Dragonborn Empire
The Dragonborn Empire is a nation where order and the individual are held in high regard.
The importance of order can be seen in the straight, direct roads that link the cities, carving through hillsides and soaring on arches above valleys. It can be seen in the caste system that insists that each person has a right role to play in society.
The importance of the individual can be seen in the elevation and celebration of high achievers. Each city is named for it's founder, each road for it's chief constructor.
The two come together in the sense of pride a Dragonborn man or woman feels on the day their Citizenship requirements are completed and they take their place in the Empire.
The importance of the individual can be seen in the elevation and celebration of high achievers. Each city is named for it's founder, each road for it's chief constructor.
The two come together in the sense of pride a Dragonborn man or woman feels on the day their Citizenship requirements are completed and they take their place in the Empire.
Structure
The Dragonborn Empire is ruled by a theocratic council.
The leading priest of each of six of the gods has one vote and the Emperor (considered the representative of the god of leading and following) has three votes.
The Emperor
The position of Emperor is held by the highest ranking military official at the time. Under normal circumstances the Emperor will designate his own ordered list of successors in the upper echelons and following his death, the highest living citizen on the list is elevated to emperor. If the Emperor's own list is insufficient, or during initial turmoil, there is a continuous ordered hierarchy that can be traced from the current Emperor to the newest recruit, using rank first then seniority.Citizenship
One of the great ideals of the Dragonborn Empire is citizenship. Only citizens may reside overnight in the capital. Only citizens of the appropriate scale colour can fill caste roles. A number of the higher levels of social and political influence are reserved for citizens (such as speaking in the Areopagus). While people of all the speaking races have a relatively easy time entering, staying and working in the Dragonborn Empire they won't be treated as second-class citizens. They'll be treated as non-citizens. Non-citizens cannot own land, have a lower standing in the legal system and will find many occupations reserved for citizens of the appropriate caste.Gaining Citizenship
Citizenship is granted only to those of the Dragonborn race. If they are born to citizens, in the Empire, they will spend their childhood as "assumed citizens" - a sort of citizenship-pending status. When an "assumed citizen" is of age (15) they can begin the process of taking on citizenship. The same process applies to a Dragonborn who was born outside of the Empire, or to non-citizen parents. The process begins with the prospective citizen presenting themself at the capital on the first of the month, along with references from the priests and military leadership of their home town (or the embassy, if they are not from the Empire). They will choose between a priestly or military focus. They will spend a week receiving general instruction from their chosen institution on the meaning of citizenship. Then they will spend four weeks under the tuition of the other institution for a sort of basic familiarisation. Then they will serve for the remainder of a year back in the chosen institution. Finally, they will return to the capital to be accepted as a full citizen of the Dragonborn Empire.Losing Citizenship
Citizenship can be revoked for serious breaches of state law, such as treason. It might also be part of a sentence handed down for serious crimes ("five years hard labour and suspension of citizenship"). Many Dragonborn who have had their citizenship revoked will go into exile, though under some circumstances, following acceptable demonstrations of repentance, a Dragonborn may be permitted to redeem their Citizenship (usually a prolonged period of service in the temples or military is required). Citizens who are too old to serve their caste role or who who have committed themselves to a lesser infractions (inter-colour marriage, writing a mildly anti-empire publication, refusing to serve in the military on the grounds of conscience) may be considered to have retired citizenship, a status similar in some ways to the "assumed citizenship" of children, though with respect retained for the years served as a citizen.Assets
The nation's greatest assets are their infrastructure and institutional knowledge. The roads are of a very high quality, allowing fast travel for large groups and large quantities of trade goods. They have one of the few ports deep enough for intercontinental ships. From this port the cargo is distributed to smaller ships for trade about the continent.
The Empire levies taxes on land users across the territory.
History
The Dragonborn Empire was established soon after the Great Barrier was erected. An ambitious battle-leader named Orlad borrowed an ocean-going ship from the elves, sailed it to far-off lands and returned (circa 6AB) with a contingent of dragonborn and a supply of valuables to found an empire. He drove the extra-planar remnants from the peninsular, demanding any speaking-folk residing there either join the fight or leave the territory.
By 35 AB his group had mostly cleared the peninsular, had established some intercontinental trade and were starting to become wealthy as a result of the security available on the peninsular.
In the spring a group of Gnolls lead by a Grey Slaad were preying on the residents of Aeloria (then a small settlement). Orlad lead a group against them, slaying and capturing all. He carried the prisoners back to the central settlement he had established (called Orladica). There he called out the priests of the temples and the leaders of the various settlements. Before them he executed the prisoners. Having cleansed the peninsular he declared himself Emperor and Orladica the capital of his Empire. He assigned roles to the dragonborn who had fought with him, grouping them by the colour of their scales and establishing the caste system that continues to this day. In 50 AB, an aging Orlad called on the priests and leaders again and instituted the council that governs the Empire to this day.
By 35 AB his group had mostly cleared the peninsular, had established some intercontinental trade and were starting to become wealthy as a result of the security available on the peninsular.
In the spring a group of Gnolls lead by a Grey Slaad were preying on the residents of Aeloria (then a small settlement). Orlad lead a group against them, slaying and capturing all. He carried the prisoners back to the central settlement he had established (called Orladica). There he called out the priests of the temples and the leaders of the various settlements. Before them he executed the prisoners. Having cleansed the peninsular he declared himself Emperor and Orladica the capital of his Empire. He assigned roles to the dragonborn who had fought with him, grouping them by the colour of their scales and establishing the caste system that continues to this day. In 50 AB, an aging Orlad called on the priests and leaders again and instituted the council that governs the Empire to this day.
Demography and Population
The majority of people residing in the Dragonborn Empire are Dragonborn, making up about three-quarters of the population.
Though non-Dragonborn cannot obtain citizenship, many people of many races and backgrounds have found a place for themselves in the Dragonborn Empire. The nation has wealth enough that non-citizens can find comparatively good pay in the service and labouring jobs available to them. The area is more secure and civil than many parts of the continent, and if the Citizens look down on the non-citizens, it's a very civil sort of smugness, not leading to violence or outright oppression.
Territories
The Empire claims prime ownership of all land on the peninsular, starting from a straight line across it's uppermost neck (near Legiorioren).
Citizens can own land for their residence, or for carrying out their imperial duties (per the caste system). Non-citizens can apply to rent land from the Empire. They would apply to the bureaucrats, with a particular purpose stated. Construction of any new buildings needed would be handled by the engineers (Green), at the Empire's expense. The applicant then rents the land and building to conduct their business.
Military
The Blue Dragonborn Citizens run the military (though all colours of Dragonborn make up the rank and file). There are a number of divisions to facilitate everything from police-type activities at small villages to fighting wars against other nations.
Religion
The Dragonborn Empire revere the 7 gods individually. The god of leadership takes a certain primacy and gets more attention, but the others each have an important part to play in the lives of all citizens.
Founding Date
35 AB
Type
Geopolitical, State
Capital
Demonym
Dragonborn Citizen
Leader
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Theocracy
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Legislative Body
The laws are by a body of Gold Dragonborn Citizens under the oversight of the ruling council and passed into law by the council.
Judicial Body
Judgements are passed by members of the priesthood (silver) and carried out by the military (Blue). Depending on the level, type and severity of the offense, different courts apply (petty theft would be handled by the priest at the village, an attempt at revolution would be handled by high-ranking priests in the capital).
Location
Controlled Territories
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