Emperi is one of the mightiest nations in Oriund.
Formed initially from a religious sect that arose in the first year of the Age of Manifestations, Emperi grew from a village to a town to a city almost overnight. The populations of nearby regions seemed starved for things of faith, which led to mass immigration to the fledgling city-state. The conflicts that inevitably arose between Emperi and its neighbors seemed to demonstrate the divine mandate that the city had been given, and in short order, the city-state expanded into a major nation state.
Emperi's star has risen and fallen several times throughout its millennia-long history, and in that same period, the government has gone through many different incarnations. Most typically, Emperi is a theocracy; however, several periods of a theocratic republic, and two Holy Emperian Empires, have existed in the past. Currently, the nation is ruled under a theocratic model, with major clerical leaders in executive, judicial, legislative, and even military seats of power.
Geography of Emperi
The heartlands of Emperi comprise the Kauga Peninsula, the Jarles (the large coastal plain/grasslands region between the Wilds of Macela and the Highlands of Foin), and the Highlands of Foin. Territory also extends up into the Everwinter Mountains in the South, through the Pass of Duur and the Pass of Xeon. As such, Emperian lands also include a small part of the Northern Inverrn.
(Note: the Inverrn is the name of the forest region surrounding the Everwinters.)
Notes:
- Emperi has a somewhat complicated theocratic form of government. See here for more details.
- Need to rewrite notes for new map, esp. placement of cities in new environment.
- Silver mines in mtns.
- Predominantly sapien population.
- Skewing of influence from LG factions to more militaristic LN factions.
- Many enemies.
Geographic Features
Intagre
Hallet
Paarens
Kanden
Emperi
Phorut
Stedd
Tremp
Provinces
Amara
Baleir
Foin
Foin Inferior
Motios
Oetara
Palada
Rahba
Soreida
Xistarr
(Refer: Emperi Regions.svg)
Military
Cold Mountain Spears
(Conscript light infantry)
Argent Lancers
(An elite cavalry branch - paladins)
Highland Hunters
(professional (non-elite) skirmishers - scouts)
Silver Sea Arrows
(professional (non-elite) archers
Vohu's Shields
(professional (non-elite) heavy infantry)
Wall of Armaiti
(elite heavy infantry)
Wardens of Justice
(Officer Corps)
History of Emperi
Terms: AM - Age of Manifestations;
AM 0: Emperi founded.
AM 3: War of the Lotus begins. The Kaugan Civil War is caused by upheaval amongst the populace regarding the religious teachings of the Emperians. Many Kaugans wish to emigrate to Emperi, and many wish to simply ally or even join with the new state. However, a large minority, including most of the rulers, administrators and soldiers, oppose the Emperian sympathizers, and bring military force to bear to prevent a mass exodus. Entire townships are slaughtered as part of a campaign of fear by the pro-Kauga faction. Emperi responds by sending a military mission to aid the pro-Emperi faction, headed by Saint Ezbal, late in the Summer. As the monsoon season began, Saint Ezbal and the mission arrived outside of the walls of Kanden, where the Saint called on the pro-Kaugans to repent of their gross crimes against the pro-Emperians, or else face justice. The pro-Kaugans responded by impaling a score of pro-Emperian peasants, and throwing the corpses from the walls in clear view of the mission. Saint Ezbal pronounced a curse on all who had been involved; by nightfall, plague had come upon the city, though it only affected pro-Kaugans. An embassy from the pro-Kaugans to Saint Ezbal and the Emperi mission was informed that the plague would be deadly to those who remained, but that its effects would disappear to any who agreed to exile from the city for their crimes, or who would swear allegiance to Emperi. In short order, the city capitulated, and pro-Kaugan forces retreated from the area.
AM 4: Saint Ezbal consolidated Emperian power in the city, instituted the same system of government as already set up in Emperi, and began the training of priests for the people, all throughout the remainder of the monsoon season and then through to the end of Winter. Once Summer arrives, Kauga officially declares war on Emperi. Saint Ezbal manifests divine power in several cities, driving pro-Kauga forces from the south of the Kauga through fear of plague, protective might given to the largely untrained pro-Emperians in his presence, and other supernatural methods. Kaugan Witch-Armigers seem unable to counter the Saint's methods, though only those pro-Kaugans that repeatedly ignore his warnings ever die as a consequence of these divine interventions. Even then, the Emperian mission themselves never kill a Kaugan - only pro-Emperian Kaugans do so. For the Emperians, the war is bloodless.
AM 5: By the time of the monsoon season, Emperian power extends within twenty miles of Stedd, along The Measure. The pro-Kaugan faction splinters into a score of rival cities and factions, as Lords, Generals and Witch-Armigers squabble over the ever diminishing power of the Empire. Some factions surrender to Emperi, and others flee the mainland for possessions on the isle of Great Panthelis. Most factions, though, continue to fight the pro-Emperians, as well as amongst themselves. When Winter comes, Emperor Noor is killed by his own bodyguard, and a three-way battle erupts in the streets of Kana-Kauga. The fighting continues for almost two weeks, with tens of thousands of civilians and soldiers dying. General Furta wins out, but disease forces him and his armies to flee. The handful of civilians that remain defect to Emperi and also leave the city. Kana-Kauga is allowed to fall into ruin.
AM 11: War of the Lotus ends. Emperian control extends along most of The Measure. Kauga's southernmost border ends just south of modern-day Fielled. Cities in the south of the Kauga Peninsula, and into the Jarles, generally become independent city-states.
AM 34: To ease pressure on the rapidly growing city of Emperi, the city of Tremp is founded.
AM 204: The ascension of Saint Ezbal.
