Northern Empire

The Lands of the Northern Empire was one of the foremost powers during the Founding Age (placeholder name, working out a timeline). It consisted of the cities of Beijing and then named Jingshi. An atheistic nation that focused on the arts of trade and monument building, it built good relations with the militaristic Daarsu Clans of the time to supplement its less robust army. In return, Daarsu was able to trade with the markets of wealthy Beijing and gold-laden Jingshi.

### Cities

#### Beijing

As the capital city of the Empire, Beijing was full of wealth and talent. Great monuments were built and constructed under the supervision of the Iron Emperor. As the most populous city in the empire, it boasted the most land of almost any city at the time.

#### Jingshi

Although Jingshi was smaller than its sister city, it was older and had more natural resources. As it was one of only two cities in history to lay claim to the mesa biome, it provided a valuable resource; gold. The gold mines of Jingshi provided much of the wealth of the nation and meant there was no disruption when it came to the precious Daarsu alcohol trade.

### Culture

The Northern Empire was a highly structured society, which worked on a strict heirarchy. At the very top was the revered Iron Emperor who's authority was near limitless. Bellow him were the officials who ran and maintained the byzantine beauracracy of the Empire. Each city was also ruled by a Governor who ruled a city in the name of the Emperor. Below these governors were petty officials who ran the administrative apparatus of the cities. A middle class of traders existed as well. These were tasked with selling goods like gold, and other manufactured products while buying desired goods from other nations; mainly alcohol from the prestigious breweries of the Daarsu Clans.

The Empire was mainly atheistic, although a cult of personality was formed around the Iron Emperor to supplement the lack of traditional spiritual faith. The ruler was worshipped as a living god amongst men, which inspired much loyalty amongst the commoners. The state took full advantage of this to quash any dissent and inspire fidelity in the people.

### Economy

Much of the wealth of the nation came from the gold mines of Jingshi, although Beijing was also known to produce manufactured goods of very high quality. Beijing also had very fertile fields which it used to feed its massive population and sustain the barren, arid city of Jingshi.

### Collapse

When the death of the Iron Emperor struck suddenly, the Empire was gripped in a succession crisis. With no designated heir, the nation collapsed into chaos. The city of Beijing fell into disrepair and eventual ruin without the oversight of the central government. Jingshi however survived the crisis and went on to form its own nation, the Aurumian Empire which would go on to be a weaker, but very culturally significant power in the coming Age of Reformation. The Iron Emperor's brother, claiming to be the true successor of the Empire fled and formed the new Arcanian Empire. Many citizens of Beijing, desperate for stability, fled with him on a long march to found the new city of High Arcania.