The Karelagne Empire

History

The Karelagne Empire is the dominant political and military force in the world of Tholus. While once one of several city-states fighting for dominance over a shared mainland, Karel gained the upper hand over its rivals after its technomages created a stable portal to the Aetherial Expanse and gave the nation direct and exclusive access to aetherium. The Karelagne Empire is a military democracy ruled by a Sovereign General, who leads all aspects of Karelagne life and policy. The Sovereign General uses a firm grip to keep the Empire’s provinces in line, as regional factions seek to reclaim power lost with Karel’s ascension. Karelagne strongholds exist in every province, securing the Empire’s control over the mainland, and advanced magitech vehicles allow the Empire’s outnumbered personnel to dominate these rivals. Despite this, radical factions maintain armed resistance in remote areas, often indiscriminately striking at military and civilian targets. Thus far, Karel’s activities in the Aetherial Expanse have been unaffected by its home world regional dissention. The Empire relies on its Aetherian Navy to protect its astral plane assets and ensure the steady flow of aetherium back to Tholus continues. However, the Empire’s secretive “Agency” suspects rebel groups are targeting imperial assets on the Silvery Seas. Because the Empire has grown increasingly hungry for its aetherium shipments, any disruptions to these deliveries could hinder the Empire’s ability to respond to provincial rebel activity.

The Aetherian Navy

The Karelagne military is truly formidable. Since the first astral explorer returned with aetherium crystals from the Aetherial Expanse, military technomages have engineered wondrous armaments, engines, and supporting technologies severely outclassing any rival on its home world. The Karelagne navy is particularly impressive. Although most Karelian vessels are still made of wood, sail, and rope, they can be produced faster and in far greater quantities than vessels of the Empire’s rivals. Its most powerful sailing ships are iron-hulled behemoths with smoke-belching chimneys, branching scrying arrays, and terrible cannons that can hurl devastating blasts of elemental energy. Naval technomages have begun experimenting with submersibles, though most are prototypes yet to see active service. Surprisingly, airship development has progressed more rapidly, with models ranging from small, two-person skyhorses to massive, daunting war zeppelins, though few of these devices have made it to the Aetherial Expanse because of unresolved and poorly understood arcane problems moving these vehicles through the planar gate.

Faction Goals

Karel’s Aetherial Navy has a clear mandate to safeguard Karelagne settlements, mining activities, and imperial ships traversing the aetherial waters. Viceroy Caturix uses all resources at his disposal to aggressively ensure nothing threatens Karelagne interests.

Protect Aetherium.

Aetherium is now the lifeblood of the Karelagne Empire. Its massive military is dependent on these magical crystals as is the home world’s growing dependance on aetherium powered magitech devices. Imperial ships aggressively respond to any and all threats, preferring to shoot first and ask questions later.

Eliminate Piracy.

Pirates from the Isle of Drakes are viewed as a pestilence that needs to be eradicated. The Empire regularly issues bounties to capture or eliminate known pirates and to a lesser extent, sponsors privateers to do the same. Naval captains have been known to liberally interpret piracy to justify attacks of Ayrissian flagged vessels, though the Viceroy is careful to ensure these attacks are infrequent to not threaten the tenuous ceasefire they have with the kingdom.