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==Overview==
Ever since Urizen joined the Empire, the nation has benefitted from the the import of food from [[the Marches]] and other necessities and luxuries that the Urizen no longer produce themselves. The mineral and magical wealth of the mountains allows the people of the [[spire|spires]] to maintain a comfortable quality of life while losing as little precious study time to the tedious labour of farming or mining. In the lowlands, trade caravans of oxen and wagons are familiar lines seen across the Empire, but the rugged and difficult terrain of Urizen means that some of the more isolated spires rely on domestic llamas for transportation of trade goods to and from the more accessible trade centres.


Urizen is not an economic powerhouse. There are a number of mines that produce magical materials, but there is rarely a surplus of anything else and the mountainous terrain makes the transport of bulk goods very difficult. Where they do excel is in the creation of magical implements. The masters of these professions are figures of influence and prestige in Urizen. While they rarely master the [[Realms|Realm Lores]], the prevalence of magicians in Urizen means there is a constant demand for wands, staves, rods and ritual accoutrements of all sorts. Further, trinkets, amulets and talismans are popular with all levels of society they represent tangible pieces of magical power that can mark status and wealth more effectively than any number of jewelled rings or necklaces.
Many Urizen take it for granted that their essential needs will be taken care of by their Spire and as a consequence it is common for them to take a somewhat disdainful approach to personal wealth. Money is useful, but nowhere near as valuable as crystal mana. Where the people of Urizen excel is in the creation of magical implements. The masters of these professions are figures of influence and prestige in Urizen. While they rarely master the [[Realms|realm lores]], the prevalence of magicians in Urizen means there is a constant demand for wands, staves, rods and ritual accoutrements of all sorts. Further, trinkets, amulets and talismans are popular with all levels of society they represent tangible pieces of magical power that can mark status and wealth more effectively than any number of jewelled rings or necklaces.


Menial labour in Urizen is mostly performed by arcane constructs called ''ushabti''. These humanoid figures are crafted by artifices from wood and clay, and animated by magical energies. They are unintelligent, unaware, and have no personalities, constructed to perform a handful of simple tasks repetitively. Field ushabti work the small farms, mine ushabti dig and extract ore, and builder ushabti perform construction work and general labour. A group of ushabti is usually overseen by a single person, who gives them their instructions and the small amount of mana they need to function. Ushabti left unsupervised have a tendency to get into trouble due to their virtual inability to react to unexpected situations. Their main value lies in allowing their supervisor to get a lot of menial work done with minimal effort, generally leaving the person free to read, study or practice while keeping one eye on the ushabti.
During the reign of [[Empress Lisabetta]], there was a marked increase in the amount of international trade passing through Urizen, especially through the trade-port of [[Redoubt#Cargo|Cargo]] in [[Redoubt]]. There have been efforts to improve links with the [[Principalities of Jarm]], the [[Sarcophan Delves]], and [[Axos]] in particular. The successful use of economic pressure to convince the Axou to abandon their nation's reliance on slavery has been hailed by many Urizen as validation of the architects' economic philosophies.


Ushabti are constructed without facial features. A few Urizen use servant ushabti, distinguished from the labouring ushabti by more delicate construction and usually "humanized" by giving them a clay or porcelain mask to wear. These servants are useful for simple tasks, but getting them to do anything more complex than serving wine or washing dishes tends to require so much supervision that it is rarely practical.  
==The Mana Trade==
As a nation where magic is considered the highest art, it should come as no surprise that the Urizen have a bottomless thirst for [[Game_items#Mana_Crystals|crystal mana]]. There are many places in Urizen that possess strong magical auras, and the Urizeni have become adept at focussing and directing the flows of mana to produce large amounts of the invaluable magical material. There is never enough though, and even today there are groups of explorers who scour the more out-of-the-way locations looking for new places to establish a [[mana site]].


While Ushabti are about as strong as a fit human they are fragile - a single solid blow is usually enough to disrupt the magic that animates them, regardless of attempts to armour their form. They are almost useless on a battlefield; although they are occasionally used to supplement defensive emplacements, they are rarely very effective except in large numbers. They function best in the mountains of Urizen, and are more effective the higher up the mountains they are. Outside the nation, Ushabti break down quickly, are even more unresponsive, and are generally considered fascinating curios rather than a potential replacement for human industry.  
This demand for mana crystals contributed in part to the [[Create_title_of_Crystal_Architect_of_the_Spires|establishment]] of the [[Crystal Architect of the Spires]] [[Imperial title]] by the [[Imperial Senate|Senate]] in 379YE. The Crystal Architect is empowered to [[commission]] the creation of [[sinecure|sinecures]] in Urizen that provide a bounty of crystal mana. Such sinecures require an investment of [[mithril]] that can make their construction expensive, especially in light of the fact that Urizen control of the [[Legacy]] — the rich mithril mine in northern [[Spiral]] that has been hotly contested by the barbarian [[orc|orcs]] in recent years.


<quote>In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.</quote>
Such investments are studied by the [[architect|architects]] of Urizen, who view money as a useful and versatile tool for achieving their goals. Fascinated by the ability of money to influence the world, they view it as a practical application of the [[Net of the Heavens]]. They are among the few Urizen who make an effort to understand how trade and investment affect the world around them. Much of the Urizen economy is shaped by the architects, who are always looking both for opportunities to capitalise on new developments and to invest their wealth in new endeavours.
===Architects===
Some Urizen make a study of economics, the way that money moves around and influences the world. These scholars, called architects, see money as a powerful tool for influencing people and changing society for the better. Originally the architects were skilled masons, designing and constructing dwellings for the Urizen people. However the term has come to describe any individual who uses a meticulous approach to look for ways that investment and improvement can make the Empire more successful and effective.


Individual spires sometimes raise funds by performing rituals for payment, for other spires or representatives from other nations. For some spires this is little more than a way to raise funds to pay for mana and materials for their own work. But spires where most of the mages are architects or spires dominated by architects proactively seek to sell their skills in this way. Magic is the most powerful tool for influencing the Net of the Heavens and mages who are architects strive to develop and perform rituals that can enhance the effectiveness of every part of the Empire. Such spires can grow wealthy indeed, if they are skilled at utilising their magical [[Arete]] to transform and improve the Empire.
==Ushabti==
Menial labour in Urizen is mostly performed by arcane constructs called ''ushabti''. These humanoid figures are crafted by artisans from wood and clay and animated by magical energies. They are unintelligent, unaware, and have no personalities, constructed to perform a handful of simple tasks repetitively. Field ushabti work the small farms, mine ushabti dig and extract ore, and builder ushabti perform construction work and general labour. A group of ushabti is usually overseen by a single person, who gives them their instructions and the small amount of mana they need to function. Ushabti left unsupervised have a tendency to get into trouble due to their virtual inability to react to unexpected situations. Their main value lies in allowing their supervisor to get a lot of menial work done with minimal effort, generally leaving the person free to read, study or practice while keeping one eye on the ushabti.
 
Ushabti are constructed without facial features. A few Urizen use servant ushabti, distinguished from the labouring ushabti by more delicate construction and usually "humanised" by giving them a clay or porcelain mask to wear. These servants are useful for simple tasks, but getting them to do anything more complex than serving wine or washing dishes tends to require so much supervision that it is rarely practical.
 
While Ushabti are about as strong as a fit human they are fragile — a single solid blow is usually enough to disrupt the magic that animates them, regardless of attempts to armour their form. They are almost useless on a battlefield; although they are occasionally used to supplement defensive emplacements, they are rarely very effective except in large numbers. They function best in the mountains of Urizen, and are more effective the higher up the mountains they are. Outside the nation, Ushabti break down quickly, are even more unresponsive, and are considered fascinating curios rather than a potential replacement for human industry.   
 
<quote by="Confucius (attributed)">In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.</quote>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen.jpg|align=right|width=350}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen.jpg|align=right|width=350}}
Architects disdain “shopkeepers”, people who buy things and simply wait for customers to purchase from them. Architects seek out individuals who can benefit from the skills or commodities they are selling and convince them to invest their money in whatever service the architect can provide. They make an effort to study the world around them to try to understand what improvements and investments are needed and who is best placed to carry that out. Through investment and mercantile activity they seek to change the world around them.
For many architects, this is nothing more than another expression of the [[Net of the Heavens]], the idea that wealth is simply a tool and that they are seeking out the nodes, the people and moments in the net where wealth can be best employed to produce the most dramatic changes. Of course such opportunities might well yield some of the best profits, but riches are not the primary concern for most architects. The majority are driven by a desire to change the Empire, to strengthen and enrich it, so that it grows ever more perfect. A Merchant Prince of [[The League]] might bemoan the actions of a dozen imitators who copied their original idea – whereas a true Urizen architect would be delighted to achieve so much with so little personal effort.


<quote>If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of a decade, plant trees; if in terms of a century, teach the people.</quote>
==Imperial Bourse==
Historically Urizen has controlled a single national seat on the [[Imperial Bourse]] — the [[Legacy]]. Unfortunately, this valuable [[mithril]] mine was lost to the [[Grendel]] when they conquered the territory of [[Spiral]] in 331YE. While it was ultimately recovered, ownership has changed hands several times since then. As of Spring 383YE, it is controlled by the [[Druj]] [[orc|orcs]] who captured it from the Urizen during their [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Available_Light|unexpected invasion]].
===Tally of the Votes===
As with most other nations, national Bourse [[Imperial title|titles]] in Urizen are appointed through the [[Tally of the Votes]]. Every citizen of Urizen who owns a [[mana site]] in one of the Urizeni [[territory|territories]] can participate in the vote. The more [[Mana_site#Upgrades|productive]] the mana site is, the more votes it provides.


[[Category:Nations]]
{{Urizen Links}}
[[Category:Urizen]]

Latest revision as of 13:33, 28 September 2021

Overview

Ever since Urizen joined the Empire, the nation has benefitted from the the import of food from the Marches and other necessities and luxuries that the Urizen no longer produce themselves. The mineral and magical wealth of the mountains allows the people of the spires to maintain a comfortable quality of life while losing as little precious study time to the tedious labour of farming or mining. In the lowlands, trade caravans of oxen and wagons are familiar lines seen across the Empire, but the rugged and difficult terrain of Urizen means that some of the more isolated spires rely on domestic llamas for transportation of trade goods to and from the more accessible trade centres.

Many Urizen take it for granted that their essential needs will be taken care of by their Spire and as a consequence it is common for them to take a somewhat disdainful approach to personal wealth. Money is useful, but nowhere near as valuable as crystal mana. Where the people of Urizen excel is in the creation of magical implements. The masters of these professions are figures of influence and prestige in Urizen. While they rarely master the realm lores, the prevalence of magicians in Urizen means there is a constant demand for wands, staves, rods and ritual accoutrements of all sorts. Further, trinkets, amulets and talismans are popular with all levels of society — they represent tangible pieces of magical power that can mark status and wealth more effectively than any number of jewelled rings or necklaces.

During the reign of Empress Lisabetta, there was a marked increase in the amount of international trade passing through Urizen, especially through the trade-port of Cargo in Redoubt. There have been efforts to improve links with the Principalities of Jarm, the Sarcophan Delves, and Axos in particular. The successful use of economic pressure to convince the Axou to abandon their nation's reliance on slavery has been hailed by many Urizen as validation of the architects' economic philosophies.

The Mana Trade

As a nation where magic is considered the highest art, it should come as no surprise that the Urizen have a bottomless thirst for crystal mana. There are many places in Urizen that possess strong magical auras, and the Urizeni have become adept at focussing and directing the flows of mana to produce large amounts of the invaluable magical material. There is never enough though, and even today there are groups of explorers who scour the more out-of-the-way locations looking for new places to establish a mana site.

This demand for mana crystals contributed in part to the establishment of the Crystal Architect of the Spires Imperial title by the Senate in 379YE. The Crystal Architect is empowered to commission the creation of sinecures in Urizen that provide a bounty of crystal mana. Such sinecures require an investment of mithril that can make their construction expensive, especially in light of the fact that Urizen control of the Legacy — the rich mithril mine in northern Spiral that has been hotly contested by the barbarian orcs in recent years.

Such investments are studied by the architects of Urizen, who view money as a useful and versatile tool for achieving their goals. Fascinated by the ability of money to influence the world, they view it as a practical application of the Net of the Heavens. They are among the few Urizen who make an effort to understand how trade and investment affect the world around them. Much of the Urizen economy is shaped by the architects, who are always looking both for opportunities to capitalise on new developments and to invest their wealth in new endeavours.

Ushabti

Menial labour in Urizen is mostly performed by arcane constructs called ushabti. These humanoid figures are crafted by artisans from wood and clay and animated by magical energies. They are unintelligent, unaware, and have no personalities, constructed to perform a handful of simple tasks repetitively. Field ushabti work the small farms, mine ushabti dig and extract ore, and builder ushabti perform construction work and general labour. A group of ushabti is usually overseen by a single person, who gives them their instructions and the small amount of mana they need to function. Ushabti left unsupervised have a tendency to get into trouble due to their virtual inability to react to unexpected situations. Their main value lies in allowing their supervisor to get a lot of menial work done with minimal effort, generally leaving the person free to read, study or practice while keeping one eye on the ushabti.

Ushabti are constructed without facial features. A few Urizen use servant ushabti, distinguished from the labouring ushabti by more delicate construction and usually "humanised" by giving them a clay or porcelain mask to wear. These servants are useful for simple tasks, but getting them to do anything more complex than serving wine or washing dishes tends to require so much supervision that it is rarely practical.

While Ushabti are about as strong as a fit human they are fragile — a single solid blow is usually enough to disrupt the magic that animates them, regardless of attempts to armour their form. They are almost useless on a battlefield; although they are occasionally used to supplement defensive emplacements, they are rarely very effective except in large numbers. They function best in the mountains of Urizen, and are more effective the higher up the mountains they are. Outside the nation, Ushabti break down quickly, are even more unresponsive, and are considered fascinating curios rather than a potential replacement for human industry.

In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.

Confucius (attributed)
Urizen.jpg

Imperial Bourse

Historically Urizen has controlled a single national seat on the Imperial Bourse — the Legacy. Unfortunately, this valuable mithril mine was lost to the Grendel when they conquered the territory of Spiral in 331YE. While it was ultimately recovered, ownership has changed hands several times since then. As of Spring 383YE, it is controlled by the Druj orcs who captured it from the Urizen during their unexpected invasion.

Tally of the Votes

As with most other nations, national Bourse titles in Urizen are appointed through the Tally of the Votes. Every citizen of Urizen who owns a mana site in one of the Urizeni territories can participate in the vote. The more productive the mana site is, the more votes it provides.

Further Reading

Core Brief

Additional Information