Sicuria Empire

The Sicuria Empire, unofficially the Sicurian Empire, is an absolute monarchy in The Bustle. The empire's people, Sicurians, are a proud species who's culture is defined by their continued practice of medieval customs.
== History ==
The empire has existed for over 1000 years, founded by Hutron Me I during the species medieval period. Hutron Me I led the Sicurian Kingdom for approximately 70 years, known as a fair but unforgiving ruler. His lineage ruled over the kingdom for about four centuries before ending with King Illepsek Me, who died without an heir. 
The king's cousin, Uoolal Me, stepped up as the first Queen and reigned for the planet's longest period of peace in recorded history. Despite the peace, Queen Uoolal absorbed over 12 major tribes and rival kingdoms into her own and created extensive trading networks across the continent.
The queen only ruled for 20 years before abdicating to her son, King Hertoln Me. Hertoln's reign lasted 107 years before passing, having conquered the known world and all foreign powers.
The planet was renamed to Sicuria from Iheyar (head deity of the Sicurian Pantheon), and the Sicurian Kingdom now called the Sicuria Empire. King Hertoln was present for the first seven years of his new empire, his death allowing his son Adriatus to take the throne.
Adriatus' son and successor, Adriadius, was the last true Me, having been assassinated by a recently expelled councilor after his coronation. Without a direct descendant, the heirship circled back to Fellina Me, stepgrandaughter of King Hertoln. Only related through her grandmother's marriage to the late king (Fellina's mother having been the king's stepdaughter), Fellina was the first in a new bloodline of rulers for the empire. Because of this coinciding with the formation of the empire, many question if the nation can really harkon its history back to the Sicurian Kingdom, and should perhaps consider itself a newly birthed entity and only as old as the day King Hertoln founded it.
The debate over this has continued to the present day, but the Empire considers its heritage the same as the Sicurian Kingdom, and the royal family regards itself as the same bloodline as Hutron Me I.
== Culture ==
Because the species obtained world domination in such an early stage of technology, the imperial culture locked in features akin to that of a medieval society: 
* Architecture is often designed and built around masonry (bricks, stone, and such), often mimicking castles. 
* The wealth of citizens still define their roles in society, the titles of Nobles and Commoners remaining in use, albeit mostly in name alone.
* The monarch holds the title of King or Queen, ruling with a Royal Council that handles the majority of governance. The spouse of the monarch also receives the counterpart of their partners title, but while they enjoy the luxuries and respect of the monarchs position, they do not hold any authority over the country's politics.
== Government ==
The monarch rules absolute over the empire, with a Royal Council of twelve councilors in charge of administration and general affairs. A diplomat chosen by the monarch, the Kings/Queens Hand, acts as the leaders voice in foreign relations.
== Sicurian Civil War ==
In 2 GS, the empire's citizens experienced what is either called The Second Great Revolt or Second Great Enlightenment, depending on the side questioned. The event was a civil war that raged for only two years and left minimal damage, but split the empire in two. The Sicuria Empire was divided in two, the other half forging into the Sicuria Republic.
The Empire and Republic have come to blows several occasions, erupting into full-scale conflict three times, each ending in a stalemate. By 42 GS, the two have been testing each other through border skirmishes, an arms race, and even false flag operations. Outside powers have appealed both sides to seek diplomatic options, but the chance of war is nearing ever closer.