The Kingdom of Vazos

The Kingdom of Vazos

Motto: All strength is ours

Land Area: 19,812 sq. km (7,649 sq. mi.)
Capital: Blankastelo
Largest City: Verkastelo
Other Major Cities: Nikastelo, Flakastelo, Grikastelo, Rukastelo, Blukastelo, Mahasur

Official Language: High Vazosi
National Languages: Low Vazosi, Qurafi
Demonym: Vazosi (referring to the island of Vazos and its associated kingdom), Vazosian (referring to the archipelago as a whole)
State Religion: Madrako, Diunu (Quraf)
Currency: Curuzal

Government: Theocratic septemvirate
High King: Belrak Sahas
Councilors:
Imir Na?a (intelligence)
Elmar Vi?u (science)
Ardo Nahata (arts and culture)
Rokor Mapura (Royal Army)
Osrad Vadhi? (Royal Navy)
Tol Muldahar (economy, agriculture, & industry)
Chancellor: Sinad Tore?

Vazos was a a collection of seven kingdoms until the Wars of Unification in the 1470s. Vazos is now a theocratic kingdom ruled by seven monarchs, the most senior of which presides as High King. The remaining six form the Royal Council, an advisory body who assist the High King in the formation of domestic and military policy. The Chancellor is appointed by the High King and presides over the Royal Council. The Chancellor is traditionally the heir apparent of the High King's clan, although the current Chancellor, Sinad Tore?, has no noble lineage.

Legislature:
- Upper House: Chamber of Sages
- Lower House: Assembly

The Chamber of Sages is a body of 30 Madrako elders appointed by the High King at the advice of the Chancellor. The Assembly consists of 70 representatives elected by the citizens of Vazos. The Chamber of Sages has the power to strike down any laws passed by the Assembly, and the Assembly may be dissolved by a vote of the Royal Council at the request of the High King.

Foreign Policy
Vazos was closed to immigration, foreign visitors or ambassadors since the decree of High King Sebalo Vadhi? in 1643 until the repeal of that decree by High King Belrak Sahas in 2015. During that time, however, Vazosi monarchs secretly allowed spies to "flee" Vazos in order to steal state secrets and technology from other nations. Much of this Vazosi diaspora still reports back to the High King with any pertinent information they may have.

Quraf


Quraf is the smaller of the two inhabited islands in the Vazosian archipelago. It was conquered by High King Selio Mapura in 1815 and has been treated as an occupied territory in the two centuries since. The Qurafi people were enslaved and became the backbone of Vazosian labor. Although they were formally emancipated in 1907, Qurafis have not been granted citizenship and have few political or economic rights, therefore remaining in de facto slavery. There were multiple movements for Quraf to become a province in the late 19th century, but none gained the approval of the Chamber of Sages or the Royal Council.

Prior to the Vazosi invasion, Quraf was a parliamentary republic. A Qurafi independence movement was born in the 1920s inspired by the Old Republic. The largest Qurafi separatist group today is the Qurafi Republican Militia.

History of Vazos in progress
• 3000 BCE: earliest evidence of settlements in the Vazosian archipelago.
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Madrako

Madrako is a polytheistic religion indigenous to the island of Vazos. It was embraced by Vazosi monarchs during the Age of Blood and has been the state religion of the Kingdom of Vazos since its inception. The Madrako pantheon has seven primary deities, with various lesser deities, spirits, and saints also receiving veneration.

Clergy
Madrako priesthood is patriarchal. Only men from certain bloodlines, believed to be descended from the gods themselves, are eligible. Women of sacred bloodlines may become nuns or assist priests if they so choose, but are not required to do so. Thirty priests are elevated to the office of elder by the High King to form the Chamber of Sages. Higher still in the Madrako hierarchy is the Sa?ularo, seven high priests (Sa?ularanoj) who are authorized to receive divine revelation and oversee the most sacred rites. The Sa?ularo holds considerable political sway despite not holding political office.

Pantheon