What if...? Alternate Thyatis: Ochalea Triumphant
by Marc SaindonThis idea is similar to the Legend of the 5 Rings/Thyatis re-skin, although it keeps the Byzantine-Roman culture of Thyatis proper, but makes it a lesser influence. In an alternate timeline, the revolt against Alphatia gains the leadership primarily of Ochaleans. Thus when the dust settles in 0 AC, it's an Ochalean Emperor that gets crowned. Instead of Ochalea and the Pearl Islands getting betrayed and annexed, it's Hattias and Thyatis. Gladiatoral games are replaced by Mortal Kombat! (cue the theme song), or "the Kumite", a deadly martial arts tournament. Thyatis, while retaining its roman empire pastiche culture, is relegated as a backwater province (so population of Thyatis City should be lowered, and the Emperor be replaced by Viceroy); Thyatian elites will tend adopt some Ochalean culture. With populations lowered in Thyatis, Ochalea's own should be boosted, and because Ochalea is the now the main hub of the empire, the major cities like Beitung should have increased diversity, notably to represent trade enclaves.
(image from: https://legendandfolktales.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-jade-emperor.html)