Nocturnim

in: Races

## Introduction

Nocturnim is the most dominant human empire in the southern end of the continent. The empire is vast with numerous cities dotted along their claim and ever expanding when they can. Majority of the population live in the cramped cities and those who wish to live outside the walled cities, live nearby cities and towns for protection against any stray attacks from Marauders or even wild bands of Minotaurs.

Under the current emperor, Alexius, the gap between wealthy nobles and poor citizens widened even further. With the empire spread so thin, coffers in shambles and evident corruption with the church and nobles, Alexius formed an expedition to learn more of the surrounding world. Unable to pay the Imperial Army for this task, he opted to seek volunteers. He promised riches and artifacts to those of higher standing as long as they can provide the necessary monetary means for a grant, that is sanctioned by the church and emperor. They provided their own vessels, of course. And those who attempt to exit the ports without a permit were branded as heretics and imprisoned.

## The Basics

* **Appearance:** Nocturnim is a rich and diverse society of mainly humans.
* **Lifespan:** 75 Years
* **Height**: 170 cm (5'7") - 190 cm (6'3")
* **Regions Found:** Nocturnim is located on the southeast continent and is east of Salvador. They are found venturing north towards Khemet and visiting foreign ports of human settlements around the world in search of goods, slaves, and more.
* **Culture:** The society of Nocturnim is a blend between the two cultures. The nobles and the wealthiest of merchants spend their days in the senate debating on the philosophy of life and all matters of the state.The nobility living luxurious and lavish lives far distant than the common folk beneath them. Far removed from them in their livelihood with workers and slaves. Many nobles participate in the breeding and raising of gladiators to fight in the coliseum pits. Usually boasting about the amount of Minotaurs they have had broken to their whim.
* **Common Character Roles:** Soldier, Guard, Townsfolk, Politicians, Warriors, Hunters, Commoner, and Gatherers
* **Common Allies:** Most human nations aside for Salvador and the Orudei people, Solanarium Worshipers
* **Common Enemies:** Salvador and Orudei, non-humans.
* **Architecture:** The architects of Nocturnim converted many of their older buildings and rebuilt them with gold and dark accents, further distinguishing them as the Empire of Night and Day.
* **Religion:** The Empire of Nocturnim is highly religious and only worship Solanarium. Any other religion is heresy and not tolerated in the empire.
* **Views on Magic:** Forbids Dark Magic, Distrusting of magic unless sanctioned.

## Appearance

Nocturnim is a rich and diverse society of mainly humans, and they tend to be xenophobic against other races aside from humans. Every type of person can be found in Nocturnim, from every part of the world whether they are slaves, gladiators, or something else entirely. They are very wary of those who do not follow Solanarium. Trade comes easily into the empire and living in rich fertile soil allows them to have rich farms that yield bountiful harvests every year.

## History & Culture

*“Even the moon needs the sun to shine.”*

Nocturnim is the Empire of the Sun and Moon and the most dominant human empire that sprawls throughout the continent to the south. Nocturnim has vast cities dotted throughout the lands and a large population to support it. They are deeply rooted in Solanarium’s teaching and at times seem intolerant to other gods.

However, the Empire of Nocturnim wasn’t always known as the Empire of Night and Day. Before they became united as a singular empire, there were two kingdoms: Saturnim and Noctis. On the southern western side of the continent was Noctis, a kingdom deserving its name because they didn’t believe in Solanarium. And towards the northeast side of the continent, along the western coast, was Saturnim.

The two constantly disagreed with each other and Saturnim held holy wars, crusades, against Noctis, attempting to take over the other kingdom through force and coercion through the name of Solnarium.

When the minotaur horde was at its peak, rampaging and ravaging throughout the human settlements, the villages and towns of Noctis between the two kingdoms were first to be attacked by minotaurs. Distracted by fighting the minotaurs, Saturnim took advantage of this, and while Noctis’ king was on the fields battling the advancing herd of Minotaurs; they raided their capital, Noctem, and took Noctis’s prince as captive.

The Kingdom of Saturnim then marched their vast army through Noctis’ territory to meet the Minotaurs and Noctis on the battlefield. King Tiberius of Saturnim brokered a deal with Noctis’ king: to join forces to beat the Great Herd once for all. Naive, the king of Noctis agreed to Tiberius’ plans to be a united army and both Kings agreed on a decisive cavalry charge against the Minotaurs. When both armies charged against the rampaging minotaurs, King Tiberius pulled back his cavalry at the last moment, letting the king of Noctis to charge in alone with his army, letting them get swarmed and surrounded by battle frenzied minotaurs in the first and greatest betrayal of their united kingdom. Despite their best efforts, a large portion of the Noctis army and their king couldn’t escape.

With Noctis’ king slain in battle and the prince missing, King Tiberius forced the remainder of the leaderless Noctis army by spear point to be the vanguard of the united army, taking the massive losses by the raging minotaurs. After several days of intense fighting with little breaks, the “united” armies of Saturnim and Noctis broke the Great Herd, finally achieving victory when no other kingdoms could. Any surviving minotaurs were taken as slaves, serving as laborers or used for entertainment for the coliseum.

Without any other options, the last heir of Noctis submitted to King Tiberius, to unite both kingdoms to form an empire, Nocturnim, the empire of Night and Day.

After the creation of the Empire, Emperor Tiberius declared the capital of Saturnim would be renamed to Nocturnim, keeping the namesake, as well as making it the center of the empire. He also claimed that Solanarium chose him as the chosen one who rules. Expansive coliseums were built in his name to host gladiatorial games, using their new minotaur slaves as combatants.

## Culture

The society of Nocturnim is a blend between the two cultures. A strange mixture of night and day. Guard patrol the streets helping with order in the empire, growing in number with the stress that is spoken of in the streets. The centurion guards wear their armor that was highly polished and well maintained. They are a blend of the two styles, and often they have different armor for combat than they wear. They are a highly trained and militarized group, with families often offering up their first born son to join the military and protect the empire.

The nobles and the wealthiest of merchants spend their days in the senate debating on the philosophy of life and all matters of the state. Convening beneath the emperor's seat as he listens to them on the days he is present. The nobility living luxurious and lash lives far distant than the common folk beneath them. Far removed from them in their livelihood with workers and slaves. Many nobles participate in the acquisition and raising of gladiators to fight in the coliseum pits. Usually boasting about the amount of beastkin and slaves they have had broken to their whim.

While the nobles and wealthy merchants spend their days lazing about, there are plenty of merchants and workers throughout the cities. Both men and women make their living as tradesmen and merchants. Though this comes easier to the men than the women. For the women it is easy for the beautiful women to make their living entertaining the guests. Being a courtesan working in a brothel is not seen in the same bad light as prostitution is in other cultures of the land. Brothels, taverns, drug dens, and other various pastimes are easy to find within the confines of the empire.

The lesser talked about members of the empire are the slaves. It is not uncommon to see a human, beastkin or other non-human slaves bound in chains. There’s a particular market for minotaur. Having fought the war against the beasts many have developed a strong hatred and distrust against non-human creatures. However, it is also not uncommon to see a human bound in chains as well. These make up the labor of the town handling the building, repair, and general maintenance of the kingdom. It is not an uncommon sight to see the streets colored with the blood of slaves, and it is an even rarer sight to not see the sand of the colosseum soaked in the blood of slaves forced to fight for the entertainment of the citizens.

## Government

Nocturnim is an empire that has one ruler, the Emperor, who rules over the entirety of the empire. Alongside the emperor, the church of Solanarium had large influence over the empire, the highest ranking member of the church was the Emperor himself, as the Emperor was chosen by Solanarium. It was the will of Solanarium after all.

Following the Emperor, was the senate of Nocturnim. Senators came from all over the empire and were chosen by the Emperor if they could provide a healthy stipend, and in return they were allowed land near Nocturnim. Senator’s roles were to be the ears of the Emperor and provide counsel when needed.

If the Emperor dies, the heir becomes the next Emperor. If the entire dynasty is killed or no suitable heir is chosen, then the church elects the new Emperor. And if the church cannot decide, the senate steps in to elect an Emperor.

## Religion

The Empire of Nocturnim is highly religious and only worship Solanarium. Any other religion is heresy and not tolerated in the empire. Throughout the empire, many churches are dedicated to Solanariun. Shrines were erected where they could be placed and where they’ve conquered. The Emperor themselves are chosen by Solnarium and any holy wars they do is in the name of Solanarium.

Even though Solanarium is heavily worshiped in Nocturnim, it isn’t wholly enforced across the empire. Citizens are expected to believe in Solanarium but with how big the Empire has become, it is difficult to enforce. However, the Church of Solanarium are strict and if issues arise, they force Solanarium upon heathens or cast them into the shackles of slavery, the coliseum or death.

From the very start, Emperor Tiberius claimed that Solanarium had chosen him to be the rightful ruler and emperor of Nocturnim, but in reality, he wasn’t chosen by Solnarium. He staged his proclamation in front of the senate, perfecting the timing when the sun’s ray would illuminate him. No one questioned his claim, as he was the hero who conquered the minotaurs and united the two kingdoms who were at war for many years.

## Racial Relations

The Empire of Nocturnim suffers from internal corruption which hampers its ability to expand its physical borders beyond what they are now. They engage in trade around the world, including the capture and selling of slaves. Their strongest ties are with other human nations and Solinarium based orders.

In more recent years, the Empire’s attempt to expand their borders by laying claim to the islands that border the area between themselves and their neighbor, Salvador. Salvador refuted their attempts and what started as diplomatic

## Perception of Magic

Magic in Nocturnim is not a common occurrence, and is a rare sight. Nocturnim strictly forbids Necromancy and magic used for deception and manipulation as Solanarium looked upon those who practice magic that created abominations and those who deceive others. The church encourages elemental spheres of magic, especially of those who show affinity towards the Burning Solstice.

They believe that sorcery cannot be learned, but rather born into. Those who learn sorcery were not blessed by Solanarium and are considered heretics. Those who use magic must have a permit that is sanctioned by the church or the Emperor himself.

When a child is discovered to have an affinity for magic, they must be registered to the church and then they will be taken in for testing to be sanctioned by the church. If the child inhibits spheres that are forbidden, the child is burned at the stakes for being a heretic.

Those who showed affinity towards the elemental spheres are taken to the Nocturnim college to hone their magic and kept under close watch by the church. Many sorcerers who inhabited the sphere of the Burning Solstice were often trained as soldiers who use their magic for holy wars and crusades, striking fear of Solanarium to their enemies.

*Credit for Lore: Nelson*