Nythayn

Overview

Nythayn, (officially The Empire of Nythayn) is a matriarchal empire currently ruled by Empress N’hva d’Nythayn. Nythayn stands as the oldest nation still standing even after over 3000 years. Its society is structured around a rigid social hierarchy that places female Feline-Folk (Xhaysh’res) nobles at the top. This hierarchy descends in the order of: the Ruler, the Royal Family, Sages and Dukes, Counts, Barons, and Commoners. Commoners are denied surnames, while noble names reflect their ruling domain.

The Empire is divided into several semi-autonomous domains, each ruled either by a Duke or a Sage, with the exception of the Capital City which is ruled directly by the Empress. Although the Royal Family once held dominant power, their influence has declined significantly due to varying historical circumstances.

The modern Empire of Nythayn is a fractured monolith. While Empress N’hva d’Nythayn maintains some authority from the Capital, the real power lies with the autonomous Dukes and Sages.

Leadership

Empress N’hva d’Nythayn

The current ruler of Nythayn. While she lacks firm political control over the the Dukes and ‘the Mistress’, she retains some power that she maintains with leverage that is the support of the Draconian Sage.

Dhreyko d’Vhladnyr

Known as the Draconian Sage, Dhreyko is an artificial being created by the first Sage who is also the current ruler of the domain of Vhladnyr. Though loyal to the Empress, he is regarded as neutral in political conflicts as to avoid direct conflict with other Sages. His loyalty to the throne has earned him the derisive title “The Empress’s Lapdog” among some nobles.

Noteable Domains

Capital City Nythayn

The capital of the Nythaynian Empire. This domain contains the capital city with the same name, as well as the Royal Family’s castle.

Vhladnyr

The domain most closely allied with the Royal Family. Currently it is ruled by Dhreyko d’Vhladnyr, the Draconian Sage. Home to the biggest libraries and magical academies.

Aquarx

Ruled by Duke S’phayre. This domain has rejected the traditional social hierarchy; status is determined by wealth rather than blood. Discrimination against commoners is minimal, and the region is ethnically diverse, including a majority population of mixed Feline-Folk and Ksylury. There is also a notable Orc and Ogre presence.

Religion

Thaynnkros, The Harbinger

Also known as Hel, Thaynnkros is the Empire’s primary deity. Revered for her dominion of life and death, their. Thaynnkros’s faith is pragmatic and less fervent than that of Parladisal where Thaynnkros’s sister rules.

Krynkhen, The Tempered

A regional deity worshipped in Aquarx, Krynkhen originated with the Shua Gyns and is now embraced by Ksylury and many Feline-Folk. Associated with the sea and protection, Krynkhen is often worshipped alongside Thaynnkros.

History

Formation and Early Union (1135 AT – ca. 2100 AT)

The foundations of the Empire of Nythayn were laid in 1135 AT, when a coalition of smaller, independently governed territories united under a single banner in response to growing existential fears. Though untouched by the devastation of Jörmunheimr, the psychological shadow of its cataclysmic legacy lingered. In the face of such uncertainty, unity was sought as a means of survival.

The name Nythayn, meaning “Till Death”, reflected a pact forged in fatalistic solidarity. Each region retained its local leadership, functioning as loosely aligned domains rather than provinces under central rule. The cultural and racial composition of early Nythayn was diverse, dominated by Feline-Folk (later called Xhaysh’res), Elves, and minorities such as Dwarves and Ksylury, especially in the southern territories.

The Vampire Crisis and the Rise of the Matriarchy (2117 AT – 3120 AT)

In 2117 AT, the appearance of Vampires, a species previously unknown shook the empire. Their highly dangerous nature and their sudden emergence led to decades of fear amongst the domains that sought to exterminate them. For a long time their numbers would be somewhat controlled.

By 2960 AT, the vampire population surged, prompting a coordinated extermination campaign led by the domain of Asími. The success of this campaign elevated its ruler, Chrysós Xhaysh’res, a powerful female Feline-Folk. Her leadership in the vampire suppression effort culminated in her coronation as Empress in 2977 AT, effectively transforming the alliance into a centralized monarchy.

Under Chrysós, the empire adopted a matriarchal structure, formalized a new noble hierarchy (Commoners, Barons, Counts, Dukes), and centralized authority within the newly designated Capital City Nythayn, built around the royal seat. The noble titles of domain leaders were standardized, and the term “Feline-Folk” gradually gave way to ‘Xhaysh’res’, cementing cultural identity.

The First Sage and the Birth of Medical Innovation (3121 AT)

By 3121 AT, vampires were believed extinct. That belief was shortly shattered in 3126 AT, when an immensely powerful vampire known as Syllyvan emerged, revealing himself as the last of his kind and the first being to be given the title of ‘Sage’. Unlike his kin, Syllyvan sought peace and presented himself as a disciple of the goddess Hel, whose name among the Xhaysh’res would become Thaynnkros, The Harbinger.

Syllyvan’s ascension marked the beginning of a new era. With Thaynnkros’s backing, he introduced healing magic, manipulating living tissue. These advancements led to a golden age in biological knowledge. In a diplomatic move to preserve the Royal Family’s influence, the current Empress granted him a portion of land within the capital’s territory, and he was henceforth known as Syllyvan d’Vhladnyr.

Despite the progress, Thaynnkros’s re-emergence provoked her sister, Lífþrasir, igniting a celestial conflict. Sporadic wars between their respective mortal followers would plague both nations over the following millennials. Since the emergence however, Thaynnkros would be relatively inactive, instead opting to be hidden away within Syllyvan’s domain.

The Draconian Sage and the Legacy of Vhladnyr (3921 AT)

In 3921 AT, Syllyvan performed an act once thought impossible: the creation of life. He created a wholly new being with an artificial soul and named him, Dhreyko, later known as the Draconian Sage.

Following the untimely death of Syllyvan in 4171 AT, Dhreyko assumed the title d’Vhladnyr and became a key figure in the empire’s preservation. Though labeled by some as “The Empress’s Lapdog”, his influence and political neutrality have made him a pillar of the Royal Family and the Royalists.

Rise of the Mistress (4713 AT)

In 4713 AT, a new Sage emerged in dramatic fashion. Nia Viese, a renegade of Parladisal figure kidnapped the daughter of the ruling Emperor, N’hva d’Nythayn. The incident shocked the empire, though the princess would eventually return and ascend to the throne in the coming years.

Nia, later was officially acknowledged as a Sage in her own right, as a sign of peace her demands were met and she was given position of a equal to that of a Duke within the region of Kurbyss, where her creations, the Acolytes, had already gained influence. Kurbyss became her personal domain, and with it she gained the noble title d’Kurbyss.

Since her rise, Nia’s disinterest in governance allowed commoners, particularly the one’s from Vharnyst to flourish in relative peace within domain’s territory.