The Empire of Anselm
The Greatest Empire of Man on Eora
The Empire of Anselm was the crowning achievement of the man it was named after. It was said that Anselm made the journey to Albion with some 14,000 men chosen from different tribes and kingdoms inhabiting the northern part of Eridas and 500 ships which they built after felling an entire forest. It is unclear why this pilgrimage was made, though many cite scholarly sources indicating disease had stricken the lands and that Anselm had received a vision of a promised land far North across the Alvus Sea from Pelor himself. His unnatural span of life only seemed to confirm his favour of the gods, and under his reign Albion experienced its only centuries of true peace and prosperity.
Many settlers arrived after he had conquered the South of Albion, founding cities such as Messina, Norvos and Zaragoza, and later Aquitaine and Livon to the North after it had been pacified of its terrors. Though Norvos was chosen as its capital, it was said Anselm remained long in his fortress in the Forlorn Keep of northern Albion, which later became Kronburg.
Under Anselm, the Empire flourished. His state religion of Pelor was already practiced by the many first settlers arriving from both Eridas and Ezura, and technology levels thrived immensely. Cranes, aqueducts and even concrete became commonplace throughout the realm, and security and justice was enforced by legions and local police forces. While never defeating the barbarians of northern Trondheim, the Empire did keep them at bay with the founding of the fortress city of Beograd which to this day still guards the Steps of Decay.
History
From "The Golden Age of Man" by Knight Arthur Rowley written 162AE:
The tale of Anselm is as old as history itself, and even to this day the old wives continue to teach their young of the Golden Age. Back in yonder days, ere the collapse of the Empire, the common-folk relished their existence under the demi-god Anselm, the first and last true emperor. The fruits of their labour and toil were compounded dozen-fold and a child could walk East to West across the realm unharmed. But as all good men must, Anselm's soul passed on to Pelor, leaving the Men behind to fend for themselves. The story of Anselm begins on the continent of Eridas, now known for little more than its halflings and nomads. In Anselm’s time however, the realm was ravaged by invading orc tribes and the collapse of the High Elven cities, not to mention disease and a magical curse. Seeking refuge, he cut down an entire forest to build ships for himself and his men to travel north, to the fabled continent of Albion. On this once inhospitable land did he and his men carve out a living. One by one they conquered its regions, and even the Black Forest was once subjugated under his rule. The Empire was formed, and it stretched from Aquitaine to Livon, and from Seagard to Messina. Having provided a safe haven for his peoples over the centuries, Anselm felt it was his time. He passed on the torch, his body burnt in holy flame, his ashes scattered on the peak of Whitehorn itself. Many emperors there were after him, each a lesser man than the last. And so, as inevitable as the cycle of the moon, the empire began to decay. The sharks began to smell the blood in the water, each noble wanting a slice to themselves. Before his passing the Last Emperor had left instructions: Anselm’s sword, Justice, his shield, Honour, and his crown, Vigilance, were all to be locked away in some hidden structure, and the one to find it would rule Albion whole. Many men did search for these items, few returned alive, and none with the prize they sought. To this day they are lost to the once tamed wilds. Once it was rumoured that the first king of Asturias had found the sword and used it to unite the scattered people of Western Albion. After the schism of his kingdom this knowledge was lost, and Justice’s whereabouts remain unknown to this day. The thought of the Empire is passed down among generations, but few consider themselves citizens of a combined state. There are some intellectual circles who philosophise about its return, but without Anselm's weapons and crown only a fool would try.
Disbandment
With the disappearance of Anselm in 273GA, power was transferred to his head adviser, Emperor Justinian. Justinian ruled well, knowing the administrative challenges that faced the Empire during his days as adviser to the first emperor. After his death, all following emperors were elected by the Senate which had formed in the wake of Anselm's disappearance, each election more corrupt than the last. Eventually the bickering nobles of Albion led to the election of lesser men, and so the empire fell into administrative ruin and power passed to regional governors. These governors were the first to seize control after its dissolution, forming the current kingdoms of Albion with only a few regions seeing major power struggles, such as Norvos, former capital.
Territories
The territory of the Empire stretched from Aquitaine to Livon, and Beograd to Messina. Though these cities only came into existence after the settling of all four corners of Albion, Anselm took quick control of most of the continent before more settlers arrived. His landing in the South from Eridas afforded him good conditions on taking the rest of the land to the North, and it was said a man could even walk through the Black Forest with a gold plate on his head without fearing ambush or robbery.
Military
The military of the Empire was divided into legions, each fielding a 10,000 strong fighting force but in reality having a force of around 32,000 including reserves, support units and logistics. The first of these was the Victoria Legion, chosen from among the men who made the perilous journey North with Anselm in his 500 ships. Others were swiftly raised, and the initial count of legions stood at 12 at the settling of all major cities of the Empire. When it fell, the legions barely numbered three, and these were in dire need of reinforcements and equipment when the kings of Albion took control.
DISBANDED/DISSOLVED
"Invicta."
1GA - 1AE
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Capital
Alternative Names
The Empire
Demonym
Imperial
Government System
Dictatorship
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Traditional
Official State Religion
Comments