Imperial Generations
Once chosen by
The Changebringer, an emperor would rule until their death at which time their authority passed to one of their children (of their choosing). That child ruled until their death, and then another Choosing would take place, closing the loop on a single imperial generation. There were seven imperial generations in total, and emperors are titled as
chosen or
born emperors.
First Imperial Generation
The first Chosen was a Copper Empress. She ruled for 35 years and created the first imperial relic, the
Dragonstone Crown.
The Copper Empress' son was Alturak the Witch-Lord, so titled for his mastery of arcana and his determination for the advancement of it. Much of today's magic is the direct result of his spellwork, or that of his time. Emperor Alturak's reign endured 25 years before he was slain. He oversaw the construction of the
Spires of Alturak, powerful amplifying towers found in
Emberhold and throughout the realms once controlled by the Drakish Empire. Alturak carried a
staff of aurum enchanted with great power which was later passed to the hands of a
Master named
Ran-kahet, for whom the staff is now named. Emperor Alturak's relic is unknown.
Second Imperial Generation
The second choosing appointed a black dragonborn empress. Her reign endured 32 years. Her daughter ruled 76 years before dying of old age. The dragon
Gharl the Black, who lives to this day, claims this empress to be of his bloodline.
Third Imperial Generation
The third chosen emperor was born to brass draconian parents and was the first gem dragonborn.
Khadesh the Malachite Lord bore the physical qualities of a brass dragon, but his scales were of a transluscent malachite; his physical prowess was lesser than those who came before, but his gemstone heritage granted him some precognizance. He ruled for 33 years and amassed an immense hoard of wealth during this time, which was stored in his unusual choice of Emperor's Relic: the
Vault of the Malachite Lord.
Khadesh's son was brass, ruling for 65 years before his death.
Fourth Imperial Generation
TBD.
Fifth Imperial Generation
The fifth chosen Emperor was Shamash. A warlord, martial expert and red dragonborn. A genius on the battlefield and masterful tactician, he ruled for 65 years with an iron fist and wielded the
Sword of Slaying Sunder as his chosen relic. During the empire's fall, Shamash was resurrected to battle the Betrayer, but he was bested and his relic shattered.
Shamash's daughter ruled for 99 years, extending her reign by seeking the Fountain of Youth. On the even of her 100th year of reign, the Changebringer struck her down and another choosing was made.
Sixth Imperial Generation
A chromatic, who worsened the conditions that Shamash and his daughter created.
Seventh Imperial Generation
The seventh and final generation saw the reign of Atankah. Many saw her as a reincarnation of Alturak, due to her metallic heritage and mastery of spellcraft. She likely considered herself greater. Later called
the Betrayer, Atankah believed the Changebringer's ways of choosing were outdated and that if her people allowed the chromatics to rule again, it would be the end of their empire. She attempted to disband the masters and even cast out the Changebringer worship. The Changebringer warned the society of their course of action, but their fear and worship was now fixed firmly on Atankah. They stayed the course, and the Changebringer invoked a series of cataclysms that destroyed the empire as a result.
