Tarrukar Empire

Tarrukar Empire
A map of Northwestern Verant, with the Tarrukar Empire highlighted in red.
Politics
Capital	Evorden
Official languages	Keris (Compound and isolated) Oaara Diakle Modern Keris Sign Language (MKSL) Lipon Sign Language (LSL)
Ethnic groups	Kari (64%) Esham (21%) Tescano (10%) Amoaar (4%) Other (1%)
Demonym	Tarrukari

The Empire of Tarrukar, also known as Tarrukar or Tarrukar Empire is a country in the eastern Kar continent. It's limited by the Atis Sea and the Braukar Republic to the east, the Kar mountains to the west, and the Sizhaeme continent to the south. It's composed of 26 provinces, inhabited by a total population of 132 million. The nation's capital and most populous city is Evorden, while also boasting a large population in the economic centers of Coti, Ascot and Parten.

While Tarrukar presents the title of empire, its political system is more akin to a semi-constitutional monarchy. The Absolut exercises their authority only in accordance to the constitution and taking decisions in joint with a democratic parliament and the High Council. There's also the presence of an independent legislative system, which carries out its decisions detached from the Absolut's rule.

Tarrukar has several cultural regions and five recognized languages (three verbal, two signed). Despite its huge territory and broad culture, the national identity of Tarrukar is robust, based around a history of mining, economic supremacy, and being the birthplace of the Akari religion and modern medicine.

Brief history

Ancient Sukari

Modern humans first reached the Kar continent around 15,000 years ago, with Asetaco tribes migrating from the ice-covered northern Toa continent. The rugged landscape of the new continent delayed their settlement to the south, leading to the formation of nomadic civilizations. Agricultural practices took precedence in the Kar mountain basin 9,000 years ago, eventually forming the Asukar Civilisation (Asukar: Children of the river). 4,500 years before modern day, this civilisation had grown to cover the entire continent, centered at the city of Gikka and unified by the bird-venerating religion of Asekari. This religion fostered trade and exploration as people sought to track the path of migratory birds.

By the Iska Era, the Kar territories consolidated into the Sukari Empire, ruled by one Absolut governing over the Five Dux Kingdoms. The extension of this civilization forced a brutal rule, imposing harsh consequences against crime. Despite the infamy of the ruling class, the Sukari Empire saw centuries of flourishing culture. The Asekari religion spread, and with it came developments in arts, literature, sciences, and impressive monuments such as the great Yehuki Palace carved in the titular mountain. Much of the ancient Tarrukar marvels are from this era, produced by enslaved labourers.

Annexation to the Atesham Empire and eventual independence

The growing population of the Empire, the poor hygiene conditions (exacerbated by the violent punishments of the Absolut), and the migration of invasive species from the Sizhaeme continent (caused by the frequent deliberate bushfires) led to a devastating plague. Millions of people died from the disease, and this era severely weakened the Sukari. Its government saw a restructuring into a federal republic, the first of its kind in Verant, seeking for each of the Dux kingdoms to self-govern and contain the disease. Unfortunately, the state of Sukari led to its subsequent conquest by the Atesham Empire. Under their rule and supported by the scholars of Teotlanco, a treatment for the disease was found. This marked the start of not only the scientific method and the germ theory of disease, but a beginning for the future path of the Kar continent into bioengineering.

The Kar continent remained under Atesham rule for over 600 years, and while it meant a limitation into the Akari identity and sovereignty, the support of the southern Empire meant a period of improvement in sciences (such as the birth of genetics) and arts—in particular music and literature. Additionally, the integration of the Sukari into Atesham led to the abolition of slavery. In the year 39:038, Atesham found itself in civil war due to power succession tensions. This led to a fracture into Northern and Southern Atesham and the eventual independence of the Kar continent into the Braukar Republic and the Tarrukar Federation.

Beginnings of bioengineering and first war with Menet

While the Kar territories had mutually agreed to their territories, after a period of famine the agriculturally inclined Braukar invaded Tarrukar, seeking to conquer some of their mining territories. This prompted Tarrukar to seek aid in their neighbour, the newly appointed Kingdom of Menet of the Toa continent. The alliance led to the expulsion of Braukar forces; and finding itself at an advantageous position Tarrukar pushed forward and conquered the territory of Braukar. Menet, having seen how its support was used, imposed restrictions on Tarrukar's maritime trade. This affected Tarrukar's communication with its greatest ally, the Teotlanco Union.

The emerging Tarrukar Empire and the Kingdom of Menet went into war the year 39:114. The usage of guns and bombs had turned widespread by this time, but technological parity led to a stalemate. Tarrukar then decided to switch strategies, developing a biological weapon in the shape of a bacteria that would be released in two strains: one for maximum contagion, the second for lethality. It was introduced to Menet through the release of infected prisoners of war.

The death toll from the Tarrukar disease was monumental, affecting not only the Menet soldiers but civilians alike. Soon the disease moved into other territories too; except Tarrukar, who had recovered their maritime routes, only to find that the Teotlanco Union had their borders closed in an attempt to control the disease. This led Tarrukar to distribute a treatment against the infection. The promptness and strategic dispensation of the drug (going first to Tarrukar's closest allies) was received with suspicion from various nations throughout the globe, which eventually led to investigations being run on the source of the disease. During the 39:127 international bioethics committee, Atesham, Teotlanco and other countries presented their findings on the source of the disease, pointing Tarrukar as its creator.

Consequently, almost all nations imposed severe sanctions on Tarrukar, limiting its trade and diplomatic communications. The threat posed by Tarrukar's biological weapon warranted a treaty that prohibited microbiological modifications aimed at creating pathogens. Had Tarrukar's bacteria grown resistant to the treatment, the consequences could have led to global extinction.

Technological innovations and arms race with Atesham

Tarrukar faced the challenges from the sanctions and blockades, hindering on its economy, in particular for food imports. In search of new alliances, it backed the independence of Atesham's southwestern territories, providing military aid and promoting the usage of bacteria for agricultural yield and water purification. Having seen the consequences of Tarrukar's bacteria, these projects were received with skepticism, but the Empire's backing still proved instrumental for independence.

In retaliation, the Atesham Empire launched a surprising attack by using their own variety of biological weapons: Macroscopic Synthetic Organisms (MSOs). Attack Dogs were dogs designed as shock troops, being muscular, having a fearsome look and being rather short-lived. While these didn't suffice to quell the independence war (in fact, Atesham conceded sovereignty of the southwestern territories in subsequent years), it sparked an arms race with Tarrukar and advancements in nuclear power. Mutual espionage led to early development of satellite and missile technology, and the later conquest of the northern Kar mountains by Tarrukar in order to secure more raw materials.

Tarrukar's previous ventures in microbiological research had led to prestigious innovation in laboratory technology. This, and the hostility towards bacterial products turned the Empire's focus into material engineering, thus creating strong industrial materials such as Cherin and Myobrin and driving architectural evolution.

The Atesham civil war

Amid religious disputes, class division and ruling disagreements, northern Atesham descended into civil war, splitting into the Atesham Republic and Imperial Atesham. Tarrukar aligned with the Republic, primarily as a show of goodwill with the Teotlanco Union (the former ally had cut its link with the Empire after the war with Menet). The Kingdom of Menet, meanwhile, sided with the Empire of Atesham in a show of hostility against Tarrukar. The conflict saw the use of intercontinental missiles for reconnaissance, and Tarrukar tested their own variety of MSOs: Tharrtes were modified Tarrukar Macaques, covered in fur, dense scales and quills, but featuring poor health. Their presence intimidated the Imperial Atesham soldiers, as the Tharrtes were able to be produced in batches large enough to overwhelm the fighters.

Having tipped the scale, Tarrukar withdrew from the Atesham war to focus on its own economy; driven by the discovery of rich nuclear ore deposits. An attempt was made to keep the findings confidential, but espionage eventually revealed this to the Atesham territories. Despite trials at trade agreements and a failed ceasefire in 40:005, Tarrukar's refusal to share resources led to military threats from Imperial Atesham. Ultimately these never came to fruition, as in the 8th of Haye, 39:141, the Atesham city of Mapeer saw the detonation of sixty-four thermonuclear bombs and thirty-three boosted fission warheads. With an estimated yield of 384 megatons, it caused widespread fatalities and radioactive fallout across the Atesham territories in an event that'd be known as the Atesham Disaster.

Repercussions of the Atesham Disaster

Atesham officials confirmed the cause of the event to have been the accidental, improper assembly of a boosted fission warhead. The disaster came with the definitive end of the Atesham civil war and the dissolution of Imperial Atesham. Following the incident, a global humanitarian effort spearheaded by Menet provided aid, with dozens of countries, including Tarrukar, offering asylum and assistance. The affected exclusion zone became the Atesham Radioecological Reserve, and to this day it's the world's largest conservation area. This crisis spurred international collaboration, leading to demands for synchronized computer systems, contributing to the future establishment of the Net. The nuclear incident prompted a worldwide reunion to ban nuclear weapons, and while Tarrukar and Menet signed into the anti-military treaty, they later opted out of energy restriction due to growing industrial demands.

Long-term effects of the Atesham Disaster included environmental damage, respiratory illnesses, extinction of 4% of the world species, and famine. In response, Tarrukar focused on developing hydroponic food production and laboratory-grown meat (Farbim), although it took years for these advancements to yield results, leaving many to face starvation and health issues. This time led to a forced necessity for masks, eventually becoming an important part of the fashion for Menet and Tarrukar.

Second war with Menet and Cyclones

Disputes surrounding the management of the Atesham Radioecological Reserve and mutual suspicions regarding the Atesham Disaster led to Menet declaring war on Tarrukar. Both sides faced similar levels of technological and military strength, but Tarrukar capitalized on the historic success of the Tharrtes and sought to upgrade them. They introduced a new variant known as the Cyclone Tharrtes, which, while lacking powered flight capabilities, featured hard scales, talons, and feathered wings that enabled effective gliding. These Cyclones launched surprise attacks on Menet soldiers, dropping explosives and conducting aerial reconnaissance. Caught off guard, Menet surrendered their Radioecological Reserve territory.

The emergence of these new creatures sparked heated global discussion. Within Tarrukar, public opinion was divided: supporters praised the Cyclones as protectors, a fact only bolstered by government propaganda. Opponents expressed ethical concerns over creating sapiential organisms, and particularly conservative Akari followers showed offense by the use of the Hokam's likeness.

The Artes Enlightenment

Unlike previous iterations of MSOs, Cyclones were continuously improved post-war, transitioning into civilian use such as in security and goods transportation. This adaptation led to the debut of the fourth generation of Cyclones in the year 40:035. By this period, genetic modification became common among the elite, with Atesham researchers moving into Tarrukar and bolstering the fields of designer pets and species reintroduction, alongside limited human modifications focused on health. This time saw the emergence of the term Artes for the animal-like MSOs.

The Absolut Andrina Reid commissioned a personal companion, a Cyclone named Terry that made its public debut in 40:043. Despite its popularity, Terry exhibited behavioral issues typical of early Cyclones, such as anxiousness and aggression, especially in overstimulating environments. This didn't dampen the demand for domestic Artes, eventually spurring private companies to develop properly designed companions, leading to the introduction of Zephyr Artes in 40:046.

The growth of MSOs prompted the establishment of regulatory bodies, nationalizing major biosynthetic firms to ensure only governmental design of new species. Genetic modification was also regulated, restricting edits to 35% of an organism's traits or otherwise requiring an Artes license. Early Zephyr production insisted on registering each specimen under a patron, leading to the introduction of a database of individuals. These years also saw the rise of the term "Stratos" for all Tarrukar-produced winged Artes.

Within a year of their debut, hundreds of Zephyrs had been created, but it still wasn't enough to quell the demand. Foreign clients sought traits from different species, birthing the mammalian-based Lazuli Artes in 40:054, which were more affordable though less versatile compared to Zephyrs.

Amid these technological advancements, civil unrest emerged in the western region of Tarrukar. Despite the alleviation of immediate starvation issues, protests escalated against the budget allocations for engineered species, highlighting social tensions between classes and the ongoing struggles of human war victims.

The Striker Revolt

Civilian unrest in Tarrukar began decades before Cyclones with the Agricultural Dignity Coalition (ADC), originally focused on aiding farmers affected by the Atesham Disaster. By the year 40:056, the ADC had broadened its scope to also include military veterans, war orphans, and immigrants. Initial protests had garnered little attention, until backslash against the Lazuli Artes launched the ADC into the public eye—and winning the moniker of'Strikers'. Their protests demanded governmental reevaluation of taxes, budget allotments, and restriction of Artes production, as these were exacerbating an already dire unemployment crisis among civilians.

After years of futile protests, the ADC initiated the motion for a vote of no-confidence to force the resignation of Andrina Reid, the Absolut of Tarrukar. The vote, requiring a 60% majority to pass, resulted in 59.3% in favor of resignation, sparking widespread protests across major cities for a recount. Reid maintained her position, leading the ADC to declare civil war by 40:062.

The Strikers took tactical refuge in the Kar mountain chain, utilizing cave systems for defense against the Cyclones, who comprised 60% of the Tarrukar military by the late 40:050s. Limited in numbers and weaponry compared to the Tarrukar army, the Strikers focused on controlling hydroponics facilities to weaken their adversaries—an effective strategy due to the Cyclone's steep caloric requirements. Meanwhile, a radical faction of the Strikers shifted attention towards sabotaging bioengineering labs producing Artes, funding their efforts through propaganda and illicit activities, including drug trafficking and kidnappings. The civil war progressed for two more years before culminating in the Artes Purge.

The Purge and the departure of Braukar

A critical turning point occurred when 70% of the human soldiers defected the Tarrukar military to join the Strikers, a decision driven by dire conditions, poor cooperation with Cyclones, and Striker sabotage. In 40:064, the Strikers launched assaults on Artes production centers, utilizing chemical weapons and bombs. The effects were catastrophic, in particular for Stratos due to their sensitive respiratory systems.

Initially, the purge focused solely on Artes, although human casualties were frequent. This violence escalated as the Strikers received support from the Kingdom of Menet in exchange of gathering Artes intelligence. By 40:067, the Strikers began persecuting humans connected to Artes production, leading to hostility towards synthetic beings and prompting the migration of bioengineering professionals—even those unrelated to Artes projects.

The weakened Tarrukar army faced a turning point in 40:068 when the capital was seized and Absolut Reid was assassinated, leading the High Council to initiate peace talks with the Strikers. The resulting surrender mandated that Tarrukar was to yield the eastern prairies to the Strikers, forming the Republic of Braukar, while limiting the further production of the fourth Cyclone generation and placing restrictions on future Artes traits. Additionally, regions of the Atesham Radioecological Territory that had been conquered during the second war were returned to Menet's jurisdiction.

Although the civil war had concluded, the aftermath was devastating, with hundreds of thousands dead, predominantly among the Artes population. The Purge alone claimed the lives of approximately 76% of the Artes, with a 63% of them being Cyclones (around 1.8 million), with many survivors later passing away to injuries.

Reestructure of the empire and modern day

The civil war had exposed the divide between humans and Artes, prompting Tarrukar to foster a better interspecies understanding through inclusive employment, educational programs, and legal measures that guaranteed the dignity of both.

In remembrance of the Artes that had died during the war, an official holiday was established two years after the surrender. This event was highlighted by the inauguration of the Wings of Bravery monument, a ten meter sculpture forged in scrap metal salvaged from the ruined Artes outposts. However, the celebration took a turn as an attending Cyclone went on a rampage, leaving several casualties and injured during the event. This incident, while attributed to an unfortunate traumatic response, forced the withdrawal of the Cyclone 4 from public view and delayed the introduction of new Artes.

The Whirlwind Stratos was introduced to the public during the five year anniversary (40:073) after the war, presenting a more human-like build and demeanor. It garnered mixed reactions globally—some praising their friendly appearance, while others deeming their design as disrespectful and uncanny. To mitigate backslash and prevent a second instance of the Striker Revolt, Tarrukar trialed a universal basic income system for humans that saw their jobs displaced by Whirlwinds, eventually expanding to the general population of Tarrukar. As perception of Artes improved, the government reintroduced the Cyclones through the release of the Cyclone 5. Inspired from the defunct Cyclone 4, it included friendlier physical traits, a lack of puncture-resistant scales, diminished plumage, and training under the successful Whirlwind regime.

While Tarrukar has remained at peace since its rupture with Braukar, tensions still linger with it and Menet, in particular over technological advancements and MSOs. Amidst minor territorial disputes and patrol of the radioecological reserve, Menet has introduced organisms like the Vastare Rorgas, while Tarrukar released the Slate Lithos Artes and the aquatic family of Pelagos. Nonetheless, Tarrukar continues to thrive in relative peace, maintaining robust economical and industrial strength over the globe.

Geography

Tarrukar is one of the world's largest countries by total land area at 11,871,080 km² (including islands). It makes up the majority of the Kar continent, and boasts a diverse variety of landscapes, from cold steppes and frigid mountain ranges, to an array of subtropical and boreal areas.

The Kar mountain range is the most important landform of the continent, shaping the climate and economic activities of both Tarrukar and the neighbouring Republic of Braukar. The mountain range itself is a complicated structure formed by two distinct events. First came the orogeny of the northern Tatsir mountains, formed by the subduction of the Dzikor oceanic plate with the Kari plate, a process that would vary in speed and magnitude over millions of years, and with the recession of glaciers, leading to the formation of the iconic 'fan shape' of the chain. In contrast, the southern Ikiwin Plateau was formed posterior to the northern chains, caused by the high-speed impact of the Kari plate against the Seku plate. Both areas are still tectonically active, seeing frequent minor earthquakes and volcanic activity limited to the northern chains.

The Tarukar territory is located between the 10°N and 70°N latitudes, a breadth that contributes into the country's variety of climates. To the west lies the major ranges of the Kar mountains, characterized by the rugged Tatsir north and the immense altitudes of the Ikiwin Plateau. The intense altitude changes petter off into still-sizable, but less extreme hills as one moves east. Southwestern Tarrukar, while less rugged, is made up of cold deserts, leading into steppes and subtropical highlands to the occident.

Due to its extensive mountain chains, Tarrukar is rich in rivers and fresh water sources. Its territory contains over 90,000 rivers and 100,000 lakes, many created by the recession of glaciers over the Tatsir mountains. Some of the most important rivers (by extension and economic activity) are the Vankya, Reyar and the Oza river.

Despite its extensive range, Tarrukar makes use of a unified national time zone, the KST (Kar Standard Time).

Climate

Tarrukar's climate is dominated by dry seasons and wet monsoons in the southern areas. Winters are cold and dry, influenced by the northern alpine winds, while the summers bring wet coastal winds—with the southern continental area being prone to hurricanes. The southwest is characterized by cold desertic regions, which have seen a recent expansion as consequence of the Atesham Disaster. This, and poor agricultural practices in the past have led to frequent dust storms during spring and summer. These events have improved in the last decades thanks to the effort of genetically modified flora and syphytes being introduced, limiting the extension of the desert and its dust.

The northern and mountainous sections of the country receive a more temperate climate with clear seasonality. Lower altitudes have a boreal and hemiboreal climates, while up the mountains there's tundra and ice caps.

Biodiversity

Tarrukar is considered a megadiverse country—in part due to its massive size. Its diverse ecosystem and extensive uninhabited land allows for the proliferation of thousands of native vascular plants, as well as hundreds of animal species. While industrial expansion and the Atesham Disaster caused the disappearance of several species at the beginning of the 40th era, the establishment of hundreds of government-managed wilderness areas and national parks have allowed the protection of vulnerable species.

The main environmental issue that Tarrukar faces is the competition of native species against GMO organisms, due to the poorly regulated introduction of transgenic species during the beginning of the Artes Enlightenment. While nowadays GMO species are tightly regulated and seldom placed in nature, there are dozens of species that have still colonized areas of southwestern Tarrukar, including the Morsican hare, Tarrukari cats, snow rats, and Zeza hawks; as well as syphyte species, in particular tropical and agricultural plants that were modified to thrive in Tarrukar's more arid soils.

Government and politics

Tarrukar maintains the ceremonial title of 'Empire', despite not counting with its former expanse or peripheral colonies. In practice, it has a semi-constitutional elective monarchy, with the monarch head of state being titled The Absolut (or Gilded Absolut during ceremonies). This monarch has a limited lifelong term, being directed to step down at age 75, though also being able to abdicate or be forced to step down by a public vote of no-confidence.

Power is divided into three branches: the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch. As federal head of state, the Absolut represents the executive and the judicial head. The executive branch is complemented by the High Council and the Council of Ministers. Provincial level administration is carried out by governors, and city and municipal mayors. The High Council is made up of the province governors, the Assembly of Elders, and the National Congress President. The Council of Ministers is made up of Absolut-appointed advisors that help with day-to-day decisions, while the High Council aid in critical decisions: including crisis response, selection of a new Absolut, and war efforts.

The Assembly of Elders is made up of six families, featuring a hereditary, hierarchical structure. They dedicate their lives to the study of Tarrukar history for the purpose of aiding the Absolut and other government members in decision making. They are a big part of the national identity, encouraging all political decisions to be driven by the core values of Tarrukar (discipline, unity, innovation). Together, they form the pool of people that are considered candidates to become Absolut should it be required. They also fulfill ceremonial roles, appearing in national festivities, visits to the Tarrukar Armed Forces, and in high-profile diplomatic missions.

The legislative branch is made up of the National Congress, a bicameral institution made up of the nationally-elected senate, the prefecture-elected representatives, and the Congress President—all chosen by popular vote. The process of lawmaking follows a pattern of suggested bills (either by congress members or a public petition with enough signatures), separate discussion within bodies, and final acceptance and compromise between bodies. By default, approved laws go into effect without passing by the Absolut.

The judicial system of Tarrukar is a code-based civil law system and it uses detailed legal categories. It's made up of three High Courts:

• The Legislative Court oversees violations of fundamental rights and studies international treaties. This court is led by the Legislative Judge, chosen by the National Congress.
• The National Court, overseeing the lawfulness of administrative action from the other branches. This court is led by the Absolut.
• The Supreme Court, managing penal and civil matters. It's led by the Absolut, and it oversees the action of regional, provincial and local courts.

While not all government officials are chosen by public vote, the importance of this one remains critical for the nation. Voting is allowed for any Tarrukari citizen over 20 years, with it being compulsory for the population between 20-60 years residing in the country—failing to vote can lead to fines.

Administrative divisions

Tarrukar is divided into 26 provinces, which are subdivided into municipalities. Each province has a governor chosen by popular vote. The provinces are loosely categorized by regions, based on shared climate and cultural practices, but these regions don't fulfill any administrative purpose nor are they officially recognized.

Foreign relations

Tarrukar is a member of the GCA (Global Cooperation Assembly), the World Bioethics Committee, the International Fund, the Interoceanic Weave Network, and the TKP Economic Association. It maintains relations with dozens of countries, having a complex network of diplomatic missions abroad, especially after the separation of Braukar and the need to 'reassure' the world on Artes production. Due to its political and cultural influence, economic power, and military strength, Tarrukar is considered one of Verant's main powers.

Tarrukar has a close economical and cultural relationship with the Teotlanco Union, further exemplified by the TKP Economic Association. This relationships comes from a long alliance history, and to this day it's remained strong, with frequent trade, mutual research and military support, and extensive diplomatic missions—to the point that some member states of the Union are open to Artes workers and training centers.

To this day, Tarrukar maintains territorial disputes with the Republic of Braukar and the Kingdom of Menet, the later in particular related to the Atesham Radioecological Reserve. Tarrukar and these countries maintain limited trade and poor diplomatic relations, while limiting strong military action.

Overall, Tarrukar is an important hub for international missions, and hosts embassies for most of the world countries, as well as holding the headquarters for the World Bioethics Committee and the Interoceanic Weave Network. They also provide substantial humanitarian aid, in particular towards former Atesham colonies, peacekeeping missions in warring states, and providing medical support in isolated parts of the world.

Military

The Tarrukari Armed Forces are the defense forces for the Empire, with the Absolut as its supreme leader. It's organized into the Ground Force, the Navy, the Air Force, and Cybersecurity Force, the latter being recognized as one of the strongest in the world.

The total strength of the military is ~1.8 million active soldiers, with 32% of them being Artes (~576,000). It counts with the world's largest Air Force by number of air units (Stratos not inclusive), a development that also supports the country's growing aerospace industry. While it has an extensive system of national military bases, it also counts with dozens of support installations in foreign land, primarily for the purpose of humanitarian and medical aid, though host states have submitted complaints in surveillance operations.

Economy

Historically, Tarrukar featured an agrarian and mining economy, but in the later centuries this has shifted to an industrial and research focus. Tarrukar has a social market economy, being loosely regulated by the government by social policies, establishing fair competition, income ceilings and implementing both investment and taxes on industries. Its economy is considered stable and high-tech, with a high level of innovation and skilled labour force, in part thanks to its universal access to education.

While it has a low unemployment rate at 4.1%, a lot of the employed people partake in additional informal work. Primary economic development has taken place in the southern coastal regions, the inner valleys and the boreal territory. Despite the cultural importance of the Kar mountains, the citizens of the isolated rural regions see a more meager infrastructure and a lower average income.

Science and technology

See also: Artes

The Tarrukari genetic and medical industry is the most robust of the world, with millions of foreigners partaking in medical tourism, reproductive services, and commissioning organisms. Research and development form a critical cornerstone of the Tarrukar culture, having the largest R&D budget in the world, invested in particular in the fields of medicine, biology, biomaterials and architecture. It counts with the world's largest genetics laboratory, as well as having the highest number of reproductive clinics.

The production of Artes and their integration into the wider Tarrukar society has lent the country an economical boon, both as they displace menial jobs and push humans into more highly skilled positions, while also being an important export product. Some of the other primary exports of Tarrukar include pharmaceutical products, biomaterials, chemical goods, medical equipment, and research software.

Infrastructure and transport

While historically relying in coal, Tarrukar has shifted its primary energy sources to hydroelectrical and nuclear power, the former being the most widespread thanks to the steep mountainous region of the country and its abundant source of freshwater. All primary sources are administered by Tarrukar Electric, which is owned by the government. Coal is still used in certain areas of the country, namely on the north. Other notable sources of energy are wind and solar power, in particular in the southwestern steppes.

A long history of transportation investment has led to Tarrukar having some of the densest railroad networks in the world, boasting the longest rail network before the departure of Braukar. These are managed by private companies, fostering competition while still being tightly regulated by the government. The abundant energy production has led to the development of long maglev tracks, uniting the primary cities and larger towns and supplemented by low-speed electric and diesel rail. However, public infrastructure turns lacking in rural areas and smaller towns, which remain dependent on private transport options, to the point that ownership of motor vehicles is a marker of geographical location. Railway, bus rapid transit, cable cars and light rail are the primary methods of transportation in urban areas. Even intercity transport is preferred through public means, due to the high taxes and insurance bills tied to vehicle ownership as well as steep tolls. While there has been an increase in active drivers, the majority of these opt for vehicle rental in place of ownership.

Despite its initial lagging in the air transport industry, currently Tarrukar holds a robust international air market—driven in part by the extension of the country and geopolitical competition. However, while it has potential and there's considerable advancements in air transport technology, the intense competition against the more established rail transport has limited domestic growth.

Agriculture and natural resources

While in the past Tarrukar relied on agricultural exports, the famine triggered by the Atesham Disaster and the eventual departure of Braukar has severely shrunk this activity. In current day, farming is concentrated in the inner valleys region and in some of the southern mountains, both relying in the use of terrace farming. Traditional farming has also seen a reduction, due to the governmental investment into hydroponics building and industrial Fabrim production—both resulting in a higher yield with a smaller footprint. However, with the departure of Braukar, the agricultural sector has seen more recent protections. Agricultural goods from Tarrukar, despite expensive and few, are considered to be some of the healthiest in the world. This is due to strict livestock vaccination and frequent genetic screening of produce.

The boreal and mountainous regions of Tarrukar have an important extraction market, with vast areas dedicated to the planting and extraction of wood from organic trees, GMO and syphytes. Some featured wood are the Tarbark and the Night Cedar, boasting a characteristic dark colour and intense shine. Mineral production is also important, with a long history of being a mining country, though current day sees a more limited practice. The most valuable resources of this industry are building stones (limestone, slate), iron, and titanium, while also having important reserves in other industrial ores.

The most important economic activities of northern Tarrukar include fish extraction, either through wild fishing or with fish farming. It's an important exporter of salmon, cod, and herring. Some insular communities maintain the traditional practice of hunting, in particular seals and whales.

Cuisine

Tarrukar has a vibrant cuisine, a remnant of widespread trade and a varied climate and crops. Flour-based products are an important staple, though manifest differently based on the region. The north and west see a common inclusion of breads, buns, pancakes and puddings. The south and east have a preference for grains, appearing in soups, porridge, fermented, whole-grain breads, and steamed. All regions share an appreciation for noodles, appearing in a variety of shapes, cuts and cooking methods. The fermentation of crops is common, especially in the northern and mountainous territories. Spice is well liked in the north and eastern territories, while the west has an extensive market of sweets, pastries and baked goods.

Due to being budget-friendly, Fabrim has become the most widespread protein source in Tarrukar, followed by eggs and pork. The prevalence of the Akari religion has led chicken meat to be a rather unpopular choice, with some regions lacking it completely, though the more multicultural urban centers have seen a more common use. Seafood is an important staple in the southern and northern territories, while river fish farming has limited success in the interior regions. In modern days, thanks to the strict regulations around food safety, communal meals have become popular.

The favourable attitude of Tarrukar towards recreational drugs has led to its inclusion in various restaurants and recipes, in particular for hallucinogenics and stimulants, though their presence must be clearly labelled.

Tourism

Tarrukar is one of the most visited countries of the world, receiving millions of tourists each year. It has lax visa requirements (and no requirement at all for Atesham and Teotlanco citizens), though places strong restrictions in entry of organic matter and food products. It's a large industry, concentrated around cultural experiences, the natural wonders of the unique Kar mountains, historic landmarks of the former imperial rule, hosting of tournaments, vast cities, and the evident novelty of a dense Artes population. Some of the featured attractions include the coastal city of Coti and their luxurious gambling houses, as well as the renowned Evorden night markets. Business and research also drive an important touristic force, with thousands of conferences and international summits being held every year.

Demographics

With a population of 132 million people, Tarrukar is considered highly populous despite having a rather low average density of ~12 people/km^2 . It has a relatively stable population, with a birth and death rate that may be considered low in comparison to other countries. The majority of Tarrukar citizens live in cities, with its capital, Evorden, being the most populous of the country.

The majority of citizens have a Kari ancestry, hailing from the blend of the Tescano and Esham people that settled in the mountains centuries ago. The Esham ethnic group still make a sizeable percentage of the population, in particular in the south, as well as Tescano immigrants from the weaker states of the Teotlanco Union. The Amoaar is a protected ethnic group, being the native inhabitants of the northern Tarrukar mountains.

Following the civil war and the departure of Braukar, the number of migrants in Tarrukar lowered. However, the improvements in Artes culture and infrastructure of the past decade has steadily increased the number of migrants.

Language

Keris is the most widespread language in Tarrukar, being taught in all public education institutions. As a language, Keris may be communicated in its isolated vocal form, or in a compound vocal and signed form, the later being most common among peers. Oaara is the following most important language, being spoken by the Amoaar ethnic group and extending throughout most of the Kar mountain population. The Diakle language is a particular dialect of the Eshe spoken in the defunct Atesham Empire. It survived from the immigrants that moved into Tarrukar following the Atesham Disaster, and a sizeable population in southern Tarrukar speaks it.

Sign language has an important position in Tarrukar, due to its historical importance in communication among the affected of respiratory disease. Modern Keris Sign Language is taught in all public education facilities, and all official events and news transmissions include interpreters. MKSL shares some vocabulary with the signed elements of verbal Keris, but they aren't direct reflections of the other. Lipon Sign Language is also officially recognized, having sourced from the cultural exchange of the defunct Early Keris Sign Language and the Tescano dancing rites. While not always present during official events, it fulfills an important ceremonial purpose.

Religion

The Empire of Tarrukar safeguards the right of religious freedom, an effect of its multicultural population. The most widespread belief between the Tarrukari is the Akari religion, based around the veneration of birds, the tracking of migratory patterns and the building of shrines. While the country self-describes as secular, a lot of official ceremonies and images make reference to Akari practices. In modern day, irreligion has grown, in particular around urban centers.

A considerable percentage of the population practices the Tescano religion of Celishta, and the region of the inner valleys sees the presence of dozens of Celis temples. Other featured religions are the fire-venerating Askeita of the Esham, the northern Maro, and various folk religions of rural settlements.

Education

As a society that highly values knowledge and learning, education in Tarrukar is considered a critical part of life. The levels of formal education are based after the Teotlanco model. There's a compulsory Foundational Pillar, often comprised between the ages of 5 - 16, thought made up of mixed-age cohorts. It's composed of core knowledge blocks, including mathematics, history, literacy, scientific reasoning, social skills, sexual education and bureaucracy. Knowledge blocks aren't necessarily linear, and one cohort may be studying Mathematics I and Advanced History at the same time. Most evaluations are made up of collaborative projects, with little individual examination.

Posterior to the Foundational, students may take on the Tutelage Pillar. While optional, the vast majority of Foundational graduates continue on track as it allows for better job opportunities. It's characterized by taking on a primary pathway, such as General Engineering, Biology, Social Studies, etc. It involves a more specialized education in the desired path, while also being involved in limited apprenticeships on various fields of the pathway (for example, a General Engineering student may do apprenticeship for electric and civil engineering at the same time). Tutelage tends to take 5 - 6 years (with the exception of medical Tutelage taking 10 years), with the last year being dedicated to a single-field practical experience. Certain courses are cross-disciplinary, including professional ethics, basic taxation law, personal finance and public speaking. Large corporations have Tutelage schools attached to them, allowing the identification of future highly skilled workers.

Advanced Studies are an additional schooling level, more geared towards academia and research than industry-level. The length of these are highly variable and dependent on the particular field. For researchers, it's not odd for them to acquire multiple Advanced titles.

There are hundreds of public education institutions all over Tarrukar, including both in-person and remote modalities. Public institutions don't charge tuition, and often have direct links to Tutelage in governmental positions. Private institutions aren't rare, though, and they may attract students for niche fields that aren't covered by the public programs. Additionally, Tutelage attached to prestigious companies often have intense competition for enrollment. Advanced Studies often come with higher fees due to their specialized nature, but companies and the government itself often offer grants and tuition pardons with successful title acquisition.

Homeschooling is disallowed save for very particular cases. Many institutions count with accommodations, transport subsidies for rural settlements and connectivity aid in the case of remote study—so the concept of homeschooling is considered alienating and neglectful. Still, even if education is compulsory, many rural children fall through the cracks.

Health

The healthcare system of Tarrukar is robust and thorough, being a manifestation of the country's cultural importance in health and hygiene. Healthcare not only is universal and comes at a low cost, but it's compulsory for citizens to get preventative checks and vaccines or risk getting fined. The public system offers a host of services, including screening, prenatal care, infectious disease control, physical trauma management, surgeries, and interdisciplinary care for chronic disease.

All citizens are linked to an insurance provider based on their employer. Should they be unemployed they may be linked to the national insurance, which may come with more modest care but guaranteeing coverage for everyone. General practitioner visits often have low fees, with more complex appointments and procedures incurring a co-payment based on the patient's income.

Despite the universal coverage, private practice is also widespread, though fees are regulated and often come with differentiated pricing based on citizenship. The quality of Tarrukari doctors is renowned worldwide, and thousands of people visit the country in search of care or looking to study medicine. However, despite the immense progress in physical health, mental services are considered lacking, and suicide and self-harm rates are considered to be high.

Tarrukar sees a thriving market of supplements, with the citizens of urban centers having some of the highest rates of supplement consumption in the world. This is paired with the lax regulation of medications; only those that are proved to trigger chemical addiction are controlled. Additionally, the practice of aromatherapy is common, even in hospitals, despite its lack of evidence and controversy among the research community.

Trivia

• Gender norms are strongly cemented in Tarrukar's culture. The prevalence of these have decreased in modern day, especially with globalisation, but they definitely still permeate most of Tarrukar's regions.
• Women and femininity are linked to intelligence, arts, empathy, leadership, physical weakness, and manipulation. Leadership positions are often linked to femininity, with all of Tarrukar's Absoluts being women so far. This extends to management positions and fields related to finances and programming.
• Men and masculinity are linked to physical strength, loyalty, courage, discipline, construction, lack of intelligence and aggressivity. Men are most desired for physical and outdoors work, such as construction, law enforcement, firefighters, athletes and manufacturing/industrial jobs.
• Hair length in Tarrukar fulfills an important cultural role, completely detached from gender presentation. Hair length denotes seniority and skill. Children and teens are always expected to have short hair, as well as junior employees. It's not until obtaining a seniority role, popularity or important achievements that it becomes culturally accepted (and even expected) to have long hair. Because of this, hair length is more strongly associated with age and profession than any one gender.
• Architecture and sculpture go hand-in-hand in Tarrukar—most architecture programs also include sculpture courses. The majority of buildings include at least one sculpture created by the head architect, though the oldest and largest of buildings boast several.
• The streetlights in Tarrukar are red.
• While reproduction and the concept of family has a fundamental role in the Empire, this hasn't led to the prosecution of homosexuality. Regardless of what one's sexuality is, people are expected to have children at some point. While the modern presence of reproductive clinics have opened doors for same-sex partners to have biological children, in the past people were expected to conceive children naturally (through hired surrogates, convenience partnerships or brothels) before engaging in a long term same-sex relationship, or alternatively adopt.
• Sex work in Tarrukar is legal and regulated nationally. Sex workers are often linked to differentiated health insurance per their brothel, providing frequent screening and reproductive services. Prostitution outside of licensed brothels is penalized. In the modern day, there's a thriving Artes sex work market.
• Public bathhouses are rather common throughout the country, being especially popular in the mountains due to the presence of hot springs. They aren't differentiated by gender, and may include other ammenities like gyms, snacks, aromatherapy rooms and sleeping quarters. The focus of these facilities are more towards health than hygiene, offering traditional herb baths or mineral massages.