Conscription Region

A conscription region in the Keizon Empire is an area where service in the Empire's army is mandatory for all young men living within its borders. Conscriptions regions typically border conflict territories, though there are exceptions.   Travel in and out of conscription regions is closely scrutinated, to catch families and individuals attempting to avoid service. Those caught doing so or aiding others to do so are charged with treason, which carries the death penalty.   The largest conscription region is the entirity of the territory Hongmark. This is due not (just) to the geographical location, but because the people of Hongmark are fiercely loyal to the Empire, and in the culture being called to serve it is considered a high honour no matter the cost. Hongmark citizens are divided between being stationed at the territory's north and south borders, to protect their country from the enemy Rupendu's troops and to stop refugees attempting to flee Chanmark respectively; or they are sent to any of the three conflict territories where Rupendu troops are attempting to overthrow Empire control (Pinmeng, I-Xong, the Abyss of Rupen).   For the Empire territories bordering the conflict territories in the Conflict Strip, conscription regions are located close to the borders in question, with two exceptions. The entirity of the Imperial Union of Keizorna is a conscription region due to the high military presence in the land and low native population. Chanmark, located at the north of the Strip, is informally considered part of it and contains too much chaotic civil unrest for conscription to be a viable strategy.   Since the conflict territory Korinder sits at the south border of the Imperial Union, there is no need for additional conscription regions in its other neighbours. Unlike other conflict territories, most of the fight against Korinder involves ferreting out its spy network within the Empire's infrastructure, rather than military force.   In Keizorna, the heart of the Keizon Empire, there are no official conscription regions, but it is traditional for the oldest son in educated people groups to be conscripted for a minimum period of service. Depending on the political cirumstances, the rate of conscription varies between ten to forty percent of those in that category. Those recruited this way are typically stationed at non-conflict borders of the Empire and don't often see action.