Vostarian Empire

Crest of Vostarian Royalty and Nation Crest.

**Vostarian Empire**, also known as the **Gilded Slave Empire** by those that look at them with disdain, is a nation of southern Korinth. It is historically the most prosperous nation due to having the only land route to the east and being established in fertile soil.

As of 1276 AS, the country has been under threat from all sides and has been struggling to hold order in its own nation. Nobility and commoners alike have been demanding reforms and changes to the monarchy, which has been quietly ignored. From the sea, pirates and saboteurs have been raiding their trade routes seeking riches and disabling their income. From the east, a surge in monsters has halted the flow of trade to Fel-Istral and is causing and uproar in the Guilds. From the north, the Kestrals have been ambushing their mines and labor camps liberating the slaves in them.

As of 1276 AS, the ruler Imperator Cassius Vostari the Third, has his hands full with these threats. He has sent out his legions to the east to quell the monstrous threats, created new militaristic ships to protect and destroy the pirates to the south, and is actively seeking out the location of the Kestrals with a very handsome reward of 100,000 gp to anyone that knows their base of operation.

Adventuring here is quite common especially among the nobility that wish to seek fame and glory. One must be registered with the Venari Guild in order to receive any reward legally here. Due to their military being stretched thin, one could be of tremendous aid to them. Imperator Cassius Vostari the Third has been known to offer land to adventurers who have done a great deal of service to the Empire, which has brought in adventurers in droves seeking a place for themselves.

## History

The Vostarian Empire was founded in 431 AS. The first ruler, Imperator Lucius Vostari, built the nation after he and his people fled south after the Sacking of the North. They found fertile land in the southern region, and under his leadership they built their first settlement: Andros. He began his rule with swift and careful planning, removing any threats in the region with his militia and soon developed a safe trade route for vessels seeking safe harbor travelling east. Word spread that a new prosperous settlement was founded in the south, and many immigrated into Vostarian society seeking a new life and land for themselves. The nation grew, and new hamlets, villages, and towns sprung up across the Fields of Andros.

This expansion did come at a price. In 552 AS, tieflings and their goblinoid armies led an invasion from Fel-Istral into southern Korinth. A group of adventurers, led by Corvir Myxios, banded together a small army to fend off the eastern invasion. They set up a makeshift fort in what is now known as Corvir today, and held the pass until the tiefling general, Hozin Tal-Ostro, requested a cease fire and met with Corvir to seek peaceful terms. They agreed to peace, but Hozin demanded that the Vostarians could only trade with the Ōritsu Empire until their dying days. Upon agreement, both parties left satisfied. The Vostarians gained peace from the east, and the Ōritsu gain the only trade route into the west giving them incredible wealth and power in times to come. This newly formed military force became the beginnings of the infamous Vostari Legionnaires, leading to the rise of the Empire's military might. In the years between 568 AS and 612 AS, orcish barbarians and tribal lords ,led by the famed Gul Murgash, soon ransacked villages and townships seeking this famed wealth of the Vostarians. They came from the north and east, pillaging all that they saw and taking wine, women, and wealth back to their homelands.

In the year of 831 AS, Voz Vostari the "Lost Imperator" attempted to usurp the throne from her sister, Imperator Osra Vostari. He tried to establish a kingdom in the north, allying himself with elves and dwarves that agreed with his ideas of freedom and democracy. He was overthrown after only eight days in power by the overwhelming legions.

The Slave Revolts begun by the elven leader Eruian Falaskyr harmed the Empire's economic powerhouse and left them in a dire situation in 956 AS. This began what is known as the Vostarian Scourge, a time when the Empire raided and pillaged other nations seeking new slaves and wealth so they may recover.

In the years between 1096 AS and 1124 AS, the Empire was at war with the northern nations of Lyria and Batu. The Empire built three main fortifications, Castle Craven, Kavala's Keep, and Eastwatch. These border forts created a bastion of defense that kept them at bay until they eventually gave way to peace.

In present day, 1276 AS, the Vostarian Empire has grown inward from its past outward expansions. Great highways of cobblestone connecting towns and trade ways, massive ports for military vessels and trade ships built to stand against a siege, walled cities as thick as a 50 feet protecting them from invasions, and the establishment of public education has led to the Empire becoming a super power in the world's stage.

A timeline can be found here.

## Government

The Vostarian Empire was established as an absolute monarchy by Imperator Lucius Vostari during its initial founding. He was already a lord fleeing from his lands, and wished to remain in complete power upon founding. With the help of his vassals, he achieved what he wished for. This absolute monarchy has remained to this day, with appointed advisors such as the Arch Wizard, Commander of the Legions, Master of Coin, and the Emissary. However, there is a stir in the commoners and even some nobles speaking of a new form of government to be had, one ruled by an elected official or even a council for their great Empire.

### Laws of the Empire

In 719 AS, the following laws were created and posted at all major entry points into the Empire.

1. All persons entering the Empire must register with the officials of a border garrison.
2. Foreign currency can only be used in certain locations. Please exchange your coins for Imperial Gold at your first opportunity.
3. Adventurers must acquire a charter before undertaking any operation as a group.
4. All weapons must be peace-bonded. The only persons exempt from this law are members of chartered adventuring groups and members of mercenary groups that can offer proof of employment.
5. Harming cats is forbidden.
6. Bow your head to royalty and the local nobility.
7. Legionnaires have the right to search you upon request.
8. Hunting on private land is forbidden.
9. All slaves must be branded.
10. Hail the victorious dead.

## Nobility

The nobility of Vostarian Empire are composed of the most wealthy and influential households. There is an annual ceremony at the beginning of the summer where each noble house gathers in Andros to meet and see the Imperator and discuss their achievements over the previous year, before retiring to their summer residences. Nobles swore allegiance to the Imperator on the sword Dawnblade. Nobles owed the Imperator of the Empire a certain number of troops, in lieu of their military service.

## Military

The Vostarian Empire is well known for their military might. Their legionnaires are known across the world for devout loyalty to their Imperator, rigorous training, officer schools, and battlefield successes. Though the legionary was first and foremost a soldier, he provided a variety of other critical functions. Lacking a professional police force, governors would use legionaries to keep the peace and protect critical facilities. As the Empire lacked a large civil administration, the army would often be given many administrative positions. High ranking soldiers often acted as judges in disputes among local populations and the army was an important component of tax collection. Legionaries also served to spread Vostari culture throughout the provinces where they were stationed. As legionaries settled in the provinces, towns sprang up around them, often becoming large cities. In this way, as legionaries co-mingled and intermarried with the local populace, they helped integrate the provinces they protect.

Legionaries served as a source of labor and expertise as well. As such, much of the infrastructure which connected the Empire was built by legionaries. Roads, canals, and bridges were built by legionaries as well as more defensive structures such as fortresses and walls. Legionaries were not just limited to building large-scale engineering projects. Surveyors, doctors, artisans, and engineers within the army would be used for a variety of different civil services along with their normal military role.

## Trade

The Marble Harbor of Andros is one of the largest, busiest and most popular ports-of-call found on the western coast of Korinth, handling a wide variety of cargoes that rivals even the sprawling ports of Uzimaya. Due to the fact trade is not tied to any individual's moral alignment, anyone conducting business in a non-harmful manner is welcome to trade in the Empire. By virtue of this tolerant outlook, the Empire has become the greatest center of trade along the entire Korintian coast.

For years, the Empire mints its own silver trade bars, the most common variety of which is a 1 lb (0.5 kg) bar worth 5 gp. More importantly, the Empire also set the value for this form of currency and regulated its use in trade.

The Empire sponsors nearly 90 professional guilds, from seafarers and financiers from the Androsian Forum, to loremasters, brewmasters, metalworkers and nearly every skilled tradesperson in between.

While the honest and once-powerful mercantile guild known as the Merchant's League, previously dominated trade in the Empire, it was wiped out mysteriously overnight in 1189 AS. A secretive collective of noble-merchants known as the Order of Scales operated in an unofficial capacity. While the Iron Forge's influence grew and diminished throughout 902 AS and 1251 AS, they continued to control trade of the weapons and armor that are used by the Legions and the Forgotten Few.

## Geography

The Empire was once covered in thick forests. Due to commercial logging and clearing for farming, however, the once-great forests has become restricted to the Daggerwood in the west, the Forlorn Forest in the center, and the relatively small Festering Wood to the east. The Azure Sea borders the Empire to the south. The Hastia Lake forms a boundary to the north of the Empire, with the Valley of the Lost to the east. The Gurgling Mire, infested with the dead and poisonous monsters, lies south of Daggerwood. The Empire itself is dotted with beacon towers, used to quickly relay messages across the land.

## Notable Locations

* Andros, Jewel of the World
* Crow's Perch
* Castle Craven
* Kavala's Keep
* Patras
* Gurgling Mire
* Daggerwood
* Castle Sunspear
* Averland
* Ostermark
* Forlorn Forest
* Eastwatch
* Festering Woods
* Corvir