Kaverdi

The Empire of Kaverdi, originally the Kaver Union, was a vast, complex and diverse empire originating from the rough center of the continent, expanding over the modern-day continent of Kavernis, encompassing all major land features and biomes. The empire is one of the most influential nations upon the continents history, pathing its terrain, history, language, culture and future. The empire spanned from South Kavernis to North Kavernis. The empire was around roughly from 13th century BSS to 5th century BSS, going through three major structure types.

The various structures of Kaverdi have earned the empire a long lasting, unforgettable reputation as one of the most powerful states. Multiple times the nation has seen itself play as a continental and global powerhouse, pushing around and demanding things from smaller states among the north coast of Lazzeatir and Lverstwrynn.

Etymology
The first name of the empire was the Kaver Union. The Kaver Union in the native language of the people meant Outcast Union, which one of the theories of how the nation founded supports. The name Kaverdi was officially coined in 1253 BSS with the ascension of Sjerek, with the words Kaver (Outcast) and -erdi (Empire) being joined together to form the name Kaverdi. The first Arcanic Council members as well as Sjerek confirmed and spread the news of the name, which firmly became embedded with the peoples living under the small state at the time.

The name Kaverdi was not the first name to be proposed for the Kaver Union when it was under Sjerek though. The names Sjenerdi, Vekserdi, Kabrin Kaver Udeion and Wemnerdi, translating to "Wise Empire", "Magic Empire", "Kabrin Kaver Union" and "Free Empire" respectively, were also proposed.

Founding
The founding of Kaverdi is blurry and has many estimated reasons for founding, with theories revolving around either banditry origins, unification of like-minded states, grand conquest or dynastic unification.

'Bandits and Beggars' Theory
The most popular and well-known theory is known as “The Bandits and Beggars”. This theory goes through the belief that long ago; the people who possessed magic were abused, exploited and pushed around for their connection to magic. These people were enslaved, becoming forced warriors, farmers, builders and other laborious jobs. There is historical evidence through the form of artifacts, buildings and documents proving the slavery of the magical races.

The founding of Kaverdi, following “The Bandits and Beggars” theory is the idea that enslaved people, bandits and beggars across nations close and far escape to the north-western lands hoping to seek salvation. These 3 classes were met in the high peaks of what is now Kabrilis, founding a small tribe to protect the violated. Kabrilis, which was founded as a small tribe, would rapidly grow in might and size from the power of those who were magical (Mostly the slaves and a minority of bandits). Due to this though, the nation founded to be equal among the lower class found a rapidly growing divide, where the magically gifted were becoming the heads and powerful. Leading to the creation of a hierarchy based upon the magically gifted. This hierarchy quickly had the magically gifted in high position roles, while still assisting the non-magical people in construction. The leaders of the nation became a magical council, known as the “Kaverdi Arcanic Council” consisting of 6 people, based on factors such as magical strength, leadership, power, charisma, contribution, intellect and more.

Old Kingdom Structure
In the Old Kingdom of Kaverdi; the empire was rather small and did not rely on a bureaucratic board; instead it only required a supreme, sole leader that was powerful enough to solely lead the great nation. The Grand Emperor oversaw the entire empire, controlling every aspect of the nation, such as its military, finance, diplomacy and education systems.

Under the Grand Emperor was the Arcanic Council, being a part of the warrior class, which had no power in theory, serving only as an advisory board but in reality had the 2nd greatest power, due to them only consisting of the highest Kaverdi Grand Warlocks and Nobles.

Under the Arcanic Council, were the Arcanic Lord(s) of Kaverdi; they were the 2nd Warrior Class position, being in contracts with the Arcanic Council members, they often were the main economic body of the empire, having the most assets under their control.

Those below the Lord(s) were the Kaverdi Grand Warlocks, the 3rd Warrior Class. They were the major army officers, possessing supreme arcanic control and holding land from the battles they had won.

Finishing the Warrior Classes was the Kaverdi Warlocks, being the paid forces and enlists of the empire, they were given more rights and land for their contribution to the state.

The common population were the majority of the empire, consisting of common jobs and having a mediocre pay and an average lifestyle.

Finally, below were the artisans and merchants of the empire, considered the lowest of the state, having reduced rights and protection due to their ‘lack’ of contribution to the military success of Kaverdi.

Middle Kingdom Structure
In the Middle Kingdom of Kaverdi; the empire was rapidly gaining ground by the day and distrust grew upon the Kaverdic council and their reigning monarch. This distrust lead to constant assassinations of the emperor, eventually resulting in the council 'voting' on taking over as the political leaders of the nation. This transformed the emperor into only a figurehead, representing the culture and nation diplomatically.

The Arcanic Council during these times controlled vast amounts of realms, duchies and kingdom titles, mostly being seized from the emperor. Due to this they had almost complete power and influence over the nation. The Arcanic Council decided to preserve the same power dynamics of the warrior class of the old hierarchy, although they did have significantly more wealth during this period.

The common population expanded into all 'common' jobs and having a mediocre pay and an average lifestyle, now including merchants and artisans of the empire within this class. During this era, the constant conquest lead to the increase of discrimination against people that did not fit within the ideal views of the council, which was anyone that could not use magic, refused to use it or stole from the value of the empire. This lead to undesirables being thieves and freeloaders of the empire or anyone who refused to use magic. Any person who had no connection to magic became the lowest class and had any titles from them stripped to make them slaves if they weren't already a lowborn.