Azan Empire

The Azan Empire was once the successor state of a great southwestern empire, and rivaled to the drow city-states. Tieflings (descended from dragons instead of devils) are its prime citizens and rulers, although in the recent decades there's been unrest between the (mostly Humans) citizens of Azan and the tiefling ruling class, as a demonic breach to the West, in Siuverland, has caused the appearance of demonic beings that are similar in looks to the Azanneese tieflings. 
The nation is in a permeant state of war with the Blind Bastard's Domain as the leader, Renne, claims to be the emperor's bastard daughter and legitimate heir to the throne.
== History ==
=== Original Summary ===
The Azan Empire has existed in one form or another for millennia. It is named after the ancient prophet Aza. However, some earlier iterations are now referred to as the Southwestern Dragon Empire by modern scholars.
Although the Empire’s early history has now faded into myth, it is generally agreed that Aza united the many human cultures of the southwest, plus a few non-human cultures, in order to defeat an ancient, now forgotten evil. An alliance with dragons was a key part of this victory, and over time, dragons became almost religious figures.
Made arrogant and self-righteous by these victories, the ancient followers of Aza swore to rid the world of all evil, and unit all goodly folk under one government and church. However, in the millennia that followed though, the Azan Empire made no lasting progress against the Khenomeric Empire or the Lands Behind the Hedge, though they were able to conquer the Western Elf Empire through generations of invasion and migration.
The Azan Empire reached its peak during the Eighth Dynasty (one millennium ago), but the poor handling of emergence of the Drow City-States to the west cost them the western part of the empire, and rattled the population’s faith in the government and church. The Empire went into a rapid period of decline, where many outlying provinces rebelled or got conquered by outsiders. This led to a civil war, where Changri-la, long one of two core areas of the Empire, tried to seize control from the western core area. Changri-la lost, but became a separate nation, splitting the Empire in two.
Deprived of much of their land, the elites in the political capital of Nananikor, religious capital of Siuerland, and eastern capital of Moridan relied on religion to help squeeze more money out of their remaining population. Although few dragons still associated with the Azan Empire at this point, some families with dragon heritage were able to exploit their associations and secure senior positions in the church. This made having dragon heritage highly advantageous, and although no one noticed it at the time, some families made deals with demons to give themselves the appearance of one with dragon heritage.
The Empire wallowed in stagnation for another century, losing much of its eastern portion in the process except a rump state around Moridan, plus a number of other territories.
However, it reaches a turning point when the bloodlines of the demon tieflings posing as dragon tieflings start to destabilize revealing their true nature, and it became public knowledge that many members of the church are part demon.
A purge of demonic tieflings (the dragon tiefling second purge, and earlier one slew most of the original Siuerland inhabitants during its reintegration into the Empire over a century earlier) occurs, but it is too late to restore faith in the church.
A reformer (and later Prophet) by the name of Alara Hiranur develops a “back-to-basics” version of the Azan Faith, now commonly referred to as the New Azan Faith, which stripped dragons of much of their religious symbolism, made serving in the church significantly less financially rewarding, and removed the church from many of its roles aside from providing moral guidance and running ceremonies.
Some areas, particularly Siuerland Province, refused to accept these changes and left the Empire, but overall the New Azan Faith restored much of the church’s moral authority and helped lure some provinces back into the Empire, while giving the Empire a certain amount of leverage over others.
Since then, the Empire has continued to struggle, with many back and forth wars against the Drow, the loss of some of its sparsely populated northeastern territories to the Witch-Elven Empire, the loss of many outlying provinces to ethnic separatists, and the recent loss of Moridan to the formation of the Blind Bastard’s Domain.
=== Scholar's Revolution ===
The Scholar's Revolution was a period of political and social revolution that took place in the Azan Empire which began during the Last Elf Crusade. This period saw the empire transition from the defacto confederate monarchy of the late 5th Dynasty and adopt the centralized form of government of the 6th following two civil wars interrupted by a revolution. The Scholar's Revolution can also be seen as the precursor for the Age of Awakening that climaxed with the Alaran Reformation.
==== The Akropol Incident ====
The Scholar's Revolution began in the wake of The Akropol incident. The Maniakes Army was preparing to launch a raid against the Elf Gliders in the north. The Charito army was tasked with delivering supplies for the invasion. Seeing an opportunity, the Datu of Charito refused to give the shipment causing starvation to spread across the Maniakes Fortress.
In desperation, the Maniakes Army began to raid the Prodroma province for food and supplies. Livestock were slaughtered, grain stores were stolen and rumors of cannibalism swept through the hills. Most of the Prodroman army was away at the Elf Crusade so the Prodroman Knights, under orders from Archon Alexander III engaged in mass conscription to defend his holdings. Children as young as 10 were forced to fight to the death in the name of land they didn't own. 
==== The Revolution Begins ====
All these events were recorded by the Azan Church. By the end of the 5th Dynasty imperial authority decayed to the point where the emperor was a meaningless figurehead, so the Church was the only entity still active across multiple provinces. Because of this, plans for roads, coordination of armies, records of taxes (often unpaid), and the overall bureaucracy of the empire was run by the Church and its growing ranks of lay scholars. The Church paid decently so many serfs and sharecroppers gained employment as scholars to avoid the brutalities of feudalism. The Church at the time was also an early adopter of the Printing Press, which was used to distribute holy texts among the people alongside primers to increase literacy.
When the Akropol Incident plunged the Empire into chaos, this Griot Class began sharing information between themselves. Areas once separated by miles were bridged with ink and paper and political thought grew amongst the Churches. The scholar Anton Antonia published many pamphlets under the pen name Madame X. They shamed the corrupt nobility and implored Church leaders to intervene to protect the people.
Asin was a low-ranking Griot in the court of Emperor Yana V. Inspired by Madam X, he assembled the Griots of the Court to implore the Emperor to regain control of his wayward provinces. The Zamindar of Essakor, seeing a threat to his power, had the Griots arrested and tortured to death.
The act of brutality spread through the Churches and one by one the Griots went on strike. Some Lords saw their wealth cut in half as trade was cut off by the collapse of inter-imperial communication.
Pamphlets and leaflets by Madame X and other anonymous writers such as The Black Hood and Free Word inspired civil disobedience across the empire. Lords cracked down violently but that inspired further defiance. 
====The Twinborn Returns====
While this was going on, Captain Sam Twinborn landed in Bloten. Pious to a fault, they returned from the Elvish Crusades to pray at the Grote Kerk as they always did when their ship refueled. While there, Archdeacon Daan told Sam of the atrocities against the scholars and churches.
Sam was charismatic and skilled in naval warfare. In the absence of higher Imperial authority, Sam's command of the various ships of the Elven Crusade became one of the few forms of loyalty to break down provincial rivalries. Sam said that their holy war wasn't against the Elves specifically, but against all who would seek injustice against the mores of the Faith. In the name of Aza, their fleet set sail not for the North, but on Aetia itself.
====The Siege of Aetia Marae====
While Sam's fleet sailed South past the Heartlands, the Rangatira of Aetia moved on the Marae once again. He knew they had few supplies and just gained many more mouths to feed so he surrounded the holy site with the few troops he had left and demanded they surrender Hēnare on the pain of starvation. He expected them to fold in a week but in a story held as either miraculous or fictional, they lived off the meager rations of the Marae for a full month. Various explanations have been given. Divine intervention from Aza was the most popular at the time. Enemies of the revolution would say they resorted to cannibalism, later secular scholars would give credit to the religious order’s strict discipline and social control. Whatever the reason, The Marae and its defenders managed to hold until Sam arrived to relieve them.
====The Twin Crowns ====
When Sam’s fleet was spotted off the coast of the Sea of Merchants, the sieging forces of Aetia prepared to welcome what they thought was their relief. Instead, the fleet, who had been stocking on provisions from coastal towns, quickly routed the tired besieging army and shared their supplies with the Marare.
On that day, the captain changed history. As Samuel the White, they crowned Hēnare the Defender of the Faith and as Samantha the Black, they crowned Hēnare Lord of the Seas. At the time, the office now known as “The Azan Emperor” was a collection of several titles duties and powers that had been consolidated in one person since the middle of the first dynasty.
Giving these titles to Hēnare gave her the mandate to protect the besieged churches and the nominal authority to command ships to do so but also formally established a rival to the Emporer’s (on paper) supremacy.
====The Last Crusade====
Traveling North from Aetia, The Fleet traveled from province to province, taking pledges of loyalty from the local nobility. The Empire was made by annexing many formerly independent states, and by this time, local titles and monarchies were still in use. With the Emperor's power so weak, the various Erregeas, Mpanjakas, and Konungis of the empire had de facto independence so when The Fleet arrived and demanded loyalty, many bent the knee. They assumed one figurehead monarch was no different than another and sided with the claimant with the navy at their doors.
By the summer of that year, the whole Ardennes Coast saw Hēnare as their Empress and the Zamindar of Essakor was preparing a counterattack.
====The Battle of Essakor====
At the end of Starfall Week, Captain Sam led their army inland to march on the city of Essakor. Inspired by Chivalric legends of old, Sam had their army anoint their armor in gleaming oil and wave their banners high while music trumpeted. The intent was to march on the city and accept the surrender of the nobles within on the basis of honor alone. And if they didn't surrender Sam truly believed the faith would defend them in battle. This did not happen.
To reach the city proper the army marched through the Fields of Yaakoob, the breadbasket that fed the capital. The pollen covered the air, blocking vision and causing allergies in the unadjusted soldiers. They also had not seen combat in several months by this time making them rusty against the ambush that followed. The conscripted troops rose from the thick weeds of the fields, using hit-and-run tactics to devastate Sam’s army. In response the Crusaders gave brutality, soaking the field in enough blood the city could spell it miles away.
The planned victory parade turned into a brutal and bloody march ending with the breaking of the defenders only after the fields themselves were burned. To this day the Fields of Yakkoob have been nicknamed the Fields of Fallow.
When the battle was won amongst the ash, the corpse of Captain Sam was found. They insisted on leading the charge from the front and had fallen to one of many anonymous arrows. Sam’s procession became a funeral march as Hēnare and her forces entered the undefended city.
=== Outdated Resume of Azanese Dynasties ===
* 1st dynasty 1700-1500 BBE
Aza and his direct descendants. Started as a confederation by Aza as a last bulwark against unknown forces of evil of which the dragon Althazzar was part. May or may not have succeeded/supplanted one or several prior kingdoms of more ancient dragon-worshippers. Aza's descendants oversee large expansions of the empire up to the borders of the old Khenomeric empire.
* 2nd dynasty 1500-1000 BBE
No serious lore. The last dynasty to share a blood relation with Aza. The empire expands further.
* 3rd dynasty 1000-400 BBE
No lore. Latest possible date for the inclusion of Fûrlaniya]] (Varadaia) into the empire.
* 4th dynasty 400-300 BBE
No lore.
* 5th dynasty 300 BBE to 400 ABE
No serious lore. The White Tower of Baitenchor]] was founded at this time. Provinces exist in some capacity. Power in the hands of powerful noble families.
* 6th dynasty 400 ABE to 600 ABE
The 6th dynasty implements significative administrative reforms more or less successfully. Imperial exarchs and prefects replace local noble families. Taxes and infrastructure are centralised. During the 6th dynasty, a particularly strict version of the Old Azan faith is enforced and many local cults and heresies are persecuted.
* 7th dynasty 600 ABE to 1200 ABE
The 6th dynasty which centralized power in the Heartlands is toppled by a coalition of rebels hailing from the south with the backing of regional lords. A southern dynasty dubbed the Bellicarids by historians emerge from the chaos as the new rulers of Azan. The empire sees a period of relative decentralization. Instead of funnelling wealth to the Heartlands, peripheral provinces see decreased taxes. The roads built by the 6th dynasty allow for an explosion in bulk trade. Regions like Furlaniya are fully civilized. Essakor is known to be the empire's capital at this point. In matters of culture and religion the south gains in importance. The southern religious movement known as the Aynur Doctrine, known mainly for its elaborate rituals, gains momentary importance across the entire empire.
Known emperors:
Lu 'the Hardy' Bellicarid
Markud Aphezzar Bellicarid
Lu Zhaonazzar Bellicarid
Hwenezzar II. Bellicarid
Azannos XXI. Bellicarid
8. 8th dynasty 1200 ABE to 2100 ABE 
Basically most of the written Azanese lore happens in this time period. The empire reaches its largest territorial extent at this point. Possible creation of Gautlan. Azanese backed dwarven colonies spring up in Scimmitaria. The Siuverland genocide and subsequent resettling happens. Daligrad has been part of the empire for a significant amount of time at this point. Nasr Satrapies try to seceded but are succesfully subjugated.
The Witchelven empire forms around the Great Bone Lakes. The Drow Confederacy/Second Elven Empire form in the West. After the Azan empire fights the Witch elves and Drow to a standstill, it immediately falls into civil war as Changrila secedes. Nasr Satrapies secede. Alarna Hiranur reforms the Azan Faith. Lorient secedes.
There are a lot of events described as happening "1000 years ago" which land them in the 8th dynasty that I probably forgot.
Known emperors:
possibly Enanikos III. 
9. 9th dynasty 2100 ABE to 3000 ABE
No serious lore. Great Primorscan Uprising is squashed. Province of Nanbudoi is abolished. Äelar'Ra is probably founded at this time. Siuerland secedes by this point in time. The Taifas of Azhar Nar secede from the empire. General decline.
10. 10th dynasty 3000 ABE to present
Terusian Isthmus seeds from the empire. Furlaniya secedes from the empire. Last imperial remnants in Azhar Nar are expelled. Gvilderstaaten secede from the empire. Current time.
== Government ==
The Empire has long had Emperors, all allegedly descended from Aza, though many rogue and foreign scholars believe Aza’s actual lineage died out in the first or second dynasty. The role has bounced between being a position of power, and a figurehead role throughout the history of the Empire, though for the past few centuries it has definitely been a figurehead role.
Real power lies with the Advisory Council of the Azure Throne, a council of representatives (based in Nananikor, like the Emperor) from all the main noble families, whose laws and directives are in turn implemented by a large and generally competent government.
Ever since the reforms of the New Azan Faith, members of the church have been encouraged to avoid meddling with secular affairs, though there are many exceptions. Some regions and prominent families are borderline followers of the old faith, and it is not uncommon to see authority figures with dual religious and secular roles.
The Azan Empire is made up of a network of provinces (with governors, aka exarchs) and districts (with prefects) as well as a number of other specialized subdivisions.
=== Titles of the Azan Emperor ===
While the title “Azan Emperor” is used today and has been retroactively applied to past rulers of the Empire, for most of its history the “Azanese Emperors” have ruled by the right of a vast assortment of titles they inherited, were appointed to and in some rare instances were elected for.
They Who is Made Lord Supreme/ Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The original title was granted to Azan when he led his grand coalition, it originally signified a leadership of an international organization granted by lords of sovereign states. Due to its cultural significance, modern lists of Emperors only include those who were granted or claimed this title. It is still used today when it is ceremonially granted by The Council upon an Emperor’s coronation.
Commander of the Faithful/ Amir al-Mu'minin/Defender of the Faithful
On Azan’s deathbed, there was a debate if his reign should pass to his son, the Tiefling Azan II, or to his companion and closet ally Saint Calixta. A compromise saw Azan being Made Lord Supreme while the new position of Amir al-Mu'minin was given to Saint Calixta. The title makes one the nominal head of the Azan Faith, and while originally chosen by a council of brahmins, it eventually became a hereditary position. When Siti Who is Made Lord Supreme and Amir Amirl-Mu'minin, Defender of the Faith married in the early First Dynasty, the lines merged and every emperor since has also claimed the title at some point. In modern Southtounge the title is rendered as “Defender of the Faithful” though this isn't a literal translation.
Head of the House of Azan/ Penguasa Wangsa Azan
While most historians agree Azan’s direct bloodline died out at the end of the first dynasty and that the indirect bloodline died at the end of the second, many emperors claimed descent from Azan as validating their right to rule. The title has fallen out of favor in the wake of the anti-idolatrous revolutions of the New Azan Faith and hasn't been used since the 9th Dynasty. (Though modern Emperors still claim descent from Azan.)
Lord Cemak/ Tuan Cemak
Lord Cemak was the title used by the descendants of Cemak I, tiefling cousin of Azan. When the House of Azan became extinct at the end of the Battle of Blossoms, the second dynasty began under Cemak’s descendants. Being the last members of the “holy bloodline” was the chief claim to authority for the Emperors of this Dynasty. The title ceased use when Amir III Who Was Made Lord Supreme died without issue rendering Cemak I’s bloodline extinct.
Lord of the Seas/First Sea Commander/ Panglima Laut Pertama
A position inaugurated in the First Peninsular War between the Azan Empire and Drow city-states, it was originally used for the leader of the Navy and rarely claimed by rulers themselves. It came into prominence as one of the titles Hēnare I was inaugurated with at the start of the Sixth Dynasty and since then has had occasional periods of heavy use. Though in modern times it is usually held by a Councilmember.
Doge of Viola/ Doxe de Viola
A Doge was an elected head of state in several Drow city-states. By the 16th Century BBE, most had fallen under the control of dynastic families. House Valencia used their wealth to get the city to legally declare the Head of the House to be the Doge of the City of Viola for all eternity. When Doge Atrian became Emperor Adrian I, they integrated this title into those of the Azan empire. The title would be used for the rest of the Third Dynasty. Waves of anti-Elf sentiment would see in fall into disuse in the 4th-6th dynasties, however, several Emperors since have claimed the title as part of their efforts to colonize the Scimitarian peninsula.
Imperator
A Drow title originally used for commander-in-chief of the armies, it was tradition for the Doge to appoint their heir to this position. As part of their conquest, Atrian overthrew their father, took both titles of Imperator and Doge, and brought them into the Azan Empire when they claimed the Marble Throne. Since then, the title grew in esteem, leading to the common name “Emperor" used today. Ironically while most Emperors used the title of Imperato,r some would appoint the position to others, most notably during the Triarchy.
Head of House Valencia-Nur
The House Valencia-Nur originated when the Drow House Valencia and the Tiefling House of Nur entered a personal union when Doge Atrian claimed Windwand in 1450 BBE. They formally disinherited their tiefling cousins and legally integrated the families into one unit. In the third dynasty, the House Valencia-Nur was near synonymous with the Empire itself and every ruler held the title, which was given to the most magically adept member of the House. After Adrian XX was overthrown, the Head of the House no longer holds ruling power,though at various points in history it has had significant political influence.
Monarch of the Elves and Hobbits
The title “King of the Elves” was originated by Emperor Adrian XIII “The Fool” though he honestly believed it was an ancient title he was “reclaiming.” “Queen of the Hobbits” originated with Adrian XIV “The Mage” when she conquered lands in modern-day Hereby. The titles were merged and used for the rest of the Third dynasty as they completed most of their conquest of the First Eleven Empire. Anti-Elf sentiment in the fourth dynasty saw it fall out of use, but it re-emerged in the Sixth Dynasty and has since then been claimed by most Azan Emperors even long after they lost all their eleven territories.
Chairperson High Protector
A title created by the bureaucratic reforms of Chairman High Protector Asin II. It was meant as an enlightened replacement for dynastic rules, as each Chairpersonwould appoint their successor. For much of the Sixth Dynasty, it was just that, with each holder being not biologically related to the last, but by the dynasty's end, the rule had passed from relative to relative. The Seventh Dynasty abolished the position and it wasn't used until, in a political surprise, it was claimed by the Current Azan Empress upon her coronation.
Emperor/Empress/Emperett
"Emperor" the modern version of the title Imperator, first was used in The Southern Rebellion as various warlords and chiefs took the title when leading armies against the Sixth Dynasty. At the end of the revolution Emperor came to be the preferred title for rulers of the Azan Empire, and the title was backdated to an ever-changing list of “canonical” Emperors.
Full Title of the Current Azan Empress
Empress-Chairwoman High Protector Diana Shaka Victorian I, Defender of the Faithful, Queen of the Elves and Hobbits, She Who Was Made Lord Supreme
=== Badges of Office ===
Amongst the traditional badges of office are the swords Windwand and Firebrand.
=== The Tuan Doctrine ===
The Tuan Doctrine is a political theory that the "Azan Empire" is actually a collection of independent lords (Tuan-Tuan) that voluntarily allied their domains under the Emperor. The popularity of the theory has waxed and waned over history, with some dynasties naturally opposing the threat to Imperial sovereignty while others used it as a way to legitimize themselves
* First Dynasty
Historical Records suggest the Dragon Empire at this time was a military alliance of various petty kingdoms that allied under Azan to fight the great evil and stayed together out of mutual interest. This became the basis of the Tuan Doctrine, though it wasn’t named as such until the Fifth Dynasty.
The Death Dances, the subject of the Fifth Chapter of the Book of Azan, were a civil war between the Claw and Wing factions rallying behind a different Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Tuanists have cited the text as inherently supporting their position, implying that various lords chose different people as Emperor.
* Third Dynasty
The First Imperial council named Atri I as Emperor Adrian I when Empress Amir III died without issue. Though motivated by the nobility’s open thirst for magical power (Atri was a Drow Wizard with Dragon Tiefling heritage who likely would have taken over anyway), this action was cited by later Tuanists as supporting precedent for the doctrine.
* Fifth Dynasty
By the late fifth dynasty, the power of the Emperor had weakened and the Empire functioned more like a loose confederation of states than a unified polity. This atmosphere, coupled with Arnold the Elder’s “Histories' ' sharing knowledge of the past among the upcoming Griot class, led to the Tuan Doctrine being codified and spread among scholars of the church. The Doctrine would be a relatively fringe concept until the sixth Dynasty.
* Sixth Dynasty
When Chairman High Protector Asin II began his reforms of the Empire's bureaucracy, the Tuan Doctrine became the official policy of the Empire. Citing the various lords kneeling to Hēnare I as precedent, Asin II claimed the Lords of the land willingly passed power from the corrupt Fifth Dynasty to the noble Sixth. In practice, however, due to his centralization efforts, local nobility had no say in who the Emperor was, and each Chairperson High Protector still chose their successor until the dynasties’ fall in the Southern Rebellion
* Seventh Dynasty
Several Imperators of the Southern Rebellion (of whom only the Bellicareans are recognized as canonical Emperors today) made use of what one could call a form of the Tuan Doctrine as they were elevated to their positions by the popular support of Southern Lords and citizens. Due to the sparse records of the time, whether these figures literally identify as Tuanists is a matter of speculation
* Ninth Dynasty
The Tuan Doctrine reached its height of appeal in the Ninth Dynasty as several provinces used it as part of their justification for seceding from the Empire. Due to this the Doctrine was officially labeled as heresy and its practitioners were hunted down and killed in the lands the Emperor was able to rule.
The Doctrine would once again become official policy when the Azan High Council presented Emperor Carl I with “The Chained Crown.” It formally stated that the Emperor served at the pleasure of the Lords and tasked them with appointing successors to the Marble Throne. Carl I, weakened politically and militarily by the decay of the Empire, was in no position to refuse.
The Doctrine would be formally invoked at the end of the Dynasty, when the Council, led by Don Amnirense, overthrew Emperor Zatch I and elevated his nephew Councilor Gergen of Walengarten to Emperor George I.
* Tenth Dynasty
When Don Amnirense became Empress herself, she cited the Tuan Doctrine when the Council “chose” her to take the throne, but by this time, she had domination of the council so vast, she was already ruling the Empire decades before she took the throne.
Amnirense I named her son Tama her successor, but she ruled so long that by the time Tama was crowned Emperor Thoma I, the lackadaisical fop was unable to manipulate the council as his mother had, and so the Tuan Doctrine became law in word, and in practice.
Since Thoma I’s death, modern Azan Emperors have been officially and practically chosen by the Council, though to keep dynastic legitimacy, their selections to date have always been from Amnirense’s bloodline.
== Economy ==
The lands of the core Azan Empire are rich and fertile, and crops are protected and enhanced by specialized spellcasters, thus allowing for a huge food surplus, which supports a large number of towns and cities filled with artisans, merchants, scholars, entertainers, artists, and the rest.
Despite past periods of weakness, the Azan Empire has maintained much of its accumulated wealth over the millennia, and vaults, museums, and private villas are filled with accumulated treasure and masterpiece works of art. The cities, towns, and villas themselves are beautifully designed and organized, with efficient systems of water supply and sewage, some of which have been maintained for over a millennium.
The main exports and imports are generally luxury goods, since the Azan Empire and many surrounding states are self-sufficient.
== Culture ==
=== Tesserai Vassguo ===
Tesserai Vassguo is a card game derived from the Truldommu, played mainly in the north of Azan and the Gvilderstaaten. Compared to the Truldommu, the deck is simplified, consisting of 4 suits of 7 + queen + king. The suits are traditionally depicted as the kingdoms of Fish, Serpents, Spiders and dogs. The rest of the deck are so called "triumph" cards, numbered from 1 to 13. Traditionally the the triumphs represent various emperors, divinities and saints both historical and mythical such as Hēnare, Li the Hardy or Cemak II, though their order and inclusion varies from deck to deck. The only constants are the 12 and 13 triumphs, which are almost always depicted as "The Prophet" and "The Forge" respectively, representing Aza and Bronzar. The 1. triumph is a trump card that beats 13. but no other, traditionally depicted simply as "The Dragon". The real/original identity of 1. has often been debated by chroniclers and cartomancers and has seen the game of Tesserai Vassguo being banned several times during the centuries by various orthodox clerics. Most agree that the game is simply an offshoot of Truldommu and carries no meaning beyond its entertainment value, though 
there exist some circles amongst the scholar-bureaucrats of Azan and the more eccentric merchants of Gvilderstaaten that consider the card deck to be a divine object that can be used to enter into communion with the world-spirits of the faith.
== Foreign Relations ==
=== Gvilderstaaten ===
A former province, it is not really clear when they left the Empire, it was more of a gradual process as more and more of the merchant elite gathered there, and used their influence over the council to grant themselves more and more exemptions. However Azan and Gvilderstaaten remain close.
=== Northwest Lands (Isle of Wizards, Calcabra, etc.) ===
Much of this area was once a part of Azan Empire, but broke off due to the poor handling of the emergence of the Drow City-States. Although the New Azan Faith has become popular in some areas here, overall the region is now too culturally distinct for anyone to seriously consider re-absorption into the Empire.
=== Drow City-States ===
Ever since their emergence from the underdark a millennium ago, the drow have been considered one of the main enemies of Azan, though the two secretly have a grudging respect for each other.
=== The Drow Marches (Hithlone, Last Remnant, The Triarchy, Terusia, etc.) ===
The areas bordering the core Drow territory to the south and east have changed hands countless times over the past millennium. Right now most of them are independent states, but historically they were under Azan or Drow rule as often as they were independent, and Azan still has plans to reincorporate some of them, particularly Terusia).
=== Abandoned Provinces ===
Jibaro and Stymphalia are technically part of the Azan Empire, but due to their wretched swampy nature, large sections of each province have been allowed to be overrun with monsters. Hasteria and Aelar’Ra (which once included Warmog Forest) are also all but lost.
=== Unreliable Provinces and Special Territories ===
Gauntlan, Oront, Daligrad, The Joois Special Territory, Asvaran, and Ampleazzo are all technically all part of the Empire, but are essentially self-ruled. 
=== Rebel Provinces (Siuerland, Kalydon, Blind Bastard’s Domain) ===
Although some have been lost for centuries, Azan culture is still strong enough in these former provinces that Azan wants them back. 
=== The Southwest (Furlaniya, Changrila, Dsrvyth, etc.) ===
Although some of these lands were once key components of the Empire, Azan has long ago given up on getting them back.
=== Witch-Elves and The Breaches ===
Hated even more than the Drow, the Succubi Queen and her proxies are considered by Azan not only to be the main threat to Azan, but the entire world. Unfortunately, the core segments of the Azan Empire are now too far away for Azan to bring a serious fight right to the Witch-Elf borders, so for now Azan stalls their advance, while many know the real fight won’t start until fighting has reached the Oront.
=== Bog Witches ===
Also hated by Azan, but are generally seen as weak proxies of the Succubus Queen and aren’t really a threat to anyone in Azan other than a rogue province and a borderline rogue province.
=== Blind Bastard’s Domain and the South ===
Although located a long distance away, the former rump state of Moridan was key to any attempt to any attempt to regain control of the South, so its loss is a stinging blow to Azan, even if Renne’s claim to the Azan throne is seen as laughable. There have been some efforts to mobilize Nosso Lar and Mumak against Renne.
=== Avangar ===
Although far from even historic Azan borders, there are some who feel Avangar will one day be a threat to the Azan Empire. 
== Geography ==
The Azan Empire is divided into 58 core provinces, and 12 special territories, though the status of many of the special territories is contested. As one of the most populated nations in the world, many of Azan’s provinces have a larger population than many lesser nations. 
Few outside of Azan (and even many inside) can remember the names and distinguishing features of all 70 provinces and territories, so the core provinces are often lumped together into eight regions, with common traits and history, which are easier to remember.
=== Heartland Region ===
The most densely populated part of Azan, it exemplifies everything Azan is famous for, beautiful coastal cities, sprawling villas with massive, well maintained grounds, and vineyards, pastures, and farms that produce many of the most expensive brands of wine, cheese, and other produce in the world.
It contains twenty provinces, each centered around at least one city, and often several large towns nearby. Like in other core regions of Azan, the provinces are named after the main city with few exceptions. Provinces include:
Nananikor - The capital of Azan, a massive sprawling city which is surprisingly well maintained for its age.
Essakor - The old capital of the Empire, notable for the Ten Titans of Essakor and the old Essakor Imperial Castle.
Basilius - A small city on a small island, its most notable feature is a massive statue of Bronzar in his form as the Faceless God. Both followers of the Old and New Azan Faith’s find it vaguely offensive, but respect the devotion of its creators.
Lucapena – A small and ancient city whose fishing industry is overshadowed by the banking and tourism industries. Many of Azan’s oldest and most powerful families live in this province, and several of the larger temples have old fashion views on the Azan Faith, but not quite old enough to be considered the Old Faith. Confusingly, there is also a medium sized town in Bardanes Reach also called Lucapenas. Like many such cases, this is the legacy of the Legion naming forts after towns and cities located nowhere near their namesake.
Drayrlolugrath – This ancient city predates the Azan Empire or the Old Azan Faith. Instead it was founded by those who worshipped dragons directly. The oldest buildings in the city can be identified by the use of black volcanic rock and numerous dragon related carvings and statues. Several of the massive dragon temples have been carefully maintained and are still used by those who see dragons as the prime servants of Bronzar, despite the New Azan Faith’s discouragement on idealizing dragons. It has a relatively large dragon tiefling population, who tend wear revealing clothes to show of their scales.
Kurkuas – This large city is mostly famous for being the birthplace and burial place of Alarna Hiranur, the second main prophet of the New Azan Faith. Despite the large number of pilgrims that come here, the city itself tends to have a secular outlook, and is home to several ancient universities teaching philosophy and the humanities. Some say it is the city’s secular and philosophical outlook that inspired many of Alarna’s reforms. 
Zena – This mid-sized city is mostly famous for being the name sake of the popular Zenian cat breed, despite their being no evidence that the breed originated from there. Several of Azan’s most politically powerful families are based here, but they keep a low profile.
=== North Coast Region ===
The people here are close cousins to those in Gvilderstaaten and Northern Scimitaria and typically have fairer features than average for Azan. The region is moderately wealthy, and has a strong interest in fishing, trading, and naval service, but also magic and crafting. Provinces include:
Durante – This large fortress city is known for its well respected magical college, and its massive ship building industry.
Kazzugrad – This former dwarven vassal kingdom is now mostly home to humans, and most of the dwarves descend from exiles from Gautlan rather than the original clans. 
Bloten – A bustling fishing and shipping city, it has more in common with Gviderstaaten than Azan cities along the southern coast. 
Walengarten (Rotternep) – Rotternep is a small city located in one of the few areas of the Azan coast where the ocean meets salt marsh rather than cliffs or beach. It is the capital of the curiously shaped province of Walengarten that was once larger, but shrunk after several city states got their own provinces.
Maasbeke – This large city is home to many wealthy dwarves who fled into exile when dwarves from the north seized control of Gaunlan. Humans still make up the majority of the population though, and even more of the rural folk in the surrounding province. 
Westrary – This mid sized city and its surrounding province are mostly known for having a fairly large number of hobbits. Hobbits are otherwise dispersed fairly evenly throughout northern Azan, but are rare compared to the massive human population, and even rarer in southern Azan.
=== Bardanes Reach ===
A backwater region with lots of large rivers and several massive lakes. It has a reputation for having trouble with drow raiders from the underworld and certain unseelie fey, plus it is far from the wealth and stability of the western provinces. After the Devil’s Scourge freed up lots of high quality land and jobs in the west, there was large scale migration out of the Reach. Today many farms are still abandoned, but the Reach is safe enough that some seeking isolation or new opportunities have been moving back into the region. The five provinces are:
Porfirio – This small city was long plagued by drow raids from the underworld, until dwarven allies of Azan finally located the source and razed it. However, sometimes drow cities from further east still raid the city and its surrounding province.
Hezzotum – This small dwarven surface city is all that remains of a much larger underground kingdom. After the mines were exhausted there was massive migration to the new dwarven kingdoms being established in Scimitaria. These days Hezzotum serves as the capital of a sparsely populated rural province. There are more humans than dwarves now, but also some half-drow, descendants of drow slaves of the drow city of Syrrini’th, sacked by dwarves in retaliation for attacks on Porfirio.
Clementina (Zonara) – This province is one of the very few core provinces where the name of the capital (Zonara) does not align with the province. It otherwise doesn’t have much going for it other than the fact its rivers serve as useful trade routes.
Ooryphas – This otherwise unremarkable province possesses some swampy areas which are home to the Ehgos people, cousins to the Jibaro swamp people. They have mostly assimilated into Azanese culture, but maintain a strange cultural tradition of sometimes piercing their ears, face, or nipples, but only on the left side of their body.
Cantacuzene – This province is mostly known for the skill of its lake fishermen, as well as the exclaves it maintains south of the lake, where the Legion fights to protect the few remaining towns and villages from trolls. The White Tower of Baitenchor lies in this region.
=== Phrantzes Marches ===
This region once had a reputation as trouble province for ancient Azan due to its many ethnic groups, but it gradually became assimilated over time. The area was heavily fortified during wars with Furlaniya, but things have quieted down since then. Provinces include:
Euthymius – An interesting province centered around a rather boring city. Between the pockets of dwarven and Changrilanese communities, the lively lake resorts, and the large Legion presence, there is a lot more going on here than the typical rural province. Also produces surprisingly good wine for an inland province.
Narses – A pretty typical provincial capital for a pretty typical province, its main unique feature is the large Vittelian minority. 
=== Ianuarius Coast ===
This region is home to several ancient nations that have largely been absorbed into mainstream Azanese culture. It has nearly as much old money as the Heartlands. Its provinces include:
Vesta – This ancient, decadent city is one of the oldest in the region, and once ruled over a small maritime empire prior to the creation of the Azan Empire. The tri-god Miruna/Axile/Audric is popular here and is said by some to have originated in the area, though here all three aspects are generally shown as female.
Birna – This large city takes its name from a largely forgotten culture that once existed in this area. It is now a major trade city for those who don’t want to proceed further up the coast for whatever reason. It is also an important hub for anti-slavery activists who free slaves from a number of nearby nations where it is still legal, though cynics note the city is also a major hub of (illegal) sex slavery itself.
Glyca – The most rural province in the region, it is a hilly and possesses countless lakes. Swimming is the most popular pastime, and standards of modesty are low.
Ionnina – The largest city in southern Azan, the leading families here once owned large amounts of land all along the western coast and are still stupendously wealthy. Nobles and mages here are fond of skin dyes and powders, jewelry, and revealing clothes. It is also home to a large portion of the Azanese fleet, the largest military mage academy, and the largest magical university, which perhaps explains why it is almost never attacked.
=== Interior Plains Region ===
Pre-Azan Empire, this region was once home to numerous tribes of nomadic raiders, including the ancestors of the Furlan peoples which proved so troublesome for the emperors of the 4th dynasty they were forcefully resttled to the Varadai province. The tribes that remained in the Interior Plains were assimilated into the Empire over time,
but remain skilled ranchers and horse riders. Many of Azan’s best cavalry formations come from this region. Provinces include:
Ucanok – The city is surrounded by several circular walls, and the province is known for cattle and horse breeding.
Alypius – This small city was once frequently raided by an underground drow city nearby, but then said drow city was abandoned as its inhabitants moved to Scimitaria to join the conquest of the wealthy dwarven kingdoms there.
Ozkul – The capital of this province is mostly known for keeping alive an ancient nomad tradition where young adults of both genders compete in a series of martial and equestrian competitions while nude.
Yasemin – This province is known for its horse mounted archers and the unusually high percentage of female recruits its sends to the Legion.
=== Ardennes Coast ===
A somewhat poorer region, though still wealthier than most parts of the world. Some of the best land and businesses are owned by nobles based out of the Heartlands, so politically this region is a bit weak. Provinces include:
Vatatzes – This city is the wealthiest in the region, as many noble families and merchant clans with holdings in the Terusia Isthmus are based out of here.
Iamblichus – A small city, it is mostly famous for its large fishing fleet and its tendency to get hit by major storms.
Axefall Fortress – This province is centered around a massive dwarven fortress that was once the seat of one of Azan’s many dwarven vassal kingdoms. Like so many other now abandoned dwarven kingdoms in Azan, much of its population migrated to Scimitaria to found new kingdoms, only to be overrun there during the drow invasion. As Axefall Fortress is mostly above ground (unusual for a dwarven fortress city), humans migrated into the city not long after most of the dwarves left, though large numbers of dwarves remain to this day.
Aetia – This hilly province is home to several gold mines. It has many lakes, the largest of which is said to be home to a sea monster, though there have been no reliable sightings. There is a reasonable sized dwarven minority.
=== The Akropol ===
This region is named for the many forts built in pre-Azan times to protect the people who lived here from horse-mounted raiders. Its economy mostly revolves around grain farming, ranching, and herding, but there are some vineyards, orchards, and mines in the hilly areas.
Maniakes – A large fortress city built into the cliffs of a small mountain peak, it was said to be impenetrable in ancient times, but the city has long ago expanded beyond its fortress walls, and hasn’t been attacked for ages.
Charito – A lacklustre rural province with a large town as its capital, Charito’s only noteworthy feature as a province is that it is home to several large clans of donkey riding dwarven ranchers.
Prodroma – A hilly rural province, shepherds raise sheep in the areas with thin soil, while vineyards, orchards, and wheat farms cover areas with better soil. 
=== The Special Territories ===
Daligrad – Once on the front lines of the countless wars against the First Elven Empire, this province is now fairly isolated from the rest of the Empire has become home to all sorts of sleazy individuals.
Stymphalia – The Stymphalian swamp folk were absorbed into the Azan Empire ages ago, but the region remains a backwater due to its remoteness and the persistent presence of unseelie fey and vicious wildlife.
Hasteria – Once a backwater province of little note, it now has the misfortune of being on the front lines of ongoing skirmishes with both the witch-elves and succubi. Most of the civilian population has fled.
Aelar’Ra – Once a beautiful province where worship of Faerie Lords living in the large lake and forest was tolerated, it unfortunately found itself on the border of the Witch-Elven Empire as it expanded. A large wave of escaped slaves and exiled witch-elves settled in the area after a rebellion and an unstable pseudo-democracy was created to try and balance the many competing interests. Heavy fighting occurs in the Warmog Forest which covers the southern part of this province.
Oront – This semi-independent kingdom has a long history of rebellion and civil warfare despite being close cousins to the Azanese. Perhaps the only silver lining in this is that this already difficult to traverse mountainous region is now heavily fortified, thus allowing it to serve as a barrier should the witch-elves and the succubi push this far west.
Gautlan – One of the few surface dwarven kingdoms, it was long a vassal of Azan and gradually became more and more inhabited by humans. Ironically this trend was reversed when dwarves fleeing the Baalps conquered the region as a stepping stone for their invasion of Oront. After being defeated by both Oront and Azan, the rulers of the invading dwarves were allowed to become the new ruling class in return for swearing fealty to Azan, as the original dwarven nobles had become unpopular and out of touch.
The Big Rock Candy Mountains – Despite the many folklore stories about being a promised land, this stretch of mountains is fairly sparsely populated and remote. Its main attractions are its low taxes and plentiful archaeological sites. Aside from merchants and archaeologists, few come here other than naïve fools searching for the heavenly realm said to be hidden somewhere in its mountains.
The Joois Special Territory – Porous bedrock which absorbs all rainfall combined with vicious mountain winds make this one of the most uninhabitable regions in the Azan Empire. Long all but empty, it is only inhabited by the Joos, who now run several minor trade routes through the territory.
Jibaro – Like Stymphalia, this region is home to an indigenous swamp dwelling culture that is only partially assimilated, and an unhealthy number of monsters and unseelie fey. It has a reputation for being dangerous, but this is partially due to how heavily travelled it is, as many trade routes between Azan and Oront pass through here.
Ampleazzo – The indigenous inhabitants of this province come from several different ethnic groups, but are unified by a number of cultural traditions and a strong disregard for authority. They switched back and forth multiple times between Furlaniya and Azan during past rebellions and later conflicts between the two nations, but ultimately ended up staying in the Empire in return for a high level of autonomy. Ampleazzo is also in theory the ruler of several Azanese exclaves further to the south and east.
Thedgraek – This dwarven vassal kingdom is one of the few remaining from an ancient pact between the dwarves and Azan that allowed the dwarves to establish kingdoms in areas Azan conquered, but considered unsuitable for settlement. Although most such kingdoms were lost when the drow invaded Scimitaria, Thedgraek remains, though its most profitable mines have long ago run dry, and there are nearly as many humans here as dwarves.
Asvaran Confederacy – Azan’s last remaining overseas territory, though this is mostly a technicality as Asvaran was fairly independent and isolated even when the Azan/Dragon Empire was at its peak, and these days only occasionally sends tribute.
== Cities, towns and communities of note ==
* Ayuzawa – Home to a small school teaching sword magic of the eastern tradition
* Candida – Several mercenary companies have been hired to clear this region of trolls for future settlement
* Emrera – Large border garrison, protects inner regions from the Troll Wastes
* Euthymius – Famous wine making city 
* Gregorius – Massive fort. Originally built to support a long forgotten plan to reabsorb the Furlaniyan cities, now mostly defends against trolls
* Hillgrad – Mining town with four large dwarf clans in addition to its human inhabitants
* Lascari – Hilltop town that services a number of nearby villas and vineyards
* Lucapena – Garrison town that patrols the river upstream 
* Narses – Pretty typical regional city. Has a good university and mages college
* Nichiren – Home to a scandal ridden nunnery
* Planudes – Major tourism center during the summer due to its large beaches and tree shaded villas. Has a bit of a seedy side, but still far safer than Ampleazzo
* Prudentius – Home to several finely crafted bridges. It is said to be good luck to jump nude from the tallest bridge, though this sometimes results in injury 
* Yarakan – Popular retirement community for aged adventurers and thieves
== Demographics ==
The core of the Azan Empire is mostly warm, sunny hills, perfect for growing grapes, olives, cattle, and a wide range of other products.
Much of the land is developed, dotted with countless cities, towns, villages, and farms and villas bordered by low stone walls or hedges.
The mountainous regions are less inhabited, but are an important source of minerals and pasture land.
The majority of the population is human. As the former core of a now lost multi-ethnic empire, a wide range of human ethnic groups are present, and several distinct new ethnic groups have been formed where certain ancestries were common in a particular area and/or a particular social class.
Dragon Tiefling are rare, but still make up the Imperial family, many of the oldest noble families, and certain merchant families. They are often seen as obsolete and out of touch though, with some of the newer human noble and merchant families now far richer and politically powerful.
Dwarves are not uncommon, both recent arrivals and the descendants of now lost kingdoms. They are a powerful force in banking and certain artisan guilds, though they can be found in all professions and levels of society.
Hobbits are rare, but becoming more common. Many are simple farmers, but some belong to a new breed from Gvilderstaaten whose goal is to make major inroads into the banking and merchant sectors.
== Religion ==
The New Azan Faith is dominant in the core Azan Empire. It consists of a small pantheon of gods, saints, and prophets, and ever since the reformations mostly sticks to spreading simplistic messages of altruism, charity, compassion, and community spirit.
Remnants of the Old Faith are everywhere though, particularly among the most traditionalist families and areas. Dragon icons, overlap between religious and secular elites, and simplistic good versus evil thinking have all made a gradual comeback since the reformations. 
== Military ==
The armies of the Azan Empire are still vast and well organized, though there attention is split between several adversaries, as well as garrisoning their core territories.
Common soldiers are easily identified by their reddish scale armor and masked helmets, though each province has its own variant design, and many vassal states and allied mercenaries fight in completely different gear.
Infantry are well trained to fight in formation, as well as in small scale skirmishes.
A wide range of specialist troops exist, including several types of cavalry, siege troops, engineers, and skirmishing archers.
Elites include spellcasters, as well as katana wielding knights, and veteran heavy infantry from Oront and Gautlan.
Azan also has a large navy, but it rarely sees much use as most of Azan’s enemies are land based.
Category:Nations
Category:Giantstep
Category:Azan
Category:Pages in need of revision