Verani Empire

Former Nation Encompassing the Westrasi Sea between 3200 and 3900

**Population**: Varies by time period, but at peak: 30% Verani Westrasi, 60% Other Westrasi, 10% Other (mostly elves, halflings, and giants)

**Capital:** Veran, later named to Revena

**Government:** Varies by time period, but usually lead by an Emperor (or multiple Emperors known as Tetrarchs) who held absolute power via a militant bureaucracy, but sometimes an oligarchy, republic, or even a theocracy.

#### Culture:

The Verani Empire was noted for its architectural, artistic, economic, and military accomplishments, to the point where over a thousand years later, many nations still seek to emulate it in some way.

The Verani ethnic group was made up of those who could claim ancestry from the colonists who founded the City of Veran, though by the peak periods of the Empire, any human, and even many half-elves could easily claim Verani ancestry as long as they were culturally assimilated and possessed some wealth. They formed the upper tier of the Verani Empire, and generally lived in the cities and farms closest to the sea coast. Unlike their subjects, they spoke Mukwesk, and an archaic version of Mukwesk is still associated with prestige in some Westrasi Sea nations even in modern times.

A number of other Westrasi ethnic groups lived in the Empire, and their treatment varied by how well assimilated they were. Some assimilated almost completely, keeping just parts of their language and minor cultural traditions. Others refused to assimilate, and were often treated as virtual slaves.

Halflings and giants were imported as slaves, though not to the same extent as in western Westrasi. Most of them fled during one of the many periods of unrest and revolt during the early and later dynasties, but small pockets assimilated and can be found in the area even today.

Although many of them were slaves early on, the Solendor Elves, AKA Sunset Elves, were generally treated better than lower class humans even during the worst of times thanks to their knowledge, and greater ability to master skills over their longer lives. Over time, many assimilated into the Verani culture and became part of the middle class (a source of resentment from many non-Verani humans).

Verani culture went into decline in the late 3800's. The ruling elite had become almost completely detached from the people they ruled (and reality), and only sheer inertia allowed the Empire to continue for the last couple decades. Previously assimilated humans began disassociating themselves with the elite and with Verani culture, and even middle class Verani (particularly the military) began to revolt. The Fall occurred surprisingly quickly, with a four way civil war by rebelling generals inspiring bloody revolts by several of the most oppressed human ethnic groups, as well as an invasion by Belara. The Empire was dead within one year, splitting into dozens of warlord states and new ethnic homelands, though many nations have claimed to be the rightful successor even to this day.

#### Religions:

The Church of Divine Duality, also known as the Church of Gloria-Etalia, was the main religion of the Verani Empire throughout its existence, and was fairly popular in the region among humans even before the founding of the Empire. However, worship of various spirits and minor gods persisted despite many purges.

#### Organization:

At its peak, the Verani Empire was a well run nation built upon the leadership of a string of competent Emperors, a well organized and motivated military and bureaucracy, moral support from a powerful church, and the belief of many of its inhabitants that the existence of the Empire was key to maintaining and improving their standards of living.

Of course, over its long history, there were plenty of times where things didn't run as smoothly, particularly towards the end.

#### Origin:

Semi-reliable written records for the Westrasi Sea region date back to the the later part of the Antiquity Era when colonists from Vestrasia first made their way into the region.

Prior to their arrival, area was mostly inhabited by Westrasi hunter-gatherers from previous migrations, as well as the Solendor elves and Sylbari. The humans in the area were split into many different tribes, but were generally divided between the Sukwesktu speaking Axian tribes on the eastern side of the sea, and the Kixwesktis speaking Oro tribes on the western side of the sea.

The migrants from Vestrasia founded the colony of Veran (now Revena), and gradually spread their influence to a broad swath of territory surrounding the Westrasi Sea via construction of additional colonies, uneven trade deals and alliances, and frequent military conquests. The elvish city states in the region were also conquered, and most of the surviving elves fled the region to parts unknown, however, some stayed behind either willingly or due to enslavement. The conquest of the elvish cities was a major boon for Veran, since elvish knowledge of crafting, agricultural techniques, weapon making, and medicine helped turn the colony into one of the main satellite cities of Vestrasia. The lands of the Sylbari were also seized, but the Verani learned and benefited little from conquering these people.

The actual founding date of the Verani Empire is a bit unclear. The region had been de facto independent from Vestrasia ever since the conquest of the elvish cities, but the actual declaration of the founding of the Empire didn't happen until 3209.

#### Diplomacy:

The Verani had fairly neutral relations with the Vestrasian/Vestlarian Westrasi. By the time that the Verani had separated, power had already shifted towards Vestlaria from Vestrasia, and few saw any benefit to trying to prevent the split between powerhouses that were largely geographically separated.

Following the Belara-Uoros split, relations declined between all three powers. The Belarans and Verani shared expansionist traits, and several wars were fought along the ever shifting Belara-Verani borders. Meanwhile, constant moral judgement from Uoros over the exploitation of the Axian and Oro tribes, as well as continued use of halfling, giant, and elf slaves prevented any strong relations from forming there. However heavy trading did occur between all three nations.

What is now Windhell and Goldland were deemed inhospitable by the Verani, and no effort was made to expand eastwards or interact with the locals beyond minor trading partnerships.

Trade with the Celestial Empire was established early on, but neither empire had appetite for a major war or cultural exchange with a culture so alien from their own, so trade remained limited (though highly profitable).

The halfling and giant lands were occasionally raided for slaves, but the Verani had plentiful cheap labor from the Axians and Oro, so never became as dependent on slavery as the Belarans.

#### Geography:

Although the borders changed over it's 700 year existence, the Empire was generally limited to the area between what is now Windhell Valley, the Celestial Empire, the Giant-Halfling Alliance, the Wyrd, and the Belaran Empire (roughly corresponding to what is now the southeastern borders of Sarkation and Morloux).

#### Economy:

The Verani Empire benefited greatly from the knowledge taken from the elves, as well as the many natural resources in the area. It did much trading with the Celestial Empire, the Belaran Empire, and the Kingdom of Uoro. However, as time went on, wealth became increasingly concentrated at the top, while societal breakdown and re-emerging ethnic tensions caused the economy to decline.