Settlements Of The Eliosian Empire

Brief History of The Eliosian Empire

The Eliosian Empire was once the greatest and most powerful empire in the known world. Founded by the great warrior-king Elios, who was said to have been blessed by the gods themselves, the empire quickly rose to prominence, conquering and subjugating neighboring kingdoms with ease. Under Elios' rule, the empire flourished, with great feats of architecture, art, and science becoming common throughout the land. It was during this time that many of the great magical artifacts and wonders were created, including the famed Sunstone, a gemstone imbued with the power of the sun itself.
However, as the years passed and Elios' descendants took the throne, the empire began to crumble from within. Corrupt and power-hungry nobles vied for control, while the common people suffered under their oppressive rule.
The final blow came with the arrival of a great cataclysm that shook the world to its core. It is said that the gods themselves turned their backs on the Eliosian Empire, and that the land was rent asunder by their wrath.
Following the devastating calamity that brought the Eliosian Empire to its knees, the once-great civilization was forced to adapt and find new ways to survive. The imperial government, once a shining beacon of power and authority, became a shadow of its former self, reduced to a stratocratic entity that relied on renting out its military to neighboring empires.
In the years that followed, the empire's leaders focused on rebuilding the economy through conquest and favors, using the underclass as disposable mercenaries to achieve their goals. While these practices were often viewed with disdain by other nations, they allowed the Eliosian Empire to slowly regain its footing and establish itself as a formidable force once again.
Today, the empire stands united and more secure than it has been in centuries. Though it still relies on its military might to maintain its power and influence, it has also established trade relationships with neighboring nations and has worked to develop a stable and prosperous civilization. From its grand cities to its unique amenities and cultural treasures, the Eliosian Empire remains a force to be reckoned with in the world of Eldevider.

Geography

The Elosian Empire shares its borders with five neighboring territories, maintaining neutral to positive diplomatic relations with all of them. The Empire boasts a diverse topography, featuring an expansive expanse of rugged mountains and treacherous terrain to the west, a sprawling desert dominating the southwest, and snow-capped hilltops stretching towards the north. The remaining lands showcase a varied landscape, encompassing dense forests teeming with life, vast open plains dotted with interconnected rivers and lakes.

Information Found By The Party

During a mission to infiltrate Orcholynt after Priscillas invasion of the capital, the party found a book within the artifact vault. The book contained a wealth of information on the Eliosian Empire's dealings with neighboring civilizations, covering a range of topics such as trade, migration rights, research agreements, and military contracts. One such contract was given to the Kingdom of Aenebia, under the guise of the 41st Battalion, which ran for nearly 20 years. The specifics of the contract were not detailed in the book, but it involved arms for specific research. However, the Empire eventually realized that the trade was no longer in their interests and sought to terminate the contract. To maintain equal relations with the Kingdom, the Empire replaced the skilled mercenaries in the 41st Battalion with inexperienced soldiers and adventurers. The Battalion was then sent on a mission to eliminate all members of the 41st Battalion and void the contract under mutual terms.
This ruthless action enabled the Empire to re-establish trade without having to lend military aid for minimal resources. The sole survivor of the massacre was imprisoned by the Empire on charges of betrayal and desertion, effectively diverting attention from the Kingdom's involvement.