The Bright Empire

Summary

A respected military force, that is surrounded by allies and ruins, like a lion nursing its wounds this country made of a strong military and plentiful minerals with both human and dwarf making up the majority of their population, a pantheon of their own and a culture centered around one’s achievements and honor. An empire with many names from those outside it, protected by a faction of fanatics from its border on land and by a nation of merfolk from the sea, it is currently working to restore it previous glory and rebuild the ruins brought by their past enemies.

Citizens

The Citizens of the radiant empire are referred to as Bjartrvrians and consist mostly of humans and dwarves. However, their recent alliance with Hydriatra has allowed some Merfolk to also meld into the population. The people are usually kind and hardy but serious when it comes to work, they are very respectful to their traditions and love their monarchs. They are skillful forger and artisans as well as trader and seafarers while the previous two are more dominated by the Dwarven population and the latter two by the human ones. Tension rarely rises between the people of the empire, although they are wary of travelers once respect is earned, they are considered one of them.

Culture

A culture heavily based around one’s honor and how they increase or decrease that honor through their actions and achievements. Both men and women are held in the same regard and fill the same occupations if they are capable enough. This has always been the case for the Empire, since their territory has always been harsh and dangerous, but especially true now. The Empire's many setbacks since it's inception having reduced the population significantly. To segregate or discriminated based on anything other than deeds is both foolish and useless. The culture has an emphasis on respect not only for elders but for those who master their craft and those who are virtuous and embody the good of the gods in any way. The gods and their tradition are important to the people of the radiant Empire as they are integrated in many of their activities. Along with their gods, so too are the council and the Dawn Emperor beloved by their people.
Some outsiders find their language and naming structure hard to wrap their tongue around. They use a mixture of an ancient dialect of Common mixed with the local Dwarvish dialect. Some names of places have been translated for ease of use on many maps, though the real names often sound better as the translations can come out sounding a bit silly at times.

Political system

The empire is headed by the Dawn Emperor or Empress which is chosen from a specific family called the Lightborne. They were the first rulers of this land and their dynasty has ruled for over two hundred years. The one who is chosen for the crown is the one who has done the most in the eyes of the people and the council. Many a Prince and Princess will embark on great endeavors both in and out of the Empire in the hopes of improving their chances at one day holding the Crown. (Currently dawn emperor is the young Solar Lightborne)
Below the Emperor and the main political force are the Diamond Council. Made up of the heads of each important party in the Empire, most are chosen through election. Some of the members of the Council are the heads of the churches and military as well as some noble houses who are chosen by the public.

Settlements

The Dawn City: The main city of the empire it holds most of the population and many of the trading, barracks, and establishments as well as the churches except for the main ones for each religion, currently working on rebuilding their broken wall, it is divided into section, while no slums existed withing the broken walls the closer you are into the center of the city the wealthier the folks and establishments are.
Lemerjajarn (The Radiant Palace): The Palace that houses the lightborne family and the Thone of Rising Dawn and the one who sits upon it. It is also surrounded by the main cathedrals of the all-father and the great light. Heavily protected from within and outside by the white wardens and the guard.
Godværþorp: One of the two main mines of the empire, mainly an underground mining it is made up of mainly dwarf worker and contains a forge within the underground tunnels in the mine, at the top is a beautiful regal gate carved into the mountain. The mine is huge made of many sections connected by tunnels. This mine is mainly for metals and minerals as well as a special type of ants called glow ants, that are used for illumination underground.
Fort Trident Hall: The main training grounds for the red fleet where soldiers are trained in nautical warfare. It is a heavily fortified fortress with a port taking up most of it land. It also acts as a resting stop for patrolling golden agents.
Trident Hall Village: A now ruined farming settlement that was destroyed by the Brighteaters a long time ago and was one of the main food resources for the empire.
Red Dawn: A destroyed tower that acted as a naval base for the empire before it was destroyed in a retaliation attack by the Brighteaters.
Radiant Springs Port: A trading port town destroyed by a natural disaster believed to be a punishment for their betrayal of the empire after they took bribes by the Brighteaters to allow their raiding fleets deep into the Empire.
Onyx Depth Mines: The second of the main mines of the empire it is mainly an open-pit mine were most of the gems and precious jewels are imported to the empire it is not as heavily decorated as the other mine but it is fortified by great stone walls of Dwarvish architecture. The mine is mainly situated around a large pit and has multiple checkpoints at each level of the pit, there are many pulleys and railways that carry the cargo up the pit and carry equipment down the pit.

Army

The empire has a heavy military presence, and they separate them into different divisions.

The White Wardens: The elite army of the Emperor, they are trained for every possible scenario and given the best weapons possible. Trained in every armor, weapon, and shield these men are prepared for any scenario their rough land and seas can throw at them. Some are even trained in the use of magic. Many of these soldiers also sport tattoos that are said to grant even the common soldier with valuable magic when needed. They don armor of white metal and cloth, with white robes for those more inclined into wizardry and magic. As befitting the culture of their people, each Warden is garbed and equipped based on their own skills and specialty. No two Wardens are equipped exactly the same. To some, this seems foolish as it makes fighting as a cohesive unit difficult. However, to a man the Wardens are heroes of the Empire. Each one of them a fierce force of nature upon the battlefield. Add to that the fact that they train, adventure, and fight with the same group allowing for the covering of weaknesses of one by the strengths of another and you have a fighting force that has yet to be defeated. Their equipment is blessed every day to face any enemy. Their will always be a garrison of White Wardens protecting the Emperor's Palace as well as him and all of his family. Most enemies tremble when they hear that the Emperor has personally taken the field, for that means the White Wardens will be their in force.
The Blessed Battalion: The special forces of the main army. Specialized in guerrilla warfare and black ops missions, they are also the emergency reinforcement when things go really bad. Before each mission they are blessed by their church of choice. Though which parishioners are common folk and which ones are deadly black bag operatives, none could say. The Blessed Battalion goes through the same training as the White Wardens but with less demanding requirements to gain entrance to the Battalion. Many of the threats in Bjartrverǫld have been dealt with quietly by the Blessed Battalion. The only evidence of their work the broken bodies of the enemy found in secluded parts of the land or washing up upon the shore. 
The Dawn Soldiers: The main army of the Empire. Though many will spend their time as only Dawn Soldiers, there are also four specialty divisions in the Army that those worthy of it can be chosen for.
The Forged Sentinels: The heavy infantry of the army that don heavy armor and massive weapons. Their mandate is to break a hole in the enemy, any enemy. They are also masters at the usage of siege weapons. No enemy army, tench line, or stronghold can withstand the armored spear head of the Forged Sentinels. Trained within the church of the All-Father and blessed with armor and weapons made in his forge.
The Red Fleet: The main naval force of the Empire with both large and small ships made for different purposes. They also act as the security of coastal areas and ports. From pitched naval battles, to pirate interdiction, to coastal patrols the Red Fleet owns the seas.
The Guard: A purposeful misnaming, most in the Empire believe that these men are simply an elite part of the city guard forces. In actuality, this is the secret army of the Empire. Filled with spies and assassin stationed both inside the palace and out in the empire. These men and women act as the eyes and ears of the Emperor and, when needs must, his blade. They are trained within the church of the Great Darkness and given equipment called service weapons. These weapons are versatile magical items that can change into different forms. The most common these being a dagger, light hammer, javelin, or pry bar and can also act as thieves’ tools and identifier of the Guard. For those who know the Guard's true purpose these service weapons, and the ability to use them, are the only identifier that they have.
Golden Agents: The main police force of the empire named as such because they either have gold plated armor for higher ranked officer, or the golden emblem of the coat of arms on their person. While each town and village is required to maintain their own security and policing forces, the Golden Agents are the national policing force answering only to the Emperor and the Diamond Council. Though outsiders view them as a secret police with the power to persecute anyone they wish, in actuality they function more as a national guard. Their daily duties involve roaming the lands of the Empire to keep the peace, their mandate is to act as a reserve army in times of war. In the Bright Lands, war is always over the next horizon.

Religion

The empire has their own pantheon that consist of 5 divines, 2 gods and 3 goddesses with a handful of minor deities usually from the other races in the West.

Notable events

The red dawn: A tragedy that was brought by the Brighteaters to where now is the main city of the sunblessed. It is called the red dawn because to stop the bright eater the citizens of the coastal town used the fire crystal and exploded the crew so they cannot reach the deposit.
The day of justice: The day where a tsunami swallowed a ruin of a costal trade post that before it was destroyed by the Brighteaters allowed them to enter the town to reach trident hall village. This is usually told as stories to show the gods hate of betrayal.
The battle of the sunrise: A battle that took place against the Brighteaters where a hero called the Morningborne attacked and killed a captain of the pirates and destroyed on of their fleets armored with different artifacts.
The day of vengeance: The day when the Sun-Blessed destroyed the Brighteaters and took over their settlements.
The day of the resurgence: The day the current emperor finally became emperor as he had to delay his rise to help the people. Now that he has been officially recognized as Emperor, he is focusing on replacing or rebuilding the many ruins within his Empire as well as enhancing diplomatic relation with other countries.

Allies & Enemies

The Red Dawn Bond: A defensive alliance between the Empire and the Sun-Blessed that entails that they both would help each other in the event of war. In exchange, the Empire is allowed to import fire crystals from the Sun Blessed and the Sun-Blessed are able to freely visit the religious sights of the Great Light.
The Alliance of Waves: An alliance between the Empire and the Kingdom of Hydiatra that grants asylum and free passage for the people of Hydiatra into the Empire. In exchange, Hydriatra trains the Red Fleet in their mastery of the sea as well as granting exclusive trade rights with the Empire.
The Fleshmolders: Relatively new enemies that appeared all of a sudden and tried to destroy the dawn city but thankfully were able to be thwarted although the wall was lost. Some rumors say that they are actually remnants of the Brighteater that worship an evil god.
The gnomes of the restless tropics: For now, they are not enemies of the empire, but the empire has halted any expeditions or attempts of contact with them after the first group of explorers met with death upon their isle.
The Mountainbeard clan: A tense relationship exists between the Empire and the Clan, but talks are in course and even if they attempt an attack the clan would be decimated quickly.

Notes

The emperor is a wise, kind-hearted ruler, although imposing at first site because of his mantle, he holds great love to his people and treats his guards as friends. He is respectively strong and cunning not someone to be underestimated when push comes to shove.
The elite divisions (The White Wardens, The Blessed Battalion, The Guard) usually are taught magic to help them with their duties and are often seen with mystical tattoos upon their bodies.
The Red Fleet also manages the coastal trades of the Empire. Within their fleet is a sub-division whose sole job is keeping the trade lanes safe. These men are the Red Crystal Trading Company.
Council has one seat for each profession of the empire: merchants, blacksmiths, artists, etc. chosen by the respected of those profession and the workers and one seat for an army official and one seat for a noble representative that is chosen by the noble families and one seat for each religion representative and 5 seats for people chosen by the people. Those commune with inner council that consist of
the heads of the religions and army divisions as well as the head of the main trading company and three unknown members chosen by the people and approved by the emperor.
The emperor is present in both the normal and inner council meeting.
The head of the great darkness religion’s seat is always empty in normal council meetings.
The people of the empire do not fear magic and respect those who master it but they are wary of those who are new to the practice and especially those with no mentor.

Type

Geopolitical, Empire