pronounced zar
full name: Huaos-Dzaa - hwas-zar
Many generations ago the peoples of Edadh looked to the sky to see a vast fleet of aerial ships descending on them from Edadh's closest moon, Uiluann. The Dzaa invasion of Edadh had begun. Led by the winged Yiom and equipped with black powder weapons, the numerous legions of Dzaa out-numbered and out-classed the clans that fought them. The conquest was swift and soon the civilised cultures of Edadh were under their control. However, for generations the Dzaa have sought and failed to eliminate the guerrilla fighters that oppose them but they themselves are far from being beaten.
With their aerial troops, rifles, muskets and cannon, The Dzaa are masters of the battlefield but they have been unable to dominate the guerrilla war waging against them. But the Dzaa bolster their army with native troops from their conquered territories and employ them as their own guerrilla units. Consequently the Dzaa are able to meet any type of enemy head on.
Symbol
Aerial
Empire
Before the Dzaa invaded Edadh, gods and godesses literally walked amongst the nations of Edadh, leading and guiding their faithfull. The Dzaa believed these beings to be false deities that were using their followers for their own selfish ends and consequently allowing the one from which all evil stems - Luageth - free roam. More and more, Luageth's activities began to encroach on the Dzaa's home territory - the moon Uiluann. The Dzaa were forced to act and so the invasion began.
The Dzaa defeated the Edadh deities and replaced their leadership with their own belief. Where the gods and godesses used to guide, now Soothsayers lead with their ability to interpret signs and predict the future. There are charlatans but the majority of Soothsayers can forsee the future with accuracy.
The Dzaa have created an Empire of opportunity. During their conquest, the Dzaa began to build roads and canals and now an entire network of byways criss-crosses their Empire between their outposts, cities and many of Edadh's clans. The Dzaa coinage is accepted everywhere in the Empire. This infrastructure has enabled many clans' trade to flourish and increased the wealth of those who abide by the Dzaa's laws.
On the back of taxes and trading tithes, numerous Dzaa cities have been built from scratch. These vast structures have sky-scraping towers, the peaks of which lie misted in perpetual cloud and from the tallest of these the Yiom Archdukes rule their domains through the might of their Legions. The cities are clean with running water, sewers and well maintained cobbled streets. Theatres, stadiums, and communal baths provide for the citizens who conduct their business in courtyard gardens and bustling squares. All roads lead to these cities and the traders bring their cargoes to them from the further reaches of the Empire. Many of the conquered peoples have gravitated to these cultural centres and prosper within their streets.
The Legions are the backbone of the Dzaa Empire and enforce and maintain its laws as well as combating the rebels and keeping the peace. Each Dzaa city is home for a Legion of just over 4,000 Troops led by a Duke-General. Each Duke-General is tasked with upholding the law, keeping the peace and fighting rebels within three Counties. To this end castles have been built at strategic points in each County and a contingent of troops is also housed within every Clan town.
The Dzaa are incredibly well organized and each Legion is self-sufficent, supported in their endeavours by the military Corps and the Guilds. The Corps and Guilds govern over specific activities of the Legion: Engineers who construct the roads and canals, Signals who oversee communication, Archaeologists who research and excavate ancient ruins for the secrets they may conceal or the Civil Guilds which liaise with local Chieftains or Traders.
The Yiom Archdukes represent the hub of the Dzaa Empire that exists on Edadh's closest moon, Uiluann. Very few Yiom reside on Edadh itself but live a life of luxury on the airborne islands of Uiluann. Those that do inhabit Edadh are seldom seen and leave the day to day running of the Empire to their Duke-Generals. Working alongside the Duke-Generals are the diminutive but incredibly powerful Aiyiang. These beings are always clothed in full-plate armour and keep their full-face helms on at all times and as a result their true features are unknown. They don't report to the Duke-Generals or even the Archdukes but directly to the most powerful imperial Yiom families on Uiluann. They are the most feared of all the Dzaa for their abilities and strength are great, almost supernatural.
Although strict and ruthless with their laws the Dzaa have built an Empire of opportunity for their people and the cultures they've conquered.
