Ischanor

The Empire of Ischanor is a feudal monarchy made up of several sub-divisions, realms and vassals. The empire is located in the south-east of Abexilas, on the continent of Kejafros. Ischanor is a Feudal Empire, made up of a variety of different societies with their own separate cultures. Despite the multitude of different cultural groups, the one key uniting factor of the many sub-cultures is the commonly shared Ischanori identity.

Geography
Ischanor rests in the central-south of the continent of Kejafros, north of the taiga and tundra, but not as far north as the midlatitude subtropical regions. The coasts of Ischanor maintain a cool and temperate oceanic climate, with mild weather year-round with lots of fog and rain but little snowfall, promoting the growth of giant conifers and evergreen laurel forests. Further inland, broadleaf forests of beech and eucalyptus (with some laurel and acacia shrubs) tend to dominate, interspersed with xeric conifer forest, and in the country's heartland a large and fertile blackland prairie lies. Mountain ranges running north-south cut the country into slices, creating a central basin where the climate is drier and prone to extreme temperature fluctuation, promoting the growth of grasslands over forests.

Vast rivers connect the interior with the coast, and allow for trade throughout. Ancient canals constructed by the long-gone Empire of Vinitica also act as vessels for water-bound trade; however they have significantly impacted the hydrologic regime of modern Ischanor, resulting in the altering of natural water flow and intrusion of saltwater into coastal aquifers. Also of note are the swampland basins, which bear some of the nation's greatest hotspots of biodiversity and biological productivity.

Subrealms
In Ischanor, there exists a unique system of vassalage. Due to the fact that the empire is a large and diverse entity, it thus requires people to maintain authority over various regions, and thus the empire consists of numerous baronies, counties, duchies, archduchies and also entire kingdoms, the largest of the realms located in the empire.

The Big Three
The term Big Three refers to the Kingdoms of Lisvar, Celras, and Lynarith. They account for the majority of Ischanor's population and strength. Lisvar being the personal domain of the emperor, Celras being the largest kingdom and the headquarters of the Ischanic Church, and Lynarith contributing to the majority of the empire's military strength.

Lisvar
The kingdom of Lisvar holds a significant position in imperial politics and is often referred to as one of the Big Three, alongside Lynarith and Celras. It is currently governed by Emperor Kanasky II from the Toss dynasty and is considered the heart of the Empire. The capital city is located within the region, where the emperor and other government officials and institutions are situated. Lisvar is further divided into several areas, including Lisvar City, Beloslavia, Cìrion, Bachengart, Selroa, and Demora.

Government
The Imperial government of Ischanor is tasked with the management of all affairs that are important to the well-being of the empire as a whole, efficiently administering each key sector, and helping the empire run smoothly. The Imperial government is made up of 4 main sectors, which are as follows;

Imperial Diet
The governing body of the lesser nobles, the vassals of subrealms, where they discuss and debate decisions regarding the empire.

Roundtable
The main governing body, where the Archdukes and Kings discuss in and where policies and decisions are debated and executed.

Military
The military's majority manpower is made up of recruits from the realm of Lynairth. The Military of Ischanor, under the leadership of the Grand Marshal, stands as the stalwart guardian of the empire's borders and the embodiment of its strength and security. Reflecting the diverse cultural tapestry of Ischanor, the military comprises soldiers from various backgrounds, unified under the common banner of the Ischanori identity. Tasked with defending the empire's territorial integrity and upholding its sovereignty, the military operates with unwavering dedication and discipline.

The military hierarchy of Ischanor is structured to ensure efficient command and coordination across its diverse ranks and units, reflecting the feudal nature of the empire while integrating various cultural influences. At the pinnacle of the military stands the Grand Marshal, serving as the head of the Military and bearing the responsibility for overall strategic direction and command. Working closely with the Imperial Diet and Round Table, the Grand Marshall formulates military policies and executes decisions crucial to the empire's defence and security.

Military Hierarchy
1. Grand Marshal:


 * Head of the Military
 * Responsible for overall strategic direction and command
 * Works closely with the Imperial Diet and Round Table

2. High Commanders:


 * Oversees specific branches or divisions within the military

3. Paladin:
 * Lord Commander: Leads elite Paladin units


 * Elite soldiers of the Empire, these men are fiercely loyal and strong.
 * Paladins are Knights who have shown dedication and loyalty to the Empire

4. Knight:


 * Elite soldiers of the Empire, Knights are fiercely loyal to the Emperor and Ischanor

5. Men-At-Arms:


 * These are loyal soldiers, slightly higher than Squires.
 * Begin the journey of becoming a Knight

6. Squire:


 * These are basic soldiers who are the backbone of the Ischanori Military
 * Make up the majority of the military

Ministries
This is where all of the imperial programs and tasks are coordinated and carried out, creating an atmosphere of a successful bureaucracy in the empire.

Ministry of Diplomacy
The Ministry of Diplomacy, headed by Minister Oleksandr Kuramoto, holds the critical responsibility of managing all external affairs and diplomatic relations for the Empire. With a selective approach to membership, the Ministry diligently gathers information on other nations and global events while promoting Ischanori influence and nurturing positive ties worldwide. Tasked with negotiations, treaties, and maintaining a robust realpolitik foreign policy, they ensure the Empire's interests are well represented on the global stage.

Ministry of War
Under the leadership of Minister Dogemaster and Lynarith, the Ministry of War meticulously oversees the nation's military stockpile, logistics, and strategic planning. While not directly commanding the army, this ministry is entrusted with building up and monitoring military resources, coordinating gear distribution for soldiers, and developing strategic doctrines. They play a crucial role in assessing both internal military readiness and external threats, ensuring the Empire remains prepared and vigilant.

Ministry of Internal Affairs
Led by Minister Icy, the Ministry of Internal Affairs focuses on maintaining stability, organization, and cooperation within the Empire and its territories. Tasked with managing annexed lands, ensuring citizen loyalty, and monitoring populations and activities, this ministry serves as the backbone of internal governance. By addressing grievances and keeping the government informed of internal dynamics, they contribute to the Empire's overall cohesion and prosperity.

Ministry of Wealth
Under the stewardship of Minister MakerofFire, the Ministry of Wealth handles the creation, management, and expenditure of resources within the Empire. Engaging in resource acquisition, crafting essential supplies for both peace and wartime, and managing wealth and stockpiles, this ministry plays a pivotal role in sustaining the Empire's economic strength. They oversee trade, run markets, and ensure the Empire's prosperity while supporting its military and diplomatic endeavors.

Ministry of Culture
Minister ComradeMax leads the Ministry of Culture, charged with developing and enriching the Imperial culture through roleplay, lore, and community engagement. By crafting lore, hosting events, producing media, and fostering a sense of community and identity, this ministry enhances the overall experience of being a part of the Empire, strengthening its cohesion and collective spirit.

Ministry of Architecture
Under the guidance of Minister Crimson, the Ministry of Architecture focuses on constructing impressive structures to enhance the nation's beauty and prestige. From grand projects like castles and palaces to everyday buildings and design templates, this ministry's work not only showcases the Empire's architectural prowess but also contributes to its cultural and aesthetic appeal.

Ministry of Infrastructure
Led by Minister Penguin the Road Master, the Ministry of Infrastructure concentrates on non-architectural development, such as roads, bridges, and economic structures. Responsible for building transportation networks, maintaining wilderness areas, and constructing defensive structures, this ministry ensures the Empire's infrastructure supports its growth, security, and prosperity.

Etymology
Ischanor (variously pronounced either ISH-A-NOR or EESH-CAN-NOR, name created by Mr. Pierogi) is of uncertain meaning, but a rough translation may be considered "(in it) together mankind," or "In heavy snow, together." It is composed of Proto-Aysar roots *e "in", *skan "together", and *nor "mankind, human". Nor is related to the root *nr̥ "heavy snow" indicating that the Aysars though of themselves as part of the earth, specifically, linked with the snow that fell. Although the strict evolution of *nr̥ would be ner in Imperial Ischanic, the word may have undergone some closed syllable rounding by influence of regional neighbors, or some other unspecified influence.

Religion
There is no official state religion in Ischanor, but the majority faith present is the Ischanic Church, deeply rooted in the culture of many of the Ischanic nations. The faith minorly influences the Imperial government as well, avoiding overreaching and upsetting the religious minorities of the empire. The seat of power and authority for the Ischanic Church is within the Realm of Celras. Besides the Ischanic Church, there exist many smaller, local faiths that are permitted to be practiced alongside the dominant faith.

Proto-Aysari Culture Groups
Within Ischanor, most of the cultures and languages derive from the Proto-Aysar tree, where the Ojszari, Ischanori and Vinitican branches are most prevalent. All of them combine together in the melting pot that is Ischanor to form various wonderful cultures that share their innovations. Despite the fact that the Ischanori form the majority, there are still various smaller cultures from other sources found within the empire.

Ischanic
The Ischanics are the 'main' group within Ischanor. The Ischanic diaspora is widespread, found in all areas of Ischanor with the majority of realms in fact belonging to the group, the largest of which is the Kingdom of Lisvar, the personal domain of the Emperor. The Ischanics have a very well-documented history thanks to scholars of various Ischanori origin which goes as far back to origins of the people and their interactions with the Vinitican Empire, until its fall.

Ojszari
The Ojszari are another group within Ischanor, they are mostly found in the north-western parts of the empire, as they migrated to the region relatively recently in history. Their language is additionally derived from the same Proto-Aysar tree. According to scholarly records, the original Proto-Aysar had first split into the Ojszari and Ischanics, before splitting off into the other branches. While the Ischanics migrated south, the Ojszari decided to stay put to their 'traditional way of life' and mostly stayed in the region, though they eventually did migrate eastwards. After many generations, the now culturally distinct Ojszari were compelled to migrate south-west in a religiously-inspired campaign, with the largest party being led by Chieftain Moriwin of the Rydani. Thanks to the instability of the late Vinitican Empire, they were able to seize some land on their borders and destabilise the empire further. Later, the various peoples were incorporated into the Empire of Ischanor, with the largest Ojszari realm being the Grand Duchy of Vědanica.

In modern times, the Ojszari of Vědanica have pioneered their culture into blossoming into something magnificent, becoming patrons of the development of art. Most notably, the Grand Duchess of Vědanica- Varenna Rydani has made this come to fruition, she has personally painted numerous pieces of art of various figures throughout the empire, most notably the Emperor Kanasky Toss.

Lenógach
The Lenógach are a small minority group of Aysari peoples mostly concentrated within the Archduchy of Lenógath, most of the cultures found within the branch are undocumented and extinct, except for the modern Lenógach culture. Not much is known about them and they are quite different from other Ischanori cultural branches, implying that they may have been isolated for an extended period of time with little to no cultural exchanges.

Vinitican
The Viniticans were a culture who established a large empire in the region now occupied by Ischanor in centuries past. They culturally influenced their subjects and various others across Abexillas, and had a wide diaspora. One of the most direct descendants of the Viniticans is the Solideti people, who presently inhabit Celras. It is thought that the Solideti also migrated to the realm of Kylorne by an unknown means, establishing their own separate Kylorner Solideti ethnicity, returning after many centuries as Celrasi.

Lachawakan
The Lachawakans are a curious group of the Aysari tree. They are the most similar to the original ancestors of the Aysari and more traditional than even the Ojszari, having maintained a hunter-gatherer lifestyle with no formal social hierarchy or permanent dwellings since time immemorial. They have remained so persistent in keeping such a traditional society due to their devotion to an ancient earth goddess, which in modern times has been syncretized with the Ischanic goddess Ilfeijas.