The Zannyr Empire was a powerful drow state in the Caverealm.

Government

The empire stood under the absolute rule of the Tyrana. It was organized into provinces, each of which had a capital. Like traditional Khali society, the empire featured noble houses, each with its own matron, that were largely self-ruled. Their power was very limited, however, and they were completely subjected to the Tyrana.

Many of the organs listed below had "subsidiaries", or smaller versions of themselves, in each city. Individual city administration was usually overseen by that city's archaness in wartime or a matron mistress in peacetime, who acted as the Tyrana's representative. The empire could at any time declare a situation of war on a city, imposing more direct Tyrana rule through its archaness. The matron mistresses regularly met in the Imperial Representative Council, which was somewhat more powerful than the Council of Matrons.

Council of Merchant-Master Advisors

The chief economic authority of the empire lied in the merchant-masters, and the Tyrana had to rely both on their connections and on their expertise. Each house in the empire supplied one merchant-master to a council held whenever it felt like it, which could give advice to the ruler and find the best ways to interpret her wishes.

Council of Matrons

Although houses didn't have much self-rule, they still retained some authority, and were "represented" in the government. Matrons (or their representatives, for those outside Zann'Elth) convened regularly in council to discuss new Tyrana policies, give her advice, and make some minor decisions themselves. They also had the most say in choosing the Tyrana's heiress.

Military

The armed forces were a core organization of the empire. Due to religious turmoil and the weakened state of the church, the military was the primary way through which the Tyrana enforced imperial rule and administered her state. For drow standards, the army was incredibly standardized and centralized, including in hierarchy, uniforms, tactics and even rituals.

The army had huge prestige. Notably, it maintained its own schools that could be visited by civilians as well, controlled its own warcaster and priest units, "assisted" the clergy notably as guards, and had its own officer council having a say in government.

The military was structured into divisions during peacetime, and armies in wartime (often, it was both at the same time - a regiment would be attributed to a division and an army, taking orders from both simultaneously). Each division was headquartered in a city and stood under the command of a citadel archaness. It took on civilian protection duties such as guarding, logistics support, and police.

Origins

During the Orc Wars, Zannyr troops - allied with the Bonebreakers - fought alongside Tsseh forces, primarily to expand their own underground territory. Huge amounts of orcish "auxiliaries" were pivotal in this conquest. Towards the end of the war, when the Tyrana allied with Trensandor, Tsseh followed suit, allowing the two states to consolidate their rule over a huge expanse of the Caverealm and some surface land. The human conquests afterwards failed to limit the power of the new Zannyr Empire.