Aen

Possessing unrivaled naval presence and a stellar knack for that which is magical, the great Theocracy of Aen is a faith sanctioned monarchy of the Godwin royal family. Blessed by religious rites the family rules as head of state, backed by the Church of Twelve Saints, and legalization created by a parliament. Purity of humanity and mankind is a core tenant to their culture and identity, as such over ninety nine percent of the population is human and non-humans are seen as mutants.

Government

While Barsburg opted to embrace other forms of government after the fall of the Aehokar Empire, Aen sought a monarchy with a different royal claim to fulfill their administrative needs. Blessed by a church of great power in the region, the nation of Aen was born to a theocratic reign. The holy family's rise to power was unquestioned in the moment due to the Pope’s support for the rule and the appointed King’s deeds. The current head of the Godwin family is considered head of state for the Empire still to the modern age. Only the Pope of the Church has authority above the current head of state, though such interventions are rare and often highly political. The queen/king serves as the executive branch for Aen’s government, having unrestricted authority over legislation, borders, taxes, military, and more.

The other facets of governance are conjoined into a single branch, both the elected parliament and the appointed lords over cities are considered part of the legislative branch. They work in tandem to create law for local, regional, and city policy. The parliament’s pace for creating policy far outshines their regional ruling counterparts, but occasionally a military effort or economic issue will spur the lords into meeting for session. Luckily they do not rely on each other for reviewing policy, but a call to review and vote can be called, which the parliament refer to as a ‘silver strikes’ bitterly. The parliament holds four-hundred democratically elected officials, one for every fifty-thousand citizens, cities and large population towns split into voting districts. In stark contrast the lords reside one to each over cities, often treated much like nobles with lines of inheritance. While larger cities may have smaller meetings upon the local parliament members, no power on city level rulings are present in such meetings unless placed on special council by a lord.

Judicial matters are settled by the faith, churches on both local and national scales settling cases in a tiered system of circuit courts. District courts in large cities, then city courts, followed by a regional court, and finally the national court. This system is commonly referred to as the Supreme Judication, the term also being used to refer to formal rulings for cases and their then resulting precedent. Though the Pope can rule on a case as a judge, it is often not their duty, instead appointing national judges from prominent members of the faith and allowing them to appoint in delegation. Most Saints, especially minor Saints, spent time within the church as judges. Though most notably more heroic, Saints were rarely appointed as Arbitrators, which serve as Aen’s justice on the frontier and at war. These quick thinking mobile judges make decisions which keep the Empire advancing, being trusted as knowledge servants of order and justice. It is considered one of the highest honors in Aen to be given the title of Arbitrator. The presence of an Arbitrator on a national border is an omen most never wish to witness.

Society and Culture

Idealism

Created in the ashes of a fallen Empire and upon the back of religious fervor, there is no surprise to find a hyper-nationalist attitude common among the people of Aen. Mandatory military service to the state is seen as a blessing and ordainment, few dedicating entire lives to working for the military and thereafter the government. As such there is a strong essence of state loyalty and social-darwinism, failure to achieve purpose or success is seen as a waste of life. Luckily there are both private and public institutions for work camps, reemployment, and a variety of state backed unions which keep the economy healthy. Some in the cities of Aen work labor or factory work, but with union protections, quality work conditions, and family value placed on each worker it leaves little to complain or strike about. Additionally due to the large population, centralized wealth, and value on artistic merit, workers in Aen are given schedules with large windows for hobbies, home life, and academia.

A sizable portion of the population exists in an artisan class, the literature, visual art, and music of Aen considered among the best in the world. Despite nobility only being attainable through the church or crown, there is a strong base of wealthy self-made individuals within Aen. These members of wealth invest in new companies, artisans, and social programs creating an ever-expanding philanthropist economy, even in face of high tax rates. The social policies of the Theocracy give utmost protections to human and labor rights, though only for those considered human by the government. Many atrocities among the Empire have been committed on beastkin and other mutants. The royal family and other nobles treat the affairs as completely moral, it goes without saying most of the general populace agrees. Regardless, the occasional rights movement for non-humans picks up political interest, most resulting in half-measures and unequal protections, yet even non-humans agree it is better than the alternative.

A major part of Aen’s faith and ideals centers around humanity, hope for mankind, and purity of the creator's design. Resulting from this both xenophobia and an additional layer of nationalist pride mark the populace over ninety-nine percent human, not accounting for point decimals. Non-humans among Aen are treated with disrespect and distrust, at best they’re often patronized or exploited for particular tasks in the nation, most commonly military. This same pride within humanity compounds any general dislike of occultism, all cities within the Empire having anti-occultism and anti-witchcraft laws. It is not unheard of for lords to appoint task forces for inquisitions or witch-hunts during times of suspicion. The arts of necromancy and fleshcrafting similarly are outlawed and punished with death. Individuals with prosthetics are seen as less than human, medical ones treated as burdens or at least as less of what they were.

Roots

Taking after many of the same aesthetic preferences and mannerisms of Britannia, the old cultures overseas inspire much of the scripture and architectural designs of the fanatically holy nation. Knights within armor, humble common wear for citizens, and academics within large flowing robes. The nobles adorn themselves in bounds of fur, jewelry, and pride as badges of success, many of them believing to be blessed by their loyalty to the faith. Despite similar cultural roots the old collapsed state of Osrona and the Theocracy of Aen never met eye to eye, both believing their interpretations of the ancient faith to be undisputedly correct. This arguably petty disagreement led to radio silence and complete indifference between the two nations. While direct hostilities were rare, the lack of assistance during Osrona’s many defeats show a clear lack of compassion for the distantly similar states.

Unlike their dated cousin state, Aen evolved to welcome magitech into its faith and society, allowing for advancement and expansion unrivaled by other nations of similar roots. This integration is actively limited by the Morale of Sanctity, an oath taken by all artificers among the Aen academic community. This unique perspective on magi-tech integration has provided Aen an advantage in creating independent tech from Barsburg, many magi-tech creations in Aen maintaining a knights and kingdoms aesthetic to design. While some more modernized machine designs are seen in factories, agricultural regions, and among military tech, the overall details retain an uncanny resemblance to more dated fashions. Despite the widespread use and research of magi-tech, it is frowned upon and banned to pursue technology to replace the function of a human. Creation of robots, synthetics, artificial intelligence, and collaborative conscience is strictly prohibited and punishable by life imprisonment or death. Magitech is seen as a means to create tools usable by man, the creation of independence or complete automation for technology is discouraged although recognized as required on rare occasions.

Religion

The Church of Twelve Saints reigns with cultural, judicial, and idealist authority within Aen, the church dedicated to the worship of Pylae, the Constant of Hope, and Vanquisher of Hel. Originally founded among the nation of Aehokar, it was but one of many faiths upon the sprawling Empire. Despite this, cities like Bendith, Dyfnant, Tanis, Portwenn, and Ebbw Vale were rather enamored within it, most of their populations worshiping Pylae before the fall of Aehokar. Towards the end of Aehokar’s rule, it was partly the work of the Twelve Saints and their devotees which led to Aenite independence. Upon defeat of the Empire the church decried a hero among the conflict, a king, his bloodline thereafter acknowledged as will to Pylae. Thus began the nationalist integration of the faith into the state doctrine.

Purity of man and idolization of the human image, a concept adorned to supremacy granted by the creator. A fundamental tenant to Pylae’s faith after the repealing of Hel, one that cemented itself within Aenite society entirely and to never be removed. Impurity leads to sin and sin leads to evil, the darkness upon the world will only grow if allowed or ignored. Hope intermingles with the concept of facing a great evil, the existential threat of Hel and its side-effects spurs movement for defeating them once and for all. Thus hope shines through this jaded and arguably immoral part of Aen philosophy, hope for a future without blight or impurity, where there is no concern for the growth of evil. The hope they find eternal peace among the purity they preach and pursue.

Tales of the Twelve Saints serve as a major source of parables in the Pylae faith, each of the major Twelve are dead, but their lives are chronicled within Queen Irene’s Version of the scripture. Older copies of scripture also feature many of these stories, but the authenticity and actuality of the stories are left unquestioned. It is seen as right within the academic faith to value the stories for what they teach and present, knowing that a selection is in fact true, but some have been made up or embellished to convey a message. Among common people it is less understood that they are semi-fictional, meaning many are even more faithful or trusting within the state because of it. Other lesser Saints also have stories, some even living to this day or leading churches among the Empire of Aen. Most Saints, but not all, serve as judges for some time within the faith’s judicial system. Though extraordinarily rare, some with more violent capabilities are given the role of Arbitrator and sent to frontiers, warzones, and internal inquisitions.

Military

The military of Aen is an artful and ever evolving collection of spirit. While ranks between Private/Cadet and Officer exist, it is seen as lack of potential to not be promoted to Officer on merit. This comes in part from the stern formalities and customs, yet also the sheer size of the military. If someone chooses to slack off during mandatory service, they’re generally given minimal acknowledgement and quickly sent home on completion. Those who stand out often fall in favor of the fantastical social culture of Aen, leading to quick rises to power among aspiring heroes. Many later become minor Saints, ordained lords, or members of parliament.

Army

Home defense forces for the most part, Aen’s ground divisions serve as fortified shells for the Empire of Aen. Responsible for a large part of the early fighting in Aen’s history, this branch of the military focuses largely around trench styled defensive warfare strategies. Once Aen has settled somewhere long enough, it is incredibly difficult to remove them. Large military fortresses set upon the borders of many Aen provinces, littered with cannons, magitech barriers, and systematically hardened soldiers.

The ranks start as Private, then Officer, then Lieutenant, then Captain, then General.

Navy

The pride of the Theocracy, the Royal Aenite Navy, has served as the nation’s primary means of invasion since the end of the thirteenth century. Without competition the single largest navy in the known world, the titans of metal and magitech tower ominously among ocean waters. Equipped with the same equipment their fortresses of old are, these floating warzones are capable of leveling unprepared cities in hours. Aen’s holds many coastal colonies as a result, which combined with smaller ships and their logistical capabilities provides a far stretching trade, exploitation, and cultural network.

The ranks start as Cadet, then Officer, then Lieutenant, then Captain, then Admiral.

History

Originally religious pilgrims from Astya, the Theocracy of Aen has a long winding history dating back over a millenia. Finding home among the secluded mountains of what is now the Northlands of Aen, a small village worshiped Pylae and devoted themselves to purity, hope, and the pursuit of expression. After a long multi-generational and often existential conflict with Barsburg, they emerged victorious, the unstable sister state of rival collapsing inward.

Armed with artisan magitech, exceptional magi, and Pylae’s light itself, many humans see Aen as an objective good. The nation is far from innocent despite this, having conquested and converted most of the lands they now inhabit. Foreign non-humans exposed to atrocities sprinkled themselves calmly through Aenite records without guilt on behalf of the state. A few incidents with domestic mutants have occurred as well, only serving to increase the Aenite xenophobia.

In the distant past Aen once attempted to conquer the lands of Meranthe, being defeated at the time by Emperor Aetius. As their rival of Barsburg dissipates, the Theocracy turns to eastern expansion once again.