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Crown of the Empire

The Achaean Empire - often referred to simply as "the Empire," or less commonly as Imperia or the Imperium (the latter referring more specifically to its government) - is the most powerful nation west of the Jagged Edge, spanning the entirety of the lands known as Achaea, and beyond. Throughout its long history, its marching legions have trampled weaker nations and then rebuilt them in the Achaean image. Ruled by a single Emperor from the capital city of Coronaria, the Empire's borders stretch from the Southern deserts to the mountains of Northrim.

History

The Golden Age

The history of the Achaean Empire begins in the so-called Golden Age or Age of Heroes - the time of the revered heroes of Achaean culture, such as Akhilles and Herakles, when the world was full of demigods and monsters. The name 'Achaeans' comes from these tales, which are surrounded by myth and legend, long glorified as the true dawn of the Achaean culture, though the Empire itself did not truly arise until thousands of years later.

The Fourth Age: The Age of Bronze

The Imperial calendar begins here, at 1 AI (Anno Imperiorum), when the First Alliance was formed between the feuding city-states of Achaea. Led by Templaria, they united their armies to fight the rising threat posed by the Empire of Parsanshar to the south.

The Red War (130-200): Rivalries between Templaria and the Red City of Pyropolis resulted in the dissolution of the First Alliance. Pyropolis, the Red City, declared war on Templaria, starting a civil war known as the Red War. Eventually, the Red City and her allies achieved victory over the Templarian Alliance.

Around 30 years later, with Pyropolis and Templaria still relatively weak from the war, the city-state of Coria to the north took advantage. King Exar I of Coria sent his highly-disciplined Legions to unite all of Achaea under his rule.

Xandros the Conqueror

In 236 AI, King Exar I was assassinated, and his son Xandros took the throne at a young age. He declared himself Emperor of Achaea, creating the First Achaean Empire. He quickly led his armies to conquer Parsanshar to the south, then moved on to take Kemhet as well. He became known as Xandros the Conqueror.

But in 275, Xandros died of illness while on campaign. With no clear heir, his ruling council took control. The Empire soon fell apart. Xandros's army lost control of Parsanshar, allowing the twisted cult of Zharduvar to seize power there. Meanwhile, one of Xandros's generals, Basileus, declared himself Pharaoh of Kemhet, beginning the Basilean Dynasty there.

The Reign of Ildrius, the Mage Emperor

In the years following the Mage Wars, the people of the Achaean Empire grew suspicious of the Mage Advisors appointed to kings and other rulers. Many of these magi were foreigners from the new lands to the South, and they had gained increasing influence since the death of Xandros, who put great stock in their wisdom.

Fearing persecution, a cult of magi known only as The Hidden - possibly related to the Zharduvar - suddenly enacted a secret plan to overthrow the kings they had sworn to advise. Many Imperial nobles were killed or imprisoned.

The mages even overthrew the current Emperor, the weak and ineffective Valens II. He was slain by his own advisor, Archmage Ildrius, who then declared himself Emperor and trapped Valens's soul in a soulstone on his new crown. For thirty years, the Mage-Emperor Ildrius ruled Achaea with an iron grip, enslaving and experimenting upon his own subjects - the regular people of the Empire - with the help of his powerful Mage Lords.

In 333 AI, Ildrius was finally slain by Sir Durand du Vide, and rulership of the Empire passed to the Imperial Senate. They declared Durand the First Inquisitor, founding the Imperial Inquisition to hunt down the remaining Mage Lords and destroy them.

The Achaean Republic

For nearly five hundred years, from 333 to 870 AI, Achaea was ruled by the Senate and the Consuls, who swore that no Emperor would ever rise again to take control. At first, there was peace, but eventually the Senate became corrupt and weak, and turmoil began to rise throughout the Empire.

Much territory was lost, and in 866, the Senate sent General Albus Exarion to cross the Ilfarius River and destroy the Nordling tribes of the Northwestern Kingdom. He proved to be a military genius unlike the Empire had seen since the days of Xandros, and soon the only remaining Northwestern tribes were the Frost Ravens, the Forsaken, and a few tribes on the islands off the coast.

The Second Achaean Empire

In 870, General Exarion's ambitions grew too great, and the Senate relieved him of command. But he had no intention of giving up his position, and so he marched on Coria itself with his Legions. The Republic stood no chance against him, and he soon declared himself Emperor, founding the Second Achaean Empire. During his reign, Illikon and Artorius were founded, and Coldstone Wall was built to keep the barbarians out of the new Imperial lands.

Ten years later, supporters of the Republic assassinated Exarion, but his adopted ward quickly seized power, declaring himself Exarion II and stripping the Senate of nearly all power. Seeking to prove himself as capable as his predecessor, Exarion II sent General Elius Aquilus, the Black Eagle, to conquer Northrim. He seized control of Rimegard and declared the Imperial Kingdom of Northrim.

But he failed to push very far into Northrim, never reaching the Beawulf River, because an alliance of Nordlings called the First Vinatta under the leadership of Kundaric the Terrible ambushed and slew him in the great Battle of Blackforest. Kundaric cut off the great general's head and turned it into a golden drinking goblet. This ended Imperial ambitions for further expansion northward.

In 977, Emperor Antares I took the throne and converted to the increasingly popular Cult of Astra, adding Astra to the Imperial pantheon of gods and placing her star on the Imperial crown. He also ordered the Inquisition to stop killing mages and start capturing them alive, to study for a way to control or even cure them. He ordered the construction of a new fortress-prison for magi, Karak du Vide.

In 1073, a young knight and his comrades-in-arms overthrew the weak and corrupt Emperor Severus IV. This knight declared himself Emperor Doraius I, and his retinue became the Paladins, whom he gifted control of the mighty Stormcliff Keep. Doraius declared it his intention to bring law and order and peace to all the world by spreading the light of Astra and the Empire as far as possible.

Geography

The Ten Kingdoms

The Kingdom of Northrim - The newest kingdom of the Empire, actually comprising only a small section of Northrim north of Coldstone Wall. Its capital is Rimegard, with only one other major city: Arrowfall.

The Northwestern Kingdom - Another younger kingdom, located just south of Coldstone Wall. It is a wild land, dominated by the Plains of Illikon, the Shadowvale, and mountains to the north. Its capital is Illikon. Other major settlements include Gryphon Roost, Dragon's Lair, and Eloh.

The Jewel Islands - The third of the three youngest kingdoms, located on islands off the coast of Illikon. The Empire actually only controls part of the largest island, from the capital of Artorius.

The Riverlands - The kingdom south of Illikon's realm, ruled over by the city of Deltalund. Its territory stretches along the river, and much of it is covered in marshlands. Other cities include Pirgos, Caltha, Woodshadow Village, and Goodwater. This is also the location of Castle Greywatch, headquarters of the Venatori.

The Black Lands - A region east of the Riverlands, governed from Kyjovia. Named for its many black stones, since it rests at the feet of Vulcan's Forge, an enormous volcano in the Jagged Edge. Other major cities include Blackwall, Pikeston, and Vyzigord.

The White Lands - A wealthy and influential region ruled from Whitehorn, considered a land of high culture and fashionable younger noble families. Other major cities include Edrimark, Piera, and Appledale.

The Imperial Heartland - Seat of the Imperial government, a region dominated by the Imperial capital of Coronaria. Other important locations include Pluton Hold and Stormcliff Keep.

The Silver Shore - Sometimes called Old Achaea, this region is considered by some to be the birthplace of Achaean culture. It is ruled by the grand city of Templaria and also includes Krisa, Arcadia, Goldcrossing, and Starward Citadel, fortress of the Knights Templar.

The Golden Coast - Though officially ruled by its King in his seat at Emerita, the Gold Coast is considered a somewhat lawless land. The wealthiest and most influential city of the Gold Coast is Sevenxia, which is a republic that regularly elects a new Duke. Its other major city, Starfire Isle, also enjoys a great degree of independence as the home of the Knights Hospitaller.

The Southern Empire - The southernmost region of Achaea, ruled by the ancient city of Justantion with its unbreakable walls. Other major cities include Ravenstone, Tabula, and Starfire Isle.

Areas Outside Imperial Dominion

The Imperium does not govern quite all of Achaea. Some regions lie outside of its control.

Dwarven Territory - Some parts of the Empire are considered neutral territory under the control of the dwarves, primarily the Iron Pikes ruled by the Iron Gauntlet with their many banks and forges - and the Blackrock Foothills where Clan Sunder first inspired the tactics of the Imperial Legions.

The Emerald Wilds - A peninsula jutting out of the Achaean southwest, this untamed land is ruled by the uneasy Minoan Alliance, which is comprised mostly of beastfolk, Amazons, and Elves. Attempts by the Empire to conquer and tame it have proven unsuccessful, and they have actually lost territory here over the centuries.

The Black Marches - These wild lands on the eastern edge of the Northwestern Kingdom are comprised of the Shadowvale or Forest of Shadows, Rognosst Swamp, Wizard Peak, and the monstrous city of Dhuum and its surrounding mountains. Each of these locations is ruled by different peoples, most of them enemies of the Imperium.

The Rise - A desert waste of disputed territory separating the Empire from Kemhet to the south. Once home to a great kingdom destroyed long ago, possibly destroyed in the Mage Wars of Sinkarya or earlier. Its people, now scattered nomads, are called Riseri. Now, the only important inhabitants of the Rise are the Desert Dwarves at Ibesim.

Government

The Achaean Empire is ruled by a single man, the Emperor, but it is also divided into several major regions called Kingdoms, each ruled by a semi-sovereign King or Queen who answers only to the Emperor. Each Kingdom is further divided into regions ruled by a Duke or Earl (the latter name being more popular in the younger northern kingdoms), which is again divided into Counties ruled by a Count, and then Baronies ruled by a Baron, etc.

Titles

Emperor/Empress - The sovereign ruler of all the Empire, who leads from the capital city of Coronaria, advised by his council of Senators and Delegates from the kingdoms under his rule. He answers to no one but himself, and is traditionally regarded as divinely blessed by the gods, not to be touched - though many Emperors have not enjoyed this level of respect. His personal retinue of knights are the Paladins, who act as his representatives in the field when he cannot be present. They are meant to be obeyed at all times and are allowed to do whatever they deem necessary to carry out his will.

Senator - The Senate is an ancient institution within the capital city of the Empire, its seats usually held by high-born Patricians still set in the old traditional ways. Once proud and intellectual, the Senate has waned in power and glory, now only a shell of its former self. Although Senators are usually wealthy and accorded a large degree of ceremonial respect, many now consider it merely a plaything of the Patricians in the Capital. The Senate is rarely called into session by the Emperor, and the Delegates of the Kings hold greater sway.

King/Queen - The most powerful title one can hold below Emperor. Practically independent, each King or Queen answers only to the Emperor himself, ruling over a vast portion of the Empire with a great degree of sovereignty.

Duke/Duchess (Earl) - Subordinate to a King, in charge a Duchy or Dukedom, which is further divided into Counties. Usually rules from a castle in a large city. In northern regions, specifically the Northwestern Kingdom and the Kingdom of Northrim, Dukes are called Earls instead - a word derived from the Nordling title of Jarl.

Count/Countess - Subordinate to a Duke, in charge of a County. Usually rules from a small city or town, or a freestanding castle.

Baron - Subordinate to a Count, in charge of a Barony. Usually rules from a small city, town, or fort.

Knight - A fighting nobleman who typically owns a manor on an estate. Male knights are addressed as "Sir" followed by their first name. Female knights, who are rare, are addressed as "Lady" or "Dame."

Culture

The people of the vast Achaean Empire vary widely by region, in both physical appearance and culture. Those of the older, southern kingdoms tend to have slightly darker complexion (though usually not as dark as men of the Southern Expanse), with olive skin and dark hair and eyes, while northern Imperials may have pale complexions, blond hair, and blue eyes. Southern Imperials regard themselves as more cultured and better educated. They often wear older styles of clothing including togas and construct building with older styles of architecture such as columns and domes. Northern Imperials prefer to wear tunics and often trousers (considered barbaric by southerners) and construct buildings with tall, slanted roofs for dealing with snow. They are considered rougher, more violent, and less educated, only slightly better than the barbarians of Northrim.

Languages

The main language of the Empire is Imperial Common, which it has made the standard throughout not only Achaea, but much of Northrim and even the South as well. Imperial nobles and priests also learn High Imperial, the old standard language of the Imperium and its government, in which all official documents are written. The most well-educated people in the Empire may also learn Old Achaean, a dead language from the very earliest days of Achaean history. It is now exclusively the language of scholars.

Religion

The patron deity of the current Empire is Astra Aeterna, whose four-pointed star symbol adorns many different things in the Empire, including the Crown itself. Yet most people, from common folk to old nobility, still prefer to worship the older gods: the Olympians. Most cities and/or kingdoms have their own patron god or goddess, such as Athena, patron goddess of Templaria and Illikon. There are also several minor "mystery cults" whose exact methods and subjects of worship are not always known. The Cult of Astra started as one of these before rising to power. Some mystery cults worship foreign gods, such as Isis.

Military

Imperial soldiers: light infantry, heavy infantry, and heavy cavalry

The Imperial military is composed of the Imperial Legions, the Knights and Imperial Orders, local Royal Armies, and sometimes mercenary companies.

The Legions

King Exar I was able to conquer all of Achaea not only because it was weak from civil war, but because of the discipline of his armies, which some say were inspired by the dwarven armies of the Blackrock Foothills near Coria. Whether this is true or not, the Imperial legions, with their strict discipline and heavily armored infantry with their impenetrable lines of tower shields, were essential in forging the vast Empire.

The official, professional military forces of the Empire are the Legions. Each Legion is composed of several thousand troops and operates from a Legionary Fort. These are scattered throughout the Empire and along the frontier. Where a Legionary Fort is constructed, a city usually springs up before long, started by the Legion's families and camp followers. Most major cities within the Empire contain a Legionary Fort or have one located nearby. In the fort, the legionary soldiers are drilled regularly to ensure strict discipline and maximum efficiency. Hard workers, they are also the builders of much of the Empire: they construct their own forts, maintain the Imperial roads, and dig trenches with palisade walls every time they set up camp. A legion is a fighting force to be reckoned with, and without them the Empire would fall.

There are currently twenty-one legions operating in the Empire, though more may be raised if needed. They range from the Legio Prima, the First Legion, stationed within the Imperial Capital; to the Legio XIX Apri, the Legion of the Boar, stationed near Rimegard. Each Legion has its own emblem and colors, and usually its own fortress. For a list of the different Legions, see the Imperial Legions article.

Legionary Ranks

Legatus- The Legatus or Legate is the General of an individual legion. Every Legion has a Legatus, usually a nobleman. Their armor is usually highly decorated with personal embellishments and a large crest on the helmet.

Centurion - Leader of a century, or about 100 men. Six centuries working together forms a cohort, which is then led by the most senior centurion. Marked by a side-to-side crest atop the helmet.

Lieutenant - Minor officers under the centurion who help him relay orders or perform other tasks for him. They have a front-to-back crest atop their helmets.

Legionary Roles

Each unit of a Legion may serve one of several roles...

Hoplites

In the earliest days of Achaea, the phalanx of hoplites served as the heavy infantry, but gradually their armor began to grow lighter in weight, and heavier suits of armor were introduced for the main line infantry. The hoplites now serve the role of Light Infantry. They usually are positioned on the wings of an army where their maneuverability can be used to great advantage. They also serve as skirmishers, scouting the area ahead and weakening the enemy with missile fire before falling back behind the main line. They wear little armor other than a breastplate and helmet, but always carry a shield, spear, and sword.

Legionaries

The backbone of every legion is its heavy infantry. Wearers of the most standardized armor in the Empire, each legionary is equipped with a tower shield, a spear, and a gladius (short sword). In battle, they form a nearly impregnable shield wall and press upon the enemy, carving at them with their swords and spears like a meat grinder, led by their centurion, who makes sure that none of them break rank.

Cavalry

Not all legions have a cavalry unit attached. Each cavalry unit might be Light Cavalry (sometimes referred to by their ancient name, Prodromoi), who serve as scouts and ranged skirmishers; or Heavy Cavalry (Cataphracti or Kataphractoi), who wear full armor and charge in to break enemy lines directly. They have largely been replaced in recent times by Knights, who rose from among their ranks as the Ordo Equester.

Sagittarii

Light cavalry or light infantry units which specialize in archery are called Sagittarii (singluar Sagittarium). Archers are used to weaken the enemy at range until the heavy cavalry and/or infantry can advance. They never serve as the main fighting force of a legion.

Knights and Local Armies

Knights

A special case within the Imperial military and nobility are the knights. They arose from the heavy cavalry of the Legions, which was often composed of nobles who owned their own horses and armor. This class of low nobility came to be known as the Ordo Equester, and later merely the Knights. They would lead the armies in battle and take newly-conquered lands for their own. They developed the practice of heraldry to identify knightly families and orders easily on the battlefield. They also developed a code of conduct called Chivalry, in which knights are held up to rigorous standards of moral conduct, but also are valued above all other soldiers. Militiamen and Legionaries are seen as expendable, but Knights, being noblemen, are more valuable. In wars between kingdoms, knights are usually captured instead of killed, so that they may be ransomed back to their home kingdom or family.

Despite their being nobility, it would be foolish to consider knights pampered and soft. At a very young age, those nobles (or sometimes simply wealthy individuals hoping to become nobles) looking to become knights must go to a castle and serve under a lord as a servant-boy or page. During this time, they are trained in loyalty and the basics of combat, until at age fourteen they may become a squire. Squires train personally under a knight, sometimes even riding into battle with him. Later, if deemed worthy, they may dubbed a knight themselves by a knight or other nobility. Sometimes those who did not undergo such training from a young age, such as members of the Legionary Cavalry, may be dubbed a knight for deeds of great loyalty or heroism. Most knights either live with their lord in the castle or are granted an estate and a manor of their own.

A group of knights may fight as a cavalry or an infantry unit, but most often cavalry. When fighting together, the highest-ranking noble present is assigned the role of Knight-Captain, or else they are led by a local lord or king.

Royal Armies

A few kings choose to train professional armies of their own, outside of the Imperial Legions. These are sometimes called Royal Armies or Home Armies. They wear the colors of their kingdom and answer to the King rather than directly to the Emperor as the Legions are supposed to do. Usually limited in size so as not to cause suspicion from the Emperor, they are nonetheless a sign of a King's desire for indepedence.

Royal armies have different ranks than the legions. They are usually led by a knight or other noble, but occasionally an experienced commoner may take the role. He is then given the rank of Marshal. Leaders of individual units are called Captains, assisted by their Lieutenants.

Militia

More common than professional Royal Armies are militia. Drafted from the ranks of young men within a nobleman's domain, they are usually poorly trained and equipped. Still, they are used quite frequently, especially when a Legion cannot become involved in a battle for one reason or another. They answer to their local lord rather than a legionary commander under the Emperor, and they are usually commanded on the field by knights, or captains from royal armies or mercenary companies.

Mercenaries

Increasingly common within the Empire as its borders grow, mercenary bands are hired by some lords in leiu of Royal Armies, Militias, or Legions - perhaps because these options have been used up, will not suffice, or refuse to perform a particular job. Some mercenary companies have thus become quite large and powerful in their own right, operating out of their own fortresses independent of any other leader. Others are independent warriors who may answer a call for hired blades when they find one.

Mercenary companies are especially common in southwestern Achaea, where they are contacted to fight feudal battles between local lords, since the Legion refuses to get involved.

Navies

Most navies answer to a local king or duke instead of directly to the Emperor. Each ship is commanded by a Captain, and together several ships may be led by an Admiral. Although ships may be equipped with catapults or ballistae on board, most naval warfare is still fought by ramming and/or boarding the enemy vessels. Thus, ships serve mostly as transports. They may have their own crew of marines on board trained specifically for naval warfare, or they may carry other troops with their own commanders.

The Issue of Leadership

Leadership is a fragile thing in the Imperial military. As the reader has seen, there is no overall command structure. The legions, local militaries, mercenary companies, etc., all have their own command structures that may not precisely coincide. These are some of the major issues that plague Imperial leadership:

The Issue of Experience - A more experienced field commander, especially one from the Legions, may expect to take charge, the way that a senior centurion commands a cohort. But when working with local lords or knights, they may refuse to bow to his commands, mostly due to...

The Issue of Blood - Nobility hate to take orders from somone of "lower" birth. If a local lord, even one as low-ranked as a Baron, suddenly decides he would like to join in a war, he may expect to be given leadership due to his title, even if he has no military experience.

The Issue of Rank - Officers of the Emperor, like Legionary Legati or even one of the Emperor's own Paladins (who are supposed to be obeyed at all times), may have trouble controlling local armies. This is again mostly due to the issue of blood; a King does not like to take orders from anyone, even a Paladin, despite the risk of being declared a traitor to the Empire. The same issues arise with leaders of knightly orders like the Knights Templar.

These problems have never been resolved, and sometimes a dispute over leadership of an Imperial army in a crisis may still come to blows.

Knightly Orders

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