Strakan Empire
Amidst the sands of the Desert of Ulb lies the jewel of the southern reaches, Straka. This city is the beating and shining heart of the Strakan Empire that dominates Southwestern Kalin.
Established by one of the few mortals in history to ascend to godhood, Hakir Fa'Ajasa, Straka was ruled by a nearly unbroken line of Negus' from the Fa'Ajasa family for hundreds of years. However, in the early Third Age the Immortal Dragon Sorcerer Tarkus wrested control from a corrupt and weak member of the family. Since then, the Empire has been ruled by Tarkus directly who serves as the Dragon Alwasi, or Dragon Regent.
The Empire has prospered since the end of the Second Age and the Return, where it suffered considerably less than its peer nations at the time. Its control of the Southwestern Seas allows it unparalleled access to trade both in Kalin, but also across the oceans to lands barely known. Politically, the Strakan Empire forms the third tip in the "Pyramid of Power" of the continent, made up of the Federated Union of Eastern Kalin, the Impero Tharrisian, and itself. Unlike the other two tips of the Pyramid Straka tries to avoid conflict, and often acts as the balance between the other two, avoiding war and conflict.
Straka is known both for its advanced system of airships that allow transport in and beyond its border, as well as the very advanced air fleet that defends that system. It's also known to be one of the most magically educated nations on the continent, with Tarkus encouraging magical learning, especially among the Kobold
people of the nation.
History
The modern Strakan Empire was born at the end of the Second Age and the beginning of the Third when the Kobold/Dragon Sorcerer Tarkus came to power in the city as well as the rise of Kobolds to equal citizens of the Fallen City. The Co-Rule of Tarkus and Negus Razeena Fa'Ajasa would become known as a golden age for the nation in the early Third Age. Tarkus served several successive Negus' after that, until the rule of Negus Qadibras Fa'Ajasa. Qadibras was a corrupt and tyrannical leader to the point that Tarkus felt comfortable enough to seize power from him, with the people's blessing. Since then, Tarkus has maintained the title of Negus for a "worthy successor of the Fa'Ajasa's" but seeing as Qadibras died alone with no children (reportedly thanks to infertility) the line is effectively dead. As a result, Tarkus is, as far as anyone can see, the now Eternal Ruler of Straka and the Empire.
Demography and Population
The population of Straka is mostly split between Humans and Kobold. as the most numerous, with many Kobolds of many different color backgrounds moving to the nation due to its ruler and tolerance. Though Olark, Tieflings, and Dragonborn are all common sights. Some visitors from Efaanu are also seen, such as Genasi and even the occasional Loxodon.
Territories
Straka is primarily made up of the ancestral lands of Straka, and what was once Heldir. After Heldir fell to dark forces during The Return, the territory was annexed a few years later by Razeena Fa'Ajasa and has been in Strakan hands since.
Military
The Strakan military is the result of centuries of political and military confluence between disparate organizations.
As power has flowed more and more away from local lords and more towards the provincial Khedives put in place by Tarkus, the armies they upheld have vanished with them.
The Strakan military as it is today is essentially split into four parts, the first of which is the Blades of Hakir, an old military/monastic order in the city. Originally royal guards for Hakir Fa'Ajasa himself, they became closer to warrior monks in the mid to late second age. After the loss of the last Negus, the Blades of Hakir turned more towards monasticism until Tarkus managed to politic them into working for him as well. The Blades of Hakir now serve as elite infantry and agents of Tarkus, and in times of war serve as the best of the best of the army, wading into battle wearing enchanted armor that seems to make them immune to gunfire. During times of peace, they act as the primary hand of Tarkus militarily, putting down revolts or rebellions with swift speed. This honored position also gives them a lot of sway on the Imperial Council and in Strakan society, which they have grown more accustomed to over the centuries.
The second part is the Strakan Standing Army, a small corps of paid and volunteer soldiers modeled after the Tharrisian Legion. Unlike the Tharrisian Legion, or even the Union Army, the force is much smaller. It is primarily used to guard the capital, and be a first response force in times of war while the Conscripted Army can be trained and prepared for the front lines.
The third part is the Strakan Air Fleet. Due to the nations reliance on its air ships, the Strakan Air Fleet is by default the largest and most well funded of the Strakan military. While Tharrisians may have better training, and Union airships may be more advanced technologically, the Strakan Air Fleet beats both in raw numbers and pure comfort amongst the clouds. Also under the Air Fleet are the Strakan Ta'yr Jarih (Birds of Prey), the Marines of the Strakan air fleet well renowned for their skill in air-to-air boarding actions. Despite not technically being the army, the Ta'yr Jarih outnumber the Strakan Standing Army even in times of peace.
The final part is the Conscripted Army. Effectively dead in times of peace, the Conscripted Army is only raised in times of actual war. Made up of conscripts as the name implies, the army is hastily trained and equipped to fight on the front lines, with Strakan Military doctrine relying mostly on the Air Fleet, Blades of Hakir, and Standing Army to actually win battles while the Conscripted Army serves as a glorified human wall (not that the Strakan government would ever confirm such an assertion).
The Strakan military is also known for making extensive use of Kobold scouts, who are quite adept at hit and run tactics and stealth. As well as large desert elephants native to the Deserts of Ulb, which they equip with heavy armor and weaponry as an answer to the tanks and technology of northern nations.
Religion
The nation of Straka is primarily devoted to Mantle worship, especially the Orthodox Church of the Mantle with a special focus on Hakir as a god due to his importance culturally and historically to the city. Beyond Mantle worship other religions are legally, if not socially tolerated. The main exception to this is growing worship amongst the Kobolds of Tarkus, which is done mostly in their own homes and hush-hush, with Tarkus publicly decrying the practice of worship towards him. Though he does so very lightly, perhaps too lightly for Mantle Priests' liking.
Agriculture & Industry
Straka makes most of its industry off of trade up and down the continent and beyond, but also relies on its "breadbasket" of Northern Old-Heldir for feeding its people in conjunction with imports and fishing.
Industrially, the nation relies on the foundries and factories of its cities, with parts and finished products being flown by its vast fleet of merchant airships.
Education
Most education is done by local churches to the Mantle, endorsed by Tarkus on a high level. While this means that effectively any child of any race can be educated for free, it is limited in that the Churches often discriminate against non-Mantle worshippers and their children, few though they may be.
"Fakhaar Alshra'" (Pride of the Desert)
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Capital
Alternative Names
The Desert Empire, Tarkus' Empire, The Kobold State
Demonym
Strakan
Leader
Head of State
Government System
Dictatorship
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Strakan Kuru
Legislative Body
By law, the Negus makes the laws of Straka. But with no Negus in centuries, the next (and "coincidentally", just as powerful) title with such power is the Dragon Alwasi, the title held and invented by Tarkus. As a result, Tarkus by default creates and maintains all laws in the Strakan Empire.
In practice though, he's aided by the Imperial Council, a group of higher advisors, provincial Khedives, and viziers who all advise Tarkus on various matters of import. While Tarkus has no legal requirement to take their advice, he often does so as running an empire from one mind would be a nightmare, even for an immortal dragon. The Imperial Council has many races in representation, and is technically allowed to be joined and led by anyone. In reality, the Imperial Council is always led by a Blue Kobold who serves as the Grand Vizier and is the closest advisor to Tarkus.
Judicial Body
When it comes to the interpretations of Tarkus' laws, Tarkus will often clarify matters of high import all by himself.
For smaller matters though, it often falls to either the local Khedives, who serve as governors of the provinces of the Empire, or local military officials.
Subsidiary Organizations
Notable Members
Comments