The Erissian Imperium

The Erissian Imperium is the oldest concurrent human country, one who's history is filled with countless conflicts, coups, political/religious battles, and wars. Though early Erissia may have resembled a significantly different country, with grandeur ideals and even greater aspirations, the infalliable greed of humanity corrupted many of these past ideologies and formed the current Erissian Imperium.  

A Brief History

The Imperium had initially been the Kalig Republic, a meritocratic republic in which only those with significant power and connections could live long enough to hold any outstanding political pull; one in which humans were regarded as the lowest class due to their lack of any significant abilities when compared to many other demi-human races, though there were some humans who did surpass this classism (these were outstanding individuals even by modern standards). This republic had been toppled by a valiant Human effort, one in which the 12 "Dragon Kings" who ruled the Kalig Republic were slain, and the Erissian Kingdom had taken its place. With Baldur's Gate as its epicenter, the newly-founded Kingdom had gradually gained enough strength to declare war on 7 other neighboring kingdom, and establish the borders and many ideologies the modern Erissian Imperium holds today. After the 8-Kingdom war, many non-human species were subject to many attrocities and cast out from their former nations into the surrounding territories (such as the Former Ever-Life Kingdom and The Great House Coalition), though these non-human races weren't outright banned from the territory of Erissia, nor were they killed en-mass.  

Laws and Politics

 

Nobility

  Nobles are considered to be the end-all-be-all to decisions related to their granted territory, however, a noble court, the High Court, does exist in which nobles seen misusing their power to an extreme can be tried and can loose their nobility. This court is made of Royals, Marquess, and Earls, who must act in impartiallity, with any seen choosing a side un-related to the case at hand also being tried in court. The Erissian Imperium houses a very top-down socioeconomic political spectrum, in which the Emperor or Empress lies at the pinnacle of power, with Duccal Houses as family to the Emperor and Arch-Duccal houses as directly related members of the Emperors family (parents and siblings). Below these royal bloodlines is the following nobility based on highest to lowest ranks and respect;   Marquess   Earl   Count   Viscount   Baron   Knight-Valiant* (respect with minimal lands or delegation) and Visbaron (more nobility but less respect compared to a Baron).   Knight**   * - Knight-Valiants are Knights with incredible accomplishments deserving of power (ie. a general, a knight who died saving the emperor, etc.). This title is NOT hereditary.   ** - The Knight title is awarded to those granted Knight-hood through valor, accomplishments, and servitude. This title is NOT hereditary.    

Imperial Laws

  Say What You Will, I Live Free   This is the freedom of speech (and not to be confused with the freedom of consequences). Critisism of the government is semi-common in the Erissian Imperium, though lords and nobles are free to enact the law when faced with un-civil discourse. Any trepeditions against this law, with significant evidence, can bring a noble to the High Court.   Kingly Courts   All visitors of the Imperium are subject to the laws of the Imperium, regardless of status, unless otherwise granted exceptionalism by the Emperor. This exception is usually only given in incredibly dire or important matters, such as war counscils or serious diplomatic talks.   Slavery is Allowed, Humans Live Free   Slavery of non-human races is permitted, however, abuse of slaves is illegal. The purchase of slaves for the purpose of killing, sex-trafficking, drug-smuggling, and other high-crimes is prohibbited and will lead to the Slave Master being incarcerated, or even enslaved themselves, if caught. Half-Humans are NOT permitted to be bought or sold as slaves; the exception to this law is if a half-human slave is brought in from out-of-country, or if otherwise enslaved through legal punishment by the Nobility or other courts.   Murder is Prohibited, Duels Are Speech   Murder of any soul, regardless of race or species, is prohibbited and is punishable by life-time hard labor, execution, or enslavement. Legal Duels with consenting parties is legal and considred a form of speech, as duels with nobility are permitted, however the noble in the duel decides the rules of engagement and any terms to be signed (the higher ranking noble takes priority, even ranked-nobility treat the terms as normal). Any duels found to be illegal and without consent or signature will be treated as murder.   Arcane Arts Prohibition   Under the majesty and grace of the previous Empress, a ban on all practice of Arcane arts has been issued. All Wizards, Warlocks, and Sorcerers are prohibitted from using any magics. Discovery of any magic being used will result in a burning at the stake or curcifiction unless proven innocent by word of a Noble or in court. Wizards and Warlocks are to be shunned in society, while Human Sorcerers are to be treated as handicapped because of their innate magical capabilities.   Any laws not-listed here (ie. stealing, prostitution, hard-drugs, etc.) are treated with common sense, and may vary region to region or by the laws enacted by the governing Noble.