The Celestial Empire

A breeze softly stirred the branches of the cedars on the far side of the pond; beneath gently rippled waters, koi of gold and silver desultorily swam. Ching-Li's pulse raced as she leaned forward, kneeling, to lift the lid of the pot and check the water. Small round bubbles formed at the base of the vessel: the ting state, not yet ready for the tea.
She sat back on her heels, eyes downcast as was appropriate for a woman in the presence of great men. Yet she knew her submissive pose was a lie; and knew, too, that they knew it also.
For it was she who was wronged, her son slain at the Minister's orders; and it was she who had the Emperor's favor. She held their very lives in her slender hands.

-- Wind-Scattered Petals, Chun-Yi, Rosethorn Publications, Celestial City, 1002 III Age

Ruler's Title: The Unquestioned
National Hero: Chun Yi
National Wizard: Tsung the Mathemancer
Military Units: Warlord, Oliphaunts, Phalanx, Light Cavalry
Starting Forces: Chun Yi, Tsung the Mathemancer, 2 Oliphants, 4 Phalanxes, 3 Light Cavalry
Starting Treasury: 20
Continent: Ahaut

History: Cradled between the great rivers Foo and Bar, the Central Plain has been cultivated for a thousand years and more. The granary of the Old High Empire, it became virtually depopulated when the Old Empire fell, for the broad plains were indefensible and readily fed the mounts of the barbarian peoples who swept across it.

But its soil was too rich to remain long uncultivated. From the indigenous humans who remained, the barbarian conquerors learned the agricultural arts, and civilization again began to spread up and down the rivers. Within a few centuries, the reborn cities of the valley were prosperous enough to war against each other. Wars raged for centuries, until both river valleys and the plain between were united under a single crown -- that of the Celestial Emperor, who claims suzerainty over the whole world.

The Empire is the richest and most populous nation of the world, but it has been at peace, internally, for a thousand years. Its army is large, and its phalanges and oliphaunts are fearsome sights, drilled to perfection; but they have scant experience of battle, and that inexperience has fossilized an archaic military tradition. Still, the Empire is wealthy, united, rich in magic as well as in gold.