Ursholia

Ursholia, The Froststeel Dominion, sits within the Far North of Terra.

## Overview

In the desolate, frozen, northern expanses of Ursholia, a Techno-Barbarian Empire shrouded in the echoes of the Long Dark, a cold and oppressive regime reigns over a landscape scarred by the remnants of forgotten technological glory. The ruling elite, clad in heavy, fur-lined coats adorned with symbols of archaic power, control the sprawling territories with an iron fist. Ursholia's rulers hoard the remnants of ancient technological wonders, relics of a bygone era when machines and industry dominated the landscape. Cold fusion reactors and cybernetic enhancements, relics from the Golden Age of Humanity, are coveted treasures, albeit poorly understood by their current holders. The people live in the shadow of towering, decaying monuments of forgotten progress, surrounded by the eerie hum of dormant machinery that has long since lost its purpose.

Pervasive bureaucracy strangles the aspirations of the population. Citizens navigate a labyrinthine network of regulations and surveillance, their every move scrutinized by a web of informants and enforcers. The rulers maintain control through fear and manipulation, using the threat of exile to the frozen wastelands or worse, the mysterious and oppressive *"Reclamation Centers."*

The Tsariat rulers of Ursholia are distant figures, both physically and emotionally. From their frigid palaces high above the Spires, they issue decrees that echo across the tundra, and their images are plastered on propaganda posters portraying stoic determination. The citizens, bundled in layers of insulated clothing, trudge through icy streets, their breath freezing in the air as they whisper about the enigmatic leaders who seem more machine than human. This same propaganda, disseminated through antiquated loudspeakers and holo-displays, glorifies the past achievements of Ursholia and instills fear of the unknown beyond its borders. Images of heroes from a forgotten time and the omnipresent eye of the state are ever-present reminders of the consequences of dissent. The people are taught to revere the technological relics as symbols of national pride, even as they struggle in the shadow of towering machines left dormant for centuries.

The Lowland Cities that surround the Spires, once thriving hubs of industry, now stand as spectral monuments to a time long past. Frozen in time and covered in a perpetual layer of snow, they serve as a stark contrast to the labor camps scattered across the icy wilderness. Prisoners toil ceaselessly, attempting to unlock the secrets of the ancient technology or extract resources from the frozen earth under the watchful eyes of automated sentinels.

## Civil Hierarchy

### The Tsariat

At the pinnacle of Ursholian society stand the Tsariat, rulers whose authority is shrouded in mystique and inherited from a lineage of perceived divine right. These ruling technocrats control the remnants of advanced technology and govern with an iron fist, perpetuating the traditions of the old world while manipulating the enigmatic relics of the past to maintain their grip on power.

### The Boyars of the Reactor Courts

Directly beneath the Tsariat are the Boyars, a hereditary class of nobles who oversee the various Reactor Courts scattered across the frozen expanse. Each Boyar commands a specific territory, maintaining order through a combination of technological prowess and military might. Their loyalty is secured through a delicate balance of rewards and threats, ensuring the continued dominance of the ruling elite.

### The Seryi Deti - Gray Children

Named after the desolate landscapes and the somber colors of their attire, the Seryi Deti form the middle class of Ursholian society. Comprising skilled technicians, engineers, and bureaucrats, they serve the Boyars in various capacities. While not part of the ruling elite, the Seryi Deti enjoy certain privileges, such as access to education and limited technological comforts, in exchange for their unwavering loyalty and service to the upper echelons.

### The Serfs of the Frostlands

At the bottom of the social hierarchy lie the Serfs, toiling in the frozen fields, extracting resources from the icy ground, and maintaining the crumbling infrastructure. Bound to the land and subject to the whims of the Boyars, the Serfs eke out a meager existence, their lives marked by hardship and the constant struggle for survival in the unforgiving cold. They are the backbone of Ursholia, enduring the brunt of labor in the name of the ruling elite.

### The Exiles of the Permafrost

Beyond the traditional class structure, a shadowy and mysterious group known as the Exiles exists. Those deemed threats to the stability of Ursholia or those who have failed to conform to societal expectations are banished to the permafrost wastes, left to fend for themselves against the elements and the lurking dangers of the frozen wilderness. Exiles are both outcasts and potential threats, their survival a constant challenge against the backdrop of an icy exile.

## Spire-Cities

### The Ural Cluster

Nestled in the rugged, snow-covered peaks of the Western Ural Mountains, The Citadel of Ursholia stands as the heart of the Techno-Barbarian Empire. A massive, imposing structure crafted from ancient blackened steel and adorned with intricate, weathered spires, the Citadel dominates the landscape. It is a labyrinthine fortress-city, its corridors echoing with the distant hum of dormant machinery and the constant whisper of the icy winds that sweep through the mountain passes.

Within the Citadel's walls, the ruling elite of Ursholia resides in opulent chambers adorned with relics of the past. The air is thick with the scent of burning incense, and the dim light reveals tapestries depicting the glory of Ursholia's technological prowess. The people of the Ural Cluster, bundled against the biting cold, toil ceaselessly to maintain the Citadel's grandeur and extract the secrets hidden within its ancient chambers.

### The Shirbian Spire

At the heart of Ursholia, amidst the sprawling tundra, lies the Shirbian Spire—a cluster of cities appointed to extract vital resources for the empire. Towering spires rise from the frozen ground like skeletal fingers, their surfaces covered in a layer of frost and industrial grime. The air is filled with the constant clang of machinery and the rhythmic sounds of labor.

The inhabitants of the Shirbian Spire work tirelessly in the harsh conditions, clad in insulated suits, their breath visible in the frigid air. Massive drilling rigs puncture the icy ground, extracting valuable minerals and remnants of ancient technology. Conveyor belts transport the precious resources to vast processing plants, where workers, their faces obscured by respirators, labor in sync with the rhythmic thumping of the machinery.

In the center of the Shirbian Spire stands the Spire Nexus, a colossal structure that houses the ruling council overseeing resource extraction. The council's chambers overlook the vast industrial expanse, a reminder of their control over the lifeblood of Ursholia.

### The Yukos Cluster

Situated on the eastern frontier of Ursholia, the Yukos Cluster is a mysterious collection of Spire Cities that defy the expectations of the empire. Unlike the other spires, Yukos is shrouded in an eerie mist that clings to the ground year-round, obscuring the structures and lending an otherworldly atmosphere to the region.

The architecture of the Yukos Cluster is a stark departure from the utilitarian designs found in other spires. Towers adorned with intricate filigree and luminescent glyphs rise from the mist, creating an ethereal cityscape that seems to blend seamlessly with the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. Rumors abound that the inhabitants of Yukos have tapped into the arcane secrets of the Warp, infusing their technology with an esoteric energy that sets them apart from the rest of Ursholia.

Within the Yukos Cluster, scholars and mystics gather in hidden chambers to explore forbidden knowledge, and the air is thick with an unsettling energy that hints at a connection to the Warp. The ruling elite of Yukos are known as the Enigmancers, enigmatic figures who harness the unpredictable forces of the universe to further the interests of their enigmatic city-state, keeping the rest of Ursholia in suspense about their true intentions.

## The Glazok Guard

The Glazok Guard, the formidable military force of Ursholia, stands as a relentless bulwark against dissent and a symbol of the empire's militaristic might. Clad in heavy, insulated uniforms adorned with the iron sigils of Ursholia, the soldiers of the Glazok Guard are a chilling manifestation of both the technological legacy and the oppressive regime they serve.

Disciplined and Unyielding - The Glazok Guard is known across the Super-Continent for its unwavering discipline and unyielding resolve. Soldiers undergo rigorous training in the harsh conditions of the frozen wastelands, forging an indomitable spirit that allows them to endure the extreme cold and carry out their duties with ruthless efficiency.

Cold Fusion Arsenal - Armed with advanced weapon patterns salvaged from the Golden Age of Humanity, the Glazok Guard possesses a formidable array of cold fusion rifles, energy shields, and cybernetic enhancements. These tools, remnants of a technologically superior era, instill terror on the battlefield and reinforce the regime's message of absolute dominance.

Mechanized Infantry and Walker Units - The Glazok Guard boasts a mechanized infantry division, equipped with armored transports and assault vehicles that rumble through the icy terrain. Additionally, towering walker units, remnants of ancient war machines, stomp across the landscape, their cold fusion cannons ready to unleash devastating firepower upon any who dare challenge Ursholia's supremacy.

Propaganda Enforcers - Within the ranks of the Glazok Guard, there exists a specialized unit known as the "Propaganda Enforcers." Clad in black and silver armor, they are tasked with maintaining ideological purity and suppressing dissent. Armed with electro-prods and advanced interrogation and mental-subjugation tools, they strike fear into the hearts of those who would question the authority of Ursholia and her Tsariat.

Frozen March of the Glazok - The Glazok Guard conducts military parades through the icy streets of Ursholian Spires, a spectacle that sends shivers down the spines of onlookers. The synchronized marching of soldiers, the rhythmic clank of mechanized units, and the hum of dormant technology create an ominous symphony that echoes through the desolate urban landscapes.

Stern Leadership and Unquestioning Loyalty - Commanded by stern and calculating officers, the Glazok Guard operates under a code of absolute loyalty to Ursholia and its ruling elite. Dissent within the ranks is swiftly dealt with, reinforcing the idea that the Glazok Guard is not just a military force but a formidable instrument of the state's control.