Nerda took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes awake. He had drawn one of the short straws and was on late night watch duty. His unit were protecting a bank. A bank. As if the insurgents were common criminals. But apparently during one of the Wraith raids they uncovered plans to bomb the bank. Or rob it? The intel wasn't completely clear. Either way, it meant that the common Confederate soldiers had to do the boring stuff while the Wraiths got all the action. Nerda would have rather never left Confederate territory. At least that meant he'd just be on base and so he'd be in bed right now.

For not the first time, Nerda wondered if he should have joined up. There came a point in every Confederate soldiers’ career where a choice had to be made. Go through Wraith basic training or stay in the Confederate army. Nerda had actually been scouted, which meant that he could have done an accelerated training course. The only issue is that joining the Wraiths would have meant a 6-year commitment. Which at the age of 20, he didn't want to make. Now at 24 years old, he realized it wouldn't have been an issue. He had no plans of leaving service in the next two years.

But Wraiths got all the choice assignments. This whole deployment into Traetorian lands provided it. Two days and the Wraiths had already raided 20 different Talaos safe houses and all Nerda had done is guard duty. Granted the Confederate soldiers were only there to support the Wraiths and pad their numbers, but still. Two more years of mind-numbing patrols or six of being an elite soldier. Indecision as always.

Nerda's thoughts were interrupted by an explosion. Loud and big. He was covering the back entrance and there had been nothing. No one had even walked in the alleyway during his whole shift. And even if they did, the obvious armed soldier would have stopped them from trying anything. At least he hoped. No, the explosion had come from the front. The main street. It was then that Nerda realized his radio was silent. He always kept it on extra loud so he could hear the buzzing in his ear but nothing. He checked and it was still on so not a battery issue. The source must have been turned off somehow. Novuc and the others were covering the front. Where they okay?

Nerda rushed through side of the bank to the main street. There were bits of stone and burning debris across the pavement, but not much. Nerda serpentined to avoid most of it and came out to the main street to see complete chaos. There were multiple wounded, civilian and his unit. But they were being tended to by the uninjured soldiers. It was just a matter of waiting for the medics to get here. The professionals could handle it. The street had been pretty busy and so there were people clustered everywhere. Most were in a daze, still recovering from the shock. It made seeing him all the easier.

It was a dark figure rushing through the crowd. No hesitation, no shock. Nerda knew in his gut that this was the bomber.

"Hey! Stop right there!" The figure looked back for a second but continued running through the crowd. Nerda started to raise his rifle but thought better of it. There were too many civilians to safely take the shot. Without thinking he started running after the bomber. The chase lasted about five minutes. Desperate and unable to shake Nerda, the bomber turned into an alleyway. Nerda turned the corner to follow and something slammed into his face. In seconds he was on the ground, warmth rushing out.

Nerda looked up and saw a figure standing over him. He kept blinking, trying to get his eyes to focus. His head felt sticky and wet. He tried to lift his head to get a better look but that sent waves of pain through his skull.

"Damn Quin. No need to be so brutal, he's just a soldier."

"Well how the hell was I supposed to know that?" It took a second but Nerda realized this voice was common from the person towering over him. He couldn't make out any of her features, it was too dark. But her voice sounded strange, it had some sort of accent as if this wasn't her first language. She also sounded young.

He looked over to the other voice and saw a beast of a man. The beast was holding the bomber in place, a hand squeezing his jaw. It must have been a strong hold, cause the bomber was clawing at his jaw trying to free it. "What do you wanna do with this one?" The beast's voice was harsh and dissonant. It sounded like speaking was difficult for him.

"He's mine."

The beast let go of the bomber and he fell on his feet. There was a flash and then he crumpled without a sound, falling an arm’s length away from Nerda. He could see that the bomber's throat had been cut, twice. They were clean, professional, severing his vocal cords so he couldn't make a sound. He was still alive, but barely. In maybe a minute he'd bleed out. The girl was harsh. That much Nerda could tell.

"Should we leave the soldier? We have no business with the Confederates." She asked.

"We're off the reservation. You know the rules. No witnesses. No one can place us here. It's a direct violation of Darkspeak." The girl grunted her understanding. She pushed Nerda onto his back with her foot and knelt next to him, placing one of daggers at his throat.

"I'm sorry." It was the last thing he heard.

With the month of August nearing its end, the fall and winter seasons are about to begin. In the Confederacy this time is the beginning of the Gungi calendar. Gungi is one the most prized national pastimes, with the Winter Solstice Game being the most watched yearly event in the Confederacy. Gungi is a strategy board game originally created by Talaos philosophers. It is said that Talaos dominated as the master of Gungi of a thousand years. Eventually it reached the point where neighboring cultures refused to even challenge a Talaos master. This continued until the year 74 CE with the young girl Amutu, an Avatar of the Twin.

Amutu challenged an arrogant Talaos Gungi master and easily defeated him. In ancient times, the title of Gungi Master was transferred by defeating one who currently held the title. As such, she became the first non-Talaos Master. Word quickly spread and every Gungi Master travelled to witness her skill. Eventually she had defeated every other Gungi Master, stripping them of their titles. She then travelled the lands gathering individuals from across the Grissin peoples. They were a strange company- a bandit lord, a widow, a young mother, a Cadre monk, a blind boy, and a second son prince. They became Amutu's Gungi students, each one eventually defeating her in a game of Gungi and claiming the rank of Master.

Since then Gungi has been extremely popular. Until the national reform in 1937, there were over 200 Gungi Masters, each one overseeing a different discipline of strategy. The reform condensed the rank of Master to just 6 individuals, a nod to Amutu's six students. The reform also formalized the yearly calendar of professional Gungi. At the end of August, the tournament season would begin. The season would contain a series of tournaments, ending in the Gungi Champions Series. In order to qualify for the series, a player must either hold the rank of Master or win first place in a previous tournament of that year. The Champions Series ends on the night of the Winter Solstice and the winner of the final match can qualify for the rank of Gungi Master. This calendar allows the high ranking players to spend the rest of the year in isolation, perfecting new strategies and forms.

The GCS has been dominated by the current Gungi Masters, the Winter Solstice Game has been a contest between two Masters since 2013. Meaning the current 6 Masters have all held the title for at least 7 years. But as with every year, there are many hopefuls and perhaps this will be the year that a new Gungi Master will be crowned.

The Grissin Arctic Research and Testing Center, also known as the GARTC, has been officially pronounced as operational. This is actually two weeks ahead of schedule and due in large part to Basilisk Industries cosponsoring GARTC alongside the Confederate government. Basilisk Industries is a Novan weapons company and the main arms dealer to the confederate military. Because of the company's close association with GARTC many speculators believe that the research center will at least partially concern weapons testing, or military applicable research.

GARTC is a relatively massive undertaking for arctic bases, currently housing about 400 individuals. It is said that as the winter months draw close this number will drop considerable, current projections say the winter crew will be about half the size. The current plan is that by this time next year, the station will be able to house over a thousand scientists and support staff, and possibly even their families. GARTC is actually outside area protected by the Treaty of Protection of Hygelac and Hrothgar, with the base being on an arctic inland 276 nm from the coastline of Hrothgar[1].

Future plans for the station are quite large. Truklon di Brunetti, current head of the Confederate Rocket Program, says the station could be a game changer in terms of a Grissin space program. The Rocket Program has been expanding in the last few years and there has been talk of it expanding into a Grissin space program. As some may know, there has been the desire for a space program for decades but lack of a viable and safe location to launch shuttles from has always halted any action. The fact is the northern coastline of the Confederacy is too heavily populated. But GARTC could to be a safe alternative.

Whatever the future for GARTC may be, it stands to be a center of modern Grissin science.

1.	From my understanding this should make it so the station doesn't break any international laws/agreements. Any IC issues with the station are warranted and welcome but OOC-ly its not my intention to be going against international laws.

2 Weeks Ago – Zunetu

Zunetu was in a sour mood. The Talaos terrorists had proved to be far more capable than he had thought possible. And today was going to be a long day due to them. First him and Aerila were to finalize the arrangements for the funeral of their father. This was the most chilling assassination of them all. Someone snuck into his hospital room while he slept and injected poison directly into his IV. Quick and painless. At least Zunetu could be thankful for that. After this, he was meeting with the Dynasty military advisors to formalize a strategy of retaliation.

He looked behind him at his sister, Aerila. She was wearing a simple silver sundress which Zunetu suspected was chosen for its ease. Her eyes were puffy for crying and her head was bent down, her eyes focused on the ground in front of her. It had not been easy for her. The death of most of their family left her with a complicated legacy. Her half-brothers who had tormented her throughout her childhood and a father who had largely ignored her. Zunetu had often wondered why father had taken her from her mysterious mother in the first place.

He reached his hand out to her. She looked up at him, her face scrunched in confusion. And why wouldn’t she be? When was the last time he spoke to her other than pleasantries? Two, three years ago? “Sister, we just have to get through today. After the funeral, I’ll make the arrangements, you can stay at the Winter Gardens.”

Her eyes lightened, but only a little. She would be safer there, isolated and surrounded solely by servants. “Really? I’ve never seen the Gardens out of season.”

“Yes, you can stay for the rest of the year. You’ll get to see the whole garden bloom.”

Zunetu nodded her forward. They just had to make it through today. Was that really so hard?

The pair continued their walk through the palace. The rest of the journey was done in silence. Even in better circumstance, the two had little to say to each other. They reached the doors of the meeting room; a large study. No doubt it was already filled with all sorts of religious and etiquette consultants. Zunetu took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

He barely stepped into the room, surveying his surroundings. It left Aerila trapped in the doorway. He saw mostly familiar faces, a handful of new ones were mixed in. But there was one that caught his eye. A young man, his face still full of boyhood. His eyes were downcast, as if they were afraid to look at the head of the Traetor family. The man felt Zunetu’s eyes on him and quickly looked up. He saw it in his eyes, the cold rage. The indifference of one resolved to leave this world.

Zunetu quickly flipped around towards Aerila. He felt the word escaping his mouth, but it was so slow, too slow. He raised his arms and pushed her back, out of the room. She fell back, landing far into the hallway. She had been holding the door open, and it started to close. Zunetu prepared to leap through the doorway, but he knew it was too late. He could feel the heat all around him. He closed his eyes and waited for the bang, but it never came.   

Griss Specialties
1. Boxing
2. Gymnastics
3. Swimming

Also was wondering if possible could the Grissin athletes compete under something like the Unified Team at the Olympics or the OAR? I was thinking maybe something like the Mundus Games Athletes from Griss (MGAG), but not really married to anything. Just thought it might be interesting and make more sense for the Confederate athletes to compete without permission from their country.

The Nintara League is a collection of city-states. Many were once small autonomous kingdoms, but fearing Talaos invasion, they united for mutual protection. The League is an extremely complex political machine, bloated with legal precedents and endless agreements. Most politicians within the League can be divided into two groups; League bureaucrats who work internal within the machinery to keep the League running, and League diplomates who work with the other Grissin nations. Most Nintarans live their lives ignorant of the politics of their nation, as even doctorate graduates only understand a fraction of its intricacies. Nintara is the largest nation under the Confederacy, and it has a moderate populous.

Government Type:- Federation
Head of State:- 3 Chief Councilors
-Chief Councilor Dinti
-Chief Councilor Oril
-Chief Councilor Kallini
Head of Government:- The Legislative Courts
Population:- 158 Million
Capital City:- None
Largest City:- Revera (14 Million)
Demonym:- Nintarans

Chief Councilors
The three Chief Councilors collectively share the position of head of state for the League. They are elected from the body of High Legislative Court, also known as the Assembly of Kings. Often political parties have to form voting pacts after the Legislative Court is formed in order to have a majority and to be able to elect a Chief Councilor. The Councilors take turns running the day to day operation of the Assembly of Kings.

The High Legislative Court
Known as the Assembly of Kings from when the League was filled with Monarchies and not democratic states. The High Court is the major Legislative body of the League. All laws proposed and passed in the Lower Legislative Court are sent to the High Court to be passed into law. The High Court is traditional relatively stable. Once the High Court is formed, its members organize themselves into voting pacts that often last for the entirety of the Court's term (3 years).

The Low Legislative Court
The Low Legislative Court is where a lot of complexity of the League comes from. The Low Court is massive, maintaining over 1000 members. About half of these are elected officials from each of the city-states. The rest are a mixed bag of positions that could have any kind of history and purpose. The Low Court organizes itself into committees. These committees write proposals for laws that are then voted on by the entire Court. If passed, these laws are then sent up to the High Court for another vote. The Low Court does not have a term length, but rather its members are elected sporadically to serve for 7 years. When the High Court's shorter 3 year term ends, the Low Court votes on which of its members should be moved up to the High Court. The empty positions within the Low Court are then filled by new elections. 

The Griss Confederacy is an alliance and blending of a number of unique and different cultures. They have long stood together in the harsh frozen north of Cotf Aranye. The Confederacy is led by the Council of Elders, which is made up of the leader of each member nation- the Nintara League, the Traetor Dynasty, the Falmi Tribes, the Nova Republic, the Asur Kingdom, and the Helgaran Society. Confederates harbor a dislike for outsiders and as a society are extremely xenophobic. Their only major longstanding diplomatic relationship is with the barbaric Talaos, who have been nearly wiped out by constant conflicts. The Confederacy is also a place of deep spirituality. While most Grissin worship the Twin-God, they still practice many their individual cultural customs. Many religious societies known as Cadres exist across the Confederacy, often living in rural territory, distanced from the major cities. 

Government Type:- Confederation / Supra-Government
Population:- 445 Million
Capital City:- Orphela (3.4 Million)
Largest City:- Nova City (35.1 Million)
Demonym:- Grissin or Confederate

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Currencies:- Guilders (§) / Confederate Pound (〆)
Exchange Rate:- §17.3/〆1
GDP:- §13 Trillion
GDP per Capita:- §29,213
Unemployment Rate:- 7%
Main Industries:- Electronics, Consumer Products, Machinery, Arms Industry, Telecommunication Equipment, and Textiles 

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Cultures:- Nintaran, Traetorian, Falmi, Novan, Asurian, Helgaran
Languages:- Khimeric (Lingua Franc), Nazzethic, Iriror (Women's Script) Low Vir, Hellvic, High Vir
State Religion:- The Cult of the Twin
Average Life Expectancy:- 79

---

Head of State:- Archon (Currently Vacant)
Name of Legislative Body:- Council of Elders
-Representative Zendox
-Duchess Ciklo
-Secretary of Centralization Azori
-Chieftain
-Maar
-Helgaran Seeker

Suzerain Wrex has decided that the time for the Imperium to begin flexing its international muscles has come. The situation at hand, the growing crisis in Neuva Ardia. The Suzerain released a historic statement, the first to ever comment directly and solely on an issue of a foreign nation.

The people of Neuva Ardia are facing an increasingly fractured political landscape. You have the NAF (National Alliance of Farmers) and NFC (National Fishing Council) fighting against former President Melos. I say former, because Melos has somehow managed to remain in office, despite the constitution clearly stating that the president serves in terms of 4 years. Of course, there was a referendum held to increase the term length to 7 years. But how much can we trust this referendum? Multiple individuals and groups across Neuva Ardia are calling into question the validity of this so called referendum. And instead of an investigation into the validity of these claims, President Melos, the man who got exactly what he wanted from the referendum, has instead insisted on the unbiasedness of the National Election Agency that ran this so called referendum. How can we trust this single source of information? What reason do we have to trust the word of one against the word of many? And yet, has any nations stepped forward to ask these questions? To sponsor truth and the will of the people? No.

Instead, the Kingdom of Quintelia seeks to intervene and break the methods the people have taken to defend their right to protest the actions of their government. Actions that could in-fact disgrace this center of democracy. The will of the people is being threatened. Quintelia sends food and agricultural equipment to a nation where there is no shortage of food, there is no famine. Not for the individuals. But it is the voice of the farmers that is being threatened, being starved. The international community's actions toward Neuva Ardia have been woefully misguided, or even worse, silent.

It is to this end, that the Imperium will offer our assistance, one in favor of the people and self-governance. As a neutral party, the Imperium has been absent from world politics for almost the entirety of our existence, we would like to investigate the claims made against the fairness of the referendum. Our finding will be completely transparent and published for all of Mundus to witness. If these claims are unfound, then Melos has nothing to fear, and his powerbase will be strengthened and the Imperium will denounce the NAF and NFC. In addition to taking actions to end this political fracturing. But if the referendum was not fair and just, if it was biased, then we will oversee a neutral and fair vote so the will of the people may resume.

We extend this offer to President Melos, to the NAF, to the NFC, and to the people of Neuva Ardia.

Sources close to the Consecrated Diet say that this is the first step by the Synod, lead by Suzerain Wrex, to increase Imperium involvement in East/Northeastern Ardia. Many speculators are saying that the situation in Euirasia is next on the Consecrated Diet's agenda. 

The Imperial Synod would like to extend our congratulation to the royal couple. To tie two lives together in this life means Necra shall guide you two together in the next. Empress Qi'rrow will be celebrating her 2nd birthday just days prior, and a royal wedding would be a wonderful way to end the celebrations. The Empress will be accompanied by a member of the Synod and hopefully our new rising Ascendant who has yet to be named. If time permits, a meeting between our two nations would also be desired.

Signed,
Suzerain Wrex

UPDATE: Added everyone to the calendar (inlcuding Lodja, New Dermusia, NQF, and Kinkhnland due to Discord interest, but they are subject to change) as well as Nythymn holidays. If you have any problems with the schedule / want to change things around, feel free to PM me on discord or via the forum, or reply in this thread. Thanks everyone!

Ascendant Xirk succumbed to Necra's Call late last night. Reports from those close to the Ascendant say he died peacefully in his sleep of natural causes. The Ascendant would have been 102 next week. The Ascendant has ruled the Imperium as Necra's mouthpiece since he was 29 years old. His rule lasted for 73 years, meaning he is the longest ruling Ascendant in history. His body has already been laid within the underground Necropolis, and the traditional funeral processions will begin tomorrow in observance to Christmas.

Xirk's funeral will start with a national parade in celebration to his life and achievements. After that the majority of the ceremonies will be handle by the Black Crypt and will mostly be for the Highborn and Azrul. His successor will be named as the Risen towards the end of these traditions, about a month from now. The Risen will end the mourning with a 12-hour silent Spirit Watch, where Xirk's spirit will finally leave Mundus to join Necra in the afterlife. It won't be until a full year after the Ascendant's death that the Risen will be able to ascend and become the new Ascendant.

Xirk joins a small list of important political figures who have been called by Necra this Christmas. Suzerain Wrex gave this words in support of Achkaerin and Euirasia, "Our support and condolences go out to the nations of Achkaerin and Euriasia, especially to the Azurewind and Ventham families. We understand that while Xirk's death is a time for celebration and joy across the Imperium, this is not the case for these two nations. Especially given the circumstances. Both were murdered in cold and violent deaths, they were taken before their time. I wish for Necra's wrath on the monsters responsible in this life and the next. If there is anything the Imperium could do to ease the pain, you had need only call on us."

The Synod has issued an Imperial Decree establishing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cementing the end of the Solillel Doctrine. The Ministry's official objective is to "observe the international community across Mundus, monitor international relations, and offer advice to the Imperial Diet in diplomatic matters and posturing." The Ministry will be head in the newly opened Hall of Knowledge in the governmental city of Terminus. The city of Terminus houses a number of important government institutions, including but not limited to, the Summer Home of the Imperial Bloodline, the Black Monastery, the Academia Vur Nurcatra, the Erebyx branch of the Vom Chancellory, and the Ministry of the Jerlic.

Many government official are calling the creation of the Ministry an appropriate measure that should have been done years ago. Prime Minister Zash, head of the Jerlic Ministry, had this to say: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is something the Imperium has needed for a long time. Even during our isolation, a branch of the government to report on the international community is something that is always necessarily. While I commend the Synod on finally taking this step in modernizing our nation, the Ministry will have its work cut out trying to catch up on the information and records housed by our contemporaries."

While most in the government are excited by the prospects of the new ministry, there is growing unhappiness in part of the Vi and Agni stratums. This displeasure is mostly centered around the fact that the creation of the Ministry means thousands of new positions among the Azrul must be filled. This is causing a major reshuffling of local clergy across the Imperium. Whole districts are being redrawn and even combined to accommodate for the changes in bureaucracy. 

One Vi mother had this to say, "The Black Crypt has blessed my district with one of the most compassionate and eloquent Chaplains. My children love her and look forward to our weekly prayer. But because of the changes in the bureaucratic structure, she being reassigned to a new district across the Imperium. Frankly, I find this whole thing ridiculous. Why can't we keep our Chaplain? And I'm sure we aren't the only ones being affected in this way. I don't care about the need for a new Ministry, what I care about is my children learning about Necra's love. I've already lodged my complaint with the Black Crypt and I will continue making noise until this is solved."

Christmas Eve is only a day away, and that means the across the Imperium, the Jerlic are preparing for their most joyous days of the year. The Jerlic Districts, the urban centers for the unbelievers, every winter are decorated to the brim with Christmas joy. There will be ice skating, carriage rides, and hot chocolate served late until the night on Christmas Eve. In addition to a Christmas tradition that only takes place in Nyx. Numerous Jerlic stores will be open all Christmas Eve, including all night. But any and all items purchased are not for personal use, but rather donated to the less fortunate in celebration of the holiday. In is one of the most important business days (or nights) for Jerlic owned businesses across the nation, as people from all stratums stay up to participate.

Despite the fact that Christians in Nyx only make up a small part of the Jerlic minority, Christmas has become a flagship holiday for the entire stratum. Other religious groups rather than celebrate their own winter holidays separate have found ways to combined and adapt Christmas traditions to their own. As such, Christmas is less of a Christian holiday in Nyx, but rather a holiday for all not belonging to the Necrova.

This can be seen in a number of Nythymn Christmas traditions. Across the Jerlic, at the head of the dinner table is roast turkey rather than ham to accommodate for Jewish and Muslim dinner guests. The Prime Minister, head of the Jerlic Government, even goes so far as to yearly pardon two of the three turkeys presented for his own state dinner, all of which is either kosher or halal. The twenty representatives that form the Jerlic voice in the Imperial Assembly, spend the day volunteering at various Agni kitchens. Early Christmas morning, almost all Jerlic can be found in churchs attending non-religiously discriminatory Christmas mass. Several of these masses are even led by religious leaders not belonging to the respected church they are preaching in. Last year, the Grand Catholic Church of Erebyx' (the largest church in Nyx) Christmas mass was led by Rabbi David Feinman. Almost immediately after mass, all Nythymn take to the streets to watch the Jerlic Winter Parade, a celebration of the unique cultural identity the members of the nonbeliever stratum have in the Imperium. Finally, Jerlic retire to their homes to spend the rest of the day with family and friends.

Christmas has become such an important holiday in Nyx, that even many non-Jerlic stores and restaurants are closed on December 25th, to give both the Jeric and Agni workers a day off. The amount of donations and volunteering in Agni support charities reach their peak during the winter season, meaning this tends to be a great time for the lower stratum as well. As can be seen, the affects of the Christmas spirit have a far reaching touch across the Imperium, making this one of the most wonderful parts of the year.

The Stratum System is a long standing form of rigid and legal class distinction within the Nyx Imperium. Often compared to a caste system, the Stratums are far more strictly enforced the high up the chain one goes. There are eight distinct Stratums, with some internal division within them. Because of this system, the Imperium cares little for the ethnic make up of its population (few statistics on the subject even exist). Instead one's Stratum is the largest determiner in their social life. Marriage also does not directly change the Stratum of an individual, but for example in the case of an Agni marrying a Vi, it can help.

The Arisen
The highest Stratum, the Arisen are easily the smallest. Only Sanctified Avatars, Harbingers, and the Ascendant are Arisen. Meaning it is very possible for the the Ascendant to be the only Arisen within the entire Imperium. Arisen are considered part of the state- they live on state grounds, they contribute no taxes, and they can not be arrested or prosecuted. In a case of extreme heresy, an Arisen is tried by a council of all other Arisen. This is an extremely rare event- instead unruly Arisen are often confided to a sort of house arrest. Arisen are thought to be directly tied to the Gods- often receiving messages and dreams from them. As such, they are extremely influential religious figures. The religious allegiance can be used to exert heavy control over governmental matters.

The Highborn
The Highborn are the nobility of the Imperium. In Siross and Erebyx, these are old and longstanding bloodlines. Even the Imperial Bloodline is part of the Highborn. The longstanding obsession with blood purity means the Highborn are prone to a number of genetic disorders. The Imperial Bloodline is rarely able to produce a healthy and long-lived heir because of this. Despite this, the Highborn rarely agree to marry outside of their Stratum, even to Arisen. Highborn often are major political and military figures and live off their familial wealth. While the Highborn are not above the law, many of their digressions are looked past. In Asuria, this Stratum is not hereditary. It is earned by women when they become Maidens, the highest domestic office in Asuria, excluding the Matriarch. 

The Azrul
The Azrul are those that devote their lives to The Sect of Necra. Often times, Azrul were born to the Agni or the lower Brackets of the Vi. It is strictly forbidden for them to come from the Jeric or the Cainites. Their families for whatever reason chose to give their children to the Crypt. The Crypt takes them in and raises them as their own. They grow up learning history, statecraft, etiquette, and religion. When the Azrul turn 17, they reach adulthood and take a formal position within either the Black Crypt or the Vom Chancery. The vast majority of these positions are as government bureaucrats responsible for the middle management of the Imperium. The Jisu Guard are also considered Azrul, but live and operate separately from the rest of the Stratum.

The Vi
The Vi, or commoners in English, are the middle class equivalent. They are by far the largest Stratum and most diverse. This diversity is mostly focused on economics. There are rich Vi and there are poor Vi and there are the shades in between. The Vi can further be divided into Brackets. The name comes from which tax bracket they belong to.

The Agni
The Agni are the lower class. They often work as unskilled laborers. Agni live in tight knit communities, similar to communes. Children are the responsibility of the everyone, often not knowing their true parentage. The Agni are often viewed through an extreme lens- either as a plague and scapegoat for society or their devotion and selflessness are seen as admirable. While it is quite simple for any Agni to become a Vi- they just have to have a stable job that pays enough, it is much harder in practice. Education is a key factor and most communities can often only afford to educate one or two children within a generation. In addition, when an Agni becomes a Vi, they must renounce their former family and cannot remain part of the community. As such, most Agni in Vi professions keep their Stratum a secret and continue to provide for their communities. One of the most stable and secure jobs for the Agni is military service, after which they are automatically become Vi.

The Jerlic
The Jerlic is less of a unified social class than any other Stratum. The Jerlic are unbelievers, or anyone that lives within the Imperium that doesn't follow the Necrova. Often times, Jerlic are foreigners that live in the Imperium either as diplomats or part of international businesses. Jerlic enjoy most basic rights, with a few stipulations. They have to pay an additional tax every year and are barred from certain holy sites. There parts of the Imperium that cater to the Jerlic- restaurants, theatres and nightlife. These are also hotspots for international tourists.

Although not formally part of the Jerlic, foreign coverts that come to live in the Imperium are known as Jerlass. In addition, the Jisu Guard is sometimes considered part of the Jerlic because they are heretics.

Cainites
The Cainites, or their ancient name; Kilva, are an ethnic group within the Imperium. They have alway remained culturally distinct from the rest of society, leading to them representing their own Stratum. Cainites have a number of cultural rules and rituals that have remained since ancient times when they worshipped the false god, Maal'lik. Cainites are sometimes referred to as the Untouchables due to deep social prejudice. Despite this, Cainites exist at almost all levels of society. Most Cainites wear jewelry that designates their Stratum, but this is a personal choice, not state enforced. Marrying a Cainite is the only marriage that changes ones Stratum. Doing so, one renounces all claims to their formal family and Stratum.

The Cainites also have their own distinct paramilitary force; the Children of Cain. The Children mostly serve as a policing force for Cainite citizen and a miltiary reserve force. While technically the Children are their own distinct military branch, they often defer to the other branches. In addition, Azrul that preach to Cainite congregations have to undergo specialized training and purification.

The Dollic
The Dollic are a historic Stratum. The latest remaining group of Dollic are the Death Dolls, which are a government secret. The Dollic can be simplified to slaves, although it is more complicated than that. Death Dolls are comprised of unwanted children, often orphans and abandoned street babies. From birth they are taught three skills- acting, singing and dance. Once they reach puberty, Dolls undergo a cleansing ritual that removes their souls from their bodies. Because of this, Doll are not considered humans. This is the important factor of all Dollic, while they live as chattel slaves- this is distinctly justified by the removal of their souls. 

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The Nyx Imperium is an alliance of three nations; Siross, Asuria, and Erebyx. United by their religion, as the years have passed, the Imperium has come more to resemble a single nation. Nyx is a strange and unique place, its customs and culture unlike anywhere else in Mundus. The Imperium cares little for ethnicities or allegiances of the past, instead its population is organized into Stratums, a caste system. Rules and regulations are strict among the Stratums, but being born to one does not bound you to it for life. Mobility between the classes is possible. The government is organized partially through a combined effort of the Highborn and the Azrul.

Government Type:- Oligarchical Supra-Government / Theocratic Monarchy
Population:-:-  475 Million
Capital City:-  Huska (~1,500)
Demonym:- Nythymn

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Currencies:- Guilders (§) / Imperial Ducat (〆)
Exchange Rate:- §17.3/〆1
GDP:- §13 Trillion
GDP per Capita:- §27,368
Unemployment Rate:- 7%
Main Industries:- Electronics, Consumer Products, Machinery, Arms Industry, Telecommunication Equipment, and Textiles 

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Stratums:- Arisen (<1%), Highborn (<1%), Azrul (3%), Vi (45%), Agni (25%), Jeric (15%), Cainite (10%), Dollic (<1%) 
Languages:- Celestial, High Vir, Low Vir, Hellvic, Nazzethic, Iriror (Women's Script), Chimeric (Lingua Franca)
State Religion:- Necrova 
Average Life Expectancy:- 79

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Head of State:- Empress Qi'rrow
Head of Government:- Suzerain Wrex
Name of Legislative Body:- Consecrated Diet