Umyebelian Empire
Not only the largest elven nation, but probably the largest nation overall, both in population and land, the Umyebelian Empire is situated in the south of Easton, although its southern borders are unknown, and may extend much further than current maps portray. It is largely an unknown for most of the world, denying access to almost all non-Quenians to the mainland, instead holding a court for foreigners in the city of Neatalean, far from Umyebel proper. The only non-Quenians allowed are Sindair traders, who have access to a number of ports on the Umyebel coast, and the occasional highly regarded Sindair diplomat on official business.
Stories are told of enormous cities, that would eclipse any other nation on Iodax with their population, of magic being so common that even the lowliest Quenian lives a life of unparralled luxury, and of dragons living alongside the elves, full partners in their civilisation. Of course, these tales are evidently an exaggeration, propaganda from an isolationist elven nation that wishes to remain mysterious. Those few Quenians that venture far from their borders are perceived as outcasts and eccentrics at best, and dangerous malcontents at worst, not to be believed.
Structure
Whilst the majority of Umyebelian civilisation is unknown, it is known that they are ruled by the Dragon Emperor, a hereditary position. Given the longevity of elves, Dragon Emperors tend to reign for a long period of time.
No foreigner has ever met a Dragon Emperor, even the rare Sindari diplomat who is granted access to the mainland has only ever met one of the Primus, a number of individuals who seem to hold almost absolute authority on their own over specific areas (not necessarily geographical areas). Underneath the Primus are a number of ranks, most notably the Sentinels, who appear to be main interface between the Umyebel and the outside world. Sentinels are always magic users of exceptional ability and insist on being given the same decorum and authority as a non-Unbeyelian head of state.
Culture
What is known about Umyebel culture comes entirely from Quenian emigrants and exiles, and as such is considered not entirely accurate. Quenians in the Empire apparently live lives of luxury, entirely without want or need, with everything supplied by the copious amounts of magic in use throughout the Empire. All menial tasks are performed either by magic outright, or magically created servant, leaving Quenians time to do whatever they wish. Art, sports and crafting are considered the epitome of life, and a Quenian will spend centuries perfecting a single facet of their choice of interests.
All this has left Quenian culture rather stagnant; individuals are more concerned with perfecting their own skills than creating something for greater appreciation, and most Quenians have little time for child rearing, with population growth zero. It is considered most déclassé for a Quenian to leave something unfinished, and Quenians will ignore almost anything to ensure the completion of a project, rather than not have it finished.
History
Thousands of years ago, the Umyebelian Empire covered almost the entire world, with only the far northern parts of Westos and the Eldar sub-continent of Thamy being outside of their control. They founded great cities and even greater monuments, using the labour of the peoples of the lands they occupied to build them. Legend has them as fairly benign as overlords, more concerned with ensuring their lasting legacy as the greatest of Iodax's species than actually oppressing the peoples underneath them. It was almost as if their conquest and empire was a challenge, just to prove that they could do it.
Over time, however, the Quenians lost interest in their Empire, and slowly reduced their influence over the world, retreating back into Umyebel proper, leaving occupied lands to their own devices. Now all that is left of their legacy are the ruins of their cities, crumbling monuments, and lingering traces of magic beyond anything known by other species. Umyebelian remains are considered excellent sites for exploration, but incredibly dangerous, thanks to the magical creations they left behind to guard their secrets.
Religion
Quenians, like all elves, worship the gods of the Seldarine. How devout they are, or if their worship is more than lip-service is not known. The various gods of the elven pantheon are invoked in public, and the few Sindair who have visited Umyebel confirm the existence of temples, but beyond this, like almost everything else, nothing is known.
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Capital
Alternative Names
Umyebel, The Quenian Empire
Demonym
Umyebelia
Leader Title
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Unitary state
Official State Religion
Controlled Territories
Related Ethnicities
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