The Raithir Empire

All characters are from the Raithir Empire, which is named for its Capital city, Raith. The Empire has existed for the last 800 years and has grown massive. The core of the empire is run from Raith, but along the outskirts there are the provinces - sections of the empire that are technically ruled by local governors, but that pay taxes to Raith. In return they are given access to the wealth of the empire. And are, you know, not killed on the regular. The outskirts are also almost constantly at war, and news about the borders are rife with rumour and speculation.

The Empire has an  Empress and Her Shadow, who are brother and sister. The royal line is matriarchal, and the crown goes to those of the greatest concentration of royal blood - decended from the original Empress, 800 years ago. There is a lot of incest, and the fathers are generally not recognized or important. The current crown are a pair of twins, with the sister technically having more power, as the line will continue through her, not through her brother. It is rumoured that he provides her 'sober second thought', but all that common folk hear about the Crown is entirely made of wild speculation.

Geography
The Empire's heart is the city of Raith.

Other places of note:
 * Traitor's Keep