The People's Happy Utopia

If the title feels off... yes.

File:Utopia.png

## **Patriotism and Penury**

The People’s Happy Utopia is a nation of extreme wealth, and extreme poverty. The wealth sits in the pockets of the despotic King Bae, and his vast court of squabbling, ambitious civil servants. The rest of the population form an impoverished underclass, constantly subjected to propaganda about Utopia’s greatness.

## An Empire of Greed

The People’s Happy Utopia has always been an empire built on avarice and inequality. Funded around 300 years ago by legendary figure Emperor Ji, who forged local city states together through brilliant diplomacy and tactical force, Utopia developed a reputation for strict social hierarchy and ruthless punishment of transgressors. The gradual descent into absolute oppression and tyranny, however, reached new depths with the enthronement of King Bae in 1037AS.

Bae was one among 18 sons of the late king Farry, and he took the position through the wiles of his advisor Malvarzand. Malvarzand was a Herald of Midnight, a mysterious entity seemingly motivated only by destruction. It has been theorized he put Bae in power due to the damage he would cause. Thoroughout its rampage, the Sorrow never struck within Utopia’s borders, and Utopia exploited the chaos to invade many of its neighbours, massively expanding its borders. When the Sorrow was defeated, Malvarzand exploded into smoke, but King Bae remained.

King Bae is a whining, entitled monster. The entire country has been turned to the purpose of fulfilling his every whim. Huge sections of the country are set aside for royal hunting reserves, royal orchards, royal palaces and all manner of constructions, which only the royal family may use. What King Bae wants, he gets.

At the centre of the nation’s capital of Ji sits the Crystal Palace, an enormous structure surrounded by eight towering spires, a wall running between each spire. The central palace is reserved for the royal family and Bae’s most important trusted advisors. The 8 towers are packed with civil servants, all of whom are constantly vying for power and royal favour. Each tower fulfils a different role, and the higher your ranking, the higher your quarters. There is an entire tower assigned to Utopian Acquisitions, the government agency tasked with acquiring anything King Bae wants from outside Utopia’s borders, and founded on his behalf. Utopian Acquisitions is competent and ruthless.

## Everyone loves King Bae (or else)

Utopia frames itself, shockingly, as a Utopia for its people. Its inhabitants are blasted constantly with propaganda about how lucky, wealthy and virtuous Utopia is, and how barbaric, evil and poor all other nations are. Information is strictly regulated. Inhabitants are barred from leaving their local region, and certainly from leaving the country, and most external trade happens at the border, with only a few licenced merchants able to travel the country freely.

King Bae is venerated. All citizens have a picture of him in their home, and must pay homage daily. Tales are told in school of his strength, wisdom and kindness. Burning or defacing an image of King Bae, even accidentally, is grounds to lose the offending limb, and only if you get an exceptionally kind militia magistrate will it stop there.

Most regional enforcement is handled by local militias, who receive slightly better conditions then everyone else. Utopia also has a large uniformed military, the Royal Army, who brutally crush any organized resistance. Nevertheless, such uprisings do erupt sporadically, especially in recently conquered territories, or when the famines get particularly bad.

When Utopians do leave their country, as they are occasionally licensed to do, they usually keep or wear an image of the beloved King Bae. Where the image is displayed on clothing, amour or the inside of a shield, you are expected to prevent it from being struck.

* artwork of king bae here (when we get one)