The Waiirin empire

The last bastion of order within the pale seas

It was once said that the Waiirin Empire stretched far beyond the passage of the fleetest ship. Though children still tell tales of the great sea kings of old, Waiirin, as it is now is but a fleeting shadow of what it once was.

1500 years ago, the first council met at the site that now houses the magisterial dome. Each member representing a free island, they joined their power and resources to tame the sea itself. Such was the Waiirin Empire founded.

As is reckoned by the ancient scholar, they expanded for the next 461 years, at their hight controlling all the lands within the pale sea. Then, in the year 462 came the reckoning. Internal strife and pirates from beyond the pale seas broke upon the empire like so many oncoming waves. Unable to contain or hold back the tide, it foundered. One by one its many fortresses and cities were severed from it; it now being a husk of its former self.

Such are the tales told by learned folk. In the current year, the Waiirin Empire is largely cut off from the surrounding seas. What islands still lay within its zone of control, though few, are prosperous. There have been murmurs of renewed efforts to reunite with its long lost cities, to protect them from the storm of piracy that grips the seas. These are, however, just murmurs.

Core Islands

There are three core islands to the Waiirin empire: Lit, Straigren, and Wishfell. Lit is the location of their capital and the regional centre of power. Straigren is the great port city, from where the great warships of old were made. Wishfell contains the grand marketplace; the center of commerce, and the imperial barracks.

Life within the empire

Very few are permitted to pass beyond the limits of the Ordained seas. Those within the empire are strictly schooled in line with the magisterial teachings. Those from without the empire are permitted to enter only select islands, and those who wish to stay are confined within said island for the rest of their lives. Those born into the empire want for little. Food, shelter, and education are supplied by the central government. Strict religious teachings are instilled into Waiirin citizens, departure from which is swiftly punished.

Life between each island is varied, some live as effective royalty as imperial bureaucrats or administrators, while others live as farmers or mechanics. The average person has limited social movement. One is born into the citizenry of a specific island. Individual opportunities are limited to the needs and resources of ones given island. Movement between islands (and as an extension social classes) is possible, but permits for such are scarcely distributed and dearly bought. Those who do leave the Ordained seas, either by magisterial permit or by illegal escape results in the effective banishment of the individual. Their citizenship is revoked and though they may maintain status as an imperial protectee, the likelihood of reentry is unlikely.