The Empire
For over eight hundred years, the Empire of Caecras has been the dominant political, economic, and military force on the continent. Its history is painted in blood and magic, brutal wars, crippling plagues, and rebellions. Yet throughout all the years of hardship, the Empire has been a force for progress and innovation, and it has produced some of the world’s greatest artists, philosophers, engineers, and scientists, to say nothing of its advances in magic, religion, and culture. Without the Empire, the continent would remain trapped in a far darker age.
Not long after Balgrendia’s unification, envoys from Caecras braved the harrowing journey over the mountains to offer the kingdom a place as a province within the Empire. Ever eager to expand its holdings and seduced by Balgrendia’s abundant timber, the Empire sent offers of material aid to modernize the backwards land along with the promise of protection for its people from enemies within and without. In exchange, the Empire asked for rights to vast swathes of the forest. Strapped for resources to sustain the war against the vile creatures constantly raiding from the woods, the kingdom saw little choice but to agree to the terms and thus Balgrendia joined the mighty Empire.
Unfortunately, the Alabaster Throne changed hands shortly thereafter and the promised aid never materialized, though neither did the army of woodcutters. While Balgrendia technically owed fealty to the current emperor, it was too distant, too poor, and too dangerous for the Empire to have much, if any, real interest in its affairs. Balgrendia became a province in name only, free to conduct its affairs as it saw fit, receiving virtually no benefit for its agreement to be annexed.
Not long after Balgrendia’s unification, envoys from Caecras braved the harrowing journey over the mountains to offer the kingdom a place as a province within the Empire. Ever eager to expand its holdings and seduced by Balgrendia’s abundant timber, the Empire sent offers of material aid to modernize the backwards land along with the promise of protection for its people from enemies within and without. In exchange, the Empire asked for rights to vast swathes of the forest. Strapped for resources to sustain the war against the vile creatures constantly raiding from the woods, the kingdom saw little choice but to agree to the terms and thus Balgrendia joined the mighty Empire.
Unfortunately, the Alabaster Throne changed hands shortly thereafter and the promised aid never materialized, though neither did the army of woodcutters. While Balgrendia technically owed fealty to the current emperor, it was too distant, too poor, and too dangerous for the Empire to have much, if any, real interest in its affairs. Balgrendia became a province in name only, free to conduct its affairs as it saw fit, receiving virtually no benefit for its agreement to be annexed.
