Udynea Empire
As the most influential and powerful nation in the Known World that still stands, the Udynea Empire is also one of the most feared and detested. Encompassing the majority of the continent, it gained both its expansive lands and its infamy from invasion and slavery.
Culture
Thought of as being a power-hungry immoral lot by outsiders, Udynean society actually places much value on order, knowledge and discipline. The common thought is that these three traits were the ones responsible for the most valuable strategies during the empire's forging years. And, with many high-ranking people within the empire being spellsters, discipline is an exceptionally valued trait. Whilst bloodlines hold a great deal of importance, the recognition of exceptional talents, skills and magical strength also draws some measure of regard. Those with such abilities can rise through the ranks of high society, but doing so often makes them an easy target for the lower nobility.
The need for knowledge, whilst not as voracious as that of the dwarven Coven, contributed to many settlements being permitted to continue their lives unchanged save for a few ruling stations. Having seen the stagnation of thought encompassing Obuzan, the academies are in equal support for innovation and diverse thought as they are for traditional studies. Likewise, the nobility is encouraged to let their young take up whatever studies they desire to diversify the talents in the ruling class.
History
As the Udynea Empire grew, she found herself cut off from her own lands thanks to dissidents at her rear, leaving no choice but for the budding empire to forge ahead or die. But the empire is long-known for its cunning, and where the first few settlements were taken through force and conquest over the ore-heavy lands, it swiftly turned to diplomacy and leveraging fear of Ancient Domian, an older, and far more immoral, empire that also had many settlements scattered about the continent. This led to many more flocking to reside under her banner as they discovered that not only did the Udynea Empire improve their lives significantly in terms of wealth, well-being and prospects, but they weren't required to sacrifice their own traditions and culture, unlike Ancient Domian's draconic rule.
The flow of settlements willingly joining Udynea slowed as the Ancient Domian fell, leaving the mighty empire without a foe strong enough to confront them. It was at this time that Udynea almost collapsed under its own success as the generals, having lost their Mhanek, fell to bickering over who would take up the mantle. The precise details of how a decision was reached has since become lost to history, or far more likely, buried deep within the royal texts, but the Crystal Court is what grew from the scuffle with many members taking spouses amongst Ancient Domian's lower nobility to shore up their legitimacy of land ownership.
It was here that Udynea's reputation for slavery grew. Most of the empire's slaves had come either over the mountains with them or were considered a spoil of war. Both were treated moderately well in comparison to Ancient Domian, but without that threat, many of the small settlements, tribes and peoples that had become Udynea over the years to avoid being crushed between two warring empires no longer saw a need to remain under its wing and sought independence, only to find the empire hadn't just allowed them to keep their cultures, be absorbed everything they claimed into their own, including Ancient Domian's cruelty. Udynea took up the fallen empire's reins, from ruling its vast realm to the most insignificant experiment. Any settlement that protested soon found the top of their hierarchy replaced with those more loyal to the imperial throne.
For centuries beyond the fall of Ancient Domian, the Udynea Empire continued to fight itself alongside any who dared to oppose them. Depending on who is spoken to about this time, it is seen as their greatest show of strength or their most embarrassing act. No matter the outlook, it is agreed that, in time, the dust settled and a unified empire rose into power with all the might and cunning Udynea was known for thinly veiling the barbarism found in the fallen Domian Empire. Fortunately, the barbs of the latter have eroded over the centuries to the point where the empire seeks peace with its neighbours rather than war. But whilst the Crystal Court prides itself on refinement as well as strength, many of its own people still struggle against antiquated laws.
Foreign Relations
Before the past three rulers, few were interested in having allies as the empire prided itself on being strong enough to repel any attempts at its borders. With the rise of the late Mhanek, Taksh, in 1789 AE this changed as a peaceful existence with their neighbours was sought. Rather than the uneasy peace they'd had for generations with the minor empires of Stamekia and Niholia to the south and the dwarven lands in the north, a more formal alliance was forged. Trade with these lands is highly encouraged, with some materials granting a measure of prestige amongst merchants. Likewise, peaceful trade, in exchange for assistance in hunting down pirates, was easily brokered with the Independent Isles.
The offer of a truce with the Kingdom of Demarn was given by Taksh's grandson, Aahan, only for it to be rebuked as it would mean ceding the land Udynean border lords had claimed in their unsanctioned squabbles with the small kingdom and thus relocating spellster citizens, or allowing those same people to be imprisoned in the Demarn spellster tower. When it was clear compromise couldn't be reached, the Mhanek Aahan gave the word to protect the land but take not a blade of grass more. An order the border lords continue to ignore several decades later in the name of keeping what is theirs.
Many offers of peace have been sent to the Heimatian border, the true response is unknown as not a single emissary was seen again, but given the animosity of Heimat to any and all outsiders, it can be assumed that such an outlook still stands.
Although Udynea doesn't interact much with the Talfaltan people, their murderous stance on spellsters and any who serve them has made any attempt to speak of peace impossible.
Most recently, talks of trade with the highland kingdom of Tirglas have stalled thanks to Darshan vris Mhanek, the crown prince, and mixed allegations that he either kidnapped or killed one of Tirglas' princes.
Similar talks with the neighbouring land of Cezhory were concluded with less dramatics. Whilst they do regard spellsters just warily as Tirglas, it is with a respectful air.
Of course, one cannot speak of foreign relations without mentioning the eternal strife they have with Obuzan. Although once the homeland of Udynea, Obuzan has been a sworn enemy of the empire for centuries. According to Obuzanian creed, the usage of magic is considered abhorrent in the face of their Great Judger and must be cleansed from the world before eternal peace can be achieved. Battle along the border hasn't stopped since the first clash over a millennia ago, and although the Udynea Empire has never attempted to invade their ancestral homeland in earnest, the guerilla techniques and rabid fanatical outlook of the Obuzans are enough to keep the battalions stationed along the mountain border at bay.
Laws
Twin Law
Multiple births in the Udynea Empire isn't a cause for celebration, but rather a time for mourning. This is due to an old belief going back to before the forming of the empire that states only the firstborn of twins has a soul. The second is considered soulless and is to be killed. It is theorised that a great deal of the children found on temple doorsteps are a result of parents seeking a better life for their children. The known few who survived this custom are considered as invisible. They cannot inherit, collect income, marry or even be considered the parent of the very children they birth. Because of how far back the law goes, a variant can also be found in the enemy kingdom of Obuzan.Singer's Code
Whilst elves are permitted to work in the theatres, it is forbidden for anyone of elven blood (no matter if they are full, half or quarter-blood) to perform. Being caught in this role holds the penalty of death for not only that performer, but the master of the theatre who allows it.
Founding Date
470 HC
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Predecessor Organization
Demonym
Udynean
Leader
Ruling Organization
Leader Title
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Magocracy
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Deities
Official Languages
Related Traditions
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Manufactured Items
Related Items
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
Related Plots
Comments