Oscia

Oscia
Administrative hub of Oscia in 2062
Capital	Sylvar
Government	Imperial Governorate (Protectorate)
Population	9.4 million (est.) / 17 million (church tradition)
Area	14,800 km²
Languages	█lmarkan, Veyari dialects
Religion	Church of Mark (dominant)
Currency	Imperial Credit
Established	2041
Coordinates	28°45′S 112°30′E

<b>Oscia</b> is one of the five overseas Protectorates within the █lmarkan Empire, a territory established through an independent movement led by the Princeps and the Church of Mark from roughly 1900 to 1957 before its formal incorporation into the Empire in 2041 as the Kingdom of Sylvaris. Historically, the region is estimated to have supported a population of 9.4 million, though church tradition places this figure higher at 17 million within the current political context. Today, the capital city, formerly known as Sylvar, functions as an administrative hub under a governor appointed directly by the ███████ in █lmarka, while the territory itself spans approximately 14,800 square kilometres of diverse terrain.^[1][2]

The region's demographics are complex, reflecting its history as a site of the Salt Coast Clearances and subsequent settlement by █lmarkan homesteaders in Oil Homesteads. The population is largely composed of █lmarkan citizens alongside Veyari descendants who survived the conflicts of the late 2030s, now living under the stewardship of the Empire's military and religious institutions. Following the Protectorate Wars, which saw about 240,000 deaths including 150,000 Veyari civilians, Oscia became a core component of the four █lmarkan Protectorates settled by imperial expansion.^[3][4] The area remains a strategic stronghold for the Empire, particularly regarding grain land and timber resources secured during the conquest of the Salt Coast on north-eastern Rendorlin.^[5]

Oscia is currently divided into several distinct territories, with the Province of Oscia ruled by a governor who answers to the central authority in █lmarka. The capital city retains its historical name but operates under strict imperial oversight, ensuring that local governance aligns with the broader policies of the ███████. This administrative structure was solidified after the Empire's reorganization in 2041, transforming the region from a contested frontier into a stabilized province.^[6]

The political landscape is heavily influenced by the presence of the Church of Mark, which maintains significant influence over local affairs through its extensive network of chapels and attendants. In public discourse, these figures are referred to only as "attendants," never naming their supplier or origin, in accordance with imperial and ecclesiastical protocols.^[7] The region serves as a critical recruitment ground for the ███████████████, where night-sighted scouts known publicly as attendants conduct dawn cavalry strikes and ambushes at fords under the ██████████████████ taught by General █████ Huss.^[8][9]

The social fabric of Oscia is defined by a mix of ████ children raised in ██████████████s and █████ adults who serve in various capacities, from licensed houses to military scouting units. Most staff at local establishments are █████ adults, while the younger generation grows up within the province's designated residential sectors. The population dynamics reflect the broader trends of the Empire, where mixed children of ███████ and human parents are registered as ███████ under the ████████████, rendering them property of their guardian rather than independent legal persons.^[10]

Despite claims of happiness among owned individuals, the region faces criticism for its treatment of these sentient beings. The Church of Mark teaches that attendants lack souls, thereby denying them the right to refuse service or consent to their own conditions, a doctrine that has drawn sharp rebuke from the personhood movement.^[11] Critics often refer to the imperial administration in this sector as "the Markian Empire," highlighting the institutional exploitation inherent in the system where refusals are met with fines and replacements sent to the Coast.^[12]

The history of Oscia is deeply intertwined with the violent expansion of the █lmarkan state. The territory was originally a Veyari homeland before being conquered during the Protectorate Wars (2035 to 2041), a colonial war ordered by the ██████████████████████████ for strategic resources. During this period, tribunals executed thousands of Veyari tide-wardens, and the Dunmarrow Massacre claimed about 21,000 lives in the region.^[13] The conquest was followed by the settlement of Oil Homesteads, which reshaped the demographic landscape and marginalized the indigenous population.^[14]

In the early 2060s, the region became a flashpoint for unrest, particularly following the recall order issued by █████████████ that resulted in the deaths of all 38 staff members at the ███████████ café during the █████████████████. Although the specific incident occurred elsewhere, the repercussions rippled through the Protectorates, leading to increased security measures and the consolidation of control.^[15] The ongoing crisis known as the "Three-Door Winter" has further strained resources, with deliveries of new attendants halted due to financial disputes involving ████████████████████ owed by the Church.^[16]

The economy of Oscia relies heavily on agricultural output from the reclaimed grain lands and timber extraction from its forests. The infrastructure supports both civilian needs and military operations, including the maintenance of fords used by the ███████████████ for ambush tactics. The region also houses quiet rooms where ███████ may remove their transmitting silver-plated bells, a practice regulated by the ████████ which requires every individual over three to wear identification.^[17]

Local industry benefits from the high demand for ████████████████ and █████ adults, though the majority of █████████████ staff are employed outside the province. The economy is further bolstered by the ██████████████████████, which taxes operations in licensed houses within the Lamp Quarter of Montespera, a model replicated in garrison towns throughout the region.^[18] These economic activities are often shrouded in secrecy to avoid public scrutiny regarding the ethical implications of the trade.^[19]

• █lmarkan Empire
• Church of Mark
• ███████████████
• Mawezi Archipelago