Difference between revisions of "Yu empire"

Latest revision as of 07:47, 1 October 2019

Name: Yu Empire

Capital city: Annan

Ruler: Empress Yu

Government Type: Imperial Bureaucracy

Economy: Diverse, with productive agriculture and significant manufacturing.

Population: A large, cosmopolitan population.

State: 14 Unitary authorities

Military: Army of the State , Grand Navy of the State

Ruler: Empress Yu

Informally known as the Masked Empress. She is the eighth head of the Yu Dynasty after the fall of the previous dynasty. The Empress will occasionally make public appearances, but always wearing a white-jade mask. It is rumored her family’s magical prowess is due to a draconic bloodline, but only imperial archivists and confidants sworn to secrecy know the validity of this claim.

Government: Imperial Bureaucracy

Under the Empress, governance by the massive imperial administration is split between military Bannerlords and the Imperial Scholars. While theoretically responsibilities are split between the two groups, often priorities and goals lead to administrative overlap. As such the branches occasionally squabble, with issues being resolved by the Empress or by proxy via her council.

Economy

Diverse, with productive agriculture and significant manufacturing. Notable products are jade and silk wares. The government has market controls on a large portion of commerce.

Population

A large, cosmopolitan population. Humans are a plurality, but not a majority. The river and coastal cities are well populated, while the mountain range is home to a sparse but notable number of monks, mystics, and sages. The west frontier is less populated. Many cities are walled.

Military

Five semi-autonomous armies led by a Bannerlord, and an elite Imperial Guard Includes:

• Banner of Fire, the primary expeditionary force of the empire. Headquartered in Saltport when not on an expedition.
• Banner of Water, the navy of Yu. Headquartered in Azure.
• Banner of Earth, town guards and peacekeepers. Headquartered in Annan, and is led by twin Bannerlords
• Banner of Wood, primary border guards. Headquartered in Yimu.
• Banner of Metal, the frontier garrison. Headquartered in Windscar.

Skyguard of Yu, the imperial guard under direct orders from the Empress. Headquartered in the Imperial Palace of Annan. Crossbows are popular in the Yu militaries, as are glaives for elite units.

Notable Settlements and Regions

Capital: Annan

The capital Annan is located in a lake along the Pearl River. It’s a large, planned, walled city with a massive cosmopolitan population. It’s position along the river also allows it to serve as an inland trading hub. It is run jointly by the Earth Banner and the Imperial Skyguard.

City: Saltport

This port town serves as the main supply depot and official headquarters of the Fire Banner, but as the Banner is often out on expedition the town is usually only lightly garrisoned. While the center around the armory is generally well protected, the rest of the town is home to smugglers and black markets. It is known for its salt production and industry. Other officials have asked the Banner to do more about the illegal trade, but as of yet the Empress has not issued a directive, her focus seemingly elsewhere.

City: Azure

Sharing a name with the Azure Coast, the city of Azure is the base of the Water Banner. It is also situated at the mouth of the Pearl River, and as such serves as a trade and customs town, as much traffic goes along the river to and from Annan. To protect this crucial waterway, it is also well fortified, both by walls, coastal defences, and warships of the Water Banner.

Region: Southern ??? Hills

This region of Imperial Yu is the shared border with the Therin Empire. While there has been no large-scale war between the two in recent memory, this northern, wide, slightly hilly region is perceived as vulnerable to invasion, particularly in the east next to Lynli Forest. As such, the Wood Banner garrisons a series of forts and fortified towns along this border. The largest city, Yimu, is situated right outside Lynli Forest, and serves as the main source of overland trade between Therin and Yu, as well as the Realm of Lynli

Region: Storm Bay

The Storm Bay and lands leading from the mountains are sparsely populated, due to the unyieldingly turbulent weather coming from the bay. The region is further isolated due to the presence of the Myst in the north. The people living here however are hardy and independent. This also describes the Metal Banner, which is stationed in and garrisons this frontierland. There is one significant settlement, Windscar, a cliffside town with a small port at the bottom which serves as the sole Yu trading post on the bay. Access to the center of Imperial Yu can be made through the Red Stone Chasm.

Region: Sage Mountains

The Sage Mountain range is known for its independent villages of monks, mystics, and sages. Some hamlets are more accessible than others, and a number can only be visited by a lucky few. Tradition holds that some of the highest peaks deep in the mountains are holy grounds inhabited by immortals and metallic dragons, but many scholars consider these myths. Further south in the range is the Red Stone Chasm and Yantie River, from which the undermountain kingdom Kazak Kza can be reached.

Region: Lynli Forest

The Lynli Forest is home to the Realm of Lynli, a wood elf domain on amicable terms with Imperial Yu. However, outsiders are nonetheless warned not to enter without an escort.