Chyndagh Empire
Keywords:
CHYNDAGH
Overview
The Chyndagh Empire is comprised of several groups of peoples found along the northeastern region of the Hikarian continent. What started out as a loose alliance of fisheries, plantations and mines that united together in order to combat rampant piracy and slavery, has solidified into a major power in Hikaru. Chyndagh city itself is located along the cliffs of Phoenix cove. Steep mountains with a narrow pass and a secluded harbor have made the city easily defensible with a small force, allowing for rapid expansion and uniting the people in the region, establishing itself as a nation to be reckoned with.
History
The region was first settled centuries ago with the discovery of what is known today as Phoenix cove. The natural harbor provided rich bounties from the sea, providing ample resources for villages to thrive. They called themselves the Chynash, which meant "People of the Sea" in their ancient tongue. The warm, humid temperatures and near tropical climate along with the rich and fertile Hikarian soil made the region perfect for farming exotic plants and it did not take long for plantations to appear. They were the Daghmari, exiles from Thathoth and they brought with them exotic crops and spices. The discovery of rich veins of silver and precious stones in the nearby mountains bought miners to the region, setting up small towns to support their mining operations. They had no name for themselves, but everyone referred to them as the ironfolk. The various groups traded amongst each other and had amicable enough relations, but for the most part, they kept to themselves. It was not until the arrival of the dread pirate Red Leg that the various villages and plantations banned together. The infamy of Red Leg was known throughout the realm. A merciless pirate who slaughtered men, women and children alike, he found Phoenix cove and the natural cave network beneath the cliffs a perfect place to berth his pirate fleet. It was not too long before he annexed the various villages and plantations, exploiting their resources to expand his power. Enslaving the people, he worked them mercilessly. Those that could not fish, mine or harvest were sold on the slave market or outright killed on a whim. Though rebellion and resistance where whispered on the enslaved people's lips, none ever took hold. Red Leg made severe examples of those who would defy him, promising that any sign of dissent would be swiftly and brutally eliminated. If not for a fisherman named Draven Aeglaeca, the legacy of Red Leg might still remain, and the region still enslaved. Draven was born free and grew up a fisherman like his father, and his father before him and his father before him. The arrival of the pirates irrevocably altered his destiny when Red Leg's men slew his wife and sons and sold his daughters into slavery to be used by men. Draven was a broken man and for years he toiled, uncaring of his fate, empty inside. A chance meeting with a woman named Eve restored his spirit. Her husband and family brutally murdered as well, the two eventually bonded and Draven found a reason for living once more. It was thanks to his unwavering determination and thirst for freedom and vengeance that Draven that the roots of rebellion were able to take root. Through chance, Draven was able to escape, along with Eve and a few others. Seen as the de facto leader, Draven continued to resist and free as many slaves as he could. Though they knew no peace, Draven and Eve did find love and the two were wed. They had a son, which they named Lareth. Tragically, Draven was slain while freeing more slaves while Lareth was still a babe. Eve was devastated, but not broken. She carried on her late husband's vision of a free land and never took another man as her husband, married now only to Draven's cause. She raised Lareth to be strong and wise, and driven by his late father's legacy. With the foundation that Draven Aegleaca built at the cost of his own life, Lareth was able to eventually drive off the pirate slavers, slaying undead pirate Red Leg with his own hand. Now free and united in their victory, the people crowned Lareth as their leader. Thus began the dynasty of Lareth Aeglaeca I, the Lightbringer, and King of Chynash and the Daghmari and the Ironfolk. King Lareth never rested easy on the throne and though he bore the weight of his crown, it was obvious that he did not long for it. He was known as a wise and just king, but his life of constant strife and conflict along with carrying the weight of a fledgling kingdom on his shoulders lead Lareth to an early grave. His second son, Draven Aeglaeca II was given the crown, after the eldest, Lorgrym died in a tragic hunting accident. Draven was not groomed to be king having always thought the responsibility of the kingdom would fall on his brother's shoulders. Thus, Draven was trained as a knight and he and felt that his legacy and glory would be found on the field of battle. Draven's rule was not an eventful one until the advent of the Dragonspire war. Through strategic brilliance and bold military tactics, Draven was singlehandedly able to secure the prosperity of his kingdom by forging an alliance with not only the awakened dragons of Dragonspire, but also allowing the Vantigan refugees to reestablish their faith and build a new temple within the kingdom. Draven was able to win over the distant rune mages of Phoenix tower to his side, leaving his kingdom the clear victor in the war. Absolute in his victory, and with a unified front, Draven renamed the now expanded and unified kingdom the Chyndagh Empire. Styled Draven Aeglaeca II the Dragonrider, Emperor of Chyndagh, Lord of Hikaru and Protector of the Realm, he lived the rest of his days in peace. Emperor Draven II bore no sons, and after his passing, his rule went to his only daughter, Chandrika Aeglaeca I. It was during her rule that Chyndagh prospered into its golden age, the empire quickly expanding and leading us into the current era.
Government
The Empire of Chyndagh is a hegemonic empire ruled by a monarch and supported by a parliament divided into upper and lower houses. The Emperor has supreme rule, but the upper and lower houses are left to manage the daily affairs of managing the empire. The upper house is comprised of the Emperor's closest advisors and directly appointed by her, where the lower house is represented by elected officials representing the empire's distinctive organizations, guilds and distinctive cultural groups. The current reigning ruler of Chyndagh is Empress Regent Chandrika Aeglaeca I, styled Chandrika Aeglaeca I, Empress Regent of Chyndagh, Lord of Hikaru and Protector of the Realm.
Religion
Freedom of religion is practiced within the empire, but due to the strong Vantigan presence from Emperor Draven II and the construction of the Grand Temple of Vantiga, Chyndagh has a strong Vantigan Presence and most of its citizens worship Kedanna.
Culture
Chyndagh has not forgotten its roots as a small community of fishermen, farmers and miners and it is evident in its people. There's no doubting the strong Hikarian influence in its cuisine, but Chyndagh food tend to be zesty and flavorful with an abundance of seafood. The population is largely human, but it is not unusual to see other races such as elves, mrem, lizard folk and merfolk. There is no real discrimination towards race within the city, though odd superstitions (such as rubbing a mrem's ears for good luck or a mermaid's scale have miraculous healing powers) persist amongst the sailors and smallfolk.