Ergoth

Antiquity (6th century BC–5th century AD)
Archaeological evidence has confirmed human in habitation of the Ruhsam river valley dating to at least 600,000 years ago. Throughout the Ruhsam, Gossenreith, Preuntsfelden and Wallroda valleys evidence of 40,000+ year old artifacts such as animal bone flutes, early tools, and weapons have been discovered. In addition there are numerous copper through bronze age sites with tools, weapons, and art have been found in the same valleys as well as at various points along the gothic coast. Several underwater sites have been discovered off the Gothic coast, consisting of hordes of axes, tools, weapons, and gold, pewter, and bronze figurines and other artistic works.

In eastern Ergoth there have been several discoveries of cave paintings and carvings dating back to and preceding the copper age.

Politics and Government
The empire is a not a single unified entity with a robust central government, but is in actuality a massive confederation of fiercely independent states and provinces whose inhabitants are tied together only by a common language, a shared faith in the Imperial Church of Mallus and a mutual Imperial culture. In modern times the empire is divided up into eight provinces, four free cities and three Ecclesiarchical holdings. Each province is ruled by an Elector Duke/Duchess, which are usually the decedents of tribal leaders, or petty kingships or nobility from the provinces which they govern. The Elector Dukes are permitted to manage his/her own territory but subject to the Emperor in matters relating to its rulership.

The emperor's position is not hereditary, and upon death the Elector Dukes, with the mayors of the free cities, the Imperial High Theogonist of the Church of Mallus and the two Pontiff's representing the temples of the old and new gods elect a new emperor from among members of their own caste.

Due to the size of the Empire, and the degrees of autonomy the various subdivisions and sub-factions within the empire. Makes the Imperial government too large and complex for a single individual to oversee. As such the Emperor, upon being elected to the throne appoints members to a state council known as the Imperialus Administratum (Gothic:ᛋᛏᚪᛏᛖ ᚳᛟᛝᚳᛡᛚ) which serves both as a council of advisers to the Emperor as well as the heads of various government departments who help to administer the affairs of the state in the Emperors name.

The Estates Primaris (Gothic:ᛠᛋᛏᚪᛏᛖᛋ ᛈᛡᛗᚪᚱᛁᛋ) is an Imperial organization made up of one representative from each of the elector bodies, including a representative from the current emperor's house, which serve to administrate the Emperors actions as to keep face with the Empire's people. The Estates Primaris serves as a check on the emperor's power. Members of the Estates Primaris are selected by the head of the household and their identities are kept secret. The Estates Primaris scrutinizes every imperial edict or law, and may veto edicts in the "interest of the state". The Emperor may overturn a veto by the Estates Primaris, but requires significant support from within the Estates Primaris to do so.

In times when line of succession for an elector house is in dispute, the emperor may intervene. Emperor has the authority to elevate houses to elector status, or depose an elector, but again the backing of the majority of the Estates Primaris is usually required for such actions.

The third pillar of Gothic politics is the Holy Order of the Imperial Inquisition (Noble Gothic:Sanctorus Ordo Imperialis Haereticum), commonly referred to as the Inquisition. The Inquisition is the militant arm of the Church of Mallus, and serves as the secret police of the empire. Rooting out treachery, corruption, and other criminal activities carried out by government or military officials, as well as litany of loosely defined crimes deemed heresy. However more often than not the Inquisition is used as a tool to silence political dissenters, or as a means to apply pressure on the elector houses by the emperor, thus providing the Emperor with a means to balance the authority between himself, and the Estates Primaris.

Military
The Holy Imperial Army of Ergoth (Gothic:Ηολυ ιμπεριαλ Αρμυ οφ εργοτη) is the name for the the unified armed forces of Ergoth. Military service is compulsory for men and women at age 18, and conscripts served eight month tours of duty; those unfit or not seeking military service could instead opt for an equal length of Civil Service of the Temple or a six-year commitment to (voluntary) emergency services like a fire department or various civil service groups, or an equal length of service in the Gendarme. Women may serve in all functions of service without restriction.

The military is directed by the War Council (Gothic:ᚹᚫᚱ ᚳᛟᚢᛝᚳᛡᛚ) which serves as the general staff and is headed by the Emperor or designated Primarch.

Religion
The Church of Mallus is the state religion of Ergoth. The clergy of the church of mallus are incorporated into the administrative system of the country in many aspects, some territories are Ecclesiarchical holdings, and the Imperial High Theogonist of the Church of Mallus is among the elector caste which determines whom will be the next Emperor. The church is also deeply involved in education, via both influence over the curriculum as well as the ownership of a large percentage of educational facilities. Public vows made by the Imperial High Theogonist are made to ensure the well being and security of the Emperor, not the Empire, and daily proclamations are made designating the Emperor as the of the Empire and all its people by virtue of the fact that Mallus himself has guided the elector's vote and thus selected the Emperor to serve as Mallus' human vessel on earth, always guiding the Emperor's decisions.

Apart from this Religion in the Gothic Empire encompasses the practices and beliefs the Goths regard as their own, as well as the many cults imported to the empire or practised by peoples throughout the provinces. Depending on the location of a particular community, some areas of the Empire have a certain degree of worship often towards a certain family of gods. In the northern areas for example many people follow a pantheon known as the Elder Gods while in the southern areas of the country many people follow a pantheon known as the Forge-men Gods. Together these two groups are now known as the lesser gods, subservient to the high god, Mallus.

Gothic religion is practical and contractual, based on the principle of, "I give that you might give." Gothic religion relies heavily on both the correct practice of rituals, prayer, and sacrifice as well as dogma. Each household generally has its own shrine, where the family may make offerings and prayers to the family's domestic deities. Each community, town, or city will have a number of shrines and sacred places scattered throughout, in addition to, as required by law a shrine to Mallus. Rejection of the state religion is tantamount to treason against the emperor and has been used in this context as a tool by Emperor's throughout history to squash internal dissenters, remove political rivals, or as a Casus belli for launching aggressive wars.