The Empire of Agrua
Little is known of the undocumented, mysterious past of Agrua. Very few remember the days two thousand years ago when the men of the North would arrive in their boats and ransack coastal villages. The Isle of Agrua was long feared as a realm of mad men and demons. But since the rise of the Higawulf Dynasty, Agrua had fallen into a state of pacifism. No one heard or spoke of the Agruans again. Only thousands of years later, has the four-pointed star once again ignited in a blinding light of glory. The newly named Emperor Bealdwin IV has stormed onto the continent scene, bringing back the old traditions of Agruan warfare to fuel his holy conquest of Aewith. The Emperor intends to scorch the fields of the north with the Divine Light of the Great Primordial God, Yahweh. There are few who are feared more in modern times than the Red Riders, wrapped in crimson cloaks that have been soaked in the blood of their enemies and moving through territory as fast as lightning. Clan Higawulf has at last lived up to its predecessors.
Structure
The Empire is ruled over in whole by the Emperor, who has proclaimed himself the prophet of Yahweh and is therefore a religious leader as well. His provinces are ruled over by Ergvasil, a class of vassals who can range from the Emperor's allies to the generals of his armies. Aside from a standard garrison and a Piety Regiment to keep them in check, the conquered are often allowed to self-govern, provided they pay ample tribute to the Ergvasil.
Public Agenda
To spread the knowledge of Yahweh’s might across the world.
Assets
Silver, steel, trading ports, warship fleets, weapons, troops, fortresses, grain, a type of horse called a Vyekest that is more acclimated to rocky terrian and fish
History
The Agruan people are descendants of the Nethyl("Northern") ethnicity of human who migrated to the Isle of Agrua from the west of Aewith to escape Elvish slavery. Without contact with anyone save for several other island peoples among their chain, the Agruans had to learn to survive in their new harsh climate, defending from the native Fae, making use of the most rocky terrain and adapting to the cold and wet weather. After a much needed revolution of naval technology that made use of overlapping planks, the Agruans were able to make larger ships capable of crossing the harsh waters between their island and the main land of Aewith. They began to raid coastal villages just as the old Nharuumian Empire receded into the forest and the humans under their foot were left without protection. When the dynasty at the time was overthrown by Clan Higawulf, raiding soon slowed to a stop and the Agruans were isolated by choice. But upon the assassination of King Hundine III, his illegitimate son, Bealdwin IV ascended to the throne, declaring himself an emperor and a prophet. With the backing of a rapidly growing religious movement that worshipped Yahweh, Bealdwin was able to launch a holy crusade against Aewith that continues to this day.
Demography and Population
14,530,320 officially registered citizens living in Agrua and all its conquered territories as of the first census in 12,310. The Agruan people who still reside in their homeland constitute 41% of the total population. The natives to the Agruans isles make up 2% of the population. 51% is made up of peoples conquered in the former nation of Tarhun. The other 6% is filled by other Nethyl men in occupied territories.
Territories
Agrua has its reach spanning all across the Agruan Isles and the former Kingdom of Tarhun. They have also taken territories from Nharuum, Nethylor and Drovia.
Military
130k Strong. Agrua has a standing military of about 80k units, but make use of soldiers from conquered provinces, mercenaries and slaves to enhance their numbers. They are divided into an army and navy. They both mainly subsist off of local food production that they accept as tribute to the Empire. The imperial army likes to be swift in taking control, so their 19k strong cavalry units will move, along with a 1k unit of magical warriors and battle priests called valkyries, ahed of the 20k infantry units. The cavalry and valkyries will clear the way for the army, conquering small villages and towns while cutting off supplylines to forts and major cities, surrounding strongholds until the infantry can approach and begin a siege. The 5k archers will bring up the rear and lend support. If the siege is going poorly, the 5k strong siege corps will bring in Agrua's force of advanced siege weaponry and proceed to demolish whatever stronghold the enemy has burrowed in. The 30k navy is divided into a 20k strong force of melee soldiers who engage during boarding and 10k archers who attack from afar. Boats are rowed by forces of slaves. They are each divided into fleets and each ship is manned by a captain. The other 50k soldiers are mercenaries and militia that are evenly spread across the standing military.
Technological Level
Agrua's technology accels in siege warfare and naval warfare. The method of boat building used allows their warships to travel both the ocean and in rivers, which makes the occupants far more mobile from an easily defensible position. In addition, a scarew tactic used thousands of years ago which involved grinding the bones of their enemies to dust and mixing it with iron produced a form of steel that has been refined into a common practice of steel forging, which enhances armor and weapons. Agrua's siege weaponry is highly advanced and efficient, regularly using catapults, ballistas and trebuchets in battle. By ultilizing these machines with unorthodox projectiles like a collection of hundreds of small pebbles, flaming ballista bolts or magically enhanced projectiles, the Agruans have broken down every fortress they've come across. The Church meanwhile, continuously researches the Power of Creation and how mortals can take control of it however, they are far behind the magical knowledge of Nethylor.
Religion
The official religious organization is the Church of the Great Primordial God. The Church is also led by the Emperor, but has its own military of about 10k troops. Each are highly trained to become knights and serve in Piety Regiments. These Regiments ensure that the people conquered by the Empire continue to worship Yahweh over any other deity. Punishment for straying can be severe. However, people rarely revolt, since the Church provide primitive forms of welfare programs for the homeless, the sick, the elderly and traumatized soldiers. With all this charity, people donate to their organization on their own, despite the taxes they have to pay to them. The Church is solely responsible for policing local areas and can interpret the law of the Emperor however they like unless the Emperor cares to specifically disagrees with them. Their structure is a tad different from the Church of Avoros. All acolytes are trained to be Knights of the Red Winter, the Church's order of templar warriors. They serve time in the Military as Valkyries for seven years until they are allowed to return. Female knights continue to serve in Piety Regiments while the men hang up their swords to become Priests, missionaries and Myrka, a class of religious leaders second only to the Emperor.
Foreign Relations
Agrua is currently at war with Drovia and Nethylor. Thanks to an elvish policy of isolation, they have also begun to encroach on Nharuumian territory. They trade with the Agobardians to the south and trade with many islands and civilizations in the western ocean.
Agriculture & Industry
Since acquiring Tarhun, Agrua's ability to farm has skyrocketed. Formerly, their rocky and mountainous homeland had only a small area fertile enough for agriculture. But with the plains of Tarhun, wheat, cabbage and carrots have become the most common crops. Livestock has also become far more available. While only sheep are raised in Agrua, The newly acquired lands produce cows, chickens and pigs. Native Agruans excel in boat building and forging. The blacksmith and boat building trades are extremely wealthy. Horse breeding with Vyekest is also an affluent trade. There exists a small mercant class of boat-owners who buy and sell to foreign lands. Mining for iron, coal and silver is a rather common job on the Isle. These mines are often merged with smithing businesses to create steel reliably.
Trade & Transport
Trade is handled by anyone who owns boats. Networks span to Agobard in the south, Xaukreman and a few island tribes and nations to the west. Transport of goods is done with a cargo-specified version of Agruan warships. Transport across the Empire is done via road networks stamped in place by the cavalry and built by slaves when rivers become inaccessible to boats. Otherwise, waterways work far faster.
Education
There is no standardized or mandatory education, but the Church provides education to whoever seeks it in literacy, music, speech, theology and hand-to-hand combat.. As such, many children who are either unable to work or unwilling will go to spend their time receiving this education. However, the rich make use of private tutors for their children. Only by entering into the Church can one pursue higher education and continue to study.
Infrastructure
Land locked areas of the empire are connected via a road network. Towns are full of local infrastructure made by the inhabitants, aside from garrison buildings, churches and watch towers. Major cities are walled in with well-maintained defenses. Fortresses are built or occupied near points vital to the Agruan supply lines or military effort.
Founding Date
12296
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Capital
Alternative Names
The Red Riders
Training Level
Elite
Veterancy Level
Decorated/Honored
Demonym
Agruan
Leader
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Theocratic
Power Structure
Transnational government
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Wydnia is a currency of thin silver bars that are used only in Agrua, but the citizens of the empire conduct trade with any form of currency or precious metal, adhering to a set of values, comparing each form of acceptable currency or metal to an amount in Wydnia.
Major Exports
Lacking in natural resources until recently, the Agruans mainly export finished goods. High grade steel is a popular one, as well as their warships which are leased out rather than sold as to keep somewhat of a monopoly. The Agruans also export cheap weapons and Vyekest horses to supply armies of their allied nations.
Major Imports
The Agruans import many foods and materials that are scarce around their isle. Fruits, wheat, stone, gold, beef, pork and chicken are all included in regularly imported goods. Lumber is produced internally, but is far easier to trade for.
Legislative Body
The Ergvasil are free to impose laws on the regions they govern so long as they do not violate the Church or the Empire's authority.
Judicial Body
The Church of the Primordial God carries out both imperial and local interpretation, given how widespread the organization is.
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
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