The Empire of Thyatis

"We're not conquering the world, we're civilising it!"
Common saying among the Thyatian Legionnaires stationed in the Colonies

Overview

Thyatis, once nothing more than a spur on the western continent, began its rise from obscurity a thousand years ago to become the dominant power of the western world. It's an empire where a peasant can fight and connive their way onto the imperial throne... and find themself on the executioner's block when they make their first mistake or shows the first signs of weakness. It's an empire where races blend freely, where organisation and efficiency are the hallmarks of the national character, where trade and negotiations are taught to children on their mothers' knees.
And yet, more than all these traits, it is fighting ability which is most admired by Thyatians of all racial backgrounds and social classes. Only one person can hold the throne at a time; only those learned and lucky in trade can amass huge mercantile fortunes. But anyone, from any part of the empire, can become a warrior-knight, and that's the dream and ambition of the masses.
Thyatis is the most powerful nation on the mainland. At one point in its history, it held half the known world in its empire before being pushed back. While it is an empire in decline, it is still very much a force to be reckoned with.
Thyatis is lead by Emperor Thincol I, who personally turned the tide against Alphatia when they invaded several decades back. He has tried to turn the decline around, with mixed results. Thyatis still maintains a strong military, and their campaign against the Hinterlands shows their expansionist policies have not changed. Thyatis is still one of the last nations to embrace slavery, and their reputation for treachery and intrigue is well deserved.

The Land

The Empire of Thyatis is composed of several nations, spanning across the Sea of Dread and the Sea of Dawn, roughly forming a triangular-shaped region. The core of the nation is the Thyatian mainland, where the capital, Thyatis (pop. 500,000), the biggest city of the Known World, lies. The region is known for its warm and hospitable climate, it's good farming land, where corn and wine are produced in abundance, excellent stock of horse and cattle. Directly to the south of the mainland lies the Isle of Hattias, home to the Hattian people.
To the southeast of Hattias are Ochalea and the Pearl Islands, while to the east is the Isle of Dawn - traditional fighting ground between the Thyatians, who hold its western half, and their eternal enemies, the Alphatians, who occupy the eastern half. Recently, the Thyatians have occupied the Hinterlands, a heavily forested area on the northern tip of Davania, the southern continent.

History

The Empire of Thyatis is probably the most important and influential nation of the Known World, and one of the most ancient, too. Thyatis' history dates back to BC 2, when Lucinius Trenzantenbium threw down the Alphatian invaders that had occupied the lands of Thyatis, the island of Ochalea and the Pearl archipelago. The three nations declared independence, and after a victorious war were reunited by General Zendrolion in the form of an Empire, which soon annexed the western half of the Isle of Dawn.
In its centuries of existence, the borders of the Empire have changed much; at various times, the Empire has occupied several nations of the Known World, like Ierendi, southern Ylaruam and Traladara (now Karameikos). Thyatians have directly influenced Glantri's history, as lord Glantri, founder of the nation, was himself a Thyatian. Recently, a group of Hattians known as the Heldannic Knights have left the Empire to conquer for their own the lands of Heldann. Last but not least, Thyatians have fought about one millennia of war with Alphatia for the possession of the Isle of Dawn, and have imposed their traditions and language on the Known World's nations, that still resort to Thyatis for their Common Tongue and calendar.
For more information see:
Thyatis: The History

The People

Thyatis is mostly home to humans of the Thyatian stock, tending to have a light olive skin tone, with hair ranging from light to dark brown, and of medium height. The Thyatians see fighting ability and efficiency as the founding values of the Empire, and believe in the superiority of their civilisation, although they also think that they enrich their culture by absorbing the traits of the conquered cultures. The Hattians belong to the same racial stock, but believe exactly the opposite: they are the greatest race ever to be, and other races are of little worth - to avoid decadence, the Thyatian Empire should follow the Hattian traditionalist ways.
Thyatians are a treacherous race. They give tremendous importance to politics and power, and they will resort to any means to reach an end, so it's common knowledge that Thyatians easily break promises if this can help them to achieve a goal. As it is often the case with generalisations, this is an exaggeration, but it's a matter of fact that the Empire builds itself, and finds the roots of its decadence, in the mixture of efficiency and corruption that is generated by the obsessive pragmatism of its people.
There are also other human races in the Empire: the Pearl Islands are settled by the Nuari, a black-skinned people that believe in the values of self-development; Ochaleans are descendants of pacifistic Alphatians, are of coppery skin tone, believe in non-violence, disrespect magic users and are rather sexist; Hinterlanders are of fair skin tone and of light brown, blonde or red hair, and very warlike. Moreover, on the Thyatian half of the Isle of Dawn there are several people of Alphatian origin, and in the cities of Tel-Akbir and Biazzan, on Mainland Thyatis, more than half of the population is of Alasiyan origin, although they do not typically share the worship of Al-Kalim.
In addition to the humans, dwarves and elves have their own personal dominions in the Mainland: respectively in the Barony of Buhrohur, a rich mining land, and in the County of Vyalia, where an elite fighting organisation of humans known as the Foresters was formed under the patronage of the elves and their Immortal protector Ilsundal.

Government & Religion

Religion plays an important role in the Thyatian way of life; however, like many aspects of their lives it is a mixture of formal acts and of a do ut des attitude: Thyatians see religion as a contract of mutual benefit between the worshipper and the divinity. Among the most important Immortals are Vanya, Patroness of Conquerors, and Tarastia, Patroness of Justice; Korotiku, patron of the Nuari, and Koryis, worshipped in Ochalea but mostly sneered at by Thyatians because of its pacifism; Protius, whose importance is directly linked to that of the sea in Thyatian life; Diulanna, patroness of the Hinterlanders; and many others.

Provinces

Hattias is an island south of the mainland. Hattians are known for their racial purity; they despise other races. Because of a past rebellion they are forbidden from building defences.
Hinterlands are currently being invaded by the Thyatian legions. They are a proud warrior race, but their tactics fail against the highly organized Thyatian legions.
Kerendas is known for their horses, they provide most of the cavalry support for Thyatis. Such is their love of equestrian activities all cities have to make space for horses.
Ochalea is an island being occupied by Thyatis. They are famous for their unarmed fighting style and exotic foods. Their strict sexual mores cause many women to become adventurers.
Pearl Islands are another island under occupation. Populated by ebony skinned natives, they are regarded for the devotion to both physical and mental perfection.
Tel Akbir is the last of the northern territories. Taken from Ylaruam, the Akbir have assimilated long ago. They are a laid back people, and have little use for Thyatis' constant warring.
Thyatis itself is represented by rolling hills and verdant farmland. It considers itself an extension of its capitol, and is easily the largest city on the continent.
Vyalia elves are content to be left alone, but is loyal to Thyatis in exchange for special concessions in training its soldiers. The elves gladly teach arcane lore for Thyatian gold.

Founding Date

AC 0

Type

Geopolitical, Empire

Capital

Thyatis City

Leader

Thincol I Torion

Leader Title

Emperor

Government System

Monarchy, Absolute

Currency

Lucin (GP), Asterius (SP), Denarius (CP), Emperor (PP)

Official Languages

• Thyatian (Common)