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Message: <blockquote data-quote="fusangite" data-source="post: 769819" data-attributes="member: 7240">Here's a lengthy excerpt from the background material for my campaign explaining the basis of my theocratic state theory:Miranov and Orthanov, Sons of KsheytrandWhen Ksheytrand died, he left two sons. The eldest, Miranov soon ascended to the throne after his father but where his father's rule had been peaceful, Miranov's inflamed old rivalries and set the kings and nobles of the land against one another. Where his father's rule had been equitable and fair, Miranov's rule was capricious and cruel. Where his father had gained the respect of the people, Miranov ruled through fear. But the work of Ksheytrand would not be undone; the empire did not fall or fragment. Instead, the kings and nobles of the land convened a great council in Kazuria where they voted to be ruled by Orthanov, Ksheytrand's younger son. Miranov appeared to accept their decision, believing that Orthanov would soon become as unpopular and untrusted as he, that the people might find themselves yearning for his return. But instead, Orthanov righted wrongs and settled feuds and soon became nearly as beloved as his father. Even to his hated older brother, he was generous, treating him as a trusted councillor and according him great respect and a place at the right hand of the throne.But this respect and generosity merely inflamed Miranov's hatred of his brother. And so, after a time, he challenged his younger brother for all that he had gained, invoking his ancient right to a resolution by a single combat. Being bound by the ancient laws, Orthanov accepted and the two brothers fought in the Great Arena of Kazuria before thousands assembled to watch this duel. While Miranov was not a good ruler, he was a great swordsman and he quickly dispatched his brother, who had refused a champion, in single combat. So impressed were the gods with Orthanov that upon his death they granted him a place among their number. But Miranov petitioned the gods for the same status, saying that he had won his brother's place amongst the gods in the trial by combat. The gods were divided on this matter, questioning the interpretation of the ancient law but finally they decided that Miranov and Orthanov would share a single place amongst their number, one sitting with the gods while the other continued to rule Kazuria. And so it is that when the Emperor is fair and just, Miranov sits amongst the gods while Orthanov inhabits the emperor's mortal form and when the Emperor is tyrannical and corrupt, Orthanov sits amongst the gods while Miranov inhabits his mortal form.THE EMPIRE OF KAZURIAKovaus is a city in the Empire of Kazuria, a theocracy ruled by the Emperor, a human possessed by two competing gods: Miranov and Orthanov. When the empire is prosperous and orderly, it is Orthanov who is ascendant. When the empire is tyrannical and corrupt, Miranov is ascendant. But for as long an anyone can remember, the two gods have been so evenly matched that the emperor has not ruled. He sits in his throne room in the City of Kazuria, locked in debate with himself. So it has been, emperor after emperor, for hundreds of years.As a result, power has flowed away from the empire's dwindling army and into the hands of the great cities -- the imperial bureaucracy was long ago hired away by the city governors. For the most part, the vast realm is ruled by local dukes, barons and counts who abide in fortresses or cities. Between these local rulers' spheres of influence is a wilderness of abandoned farms, decaying roads, wild beasts and bandits.At its height, Kazuria encompassed the entirety of the known world, bounded in the south by the First Wood, in the west by the Encircling Mountains and in the east and north by the Sea. As the empire fell into decline, the lands north of the Veld fell first, the empire retaining only the Fortress of Ford in the West and the City of Phage in the East. Today, only the delta of the Yorinz river is ruled by the imperial bureaucracy, encompassing only the 100 miles of river from Kazuria to Ikthol. What little unity remains in the realm of Kazuria comes from the Magi -- a powerful guild based on the Island of Exetubin in Lake Iriktova. While there are only imperial bureaucrats left in Kazuria, Ikthol and Mithlond, there is a guild of the Magi in every large centre in the Empire. Like the Emperor, the Archmage is possessed by the spirit of the god Kedlund who forms the link between the magical otherworld and this one. It is said that if Kedlund withdraws from the world, magic will begin to flow out, never to return. It is for this reason that while the Magi have few friends, they have even fewer enemies.</blockquote>

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