Loading
The Leithanian Empire, one of Terra's oldest great powers, was built by Originium Arts. Originally ten separate Kreise with tribal governments, nine were unified culturally by the Caprinae tribe, who fused Arts with sound, spurring music's development. The threat of Kazdel drove unification: the nine tribes and Siracusa's Dons agreed on the Güldenesgesatz, founding the Empire with Siracusa as an autonomous hold. The nobility, who built academic institutes called spires, became known as Nobles of the Spires.
Threats persisted: external conflicts such as the 897 invasion of Bolivar, and internal separatism, notably the 967 Siracusan independence movement, when the Kurfürsten exploited rebellions to strengthen themselves. In 969 Herkunftshorn took the throne. Initially a visionary reformer who recognized Siracusan independence, centralized power, and brought prosperity, he grew brutal, employing secret police and massacring dissidents in Leithanien's bloodiest period. People feared to speak his name and called him the Witch King. The Gaulish-Leithanian War of 1029 destroyed Gaul but devastated Leithanien. His later isolation let the Kurfürsten retake power; censorship relaxed, and the twins Lieselotte and Hildegard rose as concert-masters and opposition leaders. In September 1077 the Septemberaufstand began; the Witch King's Arts repelled six offensives until the twins infiltrated his Spire at night, penetrating twenty-two wards. At dawn his Arts went out, ending his reign. The twins were unanimously elected Twin Empresses.
Leithanien functions as a federation despite its imperial moniker. The Kaiser, elected from and by the Kurfürsten, holds theoretical supremacy but is limited by the constitution, which makes the Empire a union of Kreise. The Güldenesgesatz, the constitution, exists in ten copies and is performed as music. The seven classes of nobility descend from the Kaiser through Kurfürsten, Markgrafen, Grafen, Vizegrafen, Baronen, to the non-hereditary Edler. The military comprises nobles' private armies, with casters central; elite Gesatzswächter wield Zweihänder and communion casting, while the Imperial Guard answers only to the Kaiser.
Arts permeate the economy, education, and society. Exports use dual-track designs for non-casters. Education is the Empire's most prominent industry, with Originium Arts as the curricular basis. Leithanian opera, saturated with Arts, is the culture's pinnacle. The population is 32 million, and Oripathy sufferers, though somewhat more tolerated, face segregation.
Sixty years ago, after finishing my studies, I left Leithanien to escape the fires of war. I have returned several times but never stayed long, and all I have seen there shows it is very different from the land of learning I remembered. Still, I remember the question I held as I sailed away, gazing at the dark clouds and broken desolation below: "Why has Man become so, when he should not have been?" This familiar strangeness is one reason I undertook this work.
The Leithanian Empire, Land of Casters and Spires, is one of Terra's oldest great powers. Originium Arts built the Empire, and its history and culture have had a lasting impact on the Core and beyond. Discord and war dominated recent centuries, sometimes dragging neighbors into the maelstrom. Now the overthrow of the Witch King's reign of terror and the Twin Empresses' ascension have brought back hope, yet unease lingers: could the Empire's musical main theme really be rearranged so easily?
Leithanien was not always unified. Of the ten Kreise stretching from central Terra to Kazdel, nine formed their own tribal governments, while Siracusa, closest to Kazdel, remained in chaos. One tribe, principally Caprinae, excelled in Originium Arts and fused them with the medium they believed most powerful—sound—spurring music's rapid development. Other tribes learned from the Caprinae, who integrated the tribes' cultures under the banner of "harmony". A common cultural identity developed, except in culturally distinct Siracusa.
The threat of Kazdel at its height ultimately drove unification. Unable to oppose Kazdel individually, the nine Kreise joined with Siracusa, which felt the threat most keenly. The tribal leaders and the Dons of Siracusa agreed on the Güldenesgesatz, establishing a unified state around the nine Kreise, with Siracusa as an autonomous hold of the new Empire.
Leithanien then enjoyed stability and freedom from outside threats, growing into a powerful, productive empire at Terra's center. Nobles who wielded powerful Arts built academic institutes in their fiefs; these "spires" became the symbol of noble power, hence "Nobles of the Spires".
Threats persisted. There were conflicts with neighbors, some initiated by Leithanien herself, such as the 897 TC invasion of war-torn Bolivar, which installed a puppet government. Internally, separatism was constant. In 967 a substantial independence movement arose in Siracusa, and rebellion spread across Leithanien. The Kurfürsten (Prince-electors) demanded resources and authority, ostensibly to quell rebellions but in fact to consolidate their own strength, pushing the empire to the brink. At this time a legendary ruler took the throne.
Herkunftshorn, the "Witch King", ruled from 969 to 1077 and is considered by some the most powerful Originium Arts user in history. Taking the throne amid strife, he enacted decisive policies: recognizing Siracusan independence, and centralizing administration by weakening the Kurfürsten. Seen as a savior, he made the Kaiser more powerful than the Kurfürsten for the first time, homogenized culture, and drove rapid economic and educational development. But dissent emerged among the nobility, and he crushed it harshly, creating a vicious cycle of resistance and crackdown. He employed royal forces as secret police and spies; dissidents were arrested and slaughtered en masse in the bloodiest period of Leithanian history. He grew aloof, shut away in his Spire, and his increasing eccentricity bred fear—and fanatic worshippers. People dared not speak his true name, and he became "the Witch King". He had early abandoned his real name for "Herkunftshorn", meaning "Genesis Horn". It is said he imbued his true name with such power that uttering it grants his wisdom and insight when casting; known only to him and those closest to him, that name will soon be lost to time, if it has not been already.
The Gaulish-Leithanian War of 1029 shook Terra, ending in the destruction of the Empire of Gaul. Leithanien was left devastated despite victory, and the Witch King's iron-fisted rule grew harsher. In his last decades he virtually cut off communication with the outside, letting the Kurfürsten retake power. Nobles regained authority over their holdings, the Kurfürstenhof regained supremacy, and censorship relaxed; art forms once deemed banal or immoral became permissible again. Influential artists and politicians emerged, most prominently the twins Lieselotte and Hildegard, the future Twin Empresses. They first made their names as the youngest concert-masters in history, then led opposition to the Witch King's supporters. Once such defiance would have been impossible, but the twins went unpunished and became honored guests at Kurfürsten palaces. The Kurfürsten saw hope: with the Witch King's Spire toppled, Leithanien would be free of tyranny.
In September 1077, backed by the Kurfürsten, the twins appeared near the capital with a coalition army, beginning the Septemberaufstand. The coalition marched on the capital, but the light of Arts shone atop the Witch King's Spire—the Arts that had once paralyzed Gaul's great armies. Thousands were turned to ash before glimpsing the capital; six offensives were repelled, and despair spread through the camp. As revolution teetered, the twins attempted a desperate gambit: leading a small elite force, they infiltrated the capital under cover of night while a feint attacked. Penetrating twenty-two Arts wards, they climbed the Spire and confronted him. There were no witnesses to the duel—only the aftermath. At dawn, the light atop the Spire went out, and the Witch King's reign ended.
The twins' fame soared. The Kurfürsten unanimously elected them leaders of Leithanien despite the lack of precedent. They healed the old King's wounds; his Spire was toppled and the dark cloud over the empire began to disperse.
Leithanien sits at Terra's center, bordering Victoria to the southwest, Siracusa and Kazdel to the east, and Ursus to the north. A long mountain range runs its length, higher at the northeast and southwest, lower in the center, forming a corridor connecting Kazimierz and Siracusa. The climate is mild with four distinct seasons, and temperate forests cover the land.
Leithanien is an elective monarchy showing Sargonian influence, though functioning more like a federation. The nine Kurfürstenkreise, or Kreise, are ruled by Kurfürsten; the Kaiser is elected by the Kurfürsten from among themselves. In theory the Kaiser has supreme interpretive power over all laws except the constitution, with no formal oversight; in practice, authority is restricted by the Kurfürsten, who invoke the constitution's statement that Leithanien's essence lies in the union of its Kreise. On succession, the central government moves to the elected Kurfürst's Kreis, so each Kaiser is ruler of his Kreis first and emperor second, historically favoring local interests. The imperial guard, under the Twin Empresses called the Empresses' Voice, serves first as imperial musician, then as Messenger and protector. Kurfürstenhof governments have two parallel sets of officials: the vassalage of local nobility answering to their suzerain, and civil officials answering to the Kurfürst.
The Güldenesgesatz, drafted at the Empire's founding, defines Leithanien as a union of Kurfürstenkreise granting them significant authority. Each Kreis maintains its own laws and military, largely similar across the Empire due to required consistency. The Kurfürsten often enjoy greater authority than the Kaiser in their territories. The nine Kreise are Heldenschwert, Einwald, Erdenherre, Lupukarn, Sturmland, Wasserland, Fortsgard, Austenheim, and Caprania. The Güldenesgesatz's three movements—performable as actual music—depict the Empire's birth, define government and the Kreise, and set moral frameworks. Ten copies exist, one held by each Kreis and Siracusa. It is performed by the Reichsorchester at coronations and other occasions, virtually unchanged except for the deletion of Siracusan contents at the Witch King's ascension.
Nobility comprises seven classes. The Kaiser is theoretically supreme but practically limited. The Kurfürsten, formerly the nine tribal leaders, hold the Empire's actual power; the term is often mistranslated as "Duke" or "Grand Duke", but their status surpasses Victorian Dukes and Ursine Grand Dukes. Markgrafen began as large landowners assisting Kurfürsten; Grafen own manors and most factories, the highest rank conferrable on commoners for exceptional valor or Arts achievement. Vizegrafen and Baronen differ mostly theoretically, often trading to sustain themselves; the Edler, like the Ursine Dvoryanin, is a non-hereditary title without practical significance.
The military comprises nobles' private armies, strictly regulated by law; in war each noble commands his own army under superior nobles. Casters enjoy special status, and even laymen typically use simple Arts, so units often consist entirely of Arts users. The best soldiers become Gesatzswächter, wearing heavy armor and wielding Zweihänder, deadly individually and capable of communion casting in numbers. The elite Kaiser's Imperial Guard belongs to the Imperial Court, answering only to the Kaiser.
Leithanien developed advanced agriculture in her river valleys, using Arts to farm hills as effectively as flat land. She built Terra's first art galleries and concert halls, absorbed Victoria's technologies, and matured industry chains in the Crystal Age. Yet the Gaulish-Leithanian War, the War of the Four Nations, and the Witch King's reign left her devastated and still recovering. The economy has relied on Originium Arts from the beginning; industries are closely linked to the nobility—produced by nobles, for nobles. Products assumed Arts proficiency, making exports unpopular until dual-track design allowed mechanical operation for non-casters.
Society is inextricably entwined with Arts and culture. The nobles' spires teach commoners Arts and culture, an ethos spanning a thousand years from Kaiser to Edler, making Leithanien Terra's foremost academic center. Ludwig the Bachelor, who ruled Kreis Einwald 300–360 years ago, embodied this: he established the first university spire, accepting any willing student regardless of upbringing. Widely supported and favored to become Kaiser, his abrupt madness and death on the eve of election remains an unsolved mystery; commemorations are held at Urtica, where he is buried.
Education is the Empire's most prominent industry, from kindergartens to universities—some evolved from spires, some built around them, some the spires themselves. School rank shows in spire height and magnificence; only nobles study and teach the most esoteric knowledge. Originium Arts underpin the curriculum—students must pass Arts to pursue any field, and the "artistically deficient" may fail to graduate or face expulsion. My own professors at Wilhelm-Herzog University each had their own spires.
Leithanians emphasize love of music, though archaeology shows pre-empire tribes also shared poetry and painting, suggesting a common culture older than claimed—and, given traces of Arts in countless artifacts, that Arts go back even further. Leithanian opera is the pinnacle of culture, combining music, literature, and painting, with Originium Arts permeating every stage; as a concentrated array of School of Divination Arts conveying potent emotions directly, it is theorized to be particularly mesmerizing. In the two decades after the Witch King's fall, numerous secret operas depicted him as the greatest sovereign in Leithanian history.
Leithanians are naturally more attuned to Arts and art than other races. Their love of culture is restrained—expressed through art, especially classical music, rather than eloquence. Of 32 million people, about 10 million live in nomadic cities. Society, founded on Arts, is somewhat more tolerant of Oripathy sufferers than other Core countries, though the Infected are still discriminated against—forced into segregated communities to facilitate management.
Born of Originium Arts, Leithanien has seen awe-inspiring miracles and tremendous hardship. With the dark clouds gone and a new dawn on the horizon, how will Leithanien continue to write her own symphony?
EPIGRAPH
"Leithanien, the land of divine music, cradle of the Arts. So many have envied your genius, so many have mourned your fate!"
Following the conclusion of my studies sixty years ago, I left Leithanien to escape the fires of war. I have returned several times since, but never stayed for long. As a matter of fact, all that I have seen in Leithanien made it abundantly clear that the place is very different from the land of learning I remembered. But I still remember the question I held in my heart as I stood on the deck of the warship sailing away from Leithanien, gazing upon the dark clouds that filled the sky and the broken desolation beneath: "Why has Man become so, when he should not have been?"
The familiar strangeness of Leithanien is one of the reasons why I decided to embark upon this work.
The Leithanian Empire, Land of Casters and Spires, is one of Terra's oldest great powers. It was Originium Arts that built the Empire, but it is the history and culture of Leithanien that has had a lasting impact on the Core and beyond. Discord and war have played major roles in Leithanien's recent history for hundreds of years, sometimes even dragging her neighbors into the maelstrom. Yet now, the overthrow of the Witch King's reign of terror and the ascension of the Twin Empresses has brought the light of hope back again to the Empire. But there is always an undertone of unease beneath the surface: Could the main theme of the Empire's music really be rearranged so easily?
Dukat minted by Franz Frederick, Kurfürst of Wasserland. The Dukat is the signature coinage of Leithanien. Each Kurfürst mints his own Dukats, which are recognized across the nine Kreise. The Güldenesgesatz enforces the law, while the gold coin boosts the economy.
The Empire of Leithanien was not always a unified polity. Nine of the ten Kreise (regions) that comprise the Empire, stretching from central Terra to Kazdel in the east, had each formed their own tribal governments, with the exception of Siracusa, which was geographically closest to Kazdel, remaining in a state of chaos due to varied reasons. One of these tribes, the principal population of which was Caprinae, excelled in Originium Arts and began to fuse their Arts with the medium they believed to be the most powerful—sound. The studies of sound as a medium for Arts led to the rapid development of music, as well as associated artistic and cultural activities. The other tribes began learning art and culture from the Caprinae, and the Caprinae, in turn, integrated the cultures of these tribes into their own, in the name of "harmony". Over time, a common cultural identity began to develop, with the exception of Siracusa, which remained culturally distinct from the other nine Kreise. Ultimately, it was the threat of Kazdel that drove the unification of Leithanien. Kazdel was at the height of her power, her shadow looming large over all ten Kreise. Recognizing that they could not oppose the strength of Kazdel individually, the nine Kreise joined forces with Siracusa, which felt the threat posed by Kazdel more than any other. The leaders of the nine tribes and the Dons of Siracusa reached a consensus that came to be known as the Güldenesgesatz, establishing the framework of a unified state around the territory of the nine Kreise, with Siracusa becoming an autonomous hold of the newly founded Empire of Leithanien.
For many years, Leithanien enjoyed stability and freedom from outside threats, allowing her to grow into a powerful empire with a remarkably increasing productivity at the center of Terra. Contemporaneously, the Leithanians continued to promote a cultural environment that valued Originium Arts and general arts. The system of nobility that was established alongside imperial politics played a big part in this. The nobility,
who wielded powerful Arts and promoted culture, built academic institutes in their fiefs, sharing the knowledge they possessed and funding research in more obscure fields. These institutes of learning were known as "spires", and gradually became the symbol of noble power in Leithanien. Thus, the nobility was called "Nobles of the Spires".
For all their mastery over Originium Arts, the Leithanians were not without threats, both internal and external. There were conflicts with neighbors, some of which were initiated by Leithanien herself. For example, the invasion of war-torn Bolivar in 897 TC that resulted in the installation of a Leithanian puppet government intended to gain a full control of the area.
Internally, separatism was a constant problem. In 967, a substantial independence movement arose in Siracusa, which had always held a distinct identity from the other nine Kreise. The fires of rebellion soon spread to the rest of Leithanien. The Kurfürsten (Prince-electors) demanded resources and political authority, ostensibly in order to quell the rebellions, but in fact to consolidate their own strength, pushing the ancient empire to the brink. It was at this time that a legendary ruler took the throne, his reign bringing a protracted variation to the music of Leithanien.
Modern nomadic cities are typically filled with skyscrapers, from Victoria to Columbia to Yan. The only thing that rises into the sky in Leithanien, however, are the spires of the nobility. Each spire is unique, its height symbolizing the status of its master.
A powerful caster by the name of Herkunftshorn ruled over Leithanien from 969 to 1077. Known as the "Witch King", Herkunftshorn is considered by some to be the most powerful user of Originium Arts in all history.
Symbol believed to be associated with the Witch King. Its meaning is unknown. Most objects branded with the symbol have been confiscated or destroyed, one reason why Witch King cultists speculate that it contains part of the Witch King's power. Perhaps it did not occur to them that it was not just one imagery that was destroyed, but many relics of the old regime.
Ascending to the throne during a period of internal strife and external threat, the Witch King immediately enacted a series of decisive policies that demonstrated incredible intelligence and vision. He quickly solved the Empire's internal issues by recognizing the independence of the Siracusans, whose distinct identity had long been a point of contention, and centralizing imperial administration by weakening the authority and military power of the Kurfürsten. The Leithanians saw Herkunftshorn as a savior, with no inkling of the terror that was to come. Herkunftshorn continued to centralize power, and for the first time in history the Kaiser (Emperor) enjoyed greater authority than the Kurfürsten. He ushered in sweeping reforms that homogenized culture across Leithanien, and brought about rapid development of the economy and education. Leithanien prospered under his leadership, but dissent emerged amongst the nobility.
Herkunftshorn dealt with the different voices harshly, leading to a vicious cycle of increasing resistance and crackdown. As the conflict escalated, Herkunftshorn's methods grew increasingly brutal, employing part of the royal forces as secret police and spies. Dissidents were arrested and even slaughtered en masse, resulting in the bloodiest period in Leithanian history. Meanwhile, Herkunftshorn had grown aloof, shutting himself away in his Spire, rarely showing his face in public. The people of Leithanien had to accept that their leader, once wise and able, had long faded into distant memory. Their King had changed. Herkunftshorn's increasing eccentricity made Leithanians fear him, but also drew a following of fanatic worshippers. People dared not call him by his true name, and in time Herkunftshorn became known as "the Witch King".
The Gaulish-Leithanian War of 1029 shook Terra to her core. Millions fought in the war that lasted two years, ending in the destruction of the Empire of Gaul.
The war left Leithanien devastated, despite her victory, but the Witch King's iron-fisted rule grew even harsher, casting dark clouds over a country that was already on the brink of destitution.
The Witch King shut himself away in the last few decades of his reign, virtually cutting off all communication with the outside. This gave the Kurfürsten an opportunity to retake political power. The nobles once again had authority over their own holdings, and negotiations between Kurfürsten once again became a common method for resolving matters between different demesnes. The Kurfürstenhof regained its supreme authority. On the other hand, a relaxing of censorship was evident; art forms that were previously considered banal, substandard, immoral, or "meaningless" under the Witch King became permissible again, and artists once again had the freedom to operate outside the Witch King's iron fist. Many of the artists and politicians that emerged during this period remain highly influential to this day, most prominent amongst them the twins Lieselotte and Hildegard, the future Twin Empresses. They first made their names as the youngest concert-masters in history, then proceeded to take up the banner of the opposition to the Witch King's supporters. At the peak of his power, the Witch King and his followers would never have permitted the rise of such a faction, but by this time, the Witch King had lost his hold over the government, and his iron grip on Leithanien was greatly weakened. The twins were not even punished for their defiance, instead,
■ The Witch King never appeared without his mask during the last years of his reign. There had even been speculation that there was, in fact, no face beneath the mask. No one was able to confirm whether or not the Witch King had a face, but many saw the faces of speculators ripped off in public. It seems unlikely that the Witch King himself paid much attention to such trifling offenses, but countless atrocities were committed in the Witch King's name by his fanatical followers.
The Witch King was as mysterious as the Arts he wielded. Early in his political career, he stopped using his real name and took the name Herkunftshorn, meaning "Genesis Horn" in Leithanian, more of a title than an epithet.
It is said that the Witch King had imbued his true name with such power that those who utter the name gain his wisdom and insight when casting. The true name was known only to the Witch King and those who were closest to him, and it will soon be lost to time, if it has not been already.
they became honored guests at many a Kurfürst's palace. As the Witch King's grip loosened, the Kurfürsten saw hope for Leithanien. They now had a chance to take action and end the chaos that the Witch King spawned. They believed that Leithanien would be free from tyranny once the Witch King's Spire was toppled.
In September 1077, with the support of the Kurfürsten, the twins suddenly appeared near the capital with a coalition army from multiple Kreise, engaging in battle against the capital garrison and the Witch King's followers. The Septemberaufstand begun. Things started well for the Kurfürsten's forces, who proceeded to march upon the capital. But just as they thought the Witch King's madness was so advanced that he could no longer perceive a war on his doorstep, the light of Originium Arts shone atop his Spire. And for the first time in decades, Leithanians saw the Arts that had once paralyzed the great armies of Gaul. Thousands of coalition soldiers were turned to ash before they even saw a glimpse of the capital. Emboldened by the strength of their master, the Witch King's followers fought back with renewed strength, eroding the coalition's initial gains. Six separate offensives against the capital were all repelled by the Witch King's Arts and followers, and the situation began to grow desperate. Soldiers died in droves before a torrent of Arts, with not the slightest progress to show for it. Doubt and despair began to spread through the coalition camp. Perhaps it was always futile to challenge the Witch King.
As the revolution teetered on the edge, the twins came up with a desperate gambit. Leading a small, elite force, they infiltrated the capital under the cover of night. While a feint attack by the main force provided a diversion, the elites made straight for the Witch King's Spire. Penetrating the Witch King's twenty-two Arts wards, they climbed to the top and confronted him. There were no witnesses to the duel, only the aftermath—at the break of dawn, the light of Arts atop the Spire finally went out. The reign of the Witch King of Leithanien came to an end.
The defeat of the Witch King took the twins' fame and renown to new heights. Despite a lack of precedence in tradition, the Kurfürsten voted unanimously to elect the twins as the new leaders of Leithanien, becoming the Twin Empresses. They immediately set about healing the wounds of the old King's rule. The Witch King's Spire was toppled, and the dark cloud that had hung over the ancient empire began to disperse at long last.
Leithanien sits at the center of Terra and borders multiple Core states, with Victoria to the southwest, Siracusa and Kazdel to the east, and Ursus to the north. A long mountain range runs the length of Leithanien, higher to the northeast and southwest, and lower in the center, creating a corridor that connects Kazimierz and Siracusa. The scattered river valleys and plains amongst the mountains were where tribal civilizations began to settle down and transform into the first towns, and then nomadic cities. Leithanien's climate is mild, with four distinct seasons. The forests that cover Leithanien are temperate species with clear seasonal characteristics.
Leithanians continue to favor wood as their preferred material, even in modern times. Lumbering is an important source of income for many forest villages. Prevailing stereotypes have caused some to believe that Leithanians use Originium Arts to cut down trees. As a matter of fact—they use axes, like everybody else.
Leithanien employs a form of elective monarchy, a political system that shows clear Sargonian influence, but one that has since evolved unique characteristics of its own. Despite the imperial moniker, Leithanien functions more like a federation. The nine territories that form Leithanien are known as the Kurfürstenkreise, or simply Kreise, which are ruled by the Kurfürsten. The Kaiser of Leithanien is elected from the Kurfürsten, by the Kurfürsten themselves.
The Kaiser/Kaiserin is, in theory, extremely powerful; he (or she, or currently they) has supreme powers of interpretation of all Leithanian laws, except for the constitution, and there is no formal oversight on imperial authority. In practical terms, however, imperial authority is heavily restricted by the Kurfürsten, who often reject the Kaiser's interpretations by citing the articles of the constitution,
The Twin Empresses enjoyed tremendous support from the upper classes upon their ascension to the throne. These portraits were painted by a minor noble as a gift to the Empresses. Like many other objects, it was rejected by the Empresses' Voice on security grounds.
which clearly state that the essence of Leithanien lies in the union of its Kreise, to defend the interests of each Kreis. Therefore, the Kaiser's powers have, historically, always been limited.
When the imperial crown is passed due to death or abdication, a Kurfürst is elected to the throne, and the central government of the Empire is moved to the seat of the corresponding Kreis. A new central government is then formed from the Kurfürst's officials. Therefore, the Kaiser of Leithanien is the ruler of his Kreis first, and emperor of Leithanien second. This has caused the Kaisers to prioritize the interests of their own Kreise over national interests in their policies and administration.
The Imperial Court, the central government of Leithanien, is a development of the Kurfürstenhof, the Kurfürst's court prior to his election as Kaiser. It assists in the Kaiser's policies, communicates the Kaiser's will, and protects the Kaiser's safety. As mentioned above, each Kaiser picks his own officials, who usually come from his former Kurfürstenhof or inner circle. The Kaiser also keeps an imperial guard; under the rule of the Twin Empresses, they are known as the Empresses' Voice. The first priority of an Empresses' Voice is to serve as the Empresses' imperial musician, and then their Messenger and protector.
A Kurfürstenhof shares many of the same institutions with the Imperial Court, and with each other, including the Kurfürst Guard and Gesatzswächter, who are responsible for upholding the constitution. A Kurfürst government has two parallel sets of officials: the vassalage, composed of local nobility, and the civil officials, who run the government. The former answer only to their direct suzerain, while the latter answer to the Kurfürst. In every Kreis, nobles at various levels manage local matters in their respective administrative subdivisions.
The primary administrative divisions of Leithanien are her nine Wahlbezirke (the same concept as the previously mentioned Kurfürstenkreise, or "Kreise"), each ruled by a Kurfürst. The Güldenesgesatz, established when the Leithanian Empire was founded, defines it as a union of the Kurfürstenkreise, granting them significant authority. Each Kurfürstenkreis maintains comprehensive governmental structures, including its own laws and military. However, the legal systems and military structures of the Kurfürstenkreise are largely similar due to the requirement of both cultural and administrative consistency throughout the Empire, with only minor variations to address local needs.
The Kurfürsten are able to form their own government and military, draft laws, and confer noble status. They are the political, military, cultural and even spiritual leaders of their own territory, often enjoying greater authority than the Kaiser in their Kurfürstenkreise. As such, the Kurfürsten have often defied the Kaiser's will throughout history, prioritizing their local interests.
The Kurfürstenkreise
Leithanien consists of nine Kurfürstenkreise: Heldenschwert, Einwald, Erdenherre, Lupukarn, Sturmland, Wasserland, Fortsgard, Austenheim, and Caprania.
The Güldenesgesatz (a title very much suited to the Empire's culture) is the Constitution of Leithanien, drafted by the nine tribes and Siracusa at the time of its founding. It confers the power to rule upon the Kaiser, and forms the legal basis of the Leithanian Empire.
Each Kurfürstenkreis legislates its own laws, guided by the ethical foundation of the Güldenesgesatz. In practice, the laws of the Kurfürstenkreise are largely similar due to their common background in culture, society and environment, differing only in minute details. They all exist to serve one goal: Maintaining order in society, and protecting the privilege of the nobility.
Supplementary Music
The Güldenesgesatz is the Constitution of Leithanien, drafted by the nine founding tribes along with Siracusa. United by music and having established a cultural identity, these groups came together under the leadership of one of the tribes to draft this constitution at the Empire's founding. The three movements, which can be performed as actual music, depict the birth of the Empire, define the role of government and the Kurfürstenkreise, and set out moral and ethical frameworks for the Empire, respectively. There are ten copies of the Güldenesgesatz, each entrusted to one of the nine Kurfürstenkreise and the Siracusa Autonomous Region. The Güldenesgesatz is performed by the Reichsorchester (Imperial Orchestra) at the coronation of a new Kaiser and other important imperial occasions. The Güldenesgesatz has remained virtually unchanged in the history of Leithanien, with the exception of the deletion of the contents regarding the Siracusa Autonomous Region, when the Witch King ascended to the throne.
A complete performance of the Güldenesgesatz takes hours, and it is rarely performed in its entirety (recordings are said to be a good sleep aid), but excerpts are often performed at formal occasions.
Drawn by Messenger Gerald at Urtica.
The seven classes of Leithanian nobility were established alongside the institutions of the Empire, forming her ruling class. The nobility is closely associated with the spires, where they live, teach, and manage their holdings. Thus, they are also known as "Nobles of the Spires".
As defined by the constitution, the highest level of nobility is the Kaiser, who is the absolute ruler of the Empire in theory. But in practice, an elected
Kaiser's power is often much limited by the authority of the Kurfürsten.
The second rank of nobility under the Kaiser is the Kurfürsten, a title that formerly referred to the leaders of the nine major tribes at the founding of the nation, excluding Siracusa. They are the highest authority in their own Kurfürstenkreise, and where the actual power of the Empire lies. The term "Kurfürsten" is often mistranslated as "Duke", "Grand Duke", or "Prince" in other countries—an inaccurate interpretation stemming from cultural differences. The Kurfürsten have tended to hold more actual power than the Kaiser, and their status actually surpasses that of the Victorian Dukes and Ursine Grand Dukes.
The third level are the Markgrafen (a cognate of Victorian Marquesses), who began as large land-owners assisting their Kurfürsten in administrating the vast expanses of each Kurfürstenkreis.
The fourth level are the Grafen (akin to Victorian Earls), nobles who own manors and engage in large-scale production. Most factories in Leithanien are owned by Grafen. It is the highest level of nobility that can be conferred upon a commoner, in the rare case when a commoner has earned the merit by demonstrating exceptional valor, or extraordinary achievement in the Originium Arts.
They are followed by the Vizegrafen (Viscounts) and Baronen. The distinction between the two is largely theoretical, and most must partake in some form of trade to sustain themselves.
At the bottom is the Edler (simply, noble), roughly the equivalent of the Ursine Dvoryanin. It is a non-hereditary title that carries no practical political or military significance, and is conferred to reward commoners for their achievements in society.
The Kurfürsten are able to confer the title of Markgraf, and each subsequent rank of nobility can confer noble titles lower than their own, down to Edler. Each noble answers to the higher-rank noble that conferred their rank. Apparently, the powers of nobility are diminished with each rank, leaving virtually no actual authority at the Edler level. On the other hand, as the Kaiser is elected by the Kurfürsten, it is with the Kurfürsten that Leithanien's authority actually lies.
The military system of the Leithanian Empire comprises the private armies of the nobility. The size of the private army that each level of nobility can have is strictly regulated by law. In times of war, each noble is the commander of his own army, while answering to his superior nobles and obeying their commands.
Casters enjoy special status in the military thanks to the Leithanian's remarkable mastery of Arts, and they are the focus of any noble as he develops his own army. Moreover, since the Leithanians are amongst the best casters in Terra, even laymen are typically able to use simple Originium Arts and might become very proficient casters with proper training, surpassing the regular casters of other nations. As such, Leithanian units often consist entirely of Arts users. The Arts of the Gesatzwächter are said to turn the night sky to day, forming a powerful force greatly feared by other nations.
Leithanien's military Arts research and training system is one-of-a-kind. Individual nobles train their troops in different ways, but all soldiers must go through an aptitude test for military Arts. Those who perform well on the test are removed from the rank-and-file and sent to receive special training, becoming the Gesatzswächter (Law Guardians), the strongest regular unit in the Kurfürsten armies. Wearing heavy armor and wielding Zweihänder (two-handed greatswords), these powerful casters are not merely deadly individual combatants at short- to-medium-range; in numbers, the communion casting they perform rains ferocious destructive Arts upon the enemy, spelling doom for anyone foolish enough to stand in their way.
Gesatzwächter arms and armor during the War of the Four Nations, Terran Museology, 1089.
The greatsword is the signature weapon of the Gesatzswächter, but its form can differ greatly depending on the era and the Kurfürst, and at times can be barely recognizable as a sword. Leithanians describe the communion casting of the Gesatzswächter as a grand symphony, with weapons of different forms performing the functions of different instruments. The blunt-point, unedged sword depicted in the image is typically described as a percussion instrument. Designed to counter the Gaulish heavy phalanx, it played an important role in the War of the Four Nations.
The most elite unit in the Leithanian army, however, is the Kaiser's Imperial Guard, which accepts only the most distinguished candidates and provides them with the finest training and equipment. Strictly speaking, the Imperial Guard is part of the Imperial Court and is not bound by the laws of the Kurfürstenkreise, answering only to the Kaiser. This can be seen as a privilege that distinguishes the Kaiser from the Kurfürsten.
As one of the Core's traditional powers, Leithanien developed highly advanced agriculture in her river valleys during the early days of the Empire. Their proficiency with Originium Arts has allowed them to develop agriculture in hilly regions with as much effectiveness as on flat land. The passion that Leithanien has for culture and the arts is well-known. The first art galleries and concert halls on Terra were built in Leithanien, and it is where the greatest of such institutions are located. In modern times, Leithanien has absorbed new technologies from her neighbors, in particular Victoria, and integrated them into her robust economic foundation and Originium Arts traditions. She quickly developed mature industry chains in the Crystal Age, building a solid foundation for the war against Gaul. The Gaulish-Leithanian War, the War of the Four Nations, and the reign of the Witch King have left the Empire devastated, however, and she is still recovering from these wounds.
The Leithanian economy has relied on Originium Arts since the very beginning. With Originium Arts and resources largely under the control of nobles, most industries in Leithanien are closely linked to the nobility. Things are produced by the nobles, and for the nobles too.
Graduation gift from an Arts spire, the winding shape symbolizing the climb up the spire. The average Leithanian family could hardly afford an ornament like this, much less the expensive tuition at the spire.
Supplementary Materials
Products manufactured in Leithanien are highly distinctive, regardless of size and form. The designs of the nobles seem to assume that all buyers are proficient in Originium Arts. This has made Leithanian exports rather unpopular in the past. With the deepening of international exchanges and the improvement of design standards, modern Leithanian industrial products now often adopt a dual-track design (having two sets of mechanisms internally). Users who are not proficient in Originium Arts can operate them via the purely mechanical one, while users proficient in Arts are able to perform complex operations by simple casting via the other.
A Leithanian gramophone. It can be operated by hand, but this is considered uncouth, especially amongst the upper-class. Thus, Leithanian nobles less proficient in Originium Arts are typically accompanied by a servant who operates Originium equipment for them.
Leithanian society is inextricably entwined with Originium Arts and cultural arts. It was Originium Arts and the artistic culture that united the Leithanians and founded the Empire. Be it for the continuation of Originium Arts, a search for elegance, or opening up new possibilities for Leithanien and Terra as a whole, the nobles of Leithanien harbor high and lofty ideals. Their spires are the bases where they teach Originium Arts to commoners, instruct them on culture, and continuously strive to improve their own Arts. This is a mentality that has permeated Leithanien for a thousand years, from the Kaiser to the Edler. The tight association of Arts and culture with the fundamental institutions of Leithanien has fostered an atmosphere of learning, making her Terra's foremost center of academic study.
Ludwig the Bachelor ruled over Kreis Einwald 300-360 years ago. Incredibly passionate about knowledge and the arts, he saw it as his duty to pass on his knowledge to others—a duty even more important than ruling. He accepted any Leithanian student willing to learn, regardless of upbringing, establishing the first university spire in Leithanien. He believed that "when everyone gained the most supreme knowledge, the land would never again impede Leithanien". He enjoyed widespread support amongst Leithanian commoners and was considered the favorite to become the next Kaiser. His abrupt madness and death on the eve of the imperial election remains one of the biggest unsolved mysteries of the Empire. Commemorative events are held on a regular basis at Urtica, where Ludwig's grave is located.
Education has, therefore, become the Empire's most prominent industry. Schools at all levels, from kindergartens to universities, can be found all across the Empire. Some have evolved from the spires, some are built around spires,
Historical percentage of Leithanians from different social classes who earn degrees
Nobles Commoners
7%
35%
12%
Pre-Witch King Reign
Pre-War of the Four Nations
Year 10 of the Twin Empresses
and others are the spires themselves. Schools where more advanced subjects are taught have higher ranks, and only nobles have the privilege and the ability to study and teach the most esoteric knowledge. A school's rank is easily determined by external features, such as the height of the spire and its magnificence. The cost of education goes up with each level, and only the more well-to-do nobles can afford advanced education.
Originium Arts and the arts have a prominent position in Leithanian education. Originium Arts form the basis of the curriculum, and students who wish to pursue further studies in any field must first achieve a passing grade in Originium Arts. Students who fail to meet these standards, or who are graded as 'artistically deficient', may be unable to graduate or even face expulsion from school. The schools are also administrated by the nobility. The professors that I studied under as a doctoral student at Wilhelm-Herzog University each had their own spires, in recognition of their achievements in
Arts Unit previously used by Czerny. Sketched by an apprentice at an Oripathy clinic in Afterglow. Leithanians habitually look for solutions in Originium Arts. With the help of the famous musician William Fichte Czerny, the Afterglow, Vyseheim's Infected quarter, has begun using Originium Arts to mitigate certain symptoms of Oripathy.
their respective fields.
Leithanians place particular emphasis on their love of music, but archaeological finds indicate that the pre-empire tribes shared far more interests in common than just music, such as poems and paintings with similar forms and styles. We can therefore infer that the "Leithanians" began sharing a common culture even earlier than they claim. This conclusion was inferred from countless ancient documents and artifacts that all show clear traces of Originium Arts, which also demonstrates that the use of Arts goes back even further.
Leithanian opera is the pinnacle of Leithanian culture, a combination of various art forms, including music, literature, painting, etc. From the libretto to the composition, the instruments to the performance, and the opera house itself, Originium Arts permeate every stage of producing an authentic Leithanian opera. It can be regarded as a concentrated array of School of Divination Originium Arts, capable of conveying potent emotions directly to the audience. Scholars have theorized that this is the reason Leithanian opera is particularly mesmerizing. In the two decades following the fall of the Witch King, numerous operas based on his story were created and performed in secret, depicting the Witch King as the greatest sovereign in Leithanian history.
The Leithanians' never-ending veneration of knowledge and art is a very curious phenomenon on Terra, not to mention the fact that they are naturally more attuned to Originium Arts and other forms of art than other races. Thus, the empire enjoys a long legacy of elegance. The love that Leithanians have for culture is restrained and reserved. They prefer to express their passions through art, rather than speech and eloquence, in particular Leithanian classical music. Discussions on music, philosophy, and Originium Arts can be found everywhere, as can outdoor music performances. Music is everywhere in Leithanien all the time, even during the reign of the Witch King.
Leithanien has a population of 32 million, of which around 10 million live in the nomadic cities. Because Leithanian society is founded upon Originium Arts, it is somewhat more tolerant to Oripathy sufferers than other Core countries. This does not mean that the Infected are not discriminated against. For example, they are forced to live in segregated communities by local governments, in order to facilitate management.
Born out of Originium Arts, the magical country of Leithanien has seen both awe-inspiring miracles, and tremendous hardship. With the dark clouds that once loomed over her gone, and a new dawn on the horizon, how will Leithanien continue to write her own symphony?