Manûlo Dynasty

马努洛

The imperial ensign of the Manûlo Dynasty.

The **Manûlo Dynasty**, officially known as the **Great Manûlo Dynasty**, was a country in the south-eastern continent. It was the first Western Zhanun Dynasty & the oldest ancestor of the modern Zhanun state. Whilst its culture was relatively primitive compared to modern standards, it stood as a beacon of southern culture & opportunity until its succession in the 3rd century AZM.

## Etymology

The name Manûlo originates from the Manûlo family, a small tribe which was one of the first to cross from the Gāofēng into the valleys of the Héliú River. The dynasty was the first to declare itself 'Great', which stood as the cultural symbol in Zhanun culture. This term meant that they stood as the main, largest or representative state in the region, which in turn gave them the role of protecting the others, even those who were not integrated into their territory.

## History

### Early History

Following the Zhanun Migration into the Héliú Valley, the Manûlo came to settle in two isolated patches which would eventually evolve into the capital & second-largest city in the country. These two cities, Chéngqiáng & Sēnlín, would be the basis by which the dynasty was founded in 2 AZM (After Zhanun Migration).

Early on, the dynasty grew much attention to itself following the conquest of the tribes in the far north of the valley. Those they did not conquer they eventually coerced into signing protectorate deals which gave the dynasty near absolute power of the land. This conquest was then followed on by another sweep through the south in 12 AZM which brought it to the borders it would stand it for the remainder of its existence.

### Decline & Succession

Following the cementing of its power by the end of the 1st century AZM, the dynasty stagnated in both population, expansion & relevancy. This stagnation compared to the states around it led to the state being preyed upon by those around them, using the inner political instability to sow seeds of rebellion that would crumble the dynasty from the inside.

The most famous of these was the founding of the Western Wastiôn Dynasty (which would eventually come to inherit the dynasty's territory) in 152 AZM, which forced the Manûlo to near collapse, holding itself from the brink by bringing their tight net of protectorate networks into a single Zhanun confederation, which the Wastiôn managed while the dynasty itself dealt with family infighting following the death of its patriarch & second emperor in 167. In order to hold the state together, Emperor Manûlo Arn made the Wastiôn matriarch Zand his concubine following his coronation as emperor the same year.

The dynasty continued to decline during the 3rd century AZM, especially after the emperor's children were deemed by his advisors too ill to inherit the throne. And with no relatives deemed close enough to continue the Manûlo name, Arn selected Wastiôn Zand as his heir. He eventually succumbed to a cancerous disease in 243, & the Western Wastiôn Dynasty inherited the lands of the Zhanun Confederation, declaring themselves the Great Wastiôn Dynasty.

## Government

The government of the Manûlo Dynasty was an absolute monarchy, where all affairs of the state must be passed through the head of state for ratification.

**Emperor/Empress -** The Emperor/Empress was the head of state. In government, the Emperor had near absolute power, getting the final say on laws, pardons, judicial sentences, honorary distinctions, among other things. The Advisory Council & Provincial Council were both headed by them.

**Emperor/Empress' Concubine -** In Zhanun culture, especially among the upper class, it is more custom to never be officially married to your significant other. Hence, the Concubine acted as more as a deputy to the head of state, yet while the Emperor/Empress is available held no true political power.

**Advisory Council -** The Advisory Council was comprised of the Emperor's most trusted individuals, tasked with giving advice on decisions made by the Emperor before they are ratified. The Advisory Council was made up of 8 members.

**Provincial Council -** The Provincial Council was comprised of the leaders of the provinces of the Confederation. They acted more as a 'Lower Council' that addressed issues and request decisions be made by the Emperor. The Provincial Representatives acted as voices for the people to the sovereign, who may fulfil their requests.