Imperial Kovith

**Imperial Kovith**, known also as the **Kovithian Empire**, **Empire of Kovith**, or **Kovith** is an empire spanning a large portion of Western Maywikt as well as colonial holdings in Woedica. Based out of Oriannas and Greater Goth, the empire was founded during the Sunless Era under the rule of the first emperor, St. Orianna Orchtenbrück when she was the first mortal to take up arms against the demonic dreadlords. Culturally, the empire is based around the Kovithian culture of the Brytegoths, which is predominantly human and focuses a strong emphasis in its unique church. Over the course of history since the Sunless Era, the empire expanded from the traditional Gothic kingdoms to eventually be the largest empire in Maywikt since the fall of the Yormoth Empire.

## Imperial Kovith

The Gothic Peninsula region of Maywikt where the cultural center of Kovith is located.

## Geography

### Other names

* Kovithian Empire
* Empire of Kovith
* Kovith
* Western Goth
* Brytegoth

### Region

* Western Maywikt
* Based out of Gothic Peninsula

## Society

### Cultures

* Kovithian
* Neo-gothic
* Higardi
* Selusian
* Ogre Spirit Walker
* Silver Blade Nomad
* Albionfolk
* Sojourner
* Shield Clans
* Azunaiites
* Rapax

### Religions

* Kovithian Church
* Steam Priest faith
* Gods of the Land
* Goerwyr
* Selusian religion
* Rapax diabloism

## Commerce

### Imports

* Food
* Magic items
* Non-native food and drink
* Tea

### Exports

* Ale
* Aether
* Artisanal Goods
* Jewelry
* Manufactured Goods
* Medicine; especially accessibility goods
* Silver
* Technology
* Weapons

## Politics

### Notable organizations

* Church of Kovith
* Kovithian Inquisition
* Kovithian Legion

## History

### Preceded by

* Western Gothics, specifically Brytegoth

### Notable figures

* St. Orianna Orchtenbrück
* Caliban the False Prophet

## Geography

### Territories

The empire itself is born out of the area of Western Maywikt known as the Gothic Peninsula. Its capital, Oriannasburg straddles Greater Goth and Oriannas. The traditional Gothic Kingdoms is where the Kovithian culture is centered with Greater Goth and Oriannas being the most significant of the Gothic Kingdoms to exert influence on the Empire and its culture.

Centuries of conflict and conquest have caused the empire's territories to reach far throughout most of Western Maywikt.

#### The Gothic Kingdoms

The traditional homelands of Gothic people that Kovith was born from. This area is often referred to as the Gothic Peninsula or Western Goth. Foreigners often refer to this region solely as 'Kovith.'

* Greater Goth
* Lesser Goth
* Oriannas (also known as Brytegoth)
* Duchy of Dussel
* Mekkenheim (also known as Lunagoth)
* Kothin Coast
* Bladenfell
* Kyir
* Caliban's Folly
* Vvightenberg
* Curze
* Kraggenholdt
* Arkangelisk

#### Ogre Country

One of the earliest territorial holdings the Kovithian Empire acquired were the regions of Aragox and Zhor Vallon, which are often referred to as 'Ogre Country,' due to the nomadic Ogre warbands that called the region home, This territory was secured by Caliban the False Prophet when the Darkeaters of Kyir were still considered loyal to the Empire during the Mephisto Uprising of 2S 1255.

#### The Silver Mist

Imperial Kovith came into possession of the Silver Mist and the territory the Silver Blade Nomads call home as a result of the Silver Fang War, when a Silver Blade Nomad married the Emperor at the time and led to a legitimate Kovithian claim to the region.

**Neo-gothic States**

Not all of the Gothic peoples converted so easily to the newly established church at the end of the Sunless Era. In some instances, as was the case with House Moonshadow, they were branded heretics and either driven out or eliminated. The Knights of the Holy Storm have had a tenuous membership in the Kovithian Empire due to their unwavering faith in Goerwyr. The Knights, as a sort of buffer, allowed Urbochia to be established after in the aftermath of the Silver Fang War.

#### Albion

Despite Greater Albion remaining independent from Kovithian rule, conflicts in history have awarded Kovith with Greenspear, Grendwillow, and Briarwood.

#### Cumbria & Selusia

The divided regions of folk who claimed to be the successors of the Alfenheim proved easy conquest for the Kovithian war machine. These territories include:

* Kingdom of Cumbria
* Selusia
* Duchy of Velen
* the Nightglade
* Spelldoom
* Alusia
* Duchy of Archenium
* Kingdom of Antofaer

#### Higard

Currently, Imperial Kovith possess a portion of the Old Pashnew and Toadmoare regions.

#### Other Territories of note

* Kovithian Iycodust
* Rapax Rift
* Woedican Colonies

## Government

The Kovithian Empire is led by their emperor, which their faith also views as the living avatar of the god Kovar. This position is based down to their heir, who is believed to inherit the mantle of Lightbringer, Kovar's avatar. The Orchtenbrück line traces their lineage back to St. Orianna, the first avatar, herself. Due to the emperor's status as a god amongst its ruling class, the Kovithian Church has much sway in the government.

### Nobility

Despite Imperial Kovith being ruled over by the Emperor in Oriannasburg, within the Kovithian culture is a vast and proud noble heritage and tradition. In modern Evarencia, most of the noble houses present a great level of loyalty to the Emperor. Every noble understands their standing in the Imperial Court is based off of their standing with the current emperor, so it is not uncommon for the status of a house to change throughout the everchanging dynasty of House Orchtenbrück. Every noble family is expected to be members of the Kovithian Church, at least outwardly. It is also common for noble family members to have some level of military service, and many families close to the royal family traditionally offer a member to the Knights of Kovar. Although all houses pledge loyalty to the Emperor, the Emperor alone cannot legitimize or excommunicate a noble house. The Imperial Diet votes on the matters of legitimizing and excommunicating Kovithian noble houses a system that originates from the Gothic Kings that came before the Empire. The common folk of Imperial Kovith may depose noble houses through edicts of relief or conspiracies of heresy.

The only other body that has the authority to strip a noble house of their nobility and excommunicate them is the Inquisition. As the Church’s power and influence has grown, many noble houses ere on the side of caution in their dealings with the Church. Although the Imperial Diet determines which houses are legitimate, it is the Emperor that really determines where they fall within the hierarchy of the royal court. The position of the noble houses in the hierarchy is ever shifting throughout their dynasties as the Emperors come and go. The amount of power the houses and the Diet have depend on the individual Emperor sitting in the throne at a given time.

#### Succession

In Kovithian nobility, succession and inheritance in dynasties does not follow a line based on the sex of the parents, but rather on the rank of the noble house in the Diet. This creates an interesting culture amongst Kovithian nobles where the firstborn child may not be the heir carrying on the family’s name and line. Although inheritance and succession does not function the same in other places, Kovithian nobility are not immune to marrying their children off for political gain. Marriages can change a family’s standing with the Emperor or the Church, giving them mobility in the Imperial Diet’s complex political ladder, or give a house access to a whole legion in some cases. The child who marries into the ‘lesser’ house is not always seen as entering a lesser marriage. A house’s rank within the Imperial Diet is not directly related to a house’s wealth, holdings, or title, and marrying into a lower ranking house can bring great fortune to a house.

Besides deferring to rank, ever since Emperor Orianium Alric Orchtenbrück II, in matters of succession, houses are expected to follow the Preservation Doctrine. The Preservation Doctrine was created to prevent noble houses from going extinct; when marrying into a noble house without heirs, if a family’s name carrying on is already secured while marrying into a family whose future is not secure, a person is expected to take the name of the house they are marrying into.

It is quite common in Kovithian society for nobles to adopt heirs to carry on their family names, as the house’s legacy is more important than a ‘pure heritage.’

### Imperial Diet and the Estates

The ruling body of Imperial Kovith is the Imperial Diet. The Imperial Diet is expected to carry out the Emperor’s edicts, uphold the law, defend the Faith, and serve the people of the empire. Although other regions would view the Imperial Diet as the legislative arm of Kovith’s complex and bureaucratic government it is not a legislative body in the contemporary sense; its members envision it more like a central forum where it is more important to negotiate than to decide. This is why some outside of Kovith refer to the Imperial Diet as the “Imperial Forum.”

Every noble house has a seat on the Imperial Diet, but the house’s rank determines the type of vote they get in the Estate. The Diet’s various Estates and their organization are put into a voting hierarchy, and it is here within the Estate that houses are provided with their various ranks. A house’s Estate not only shows that house’s favor with the emperor, but it also determines how many votes they receive on the Imperial Diet. The Estates are divided into five separate estates, with the House Orchtenbrück comprising one of the estates. Two of the estates are divided amongst various royal and noble titles, one is for representatives of the Imperial Church, and there is the Electoral College to provide a voice for the common people.

The Estates of the Imperial Diet:

* **The Living Saints:** Absolute Vote. The Living Saint is the Emperor of Kovith; therefore House Orchtenbrück is given their own, special rank in the Imperial Diet. The Emperor’s vote is considered absolute, and the Emperor can use their vote to overturn any decision made by the Diet. The Emperor essentially holds the ultimate veto power. The Emperor not only gets to vote in the Imperial Diet, but they can decide to veto many decisions.
* **Royal College:** Singular Vote. The highest rank a house can achieve in the Empire’s hierarchy is the Royal College. The title of these nobles is often king, queen, prince, princess, prelate, archon, or any other rank higher than Duke. Each member of the Royal College has a singular vote that they may exercise.
* **Estate of Duchies:** Collective Vote. (Triumvirates; 3 duchies per vote). The estate set aside for nobles of a lower rank than kings and queens with the most common title being duke or duchess. With this, duchies are divided into triumvirates comprised of 3 dukes each having a collective vote. Each triumvirate has 1 vote.
* **Ecclesiastical Order:** Collective Vote. (5 orderlies per vote). The Ecclesiastical Order is the most recently added estate, and was added under Emperor Ori-Marie Apfelbaum Orchtenbrück II during the Dark Eater Crisis when the Inquisition was formed. Ever since, the Church has enjoyed having seats on the Imperial Diet and being able to represent its interests in Kovith’s government.  The Ecclesiastical Order is divided into smaller ‘orders’ that each have their own vote, making the ecclesiastical vote also collective. 6 orderlies comprise an order.
* **Electoral College:** Collective Vote. (20 barons, counts, margraves, etc. per vote). The final estate set aside for the lowest ranking nobles and governors, the Electoral College has the most in terms of numbers; therefore, their votes are divided collectively into groups of 13 called coalitions. From newly appointed barons to guvnors of border territories, the Electoral College may not have the value in a single house’s vote, but the coalitions hold great sway being the closest thing to the voice of the common people the Diet will hear.

### Foreign Relations

Due to their history of conquest and their large military, Imperial Kovith is often viewed as an intimidating force by those who call the Empire their neighbor. The vassal states and territories of the empire have varying views on the Empire with some wishing to be freed from their rule with others enjoying the infrastructure and technology the Kovithians have brought to them. Relations with their Albion and Higardi neighbors are tenuous at best with any side wishing to go to war, but Kovith's existence threatens destruction of any victor between Albion and Higardi.

## Trade

With the technology developed in Kovith and its modernizing infrastructure, goods and people flow throughout the territories and vassals of the Empire. Rail and the steam train have been invaluable to Kovith's success in its trade. Inventors, business magnates, and merchants are drawn into the empire by the promise of great wealth with the ability to trade so effortlessly. This has led to families and "companies" sometimes taking great power in the empire.

## Demographics

### Kovithian

With Imperial Kovith's territories stretching so far, their empire encompasses a wide variety of cultures and folk that live within the empire. The empire itself is based out of the Gothic Peninsula, making the ruling culture a Kovithian culture. Due to the expansion of the Kovithian Empire, their culture spreads across all the territories they hold with government officials and soldiers often being stationed in even some of their furthest frontiers. The Kovitihian culture itself, unlike their Selusian neighbors, did not see Alfenheim rule, marking them as a predominantly human culture.

Those that the Kovithian culture is less tolerant toward (dreadborn primarily, non-Kovithians) often try to move into Kovith's territories outside of the traditional Gothic territories.

### Notable cultures under Kovithian rule

* Neo-gothic
* Selusian
* Silver Blade Nomad
* Albionfolk
* Sojourner
* Rapax
* Higardi
* Azunaiite
* Shield Clans
* Zhor Ogres
* Steam Priests

## Society

### Culture

Kovithians follow a strict traditional culture that embodies traditional Gothic values such as courage, devotion, honesty, and hierarchy sometimes to a level of religious fanaticism. The people born out of the Western Gothic culture, have a proud military tradition. Kovithian culture is marked by a strong, sometimes zealous, faith in their unique church that centers around the emperor being the avatar of the god of light, Kovar. Although lauded a hero around the realm, St. Orianna Orchtenbrück is not just seen as the founder of their empire, but also as the first avatar of Kovar. Those who consider themselves Kovithian are fiercely devoted to their ruler and god. Wealth and a favorable station is a sign that Kovar smiles upon a lineage, as a family legacy is of grave importance in Gothic culture. Kovithians believe in the 4 Services; the paths they consider a way to serve their country and their god. The greatest service, of course, is to be called directly by Kovar (or the Emperor, basically) to aid them directly.

The 4 services are:

* *Services of Labor.* Services of the labor include doing good, honest work. Giving your time, work, and talents.
* *Services of the Sword.* Kovith’s strong military tradition can be attributed to the belief in the services of the sword; honoring their god through military service and conquering the non-believers.
* S*ervices of the Tome.* Despite their tendency for strong religious fervor, Kovithian’s have a great respect for science, believing that understanding the world around them can bring them closer to their god.
* *Services of Faith*. Attending weekly prayer services at the temple to stamping out heresy are considered services of the faith. Priesthood or a monastic life is common.

On the surface, Kovithian culture may appear rigid and not socially mobile, but service to the crown is a surefire way to change ones’ station, but honor has to be truly earned in valor. Kovith takes a very strong stance towards accessibility and children’s’ services due to St. Orianna being an orphan and disabled. Government programs are utilized amongst the population, especially with land preselling for military members. Their religion may often cause Kovithians to be intolerant to those they deem heathens and heretics, as evidenced by the existence of the infamous Kovithian Inquisition.

Kovithians do not place an emphasis on blood heritage, but rather, on the dynasty and legacy of a family name. The family is of great importance in Kovithian culture, and it is not uncommon for either gender to take another person's surname. Names are of great importance in Kovith with one of the most common names being Orianna or any of its many variations. A practice that continues into the modern day is the bestowal of honorific names upon people, such as the greatly respected name 'Demonsbane.' Kovithian middle names are often used to honor a family member or someone close to the parents' heart.

Their cuisine focuses on bread, potatoes, and meats (especially pork) and fish while also utilizing cabbage and kale. Cake, coffee, and beer are also highly popular amongst Kovithian. Kovithian fashion is considered conservative when compared to their Higardi neighbors and those from Ellonde would possibly dare to call Kovithian dress ‘drab.’ Kovithian’s prefer to dress in dark tones, as it would be *impolite to outshine Kovar.*

Like other Gothic cultures, the Kovithian architecture is characterized by a style of  masonry building that makes heavy use of cavernous spaces with walls broken by tracery. Kovithian structures are often seen as “pointy” and make a large use of stained glass to help “shape the beauty of light.”

## Languages

The traditional language of the Kovithian people is Higher Gothic, which developed from Runic.

Due to their wide array of holdings, it is not uncommon for Kovithians to speak multiple languages, such as Higardi, Draconic, or Woedican. Common continues to codify itself into the lexicon of Imperial Kovith as the Empire continues to rule over non-Gothic states.

## Religion

The Empire of Kovith's official religion is the Kovithian Church, which sees St. Orianna as a vastly important figure. In their religion, the Kovithian Emperor is the living avatar of the god of Kovar and is to guide the realm for the impending Darkfall, when the Dreadlords return. The Empire sees the spread of their church as vastly important, and as the empire has grown, the Church itself has gained more power within the government. In this church, Kovar is seen as the prime deity with some of the other gods of the realms above being viewed unfavorably. Due to being a religion born out of the first mortals to take up a sword against the demons, the Church has a strong reaction to any occult practices and is infamous for its intolerance of others. The Church seeks to stamp out heretics utilizing their specialized military force, the Inquisition. No one, not even the most devout Churchgoers, are safe from the Kovithian Inquisition if they have set their eyes on someone.

Other religions are practiced within the Empire, but if one wishes to see their status truly improve or hold any sort of government office, they will need to convert (at least publicly) to the Kovithian Church. In the unique cases of the Knights of the Holy Storm and the Steam Priests, these religions are allowed to co-exist within the Empire and its church due to more of the necessity for the military might of the Knights and for the inventions and technology of the Steam Priests.

## History

### Pre-Founding

   The people of Goth are a cultural group that at its core spoke the Gothic languages, follow a faith centered around the gods above, and they place a great value on a family’s legacy, including their ancestry. The Gothic people developed over the ages on the Gothic Peninsula on western Maywikt after the arrival of the humans, and it was their borders that marked where the mighty Alfenheim Empire’s expansion ended. After the fall of the grand Elven empire, the culture expanded, but it did not see the explosive growth across Maywikt until the success of the Yormoth Higardi Empire that relied on Gothic knights to conquer the continent. Prior to this conquest, it was commonly believed amongst the people of Goth that their gods and mighty spirits walked amongst them, utilizing mortals as their vessels… As avatars. The Gothic Kings were seen as descended from one of the gods above by the Gothic people, and they truly believed they were the gods’ chosen people to carry out the Mandate of Heaven. The Gothic culture saw a grand schism after the fall of the Yormoth Empire with the beginning of the Sunless Era. Cut off through the center of the content, Greater Goth became the home of the gothic folk in the west.

### Founding and Rise

During the century of the Sunless Era, in the west, a hero rose and took up arms against the Dread Lords, and her actions would forever alter the course of Gothic history forever. The orphan girl raised by monks of Kovar turned hero was Saint Orianna, the first Kovithian Emperor and the first Avatar of Kovar. Her marriage to Frederick Orchtenbrück I and the fall of the Dreadlords, ended the Sunless Era and secured the dominance of the worship of Kovar in the lands where the Gothic people were born. The full title of the Emperor of Kovith still bears “guardian of the Gothic people.” It is from here that the culture of Kovith was said to be born as St. Orianna was able to, for the first time history, unite all of the Gothic Kingdoms under one banner. The culture of Brytegoth (which would become Oriannas) dominated the culture, seeing either other Gothic people convert or be chased out, as was the case with House Moonshadow.

Over the years, the Empire would continue to grow under the leadership of the Orchtenbrück dynasty. The Empire found easy victory against the divided Ogre spirit walker clans of Zhor Vallon and Aragox. Ori Marie Orchtenbrück I's marriage to the Silver Blade Nomad Maerark Orchtenbrück led to a legitimate claim by the Kovithian throne to the Silver Mist, which led to the Silver Fang War. Victory against the Nomads added their territory to the Empire's holdings. The church continued to grow in power, and as the nation industrialized, they only found themselves with more power, either conquering territories through sheer military might or through diplomatic tribute. Their territorial holdings would eventually include Woedican colonies.

### The Dark Eater Heresy

In 2S 1255, the Dark Eater regiment of the Legion is said to have turned heretical under the leadership of Caliban the False Prophet. The Inquisition was formed under Emperor Ori Marie Apfelbaum Orchtenbrück II who then subsequently exterminated the Dark Eaters and anyone who dared to follow their heretical creed. The Inquisitions founding marks a clear rise of power for the Church in the political sphere of the Empire's history.

### Recent History

#### *SteamSpell*

30 years prior to *WovenRealm*, during the events of *SteamSpell*, Imperial Kovith was in possession the Duchy of Bailen and the Duchy of Urgovel. During the events of *SteamSpell*, the Duke Osyrus Gedraan's rule led to his daughter Lady Sophia, to leading a movement to sign an *edict of relief*. This led to Sir Gregor Voland moving a Higardi force from Thunderfell, and with the aid of the Star-Touched, took Bailen. Duke Nettle Swiftfoot was appointed the new ruler of the realm as it was welcomed back into the Higardi fold.

#### Pre-Campaign

During the events of *SteamSpell,* Lady Katarina Steel learned of her birth to the Partridge family, giving her a legitimate claim to the duchy. Utilizing strategies of espionage and social movements she had acquired during her adventure, and with Duke Swiftfoot's support, Lady Kat was able to lead a Higardi revolt against their Kovithian occupiers. Since, Urgovel has returned to the Commonwealth of Higard and Kovith respects the Commonwealth's claim to the territory. The relationship between Urgovel and Kovith was softened due to Inquistor Josef von Zeppenstein working closely with Lady Steel to oust the biomancer enclaves from both Higard and Kovith. In Weidenhafen, Lesser Goth, the Baumer House orphanage having received hefty donations begins operating in the city.

Historically devout and loyalist house, Morgenstern, is declared heretical by the Kovithian Inquisition. Lady Cordula Edeilweiss Morgenstern is executed by the Inquisition for heresy. Duke Egon Morgenstern was presumably either executed quietly or shipped off to a Woedican penal colony.

### Season 1

Kovith moved to secure their territory in Old Pashnew after the discovery of an aether well southwest of Paumeld in the early autumn of 2S 1871. The Inquisition levelled the village of Brocktree in S1E12 'Harvest Moon.' In S1E15 'Dawn Star,' the Inquisition, under Apollo von Zeppenstein, raided Brightstar Abbey on charges of heresy in connection to the events in Brocktree. Due to their resistance, the heretics were destroyed using the the Rail Fortress to level the might Sprucewall.

### Season 2

In S2E13 'Nature's Nectar,' it was revealed that Egon Morgenstern is currently alive under the alias of Poven Zaran. This name change was officially sanctioned by someone in the Empire's government. Inquisitors were summoned to the ball, leading to the ball.

### Notable Historical Figures

* St. Orianna Orchtenbrück
* Frederick 'the Great' Orchtenbrück I
* Woden Morgenstern I
* Emperor Ori Mari Apfelbaum I
* Caliban, the False Prophet

## Notable Locations

### Settlements

* Verdomme, Kyir: Capital of Kyir. Oleander's birthplace.
* Weidenhafen, Lesser Goth: Capital of Lesser Goth. Fenris' home.
* Paumeld, Old Pashnew: Ezara's birthplace
* Oriannasburg, Oriannas/Greater Goth: Capital city of the Empire.

### Historical Landmarks

* Cathedral of Revealing Light: Located in Oriannas, the cathedral is constructed from the monastery St. Orianna was raised in.
* The Holy Palace: Located in Oriannasburg.

## Notable Kovithians

* Oleander Morgenstern
* Fenris Amarak
* Maus Ponyhosen
* Apollo von Zeppenstein
* Sancha Espino
* Carnifex Josef von Zeppenstein
* Duke Egon Phoebus Morgenstern
* Duchess Cordula Sonnen Morgenstern
* Emperor Agar Orchtenbrück II

## Trivia

* Both *SteamSpell* and *WovenRealm* feature player characters from the Kovithian culture. Oleander is cast member Sam's second Kovithian character.
* Imperial Kovith and its government are inspired by the historic Holy Roman Empire. This is also why Kovithian characters speak with a Germanic accent.
* The Kovithian Inquisition is inspired by the Inquisition of the Roman Catholic Church from medieval and renaissance history.