Angenteria
11-10-2008, 21:04
Name: The Empire of Xao-Cian
Race: Human
Overview- The Empire of Xao-Cian is a large empire located in the eastern lands. As such, they have developed largely by themselves, untouched from influences from outsiders.
Government:
The Empire of Xao-Cian is ruled by the presiding Emperor, Emperor Xuo (http://genyaxadrian.deviantart.com/art/Emperor-18353463). His Court presides within the Imperial City, a massive city which is strictly forbidden to outsiders. Entering the Imperial City requires one to gain possession of the Imperial Mandate, a scroll signed by the Emperor Himself, allowing a person to enter and leave the city as they please. The Empire is divided up into prefectures, which are governed by a Prefect. They are appointed from members of the Imperial Court who have distinguished themselves able to take on the administrative task. Succession is hereditary, as the Emperor's eldest son or daughter will stand to take the throne upon his death, unless delegated by the Emperor during his life.
Religion:
The religion of the Empire is based around the veneration of the place known as Heaven, where it is said that the gods themselves reside. It is widely believed that the Imperial family has been given the right to rule the Empire by Heaven, signifying that the gods themselves approve of the Imperial Family's rule. It is believed that all souls upon their death proceed to Heaven, and are united with their ancestors.
Economy:
The economy of the Empire is just as old as the Imperial Family, and stretches back thousands of years. Their coins, known locally as zhu, were first minted after the Unification Wars by the Empress Shu.
History:
Nobody really knows how the area that would be known as the Empire was settled, but it has been assumed that men have always lived there. The first written records, taken back thousands of years ago, tell of a time when the empire was split into a myriad of kingdoms and regional warlords, who were at constant warfare with each other. This time would be known as the Time of Chaos, as there was no peace amongst the constant bloodshed, as the people couldn't stop the conscription of those into the armies of the local warlords.
It was towards the end of this time where a woman known as Shu came to power in the kingdom of Xao. Saddened by the chaos around her, Shu began to consolidate her power, winning over to her side the kings and queens of rival kingdoms, uniting them under one banner, and destroying those that resisted. It is said that whenever her army approached an enemy, she would offer the enemy the chance to surrender before the battle began. If refused, the battle would continue as such, and when it became clear that the victory would belong to Shu, she would offer the chance to surrender again. If refused, there would be no other offers, and she would not stop until her enemy would be completely destroyed. This time would be known as the Unification Wars. As her armies spread across the empire, a powerful warlord called Jin resisted, uniting all the warlords under a common purpose, to resist the Armies of Shu. After a series of minor skirmishes, the two armies clashed at the at the Plains of Tien. The battle lasted for one week, as the armies went at each other over and over again, with either sign refusing to let up. It was at this time when Shu took to the battlefield personally. A master swordswoman, she personally led the charge with her elite Gao-Shia cavalry, and broke the back of the enemy's offensive. Pushing all the way to the enemy's encampment, she personally fought Jin in a one-on-one confrontation to the death, emerging victorious after a vicious battle that lasted 2 hours.
Once victorious, Shu immediately set to work building an empire which, up until then, had been beset by war. Cities were built from the ground up, roads were constructed, people, for the first time in generations, could live their lives without fear of death. The rebuilding era took years, but it laid the foundations of an empire that would last for thousands of years.
Society:
The vast majority of Imperial Citizens are commoners in farming villages or larger cities. People gain recognition through merit, and can achieve status as a result.
Military:
The Imperial Army is a strong, united force, that is well disciplined and trained. It is the standing army of the Empire, and responds to any threat, both domestic and foreign.
Infantry: The basic Imperial Soldier is either armed with a sword or polearm, and equipped with an armor and shield They are an all-round fighting force.
Archers: Imperial Archers have acted as a support role to infantry for ages, and with good reason. Imperial Archers, used in massed volleys, appear to be able to block out the sun itself with their black-shafted arrows.
Crossbows: The Imperial Crossbow has, over the years, become a major weapon of the Imperial Army, alongside that of the bow, as a ranged weapon of choice. Easy to make, and easy to train a soldier in the use of, a crossbow can fire smaller bolts at a higher velocity then the average bow can, giving it great armor-piercing capabilities.
Cavalry: The Horseman of the Empire are a strong force, and consist of numerous armed and armored horsemen.
Gao-Shia: The Gao-Shia, once known as the elite cavalry of the Empress Shu, has evolved into the term for the elite bodyguards of the Imperial Family, accompanying them wherever they go. Only bestowed upon soldiers who have shown exceptional skill in combat, the Gao-Shia are exceptional fighters, and would gladly die to protect the Emperor and his family.
Race: Human
Overview- The Empire of Xao-Cian is a large empire located in the eastern lands. As such, they have developed largely by themselves, untouched from influences from outsiders.
Government:
The Empire of Xao-Cian is ruled by the presiding Emperor, Emperor Xuo (http://genyaxadrian.deviantart.com/art/Emperor-18353463). His Court presides within the Imperial City, a massive city which is strictly forbidden to outsiders. Entering the Imperial City requires one to gain possession of the Imperial Mandate, a scroll signed by the Emperor Himself, allowing a person to enter and leave the city as they please. The Empire is divided up into prefectures, which are governed by a Prefect. They are appointed from members of the Imperial Court who have distinguished themselves able to take on the administrative task. Succession is hereditary, as the Emperor's eldest son or daughter will stand to take the throne upon his death, unless delegated by the Emperor during his life.
Religion:
The religion of the Empire is based around the veneration of the place known as Heaven, where it is said that the gods themselves reside. It is widely believed that the Imperial family has been given the right to rule the Empire by Heaven, signifying that the gods themselves approve of the Imperial Family's rule. It is believed that all souls upon their death proceed to Heaven, and are united with their ancestors.
Economy:
The economy of the Empire is just as old as the Imperial Family, and stretches back thousands of years. Their coins, known locally as zhu, were first minted after the Unification Wars by the Empress Shu.
History:
Nobody really knows how the area that would be known as the Empire was settled, but it has been assumed that men have always lived there. The first written records, taken back thousands of years ago, tell of a time when the empire was split into a myriad of kingdoms and regional warlords, who were at constant warfare with each other. This time would be known as the Time of Chaos, as there was no peace amongst the constant bloodshed, as the people couldn't stop the conscription of those into the armies of the local warlords.
It was towards the end of this time where a woman known as Shu came to power in the kingdom of Xao. Saddened by the chaos around her, Shu began to consolidate her power, winning over to her side the kings and queens of rival kingdoms, uniting them under one banner, and destroying those that resisted. It is said that whenever her army approached an enemy, she would offer the enemy the chance to surrender before the battle began. If refused, the battle would continue as such, and when it became clear that the victory would belong to Shu, she would offer the chance to surrender again. If refused, there would be no other offers, and she would not stop until her enemy would be completely destroyed. This time would be known as the Unification Wars. As her armies spread across the empire, a powerful warlord called Jin resisted, uniting all the warlords under a common purpose, to resist the Armies of Shu. After a series of minor skirmishes, the two armies clashed at the at the Plains of Tien. The battle lasted for one week, as the armies went at each other over and over again, with either sign refusing to let up. It was at this time when Shu took to the battlefield personally. A master swordswoman, she personally led the charge with her elite Gao-Shia cavalry, and broke the back of the enemy's offensive. Pushing all the way to the enemy's encampment, she personally fought Jin in a one-on-one confrontation to the death, emerging victorious after a vicious battle that lasted 2 hours.
Once victorious, Shu immediately set to work building an empire which, up until then, had been beset by war. Cities were built from the ground up, roads were constructed, people, for the first time in generations, could live their lives without fear of death. The rebuilding era took years, but it laid the foundations of an empire that would last for thousands of years.
Society:
The vast majority of Imperial Citizens are commoners in farming villages or larger cities. People gain recognition through merit, and can achieve status as a result.
Military:
The Imperial Army is a strong, united force, that is well disciplined and trained. It is the standing army of the Empire, and responds to any threat, both domestic and foreign.
Infantry: The basic Imperial Soldier is either armed with a sword or polearm, and equipped with an armor and shield They are an all-round fighting force.
Archers: Imperial Archers have acted as a support role to infantry for ages, and with good reason. Imperial Archers, used in massed volleys, appear to be able to block out the sun itself with their black-shafted arrows.
Crossbows: The Imperial Crossbow has, over the years, become a major weapon of the Imperial Army, alongside that of the bow, as a ranged weapon of choice. Easy to make, and easy to train a soldier in the use of, a crossbow can fire smaller bolts at a higher velocity then the average bow can, giving it great armor-piercing capabilities.
Cavalry: The Horseman of the Empire are a strong force, and consist of numerous armed and armored horsemen.
Gao-Shia: The Gao-Shia, once known as the elite cavalry of the Empress Shu, has evolved into the term for the elite bodyguards of the Imperial Family, accompanying them wherever they go. Only bestowed upon soldiers who have shown exceptional skill in combat, the Gao-Shia are exceptional fighters, and would gladly die to protect the Emperor and his family.