Tiperyn

**Tiperyn** ( /ˈtɪpərɪn/; Latin: *Tiperia*, pronounced [ˈtɪperiːa]), officially known as the **Holy Tiperyn Realm** (Latin: *Sanctum Regnum Tiperia*), is a federal ecclesiastical absolute monarchy in Anterra. Tiperyn consists of 6 duchies and 3 overseas dominions under the rule of Empress Artemia II of the Highal Royal Family. With approximately 79,588,100 inhabitants, Tiperyn is the Nth largest nation in the world by population. Tiperyn’s political and economic capital of Hawkreath is also its largest metropolis, hosting approximately 11.5 million people. Other large population centers and industrial hubs include Stallings, Lodestone, and Firehaven.

The Holy Tiperyn Realm traces its lineage to the union of the 6 warring duchies that not compose modern day Tiperyn into the Tiperyn Empire. This union was codified by the signing of the Stallings Concordant on 5 December 1345 - a peace treaty that ended the House Wars and solidified the House of Highal of Hawkreath as the region's dominant monarch. The present form of the Holy Realm was constituted in 1566 with the incorporation of the Ecclesiast Church into the royal government. Emperor Auren I replaced his court's public magistrates with religious officials - a system that mirrors the modern Council of Cardinals - to garner favor from the state's Christian elites, consolidate power, and maintain the approval of Tiperyn's largely Ecclesiast Anglan population. Tiperyn became a global empire, establishing 4 overseas colonies between 1699 and 1731. These colonies, which had been established by missionaries originating from but largely unaffiliated with the national Tiperyn government, formally became part of the Holy Tiperyn Realm on 22 October 1732 under the Acts of Dominion. Today, 3 territories remain under the jurisdiction of the Tiperyn crown and are administered by military governors and officers of the Royal Legion.

Power within Tiperyn is divided between two distinct categories: the royal family and the Ecclesiast Church. As an absolute monarchy, Empress Artemia II acts as Tiperyn's highest power and national symbol. Artemia II ascended to the throne after the death of her father, Emperor Magnus I, on 10 February 2002. Artemia II acts as Tiperyn's head of state and head of government and the *ex officio* head of the Ecclesiast Church. Princes and Princesses of Hawkreath are the Empress' immediate blood relatives and form a line of succession for the throne. At this time, Abraham XI holds the office of High Prince and is next in line for accession. Individuals duchies are administered by Dukes and Duchesses appointed by the Empress, but remain subservient to the crown in Hawkreath. Meanwhile, matters of imperial governance are executed through the Council of Cardinals - a council of ordained dignitaries nominated by the Empress who oversee the ministries of government. The Council of Cardinals is chaired by the Archbishop of Hawkreath - currently Cain Lowham - who also acts as the *de facto* religious leader of the Ecclesiast Church, overseeing its operation and the implementation of the Holy Law. Through this system, much of the crown's federal power is delegated to the Church and religious officials draft and execute the majority of the government's policy. Although the monarch is able to overrule any decision made by her cardinals and their ministries, this is rare due to the need to maintain support of the Church.