One of the oldest enemies of Maz-Torgoth is the ancient empire of Akkyria, lying along his southern border. Here is a nation profile for the Akkyrian Empire, soon to be followed by entries for the Maydan Empire, Kingdom of Aparni, Kingdom of Makan, and other nearby states. These nations are the core of trade and travel between the Western Lands and Eastern Lands, and in one form or another, some of the oldest nations in the Veiled World.
Nations Name: Akkyrian Empire
Form of Government: Imperial
National Symbol: Archer with drawn bow on a sundisk
National Colors: Red and white
Leader(s): Sharrum (King) Isaru-iddina
Population: 12 million
Military Strength: Up to 180,000 (majority of active forces along border with Empire)
State Religion(s): Polytheistic, no Desolate Ones worship allowed, restrictions on some temples
Primary Products: Tin, textiles, metalworks, furniture, armaments, fish, olive oil
Secondary Products: Lead, grain, cattle, donkeys, olives, beans
Major cities: Dur-sarru (Capitol), Dur-temkari (sister city of capitol), Dur-huras, Dur-alpu, Karum-Imna, Karum-Aqar, Dur-nesaku
Encounter Frequency: Low
History:
The Akkyrian civilization arose along the banks of the Idiqlat and Purattu rivers around 4300 BH, learning from the earlier Ubadi people of the city states of Zuru and Kumma. The Ubadi were a pious and innovative people, devoted to a religion that rejected the material world. The Akkyrians soon supplanted them, though a very ancient core of Ubadi exist in some of the temples and oldest families in the empire. The Akkyrian city states soon begin to form coalitions to contest each other, as well as to protect from the Hati to the north and steppe nomads to the west. In 1570 BH the 1st Akkyrian Empire was founded when Sharrum Dannu-bani of Dur-sarru conquered Dur-huras and Dur-alpu, giving him control of the Idiqlat and Purattu and unifying the city states into a more powerful whole. The empire grew rapidly, the collapse of the Hati and great wealth coming from trade goods from Tiāncháo and Tse’tah passing through Toichous with the Arans, Kewerts, and Makans serving as middlemen and paying taxes and tribute to the Sharrum. Besides it’s trade with the west, the early Akkyrians also had diplomatic relations with the Khana City States, Kresijos (often a rival), the Yubu Kingdoms, and the young Maydan Empire after its founding. The destruction caused during the War of the Gods and Desolate Ones left the empire wracked with disease, bandits and wandering voidspawn, requiring many decades of rebuilding, but also removed a rival on the Sea of Swords (after Kresijos’s destruction during the war), allowing greater influence.
The rise of the Kingdom of Urartu and the Kolkhiyu and Danaoi tribal coalitions in the north led the Akkyrians to expand even more northward, subduing the Urartu and Kolkhiyu, and driving the Danaoi eastward, into Pelnos and Thraxes. The Danaoi city states further east grew distrustful, as the Akkyrians continued to expand, with the subjugation of the Khana causing great alarm. Eventually a short war over trade breaks out between the empire and the city states of Therapnia, Tyrinos, and Meyara, but it was swiftly settled by diplomats from Eliapolis negotiating with the Akkyrian’s Khana subjects. Several centuries of prosperity were interrupted by the outbreak of civil war after Sharrum Adasi died without an heir, his brother Erishum leading one faction, his nephew Bazaya holding sway in the east. The Khana states use the disruption of the war to break free, and trade with the west is disrupted, causing much turmoil in the eastern Danaoi city states. Bazaya’s defeat of his father Erishum (followed by his crowning as Sharrrum Isaru-bani) ended the war, but left the empire weak and fractured. The arrival of Maz-Torgoth, from the north was the final blow that destroyed the first empire, his legions of troops and sorcery swiftly overrunning the empire and its neighbors. The Sharrum was assassinated in his tent by demons, his supporters forced into hiding.
The assassination of Maz-Torgoth resulted in his empire being split between his closest servants, the Warlord Damasias seizing the Akkyrian and Maydan empires, the richest jewels of the conquests. An active insurgency against his rule began, aided by the fact that so many of his soldiers had taken on local wives and mistresses. The Kingdom of Urartu rose up, seizing key mountain pass forts. After the return of Maz-Torgoth and the deaths of Warlords Protokrates, Orikleos, and Xenokrates, Damasias was forced to withdraw to Mayda, the Akkyrians in open revolt. Damasias disappeared from his palace in the night, never seen again. The Kingdoms of Aparni, Makan, and Kolkhis used the turmoil to regain their independance, followed by the new nation of Onadan, formed from Akkyrian, Khana and Danaoi settlers in the Sea of Swords. The Akkyrians are hobbled by a series of succession wars, with Sharrum Belet-de’q eventually being crowned. Known as The Defender, he focused his early rule on fortifying the border with the Empire of Maz-Torgoth and strengthening the army. Negotiations with Mayda to unite against the greater foe also result in the elimination of slavery in the empire, both seeing it as being to risky and a source of eager recruits to the Desolate Ones cause (desperate people will do anything to escape their misery).
The 2nd Akkyrian Empire was less prone to conquering it’s neighbors, but it did regain control over the Kingdom of Kolkhis, securing the border with the Empire. Resources were instead focused on building a stronger empire inside its borders, especially in expanding croplands for a healthier populace and army, establishing new foundries and craft holds, and fortifying the border with the Empire. As the Tse’tah expanded in the Western Lands, the Akkyrians and Maydans profited, with additional trade from Tiāncháo, the Samskaran states, and more distant lands all filtering through to the east, with a growing market for eastern goods allowing for trade in both directions. Centuries or relative peace passed, the Empire of Maz-Torgoth contained on all sides and unable to attack one foe with strength. The arrival of the Host of the Void changed all of that, shattering the states to the north and west of the Empire, and leaving the Akkyrians and their allies in a fight for survival. Besides the fight with the Empire, the Akkyrians were forced to deal with thousands of refugees, widespread magical plagues, internal cults of Desolate One worshipers, and a network of Empire spies in the ranks of the military. A large push by the Akkyrians on the Empire port of Abandonment Bay helps relieve the League forces, and Sululu the Akkyrian is one of the magi who grievously wound Maz-Torgoth at the Battle of Perasma. Sharrum Samnu-bani and Shahanshah Kurus IV of Mayda were brought together by Orodek VIII of the Kingdom of Aparni to create a grand coalition in the south. After the Battle of the Burning Woods, the Akkyrians are contacted by emissaries from Tiāncháo who formed a network to collect and share information on the Desolate Lands and those who inhabit them.
The Akkyrian empire continued to work with its neighbors on containing the Empire, though during the reign of Sharrum Abu-iddina, a faction of traditionalists advocated for reclaiming lands once held by the 1st Akkyrian Empire. After failed effort in Khana territory, the Sharrum takes ill and returns home, dying months later from fever. A decade later the Dark Death swept across the known world, killing over a quarter of the world’s population, but the Akkyrians weathered it better than others, the widespread influence of the House of Healing keeping many from being exposed and saving many infected. The Akkyrians helped when the Empire invaded in 358 AH, and inflicted great losses on the Black Fleets of Alawyr in 412 AH at the Battle of the Breakers. During the 2nd Void War in 539 AH, the Akkyrian/Maydan front saw less action, the Empire focused on attacking the League and the Slowani states to the north.
The most recent conflict, the 3rd Void War saw the Akkyrians making major incursions into the Empire, including the near destruction of Abandonment Bay, and heavy injuries to the coastal fortifications of the Empire and Alaweyr. However, the Akkyrians have experienced a rash of assassinations and minor revolts, caused by Empire agents, Desolate One cultists, and the spreading influence of the Order of Sarratu, a century old group devoted to restoring the 1st Akkyrian Empire, and opposed to the close relations between the Akkyrians and Maydans. Sharrum Isaru-iddina
Society:
While the Akkyrians dominate the culture of the empire, there are many other peoples incorporated such as the Ururtians and Kolkhiyu from the north, Aran people from the areas near Mayda, and Mazighi and Khani peoples in the south and east. The Akkyrians worship a diverse pantheon, with particular adherence to Abu (Kembros), Isaru (Tassein), Samnu (Orkos), Belet (The Lady of the Glens), Dannu (Karnon), Kippatu (Kakram), Sinu (Masah), Sāntu (Dagian) and Ramu (Lubyati).
Karum-Imna near the border with the Khana has seen a recent upswing in growth, while Karum-Aqar has suffered from Alaweyr pirates. The capitol of Dur-sarru and it’s sister city Dur-temkari lie along the Idiqlat river, while Dur-huras and Dur-alpu are the main cities on the Purattu.
The Akkyrians are famous for their skill at metalwork, especially in making mechanisms and parts for enchanted objects. The city of Dur-nesaku was established by Sharrum Abu-de’iq in 165 BH, entirely devoted to iron working and manufacturing, with patronage to any smith who wishes to live there.
With the massive amounts of trade goods that pass through east and west, as well as the merchants who have emporiums there, the Akkyrian empire is one of the most cosmopolitan nations in the veiled world, with dozens of languages and people seen on a daily basis.
Military Organization:
The Akkyrian Empire’s armies are quite large, needing to be able to protect against the Empire and neighbors, though they focus their best forces along the border with the Empire. The armies are heavily infantry and archer based, with attached detachments of cavalry. Armor is usually scale or reinforced linen, with metal shields, short swords and spears. The Akkyrians are renown for their skill as siegecraft, and they also have a respectable naval presence in the Sea of Swords.
Famous Citizens:
Sharrum Isaru-iddina: King of the Akkyrian Empire, Isaru-iddina is only recently to the throne, his father Isaru-nasir having passed away from a long wasting illness. He is still somewhat reliant on his advisors, but wants to help his nation recover from the recent war with the Empire, as well as bringing law and order to areas that have fallen under the sway or bandits and fell creatures. Before coming to the throne he met Shahzada Adarkhurshid of the Mayda Empire and considers him a good friend. He wants to improve the already strong relations between the two empires.
Abu-bani, High Priest of Abu (Kembros) the Patriarch: Abu-bani is the leading voice of preserving the past traditions and rejecting the new in the empire. He is a very cautious man, and does not like the many changes that the Sharrum has been pushing, especially in increasing friendly relations with Mayda and the Khana City states. He would prefer that the Sharrum stick with traditions, and let his advisors guide him to the proper course of action. The Sharrum suspects Abu-bani is assisting the Order of Sarratu, but lacks evidence.
Samnu-de’iq, Lord High Justice, High Priest of Samnu (Orkos) the Oathkeeper: Samnu-de’iq is the Lord High Justice, and personally settles all capital cases in Dur-sarru that are not heard by the Sharrum. He is a reformer, and has been appointed by the Sharrum to purge corruption and inefficiency from the imperial bureaucracy. Because of this, he has come into conflict with Abu-bani.
Nikiltu-satar, Public menance: Nikiltu-satar is the most wanted criminal in the Akkyrian Empire, though she is not affiliated with any enemies of the state. She is however guilty of several daring and embarrassing thefts, the killing of public officials (secretly found to be in the employ of the Order of Sarratu), and fomenting a riot in the Dur-Sippatu (used to escape a cordon of troops and agents of the Order of Nūru who want to question her on her knowledge of enemies of the state). Nikiltu-satar is a mistress of disguise, but is believed to be in her late twenties, with the olive skin and dark hair and eyes common to most Akkyrians. The Sharrum’s advisors are split as to whether she is the greatest threat or secretly working to help the empire, but agree she must be captured. Abu-bani in particular dislikes her, and uses her continued freedom to critique Samnu-de’iq position as Lord High Justice.
The Daily Assassin 