The Turian Empire isn't nearly as old as the Kingdom of Ostanza, but what it lacks in age, it makes up in control and power. This Empire is ruled entirely by the religious credence that once possessed Ostanza; an appreciation for the powers that be that drives the Empire to both protect and judge its own people. The theocratic rule is maintained by the Holy Synod, the council of five elite priests and priestesses led by a single all-powerful Orator. While there is a King and Queen in Turia, their powers are null and void as they exist merely to serve as a reminder to the past when Turia was in its "Dark Times" (the time before the splitting of the empire from Ostanza). All legislation and military actions are decided and voted on by the Holy Synod, with the Orator holding the most power.

The Empire simply exists to keep its people safe, happy, and pious. Through devout patronage to the five deities permitted by the Empire (Helm, Erathis, Matron of Ravens, Pelor, Sarenrae), the people of the empire strongly believe that there simply is no better place to live in Caldron than within the walls of the Empire, and with the information they are given, they are correct in thinking so. Similar to Ostanza, the Turian Empire censors the information given to its people, but instead of simply hiding it, it destroys it from existence. The religious scriptures of the approved deities are the tools with which the strict laws of the Empire are swiftly and viciously enforced. It is not uncommon to see public displays of "justice" being served by the Luminous (the Holy military in Turia) against those deemed as blasphemers.

Society in the Empire follows a relatively strict class system, and while there are poor people in the Empire, given the strict laws and relatively good living conditions, they are better off than many in the bottom castes of other kingdoms. There is also a very strict hierarchy of power within the Empire ranging from the local level all the way to the national level. Starting at the top, the Orator, or the head of the Holy Synod, has the most power in the land. He or she has the final say on all matters, judicially or otherwise, and hails from the religion of Helm. This individual serves on a council of four other priests, one from each approved deity. This council, the Holy Synod, votes on various decisions after which the Orator either vetoes or passes. Underneath the council are the commanders of the Luminous Army called Illuminators and are known as the Illuminated. These commanders, as well as the army at large share their allegiance with Helm and have sworn to protect Turia at all costs. At the local level, there are Bishops, who are in charge of the main temple located in each city and town. Under them are the Septans who carry out most of the work the Bishops order.

The military of Turia is fierce and strong, having about 45,000 soldiers in the Luminous army. These brave soldiers follow the teachings of Helm and are sworn to protect the empire and its peoples from all threats. These warriors are devout, righteous, and extremely serious in their responsibilities, nary backing down from any test of their wills. Because of the strength of this army, Turia was able to expand to become the largest kingdom in Caldron by square mile and contains the most people in the continent. The Luminous army as well as the fierce will of the Orator help keep the empire in line and pious.

Power rankings of the religions (in descending order):

• Helm

• Erathis

• Matron of Ravens

• Pelor

• Sarenrae

Goals

The Empire uses religion as a form of rule. The main goal of the Empire is to ensure its people are happy, safe, and devout in their worship. They wish to gather as many religious artifacts and teachings in order to destroy any blasphemous material, while sharing the rest with its people. One of the main challenges in keeping its people safe is filtering out any of the events that could threaten the empire's jovial atmosphere. Despite their best efforts, information naturally spreads throughout the populace, albeit at a much slower rate.

Using the Order of the Archive as a means to gain knowledge of history and religion, the Turian Empire partakes in censorship. While they don't spread propaganda and this censorship is done with good intentions, there is a real harm to withholding information from the populace and the Order of the Archive often times avoids sharing discoveries as a result. Either way, the Empire has always remained steadfast in keeping its people content and in ignorance to the atrocities of the world outside its walls.

It is no surprise that the Turian Empire is not an ally of the Kingdom of Ostanza as Turia was created as a result of a rebellion and eventual divergence from the kingdom. Because Ostanza doesn't share the belief that religion is paramount, the tension between Ostanza and Turia has been increasing over time and the threat of conflict is eminent. While nothing too serious has happened, there is a real fear that things can get bloody soon.

Relationships

Since the citizens of Turia are treated exceptionally well by their government, the empire's restrictive and intense religious laws are put to the wayside as the satisfied populace has become somewhat blinded by their quality of life. Instead of being driven by fear of becoming non-believers as one might expect when living in such a strict society, the fair treatment of the people and the above average living conditions of even the poorest of citizens have indoctrinated them to their way of life. Their belief is so strong that often times citizens will turn their neighbors in if they are caught blaspheming against the gods. The people of Turia are more likely to be caught up in prayer and devotion than in worldly matters. Thus, the relationship between the governing body and the general population is very strong and wholesome, despite the efforts of some to degrade it.

The relationship between the Order of the Archive and the Empire is tentative at best as, again, the Empire sees this faction as a necessary means to an end. They use the information the Order provides to inform their next actions as well as destroy all blasphemous materials and further the ignorance in which their populace exists. Their relationship ends merely at that.

Figures of Interest

King Gavinus Bryde

(Lawful neutral, male human)

King Gavinus Bryde is a man known for his soft demeanor and gentle voice. Being the eldest of two brothers, Gavinus was given the title of King ceremoniously when his father passed away. Knowing full well that this title is nothing more than a historical position, King Gavinus grows tired of the mandated public appearances and events he attends. He longs for real power and importance, and while he appreciates the wealth of his house, he feels somewhat lesser of a man since he has no say in any matters to do with his Empire. The historical archives and portraits of his family make Gavinus red with rage and green with jealousy, longing for the days of old when his family ruled the Turian Empire. He is proud of his family and that they lead the rebellion against Ostanza, and this pride often drives him to act out. In the recent years, Gavinus has become even more boisterous and eager to bring honor back to his house, and some on the Holy Synod have taken notice. He is getting desperate, and being in his later years, time is running out.

Queen Lyla Bryde

(Chaotic neutral, female human)

Lyla Bryde, unlike her husband, is a loud and boisterous individual. Loving the lavish lifestyle she leads, Lyla has a thirst for the luxuries in life that seems to be unquenchable. She is content with holding no real power, and rather than stewing on it like her husband does, she instead likes to spend her time throwing extravagant parties in the Golden Keep within Tura, buying expensive clothing, and lounging in spas. Some of the people of the Empire have taken notice to Lyla's lavish lifestyle, and many are starting to question her piety to the deities.

Princess Amara Bryde

(Neutral good, female human)

Princess Amara is a studious and well educated young lady. Even though she is only 22 years of age, Amara spends her time reading in her room and conducting experiments in the study. She excels in school and, in particular, mathematics, and often amazes her teacher Lady Hagrin with her memory and wit. The only problem is, Amara is not very lady like; in fact, despite her beauty, she has yet to attract the attention of any of the other lords in the Empire as they see her as more of a tom-boy than graceful princess. Her lack of care for courtship drives her mother mad and has degraded her relationship with her over the years. Despite being liked the most by her father, her mother's discontent has driven a wedge between them as Amara is starting to have thoughts of leaving her family entirely and joining the Order of the Archive to pursue a life dedicated to study.

Princess Julia Bryde

(Chaotic neutral, female human)

Taking after her mother, and opposite to her sister, what Julia lacks in brains and wit, she makes up in beauty and charm. She always ensures that her appearance is immaculate and her makeup pristine, and as a result, she has garnered the attention of many lords in the Empire. Even though she is only 8, she has surpassed her older sister Amara in her mother's eyes and is on her way to becoming a very proper and well mannered princess. She is very jealous of Amara though, as she has won over her father's affection and much of the guard's admiration. If there is one thing that Julia hates the most, it's not being the center of attention.

Prince Eddard Bryde

(Lawful neutral, male human)

Eddard is a strong young man of only 19 years. He is a spitting image of his father and aims to copy everything he does. If Gavinus wears his plate armor, so too does Eddard; if Gavinus goes out for a ride on his steed, Eddard follows closely behind. In many ways, Eddard is exactly like his father, except in one crucial way: he hates his religion. The House Bryde are devout followers of Helm and yet Eddard has all but sworn off religion entirely. He doesn't understand the importance of religion, and instead wants to focus on continuing his father's legacy. Many on the Holy Synod have taken notice, and when Eddard comes of age, he will surely be forced to fall in line, or face dear consequences.

Orator Petfyr Quolamir

(Lawful evil, male half-elf)

Orator Petfyr Quolamir is undoubtedly the most powerful man in the entire empire. Starting as Septan in the Church of Tura, Petfyr worked his way through the ranks and through nothing other than his piety to Helm and hard work, has had the title of Orator for about two decades now. Being a man of faith, and a man of pragmatism, Petfyr uses his ideas of religion and education to steer the direction of the Empire to match his vision. While being put into power after a controversial ruling wherein the previous Orator (also a priest of Helm) appointed him to fill his vacancy, Petfyr seems to be doing as well as the last Orator, if not, slightly better. Participating in the destruction of blasphemous materials, Petfyr and the Holy Synod are hellbent on keeping the spread of negativity and pessimism from infecting the populace and instead work to keep the populace happy and pious.

Councilman Sulan Graz

(Lawful neutral, male human)

Sulan Graz is the priest of Erathis on the council. He specializes in creating and enacting the laws that get passed within the Empire as well as votes on specific appointees for the Bishops of the temples around Turia. He is a stern and very direct individual who holds all of his associates to the highest standards of truth and integrity.

Councilman Zachery Ebbo

(Chaotic neutral, male human)

Zachery Ebbo is the priest of the Matron of Ravens on the council. As a firm believer in the cyclic nature of life, Zachery is in charge of many of the aspects of death within the Empire. Serving mainly as a beacon in funeral ceremony and proceedings, many look to Zachery for comfort regarding their deceased loved ones and the afterlife. On the council, Zachery is consulted for his expertise in life and death and often weighs in on matters pertaining to executions and public displays of justice. Zachery is looked at as the mysterious member of the council, with many unable to read his true intentions. His quiet demeanor adds to his mystery and in recent times, the council has grown increasingly skeptical of his motives, especially as external disputes intensify.

Councilmen Dax Raloven

(Lawful good, male human)

Dax Raloven is the priest of Pelor on the council. He is often consulted for his expertise on all matters of agriculture and harvest. Dax has an uncanny ability to predict the perfect times to plant and harvest the crop within the Empire and has consistently led Turia to having the most bountiful harvests in recent history. His warm and friendly demeanor easily make Dax the most likeable councilmember, however, with this likeability comes jealousy from others.

Councilwoman Marvela Nessul

(Neutral good, female elf)

Being the only elf on the council and the priestess of Sarenrae, Councilwoman Marvela is a lighthearted, polite, and graceful woman. She has dedicated her life to Sarenrae and to the spread of compassion throughout the Empire. In most situations, Marvela is the one on the council who brings compassion to the table and attempts to persuade the other members to be more forgiving in their rulings. While she is not easy to win on your side, once she trusts you, Marvela will always fight for you and persuade others to join your cause. Given her softer temperament, she is often considered to be the least powerful member of the council and looked down upon by the others. Despite this, Marvela is unwavering in her compassion and atonement, fearing only Sarenrae herself.

Illuminator Supremum Sampson Caruso

(Lawful good, male human)

Illuminator Supremum Sampson Caruso is a strong, barrel chested, and battle hardened leader in the Illuminous Army. While his battle skills haven't been tested in many years, the aged leader has an innate knack for battle tactics and fighting. Having risen through the ranks and catapulting to the title of Illuminator at the young age of 30, Sampson Caruso has brought honor to his house, the Empire, and Helm. Widely considered the strongest warrior in the Empire, the Orator often sends him and his top ranked soldiers to missions of questionable intent. As time goes on and more of these missions are handed to Sampson, he grows increasingly dissatisfied with the Orator and the tasks he is asked to carry out. He fears that his vows he swore when he first enlisted are slowly but surely eroding with every new task he completes, and he fears most of all that he will fall out of favor with Helm should he continue to carry out these acts.