Golden Empire

The **Golden Empire** is an ancient empire that dominates the habitable realm of Izdath. It is east of Clamund and has extensive ties to both it and the new colonies in Ikin. The Empire is dominated by three Sultanates; with the Sultanate of Yatt, and the ancient city of Yatt being the seat of power for the Golden Emperor and the Golden Council. The lands of the Golden Empire are arid in nature; with the foot of the Bretar mountain ranges marking the arid deserts beyond which is dominated by Khisal Emirate. The Empire is also home to two of the worlds greatest works of material prowess including the Tower of Yamar and the ancient Golden City of Yatt.

The Golden Empire harks a proud legacy of worldwide trade as their ships go as far as Ikin and the Yatzao Shogunate far to the south. The extensive trade monopoly that the merchants of the Golden Empire attain means that they can acquire a vast collection of exotic goods to trade with each of their major destinations. Its tight control on commerce between the continents enforced by their massive naval armada means that they control the overseas trade market by a considerable portion, dwarfing even the mercantile strength of Midheim. Many observers speculate that the Golden Empire is the richest empire in the entire world.

The Golden Empire's armies are extensive and experienced as Izdath is not a stranger to sporadic and violent conflict between the kingdoms. From its organized and adventurous Marines to the relatively new and mysterious musketeers, the empire incorporated all aspects of their sultanate's and expatriates that they can acquire, forming varied and odd armies at one time.

The Empire's aptitude for naval supremacy was born from an extensive history of piracy, especially among the Sultans of Yatt and Salifal. Piracy continues to be an issue across the coasts of Ikin, Izdath and Clamund as corsairs harry merchant ships and often get into clashes with Jarldom pirates deep in the Griffen Sea. Izdath Corsairs often bring firearms with them on raids given them a serious advantage compared to the crossbows and bows of Jarl pirates, but more often than not, corsairs are often defeated or cast-away after a severe storm leading to adventurers or victorious crews to attain such an unknown piece of technology. These corsairs are often hired by the Golden Empire to serve as privateers to maintain trade route security and to conduct raids on hostile coasts. It is not unknown for corsairs to fight alongside Imperial marines, especially during expeditions into Ikin where colonists from Clamund often come into contact with the Golden Empire.

## History

The History of the Golden Empire can be traced just before the beginning of the common date in 1000 BC as squabbling city states formed across the Izdath continent fighting a constant struggle of local dominance. Unlike the reign of the wizard kings, Izdath was run by a collection of corrupt and powerful petty lords ruling through fear rather than pure magical might. It was not until the establishment of the city of Yatt in 550 BC that allowed the dominance of the city state of Yatt to slowly conquer north of their lands, holding Apaethia for a brief period but losing control after the dangerous conditions of its jungle and locals.

### 1000BC-550BC - Petty Lord Era

The importance of Izdath would begin during the subduing of the mountain clans along the Kozar Expanse as the lords from small and petty cities across the empire fought amongst one another and against the locals unaligned with the city states. The Kozar nomad tribes were an issue for many Izdath petty lords that sprung up the need to form these cities which gave way to one of the first ever recorded cities in history. The city of Abu-Hushun claims this title, but many cities such as Jalazar and Yokohoma claim it as well. This formation of petty cities gave rise to a level of centralization never seen in Izdath, which would soon lead to the formation of the Golden City of Yatt.

### 550BC- The Golden City of Yatt Founded

Upon finding a suitable plot of jungle situated between two great conjoining rivers, several colonists originating from the city of Jalazan under strict contract of the foundling merchant societies at the end of the Lake Jalazan founded the city of Yatt. The great city of Yatt grew quickly under the quick flow of merchants and commerce and it soon became apparent that Yatt would be a thriving city. By 400BC, Yatt had grown to become one of the most profitable and rich trading cities in the world. Yatt would soon gain its golden title shortly after the creation of the Sultanate of Yatt after Kozar Humas, the great sultan of the Kozar Dynasty, awarded his firstborn son the lands and titles associated with it.

### 500-230BC - Dynastic Conquest of Izdath

After settling the chiefs and lords of both the Sultanate of Yatt and the Kozar dynasty, both kingdoms formed together in a dynastic union by marrying the great great granddaughter of Kozar Humas with the leading figurehead of the Golden City of Yatt, the Golden Sultan known as Sultan Ja'al Jomar. The union was everlasting and the marriage led to the union of both lands under the rule of Ja'al Jomar; who became known as the first Golden Emperor after fighting in a short dynastic conflict with claimants to Kozar land. The War of the Jaguar would be the first and only conflict that lasted the year 276BC which saw the forces of Yatt beat a combined force of Kozar tribes and warbands led by a confederation of Kozar, Jolzar, Gaulzar and Puulzar chieftains and lords.

After a decade of settling the lands from the unrest caused by rebellion, the Golden Empire would become stable enough to initiate plans to invade their final territory; The Sultanate of Salifal. In the year 240BC, a sizable force led by Ja'al Tumair, son of Ja'al Jomar, marched into the the sultanate and led a 6 year campaign of looting and rampage as his golden army started in the coastal town of Fanatar, looting across the coast until they reached the borders of the Khisal Emirates. The Sultanate of Salifal was forced to surrender and dissolve their rule in favor of the Golden Empire in the year 235BC, the rest of the decade was spent settling noble disputes and local rebellions in response to the empire's conquest.

### 200BC - Formation of the Golden Empire

The true formation of the Golden Empire was commemorated in the year 200BC following a royal delegation of all lords, sultans and notables of the empire's territory in a unique celebration which assured the allegiances of all parties in solidarity. A royal feast, followed by weeks of celebration and parties reigned in the Golden City of Yatt for over a month as prosperity was at an all time high for nobles and common folk alike.

### 100BC - Decline of the Petty Lords

The reign of the petty lords across the Golden Empire was a blaring problem considering that most titles that were created were made in unfair and uncertain conditions prior to the formation of the Golden Empire. Although most of the petty lords were tolerating the rule of the empire, it was apparent that some secretly desired to return back to the chaotic times of Izdath prior to the Empire. Because of these rumors, the Golden Emperor Kaal Calavar underwent a period of unrest as he raised a personal branch of the military known as the Golden Band; a loyalist force of fanatical fighters that roamed the empire, judging the loyalty and heritage of each and every landed noble in the lands and determining whether they kept their title, or if they were disposed; their lands being given to the Emperor to either disperse among promising new noble families or to empower loyal nobles by increasing the amount of land they owned. Overall, the entire schism lasted a year, with over several dozen petty lords being deposed of their title whether that be forcefully or by hefty bribery back to a private citizen lifestyle.

### 0-100 - Colonization of Clamund

Word of a new continent to the west had reached the Golden Empire by the turn of the millennium as explorers tell of a place dominated by strange half men and powerful magic users who assert their dominance over a large group of essentially slaves. The Golden Empress, upon hearing this interesting development, funded several expeditions under several merchant companies in order to assert foreign dominance. Although most of the expeditions would return with no communication; either assumed to have perished in the new lands or might've been lost at sea, a single expedition had managed to establish a small colony at the mouth of a great inlet which soon led to a fertile and flat area which soon became the city of Midheim. After the year 100, little communication was exchanged between the empire and the city leading to the slashing of colonial efforts.

Despite this setback, much materials were exchanged in the 60 or so years that was spent exchanging supplies for precious materials such as silver, iron and gold, bolstering the Empire's wealth considerably as Izdath largely relies on the use of copper, tin and bronze.

### 100-400 - Age of Prosperity

After the prosperous years of the Midheim colony as well as a colony fleet returning from mystic lands of the Yatzao Shogunate, the Golden Empire fell upon several decades of trading success as merchant ships from across the world regulated special goods as Imperial merchants held special monopoly over the trade of specific goods shared between Izdath, Clamund and Xhishun. This overruling power dominated the global trade and for many years, the Golden Empire prospered from a successful trade system.

Some wars were fought between the Empire's neighbors as the Sultanate of Apaethia and the Sultanate of Solzar both attempted to invade the lands of the Golden Empire with little success as war persisted. the Sultanate of Solzar in 333 attempted a naval invasion of the city of Jalazan with the use of mercenaries and royal marines but failed in the attempt as a warband of Gaulzar warriors were camped outside of the city and helped at the critical moment of the siege, initially taking a neutral stance on the conflict before changing heart last minute.

## People and Society

Imperial Culture has been well-maintained over the centuries that the Empire has persisted. Most Imperial citizens have a proud history of their allegiance to their superiors as well as a fervent desire for its existence as the empire has a proud history of being faithful and less taxing on their citizens, leading to more prosperous middle classmen and a content lower class. Although possessing a large part of the continent of Izdath, the Golden Empire has also incorporated plenty of local cultures who are unique when compared with other parts of the empire; seeing how a Kozar hetman is vastly different compared to a Yattish lord merchant, there exists many vibrant cultures within the empire.

For the majority, many cultures within the Golden Empire encompass largely a population with bronze and brown skin with black hair and beards, with people from the Kozar lands being lighter in nature and sometimes having brown hair. Many languages are spoken in the Empire, such as Kozakk, Yattish, and Yu'pal, but universally, all nobles and notables are required to learn Zalam, a language well spoken among ancient merchants who historically traded with territories that encompass the empire.

Justice,

Jobs,

Marriage,

Continental Relations,

Coins,

## Military

Military within the Golden Empire is by far one of the most advanced and ambitious within Izdath and perhaps the world. Evolving from the simpler tactics of tribal warfare; which excelled at nothing aside from fulfilling a cultural need, Imperial tactics involved the heavy use of tribal horse archers, which evolved into an infantry focused army which soon utilized the mass-use of firearms as its introduction in the year 1000 allowed for common foot soldiers to understand and use this new technology. Military culture is a proud tradition for some sultans considering that the Empire relies heavily on the assistance of feudal obligations and some sultans produce more fighting soldiers than others as a sign of respect and martial prowess to the Golden Emperor. For the better part of Golden Imperial history, the common Imperial army can be divided into three notable sections.

The best of Imperial troops consist of palace guards, personal retainers and household warriors loyal to the most richest sultans and lords, their equipment varies but most are armed with bronze weapons and armour. Some richer warriors may also come to battle on horse, but the use of the horse for heavily armed warriors would not evolve until 300 as they were used in earlier history to simply taxi their rider into battle to dismount before entering combat. The importance of better armed troops often determined the outcome of battles as their armour and often weapons dominated and bested the local technology of bronze and copper armed levies.

Lesser armed warriors usually encompass the tribal auxiliaries and numerous sources of levies across the empire. For the most part, tribal warriors come from the lands of the Kozar dynasty as most of the horse lords of the dynasties actively practice both foot and horse combat; usually divided among foot and horse tribes. Horse warriors usually come to battle adorned with tribal regalia and traditional clothing, feigning charges only to shoot short bows and slings into enemy formations. Levies are usually derived from the many towns and cities across the empire in droves. Foot tribes often were equipped sparsely and inadequately as hetmen often delegated favored equipment upon respected members of the tribe, leaving the majority of warriors to simply use short copper weapons and cloth armour. Levies are usually always poorly equipped and may sometimes consist of indentured slaves armed with farming implements and simple spears, adding to their uncertainty in battle as nothing notable could be made from the largest portion of the Imperial army. Depending on the time and prosperity of the empire, levies could often be given armour in the form of layered cloth or even boiled leather.

Firearms are a new piece of technology in military use, but has been around for almost 300 years among nobles and sultans as the technology of firearms was largely used by palace guards and while hunting as a firearm made a perfect tool to take down elephants and lions. After its introduction to the wider Imperial army, regiments of musketeers were often formed out of those trained to use an arquebus, usually taken form multiple cities and towns. These regiments were often given an arquebus and some powder to fight and for the most part, their effectiveness on the battlefield was used during the Golden Emperor rebellion following the large arms race to equip a large amount of levies to utilize the technology. What came from this arms race was one of the most terrible casualty counts of any war on Izdath as many battles largely devolved into line battles of levies firing arquebus into enemy formations with little chance of melee encounters lest the powder ran dry. After the rebellion, arquebusiers became an important part of an Imperial army as their tactics were used to demoralize an army and to rapidly eliminate them from afar. So far, this tactic has proven to beat almost any counter as heavy armour is useless against them and although inaccurate, an entire regimental volley can very easily route an army.

Magic is rarely used in combat in the Golden Empire as court wizards never utilized combat spells. Combat mainly was delegated on the common man, especially as the rise of firearms allowed for more ranged combat to dominate the battlefield. Combat spells were seemingly outdated and underpowered as it required mass amounts of mental fortitude unlike arquebus, which required only a minute to fire and reload.