Karzev

Karzevan Union
Flag of Karzev Flag Coat of arms of Karzev Coat of arms
Motto: Долг, Вера, Родина Dolg, Vera, Rodina Duty, Faith, Motherland
Capital and largest city	Nezevgrad
Official languages	Korskan
Recognised national languages	Various.
Ethnic groups	Korskans (49.7%) Kurganites(20.3%) Potwezian(10%) Belovyan(10%) Other(10%)
Religion	Church of Khadar
Demonym(s)	Karzevan
Government	Nezevist Oligarchy
• Autarch	Ivan Ivanovich Radec
Legislature	Supreme Oligarchy
Area
• Total
Population
• Census	Approx. 19,530,000
Currency	Karza

The Karzevan Union (Korskan: Карцевский Союз; Karzevsky Soyuz, commonly known as Karzev (Korskan: Карцев) is a state in the continent of TBD. Karzev is a Nezevist Oligarchy, ruled by Autarch Ivan Radec and the Supreme Oligarchy along with the multiple High and Local Oligarchies of Oblasts and cities. It is one of the largest political entities in TBD with a population of rougly 19,500,000, who are mostly humans.

History

The area collectively known as Karzev or the Karzevan Realms was split into five Kingdoms: the Kurganite Hetmanate (south west), the Kingdom of Potwez (central western border), the Dutchy of Belovya (north west), the Grand Principality of Korsk (central, largest kingdom) and the Ungul Khanate. The first four evolved from a multitude of tribes, smaller kingdoms that existed in the First Era, of which little is known today.

Second Era, the Great Ungul Migration, and Aesnir First Contact

The area collectively known as Karzev or the Karzevan Realms was split into five Kingdoms: the Kurganite Hetmanate (south west), the Kingdom of Potwez (central western border), the Dutchy of Belovya (north west), the Grand Principality of Korsk (central, largest kingdom) and the Ungul Khanate. The first four evolved from a multitude of tribes, smaller kingdoms that existed in the First Era, of which little is known today.

The beginning of the Second Era was marked by the confederation of Belovya and Potwez to form the Belovyan-Potwezian Commonwealth, that activelly challenged Korsk, the most powerful of the realms. This led to a massive and bloody war that lasted 15 years to take place in the third century of the 2nd Era. The Kurganites remained neutral, but independent bands of Cossacks offered their swords to both sides as mercenaries. The war ended with the shacking of Vloskov, the capital of Korsk by the Commonwealth, but the peace treaty ensured a status quo ante bellum, and borders remained the same. In the late 3rd Century, the Korskans had their revenge when the invaded the Commonwealth and razed many of its cities to the ground. They annexed some of the eastern lands of their enemies, and split up the commonwealth back into Potwez and Belovy, installing puppet governments to control them. Three hundred years of relative peace followed, when on the the 511th year of the 2nd Era, a massive horde of horse riders known as the Ungul arrived from the north east.

What is known by the Union's historians as the Great Ungul Migration was caused by the creation of the Aesnir. A race of towering wolfmen, the Aesnir were feral beasts at the time of their creation, and the Ungul tribes on the north immedeately saw them as a threat. Their nomadic nature allowed the Ungul to avoid the Aesnir for years, but as centuries passed and the population of the Aesnir grew, the tribes grew tired of living constantly on the run from the beasts. Ajirai Khan, one of the tribal leaders managed to gather most of the Ungul in a single, great horde, and convinced them to make the great journey to the south, to escape the claws of the wolfmen. Thus began the Great Ungul Migration.

Arijai Khan declared that the Ungul would no longery be the prey, but the hunters, and they would make the inhabitants of the new lands bow to them. The Ungul entered Korskan territory, raiding and pillaging along the way. Knyaz Boris the Second of House Rasskazov called his banners to war, and tried to stop the Ungul, but with minimal success. After the news of the massive deafeat near the Dunbo river spread to the western realms, Potwezian nobles of the old guard (those wishing to bring back the commonwealth), rose up against the puppet King and overthrew him, gathering their forces for an attack on Korsk.

To the north east, Aijai Khan's hordes pushed weastwards, pillaging city after city and shacking village after village. Boris II taken prisoner and the executed when he sallied out from the city of Velengrad to break the Ungul siege, his severed head catapulted behind the walls. His underage son, the 17 year old Nikolai I took over command of the army and the entire Grand Principality. Nikolai proved an extremely capable commander and manage to not only break the siege of the great city, but also ambush the retreating Unguls and slay many of them as they fell back. It was the first significat victory against the invading nomads, which came to be known as the Black Horde by the Korskans (due to their dark leather armour and clothing), and later adopted the moniker themselves.

Despite the victory, the Potwezian threat was still very much real. With a massive army still being ammassed for the attack on Korsk, the Potwezians send envoys to the Belovyan nobility, calling them to follow Potwez's example and overthrow the puppet monarch. However, the old guard of the Belovyan aristocracy had either died off, or changed allegiances and supported the Korskans. The envoys were sent back to Potwez empty handed. Enraged, the Council of Nobles, the new rulling body of Potwez, decided to subjugate Belovya by force and create the 2nd Commonwealth. Far from a nation of warriors, the heavily forested Belovya, with its tiny standing army, was seen as an easy target for the more martial Potwezians. However as the small invasion force advanced undisturbed, they were suddenly beset on all sides by archer fire. Hooded figures loosed arrows on them from the trees, seemingly disappearing behind one tree and appearing behind another. This was the birth of the famed Belovyan Partizans, woodcutters and farmers turned guerilla fighters. The Potwezian attack stalled kilometres away from Krazansk, the Belovyan capital, unable to advance due to constant harassment by the Partizans.

The Potwezians decided to launch the invasion of Korsk regardless of the setback, and promoted a famed veteran general, John Sobieski, to lead the invasion. The famed Winged Hussars sung about how they would shack Vloskov for a second time and force the Korskans to finally submit to their will. Indeed, the opening days of the Potwezian advance went well, beating several smaller Korskan forces on the field and taking a large amount of prisoners, many of which were transported back to Potwez to be sold into slavery. One of the greatest Potwezian victories was the complete razing of the great fortress-city of Dvorkhoz to the ground after defeating its small garrison. After several battles against the Black Horde of the Ungul, most of which were indecisive, the war in the north east came into a stalemate in the deep winter of 512, both sides ceasing most operations to recover and heal their wounds. However, the decision of Knyaz Nikolai to send 1/3 of his total force west to aid in the defence against the Potwezians. Ungul scouts learned of this and informed Aijai Khan, who decided to attack the weakened Korskan army despite the weather conditions. The Knyaz's force was camped next to the frozen lake Galoda, and this is where the Black Horde appeared.

What followed was one of the most epic battles in Karzevan history. Both sides formed up on the forzen lake, the ice thick enough to withstand the massive armies. The Ungul outnumbered the Korskans heavily, but the battle hardened heavy infantry of the Knyaz held the ground as the nomadic horse archers and lancer cavalry assailed them again and again. However, one hour into the fight and the Korskan left flank started loosing ground - or ice, rather said. While all seemed lost and the doom of the Great Principality of Korsk appeared to be imminent, another force appeared on the north of the lake. Hundreds, if not thousands of massive wolfmen, standing at least 8 feet tall on two of their feet, their long fangs and dagger-like claws seding shivers down the spines of the men fighting on the ice. The Ungul, knowing about the threat first hand, were the first to act. Many war chiefs started to flee only to be stopped by Aijai Khan himself, followed by his elite retinue. The almighty Khan had made his decision. If the beasts that they had tried so hard to avoid had followed them so far south, there was no escaping them. He ordered his men to break contact with the Korskans and form up against the beasts. Legend has it that the warlord made eye contact with the Knyaz from afar, who was fighting on the frontline himself, and they both nodded in mutual understanding without a word uttered. Nikolai in turn ordered his men to form up besides their former enemies and prepair to repel the beasts. The wolfmen charged the Ungul-Korskan lines, but the humans held firm. Sword ands axes clashed with claws, arrows fell on thick hides and fangs pierced chaim mail and leather armour alike, biting into the flesh beneath. The hastily assembled coalition forces outnumbered the beasts, however, the Aesnir had the strength of several men, and their ferocity was unpararelled. The fight lasted just over three hours, and the humans finally overcame the wolfmen. Most of the Aesnir were slain, fighting to their last breath like frenzied berserkers, however, several of them escaped. One of them was even wounded enough to be captured, a massive male standing 2.3 metres tall named Heimdall. His back was pierced by several Ungul arrows and had several deep cuts by berdiche axes on his chest and shoulders.

The two sides agreed to talk after the battle, and both the Khan and the Knyaz sat around a negotiating table with their most trusted generals and advisors. The Unguls explained to the Korskans that the wolfmen were the very reason of their migration south, and that this battle was nothing of what was to come if they weren't stopped. Knyaz Nikolai offered a proposal to the Khan; all hostilities between the Korskans and the Ungul would cease, and the two peoples would unite to defeat the threat. After the Aesnir were beaten, the Ungul would be allowed to settle within Korskan land and maintain some degree of autonomy, however, they would still answer and swear loyalty to him and his lineage for eternity. Recognising that even with the Ungul's help they still couldn't be able to beat another beastmen horde now that their forces were depleted, the Knyaz also demanded that the Ungul would help them beat the Potwezian invaders to the west and bring them into the fold to defeat the northern threat. Many officials of both sides were furious at the proposal, and some even threatened rebellion if their liege agreed to the terms. The negotiations took two precious days, after which, the Khan finally agreed.

A week later, the Potwezian invaders finally had the walls of Vloskov in their sights. As they reached the top of the Stratna hills that overlooked the capital, they didn't see terrifying villagers fleeing to the safety of the wallks. Instead, the gazed upon a massive army of Korskan Boyar infantry, Vityaz knights and Druzhina axemen as well the sea of lancers and horse archers of the Black Horde, ready to crush them in one fell swoop. Even with half of their remaining forces, the armies of the Knyaz and the Khan outnumbered the Potwezians 3-to-1. When more Ungul riders appeared behind his army from the nearby forests, Sobieski knew there was no escape, and prepared to make a last stand. However, a joint Korskan-Ungul delegation approached them under a white flag, led by both Knyaz Nikolai and Aijai Khan. They asked for parley, which Sobieski accepted.

In the negotiations tent set up between the two armies, a large cage covered in cloth was presented to the Potwezian general. When the cloth was removed, a terrifying growl made the Potwezians reach for their swords, and they found themselves staring down a mouth full of sharp fangs and two bright blue eyes. The massive Aesnir cursed his captors in his heathen tongue and slammed his fangs against the steel bars to free himself. The Knyaz explained the situation to Sobieski, and asked him to stop his invasion and aid them. Sobieski left for his private quarters and returned several hours laters. He stated that he agreed. He also revealed that he dispatched riders with orders to both the Potwezian capital of Rdzen and the forces in Belovya. In turn, the Knyaz sent riders to the Kurganite Hetman Artur Voznyuk and the Belovyan Dutchess Adarka Šavzina to ride there so they could see the threat for themselves.

In Belovya, the Potwezian soldiers, tired and with their morale close to shattering by the drawn out counter-guerilla war they were fighting, immedeatelly agreed to the orders sent by Sobieski, and started their march back to Potwez. Dutchess Šavzina, having received the Knyaz's letter, allowed them to retreat safely, and prepared to ride east with her elite guard retinue of 2,000 knights. In Rdzen, a unit of Hussars on foot loyal to Sobieski entered the meeting chambers of the Council of Nobles after overpowering the guards and arested all of the noblemen there. The General couln't risk an aristocrat stabbing him in the back while he was fighting in the east. Immedeatelly after, an additional force of 7,000 men, all of them cavalry, including the elite Gryphon Legion of winged hussar knights, set out eastwards. In Zavgorod, the Kurganite capital, Hetman Voznyuk was presented with the Knyaz's letter. He was dissmisive at first, but when the messenger dropped the severed head and arms of the beast Heimdall in front of his feet, his mind was changed. Ever a warlike and proud folk, the Kurganites would not let the other petty peoples take all the glory. The Hetman rode out with 8,000 Kozzaks.

The Kurganites and the Belovyans arrived at the Stratna hills after five days, and all five leaders sat around the negotiations table. It was proposed that they would join their forces and ride north to repel the Aesnir, and that should they be victorious, all borders would be returned to their pre-war state, and an agreement of peace and friendship would be signed. After three more days of negotiations, all leaders reached to an agreement, in what was eventually known as the Stratna Accords. It was then that knews arrived that Velegrad and Rovsk had been razed to the ground by a massive wolfmen army, which was moving towards Eliborg. It was immedeately decided that they would move to Eliborg immedeately, without waitting for the Karzevan reinforcements. Instead, Sobieski dispatched a rider to inform them of their destination. The combined force was 50,000 strong: 16,000 Korskans, 14,000 Ungul, 10,000 Potwezians, 8,000 Kurganites and 2,000 Belovyans. About 35,000 were infantry, and the rest cavarly.

It took five days of marching, occasionally interupted by infighting among the troops, to reach Eliborg. When they did, they found it a burning carcass of its former self. They had been late. The coalition army, furstrated, started to march to the northwest to find a place suitable to camp. As they marched next to a ridgeline late at night, the blood of the soldiers turned cold as howling sounded from the top of the hills to the east. Officers started barking out orders and the infantry formed up in tight formation while the horses quickly galloped to take position at the flanks. Countless terryfing eyes appeared in the dark approaching them quickly as 30,000 Aesnir descended their steep ridgeline and charged towards the troops. The men of the coalition hadn't even properly formed up when the beasts came crashing up their ranks. Hundreds died at first contact, many were even crushed by the weight of the beasts as they jumped on them. Panick ensued across the first ranks as the Aesnir where among them, chopping off limbs with their claws and chewing off heads with their fangs. Only the intervention of Knyaz Nikolai and Dutchess Šavzina managed to keep the men from breaking. The rear ranks reformed into solid shield and polearm walls while archers finally managed to get in a position good enough to unleash their volleys into the beasts. The Kozzaks of Hetman Voznyuk attempted a flanking assault as they circled around the clashing lines and tried to crash on the enemy's rear, but a group of Aesnir waitting in ambush assaulted them from above, dropping on them from a cliff, throwing riders off horses and even slaying the horses themselves. The Hetman was killed by a massive beast that legend say was over 3 metres tall, but not before taking the wolfman's life himself.

Despite their numercial superiority, the coalition forces started loosing ground. Tired from the long march, overwhelmed by the wolfmen's strength and suprised by the sudden attack, they were fighting, but falling where they stood. Four hours of combat passed with rarely any pause on any front. When the first rays of the sun finally came up over the eastern hills the left flank of the army started to waver. It was hit the hardest by the fighting, as it seemed the Aesnir had concentrated their efforts there, When the sun was up the men could finally clearly see the bodies of their comrades in arms laying on the ground; shattered, limbs and even heads missing, some barely resembled bodies. Many dropped their weapons, and panic quickly spread among the ranks.

It was then that several war horns sounded in the east. The men looked, and saw the ridge line covered with heavy cavarly men with wings on their backs; the Potwezian reinforcements had finally arrived. After three horn blasts, the 10,000 winged hussars of the famed Gryphon Legion charged downhill, and crashed into the rear of the beastly army. Their long lances pierced deep into Aesnir bodies, driven by the momentum of the charge. Countless beasts were slaughtered, and the infantry lines were reformed, the men finding new courage and strength, finally pushing back the beasts. In just half an hour, the remaining wolfmen were broken and fled the field, retreating north, with their tails under their legs. This was the first victory of a united Karzev.

After that, the Karzevan realms continued to live in peace for the rest of the 2nd Era. Occasionally even organising expeditions north to track down and eliminate bands of feral Aesnir wolfmen. The Ungul established their Khanate as a semi-autonomous kingdom within Karzev with the Knyaz's blessing. While conflicts with the locals existed, the nomadic tribesmen managed to adapt as the years passed. However, many within society never accepted the Ungul, while many nobles of Karzev and the other kingdoms named the Knyaz as a barbarian-lover and a traitor for letting them settle within Karzevan territory. Regardless, these voices were mostly silenced as time passed, and the Ungul became a vital part for the security of the Kingdom, patrolling the northern borders and hunting down intruders.

Politics

Nezevist State

The Karzevan Union is a Nezevist State, also known as a Nezevist Oligarchy. The Autarch is the supreme leader of all of Karzev, and is elected by the Supreme Oligarchy of the Union in Nezevgrad every 20 years, or less if he is deemed incompetent. The Autarch is the foremost executive power of Karzev. The current Autarch is Ivan Radec, elected 3 years ago.

The Supreme Oligarchy is a collection of 100 people that elect the Autarch and act as the Union-wide Judicial branch. These 100 individuals were originally appointed by Nezev himself. To become a Supreme Oligarch, one must have done "accomplished considerable feats of service for the State and the Union" to be worthy. Usually this means service in High or Local Oligarchies, so one can rise from a Local to a Supreme Oligarch. When he or she is judged worthy, the members of the Supreme Oligarchy vote on accepting him or her into their ranks. However, usually becoming a member of the Supreme Oligarchy is a matter of heredity. with the title passing down from father to son and from mother to daughter. The Supreme Oligarchy has the power to veto and overthrow an Autarch if he is deemed incompetent.

The High Oligarchies of Karzev rule the Oblasts of the Union. They are composed by representatives from the Local Oligarchies (see bellow), so each High Oligarchy doesn't have a standard number of members. They rule each Oblast and impose laws on behalf of the Autarch.

The Local or City Oligarchies are the equivalent of a city council. They are elected by local the populace and decide on city matters. Just like the High Oligarchies, they don't have a standard number of members, as they depent on how large the city and its population is. City Oligarchies naturally report to their respective High Oligarchy.

Internal Split

Recently, the political world of Karzev has been split into two factions: Radicals and Traditionalists.

To be continued...

Military

Karzevan Army

Main article: Karzevan Army

The Karzevan Army, also known as the State Army or the Union Army, is the land-based force of the Karzevan Union. The Army is a well-trainned, standarised and professional force composed of a mix of conscripts and volunteers. Conscripts usually serve 1 year, though in some circumstances they be called to serve for longer. The Army is currently commanded by Lord General Dimitri Krazic.

The main fighting force of the Karzevan Army is the Regiment (Polk), as a combined arms force of infantry, artillery and cavarly. A Regiment numbers roughly 5,000 men. However, there are also independent cavarly formations known as Companies (Rotas), numbering from 200 to up to 500 men. The same term is used for the mounted units within a Regiment, though those units are typically only 200-strong. During war, several regiments may join up to form a Group (Gruppa) of several units, specifically adjusted for a campaign of mission.

Illustration of a Streltsy firing line

Regiments are commanded by Colonels, Battalions by Majors and Companies by captains. Each Regiment has a Commissar attached to it, to ensure loyalty to the State and faith in Khadar among the troops. Chaplains, known also as Regimental Priests are also attached to Regiments to improve morale with their fiery preachings of faith.

The Karzevan Army currently has a total of 16 standing Regiments, along with 30 independent cavalry companies.

Karzevan Navy

Main article: Karzevan Navy

Magic

The magical hub of the Union is Kasr Nezevsk, literally meaning Nezev's Keep or Fortress in the ancient Kadian language. Kasr Nezevsk is a massive cidatel located in the northern Korsk Oblast, just south of the Arkhaz mountains. There, the mages of Karzev practice and study the ways of magic.

Children capable of harnessing magic and its powers are offered from all over the Union and are semt tp Kasr Nezevsk for trainning and study. There, they specialise in the specific Lore of Magic. However, the Church of Khadar strongly forbids the study and use of magical lores other than what is considered as Holy Magic or Sacred Lore. These are the Lores of Metal, Light, Life and Fire.

Warrior-Mages that are recruited into military service usually learn the lore of Fire (Red Magic) and mages that either work along engineers or are also recruited into the Army or Navy learn the Lore of Metal (Grey Magic). These are known as Metal Mages or Mage-Engineers.

Kasr Nezevsk is also where the Church and the Inquisition sent their magic-capable recruits to train their skills. The mages of the Church, known as Holy Mages or Mage-Priests usually learn the Lore of Life (Green Magic), while Mage-Inquisitors are taught the art of Psychomancy. Extremely capable mages can be taught a combination of these lores.

Mages that do not wish to directly serve the Union in the miltiary or other branches, can remain in Kasr Nezevsk to become Mage-Scholars and devote their life in the study and practice of the Sacred Lore.

Despite the restrictions imposed by the Church, the recent liberalising reforms of the Radical Autarch Radec have given the liberty to the mages of Kasr Nezevsk to delve into previously forbidden lore, like the Lore of Death.

The current Arch-Mage is Anton Gmelin, a powerful Kurganite Fire Mage.

Religion

Church of Khadar

The state religion of the Karzevan Union is Khadarism, represented by the Church of Khadar. Khadarism was the most widespread religion in the old Kingdoms before the Union was formed, and the vast majority of Karzevans followed it. Thusly, when Nezev the Red formed the Union, he decided that the Church of Khadar would be the leading beacon of light for the Karzevan People, and that all other religions were banned.

Khadarism is centred around Khadar, the ancient bear god. According to the Book of Khadar, Khadar was once a simple young sepherd from a now destroyed Kurganite tribe. He lived a regular life in his village. However, one day, the young Shepherd dissapeared. The Book says that he answered the call of the mountains, and that he left for the Ygral mountain range, where villagers allegedly saw a young boy that was engulfed by a glow of light climbing the foothills.

The Book suggests that it took him 31 days to reach the top. These 31 days are celebrated during Podyem (full name is Khadarsk Podyem, Khadar's Climb), the second month of the Khadarite calendar. When he did, he found himself in a massive cave, that later turned out to be the lair of a massive pack of Yngral Bears, which was led by a massive bear, twice the size of a horse. Strangely enough, the bears never harmed him. Instead, they surrounded him, and collectively growled.

Soon, the glow of light that had followed the boy soon engulfed the entire mountain range. For 31 more days that mountains "burned" with holy light, which rapidly expanded across the taigas and tundras of Karzev. These 31 days are celebrated during the Ogon,the third month of the Khadarite Calendar.

When he was seen again, descending from the mountains, Khadar wasn't a boy shepherd any more. He was a fully grown man, tall, heavily muscular, with long black hair and a white glow coming from his eyes. Dresser with a simple white robe, Khadar was followed by the entire bear pack, however, the massive alpha bear was missing.

Khadar went from village to village and from town to town, preaching about honour, duty and unity between the people of Karzev, always while under the watchful guard of his bears. He talked about how Karzev should unite in order to be strong. Wherever He went, deasease was cured, famines were stopped and conflicts were settled. When asked how He did all this, He just replied that he was "enlightened", and claimed that those who followed him would be too. He had gathered a massive following, and many travelled with Him.

When He was at an unspecified village in Belovy, the village came under attack by a large host of massive arachnoid monsters. The local militia was slaughtered quickly, leaving the locals seemingly undefended. Then, Khadar's bears rushed forward, attacking the arachnids. However, even the mighty Yngral bears were overwhelmed by the massive hordebof creatures. It was then that Khadar, sensing that his people were in danger, made his revelation.

He suddenly fell on his knees, seemingly in great pain. The glow of his eyes grew stronger, and slowly it had become so strong that it forced everyone to look away to avoid getting blinded. When the light died away, Khadar wasn't there. In his place, was a massive white Yngral bear, that resembled the alpha male that pelreviously led Khadar's pack. However, the bears eyes also did glow in white light. The massive bear let out a fierce and terrifying growl that shook the ground and caused windows to shatter, and then charged forward into the arachnoid horde. After suffering dozens, if not hundreds of casualties by their new unstoppable for, the arachnids fell back into their forest.

Several of the bears lay dead, and their kin mourned them with a collective roar. The massive bear had suffered a serious wound on its chest. The wound was Y shaped with another deep slash crossing it horizontally. Breathing heavily, the bear was transformed back into Khadar again through the same, blinding glow of light. The stunned villagers and followers bowed before Khadar who stood on his knees, his large wound pouring out blood still on his chest. The glow of his eyes strengthened again, and the same glow now came from the wound too. The wound immediately closed and blood stopped pouring out. He stood up and told those that bowed to rise on their feet, for men should bow to no one (this is disputed).

Khadar continued his journeys, preaching and helping people where he could. He transformed into the bear several times more, when he felt that his people where in grave danger.

After 1 more year, he had gone to every corner of Karzev. However, one night, Khadar gathered his 4 remaining bears and some of his most trusted followers, crossed the Yngral mountains and left for the unknown frozen wastes that lie north. Before he left, He claimed that a grave threat was revealed to Him, and that he would go North to face it. He never returned.

It didn't take long for some of his most devout followers to create the Church of Khadar with him as a God. Quickly, it spread through the kingdoms and Khadarites were soon the majority over other religions.

The current Ecclesiarch of the Church is Boris Angalev. Each Oblast of the Union has a Patriarch to administer religious issues in said Oblast.

The Church of Khadar is the only legal religious institution in Karzev, with all other faiths and followings considered heresy and strictly forbidden.

The Karzevan Inquisition

The Karzevan Inquisition was jointly created by Nezev the Red and Ecclesiarch Adam Velenko, to safeguard the faith and protect its followers. The Inquisition is a secretive organisation and only few known details about. It is the Inquisition's duty to watch every corner of the Union for signs of heresy.

The Inquisition has the authority to investigate anyone on the suspicion of heresy, from an Army Colonel all the way up to a Supreme Oligarch and even the Autarch him/herself. If the accused is indeed found guilty, the Inquisition can bring Holy Vengeance down upon him, which literally means torture, imprisonment and execution, often public.

The Inquisition has the following rank system:

• Acolyte: A cadet brought into service of the Inquisition. An Acolyte is basically a student that studies the ways of the Inquisition in one of the Inquisition's School-Fortesses. An Acolyte sometime also works as an Inquisitor's personal retinue in the field, working his way into becoming an Interrogator.
• Interrogator: An Inquisitor trainee who assists in investigations and generally aids the Inquisitor in the field. While an Interrogator has some power, he/she doesn't have the full powers of an Inquisitor. When the Inquisitor he/she's working for judges that the Interrogator's training is complete, they are promoted to full Inquisitor.
• Inquisitor: The basic rank in the Inquisition, with the full power to bring his judgement on those suspected for Heresy.
• Lord Inquisitor: An experienced and influential Inquisitor, that, while he has no additional powers that his regural counterpart, he/she can have authority over Inquisitors during an operation.
• High Lord Inquisitor: The leader of the Inquisition.