The Protectorate of Oz'kas

Oz'kas is a country once known for its connection to time itself, reduced to its current protectorate state as it endured the silence left by their deity's absence. Its associated deity is the God of Time.
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==Description==
Oz'kas, once a temporal kingdom ruled by the cycles of the God of Time, now stands under the shadow of The Shalanese Empire as a protectorate. The transition from sovereignty to subjugation has been a complex tale of preserving identity amidst the ever-ticking silence left by their deity's absence.
==Geography==
A realm of gentle time-sculpted hills and ancient, sundial-studded ruins, Oz'kas's terrain is a testament to the ebb and flow of history. The central lands are fertile with the past's whispers, while the peripheral wilderness holds the untamed secrets of a time that once was and may yet be again.
==Society==
In Oz'kas, the community is an intricate clockwork of interconnected lives, where tradition and the collective rhythm of existence are paramount. The arts, once inspired by the divine tick of the Time God's presence, now serve as acts of defiance and remembrance, weaving history into the present tapestry of daily life.
==Governance==
Though the hands of The Shalanese Empire set the overarching tempo, Oz'kas maintains a semblance of autonomy. Local timekeepers and chronologers, as leaders are known, still govern by ancestral edicts, even as the empire's hourglass looms, threatening to count down to a future of total control.
==Economy==
The economy ticks on, powered by the methodical harvesting of fields that follow the sun's path and the meticulous craftsmanship of artisans who encode time's passage into their work. Trade routes, once dictated by precise schedules, now adapt to the erratic cadence imposed by the Empire's demands.
==Military==
Oz'kas maintains a defensive military force designed to protect its cultural treasures and autonomy under the shadow of The Shalanese Empire. Comprised of well-trained local militia, the Oz'karian army is skilled in utilizing the terrain to their advantage, employing guerrilla tactics when necessary. The preservation of their ancient ways takes precedence, and their military strategy revolves around deterrence and the safeguarding of their timeless traditions.
==Culture==
Cultural life in Oz'kas remains a celebration of cycles, seasons, and the temporal heritage that pulses in the nation's heart. Festivals, clandestinely aligned with the celestial clock, honor the Time God's memory with music, dance, and art that encapsulate moments of a bygone era.
==Religion==
Quietly, in the recesses of Oz'kas's reality, the worship of the Time God persists. It is a subtle reverence, expressed in hushed rituals and the careful alignment of stones that catch the dawn's first light, all serving as prayers for the return of the deity who once orchestrated the symphony of time.
==Relations with Neighboring Powers==
Oz'kas, with its time-honored traditions, walks a tightrope of diplomacy under Shalanese oversight. It engages in cautious relations, nurturing partnerships that respect its heritage, all while harboring a quiet hope for the reclamation of its independence.
==Challenges and Aspirations==
Oz'kas stands at a crossroads in time, with its people yearning to rewind to days of divine clarity. The challenge lies in ticking forward without losing the essence of their heritage, aspiring to a day when the God of Time returns and resets the pendulum of their fate.