The Satemid Empire

Satemid Empire
Overview: The Satemid Empire is an autocratic realm characterized by its Eastern Orthodox Mormonism, with its cultural and political dominance heavily influenced by the Istosloveny, the largest sub-group of the Sloveny settlers who emigrated to the Thinlands. The empire's structure is hierarchical and centralized, with absolute power vested in the Valdar of Satem, the title held by the emperor. The empire is noted for its harsh, unyielding rule and its extensive assimilation of conquered peoples.
Territory and Administrative Divisions: The Satemid Empire is divided into several provinces, known as Sarovats, each governed by a Sartard who is appointed directly by the Valdar. The Sarovats reflect the empire's ethnically divergent yet integrated territories:
* Istoslovenski Sarovat: This is the heartland of the Satemid Empire, dominated by the Istosloveny, with its capital at Malipoli. It is the largest and most significant Sarovat, encompassing key cities and fortifications. It also includes the former Balto cities of Prusk, Litvonya, Lutgrud, and Shtonya, which have been largely assimilated into Istosloveny culture.
* Hayonski Sarovat: This province is home to the Hayonids, with Rentavan as its seat. Rentavan is a significant city both spiritually and politically, being the spiritual capital of Eastern Orthodox Mormonism, and containing an exposed and corrupted Angelfont beneath the palace, which has led to dark magical disturbances.
* Yazishki Sarovat: The province of the Yazigs, with its capital at Yagshe-Mosh. The Yazigs maintain their distinct cultural and religious practices and are the first line of defense against Mongoloid incursions into Satemid territory on skittles raids.
* Semivsk (Defunct): Historically an autonomous Sarovat based out of Semos, Semivsk once contained the territory of the Burnt Hills, with both Semivian and Juzhosloveny settlements. After the war, Semivsk was annexed by the Foederatio of Centum, and it no longer exists as a Sarovat within the Satemid Empire.
* The Special Military Corridor (The Burning Lesion): A thin strip of land where the Bloat has spread into the Thinlands. The Satemid Empire maintains a permanent military contingent here to contain the threat at Lardovoy Kremlin. This area is a constant reminder of the dangers that once plagued the old continent and is a constant draw upon the Satemids' military resources.
Governance:
* Valdar of Satem (Валдар): The supreme ruler of the Satemid Empire, holding absolute power over the Sarovats. Valdar is a title rather than a name, signifying the emperor's authority and his role as the ultimate decision-maker in the empire.
* Sartards (Сартарды): Governors of the Sarovats, directly appointed by the Valdar. They are responsible for administering their regions, enforcing the Valdar's edicts, and maintaining order. There are currently three Sartards: 1.) The Grand Sartard, who governs the Istoslovenski Sarovat and personally advises the Valdar of Satem, 2.) The Hayonid Sartard, who also carries the title of Patriarch of the Holy Font, and who governs the Hayonski Sarovat and handles political affairs of the church, and 3.) the Yazig Sartard who governs the Yazishki Sarovat, organizes the defenses against Mongoloid raids, and is generally the highest ranking officer of the entire Satemid military.
* Vaydiks (Вайдикы): High-ranking military officers and administrators who command military forces, manage administrative duties, and oversee specific regions or military operations. The Special Military Corridor is governed directly by a Vaydik.
Peoples and Culture:
* Istosloveny: The dominant ethnic group in the Satemid Empire. They form the backbone of the empire's administration, military, and culture.
* Hayonids: Subordinated by the Istosloveny, the Hayonids live primarily in Hayonski Sarovat. Their traditions are deeply tied to Orthodox Mormonism, with Rentavan as its spiritual center.
* Yazigs: The Yazigs live primarily in the East in their ethnic Sarovat, where they maintain their own religion and language. Their ethnopolis, Yagshe-Mosh, is a center of Yazig culture.
* Baltos: Once a distinct ethnic group, they have been largely assimilated into the Istosloveny, with their former cities now part of the Istoslovenski Sarovat.
* Juzhosloveny: A sub-group of the Sloveny who were displaced after the war and have now settled in various parts of the empire, as well as outside the Empire including Prikastel and other regions.
Religion:
* Orthodox Mormonism: The primary faith of the Satemid Empire, adhered to by the Istosloveny, Juzhosloveny, Hayonids, and Semivians. It is a strict but unifying religion that influences all aspects of life in the empire.
* Yazig Faith: An ancient religion that revolves around the veneration of sacred fire as well as of nature spirits known as Yashki, such as the Sonichu Spirit. This faith is distinct within the empire but is respected due to its ancient origins.
Military and Defense:
* The Satemid military is a formidable force, tasked with defending the empire's vast territories and enforcing its rule. The Special Military Corridor and Mongoloid Steppes are critical areas where the military is constantly engaged. The Satemid military is characterized by the following:
*# Centralized Command: At the heart of the Satemid military is a centralized command structure based in Malipoli, the capital of the Istosloveny. The Valdar himself, or his appointed Vaydik, commands all forces directly. The chain of command is strict, and all officers are loyal to the Emperor, reducing the risk of rebellion or divided loyalties among the troops.
*# Integrated Ethnic Units: While the Satemid Empire is made up of multiple ethnic groups — primarily the Istosloveny, Yazigs, Hayonids, and remnants of the Baltos — the army is largely integrated. Unlike in the Centumii military, soldiers are not organized by ethnicity but are instead grouped into mixed units where discipline, loyalty to the Empire, and military competence are emphasized over ethnic identity. This approach fosters assimilation of conquered peoples and reduces potential internal divisions.
*# Training and Standardization: The Satemid military places a strong emphasis on standardization. Soldiers are trained in a common set of tactics, weaponry, and formations, regardless of their background and are equipped with armor and weaponry which is mass-produced in the factories of Malipoli. This makes the army more cohesive in battle, as units can be deployed interchangeably without concern for ethnic conflicts or differences in fighting styles, although it comes at the cost of specialization within the army, and the mass-produced equipment is of notoriously poor quality.
*# Specialized Yazig Horse Archers: The only notable exception to this policy of integration is the Yazig horse archers. The Yazigs have a long tradition of horsemanship and are known for their skill with the bow on horseback. Recognizing this unique strength, the Satemid command maintains dedicated Yazig cavalry units that operate semi-independently. These units provide valuable mobility, scouting, and harassment capabilities, complementing the more traditional infantry and heavy cavalry units of the Istosloveny and Hayonids. However, even these specialized units are subject to the overall command structure of the Empire, and their leaders are vetted for loyalty to the Emperor, often being ethnically Istosloveny vaydiks who were raised and groomed for command in Yagshe-Mosh.
*# Imperial Guard: The most elite troops in the Satemid army are the Imperial Guard, drawn exclusively from the Istosloveny military aristocracy. These highly trained and heavily armored soldiers serve as both the personal guard of the Emperor and a reserve force that can be deployed to decisive points on the battlefield. The Imperial Guard represents the pinnacle of Satemid military power and is fiercely loyal to the central authority.
Economy and Infrastructure:
* Economic Structure: The empire's economy is centrally controlled, with significant resources allocated to maintain the Valdar’s authority and the military. Mining, weapons production, and agricultural serfdom are vital components. The currency of the Satemid Empire is the Satemid Dinar.
* Infrastructure: The empire boasts extensive infrastructure, including fortifications, roads, and administrative buildings, all designed to maintain control and facilitate governance.
The Satemid Empire is a powerful and centralized state, with a strong religious influence and a hierarchical structure under the rule of the Valdar of Satem. Its complex administration and diverse population require merciless top-down control in order to quash both internal diversity and external threats.
The Satemid Empire, being a highly centralized and autocratic state, can mobilize its resources and military with a level of efficiency that the more loosely organized Foederatio of Centum cannot match. The Centumii, with their diverse cultures and independent governments, are prone to internal disagreements and competing interests, making them vulnerable to division.