Corinian Empire
A once dominating faction, the Corinian Empire now exists as a shell of its former glory. However, it still controls more land than any other faction on the continent with sovereignty over Cespion, Vecyra, and parts of Uruger. Founded in 753 BR, the empire stands as one of the oldest and most enduring factions in the world.
Structure
Rule within the Corinian Empire is absolute. The emperor, whose official title is Emperor of Corin, Rightful Ruler of Heleg and Erudor, Wielder of the Divine Flame, Commander of the Imperial Legions, Scourge of the Faithless, and Bringer of Maelik's Wrath, stands at the pinnacle of the empire's hierarchy. Below the emperor is the senate, a government bureaucracy with limited power that served as a court of law. Senators operated at the behest of the emperor, with the emperor maintaining complete control on who becomes a senator and what their duties are.
The praetor, or governor, is an archaic title used when the empire maintained control of several regions and needed localized officials to carry out the emperor's will. However, as the empire shrank in size, the praetor's role in government diminished. Now as the Corinians once again expand territory, the title has regained some esteem. Praetors of Vecyra and Uruger have been selected, with more on the horizon.
- Emperor - Ruler of the Corinian Empire whose rule is validated by appointment from the senate and support by the legions. Standing in contrast to those of kings, the emperor does not rule in an openly monarchic style and instead utilizes councilors, governors, and legislative bodies to implement law. Succession is not always hereditary, allowing the reigning emperor to select his successor, although each emperor adopts the surname of Rin.
- Senator - Although the senate wields the same amount of power as the emperor in theory, the actual authority of senators is negligible. Typically sought after by individuals seeking prestige and social standing, their role has transformed into one of passing legislation put forth by the emperor and exercising his autocratic powers.
- Praetor - Governor of a specific region under Corinian control. Each praetor has the ability to oversee all functions of the region as if an independent nation, but must adhere to any directive sent forth from Lucinia.
- Legatus - Title given to the commanding generals of the Corinian legions, who also serve as the emperor's military council. They maintain great power and influence, and oversee all military operations both domestically and foreign.
- Pontifex - High priest of Maelik and leader of his church. As overseer, all priests report to him and congregate at the Great Temple of Maelik to await instruction of the faith. The pontifex serves as advisor on religious matters within the empire.
History
The history of the Corinian Empire begins with the founding of Corinia in 753 BR, a settlement located in the Western Ring. It was originally settled by migrants from southern Heleg in search of an optimal location for their new fishing village. Because of its strategic position along Runic Bay, a natural harbor connected to the Silver Gulf, Corinia was able to prosper due bountiful fishing, fertile land, and access to natural resources. The Helegians initially founded several villages along the bay, but as Corinia grew, it eventually absorbed the villages into one urban sprawl. Governing this young city was a hersir, a traditional title held within Heleg which roughly translated into a lord. For centuries, the citizens of Corin prospered, expanding its borders only as its population grew. It wasn't until the great Erudorian migration of 559 BR that Corin transformed from a city into an empire.
Many Erudorians migrated north in search of new opportunity and relative safety as their lands became ravaged by extreme heat. This heat, which resulted in a failure of crops, caused famine throughout the region, and made the area completely uninhabitable. Once these Erudorians found Corin, they overwhelmed the city and slowly transformed the culture to reflect their own. The number of migrants tripled the population of the city, and before long there was a call for change of leadership. The hersir was overthrown in 531 BR, and replaced with the first Erudorian emperor. He took the surname of Rin, in honor of the region, and proclaimed himself the first Corinian. As they left the past behind them, the emperor and his strengthening military looked beyond the borders of Corin for expansion. It was at this time that the Corinian Army started to acquire adamantine weapons and armor.
Once the Corinian legions were unleashed upon Aecenys, there was little rival factions could do to stop them. Over the next 800 years, utilizing ruthless efficiency and technological superiority, the Corinians conquered the regions of Heleg, Ethrhûn, Corin, Erudor, Vecyra, and Cespion. As ruler of most of the continent, they transformed Corinia into the beacon of civilization, a thriving metropolis where many cultures converged, and created something entirely new. The empire, as it was now referred to, became the dominant faction in wealth, power, and culture across the continent.
Everything changed after the Doom of Corinia. As the heart of the empire fell, barbaric factions of Heleg and Ethrun conquered and pillaged, leaving behind only ruins. The Corinians retreated from their homeland to the east, only finding safety after crossing the Crescent Mountains. What was once the far reaches of the empire now became their home as they reestablished the capital in Lucinia. The destruction of Corinia altered the mindset of many throughout the empire, particularly the emperor's. Arcane magic was subsequently banned from use within its borders, and all worship dedicated to Ettuna was forbidden. Any wellsprings of magic present were sealed, and any spellcasters were subject to punishment from the newly founded Temporal Guardians, an anti-magic enforcement organization sponsored by the state.
Although the Corinian's rebuilt some of their empire over the next 600 years, they are still but a shell of their former glory. Lucinia has grown into one of the largest cities on the continent, but it is hardly the convergence of culture and society that Corinia once was. Instead it is a refuge from the arcane, with great construction and architecture dedicated to the mundane.
Demography and Population
Primarily humans and half-elves, although the mountain and forest terrain is comprised of dwarves and wood-elves respectively. Expansion into Vecyra and Uruger has welcomed in gnomes, halflings, half-orcs and drow into the empire.
Territories
Since the doom, the Corinian Empire has re-established itself in the Eastern Ring of the continent. The empire found its new home in the region of Cespion, where they had already maintained a strong colony centered around the capital of Lucinia. Because of its similarity in climate to their native Corin, the imperials acclimated quickly. As they retreated from the west, the Corinians were able to establish a presence in Vecyra, and have since maintained a defensive foothold near the Crescent Mountains. They subsequently expanded into both Ardor and Uruger, creating tension with the Kingdom of Ardor and the League of Southern Marches.
Military
The Corinian Army serves two key functions within the empire. The first is to guard the frontiers of its provincial territory from barbarian attacks as well as invasions from rival factions. The second is to maintain domestic order, tamping down potential uprisings within the empire itself. The empire maintains an army of 5 legions, which comes to around 30,000 soldiers (of an imperial population of 570,000). Only citizens can be accepted as legionaries, while subjects in the provinces make up the auxiliary forces.
Technological Level
As the most historically dominant faction in Aecenys, the Corinian Empire enjoyed success due to their military stratagem and efficient economic policies. However, one factor that cannot be understated is the impact that early and extensive access to adamantine ore had on the empire's martial victories. Within the Grey Mountains of Ethrhûn exists one of the few sources of adamantine ore, which was skillfully mined by the dwarves of Clan Greyheim and later refined into armor and weapons by the master smiths of Corin. The adamantine weapons and armor given to the elite regiments within the Corinian Army provided a significant advantage in their conquests, as it created lighter, more durable armor as well as sharper and more effective weapons that easily pierced and slashed through standard armor.
After the fall of Corinia, the empire was left without a source of adamant as they evacuated the Western Ring completely. However, some of the dwarves of Clan Greyheim joined the Corinians in their quest to reestablish themselves in the east, finding a new home in the mountains of eastern Cespion. It was there that the dwarves found luck in obtaining a small amount of adamantine. Since its discovery, the Corinian Empire has once again found superiority on the battlefield.
Religion
Only a few religions are universally accepted throughout the Corinian Empire, namely the Church of Maelik and the Church of Alar. Others deities within the Aecenic Pantheon are still worshiped to an extent, but not in an official capacity. It is also very difficult to find established temples of any gods or goddesses outside of Maelik. Within the capital city of Lucinia stands the Great Temple of Maelik. Integral to their militaristic culture, the god of war and destruction serves almost as a monotheistic figure within Corinian society. Alar is still worshiped in a minor capacity due to its status as an ancient and well respected religion, with worship customary long before Maelik.
Forbidden worship within the empire includes that of Ettuna the goddess of arcane magic, and Sarandiel the fallen angel of Maelik. The Doom of Corinia essentially guaranteed enduring detestation of arcane magic in all of its forms, even long after the catastrophic event. The Cult of Sarandiel, the driving force of Corinia's destruction, betrayed the empire in its greatest time of need, and its lingering presence still produces fear within both its military and citizenry. Worship of Elel, the goddess of the sun, is not forbidden, but heavily discouraged due to its inclination towards zealous acts as well as its relationship to the religious fanatics of Verum Sol in eastern Erudor.
Foreign Relations
Because of their history as expansionists, many rival factions retain a negative view on the Corinians. While they have had their fair share of hardships, they still maintain control over much of the Eastern Ring, and have even gone so far as to expand their holdings in Uruger.
Neighbors such as the Kingdom of Ardor have regularly been at war with the Corinian Empire over control of Vecyra and parts of northern Ardor. Conflict over religion and magical use has also fostered negative sentiment between the two, especially when transitory wellsprings emerge near their borders. The recent invasion of Uruger has caused the normally peaceful and notoriously neutral League of Southern Marches to be on edge, going so far as to raise their levies to defend Redmont Keep. The two factions have never been at war with one another, but diplomatic envoys have been historically ineffective.
Their greatest rivals historically have been the elves of the Valorion Dominion, another expansionist faction that has made territorial gains from its island of Tol Annûn and onto the mainland. Although their borders do not meet, control over trade and resources has caused conflict. In addition, the dominion has actively supported many of the empire's enemies in war, providing weapons, armor, and gold.
As powerful as they are, the Corinians have few allies primarily due to their strict anti-magic policies and fervant worship of Maelik. Alliances with the hobgoblins of the Ironbound Legion have aided in recent military campaigns within Uruger, and support from organizations like the Crimson Syndicate have allowed the empire to stay competitive on trade.
Agriculture & Industry
Because of its great size, the empire has the ability to be entirely self sufficient. It has access to a tremendous amount of natural and human resources, and has focused primarily on farming and trade. However, the industry in which they have become the most famed is through their production of silk. Nearly impossible to obtain as it is produced by the larvae of specific insects undergoing metamorphosis, the Corinians have been able to specialize in its production due to their history in the western ring. This has made Lucinia one of the few places silk is available on a large scale, and is seen as a luxury only Corinian trade partners can acquire.
Trade & Transport
One of the greatest contributions the Corinians have made on the continent is that of its road system. Before the Corinian Empire took over a region, roads were little more than dirt paths, beaten down due to horse and wagon travel. There was no clear organization, particularly in the early days of the empire. When Emperor Lucinian Rin traveled outside of Corinia, he found it to be untraversable and decreed something must be done immediately about the state of transportation. The Corinian Empire put significant amounts of gold behind the project, and created the stone-paved that have now existed for over 1000 years. They provided efficient means for the overland movement of armies, officials, civilians, and trade goods. The major roads were often stone-paved and metaled, cambered for drainage, and flanked by footpaths. It even allowed travel over rivers and ravines through bridgework.
Founding Date
753 BR
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Capital
Alternative Names
The Empire
Demonym
Corinian
Leader
Leader Title
Head of State
Government System
Dictatorship
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Palace economy
Currency
Gold Solidus
Legislative Body
Senate
Official State Religion
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Comments