Tavaniri Empire

The **Tavaniri Empire** or **Tavaniria** is a large imperial sovereignty in Eastern Arzodium. It is bordered by the Republic of Albia to the north, the Asyrun Barrens to the west, a small portion of Okeumi to the southwest, the Nafei Empire to the south, and the Gyrum Ocean to the east. It is lead by The Empress in the year 297 AG.

## Background

The Tavaniri Empire was formed after a brutal conflict between several Eastern Arzodium kingdoms.

After the opening of the Underworld Gate, the Tavaniri Inquisition was the main driving force in pushing the demonic forces back. While the Tavaniri Inquisition and the Tavaniri military attempted incursions into the Underworld Gate itself, none of these attempts bore any significant gains.

Eight years after the opening of the Underworld Gate, the Devil's Blossoms prevented any further attempts to destroy or seal the Underworld Gate. The Tavaniri Empire established the Evenweld Pact to contain the Underworld Gate.

## Society

The majority of the Tavaniri Empire's inhabitants are humans. Although non-humans do indeed inhabit sections of the empire, most are seen as being below the native human population. Taxes are imposed on all Tavaniri citizens in exchange for protection from banditry, animals, demons, and other nations. Ever since the opening of the Underworld Gate, the empire has developed a very prejudiced view of magic users.

Imperial nobles have their own opinions of governing their states and this has led to differing societal norms within the different Imperial states. Some Tavanirian states have been known to be more accepting of non-humans, or in even rarer cases, magic users.

## Structure

The Tavaniri Empire is an Imperial sovereignty composing of a legislative and executive branch. The executive branch, composed of the Tavaniri imperial monarch, holds absolute power in matters of the nation. The legislative branch is made up of sixteen lords and ladies that govern specific sections of the Tavaniri Empire. These nobles appoint representatives to sit in their stead in the Imperial capital, relaying opinions and advice to the monarch.

Imperial nobles have access to their own private armies, and generally have different attitudes in their policies within their states. This has led to infighting between nobles, but is generally curbed by the imperial monarch, the Imperial military, or the Imperial Inquisition.

## Relationships with other sovereignties

### Republic of Albia

The Tavaniri Empire was initially cautious of recognizing Albia, as the Republic's new ideals could potentially have threatened the empire's ideals and political structure. However, upon the opening of the Underworld Gate, Albia was quick to provide military support in the Tavaniri Empire's retaliatory strikes against Underworld forces. During the formation of the Evenweld Pact, the Republic of Albia was the second nation to sign the document, after the Tavaniri Empire.

Both nations maintain an embassy in the other nation's capital.

### Elven Kingdom

While elves do in fact experience racism in the Tavaniri Empire such as the derogatory 'knife ear' slur, elves do experience the least amount of racism compared to the other nonhuman races of Arzodium. The Elven Kingdom is often referred to as the "Sidhe Kingdom" and diplomatic relations are generally lukewarm.

### Human Crown

Often referred to as "The Crown" or "The False Crown." Most Tavanirians believe full and well that The Empress is the rightful leader of humanity. While the Human Crown is recognized as a sovereign state for the purposes of diplomacy, most Imperial nobles believe that it is a weak monarchy to be eventually crushed by the empire.

## Military

The Imperial military is divided into three subsections: the Imperial Army, the Imperial Navy, and the Imperial Inquisition.