Ibunor
History
During the Bloom Age, the early humans of these lands lived in small, self-sufficient communities, each tied to a local deity or their sanctum. Without written records or structured governance, history was preserved through oral tradition, and power remained decentralized. The North Brine, South Brine, and the distant Môr Draigwen Sea served as natural boundaries, isolating settlements but also allowing trade and cultural exchange between them. While some deities thrived in harmony with their followers, others faded as people drifted away from the old ways, their names lost to time.
The Blood Age saw the rise of competitive city-states along Ibunor's coasts, leading to centuries of conflict known as the Itsas Hiri Gerrak (Wars of the Sea Cities). Over time, these polities formed the Itsas Hiri Batasuna (Sea City Union), a loose federation. Following the collapse of the Ekarajyan Empire, which pressured the eastern cities, Calvian the Victor unified the Batasuna during the subsequent chaos, establishing the Ibunese Empire and ruling as its first Emperor. His dynasty ruled for several centuries, consolidating power. However, over the later centuries of the Blood Age, the central authority of the Emperors gradually eroded and by the end of the Blood Age Ibunor became an Oligarchic Republic.
With its military, economy, and infrastructure firmly established, Ibunor entered the Blight Age as a dominant force in Oskara. Its mastery of black powder weaponry, first developed in 393 BTA, solidified its military superiority, though its longtime rival, Bethune, was quick to adapt. The two empires clashed in the Ten-Years War, a brutal conflict that ended in a costly stalemate. Meanwhile, Ibunor expanded southward, subjugating Gane after centuries of intermittent warfare and forcing its ogres into military service. Further campaigns saw Ibunese forces marching north into Keld, where the conscripted Ogres endured the infamous Long March, fighting and dying for a war not their own. As the empire grew, so did internal challenges: rebellion in Gane, tensions with Bethune, and increasing reliance on trade partners for vital resources.
Now, Ibunor remains a vast and powerful empire, but one stretched thin by its own ambition. The conflict with Bethune festers beneath a fragile peace, as both nations seek new ways to outmaneuver each other through diplomacy, espionage, and economic warfare. The rebellion in Gane continues to smolder, forcing Ibunor to dedicate troops and resources to suppressing uprisings. Though its industrial and military advancements remain unmatched, the empire faces an uncertain future, whether it will adapt and thrive or crumble under the weight of its own expansion remains to be seen.
Government
Ibunor is ruled by the Gorena, chosen for life by the Four Pillars: the Gudari (Army), the Batzarra (Assembly), the Mahaia (Table of Priests), and the Etzarra (Old Houses). A candidate must secure the support of at least three of the four factions to ascend, ensuring no single group controls the empire.
While the Gorena holds absolute authority, their power depends on maintaining balance among the factions. The Gudari commands the empire's armies and fortresses, the Batzarra dictates trade and industrial policy, the Mahaia oversees religious doctrine, and the Etzarra represents noble and provincial interests. Political maneuvering between these factions shapes the stability of the empire.
Day-to-day governance is enforced through Ordez (Governors), appointed by the Gorena and answerable to both the throne and the pillar that secured their position. Each governor oversees a province, ensuring tax collection, law enforcement, and military readiness. Imperial law is carried out by the Agindari, a bureaucratic force that ensures decrees are followed, while the Mezula act as the Emperor's agents, serving as diplomats, spies, or enforcers where needed.
While core Ibunese provinces enjoy relative stability, imperial rule is maintained through control, not integration. Conquered lands are held under military occupation, their people taxed, conscripted, or repressed to prevent resistance. A Gorena who fails to manage unrest or loses the backing of the Four Pillars risks not only rebellion in the outer provinces but also political collapse from within.
Interesting Facts
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While Ibunor dismisses foreign deities as false, some scholars have noticed a curious omission in their own pantheon. Old records reference a sixth god, one whose name has been erased from every surviving text. The Mahaia denies any such figure ever existed, but whispers of an unknown deity persist among heretics and dissidents.
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No official peace treaty was ever signed between Ibunor and Bethune after the Ten-Years War. Though both nations treat the war as "over," Ibunese military doctrine still refers to Bethune as an active adversary, and officers along the border continue to plan for an inevitable return to open conflict.
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Every twenty years, the Batzarra conducts a full imperial census, recording population numbers, trade outputs, and military reserves. The data is used to allocate resources, adjust taxation, and assess recruitment needs for the Gudari. While primarily bureaucratic, it helps maintain order across the empire by ensuring each province meets its expected contributions.
Current Challenges
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The Ganic Rebellion. Resistance in Gane continues to fester despite Ibunor's efforts to crush it. While no single leader unites the rebels, ogre warbands launch ambushes, sabotage supply lines, and harass imperial forces. The Gudari maintains a firm presence in the region, but the longer the rebellion drags on, the more it strains the empire's resources. For now, the war remains one of attrition, but should the Ogres ever rally under a single banner, Ibunor's hold on Gane could be at risk.
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The War in Keld. Ibunor's northern frontier is a frozen battlefield. The Long March into Keld was meant to secure new territory, but the campaign has dragged on, with fierce Powrie resistance making every inch of progress costly. The harsh terrain and brutal winters have broken many soldiers, and the Gudari continues to throw resources into a war that has yet to yield true victory. The Ibunese see Keld as a land ripe for conquest, but the longer they remain, the clearer it becomes that the Powries will not break easily.
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Industrial Unrest. Ibunor's rapid industrial expansion has come at a cost. Factory workers toil in brutal conditions, miners dig ever deeper, and entire regions are reshaped to fuel the empire's war machine. Strikes, sabotage, and riots are growing concerns, particularly in the industrial centers controlled by the Batzarra. The empire relies on its industries to maintain its dominance, and if discontent spreads, it could threaten Ibunor's strength as surely as any war.
The Four Pillars
The Four Pillars are the foundation of Ibunese governance, each representing a key aspect of the empire's power structure. While the Gorena rules as the supreme authority, they must maintain the support of the Gudari, Batzarra, Mahaia, and Etzarra to ensure stability.
The Gudari
The Gudari represents the military arm of Ibunor, overseeing the empire's armies, fortifications, and strategic defenses. Commanders, generals, and war ministers hold influence within this pillar, ensuring that the nation's conquests and defenses remain priorities. While the Gorena wields ultimate authority, the Gudari determines where forces are stationed, how wars are waged, and when military intervention is necessary. Those who lead it are expected to uphold Ibunese supremacy through strength and discipline, ensuring that the empire remains secure from both foreign threats and internal dissent.
The Batzarra
The Batzarra controls Ibunor's economy, industry, and trade, ensuring the empire's wealth flows efficiently between its provinces. This pillar is composed of influential merchants, industrial magnates, and state-appointed officials who regulate taxation, infrastructure, and commerce. Their authority extends from the bustling shipyards of the North Brine to the factories and foundries fueling Ibunor's war machine. While the Batzarra's policies prioritize economic stability, corruption and backroom dealings are inevitable as the wealthy manipulate trade laws to their advantage.
The Mahaia
The Mahaia is the religious authority of Ibunor, dictating doctrine, overseeing temples, and ensuring that worship remains pure. Unlike other nations where faith is personal or decentralized, Ibunor's religion is strictly controlled, with the Mahaia determining what is true worship and what is heresy. Its priests hold significant sway over public life, enforcing religious observance and suppressing any beliefs that contradict Ibunese dogma. Their greatest enemies are those who venerate Tatarigami or foreign gods, whom they see as worshippers of corruption and falsehood.
The Etzarra
The Etzarra is composed of Ibunor's noble families, landowners, and provincial governors, serving as the voice of the empire's aristocracy. Though the Gorena appoints governors directly, the Etzarra ensures that the interests of the noble class are maintained. They oversee regional governance, enforce imperial law, and dictate local policies that affect the daily lives of Ibunese citizens. While they claim to act in the empire's best interest, rivalries within the Etzarra often result in political maneuvering, as noble houses vie for greater influence over Ibunor's future.