Though the distinct nations of humans are nigh uncountable, more numerous by far than the nations of elves and even the goblins, no nation of Humans has ever achieved the same heights of development and civilization as the Elysian Empire. Built upon the unrivaled might of its armored Legions, it stood as the preeminent power on the continent for nearly 500 years.
Human Traits
Ability Score Increase: Two different ability scores of your choice increase by 1.
Skill Proficiencies: You gain proficiency in one skill of your choice.
Feats: You gain one feat of your choice.
Languages: You speak Elysian and Low Solar. You may read and write any of these languages, depending on your Background.
History
Though founded as a pagan state worshipping a diverse pantheon of gods, in the year 309 BE the Emperor Ioustinianos I converted to Helionism. A previously persecuted religion within the Empire, Helionism worships the prophet and folk hero Yohanan of Gerasa as the incarnation of the sun god Helios Nikitheís. Over the next two centuries the population of the empire gradually converted, and by the time of The Emergence it was a thoroughly Helionic state, with many old pagan temples being converted to solar cloisters. Helionism also spread in the lands bordering The Empire, and many so called "barbarians" adopted the Elysian religion.
Though the Elysians considered themselves the most civilized people in the world, they were forced to grudgingly acknowledge one true rival: The Quanar Shahdom. Each controlled roughly half of the continent, from the Prosphorian Strait in the west to the Alborz mountains in the east. And though they warred many times, neither was ever able to win a decisive victory over the other.
The longest of these wars was the final one, lasting 26 years and devastating both empires. This time there emerged a decisive victor, but it was neither the Elysians nor the Quanar. The Emergence occurred in the the twenty sixth year of this long war, forcing both empires to focus their attention on the new threat that had suddenly appeared in their midst. So drained were both powers from their years of fighting that they stood no chance against the numerous, battle hardened, and zealous Shamsar. In the course of the next five years, the Quanar Shahdom which had endured for 800 years, ceased to exist. The last Shahanshah saw his army surrounded and annihilated at the Battle of Nahavand and was killed by his own vassal less than a month later.
The Elysians, however, were more fortunate. Their state did not cease to exist under the Shamsar's righteous blades. Instead, for their sins, they "only" lost three quarters of their territory. Only within the natural fortress of the Taurus Plateau (and thanks to the mercy of Al-Shams) were the Elysians able to hold out. The harsh, rugged terrain, which now made up 80% of the Empire's remaining territory, was not very productive, but it was perfectly suited to repelling the Shamsar. The Elysians had long augmented this terrain with fortresses of their own creation, and so a continuous border conflict has raged ever since, with zealous Atvali warriors travelling to the Great Western Amirate to raid into the empire. Even so, the Elysian Empire has endured, its rich heartland and glittering capital Ioustinianopolis protected by the mountainous Plateau.
The Elysian Empire has long been known for its skill at arms, and produces some of the best Fighters in the world, and Helionic Paladins are feared by even the stoutest Shamsar cavaliers. They have many ancient centers of learning established long before The Emergence, and Elysian Wizards are notorious for their boldness and unpredictability. The docks, warrens, and back alleys of Ioustinianopolis have produced many famous Rogues and Bards, and the harsh wilds of the Taurus are home to many Rangers who are perhaps the only true masters of the great Plateau.
Though the Empire has long played second fiddle to the Khaliphate, the decentralization of the Dar-al-Shams and the increase of trade passing through Ioustinianopolis has led to something of an Elysian revival. For the first time in many centuries, the Elysian Legions begin to resemble their ancient forebears. Some even go so far as to whisper that the time to reclaim their lost territories from the Sun Elves may be at hand.
(uh-LEE-sea-en) or (uh-LEE-zhun)
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