to discuss and plan the future and maintenance of the empire.
