UrusA region in the far east noted for its metal production and the boundless superstition of its residents. Urus is a mysterious region where travel is hindered by its karst mountains and dense forests. This region is said to be the home of Bug Racing. |
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Politics
The worst crimes imaginable in Urus are centered around robbing settlements of their resources or cutting their ties to the outside world. Due to this, damaging a bridge connecting two mountains is on a par with robbing a supply caravan, as the action impacts the supplies of food and other valuable resources to the settlement in question just as much.
In a similar vein, acts that may displease the local spirits or manifestations of the gods are equally as serious, as based on Urusian beliefs, the angered spirits may then prove to be a hazard to the locals.
However strict its laws are, however, law enforcement in Urus is troublesome at best. The nation has a large number of guard stations and garrisons, but due to the sheer distance between individual settlements and cities, it takes upwards of ten hours for a larger number of guards to reach the scene of the crime. The treacherous landscape and steep cliffs make for an excellent opportunity to dispose of business rivals without a trace - who can prove that they didn't trip and fall off a cliff?
Urus is a monarchy. It consists of five provinces, but the division is administrative in nature rather than having significant impact on its power structure. The nation has no senate or council, only one sovereign ruler, called Emperor. The provinces are watched over by five Exarchs, who have little to no authority of their own outside of making minor adjustments to the nation's laws to better suit their region. The Exarchs are typically the only means through which commoners can contact the Emperor, however, and they regularly venture into their provinces to collect messages from the residents.
- The Myriad - Urus is where The Myriad's determination truly shines. The terrain is treacherous and the settlements are remote and isolated, but the Zealots will always find a way. A specific group of Zealots is assigned to the region to accommodate the locals' beliefs.
- Cerulean Concord - Their business with Urus is not as prosperous as it was before the discovery of Icy Furs and Flight Seeds, as the main goods they supplied to the nation were enchanted harnesses imbuing the Niravar with the power of flight, but the Concord retains their presence in the country nonetheless.
- The Emperor's Guard - Rather simple in structure, this faction consists of guards and investigators employed by the Urusian Emperor. Speed and agility are valued here, as the guards must always be ready to venture out into the mountains should a crime be committed anywhere in the country.
- Ālae Siderea - The Emperor's messengers. Among the most respected of Urus's citizens, equipped with the best gear the region has to offer. They deliver missives, urgent messages, warnings and other correspondence between key places in the region.
Economy
Urus remains economically independent as the region's wealth of resources is enough to feed and supply its residents. The valleys are filled with large farms and fields, while herders brave the rocky terrain of the cliffs up above. Any settlement that finds itself lacking certain resources can request them from the Emperor, and he will secure a regular delivery of them as a result.
- Members of the Emperor's Guard are plentiful in Urus. The job is well-paid, and the accommodation is above the standard for most Urusian residents.
- Cerulean Concord has a couple branches in the region. However, the only members they are seeking in Urus are ones skilled in magic related to flight, as it is a necessity for crafting their famous enchanted harnesses.
- Winged Niravar residing in Urus might find the Ālae Siderea trying to convince them to join their ranks. The work is prestigious and very lucrative, but likewise very taxing.
- Scholars are likewise common in Urus, and their work is held in high regard.
Other common occupations include:
- Farming
- Carpentry
- Herding
- Basket-weaving and other crafts
Culture
Business in Urus is ruthless and competition is fierce. There isn't much travel between the settlements, and aspiring businessmen must be prepared to prove they are the best the area has to offer if they want their shop or service to prosper. Due to this, many turn to less...scrupulous methods of dealing with competition.
Religion is deeply rooted within the region's culture, and acts that may displease the spirits are frowned upon. Those who ignore the warnings given to them by the locals regarding such actions may find themselves being excluded from the community as a whole, and the guards may pay less attention to any crimes committed on that individual or their belongings. Shrines are abundant, even in the most remote of locations, and prayers are likewise frequent.
Emaivaren is a holiday held during the first week of September every year. It is held to commemorate the tragic events surrounding the city of Imalnora which disappeared off the maps a decade ago, when the mountain it was built on crumbled and collapsed due to the mines below damaging its foundation, leaving only a single survivor behind. During this week, no celebrations or other disruptive events are to be held, and speaking or performing any loud activities in public is strictly prohibited. The residents often venture to the spots where the bridges connecting Imalnora to the surrounding mountains were. There, they leave candles and offerings to the local spirits by the dilapidated poles which used to hold the rope bridges before they were ripped apart by the mountain collapsing.
International Relations
The nation's primary trade partners are Toneru Islands and Djama. Urusian scholars travel to Toneru Islands fairly often in order to educate its citizens, and Djama provides valuable spices that are otherwise inaccessible within Urus.
Urus does not approve of Drakhan's actions on Sorcas Islands, but will not fight the nation unless they invade their territory.
Factions
Emperor's Guard
Lawful GoodFew individuals in Urus get to experience the same adventures as the Emperor's Guard. Investigating crime in a country located primarily on mountain peaks is a monumental task, and members of the faction have to be ready to depart for a crime scene in the dead of night should it be necessary.
The Emperor's Guard is based in the Urus capital of Lileth Ortheyan, out of which commands are issued to guards across the country.
The Emperor's Guard frequently ventures into major cities across Urus to recruit Niravar for their cause. Typically, only Niravar possessing extraordinary physical strength, agility, or intelligence are accepted into the faction. An oath to the Emperor is part of the initiation ceremony.
The Emperor's Guard follows these rules:
- Crime is to be investigated immediately and punished accordingly.
- No third party or foreign power may influence the actions of the Guard.
- The Emperor's word is above that of anyone else.
The Emperor's Shadow ◈
An individual residing in the Emperor's Palace. He only issues orders when immediate action needs to be taken, and leaves most of the day-to-day activities to his council.
Council of Generals ◈
Captains of the Emperor's Guard perform a variety of jobs ranging from paperwork to overseeing the work of their subordinates. They issue commands and pursue major cases and investigations.
Emperor's Eyes
The Emperor's Eyes scout the Urusian landscape for oddities and unusual findings, which they report back to the Palace. They answer directly to the Emperor.
Investigators
When a crime is committed in Urus, an Investigator is dispatched to examine the area and apprehend the criminal, if possible. Speed and intelligence are valued especially high here.
Guards
A simple term for a complex job - Guards protect the Palace and any other points of interest across the country. They look out for intruders, inspect vulnerabilities in the given stronghold's defenses, and are often the first to respond in the case of an emergency due to them being stationed in remote areas across the nation.
Alae Siderea
Lawful GoodA faction of primarily winged messengers serving the Urusian Emperor. Niravar from all across Terran venture to Urus to gain the plentiful perks which come with membership within the organization. Messengers are paid generously, and the highest ranking ones get the privilege of occasionally seeing the Urusian Emperor in person. To the citizens of Urus, the members of Ālae Siderea are an extension of the Emperor himself, and they receive boundless hospitality as a result.
The main duties of the organization's members are somewhat self-explanatory. They deliver letters, packages, lighter supplies or equipment between individual settlements in Urus. Some of the members may also be asked to investigate crime scenes and other critical situations which require immediate response from the Emperor's Guard.
The leader of the Ālae Siderea is uptight and strict beyond belief. He resides within the Emperor's palace and practically worships the ruler of Urus, believing any failure to complete a task to be a direct disappointment to the Emperor himself. Due to this, disobeying commands and failing to do everything under the Sun at once is severely punished.
Joining the Ālae Siderea can be a long, tedious ordeal. However, winged Niravar are accepted automatically, regardless of experience or skill. This includes Niravar with bug wings, butterfly wings, dragon wings, feathered wings, or any other type which allows them to fly for extended periods of time.
A wingless Niravar in the Ālae Siderea means another enchanted harness they have to commission from the Cerulean Concord, which means more expenses they could be spending elsewhere. Due to this, getting into the organization as a wingless Niravar is nearly impossible, and one requires powerful and influential connections or sponsors to even attempt the strenuous trials that test whether the individual is a good fit for the Emperor's messengers.
Alternatively, if they do not wish to try their luck against all the other candidates, they can pay the guild the full price of getting a new flight harness made and fitted, and they will be accepted. The price is typically upwards of twenty thousand Drops, and the recruit still risks getting removed from the guild should they fail to perform the tasks assigned to them without mistake.
While winged Niravar are accepted right away, they still need to undergo basic training before they're allowed to start delivering letters.
The Ālae Siderea' code consists of three rules:
- The messengers are to never read the letters they are delivering, or look at the contents of the packages they are carrying. Only the intended recipients may see what the letters and packages contain.
- The messengers may never ask anyone else to deliver whatever correspondence they may be carrying for them. The only exception to this rule would be a situation where the messenger gets injured or killed, in which case another member of Ālae Siderea will take over their work as soon as possible.
- The Emperor's correspondence has priority over everything else.
The Nova ◈
Ālae Siderea's leader. Lives in the palace with the Urusian Emperor and is rarely seen in public. They only ever communicate with the Nebulae, if anyone.
Nebulae
The Ālae Siderea Nebulae manage individual outposts within the country and oversee day-to-day operations. They distribute letters and packages between Messengers and make sure everyone has roughly the same amount of work to do for the day. They are also responsible for resolving any issues the Messengers may run into. The ones situated in Lileth Ortheyan, Urus's capital, also oversee the application and training of new members.
Lodestars
Lodestars work as ordinary Messengers for the most part, but are the first to get called to the scene of a crime should any occur within their assigned area. They assess the situation and head to the nearest guard post to deliver a report on it. Unlike regular messengers, Lodestars are typically skilled in combat and are expected to pursue and capture criminals until the Emperor's Guard reach their location.
Messengers
The primary duty of the Messengers is to deliver correspondence within their designated area or province. They are to avoid any distractions which may prolong the time it takes to deliver what they are carrying, and must always report to their Captain at the end of the day.
The Sky Criers
Lawful NeutralThe Sky-Criers are a deeply spiritual faction who are primarily concerned with matters of death and the dead. Criers can be considered “professional mourners”; they sing (cry) for the dead, arrange funerals, and help those grieving a recent loss. Should their paths cross, Criers oppose those who would pervert death - such as void reapers or necromancers - but do not actively seek out these groups.
Criers have one true purpose: to sing laments for the dead. By showing the gods how much someone is missed by those still living, they hope to earn them a swift return from the Aether, and a sweeter new life.
Due to their heavy association with death, superstition clings to Criers like dewdrops. It’s believed they are closer to the spirits than other Nir, and that they can bring misfortune to the living if wronged. By singing a lament to one still living, they might hasten that Nir’s passage to the grave. Urusian stories of tragedy might tell of onlookers hearing a Crier weeping as an omen of something dark to come.
Faction concept by @J-Haskell, Edits by @Lairai
The process of joining the Sky-Criers is direct but unstructured; a would-be Crier must simply find a member of the faction who is willing to take them on as an apprentice. Both humanoids and nir are accepted into the Criers.
Over the next few years, the apprentice is tasked with learning from and helping out their mentor. A mentor is expected to teach mourning songs, as well as a respect for the Criers’ rules: while patience is expected, a mentor should not be afraid to part ways with an apprentice who is unskilled or unsuited for the life.
Once they are deemed ready, the pair must travel to Lileth Ortheyan. There, the apprentice will be assessed by a group of Imperial Criers, some of the most experienced Criers in Urus. Should they perform to their satisfaction in a series of skill and moral tests, the apprentice will be permitted to become a full-fledged Crier, and allowed to do their duties alone.
While the Criers allow their members a good deal of freedom in how they comport themselves, there are certain basic rules they all share:
- A Crier must recognize that their obligation is foremost to their responsibility to the dead. To neglect that is to forget the very purpose their order exists.
- A Crier must never extort or take advantage of the grieving. They may expect compensation for their service, but should never demand what is beyond the means of their client.
- A Crier should stand against those who would pervert death - such as void reapers or necromancers - when their paths cross. But they should not seek out such confrontations, and in so doing neglect their first duty.
- Lastly, Criers should show respect for the spirits that call Urus home.
Eldest Imperial Crier...? ◈
Typically, the Criers' activities are decided by the orders of the eldest Crier in the Emperor's palace. Recently, however, His Magnificence Abydemus the Resplendent has been favoring a different Crier. How scandalous is that?
Imperial Criers ◈
The Emperor of Urus himself keeps a small group of experienced Criers in service to himself and his court. Should the worst come to pass and His Magnificence perish, it is the responsibility of the Imperial Criers to ensure that he receives a suitable funeral and mourning. On a more day-to-day basis, Imperial Criers provide their services to His Magnificence’s family, court, and staff.
Imperial Criers, while enjoying great status, are subject to more superstition and scrutiny than any other Criers. Their actions and mannerisms may be interpreted as omens by those around them - be those portents of good or bad. For example, if an Imperial Crier emerges from their quarters looking sad when there is no apparent ill news, it may be seen as a sign that a tragedy is soon to come.
While most Imperial Criers take care to school their expressions into blissful neutrality to manage this, some instead use this to subtly nudge politics in their preferred direction. Old stories tell of unpopular conflicts avoided because of Imperial Criers engineering bad omens on the eve of battle, or other such occasions where they might use superstition to influence the Emperor and his court.
Family Criers
Some wealthy Urusian families may host a dedicated Crier for their household. These Criers will usually be employed with several families in a single town or city, as unless a family is deeply unlucky, there will not be enough work to keep them occupied for long. Family Criers may also be paid to work for a whole town, often in the form of guaranteed housing and access to food.
While Family Criers are treated with respect by their employers, they are often seen as nir apart due to their association with tragedy and death. While it is hardly their fault when misfortune strikes, some may come to associate them with cause for grief regardless.
Wandering Criers
The majority of Sky Cries are travellers, their wanderings taking them even to remote mountain villages, who offer their services in exchange for shelter, food, and other kindnesses. While the job is not as prestigious, perhaps, as serving a single family or the Emperor himself, it is deeply valued in Urusian society and offers a great amount of freedom to how individuals choose to ply their trade.
Crier Novices
A Sky Crier in training. Novices are given as much freedom and privileges as their mentor decides they are ready to handle, but are not allowed to attend to the duties of a Crier on their own. Their mentor must accompany them in all their official duties.
Notable Characters
Abydemus the ResplendentThe Emperor of Urus, said to be the embodiment of all the spirits and manifestations of the gods that call the nation home. Outside of his incredibly rare visits to the common folk, he only speaks to the few advisors he has. In spite of his intimidating visage, the general consensus among the palace staff is that he is fairly friendly and patient. Embers trail behind his tail whenever he moves. |
Isfaen the BellicoseThe older child of Abydemus the Resplendent, Emperor of Urus. Isfaen is looking forward to his potential role as emperor, and seeks to make major changes in the country's international relations. He believes Urus needs to be more invested in protecting itself from a potential Drakhan attack, part of which is also ending its isolation from the surrounding countries. He is brash and quick to anger, but ultimately cares about his country more than anything or anyone else. |
Iveradyl the FairThe younger child of Abydemus the Resplendent, Emperor of Urus. Unlike their brother, Isfaen, Iveradyl was adopted by the Emperor when his guards found them by one of Urus's aether pools. Due to this, their claim to the throne is often disputed, even though they appear to be more considerate and mature than their sibling. Iveradyl is proud of their spot in the Emperor's family nonetheless, and can often be seen wearing the most expensive of fabrics and jewellery. |
Void Reaper Presence
Reference images
Geography & ArchitectureUrus is a massive nation covered entirely in massive stone pillars (often made of sandstone), with some reaching sizes large enough to support entire towns and cities on their peaks. The nation is effectively split into two layers:
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- The Soil - Urus's ground level. Small wooden sheds and cottages huddle together in the shadow of Urus's mountains, often forgotten and poorly maintained. The Emperor's Guards stop by at the individual settlements to collect taxes from the residents, but the nation takes little to no interest in the development of these locations. The Soil is riddled with bandits, wild animals, and Void Reapers. Urusian locals tend to say that no one stays on the nation's ground level intentionally.
A common misconception about Urus is that its architecture is based on China, Japan, or Korea. This is not the case. If real-life parallels are to be drawn, Urusian architecture would be closer to a mixture of historical Kazakhstan building styles and architecture in Sumer/Mesopotamia.
Nokohii CrestSituated near the Twin Whispers, Nokohii Crest is a trading hub for any merchants who dare to brave the mountain settlements of Urus. The settlement itself is built on Mt. Nokohii, an exceptionally flat karst mountain the top of which provides the perfect spot for a sizeable town. Every year, the locals hold a celebration called the Nokohii Crest Carnival, and tourists and residents of Urus alike flock to the town to partake in the festivities. |
Ruins of ImalnoraA collapsed mountain to the north-east of the Twin Whispers. Destroyed walls and crushed furniture can still be found among the debris. |
Twin WhispersThe Twin Whispers is a magnificent waterfall fed by two rivers of differing colors. The eastern river maintains a brilliant deep blue, and the western river a bright blue-green color. The two rivers meet at the waterfall, their individual colors maintained as they pour over the lush mountain-karsts, until the waters reach the bottom and combine. |
Lileth OrtheyanA small city nestled into the side of a particularly large mountain. This is the seat of the Urusian Emperor, and as such, is mostly populated by advisors, guards, guild leaders and politicians. The lower half of the city is open to visitors and filled with street performers and stalls all year round. The houses in this city tend to have hidden doors leading into the extensive tunnel system carved into the mountain, created to evacuate the Emperor should the need ever arise. |