Many of the IT's other possessions were lost to Esor�a when that country renounced its ties to the Zollenstauf Family, the current ruling dynasty of the IT. Before the Zollenstaufs, the Familia de Arbastille ruled the IT and Esor�a was considered to be part of the Theocracy. Now, however, through a series of marriages and petty wars, the Zollenstaufs have come to power and Esoria is but an unreliable ally of the IT.
The Imperial Theocracy is now an empire of dissension, disintegration, and debility. There is no strong central power. The government is by aristocratic federation and many times the Imperial Electors hold more power than the Theocrat.
There are weak borders around the Theocracy, and strong localism. In many Electrolates, there is a state of chronic disorder. The nobility has been strengthening its power while Imperial power is declining.
The IT does not dictate religious law, as might be assumed from the name of the country. Rather, it is simply a large conglomeration of small, mostly �tonist, states that have banded together for mutual political, economic, and military well-being.
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There are four factions which have emerged to become major political voices in the IT. They hold the majority of the power, both military and political. There are several dozen smaller groups in the IT but they usually ally themselves with one of the four factions.
The Shagir (Dwarves): Against harsh religious convictions. They abhor the suffering of their brothers in Esor�a, where dwarves are persecuted as religious pagans. The Imperial Theocracy has thus far avoided persecuring the dwarves, due mainly to the Tharr� Imperia, perhaps one of the finest infantry forces in the Buchlayne (although I would dispute Halcquoi's claim that they are stronger than the Knights Basilicar). These dwarven soldiers have helped to win many a war, and the Theocrat would be powerless in a war without them.
Imperialists: Allied with the Shagir. This group is behind the idea of centralizing all power in an Emperor of their choice, and unifying all of the Buchlayne under one banner. The Imperialists feel that such an Empire would be more true to the original Dasidian Empire and would help to stave off the evil influences of the day.
�tonist League: This group is for �tonist conversion, pure and simple. They seek to unify all under Universal �tonism and crusade for �ton's glory in the East.
Esor�an Sympathizers: These people wish to restore La Familia de Arbastille to the Imperial Theocrat's office and unite with Esor�a. They are allied with the �tonist League.
Persons of Note in the Imperial Theocracy
Guntram Zollenstauf, The Imperial Theocrat; Polgar Minszent, Royal Hussar Captain*; Iseo Cassolio, Imperial Elector from Pratoli**; Lorenzo Massolo, Imperial Elector from Piunico
* The Hussars are a fighting force unique to the IT. Every 20th house in the major cities is required to provide a soldier for the Imperial Theocrat. These soldiers are known as hussars after a local word for "twenty", "husz". They ride horses and wear colorful uniforms including tall, cylindrical hats, capes, and such. They are lightly armored and carry mostly swords and missile weapons.
** Pratoli is the religious center of the IT.
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The 19th of Albicene, 495 D.E.
Kovlich - notes from a conversation with Atrexandr Tropol, Woodsman
The reader should note that I believe Atrexandr to be part of a secret organization of woodsmen-warriors in Kovlich called the Bear Brotherhood. The Brotherhood is rumoured to be basically a good organization at its heart, but it is not condoned by the Eastern �tonist Church, as the Brotherhood supports the continuance of local superstition.
"Not much to say about Kovlich. I say it's a land of in-betweens: between Buchalyne Major and Minor, between Stadhof and Thoecia, between �tonism and local folklore. We are almost completely surrounded by near-impassable mountains and thick, impenetrable forests. Essentially, this cuts us off from the modern world, and makes us appear backwards to the rest of Samoth.
"People who live in Kovlich do not fear that things will go wrong. They expect it. I think that's the best explanation one can give of this country."
Tropol is probably right about that. But, in the interest of education, I wil add some more information that I've learned from my travels.
