Celestial Empire of Zealtranesia

Celestial Empire of Zealtranesia
Politics and Religion
Capital: Liangcheng Religion: Orthodoxy (or is it?) Alignment: Void Government: Bureaucracy Ruler: Songli
Population and Economy
Population: Beastfolk (Angels?!) Languages: Yütian Alfari, Tianwen Tax Revenue(net): 3000 Resources: Mana 2000 Food (total) 13 Food (net) 1 Beasts 25 Adamantium 250 Books 70 Common Draft 31 Noble Draft 7

Racial Information:

Beastfolk: Flight, Regeneration (20)

The Celestials bear a remarkable likeness to both Human and Alfar, possessing the general outward appearances and unearthly beauty as the Alfar, while their physical capabilities are extremely close to human norms, with two major exceptions. The first being their incredible constitution, which permits them to recover from the most grevious of injuries within hours or days, as well as extending their lifespans close to that of the Alfar. The second is a pair (or two, or three...) of feathered wings, and the ability to fly despite the physical impossibility of the feat.

History:

Recorded Celestial history spans several thousand years, outdating even Alfar influence on Lemuria. The majority of these are in the form of bureaucratic records, outlining everything from minutes of Council meetings to tax return reciepts. However, these records all begin on the same date, and absolutely no data exists prior to this date. It is widely believed that the Celestials are the descendants of true Celestials who had been cast out of the heavens after losing a war which was sparked by an unknown catalysm. Their appearances and abilities are considered the only remnants of their supernatural power left to them in recognition of their bravery and martial ability during the war. On the mortal plane, they then constructed their civilization, held together by the Bureaucracy which maintains order in all levels of Celestial society.

When the Alfar began their expansion into Lemuria, the Celestials capitulated without a fight, but demanded a period of time in which to prepare for an orderly transition of power. Supposedly, this primarily involved an update of all Celestial organization charts to include the Alfar Emperor and Governor at the top. The term "Zealtranesia" was coined by the Alfar, a combination of the indigenous names of the two main regions that made up their new province. The "Zealsia" (Grassy) Hills, and the "Tranesian" (Bare/Dull) Plains. Zealtranesia was a productive and peaceful province of the Empire, which led to a primarily hands-off approach to governance from the Alfar governor, though minor changes were made, including education in the Alfari language.

One day (the precise date could probably be found if one were willing to search the Great Archives), the Alfar governor and his guard were recalled to Mu for consultation. They never returned, presumably they fell afoul of some instability that was occuring in Mu at the time. However, in an attempt to stave off a repeat of The Great Reorganization, the Celestials appointed an Emperor and a Prime Minister from their two most senior Civil Servants, and quickly rebuilt the institutions of governance around them after several thousand years of disuse. The transfer of power was handled as seamlessly as possible, maintaining the peace which would continue until the Necromantic Wars.

During the Wars, the Celestials sought to maintain the status quo, and thus aligned themselves with the Alliance. The Celestial Army was primarily held in the defense of Lemuria, which suffered the brunt of Necromatic attacks throughout the war. Much of the Tranesian Plains changed hands several times during the War, but the Zealsian Hills were never truly threatened. When the Alliance disbanded, the Celestials set up the Committee for Post-war Reconstruction, which provided monetary aid and assistance for the nations of Lemuria hardest hit by the war. This act has been generaly well received, though some detractors have claimed that it is no more than an attempt to increase Celestial influence in the region.

Government, Politics and the Civil Service

The Celestial Legislature is made up of an assembly of all the Ministers, Directors and Commissioners of all the Ministries, Directorates and Commissions that make up the Civil Service. They are led by the Emperor and the Prime Minister, both of whom hold a veto which may be overriden through a three-quarters majority vote in the Legislature. Both positions are life terms, and are candidates are selected from the Legislature. The Emperor is also in direct control of the Imperial Auditing Department, while the Prime Minister has control of the Anti-Corruption Agency, the two organizations tasked with keeping the Civil Service, and each other, honest. Ministers, Directors and Commissions are drawn from their respective organizations as well. Together, these organizations exercise complete power over the Celestial Empire.

Such is the pervasiveness of the Bureaucracy that there is an old joke that circulates amongst the common citizenry and the lower levels of the Civil Service that they are truly descendants of Celestial Bureaucrats, who due to a Heavenly Recession (Cataclysm) and a rather intense budget appropriations fight (The War) led to the elimination of an entire department, and their 'Celestial Abilities' were part of the severance package. The Government has released several statements over the millenia stating that "That joke is really getting old." and requesting that the citizens cease its spread, but surprisingly to no avail.

The Civil Service, with the exception of Women's Rights/Support organizations, is almost completely male dominated. This is primarily due to the prevailing belief that females are less rational and more impulsive with regards to policy decisions, and that males are more rational and more sensitive to the needs of their constituents. While the few females in the Civil Service are not particularly discriminated against, they are more closely watched, and will almost certainly never reach the top tier of their organization.

Education, Religion and the Examinations

All Celestial children must undergo fifty years of formal education in government-run schools, where they learn languages, mathematics, science and history, as well as the basics of magic and the martial arts. The ideas of discipline and obedience to the Government are also strongly indoctrinated. The ten years of education culminate in the Imperial Civil Service Examination, where the best and brightest minds (approximately the top 5%) are whisked off to higher levels of study and preparation for a fast track carreer in the Civil Service. Those who score well, but who are not selected, but who still pass (the next 20%) are given certificates of scholarship, and have the choice of further education with the aim of joining the Civil Service at the lower levels, or joining one of the Guilds or the military. Those who fail are either sent to vocational training schools, or typically return to their homes to learn their trades from their families.

The similarities between the Celestial Empire and the Orthodoxy are obvious. Indeed, both can be said to believe in the same things. The Celestial Empire even officially declares itself as part of the Orthodoxy, and this has greatly aided its relations with other Orthodoxy nations.

However, while the Celestials share the beliefs of the Orthodoxy, they certainly do not share its religious practices. They consider the current Celestial Hierarchy - and through it the Orthodoxy - as a product of the War that resulted in their downfall. As such, they steadfastly -and privately- refuse to truly worship any other within the Heirarchy but Monad, and have been seeking a way to regain their lost positions within the Hierarchy. While some elements within the Civil Service feel that they can achieve their goals through spreading good order and through good governance throughout the mortal plane, in essence proving their right to return, others feel that the only way to restore the old order would be to destroy the new one in the Celestial Plane through the destruction of the Orthodoxy on the mortal plane. Understandably, the former is widely accepted in the Civil Service while the latter is popular within the armed forces. In either case, Celestial policymakers consider the current age, one without a major unified power, as a prime time for expansion and for the accomplishment of their goals.

The Heavenly Host

Upper General Chen Ruiwen

Military Budget: 19,834, 20,000 Gold (80)

Commander: Upper General Chen Ruiwen

Just as the Civil Service is a primarily male dominated organization, the military is almost completely female, with the notable exception of the Combat Mages' Guild, which is relatively balanced gender wise.

The Celestial Army

The Army is the primary arm of the Host, drawing the majority of its budgetary and personnel requirements. It is a relatively lightly equipped force that relies heavily on its mobility.

Commander of the Army: Middle General Liang Xuefeng

Error creating thumbnail: File missing

Middle General Liang Xuefeng, a.k.a. 'The Blade Mistress'

Valkyrie

Artist's impression of a Valkyrie in ceremonial armour

The Valkyries are the Army's elite shock troops, and are equipped and armed accordingly. Their primary task during peacetime is the protection of the Emperor and the Prime Minister.

Knights: 200G / 16/8G
Embodied Full Plate: 160G 100M / 10M
Alfar Longbow w/ Explosive Arrows: 30G 30M / 10M
Long Lightsword: 50G 100M / 10M
Noble Magic: 20 Bks
Royal Pegasi (Rare Cavalry: Flight, Intelligence, Armour): 40Be / 20G 20M

Cost: 340G 230M 20Bk 40Be (1070G Equiv) / 66/58G 50M

Air Cavalry Company

Error creating thumbnail: File missing

Artist's rendition of an Air Cavalrywoman, from a mass-market propaganda comic

The Army's Air Cavalry Regiment is the General's go anywhere, do anything force. Be it infiltrating the enemy lines to conduct a strike on their supply lines, or close reconnaissance of enemy troop dispositions, or a hasty attack on the enemy's artillery positions, the Air Cavalry exists to meet the needs of the General.

Knights: 200G / 16/8G
Elven Weave Plated Mail: 25G 25A 25M / 5M
Alfar Longbow w/ Explosive Arrows: 30G 30M / 10M
Adamantium Longsword: 50G 50A
Noble Magic: 20Bks
Pegasi (Exotic Cavalry: Flight): 16Be, 16G

Cost: 305G 55M 75A 20Bks 16Be (695G Equiv) / 32/24G 15M

Reconnaissance Company
The Reconnaissance Company is the General's eyes and ears over the battlefield. Lightly armed and armoured, they are expected to stay aloft for the majority of the battle.

Women-at-Arms: 50G / 5G
Barrier Jacket: 3G 50M / 5M
Sidesword: 15G
Explodium Hand Bombs: - / 10G 10M

Cost: 68G 50M /15G 15M

Leadcaster Company

Taken from defense education leaflet to the Assembly for the production of Alfar designed leadcasters and hand leadcasters

The backbone of the Celestial Army, the Leadcaster Company's job is to break up enemy pike blocks or disrupt enemy gun formations so that the Grenadiers can assault them successfully. Armed only with a Leadcaster and a bayonet, the Leadcaster Company is expected to withdraw if enemy assault troops threaten their position.

Women-at-Arms: 50G / 5G
Skirmisher Barrier Jacket: 10G 50M / 5M
Adamantium casted Leadcaster: 40G 40A 15M / 2G 1M

Cost: 100G 40A 65M / 7G 6M

Grenadiers Company
The Grenadiers are the assault infantry of the Celestial Army. Armed with Adamantium headed halberds and a small number of hand-bombs, they typically accompany their Leadcaster comrades until potential assault targets have been sufficiently softened up.

Women-at-Arms: 50G / 5G
Elven Weave Plated Mail: 25G 25A 50M / 5M
Adamantium Halberd: 35G 35A
Explodium Hand Bombs: - / 10G 10M

Cost: 110G 60A 50M / 15G 15M

Skirmisher Company

Error creating thumbnail: File missing

Concept art for Army recruiting campaign depicting a skirmisher in armour

Skirmishers are general purpose infantry.

Women-at-Arms: 50G / 5G
Skirmisher Barrier Jacket: 10G 50M / 5M
Alfar Longbow with Explosive Arrows: 30G 30M / 10M
Adamantium Sidesword: 15G 15A
Common Magic: 5Bk

Cost: 105G 50M 15A 5Bk / 5G 15M

Light Artillery Battery
The Celestial Army is primarily a light infantry force, and thus lacks the heavy support that most other armies can call upon. The giant Leadcasters of the Light Artillery Battery are the only heavy guns in the Army's arsenal. With ten Pegasi serving each gun and ammunition carriage, the Battery is fully capable of matching the mobility of the infantry.

Light Artillery Carriage: 10G
Adamantium Casted Giant Leadcaster w/ Explodium Shot: 75G 75A 100M / 5G 25M
Pegasi (Exotic Cavalry: Flight): 16 Be / 16G

Cost: 85G 75A 100M 16Be / 31G 25M

2 Valkyrie Companies

4 Celestial Brigades consisting of:
1 Air Cavalry Company
2 Recon Companies
4 Leadcaster Companies
4 Grenadier Companies
2 Skirmisher Companies
2 Light Artillery Batteries

The Celestial Guard

Reserve Air Cavalry Company
Regulars: 50G / 5G
Adamantium Partial Plate: 35G 35A
Alfar Longbow 30G
Adamantium Broadsword: 25G 25A
Common Magic: 5Bks
Pegasi (Exotic Cavalry: Flight): 16Be / 16G

Cost: 140G 60A 5Bk 16Be / 21G

Reserve Reconnaissance Company
Militia: - / 3G
Skirmisher Armour: 10G
Sidesword: 15G
Hand Bombs - / 10G

Cost: 25G / 13G

Reserve Leadcaster Company
Militia - / 3G
Lamellar: 15G
Charged Pavise 10G 10M Leadcaster: 40G 15M / 2G 1M

Cost: 65G 25M / 5G 1M

Reserve Assault Company
Militia - / 3G
Lamellar: 15G
Adamantium Broadsword: 25G 25A
Charged Full Shield: 10G 10M
Hand Bombs: - / 10G
50G 25A 10M / 13G

Reserve Skirmisher Company
Militia: - / 5G
Enchanted Skirmisher Armour: 10G 30M / 3M
Alfar Longbow: 30G
Adamantium Sidesword: 15G 15A
Common Magic: 5Bk
Cost: 55G 15A 30M 5Bk / 5G 3M

Reserve Light Artillery Battery
Light Artillery Carriage: 10G
Giant Leadcaster: 75G 25M / 5G 5M
Pegasi (Exotic Cavalry: Flight): 16Be / 16G
85G 25M 16Be / 31G 5M

Reserve Artillery Battery:
Medium Artillery Carriage: 20G
Demi-Culverin: 150G / 15G
Rouncey (Crushing Strength): 2 Be / 2G
170G 2 Be / 17G

Reserve Brigade (Type B):
2 Reserve Recon Companies
4 Reserve Leadcaster Companies
4 Reserve Assault Companies
2 Reserve Skirmisher Companies
2 Reserve Light Artillery Batteries
Cost: 790G, 250M, 130A, 10Bk, 32 Be / 118G 20M

Reserve Brigade (Type C):
2 Reserve Recon Companies
8 Reserve Leadcaster Companies
2 Reserve Skirmisher Companies
2 Reserve Artillery Batteries
Cost: 1020G, 260M, 30A, 10Bk, 4 Be / 110G 14M

Combat Mages' Guild

Error creating thumbnail: File missing

Lower General The Archmage Li Taifeng

2 Archmages
10 Adepts

Notable Regions

6 Countrysides 60
3 Hills 30
1 Chaotic Wilds 10
2 Cities 100
1 Water Node 50
1 Stockade 10
1 Keep 30
1 Adamantium Mine 10
Domains: 300

The Zealsia Hills

Hill
City (Liangcheng)
Hill
City (Shuiyingshi)
Hill
Adamantium Mine

The Tranesian Plains

Grassland x 6

The Crystal Forest

Chaotic Wild
Water Node
Keep
Stockade