The Tyhinn Empire

The United Tszamoorian Empire
File:Tszamoore.jpg
Country Information
Motto:	"Tomorrow rises from the struggle of today"
Capital:	Ursland
Languages:	Common Orcish Elven
Ethnic Groups:	Human Orcs Dwarves
Religion:	Menxism, various indigenous
Government:	Empire State/Oligarchy
Current Ruler:	Ilith Marconos
Population:	982,000 (approx)
Currency:	Dinar

History

The United Tszamoorian Empire originally began as a pioneer effort through early frontierism. Expansion efforts began initially due to exile and expatriate efforts to seek refuge outside of the main charted continent, initially bringing pioneers into the fertile lands of the Bat Tree Bowl. In what is now known as Ursland, early settlers used the great Bat Tree Interchange (waterway) as a freshwater source to irrigate crops in the Mediterranean climate. As more and more settlers migrated into the Ursland area, the frontier efforts began to migrate out in all directions, soon encompassing the swamplands of the Ith in the east.

In an effort to establish a self-sustaining economy, venturing soon led to the surrounding mountain ranges as the interest of prospecting grew. Initial efforts led to meager returns though through the gradual move towards what is now known as the Pinewood Peaks provided ore that was rich in iron. A move to the northern Zarloc Slopes proved gold was fairly prominent within the mined ore located there. The push, however, led to several confrontations with hermits and a unified community of tribesman in the mountainous region that knew the territory well enough to push back and stymie any efforts at mining.

As two decades passed, Tszamoore’s economic growth tripled, as well as its population, which quickly led to the formation of a standing army. The army was quickly mobilized into an effort to expand Tszamoore’s reign into the surrounding mountainous region known as The Ring of Fire. The struggle rapidly deteriorated into a state of war, by which the army of Ursland deployed throughout the surrounding foothills and mountains to put down the scattered tribes and communities within the mountains.

The war effort was swift, but not without its fair share of casualties. As the foothold took place within the Pinewood Peaks and Zarloc Slopes, the arid mountainous region of The Sawtooth Territories rapidly became an interest after oil shale and magnesium deposits were in large supply within the mined ore of that area. The nomadic tribes of the Sawtooth Territories put up a formidable fight, but the experiences of the war within the Pinewood Peaks and Zarloc Slopes had made the Ursland army accustomed to high altitude conflicts.

Upon conquering the Sawtooth Territories, the expansionism efforts were brought to a standstill as Ursland struggled to reign in control of “The Ring of Fire.” Political wrangling and sporadic uprisings led to Ursland instituting a policy of recognizing regional governors, who were local leaders appointed by Ursland to take control of their respective divisions. These divisions soon became automatous regions that were ultimately united within the Tszamoorian Empire. Their respective mineral acquisitions were absorbed within the greater economy to subsidize the need for imports from elsewhere.

The deposits of iron and production of charcoal led to the production of high-grade steel, of which the blacksmiths of Ursland amassed great craftsmanship in the production of weapons and tools. The mining of oil shale greatly increased the export and use of kerosene, which rapidly replaced the need for wax candles and provided the citizens of Tszamoore a longer-standing energy source for light. Gold, mined from the Zarloc Slopes, became the backbone of the Dinar, Tszamoore’s chief mode of currency.

Since its expansion efforts, dwarven miners and blasters have migrated into the Empire for prospecting and road-building efforts within the mountains. Leveling mountain paths had led to the creation of The Imperial Highway, a crude road-system that encompassed the entire mountainous region known as “The Ring of Fire.”

A vast migration of Orcs from the north western regions of Zul Kiras led to the organization of “Labor Trains.” These large groups would be used primarily in road-building, both within “The Great Bat Tree Bowl” as well as within “The Ring of Fire.” Their use was rapidly expanded towards mining efforts in the creation of pillar mines to extract ore rich in minerals. Many of these “Labor Trains” were mistreated and neglected, often resulting in vast deaths and often times revolts, of which the Tszamoorian Army would need to quell.

With a heavily fortified economy, Tszamoore refocused its efforts beyond the “Ring of Fire” to create a small Armada that could protect it's own coastline. With exports ranging from wine to weapons, Tszamoore sought to control the commercial traffic around its shores to ensure piracy and invasion did not compromise the efforts of its regional economy.

While the Tszamoorian Empire’s economy thrived, the internal unrest within “The Ring of Fire” kept it’s expansionism efforts stagnant. As such, Ursland has sought to reconfigure and balance its use of politics and taxation to accommodate the divisions that makeup the deeply divided nation-state.

Notable Historical Figures

From it's early inception, Tszamoore has seen its share of state rulers and regional governors. Key to its history, however, were the Three Kings of early history, all of direct lineage.

Taltian Kurleiser

The first appointed King of Tszamoore/Ursland was Taltian Kurleiser, who initially led the military expansionism into the mountainous region known as "The Ring of Fire" to mine for valuable minerals such a iron, gold, and oil shale. His military leadership ultimately led to the great acquisition of the divisions and territories that surround "The Great Bat Tree Bowl," furthering the economic growth of Tszamoore.

Jilarlo Kurleiser

King Kurleiser's son, Jilarlo, furthered the expansionism efforts into the development of the naval armada that secures the international trade waters around Tszamoore's coastlines. He was also the chief architect of The Imperial Highway

Dirth Kurleiser

Jilarlo's own child, Dirth Kurleiser, however, succeeded him, only to fall victim to his own greed. Higher taxation and government control of private markets led to several uprisings within "The Ring of Fire" that ultimately set the economic and military progress of Tszamoore back by four decades. The Oligarchy of Ursland had sacrificed numerous, invaluable resources towards quelling these rebellions. Upon Dirth Kurleiser's death, a transition of power left ultimate control and centralization of power to the great Oligarchy of the Tszamoorian Empire. This, in turn, resorted greater control towards the Governors of each division and settled many of the Empire's internal disputes over the course of the next decade.

Geographical Features

The United Tszamoorian Empire is broken down into two major partitions of semi-autonomous regions; “The Great Bat Tree Bowl” and “The Ring of Fire.”

The Great Bat Tree Bowl

Main Article: The Great Bat Tree Bowl

File:Geographymaptsz.jpg The geography of the United Tszamoorian Empire

The Great Bat Tree Bowl is comprised of a massive valley that literally makes up a “bowl-like” shape. To the west are fertile soils that are moistened with the encompassing marine layer that drifts over the mountains at night and in the early morning. These soils are often ripe for growing grapes and mustard plants, hence the western region is prominent for its wine and mustard production.

From the West, higher winds generally carry the moisture across the middle valley rather quickly, offering a semi-arid Mediterranean-like climate. In the central bowl, this is offset by the existence of the Great Bat Tree Interchange, a natural moat-like body of water used for irrigation of the surrounding farmlands. The surrounding lands about Ursland is where much of the major crop production takes place, leading to the central bowl being the agricultural capital of Tszammore.

To the east, much of the remaining moisture trapped within the bowl hits the mountainous region and becomes stagnant. This trapped moisture creates a swamp-like region in the east that is comprised of marshes, bogs, and tropical-like swamps. The area is known as the Ith. This particular region is considered rural and economically poor, as its agricultural prospects are severely limited. As such, the land value is well below that of the rest of the Bat Tree Bowl. Thus, most of the local economy is based on hunting game and the distribution of meat. Some farmers have taken efforts to drain certain portions of the marshes and swamps to create fields ripe enough to grow crops amongst. Due to the poor nature of the region and limited prospects, many of the young males from the Ith are conscripted into the Tszamoorian Army.

The Ring of Fire

Main Article: The Ring of Fire

File:Geographyzarlocslopes.jpg View of the Zarloc Slopes at 12,000 ft.

The Ring of Fire is comprised of a variety of mountain ranges, all known to have radically different characteristics. The Pinewood Peaks, for instance, ranges in elevation of 2,500 ft to 7,500 feet, just reaching an altitude below the timberline. This range is rich in iron deposits within the ore that is contained deep inside the bellies of its mountains. Flora ranges vastly from Scots Pine to Spruce. This makes this region especially vulnerable to wide-ranging forest fires, hence its visitors and residents are the primary monitored interest of the Tszamoorian Army in that region.

The Zarloc Slopes are strictly mined by Dwarven blasters as well as Orcish miners, both. The Tszamoorian Army in this region carries the sole role of security, as this range of mountains is primarily responsible for the production and mining of gold for the entire Empire. Much of the region lies above the timberline and is the reason for many deaths from altitude sickness and harsh winter weather for its year-round mining operations.

The Sawtooth Territories are a range of arid mountains primarily responsible for the mining of oil shale and magnesium. This range lies within the “rain shadow” of The Great Bat Tree Bowl, leading the lack of moisture necessary for plant-growth. Controlled irrigation, however, does exist, leading to the existence of several palms as well as limited crop production.

Government and Politics

The central government of the Empire is located within Ursland, which is the economical capital of the Tszamoorian Empire. Originally designed as a monarchy, the expansionism efforts for minerals and fertile land quickly developed the nation-state into one of an Oligarchy. The greater oligarchy consists of a number of governors who reign over their respective, semi-autonomous divisions. The divisions include a number of regions within both “The Great Bat Tree Bowl,” as well as within “The Ring of Fire.”

These governors are primarily tasked with keeping control of their particular divisions, while ultimately providing allegiance to the central government of Ursland’s oligarchy.

Civil unrest and cultural rejection by the native tribesman of various divisions within “The Ring of Fire” have led to a policy of assimilation. Many residents of the mountainous region have been relocated forcefully to designated areas within “The Great Bat Tree Bowl.” Often times these designated areas have proven to become labor camps, which likely direct them to work on road-building and mining operations in regions they are not particular native to.

The greater policy of expansionism, while ultimately the ideal goal of Ursland, has been brought to a quick halt through civil unrest in the surrounding mountainous regions. Much of the Tszamoorian Empire’s interests are self-containment/stabilization and securing international trade at present.

Military

Main Article: Tszamoorian Military

The Tszamoorian Army is primarily conscripted out of “The Great Bat Tree Bowl.” This is primarily due to the perception of loyalty to Ursland and the greater flatlands. As the empire initially took root in low-elevation, it has always been entrusted that the military leaders and primary flags-men come from Ursland.

The military of the Tszamoorian Empire is comprised of three distinct elements; the standing army of “The Bat Tree Bowl,” the navy of Tszamoore, and a light-cavalry company known as "The Headsmen".

Headsmen

File:Headsmen.jpg The Headsmen's coat of arms

The Headsmen are primarily two to three squads of soldiers selected from mounted infantry units to originally serve in raiding and harassment operations.

Prior to the greater expansion efforts into The Ring of Fire, the government of Ursland had set its sights on the autonomous territories bordering Zul Kiras. Early attempts at liberating those areas proved disastrous, as Orcish Clans quickly countered the efforts with heavy reinforcements from the south. As such, the military trained and developed The Headsmen as a series of light cavalry units. These light cavalry units were broken down into squads designed to reach behind enemy lines and cut off supply trains, harass and delay reinforcements, engage in limited false-flag operations, and partake in reconnaissance missions.

However, before the war efforts could be launched, mineral rich ore within the Ring of Fire suddenly distracted the government of Ursland. Forces were sent into the mountains to humble the indigenous population and put down any resistance. Major setbacks occurred as cavalry units were useless in this terrain and Ursland had to devise a new strategy and use for its infantry and specialist light-cavalry units.

In such, The Headsmen soon became a subversive group of specially trained intelligence gatherers and assassins.

These units were often times deployed ahead of an army invasion, targeting the heads of local tribes in assassination efforts and sabotage to essentially “Cut off the head of the snake.” Once the central leadership is taken out, a lack of clear successor will prelude the subsequent army invasion on foot. This is much of how Tszamoore has captured control of “The Ring of Fire.”

However, once control has been established, the army’s ability to maintain order has been undermined by rebellions and uprisings, of which these units are of no use. This is generally where Tszamoore’s conventionalism has come to stall its greater goals and efforts.

As a result, many members of The Headsmen were either exiled or executed in fear that they would turn their subversive talents against Ursland while Tszamoore was under the tyrannical rule of Dirth Kurleiser.

The Hell Hounds of the Ith

File:HellHounds.jpg The Hell Hounds's coat of arms

The Hell Hounds are an 8-10 man unit of The Headsmen from the swamplands of the Ith. King Jilarlo Kurleiser chose to conscript men from this region out of the cavalry units there due to their unique skills of hunting and trapping.

It would be these unique skill-sets that enabled this particular unit to be so invaluable in their newly assigned role as top tier assassins. Facing slightly different terrain structures in comparison with the Ith, these soldiers easily adapted to the arid mountains of The Sawtooth Territories and operated out of that theater with extreme efficiency. Successes within the expansion efforts and greater war effort led to the Hell Hounds seeing many perks and rewards.

However, as King Dirth Kurleiser came to power, he immediately felt distrust of the group and viewed their stagnant use as a threat to his power. As such, he had the unit exiled from mainland Tszamoore and imprisoned on in the Orco Cays. Heavy naval traffic from the Tszamoorian Empire's armada kept the unit isolated and confined.

Navy

The Tszamoorian navy and armada have proven to retain great control of the coastlines about the charted territories of the Empire. This control of the surrounding seas and coastlines has stabilized both the export and import trade of the Tszamoorian Empire, further securing its own economic growth.

Religion

Religions within the Tszamoorian Empire vary greatly between “The Great Bat Tree Bowl” and “The Ring of Fire.” Within “The Great Bat Tree Bowl,” religious beliefs are mostly geared towards Menxism, as it was carried over by pioneers and settlers from within the continent South-East.

Within “The Ring of Fire,” however, religions vary to the extent of being polytheistic and even toteism. The religious beliefs and practices differ so greatly between tribes that they remain greatly undocumented.

Society and Peoples

The culture of the Tszamoorian Empire can be best described as, “A melting pot.” While the central government of Ursland dictates morality and even economic values, the greater region beyond the capital adopts its own views and concepts of religion, morality, and work ethic. These elements vary greatly depending on the terrain and focus of each region, often based around the survival of each individual division within the Empire.

Language

As many of the pioneers came from various locations amongst the main, charted continent before, “Common” remains the wide-spread, spoken language of the Tszamoorian Empire. However, indigenous languages exist, mostly amongst the tribes of the Sawtooth Territories in the East. Immigrant languages have also spilled over into various elements of the economy and trades that primarily affect orcs (i.e. construction) and dwarves (i.e. road-building and mining).