The Varras Sovereignty

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This is an opener, intro, or other phrase that describes a paragraph with the intent of summery. You should briefly overview the nation in as concise a way as possible, no more than 4 or even 5 sentences, if needed. It does not have a heading, so it is placed above the table of contents, and is easier to access when needed. Avoid restating information from the intro in the page, unless you are expanding on said information.

## Political Structure

The Sovereignty is intrinsically organized around the Atheshi church, with no real separation between the state and the church. There are 2 main political bodies of the nation: First is the Conclave of the Althezin’s Chosen. Essentially an Assembly of the highest Redeemers in Pallacia. Althezin’s Chosen are charged with the direct of both religious doctrine and national policy. There is no real limit on the number of the Chosen but due to the arduous trials necessary to undergo in order to become one, their numbers rarely exceed 300.

A member of Althezin’s Chosen is named for life, however their position can be revoked at any time by a vote of no confidence, with an absolute majority needed to succeed, or via the Sky Tribulation: a trial where a Redeemer may challenge one of the Chosen. The challenged party may than either either to fight in a martial duel or engage in a Craftsmanship competition, where both parties attempt forge a blade of superior quality to their opponent. If the challenged Chosen loses their chosen competition, they give their position to their challenger.

However, given that the Conclave has to take care of the entire Atheshi faith, the de facto rulership of the Sovereignty itself rests on the shoulders of the 7 Earthly Consuls. Elected by the Conclave for a 5 year mandate, the Consuls represent the 7 Holy Commanders of the Legions who according to scripture advise Althazin in his Crusade.

Each of the Consuls is tasked with one aspect of governance and in theory all 7 are equal.

- **Grand Smith**: Tasked with the development of Industry within the nation, as well as the oversight and maintenance of the Althagorax.

- **High Paragon**: Commander of the united armies of the Atheshi Church.

- **Althazin’s** **Captain**: Commander in Chief of the united navies of the Atheshi Church.

- **Chaplain of the Interior**: Tasked with organizing the direction of the national economy, including but not limited to overseeing local governances, appointments to lower offices, and infrastructure.

- **Ecumenic Officer**: Tasked with establishing dialogue with other Legionist religions. In practice serving as the foreign minister.

- **Colonel Juror**: Tasked with enforcing national laws and directing the courts.

- **Logis Marshall**: Finance minister, in charge of taxes and the national budget.

While they are masters in their respective domains, more complicated matters are resolved in meetings between the 7, and any Consul may be recalled by a vote of no confidence from the conclave, unless the nation is engaged in a crusade.

## Social Structure

The Sovereignty is culturally organized and centered around the city of Varras and the Church. The Atheshi faith and culture are intertwined and often views as one in same. This is largely accurate, as both were born and expanded at the same pace and from the same place. A notable point is that one does not need to be born a citizen in order to become one. Any pilgrim willing to join the faith as a redeemer is considered a Varrasian citizen.

Due to the nation largely being centered around Varras and the power of the church, rural areas are often left to their own devices, and have largely maintained a traditional feudal structure (owing to the expansion of the industrial families) like the rest of Pallacia reminiscent of the old Imperial era. The cities and their surroundings are a different story: with a division between the Redeemers and members of the Church and non church members.

The first class is varied as there are no prerequisites from trying to become a Redeemer aside from effort and talent. Those who stick through the difficult training become Questing Squires and are seen everywhere in the city as bureaucrat workers, blacksmiths and soldiers.

The secular members of the city can broadly be divided into 3 categories: the old blood industrialists, though greatly reduced in power still having ownership of major private guilds, the new merchant class who serve as traders, and the proletariat who make up the majority of the population.

## Military Structure

Describe how the military functions, and is constructed.

## Political Identity

Describe how the nation relates to foreign and domestic objects, and any important political/legal notes. An example would be conscription.

## Relationships

This section addresses how the government and nation relate to others, in specific examples.

## Culture and Values

The people of the Varras Sovereignty are a hardy and martial people, with a strong cultural emphasis placed on martial deeds and feats of craftsmanship. Few honors are higher than joining the ranks of the Redeemers, the soldiers and craftsmen of the Atheshi church.

## History

In the darkest hour of Legionism, as the religion ripped itself to pieces even as its following collapsed, it seemed that the old faith was dead. However, a group of devout Swareli industrialists would soon change the course of history. Settling in the region of Atheshal, the industrialists built the city of Varras, and began to quickly develop the land. The people who took up residence in that area developed a new religion for themselves, and became known as the Atheshi.

The city state prospered and soon became one of the biggest spiritual and commercial hubs. At first the Atheshi church, though intertwined with the origins of Varras did not rule the city, letting the powerful industrialist families take the reigns, who in their turn elected a single figurehead to rule this newly born empire. This led to a period of unheard expansion pushing the city state from a regional power into continental dominance. However in their arrogance the Noble industrialists ignored the stagnation of this new Empire. Each new elected Emperor was weaker than the last, more malleable and less pious. This combined with a succession crisis due to the corrupt nature of the electoral monarchy led to most regions splitting off from Varras in the so called Time of Troubles.

The Atheshi church could not stand idle and breaking the old accord between the state and the church couped the last Emperor and the leading industrialists. From now on the Church was to be the State and vice versa, leading the faithful towards a new glorious crusade, hoping to find the Sinrazer, who will declare a final great crusade and lead the Legions of Light to victory, bringing about the Golden Age of Man.