[rye-ben]
1. Overview
Riben stands as the Southernmost region of Western Kair’Thear, known for its stark urban landscapes and significant social divides. Bordering the remnants of the Dahri Empire and the lush Vahshi Forest, Riben contrasts sharply with its verdant neighbors by embodying a densely populated and highly developed urban sprawl.
2. Geography
Riben’s geography is dominated by vast, sprawling cities that have overtaken much of the natural landscape. The region’s once-varied terrain is now a matrix of urban development and intensively managed agricultural lands. Farms and pastures are optimised for maximum yield to support the dense urban populations.
3. History
Riben’s history is a tale of transformation and survival. Once a modest agrarian region nestled between the Dahri Empire and the lush expanse of the Vahshi Forest, it rose to prominence as the political and industrial landscape of Kair’Thear shifted. During the height of the Dahri Empire, Riben functioned as a peripheral province, supplying resources to the Empire’s grand ambitions. However, the collapse of the Empire during the Age of Darkness brought chaos to the region, forcing Riben to chart its own course amidst the ruins of the old world.
The initial years following the collapse were marked by struggle and instability. Refugees from the Dahri Empire flooded Riben, overburdening its fragile infrastructure. Yet, this adversity became the crucible in which the modern Riben was forged. Under pragmatic and resourceful leadership, Riben transformed into an urban and industrial powerhouse. While its neighbors faltered, Riben thrived, consolidating its power and expanding its influence.
Riben’s isolationist stance during the Age of Darkness allowed it to avoid entanglement in broader conflicts, focusing instead on internal development. However in recent decades, Riben has shifted to an expansionist mindset, keen to capatilise on its current strengths. While the ruling elite pursue grandeur and external influence, the struggles of the working masses hint at potential upheaval. Riben’s leaders know all too well that their survival depends on both maintaining control at home and asserting their dominance beyond their borders.
4. Political Structure
Riben’s political structure is as stratified and pragmatic as its society. The region operates under a centralized, secular government led by the Grand Prefecture, a council of technocrats and oligarchs who represent the wealthiest and most influential sectors of Riben’s elite. The Grand Prefecture is chaired by the Supreme Chancellor, an individual elected from among the council members for a term of ten years, though re-elections are common, especially when power is concentrated in a few influential hands.
The government’s primary focus is on maintaining efficiency and control. Laws are meticulously crafted to ensure order, productivity, and the stability of the ruling class. Surveillance and bureaucracy are pervasive, with every aspect of life tightly regulated to align with the state’s goals. Public dissent is not outright forbidden but is closely monitored and often neutralized before it can gain traction.
Below the Grand Prefecture, a vast network of Regional Administrators governs the urban districts and agricultural zones, each tasked with enforcing the state’s mandates and ensuring that quotas are met. These administrators are appointed based on loyalty and effectiveness, creating a meritocratic yet oppressive system that rewards compliance over innovation.
The political system’s greatest weakness lies in its rigid class divisions. The working population is excluded from meaningful political participation, fueling resentment and mistrust. Yet, this exclusion is by design, ensuring that power remains firmly in the hands of the elite. The system’s survival depends on maintaining this delicate balance between control and unrest, a balance that grows increasingly precarious as whispers of rebellion ripple through the lower classes.
5. Economy
Riben’s economy is predominantly urban-centric, driven by a sprawling network of cities and optimised agricultural zones that maximise the region’s limited natural resources. The economic landscape is shaped by high-efficiency farming practices, ensuring the dense population is supported through intensive agricultural output. Riben’s cities are hubs of commerce and industry, where wealth is generated but unevenly distributed, leading to a stark divide between affluence and poverty.
Trade plays a crucial role in Riben’s economic strategy. Historically, the Dahri Empire restricted trade with Riben, limiting its economic interactions with neighboring regions. However, following the empire’s disintegration, the newly autonomous states have found themselves increasingly dependent on Riben’s economic might. These regions, once part of the Dahri collective, now compete for favor in Riben’s markets, hoping to outdo each other.
6. Culture and Society
Riben’s culture is a tapestry of stark contrasts, shaped by its rigid class divisions and urban-centric lifestyle. The affluent elite live in a world of excess and decadence, reveling in luxuries funded by the relentless labor of the working masses. These upper echelons pride themselves on their cultivated tastes in art, fashion, and cuisine, with sprawling estates and opulent social gatherings becoming the norm.
For the working population, however, life is defined by struggle and relentless labor. Urban sprawl and overpopulation have led to cramped living conditions and a constant demand for efficiency in both the workplace and everyday life. Informal networks of mutual aid and underground markets thrive, creating a parallel economy that helps sustain those excluded from the region’s official prosperity.
While the government officially bans religious practices, underground spiritual movements and occult traditions persist, particularly among the lower classes. Unfortunately, in desperation these efforts often lead to dark sources resulting in hidden cults and unrest> Despite this there are pockets of genuine worship and reverence for the old gods. Conversely, the elite view religion as outdated and counterproductive, embracing a secular philosophy that glorifies human ingenuity and progress.
Education and innovation are highly valued, though access is largely restricted to the upper classes. The wealthy boast of prestigious academies where their children study advanced sciences, art, and strategy, preparing to perpetuate their dominance.
Riben’s social fabric is further complicated by its obsession with surveillance and control. Public spaces are heavily monitored, and a pervasive culture of mistrust exists between classes. Propaganda glorifying the state and its achievements is commonplace, but beneath this facade lies a simmering tension. The rigid social order has bred dissatisfaction among the working population, and whispers of rebellion and unrest grow louder in the shadows.
7. Military
Riben’s military is renowned as one of the largest and most well-organized forces in Kair’Thear, a reflection of the region’s expansionist ambitions and rigorous efficiency. The backbone of this formidable army lies in its structured hierarchy and discipline, cultivated through rigorous training programs and strict governance. Advanced strategies and innovations in warfare have allowed it to shadow its neighbouring regions.
The military is divided into specialized branches, including a heavily armed urban force tailored to maintain order in Riben’s dense cities, and an expeditionary force designed for external campaigns and border defense. The navy, though smaller in scale, is currently undergoing rapid expansion, eager to exploit the seas left vacant following the Age of Darkness. urthermore, the military’s engineers are renowned for constructing fortifications and siege equipment with unmatched speed and efficiency.
Recent efforts to expand the military’s size and capabilities suggest preparations for more than simple border defense. Whispers of large-scale recruitment, experimental weaponry, and covert operations have fueled speculation that Riben’s leadership is laying the groundwork for a significant campaign. Whether these efforts are directed at expansion into neighboring territories or more ambitious actions across the seas remains a matter of tense speculation among Riben’s neighbors and rivals.
8. Notable Locations
- Zhongdai: The capital city, Zhongdai is a city of stark contrasts, it boasts sleek, modern architecture with towering government spires and sprawling military complexes at its core. The ruling elite live in opulent districts surrounded by lush, manicured gardens, while the outer rings are dominated by crowded tenements housing the working class.
- Vezzari: Located along the border of the Dahri Empire, Vezzari is a hub of trade and opulence. Known for its extravagant markets, luxury goods, and hedonistic nightlife, it attracts merchants, travelers, and adventurers globally. Vezzari is also infamous for its underground trade in forbidden goods and services, a secretive aspect that thrives despite the region’s secular laws.
- Umanov Fields: A vast expanse of meticulously managed farmland, utilizing advanced techniques and labour drawn from the impoverished classes. This region provides the bulk of the food supply for Riben’s dense urban population. The area is dotted with processing centers and small worker settlements, offering a stark contrast to the opulence of the cities.
- Fenmu Outpost: A ecently established settlement straddling the edge of the Vahshi Forest. Created to fuel Riben’s insatiable demand for timber, the outpost pushes deeper into the forest with every passing season. The settlement thrives on efficiency, but its presence has provoked fierce resistance from the forest’s native inhabitants, creating a tense and dangerous frontier.
- Zhuandao Point: Zhuandao Point, marks the southernmost tip of Western Kair’Thear. Once a vital hub for naval merchants, it has devolved into a lawless den of banditry and desperation following the fall of Eastern Kair’Thear. Abandoned by Riben’s central governance, the region now teeters on the edge of anarchy, a shadow of its former economic importance.
9. Significant Characters
- Ming Donismus: The Supreme Chancellor of Riben, Ming Honismus is a visionary leader with a strategic mind adept at balancing the intricacies of Riben’s political landscape. His tenure is marked by aggressive urban development, keen focus on technological dominance, and providing opulent luxuries to the upper classes.
- Arta Hu: As the commander of Riben’s military forces, General Hu is both celebrated and feared. He prides himself on rigorous discipline and ruthless efficiency.
- Lina Cyrus: A powerful oligarch and influential member of the Grand Prefecture, Lina commands considerable influence over Riben’s economic strategies and trade policies, ensuring that the commercial elite remains prosperous and powerful.
- Feng Artaxerxes: Emerging from the working classes, Feng has become a symbol of resistance and potential change. Currently he ranks as number one most wanted criminal amongst Ribens elite.
- Darius Zahra: Leader of Riben’s forbidden spiritual practices, Darius nurtures the old ways, providing spiritual guidance and a sense of belonging to those marginalized by the secular government.
- Dao Shen Mithradates: The mastermind behind Riben’s extensive surveillance system, Dao Shen Mithradates plays a crucial role in maintaining the government’s control over its citizens.
10. Current Issues and Future Prospects
Riben faces challenges in managing its expansionist ambitions against the backdrop of internal social strife and cultural tensions. The region’s future is poised on the delicate balance of maintaining efficiency and control while addressing the deep inequalities that threaten its social stability.