West Azanara 01

Nations of the West of Azanara 01

The Empire of Albyon.

It is a union of 4 island kingdoms; the central Albyon island itself, the northern Orksyon, the southern Lyonsee, and the western Killayna. By law any member of the 4 royal families may be elected as Emperor, they must take up residence at the capital city of Lardinum on Albyon. By tradition it is usually a member of the Albyon royal house who holds that post.

Albyon island is a very modern and industrious place, with several small towns and many villages.

The old city of Sardrum, home of the royal house of Emery, is something of a museum keeping its medieval character. It sits peacefully half way up the Werric River with the mining town of Broffhill to the north and the imperial capital Lardinum to the south. Sardrum’s most modern feature is the railway hub located a short distance outside the old walls.

Lardinum itself has been ruthlessly modernized time and time again. It is the industrial heart of the Empire and a thriving port, a bizarre mix of grandeur and grim factory squalor. It has 10 times the population of any other city in the Empire. Far to large for walls to offer any real protection, it is defended by six garrison forts all with the best steam powered equipment and weapons. The Goffnians look at Lardinum and joke about its disorganization. The Parians claim it is artless. It is a rather ugly mess. But both acknowledge it as a hot bed of creativity and craftsmanship. The government inter fears very little in the business of its citizens.

Orksyon island is a rough place of contradictions. Some of the most primitive and advanced towns are to be found on it. Like wise, some of the most vocal supporters and opponents of Empire are here. The royal house of McMewer maintains a castle in the highlands, but the family spends most of its time in the hillside manor next to Inverek, the main port city of the island. Orkson is blessed with a wealth of iron and coal, all of it claimed by house McMewer.

Lyonsee island is a peaceful place, seemingly always having good weather. A perfect land for farmers and coastal fishermen, there is very little modern industry on it. The surplus of food and fish goes directly to market in Lardinum. A single rail line runs the length of the island, built by the king more as a vanity project than for any real use, it links the royal manors at Droffse Head and Tallis Point. For the most part the lords of Lyonsee aim to stay out of imperial politics.

Killayna island is full of independent minded traditionalists, proud of their cultural heritage and not really interested in being part of the Empire. They are very superstitious and often see science as a form of black magic. The royal house of Finn Ap Nay, and some of the educated nobles, have a more pragmatic view of technology, but still hold to the old ways in their hearts.

Each of the island kingdoms has a long history as a solitary entity, often at war with its neighbors. Until the unification under the first Emperor, Avalar of house Emery several hundred years ago. Since that time things have mostly been peaceful, except for the war of succession 120 years ago, and the Killayna rebellion shortly after that. The conflicts have been external, with the two other great powers; Goggnia and Parizanus.

More about its organization 

The Empire of Albyon is a constitutional monarchy, made of of four semi-autonomous kingdoms. Each island realm has entrenched rights to self management, yet the laws of the Imperial Parliament age given priority. Naturally this has created some conflicts. For the most part the Parliament tries to make laws that are acceptable to all kings.

Each kingdom has its own system of feudal lords and land holders, a troublesome fact because the social ranks do not fit neatly into a hierarchy. In Albyon there are Yomen – none noble land owners, Lords – the basic noble class, Barons – the middle aristocracy, Dukes – the upper nobility. In Orksyon there are Lairds and Earls, yet anyone can receive a land grant from the king. In Lyonsee there are only Lamalos, hereditary land owners each with about the same size estates. While in Killayna there are two none hereditary noble titles, one with land one with out, and six traditional ranks of lordship. This matters because any land owner is allowed to vote in parliamentary elections, but only those with sizable estates may hold seats.

Getting a new law passed in Parliament is no easy thing. The more direct method is Imperial Decree; the Emperor can issue an order or suspend a law, for a term of one year, without the consent of Parliament. At the end of the term the order is void or the law is reinstated. The Emperor is not allowed to simply re-issue the order as a new decree, with out gaining Parliamentary approval.

As the head of state, the Emperor appoints the chief officers of the government apparatus; the Bureaucracy. By tradition they must be sitting nobles in Parliament, but by law they may be any noble. These appointments shall not exceed 4 years in length, but are renewable. The Emperor does not have the right to dismiss a chief officer, unless a case of treason is at hand.

While the constitution protects internal affairs of each kingdom, it limits their foreign polity rights, placing power in the hands of the Emperor. Trade, diplomacy and military matters are clearly in his hands. Those wishing to do business in foreign lands need an Imperial Albyon permit. They must agree to the rules of conduct, including taxation, in return they gain the protection of the Navy.  

Today the Empire of Albyon is outward looking, seeking to expand its power with trade outposts and a sizable fleet to command the seas. Most of its ships are traditional sailing vessels; a wide range of lightly armed merchant craft, the 24 gun frigates, the 44 gun destroyers, and the 84 gun battleships. It also builds some new ironclad steam powered warships and has a small fleet of airships, as any modern nation needs. Unlike most of the great powers, Albyon does not tightly control access to its technology. Private individuals can build and operate their own steamships and airships. Naturally the military does keep some secrets in regards to weapons, armor and high performance engines.

The navy prefers to use the 4 ship squadron when ever possible; 2 frigates and 2 destroyers.