The Cerulean Empire
Acosha I founded this Empire in the year 1359RE [246SA]. During his reign (1359 - 1374RE [246-261SA]) he formed alliances with the royal houses of Chaol and Indar, and built the Cerulean Army into a powerful force. Toward the end of his reign (1366 - 1368RE [253-255SA]) he tested his new army and conquered Nyshan. Acosha was succeeded by Maeru the Great (1374 - 1406RE [261-293SA]). In Maeru's reign the nation became a dynamic and militant Empire. In his first campaign the Empire conquered Dhalran (1375RE [262SA]), Samai (1376RE [263SA]) and Ba'shan (1378RE [265SA]). Following these victories, he formed an alliance with the Patani and sealed it by conquering the Dallaza (1389 - 1396RE [276-283SA]). In the final years of his reign Maeru conquered Huam (1397RE [284SA]) and Chohas (1402RE [289SA]) and led an abortive invasion into the jungles of Teosa (1404 - 1406RE [291-293SA]). He died of amoebic dysentery while besieging Teos (at the age of 62) and the Cerulean forces withdrew to honor his death.
Maeru's successors kept the Empire at peace and consolidated their hold on it. In the year 1520RE [407SA] Dhaji the Supple, serving as regent for her son, led the army in defense against the northern desert tribes (1520 - 1524RE [407-411SA]) and shattered them. To mark this great victory she founded Ermetn (1526RE [413SA]) and ordered a lightning raid into Bhamotin, forcing a heavy tribute on that nation. After this final victory, at the age of 39, she surrendered the throne to her son and retired into private life.
The reign of Maure the Stubborn (1529 - 1553RE [416-440SA]) was marked by the conquest of Halle (1536 - 1539RE [423-426SA]) from the Rogizini Empire and repeated attempts to conquer the Bal'sani. The army repeatedly failed to pin down the Bal'sani (1543 - 1550RE [430-437SA]) and suffered heavy losses in their effort to do so. In the year 1551RE [438SA], using a strategm devised by Dhaji the Supple, Maure gained an alliance with the Col'ka (1552RE [439SA]) - which gave the Empire a route through the mountains and strengthened their position in Halle.
Maure was succeeded by Acosha the Mad (1553 - 1574RE [440-461SA]), a stupid, energetic and maniacal ruler. During his reign the Empire suffered a bloody defeat at the hands of the Bal'sani (1556RE [443SA]), lost the Bhamotin tribute (1564RE [451SA]) and failed to conquer Hadat (1561 - 1565RE [448-452SA]). In the year 1566RE [453SA], to honor the death of his grandmother (Dhaji the Supple), he ordered the fleet to destroy Vahear. In this war (1566 - 1567RE [453-454SA]), 50% of the Cerulean fleet was destroyed. In the year 1574RE [461SA], the night before he was to announce an invasion into Katai, he was assassinated by his generals. Following this assassination, the Empire was rocked by a major civil war (1574 - 1580RE [461-467SA]). After the third Battle of Indar, the old dynasty (the Jhagovasar) was supplanted by Prince Maoud Maulita, first Emperor of the Maulitii Dynasty.
Under the Maulitii dynasty, the Cerulean Empire experienced a Golden Age in which the arts flourished. In the year 1902RE [789SA] their reign was ended by the Patani guard. Following this coup, Amy'pas I became the first Emperor of the Patani dynasty. During his reign (1902 - 1957RE [789-844SA]), Amy'pas fought an inconclusive war with L'p'nth (1903 - 1906RE [790-793SA]), conquered Hadat (1917 - 1919RE [804-806SA]), married a Rogizini princess (1932RE [819SA]) and began a great war against Bhamotin (1944-1963RE [831-850SA]) that was lost by his successor, Aym'briz I (1957 - 1963RE [844-850SA]).
Aym'briz was a weakling who lived in constant terror of his father. He was in the Valley of Shame during the final battle against Bhamotin. At a crucial point in this battle he was terrified by the approach of a horribly-wounded, gore-splattered knight bearing a flaming sword. He fled, contributing that his father had come from hell to slay him. The Marshal killed him on the spot and left him for the vultures.
After killing Aym'briz, Marshal Ho'aza Dalya seized the throne as Regent for the Patani heirs. With the support of the army, he dedicated his reign to training the Patani heirs and reorganizing the Empire. His reign (1963 - 1986RE [850-873SA]) forced discipline on the Empire and led to the Satrap system as it is today. Since his death, the Cerulean Empire has remained a disciplined, stable and prosperous land.
NOTE - The current ruler of the Cerulean Empire is Aym'ayya II, a 75-year-old man. His heir, Marshal Aym'nera, is a militant officer who dreams of conquest. At 48, he is a competent and experienced general who will lead the Empire to war when he takes the throne. (Aym'ayya will die in the spring of the year 2218RE [1105SA], the victim of a subtle poison. His murderer will be the Guildmaster of Dechat's deadliest Assassin's Guild.)
Population
The capital is Cerul (82,000). Its other major cities, each the capital of a Satrapy, are Dhalran (67,000), Indar (36,000), Chaol (31,000), Nyshan (29,000), Halle (26,000), Chohas (20,000), Hadat (18,000), Ba'shan (15,000), Huam (14,000), Samai (12,000) and Ermetn (11,000). The tribal population of the Empire includes 109,000 Patana and 41,000 Dallaza. Its total population is 3,000,000.
The army of the Empire is divided into three groups. The Imperial Army contains 12,000 footmen and 6,000 cavalry. The 11 Satraps of the nation, one per city excluding Cerul, control 20,000 footmen, 5,000 cavalry and 24,000 militia. The tribal hosts of the Empire are under the command of their Great Chief, who owes fealty only to the Emperor. The Patani Host fields 15,000 warriors and the Dallaza Host fields 6,000 warriors. The total army of the Empire has 88,000 men-at-arms, more than 20% of which is cavalry (including 90% of the Patana and 50% of the Dallaza).
The fleet is divided into two groups. The Imperial Navy contains 36 warships, 16 of which are triremes, and 24 river patrol barges. The fleets of Satraps who reign in ports total 40 warships, including 4 triremes. Satraps whose capital city is located on a river have 1-6 river patrol barges, if they have a sea fleet, and 5-10 if they don't. The total strength of the Empire's ocean fleet is 76 ships, 20 of which are triremes.
Economy
The Cerulean Empire controls the most productive agriculture area in the world. It has large mines and sits aside the major land route between Katai and the west. It is a wealthy and aggressive nation that is wisely feared by its enemies.
Religion
Ceruleans fear the supernatural, especially those forces that seek to harm man. Their religion is aimed at placating hostile forces through worship and sacrifice. Due to their power, and extreme hostility, the gods that most Ceruleans worship are gods of Chaos, especially Ahriman, Nergal, Abaddon and Ba'en'kekon.
Personality
The Empire has three distinct personalities. The elite (high-caste military and nobles) are suave, well-educated and disciplined individuals with hair-trigger tempers. They can be unreasonable when angered or insulted. Most members of this group are wealthy and honorable. To offer a person of this class a bribe is a grave insult, as the offer implies that you think he is base enough to accept it.
NOTE - Civilied citizens of station 6 and 10 fit in this class.
Common citizens are ignorant, stoic and passive. Most are talented at obeying orders and enjoy showing their superiority over people of lower station. Common citizens fear, and respect, the elite. They yearn for personal wealth and power. Most members of this class are susceptible to bribery due to their lust for wealth and power and the general poverty of their lives. As a group, they can be bought.
NOTE - Civilized citizens of station 0-3 fit in this class.
The final class is composed of barbarians and soldiers. These people are gruff, taciturn and dedicated. Honor is the most important thing in their lives, followed closely by personal victory and fame. They will do nothing that compromises their personal position or honor and react violently to any insult. In battle, they obey orders well and show a great deal of cunning and initiative in carrying out orders.
NOTE - Barbarians, civilized soldiers and persons with a station of 4 fit in this class.
The general trait that all Ceruleans share is an immense fear of the supernatural. When faced with a supernatural threat, they are hard-pressed to hold their ground. If they do, they fight with a frenzied desperation aimed at eliminating the threat before it can get them. As a general rule, the higher the station of the Cerulean, the more likely he will fight rather than flee (using station x 15% for this when it applies.) Exhibitions of cowardice by a Cerulean noble are dishonorable regardless of the adversary. (The Referee should not compel Players to live by this national trait if they do not wish to do so. He should use it when non-player Ceruleans are in play on one side or the other.)
Legal System
This nation is a feudal Empire with a powerful military. Local satraps, depending on the strength of the reigning Emperor, are more or less independent in their land. Each is responsible for administering justice and civil affairs. Each Satrapy also has a Viceroy. The Viceroy commands the army and enforces the laws. Viceroys are only responsible to the Marshal of the Empire, the supreme commander of the Imperial Army (who is only responsible to the Emperor). They are appointed by the Marshal subject to Imperial approval. Satraps are only responsible to the Emperor, though they are required to make yearly reports to the Grand Vizier of the Empire. A Satrap's title is hereditary. He can only be removed from power for treason.
Viceroys commonly serve four to eight years in their post. Commands at this level are rotated to minimize the chance that an ambitious Viceroy will try to seize power. Satraps have no power over their Viceroy and he has none over them. Another feature of the Cerulean system is its network of Imperial spies, agents and assassins whose identity is only known to the Emperor and his Grand Vizier. They move through the Empire in various disguises inspecting the Satrapies and insuring that the will of the Emperor is enforced. Under a strong Emperor, "the Secret Army" can be a devastating force. Under a weak Emperor, like Aym'ayya, they become a source of corruption and evil.
A single system of law applies to all citizens. Any field-grade officer (Colonel and higher) can serve as a judge. Unless the officer is bribable, and the felon has enough money, the verdict is final and punishment is immediate. Penalties for crime in this Empire are corporal punishment, imprisonment, slavery and death. When a crime warrants death, it is always a slow and painful one.
NOTE - In theory, all citizens have the right to appeal to the Satrap's court, and, from there, to the Emperor. In fact, only the wealthy can afford to do this. (Many officials must be bribed before the case reaches court.)
Allies
The Ceruleans have good relations with the Rogizini Empire. The Viceroy of Chohas are responsible for the protectorate of Dechat. He treats them well, as did his predecessor. The Satraps of Samai and Ba'shan, nobles of Katai extraction, has close trade ties with the Katai duchies of Tirat, Koi'lan and Tiansar.
Enemies
Bhamotin and Vahear are major enemies. The Empire wants to conquer Teosa, for honor's sake. They hate Vahear because Vahear protects Teosa. The Cerulean Empire considers the cults of L'p'nth and Clima to be immoral and sadistic monstrosities. They deal with these nations on as limited a basis as possible. They would never consider an alliance with either of them.
Language
| Cerulean | ||
| Balas | 10% | |
| Dallazi | 20% | |
| Katai | 30% | (The Dominant language in the Satrapy of Ba'shan) |
| Dechan | 5% | |
| Bhamoti | 10% | |
| Patani | 30% | |
| Dhalrani | 40% | (The Dominant language in the Satrapy of Dhalran) |
| L'p'nth | 10% | |
| Teosa | 10% | |
| Fomorian | 5% | |
| Rogizini | 30% | (The Dominant language in the Satrapy of Halle) |
NOTE - The Cerulean Empire is a large Empire with many diverse cultures in its boundaries. It is held together by its military strength and a somewhat laissez-faire attitude toward cultural differences when they do not interfere with the governing of the Empire.
Basic Characteristics
Height {68"} Weight 175lbs
Common Weapons
Scimitar, Spear, Light or Medium Bow
Ancestry
The Cerulean people are kin of the Patana and the Dalya. The people in the east are kin of Katai, those in the west are Rogizini and Bhamoti kin. Residents of the south, around Dhalran, are related to the people of Teos.
The Dalya
| Height | 68" | |
| Weight | 175lbs |
Favored Weapons
Scimitar, Spear, Light Bow
Earth Equivalent
Northern Afghans and people of Southern Turkestan
Other Notes
The Dalya commonly use bucklers, leather armor and leather helmets in battle. For everyday wear they prefer soft leather, fur and woolen vests.
The Patana
| Height | 67" | |
| Weight | 175lbs |
Favored Weapons
Scimitar, Lance, Dirk
Earth Equivalent
Southern Afghan tribes especially the Pathan
Other Notes
The Patana wear leather. In battle they use bucklers, scalemail and helmets. With the rise of the new Cerulean dynasty, they have taken to wearing finely-embroidered cloth in fine robes and capes.
Calendar (Dynastic)
The Royal Calendar of Cerul records time in terms of the number of years that the reigning dynasty has ruled. Currently it is the 311th year of the Patani.
NOTE - Both the Katai and the Rogizini calendars are used in this empire. The Katai calendar is common in the east, the Rogizini calendar is dominant in the west.