The Empire of Ecoqunia

The first gate of the imperial city of Greytower.

7% Občan (Dwarf)

5% Severyanin (Human)

4% Luǵeto (Aasimar)

3% Avayav (Genasi)

2% Merian (Human)

5% Other

11% Ilegonity

2% Copranity

1% Other

The Empire of Ecoqunia is a bureaucratic aristocratic empire stretchs from the Merian Sea far into the west of Udin. Large swatches of taiga stretch out to the north of Ecoqunia with riverlands in the south. Ecoqunia is the dominant power in Udin and has significant sway in Oboris, due to its massive armies, its ancient lineage, and its efficient administration.

## Etymology

Ecoqunia is first found in usage in 3 BV, in the early phases of Sacrovir's campaign to unite the western Wruitic, teifling kings under his banner. Initially, the term was used in the sense of "way of the universe," "universal philosophy," or "unifying path." As Sacrovir solidified his rule in Greytower and began expanding south, he adopted the phrase describing his political philosophy. Once the Concordance of Kings was written and signed in 4 AV, the Constitution and ultimate name of the imperial state was called the Ecoqunia, as in "State of Unifying Law."

In reference to the state, many phrases are used, "Empire of Ecoqunia," "Ecoqunia," "Teiifla" (common in South Ka'bira), and "Occidunia" (literally, "Western State," as used often by peoples living in Oboris).

## History

### Pre-Concordance of Kings

Prior to the Concordance of Kings, the region of Old Ecoqunia had been constantly in a state of conflict. Wruitic teifling kingdoms grew to control most of the lands stretching from the island kingdom of Galcommon to the river trading port of Wexrea in the west. Tribal clans of men spanned from the Wexrean River to the northern ice expanses. Halfling states were established across the North Western coasts of the Shestall Bay. Various kingdoms, predominantly the tiefling dynasties, were vying for power, control and dominance over the other races inhabiting the land. These skirmishes and battles lasted for centuries, while no side was able to gain a permanent advantage or foothold.

Meanwhile, the sweeping migrations and enslavement of halflinlgs, aasimar, genasi and men created a melting pot of cultures and religions in Udin, sowing the seeds for a unified kingdom. Migrations of aasimar into the human lands often put pressure on the tiefling kingdoms in the east. In addition, the sporadic migrations of the southern genasi into the central plains of Udin created a more culturally diverse area, leading to the alterations of the Wruitic thought that dominated much of the cultures of teifling, man, and genasi alike.The unified lands of Ecoqunia eventually invited the six tiefling kings to form a council and draft a new system of government to bring peace to the region. This was the Concordance of Kings, the official agreement between the wealth of Ecoqunia's tiefling, man and halfling rulers that would set forth the boundaries of their respective territories and pave paths for settlements, and establish an ecumenical system of justice and culture.

The six kings of Ecoqunia thus established the seven courts, granting the Emperor of Ecoqunia the right to serve as the ultimate arbiter of law for the Ecoqunian kingdoms. The Concordance of Kings and its accompanying modifications, reforms, and treaties united the realm and brought an era of unity and prosperity to Ecoqunia.

## Geography

Including island holdings, Ecoqunia occupies an area of approximately 3.3 million square miles.

Ecoqunia is the world's largest nation by total area.

The primary bread basket of Ecoqunia is in the Glasmor Pastures found in the center of the Udin continent. It is both the largest and most important biome of the empire. It has an average elevation of 2,000 feet, with the highest point being only 3,425 feet at peak of the Wind's Step hills. Rainfaill is humid and subtropical. Ultimately, the Glasmor Pastures are sunny, with occasional rainfall maintaining flat, green pastures. The Ecoqunian capitol city of Greytower can be found here, as well as the trading city of Wexrea.

Incredible biodiversity can be found Southern Dufair, where a short stretch of savannah gives way to tropical rainforest bound on two sides by 11,000 ft tall mountains. This creates bubble for sapient culture and natural diversity. Rain dropoff from Ka'bira storms periodically drench the Dufair with moisture. The large river systems of this biome drain into the Glasmor Pastures.

The Soireoite are the far eastern provinces of Ecoqunia. Large stretches of deciduous forest give way to 200 miles of steppe and finally the frozen eastern shores of Udin. These lands have mountains as their western boundary, and serve mostly as a source of hardy, reliable wood and frontier settlement land for Ecoqunia society.

## Government

Ecoqunia functions on the oath of service between leaders and their vassals. While this system bears some resemblance to the feudal contract common on Oboris, the oath of service in Ecoqunia is less binding legally, but more binding culturally. This results in political intrigue being heavily frowned upon by those outside of the Oath and Wish castes, but secretly still pursued.

The oath of service comes from teachings in Writyephy. The ruling caste, the People of the Oath, are the only caste who can take the oath of office. Culturally, this places them on a pedestal, as well as, puts a burden of dignity on them.

The oath of service requires the emperor to provide stability and prosperity to his people above all. These two tenants of good rule have come to head many times throughout Ecoqunian history. The first instance of this comes with the Concordance of Kings, which was when the first emperor of Ecoqunia used military force to vassalize the kings of Udin. This is the main example of how stability can be given up for prosperity.

The vassals under the oath of service are expected to give loyalty and stability to their emperor and people. In this instance, vassals are not expected to worry about prosperity, as the emperor chooses grants lands to those vassals who he believes will bring prosperity to their people. In return, the vassals provide loyalty to their emperor and stability. This, ultimately, translates to anti-rebellion thought, as initially, the first emperors of Ecoqunia heavily feared insurrection after the Concordance of Kings.

Together, this results in governance that has less legalist expectations than those in the East. However, the oath of service, when followed, results in an empire more stable than others. As long as a significant majority of the underclass participates in the religious system of Writyephy, then the empire is expected to respect the oath of service. If this is not followed, then the final aspect of the oath of service occurs. If neither stability or prosperity is brought to the people of Ecoqunia, then they are expected to replace the emperor with one who will bring stability and prosperity. This is done by whatever means deemed necessary, even force.

### Courts of Administration

#### **The Court of Intelligence**

Led by a council of five enlightened bureaucrats. Each is selected by the emperor to serve for lifetime. A sixth member of the council is the Draoi, or archmage, chosen by the circles of regional mages. Each member has one vote on matters presented before them, with the eldest councilman having two.

This court is tasked with “increasing the intelligence of the empire.” This was initially intended to mean being in charge of the oath exams, creating an intelligent aristocrat class, but the court came to oversee many aspects of imperial life. The Draoi Maelog offered the inspection of the circles, if it meant his spot on the council as the de jure head of the circles. The move played out, and the Court of Intelligence became the first court to wield power on the same scale as the Court of Strength or Justice.

#### **The Court of Strength**

The military of the Empire. They are led by the three Triúr. The Triúr Admiral is chosen by the Mayor of Mullinrea. The Triúr General is chosen by the Emperor. The Triúr Magister is chosen by the Mayor of Wexrea. The three Triúr vote on matters involving all of their attention. Otherwise they command with impunity for seven years, with the Triúr Admiral being first, the Triúr General being three years later, and the Triúr Magister being three more years after. After they are freed from command, the Tribunal overlooks if the Triúr should be tried for any crimes committed during their tenure. The next Triúr must be a man who has not served as Triúr in the past twenty-one years.

This court is tasked with “securing the empire from earthly threats without.” However, the Court of Strength expanded significantly due to the first emperors using heavy royal power to keep the court subservient. This evolved into checks being placed on the court, in the form of the Tribunal, mage Circles, and the Department of Tariffs. People of the Will and People of the Oath are often leaders.

#### **The Court of Justice**

The law system of the Empire. They are headed by three sets of departments. The Department of Trials, which is led by bureaucrats selected by the People of the Memory, the Great Judges, who are appointed for life by the Court of Justice, and the Department of Laws which is led by scholar aristocrats that pass the oath exam. The Department of Trials ensures that trials are conducted in a manner that are in accordance with rites and justice. The Great Judges oversee these trials. The Department of Laws attempts to create laws in accordance with the emperors’ wishes, the laws of previous emperors, and the teachings of Writyephy.

The Court of Justice is also tasked with “securing the empire from threats within.” However, the other departments have worked early on to check this inquisitorial power of the court. People of the Wish and People of the Oath are often leaders of this court.

#### **The Court of Pacts**

The external religious system of the Empire. They are headed by the seven Fomoire. Each is chosen by a court, with each court creating their own requirements for appointment. The seven Fomoire then vote on actions. The Fomoire are expected to either be magic users or be able to form a pact, so they are often from the People of the Word.

This court is tasked with “securing the empire from spiritual threats without.” Fomoire search out and attempt to destroy those spiritual beings in the world that could sully the truths of Writyephy. Whether these are false gods, like majnin, or people claiming to speak for higher powers. This court is actively protecting the empire against the corruption of the world. Each of their inductees take the Covenant.

#### **The Court of Rites**

The internal religious system of the Empire. They are headed by the two Gallizen. Each is elected by the Records of Stars and Records of Seasons. One Gallizen is the leader during the . During this time, if there are moments when the Department of Rites is at odds with the Gallizen, then the Gallizen votes, the Department of Rites votes, and the Emperor votes.

This court is tasked with “maintaining the spiritual health of the empire.” This often comes out in the form of leading rites and maintaining important religious records, as well as dictating the distribution of the People of the Memory.

#### **The Court of Health**

The health system of the Empire. They are headed by the Health Magister, chosen by the Regional Circles, and the Health Minister, chosen by the Emperor. Together, they work with the People of the Wish to maintain the physical healths of the imperial citizens.

This court is tasked with “maintaining the earthly health of the empire.” This is done both through magical and mundane methods. Because of this, the court was split into two structures early on. The magic are often People of the Word and the mundane are often People of the Wish.

#### **The Court of Numbers**

The financial system of the Empire. They are headed by the Censor and the Department of Coin. The Censor is chosen by the Emperor and is in charge of the imperial census. The Department of Coin is a series of institutions that works together to insure the empire is funded and operating smoothly.

This court is tasked with “maintaining the operations of the empire’s finances.” This court is seen as the most opaque of the courts. Some argue this is due to nefariousness, others that it is due to complexity. Either way, the Court of Numbers allows members of any of the castes, wishing to utilize anyone of worth.

## Economy

The economy of Ecoqunia is primarily based on agriculture, mineral extraction, and light manufacturing. The country has a vast array of mineral resources, including gold, diamonds, copper, iron, and coal. Agriculture is the main contributor to the economy of the country, with major exports being fruit and vegetables, along with some livestock.

The official currency of Ecoqunia is the Ecuq, which is pegged to the Udin Solaar. Ecoqunia also has a vibrant tourism industry, with people visiting from all over the world to experience its cultural and historical sites.