Thoxia

A sprawling northern feudal empire ruled by warlike aristocrats. Officially a hereditary monarchy, Thoxia has long been ruled over by an ailing King Perun, who has suffered from a chronic illness known as Sallow Rot for years. Because of his illness, the king hasn’t made a public appearance in years and Thoxia's day-to-day affairs are run by a handful of influential nobles and top ministers, headed by the @Lord-Regent . Rumors fly about what the stream of alchemists, doctors and chirurgeons that pass in and out of the royal chambers are doing to treat the king, but none but the king's closest advisors and family are allowed inside.
Thoxia has grown steadily over the ages, largely through wars of conquest. Conquered rulers who don't put up too much of a fight are allowed to retain most of their lands and authority as long as they provide a yearly quota of food, gold and soldiers to the imperial capital of Samara. Many have been vassals so long that they think of themselves as Thoxians. The most prominent example of this came after Thoxia conquered the gnomish homeland of Malkov. While many gnomes fled in a great diaspora, those who remained managed to maneuver their way into a disproportionately large number of prominent military, political, and economic positions. The Thoxian population is now 35% gnomish, and their ruthless dealings makes them arguably the most Thoxian of all. Legally their status is still that of vassals, but behind the scenes they control the state far more than it controls them.
Thoxia’s military focuses on powerful cavalry - the Imperial Lancers are a group of heavily armored knights on huge warhorses layered in iron plates, known for their distinctive black and white lacquered armor. Thoxia also fields berserk shock infantry drawn from the northern barbarians, and a special unit of archers known as the , known to employ whistling poisoned arrows that can kill a man with even a glancing blow. Sometimes enemy soldiers are known to quit the field as soon as they hear the shrill howl of the first arrows overhead. Thoxia's military ranks are filled out by masses of peasants given a black and white tabard and pressed into service as needed.
Thoxia's leaders are always keen to expand their own holdings. Nobles who lead a successful campaign are entitled to a portion of the tribute from newly conquered vassals, as well as the plunder and prestige that come with being a war hero. Because of this, they frequently launch raids and invasions into neighboring countries, especially the Grellwood, the Mirai Peninsula, the Thorston Islands, and of course Thoxia's greatest rival state - Manaia.

Structure

Empire ruled by hereditary king and a retinue of nobles and advisors.

Public Agenda

Expansion by any means necessary.

Assets

Vast land holdings, experienced soldiers, fine timber from the northlands, numerous mines and quality warhorses from the steppes.

Type

Geopolitical, Empire

Demonym

Thoxian