Imperium of Ariana (Birth of Civilization Map Game)

The Imperium of Ariana is a large empire located in the Middle-Eastern region of Earth. It is ruled by multiple Khanates under the dominating rule of the Imperator.

History
After the Shah's of Persia fell in to a period of conquest and expansion, they neglected to fund the growth of technology and development in their nation. As such famines began to break out and support for the Shah began to waver. In addition the royal dynasty was running low on wealth to fund the constant expansion and army and minor revolts had to be put down by the army. During this period Shah Jafar I confided in a close friend, Borna Antia, that the royal treasury was empty. Borna offered to use his own wealth to temporarily pay for the nations large military but soon died at which point Borna's son, Zharir inherited the wealth and power. Zharir was popular with the people and nobility and as such decided to lead a rebellion against Jafar. After 12 years, the Rebels had won and Zharir declared himself Imperator of Ariana and establishing the Imperium of Ariana. After many changes to the political system Zharir rules as a beloved leader and is remembered fondly.

Khans and Khanates
The Empire is split into autonomous regions known as Khanates. These Khanates are lead by Khans who lead much as a medieval English house. They deal with much of the day-to-day dealings such as collecting tax, raising armies and managing infrastructure. The Khanates swear loyalty to the Great Khans who have Imperial bestowed power over entire regions of Ariana. These Great Khanates serve the Imperator directly and are fiercely loyal. If the Imperator or a high Imperial Inquisitor assumes that a Great Khan is becoming too powerful then they are publicly executed and denounced of all lands and titles.

All the Lesser Khans and Greater Khans swear blood fealty to the Imperator so that if he should ever call for them they will raise their armies and march to war without a second thought. In addition, the Khans pay a percentage of their money to the Imperator who then uses it for national projects as a whole.

Council of Persarum
The Council of Persarum is a council of the Khans and nobles which advise and run the Imperium in the Imperator's absence. The Imperator holds complete power however these nobles speak with Imperial Authority meaning any decree they make is an Imperial Decree and therefore the highest law.

Imperial Arianan Legions
The Imperial Arianan Legions is different to the Imperator's Forces. The Army of Ariana is controlled by the Khanates on a daily basis however whenever a war is declared the Imperator can call the banners of the Legions. The Legions are each made of 1,200 soldiers and colour their armour based which legion they are in. Some Khanates can muster more Legions than others, but all of the Legions a Khan musters are brought together into a Host. A host is usually 2-4 legions in size but can be as much as 5 for larger Khanates. The Hosts then meet up from all over their region and join the Great Khan who leads them in a Horde. These Hordes are often 10,000-12,000 men strong and together all the Hordes make up the army.

Imperator's Forces
The Imperial Arianan Forces are directly ruled and lead by the Imperator. The Imperator holds more territory than any single other Khanate and from this territory he recruits and trains the best soldiers into his Imperator's Legions. These legions are different from the Khans Legions as they are larger and do not group into Hosts or Hordes. Additionally there are not 8-10 legions in the Imperator's Forces there are only 3. These Legions are known as the Immortals and are the best trained soldiers in the Imperium, they are well trained in all weapons and failure in training often results in death. In addition to these Legions the Imperator also has his personal Immortal Sentinels which act as his guard. This elite unit is the best of the Immortal Legions. They are deadly and swift and carry with them short spears and strong well made swords. The Imperator himself also has a large elegant sword called "Soul Crusader" which is made of the highest quality tempered iron, in addition the Imperator's armour are made of reinforced iron plates. Between the plates is a delicately woven purple tunic with yellow accents under this the Imperator wears a light bronze chain mail as final protection. The final part of the Imperator's Force is his Imperial Inquisitors. The Inquisitors have free access and funds to travel around the Imperium and purge anyone who opposes the Imperator and his will.