Orlae

Flag of Orlae

The Orleasian Empire, more commonly referred to as Orlae, is a constitutional monarchy primarily on the continent of Valroe, but has holdings within the boarders of Karandor. Orlae, since its founding, has always been ruled by an Emperor or Empress, all descending from the De La Croix bloodline.

## Geography

### Blackthunder Bay

Blackthunder Bay is a stretch of water that separates the majority of Karandor from Valroe, up to a land bridge in the north. On the Orlaesian said of the bay, the coastline is considered fairly flat grassland, with fairly high cliffs overlooking the bay. Blackthunder Isle, within the bay itself, is mountainous, with a small amount of rolling hills.

* **L'Rennberge:** A city known from its fishing industry on the east coast of Blackthunder Island.
* **Marsfaire:** A coastal fort that has expanded into a small city on the northern shore of Blackthunder Island.
* **Orleaux:** The capital of Orlae.
* **Pariavoir:** A naval city that has the capability to cut-off Millwood from the ocean to the south.
* **Romage:** A city on the westernmost point of Valroe with an expansive dockyard to make naval ships.

## History

### Formation

Originally two tribes, one Human and one High Elf, settled the western coast of Valroe, in the locations that would go on to be Pariavoir and Romage, and would become the ancestors of modern Orlae. The two tribes, small on their own, feared for their safety and crafted an alliance, whereby they would aid each other in times of war. The Human tribe, the Orle, were fierce warriors and great horse tamers. Meanwhile, the High Elf tribe, the Aux, were cunning and wise by nature. Together, they fended off their neighbouring tribes and claimed more land for their own. Eventually, seeing themselves as the dominant force within the land, their tribal leaders married their sons and daughters together; cementing a lasting alliance. The festivities were held at what is modern day Orleaux. So inspired by their act of kinship, both tribes migrated mass amounts of their people to the ceremonial location and founded the city of Orleaux, and the nation of Orlae.

These events are believed to have taken place during the period of time referred to as the Zero Era (0E).

### Expansion and Conquest

During the early parts of the First Era (1E), Orlae started to look for outwards conquest under the rule of Emperor Guillaux De La Croix. The armies of Orlae, referred to as the Chevaliers, ventured eastwards, further into Valroe. Their armies overwhelmed the newly formed nations and tribes of Valroe, using a mix of Human tenacity and Elven cunning.

Their conquests ended some 150 years later, upon the death of Emperor Guillaux De La Croix. His eldest daughter, the now Empress Deline De La Croix, stop the advance and stabilized the region. This increased the wealth of those who Orlae had relied on for financial benefit during that expansion.

### Class Division and Political Backstabbing

Although the financial boom and stabilization of the Empire was overall a benefit to Orlae, it formed a large class divide between the working class and the nobility. The incoming wealth that Orlae was brining it, along with integration of its conquered people in their society, ultimately led to the near entire disappearance of the middle class. The other changes to Orlaesian society that came from this rush of currency, have had lasting effects on society that are still staples and parts of modern day Orlae life.

During the reign of Empress Deline De La Croix the concerns and lives of the upper and noble class continually became more and more removed from the working class and what little remained of the middle class. Trends, still seen in modern day Orlae, were founded in this period of time. The nobility gained an extreme penchant for high fashion. Both men and women started to wear cosmetics of various kinds, with subtle differences that indicate social standing. In public, the upper classes took to wearing elaborate masks. These are hereditary and identify one's family almost as uniquely as the heraldry on a crest. Servants would also wear masks in public, although these would be much simpler, and far less elaborate as their masters', with the purpose of merely indicating the noble household they serve. These cosmetic traditions are a staple of modern Orlae society.

Whilst the royal family remained untouchable, the nobility knew that they needed to vie for positioning to have the best chance of marrying the next Emperor or Empress. This part of Orlaesian society is still as vicious and marked by fawning envy to the powerful today as it was back then. Every noble is looking for a way to stab another in the back for their own gain. This led to the rise of bards in Orlae being used as spies. Bards often entertain nobles in their courts despite their roles as spies, assassins and saboteurs for their employers, who are usually other nobles. Nobles welcome such entertainers with full knowledge that any could be there to put a dagger in their back; the thrill of trying to outwit their opponents is nearly impossible for an Orlaesian noble to resist.

### Continued Poor Treatment of the Common Folk

The lives of Orlaesian nobility may give the impression that life is easy and prosperous for all. However, the lives of commoners are often much more difficult, while many aspire to the lives of the noble class. Many Orlaesians are hardly well-to-do and work as freeholders, or else labourers on another's property, often leading to general discontent and simmering resentment. For a class of people with little besides belief in their gods, this discontent still causes friction with those seen as having unfair privileges or else upsetting their routine or religious beliefs. Furthermore, Orlaesian commoners are at the mercy of the nation's needs in a way that the nobility are not. During wartimes, press gangs led by the nobility commonly force Orlaesian peasants into military service, willingly or not. Those who are not conscripted may be left starving by the demands of the army or else taken as slaves by opportunistic bandits. Additionally, the chevaliers are allowed great liberties with commoners.

## Politics

Although Orlae is overseen by an Emperor or Empress, and the Herald Council has the power to overrule any decision of granting titles to a noble or common folk. For in Orlae, land is exclusively owned by the upper class and nobility. Although the De La Croix family is not seen as having a right to rule by a god, there is never a notion of rebellion against the system of power, due to those with a small amount of power and status being too involved with keeping it, or gunning for more. For the many people outside the noble classes, there is the aspiration to become part of the ranked nobility, or at least to be in the good graces of well-placed and important nobles within Orlae's political game.

Anyone within the upper and noble classes are heavily involved with politics, and even if a noble did not want to be involved, they have little choice. For like as a noble in Orlae, is politics. Everyone is attempting to save face, or put a dagger in someone's back; although no one would ever act themselves. Most, if not all, of the politics in Orlae is run by bards, hired by one noble to spy on another, or dispose of a particularly troublesome adversary. Although the Herald Council holds the majority of the political power in Orlae, it is considered to be most dangerous to be on the council; it is akin to painting a target on your back.

### Chevaliers

Many of the noble families within Orlae trace their heritage back to the original Chevaliers. The training of the chevaliers is legendarily harsh, but instils within the knights fierce discipline and respect for their code of honour. The honour of a chevalier has greater value to them than that of their own lives, and as such, the penalty for dishonour is death. Though a high price, it is one that is welcomed by any chevalier who has failed the order. While they are held in adoration by the upper classes, considered amongst the best of all soldiers, the commoners fear the Chevaliers because they hold absolute power over commoners and are above legal reproach, leading to sometimes brutal abuses of power against those who have none.

### The Political Game

Often referred to as "The Game", it refers to the perpetual competition for influence and esteem between the nobles and upper classes of Orlae. Every Orlaesian of noble birth is subject to their peers' manipulation, if not as a player, then as a pawn.

The goal of the game is to gain personal prestige, reputation, and patronage, and its "rules" are as simple as "don't get caught." Nobles often employ assassins or, more often, bards to accomplish these goals. Social engineering is also important in this aspect of the culture in Orlae; dress, makeup, trendiness, and social engagements are important tools to further oneself in the game.

While those outside of Orlae often assume the lower classes view the Game with contempt, the truth is that even the lower classes do their best to play. While the Game does seemingly offer a means for social mobility through an accumulation of wealth and patronage —with the ultimate aim of a title— the chances of this happening are in reality very slim. The game's illusion of meritocracy gives commoners faint hope for better, which is enough to keep the poor preoccupied and the rich in power.

### Foreign Relations

Centuries of expansionist behaviour has contributed to Orlae having sour relations with its neighbours to the east. To the west, they have minimal contact politically, as the northern land bridge between Valroe and Karandor falls outside their realm. However, there is always tension between them and the Kingdom of Eastfall, due to Orlae having the capability to cut them off from the southern sea.