Post by Ander on Nov 10, 2013 6:09:25 GMT
Medeis Imperium
Type: Magocracy
Location: Western Occasus
Capital: Aagusaean
Rukh Alignment: White and Black, Stagnation and Change. Within the Imperium the concepts of White and Black Rukh are neigh intangible. Both of these have been not only present within the Imperium since its founding, but taped into for both of their strengths. The Imperium's founder, the Magusian, along with the 16 households created the country in such a way that it would not only promote the will of the mages but become a conduit of both types of Rukh. While may would see this as a catalyst for destruction, the Imperium has not only survived for centuries on it but thrived beyond measure because of it. As both the White Rukh of fate, and the Black Rukh of change is the Imperium's greatest strength. It is also because of these beliefs why the widespread usage of the yin-yang symbol and belief in the Cycle is so prevalent within the Imperium. Though the wide spread belief in the Cycle has been time and time again hampered by the constant efforts of the Magi. Creating centuries of bad blood between the mages of the Imperium and the Magi, despite the fact that the Magi are the most gifted of magic users.
As the changes brought by the black Rukh have allowed the Imperium to change and curse a fate which would lead to their downfall. The mages of the 16 households, and even those of the Houseless class' were well known within the Imperium's mage communities for their usages of both black and white Rukh; even using the massive numbers of Goi slaves as emitters for it. It even being said that even the weakest mages within the Imperium known at leas the basics of using Black Rukh. As such chaos and Civil War are all but common place, and if there is not chaos within the Imperium itself there will be without a doubt within one of their neighboring countries; chaos instigated by the countries themselves or the Imperium.
Unfortunate for the believers in the Cycle, for the last several hundred years, is that the teachings of the Cycle have been seemingly stamped out due to the constant intervention of the worlds Magi; Magi who do not and have never shared belief in the Cycle. Though ever since their disappearance 10 years prier, the teachings have surfaced again or more likely have just become more wide spread and public known. Most mages believe, or know that the members of the Domus and most likely even the Houseless class have never stopped teaching the Cycle.
OVERVIEW
Climate/Weather
Despite the fact that the majority of the Imperium lies within a Temperate climate, its Northern most territories lie in a much more humid and cold region due to its location and elevation. As most of the northern territories tend to be mountainous and hilly. Allowing a large amount of yearly rainfall and green covered hillsides. Many of the territories lower areas tend to be engulfed in a constant state of fog, granting those cities that call those valleys their home a unique look as the spires reach out above the fog.
While the majority of the Imperium's northern territories lie in more mountainous and colder climates the Imperium's southern territories are seemingly blessed in their temperate location. Having year round mild temperatures and fertile lands. Though in ancient times the yearly spring floods from the eastern mountains were once considered a constant hazard, the mages of the Imperium have since averted the yearly crisis by averting the flood waters into enormous reserves. Granting the Southern territories a yearly supply of water, even in dry times.
As the majority of the Imperium's territories are safe from the yearly typhoons due to the location of the western mountains high peaks, its cities on the archipelago and isles are not so fortunate. Rather they must suffer though them yearly and hope that the mages will be able to keep their island cities safe.
Plantlife
As the majority of the Imperium's territories possess similiar Flora to that of Europe, its main trade crop lies in wheat in the southern territories and rye in its northern more mountainous, cold, and tougher territories. Its north, and western lands boast a large number of strange medicinal herbs, plants, and spices; most of which can only be found in its unique cold and tropical climates and many more that cannot be found anywhere else in the world due to their man-made/magical origin.
Wildlife
Within the southern territories the most common types of Fauna found tend to nothing more than mixtures of small to medium sized mammals such as deer, elk, and many other types of small mammals and birds. The north on the other hand is a entirely different story. As its unique climate and positing make it a breeding ground for a countless number of strange species not found anywhere else in the world, or at least specific breeds of said animals. Though some of the more unique creatures range from breeds of giant wolfs to flying scaled lizards. Though it is not just the climate and positioning that makes this area a den of such a large number of strange creatures as over the centuries large numbers of man-made creatures have found their way into the wild and adapted to it; the origin of these creatures being the magic of the Imperium mages. The most notable of these creatures being the Ogre, a creature born and bread by the Imperium mages for the sole purpose of being a powerful war creature. Since its initial creation it has boasted the Imperium's ranks for centuries. Over the centuries the majority of the eastern worlds legends of monstrous creatures and demons have in fact steamed from the Imperium's creations, many of which come to this realization once they enter its domain.
Architecture
The Imperium's is anything if not diligent in the design of their cities, outside of hosting some of the worlds longest standing cities it also hosts some of the worlds tallest man-made structures due to the Imperium's unique spire designs made of stone sculpted by both hammer and magic.
Locals
As a country of mages, the common attire seen by even the lowest class of citizens is somewhat expected due to their hallmarks. Most, if not all of their most common designs tend to follow a robe like fashion as even their battle armors follow suit. Clothing materials ranging from cotton to leather to silk and despite their style the clothing is surprisingly agile and nonrestrictive. The only ones who do not follow the common design's are those within the lowest social class. Though unlike the traditional mage garments, Imperium robes follow a more slimming like fashion. Eliminating the formers 'fluff' like appearance for a more functional designs, though many of the Imperium's mages follow the traditional look.
POLITICS
Although the Imperium is ruled by a solitary ruler known as the Magusian; a powerful mage who has ruled since its founding centuries earlier, over the centuries the Magusian has delegated the majority of the governing body to the 16 households. The 16 households are separated into two categories, the inner circle households and the outer circle households. While each household consists of countless powerful mages the amount of governing power given to each depends solely on their mastery and power over magic. This also means that which households holds what governing power is in a constant state of change as they outshine one another though various means.
Within the Imperium the social classes are broken down into five categories; at the top lie the Domus class who possess one of the bloodlines of the 16 clans and are able to obtain governing power. Below them are the Houseless class who possess magical talent and who's bloodline consist of mages for generations though do not possess any of the bloodlines of the 16 households and as such they are able to partake in nearly anything within the Imperium outside of governing power; they are also the only other class that is able to sire children with a member of the Domus class. Underneath them is the Primus class who also possess magical talent, but were once former slaves or immigrants who were found to have magical talent; they are able to purchase and hold property but are only able to sire children with mages of their own class and can become of the Houseless class once their bloodline produces three generations of mages. Second to the bottom is the Kin class who are not mages but rather those who have sired mages or are the Goi children of mages; while they are able to own property and join the military, they can never reach a higher military position or sire children with any of the above classes. At the bottom lies the Serf class who possess no rights or status; or in other words the Slaves.
While the majority of the Mages within the Domus class stay within the bounds of the cities, the majority of mages who interact in the Imperium's 'countryside' smaller cities and villages tend to be of the Houseless and Primus class. Many of which spend their entire lives working to better the lives of its citizens, while many others use the seclusion to better their magic and theories in a variety of ways. Although these mages have no official governing power, they are often treated as the representatives for their respective areas as most of the Domus class prefer the Imperium's major cities such as Aagusaean, Catena, or Obcasus.
CULTURE
The most profound believe within the Imperium is their devotion to the practice, and expansion of magical knowledge and more importantly the sheer lengths that they are willing to go for its sake. Within the Imperium magic is treated as the gift that it is, those with it are treated with power and status, and those without are shunned upon and locked into their meager class. It is also because of this believe that the Imperium is one of the most diligent practitioners of slavery, or more specifically the slavery of the Goi (non-mages).
Within a country where magic is such common place, it is used do do nearly everything. Most of the standing structures within the countries cities could only have been maid to such degrees with the assistance of magic. The sheer importance that magic has on the Imperium's culture becomes even more evident when one takes a closer look at its social classes, three of which consist entirely of mages, and are by no means consisting of small numbers. As even within the Domus class, each household consists of several hundred mages. Magical tools are such common place within the Imperium that is strange to find even the poorest of citizens without several within their house. Raw Magoi is even a tradable commodity within the Imperium as countless numbers of those within the Kin class make a living off of selling their Magoi, and even more numbers of slaves sole purpose is to produce raw Magoi for their masters usage. Overall it is just as, if not more important than food or water.
One of the most important aspects of Imperium culture is the importance of Bloodlines. Within the 16 households, otherwise known as the Domus Class their entire linage can be traced back to the founding of the Imperium itself. This concept of bloodlines is followed closely by those within the Imperium as they must keep track of who possesses, and who has passed down the gift of magic to their children. For a mage is more likely to sire a mage than a Goi is. Though it is possibly even more important in the tracking of specific, unique bloodlines within the Domus class as many possess unique abilities that are protected secrets within each individual household and must be kept away from the hands of other envious households. As such countless ways have been created in order to not only track and record ones bloodline, but also discover similarities between bloodlines; making it easier to discover relatives and even their ancestral country of origin. These methods become important when one wishes to enter a higher class, due to the strict conditions, or when the parent or ancestor of a individual comes into question.
INFRASTRUCTURE & ECONOMY
Housing
The Imperium, like many slave states, houses a vast difference in the types of housing and living conditions between its various social classes; most notably between those of the upper three tiers and those of the lower two. While mages within the Imperium are granted permission to own housing within the larger and more extravagant areas within the cities. Those of the Kin class are only allowed to own housing within the cities lower districts. Which tend to have smaller housing units, tighter streets and fare more compact that that of the other districts. Though even though there is still a vast difference the living conditions of the Kin class are still higher than that of most power class citizens in other countries due to the nature of its construction. Those of the lowest class have the most obvious difference in types of housing, as it differences from both city to city and master to master. Though as they are seen as lesser beings it becomes obvious their conditions are similiar to other slave states.
Hunger Level
For being a country filled with and ruled by powerful magics, it is no wonder that the idea of famine or plague has not even entered the minds of most of its citizens for well over a century. While it is not used every year, during dry or extremely wet seasons the mages do what they can to bring the farmlands to equilibrium. Allowing them to have year after year of plentiful harvests, that not even the countless civil wars, slave rebellions, and wars with neighboring countries have hampered. The only class within the Imperium that is not treated with the same kindness is those of the Serf class, who are fed enough to keep them alive and enough to make sure that their magoi levels stay high.
Slavery Status
As a stable of its image, as long as it has existed the Imperium has been one of the largest practitioners in the slave trade. It has been said time and time again of how devoted both the citizens and the ruling classes of the Imperium are to it. Although slave rebellions are a common thing within the Imperium, countless numbers of slaves flock to the Imperium with the hopes that themselves or at least one of their children show some form of magical talent. As if one does they are automatically granted citizenship and their life as a slave is over. As within the Imperium it is both illegal and nothing but frowned upon to subjugate one with the gift as a slave. This practice causes nothing but tension with the Imperium's neighboring countries as countless numbers of their own flock to the protection of the Imperium. Though unfortunately most discover that, after fleeing to the Imperium, that neither themselves or their children have any magical talent are become stuck in the same situation they were in before; for some better and others worse.
At any given time at least 30-40% of the Imperium's population consists of slaves, giving it one of the largest slave populations in the world. Many of its ignorant neighbors question the fluctuating numbers of slaves within the Imperium, as they do not partake in the usage of slave armies, and believe it to be because of the horrendous work and living environments. They fail to come to the conclusion that the fluctuating numbers are because that many of the slaves are used by the Domus class in countless numbers of magical experiments; often being used as fuel sources or, for the more unfortunate, test subjects. It is common practice for those within the Kin class to sell themselves into slavery within the Imperium to provide for their families. Because of this the conditions for lowest social class within the Imperium is slightly better than in any other slave practicing state.
Many foreign delegates who visit the Imperium tend to enter confused and astray, mostly those who come from countries that do not partake in slavery, as how commonplace and universal accepted slavery is among its populations. Even among the Kin and Primus classes, who might of once been slaves themselves, do not look down upon the practice and often partake in it themselves; though most of the Kin and Primus classes who own slaves tend to treat them with better care and respect than the upper classes. Most of the time, when referring to a slave, it is akin to referring to a piece of property or livestock just as it is in any other slave state.
Exports/Imports
The Imperium is most notable for its export of a countless number of magic goods, these goods are sought after by anyone that can afford them from all around the world; creating a cornerstone of their exports from this alone. Even without their magical goods, the Imperium possesses a large number of unique herbs and materials that cannot be found anywhere else in the world; mostly due to the fact that their origin is of magic and have been designed to only grow within the Imperium's influence. The Imperium seemingly has a strange advantage and presence on the global market, as they are not influenced by the same ideas as that of a Goi run country; ideas such as profits. It is because of this that the Imperium is one of the few countries that sees gold more as a raw material rather than as a currency.
Unsurprisingly, due to their treatment and distaste for the Goi, one of the largest Imports is fresh slaves. Though while many of them are subjugated from their neighboring countries during wartime, during peace times most of the slaves are imported from the east and north. In most years the numbers of slaves within the Imperium dwindle just as many that are imported. Just as unsurprisingly the Imperium is one of the epicenters of the black market, often dealing in goods that many other Goi run countries would find to be dangerous or unwanted, though as mages they do not see those goods in the same light. Outside of slaves the Imperium imports large numbers of raw materials, both from their distant colonies or puppet states.
Location: Western Occasus
Capital: Aagusaean
Rukh Alignment: White and Black, Stagnation and Change. Within the Imperium the concepts of White and Black Rukh are neigh intangible. Both of these have been not only present within the Imperium since its founding, but taped into for both of their strengths. The Imperium's founder, the Magusian, along with the 16 households created the country in such a way that it would not only promote the will of the mages but become a conduit of both types of Rukh. While may would see this as a catalyst for destruction, the Imperium has not only survived for centuries on it but thrived beyond measure because of it. As both the White Rukh of fate, and the Black Rukh of change is the Imperium's greatest strength. It is also because of these beliefs why the widespread usage of the yin-yang symbol and belief in the Cycle is so prevalent within the Imperium. Though the wide spread belief in the Cycle has been time and time again hampered by the constant efforts of the Magi. Creating centuries of bad blood between the mages of the Imperium and the Magi, despite the fact that the Magi are the most gifted of magic users.
As the changes brought by the black Rukh have allowed the Imperium to change and curse a fate which would lead to their downfall. The mages of the 16 households, and even those of the Houseless class' were well known within the Imperium's mage communities for their usages of both black and white Rukh; even using the massive numbers of Goi slaves as emitters for it. It even being said that even the weakest mages within the Imperium known at leas the basics of using Black Rukh. As such chaos and Civil War are all but common place, and if there is not chaos within the Imperium itself there will be without a doubt within one of their neighboring countries; chaos instigated by the countries themselves or the Imperium.
Unfortunate for the believers in the Cycle, for the last several hundred years, is that the teachings of the Cycle have been seemingly stamped out due to the constant intervention of the worlds Magi; Magi who do not and have never shared belief in the Cycle. Though ever since their disappearance 10 years prier, the teachings have surfaced again or more likely have just become more wide spread and public known. Most mages believe, or know that the members of the Domus and most likely even the Houseless class have never stopped teaching the Cycle.
Despite the fact that the majority of the Imperium lies within a Temperate climate, its Northern most territories lie in a much more humid and cold region due to its location and elevation. As most of the northern territories tend to be mountainous and hilly. Allowing a large amount of yearly rainfall and green covered hillsides. Many of the territories lower areas tend to be engulfed in a constant state of fog, granting those cities that call those valleys their home a unique look as the spires reach out above the fog.
While the majority of the Imperium's northern territories lie in more mountainous and colder climates the Imperium's southern territories are seemingly blessed in their temperate location. Having year round mild temperatures and fertile lands. Though in ancient times the yearly spring floods from the eastern mountains were once considered a constant hazard, the mages of the Imperium have since averted the yearly crisis by averting the flood waters into enormous reserves. Granting the Southern territories a yearly supply of water, even in dry times.
As the majority of the Imperium's territories are safe from the yearly typhoons due to the location of the western mountains high peaks, its cities on the archipelago and isles are not so fortunate. Rather they must suffer though them yearly and hope that the mages will be able to keep their island cities safe.
As the majority of the Imperium's territories possess similiar Flora to that of Europe, its main trade crop lies in wheat in the southern territories and rye in its northern more mountainous, cold, and tougher territories. Its north, and western lands boast a large number of strange medicinal herbs, plants, and spices; most of which can only be found in its unique cold and tropical climates and many more that cannot be found anywhere else in the world due to their man-made/magical origin.
Within the southern territories the most common types of Fauna found tend to nothing more than mixtures of small to medium sized mammals such as deer, elk, and many other types of small mammals and birds. The north on the other hand is a entirely different story. As its unique climate and positing make it a breeding ground for a countless number of strange species not found anywhere else in the world, or at least specific breeds of said animals. Though some of the more unique creatures range from breeds of giant wolfs to flying scaled lizards. Though it is not just the climate and positioning that makes this area a den of such a large number of strange creatures as over the centuries large numbers of man-made creatures have found their way into the wild and adapted to it; the origin of these creatures being the magic of the Imperium mages. The most notable of these creatures being the Ogre, a creature born and bread by the Imperium mages for the sole purpose of being a powerful war creature. Since its initial creation it has boasted the Imperium's ranks for centuries. Over the centuries the majority of the eastern worlds legends of monstrous creatures and demons have in fact steamed from the Imperium's creations, many of which come to this realization once they enter its domain.
The Imperium's is anything if not diligent in the design of their cities, outside of hosting some of the worlds longest standing cities it also hosts some of the worlds tallest man-made structures due to the Imperium's unique spire designs made of stone sculpted by both hammer and magic.
Locals
As a country of mages, the common attire seen by even the lowest class of citizens is somewhat expected due to their hallmarks. Most, if not all of their most common designs tend to follow a robe like fashion as even their battle armors follow suit. Clothing materials ranging from cotton to leather to silk and despite their style the clothing is surprisingly agile and nonrestrictive. The only ones who do not follow the common design's are those within the lowest social class. Though unlike the traditional mage garments, Imperium robes follow a more slimming like fashion. Eliminating the formers 'fluff' like appearance for a more functional designs, though many of the Imperium's mages follow the traditional look.
POLITICS
Within the Imperium the social classes are broken down into five categories; at the top lie the Domus class who possess one of the bloodlines of the 16 clans and are able to obtain governing power. Below them are the Houseless class who possess magical talent and who's bloodline consist of mages for generations though do not possess any of the bloodlines of the 16 households and as such they are able to partake in nearly anything within the Imperium outside of governing power; they are also the only other class that is able to sire children with a member of the Domus class. Underneath them is the Primus class who also possess magical talent, but were once former slaves or immigrants who were found to have magical talent; they are able to purchase and hold property but are only able to sire children with mages of their own class and can become of the Houseless class once their bloodline produces three generations of mages. Second to the bottom is the Kin class who are not mages but rather those who have sired mages or are the Goi children of mages; while they are able to own property and join the military, they can never reach a higher military position or sire children with any of the above classes. At the bottom lies the Serf class who possess no rights or status; or in other words the Slaves.
While the majority of the Mages within the Domus class stay within the bounds of the cities, the majority of mages who interact in the Imperium's 'countryside' smaller cities and villages tend to be of the Houseless and Primus class. Many of which spend their entire lives working to better the lives of its citizens, while many others use the seclusion to better their magic and theories in a variety of ways. Although these mages have no official governing power, they are often treated as the representatives for their respective areas as most of the Domus class prefer the Imperium's major cities such as Aagusaean, Catena, or Obcasus.
The most profound believe within the Imperium is their devotion to the practice, and expansion of magical knowledge and more importantly the sheer lengths that they are willing to go for its sake. Within the Imperium magic is treated as the gift that it is, those with it are treated with power and status, and those without are shunned upon and locked into their meager class. It is also because of this believe that the Imperium is one of the most diligent practitioners of slavery, or more specifically the slavery of the Goi (non-mages).
Within a country where magic is such common place, it is used do do nearly everything. Most of the standing structures within the countries cities could only have been maid to such degrees with the assistance of magic. The sheer importance that magic has on the Imperium's culture becomes even more evident when one takes a closer look at its social classes, three of which consist entirely of mages, and are by no means consisting of small numbers. As even within the Domus class, each household consists of several hundred mages. Magical tools are such common place within the Imperium that is strange to find even the poorest of citizens without several within their house. Raw Magoi is even a tradable commodity within the Imperium as countless numbers of those within the Kin class make a living off of selling their Magoi, and even more numbers of slaves sole purpose is to produce raw Magoi for their masters usage. Overall it is just as, if not more important than food or water.
One of the most important aspects of Imperium culture is the importance of Bloodlines. Within the 16 households, otherwise known as the Domus Class their entire linage can be traced back to the founding of the Imperium itself. This concept of bloodlines is followed closely by those within the Imperium as they must keep track of who possesses, and who has passed down the gift of magic to their children. For a mage is more likely to sire a mage than a Goi is. Though it is possibly even more important in the tracking of specific, unique bloodlines within the Domus class as many possess unique abilities that are protected secrets within each individual household and must be kept away from the hands of other envious households. As such countless ways have been created in order to not only track and record ones bloodline, but also discover similarities between bloodlines; making it easier to discover relatives and even their ancestral country of origin. These methods become important when one wishes to enter a higher class, due to the strict conditions, or when the parent or ancestor of a individual comes into question.
INFRASTRUCTURE & ECONOMY
Housing
The Imperium, like many slave states, houses a vast difference in the types of housing and living conditions between its various social classes; most notably between those of the upper three tiers and those of the lower two. While mages within the Imperium are granted permission to own housing within the larger and more extravagant areas within the cities. Those of the Kin class are only allowed to own housing within the cities lower districts. Which tend to have smaller housing units, tighter streets and fare more compact that that of the other districts. Though even though there is still a vast difference the living conditions of the Kin class are still higher than that of most power class citizens in other countries due to the nature of its construction. Those of the lowest class have the most obvious difference in types of housing, as it differences from both city to city and master to master. Though as they are seen as lesser beings it becomes obvious their conditions are similiar to other slave states.
Hunger Level
For being a country filled with and ruled by powerful magics, it is no wonder that the idea of famine or plague has not even entered the minds of most of its citizens for well over a century. While it is not used every year, during dry or extremely wet seasons the mages do what they can to bring the farmlands to equilibrium. Allowing them to have year after year of plentiful harvests, that not even the countless civil wars, slave rebellions, and wars with neighboring countries have hampered. The only class within the Imperium that is not treated with the same kindness is those of the Serf class, who are fed enough to keep them alive and enough to make sure that their magoi levels stay high.
Slavery Status
As a stable of its image, as long as it has existed the Imperium has been one of the largest practitioners in the slave trade. It has been said time and time again of how devoted both the citizens and the ruling classes of the Imperium are to it. Although slave rebellions are a common thing within the Imperium, countless numbers of slaves flock to the Imperium with the hopes that themselves or at least one of their children show some form of magical talent. As if one does they are automatically granted citizenship and their life as a slave is over. As within the Imperium it is both illegal and nothing but frowned upon to subjugate one with the gift as a slave. This practice causes nothing but tension with the Imperium's neighboring countries as countless numbers of their own flock to the protection of the Imperium. Though unfortunately most discover that, after fleeing to the Imperium, that neither themselves or their children have any magical talent are become stuck in the same situation they were in before; for some better and others worse.
At any given time at least 30-40% of the Imperium's population consists of slaves, giving it one of the largest slave populations in the world. Many of its ignorant neighbors question the fluctuating numbers of slaves within the Imperium, as they do not partake in the usage of slave armies, and believe it to be because of the horrendous work and living environments. They fail to come to the conclusion that the fluctuating numbers are because that many of the slaves are used by the Domus class in countless numbers of magical experiments; often being used as fuel sources or, for the more unfortunate, test subjects. It is common practice for those within the Kin class to sell themselves into slavery within the Imperium to provide for their families. Because of this the conditions for lowest social class within the Imperium is slightly better than in any other slave practicing state.
Many foreign delegates who visit the Imperium tend to enter confused and astray, mostly those who come from countries that do not partake in slavery, as how commonplace and universal accepted slavery is among its populations. Even among the Kin and Primus classes, who might of once been slaves themselves, do not look down upon the practice and often partake in it themselves; though most of the Kin and Primus classes who own slaves tend to treat them with better care and respect than the upper classes. Most of the time, when referring to a slave, it is akin to referring to a piece of property or livestock just as it is in any other slave state.
Exports/Imports
The Imperium is most notable for its export of a countless number of magic goods, these goods are sought after by anyone that can afford them from all around the world; creating a cornerstone of their exports from this alone. Even without their magical goods, the Imperium possesses a large number of unique herbs and materials that cannot be found anywhere else in the world; mostly due to the fact that their origin is of magic and have been designed to only grow within the Imperium's influence. The Imperium seemingly has a strange advantage and presence on the global market, as they are not influenced by the same ideas as that of a Goi run country; ideas such as profits. It is because of this that the Imperium is one of the few countries that sees gold more as a raw material rather than as a currency.
Unsurprisingly, due to their treatment and distaste for the Goi, one of the largest Imports is fresh slaves. Though while many of them are subjugated from their neighboring countries during wartime, during peace times most of the slaves are imported from the east and north. In most years the numbers of slaves within the Imperium dwindle just as many that are imported. Just as unsurprisingly the Imperium is one of the epicenters of the black market, often dealing in goods that many other Goi run countries would find to be dangerous or unwanted, though as mages they do not see those goods in the same light. Outside of slaves the Imperium imports large numbers of raw materials, both from their distant colonies or puppet states.
