Satrapy

Satrapies are states that have sworn allegiance to the Scarlet Empress and, by extension, the Realm. While autonomous in some respects, a satrapy pays tribute to the Realm.

Overview

Some satrapies are conquered, while others submit to the Realm voluntarily — usually for protection, sometimes to benefit from favorable trading status with the Realm and its other satrapies. The Scarlet Empress controls the satrapies directly, but leases them out to one of the Great Houses for administrative purposes. These leases can be revoked at any time if the Empress find the satrapy to be poorly managed.

Satrapies retain whatever form of government they had previously, but must accept a satrap and an imperial garrison. Their existing military may be assimilated into the garrison as auxiliary troops, or deployed elsewhere on the Threshold as janissaries in the case of a particularly restive satrapy. Every satrapy must give up their native religion and convert to the Immaculate Philosophy, though their former gods may be added to the Immaculate Order's prayer calendar in compensation. The Wyld Hunt must also has free rein within the satrapies and can demand any support needed to pursue Anathema.

The tribute each satrapy owes is calculated by the Foreign Office, but the tribute collected usually far exceeds that calculation; both the Great House managing the satrapy and the Merchant Fleet vessels who transport the goods back to the Blessed Isle take a cut. Usually this tribute is paid in jade, silver, or other currency, though occasionally it can take the form of goods or resources unique to the area. Some satrapies pay tribute in slaves.

Once a satrapy is established, satraps are expected to enforce imperial rule with an iron fist. The satrap is assigned by whatever Great House holds the satrapy's lease, but the garrison commander and part of their staff are assigned by the Empress or the Deliberative, usually from a different House. This keeps satraps honest and working for the good of the Realm instead of pursing their personal or family interests. If the satrapy resists the Realm's authority, the response is quick and brutal; if necessary, they may request the aid of the Imperial Legions, although this reflects badly on their management and may cost them their lease.

The Time of Tumult

The last few years have seen diminishing returns from many satrapies, as the costs of expanding the Realm's reach grew greater than the rewards. Since the Scarlet Empress's disappearance, this has only gotten worse. The Great Houses demand ever-increasing amounts of tribute from their satrapies in anticipation of civil war, and withdraw as much of the garrison as possible to reinforce their personal armies. Even satrapies that were long loyal clients of the Realm are beginning to buck the its authority in the face of punishing taxes that leave their farmers starving and their merchants bankrupt. Others that had relied on imperial garrisons for defense now face escalating attacks from old foes who have noted their vulnerability. A large-scale revolt on the Threshold seems inevitable; the only questions is when and where the avalanche will begin.

Satrapies

An incomplete list of the Realm's satrapies, with the governing House, if known:

The East

• Greyfalls (House Cynis or House Nellens)
• Prasad (House Burano, at least theoretically)
• Thorns (formerly, House unknown)

The South

• An-Teng (House Ragara)
• Chiaroscuro (no satrap)
• Harborhead (House Cathak)
• The Lap (co-ruled by House Cathak, House Peleps and House Ragara)
• Paragon (House unknown)
• Zhaojūn (House V'neef)

The West

• The Neck (House Sesus)
• Utahi (House Peleps)
• Wavecrest Archipelago (House Mnemon)
• Wu-Jian (House Sesus)

The North

• Cherak (House Ragara)
• Deshan (four satrapies ruled by House Ledaal, House Peleps and House Ragara)
• Fajad (House Cathak)
• Pneuma (formerly House Tepet, now House Ragara)