Rhyliss Imperium
We would dare to say the Empire is the last, greatest hope for humanity to truly make the world better. We offer security and prosperity to our citizens, from the skilled craftsfolk who build your houses to the low-born - yet inherently noble - citizens who join the Guard to protect you from the dangers outside the walls of your cities. Imperial citizens should not fear uncertainty, they should know those who serve Our great will are invested in keeping them safe.Currently the major power in Erisdaire, the Rhyliss Imperium has existed for many human generations, and even further if you count the generations where the family tree ruled over lands before Rhyliss came to be a political entity. It directly controls a sizable amount of territory on the continent, and can influence a great distance beyond that due to political connections. While holding this authority, the current emperor is more interested in maintaining decent relations with the other nations instead of attempting to bolster it. Various smaller organizations inside the empire, however, have their own agendas. On top of that, there are organizations in place simply to keep watch on other organizations inside the empire. The complexity of the bureaucracy involved nevertheless helps keep everything moving and the citizens protected.
We ask you now not to praise Our righteous ideals, but to praise those who make it possible for an ordinary citizen to walk from the western ports where the sun sets to the far side of the Sangua River unmolested. It is Our greatest purpose, Our highest honor, not to rule - but to serve.
Structure
At the head of the Imperium is the emperor, who holds responsibility to ensure the survival and continued existence of the Imperium and the well-being of its citizens. The emperor is served by a significant number of individuals, the first link in a chain of responsibility down to the peasantry. The branches divide the next layer of responsibility among the High Lords, the provincial governors, and the Observers. Beyond this layer, things tend to become complex and increasingly reliant on the personal integrity of the individual in charge. A dishonest bureaucrat can cause considerable damage without actively doing anything malicious, and a malicious person can do damage which takes generations to properly fix.
While there are Imperial Guilds, it should be noted there are also guilds not associated with the High Lords as competition; the only difference between the two types of guilds is in where funding is taken from. Imperial Guilds are funded through a budget set by the appropriate High Lord, while independent guilds must find their own funding. Thus it can be considered more financially sound to become a part of an Imperial Guild, while guilds often form due to some impetus unaddressed by the bureaucracy.
Mayors preside over individual cities, and larger towns, possessing similar powers to the governor who appoints them. While a mayor is appointed instead of elected, appeals to the governor for a change of leadership are not unheard of. It is an uncommon event where a mayor has their office vacated before a more popular leader is put in place instead; governors are not deaf to the concerns of the citizens, though they avoid trying to seem as though they have no will of their own. Mayors, in turn, often have their own assistants who help carry out their work; these are not officially empowered by the Imperium, and lack any true authority other than what citizens believe them to have through their relationship (private or professional) with the mayors they work with.
The Imperial Surveyors, by contrast, are volunteers hired near the beginning of each lunar cycle and serve for as long as they are willing. Primarily, Surveyors are those who would otherwise fall under the purview of the Adventurer's Guild, yet instead chose service to the emperor. Such individuals are issued a seal in the form of a token used in conjunction with ink or wax to identify themselves on official documents; each token bears the same device, but enchantments are woven into these tokens so they can be tracked and anything they are used to seal are linked until such time as the seal is broken. Thus an arcanist working with the Surveyors can verify the seal was made in good faith. The tasks of Surveyors is simple enough, and is given a very broad definition by design: Surveyors are to make a journey to a given province and keep an eye out for anything which may not be good for the citizens of the empire. Governors have standing instructions to never impede the investigations of Surveyors, and the Legion is likewise instructed to allow Surveyors to rest and resupply from a special discretionary fund given to each of the major fortresses.
The High Lords
The emperor appoints a series of advisers to keep him apprised of what matters require Imperial attention. These advisers are referred to as High Lords of their particular focus, such as the "Lord of Farms" or "Lord of Roads". Each of these High Lords are in turn attended by various bureaucratic entities (councils, committees, Imperial Guilds) to observe and act on the will of the emperor as determined by the High Lords. Thus the High Lords and those subservient to them are responsible for many of the broader aspects of life in the empire. The only aspects not specifically under the High Lords relate to the clergy and religious institutions; those answer instead to the High Priests on the Exalted Isle.While there are Imperial Guilds, it should be noted there are also guilds not associated with the High Lords as competition; the only difference between the two types of guilds is in where funding is taken from. Imperial Guilds are funded through a budget set by the appropriate High Lord, while independent guilds must find their own funding. Thus it can be considered more financially sound to become a part of an Imperial Guild, while guilds often form due to some impetus unaddressed by the bureaucracy.
The Governors
The second major branch of the bureaucracy would belong to the governors for each of the major provinces, and by extension the mayors appointed in turn to watch over cities and towns. Governors are given a considerable amount of autonomy, allowed to enact laws for the provinces without consulting the appropriate councils. If a governor's laws are deemed unsuitable for the citizens by a council, an Imperial Edict may be issued as a correction through the authority of a High Lord. Thus there can be small political struggles between High Lords and governors which plays out over years through ever-shifting edicts and proclamations, until such time as the emperor intervenes. On such occasions, the populace inside a province usually follows the will of the governor unless it is demonstrably in poor taste.Mayors preside over individual cities, and larger towns, possessing similar powers to the governor who appoints them. While a mayor is appointed instead of elected, appeals to the governor for a change of leadership are not unheard of. It is an uncommon event where a mayor has their office vacated before a more popular leader is put in place instead; governors are not deaf to the concerns of the citizens, though they avoid trying to seem as though they have no will of their own. Mayors, in turn, often have their own assistants who help carry out their work; these are not officially empowered by the Imperium, and lack any true authority other than what citizens believe them to have through their relationship (private or professional) with the mayors they work with.
The Observers
Following a famine two centuries which was poorly reported on, the Emperor conspired with some close allies to found "the Imperial Surveyors" and "the Observation Council". Collectively, these are unofficially referred to as 'the Observers', and the average citizen is rarely aware of their existence. The Observation Council is explicitly given powers to keep watch over the High Lords and Governors and have the shortest chain of command among the bureaucrats; members of this council meet with the emperor in person at least twice every Moon, and deliver written reports where their identities are kept obscured. Since its inception, the Observation Council has been responsible for a half-dozen abrupt 'retirements' among the bureaucratic agencies. It is worth noting the Observation Council is composed only of those who have come to the personal attention of the emperor and demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the Imperium as an institution as opposed to any individual.The Imperial Surveyors, by contrast, are volunteers hired near the beginning of each lunar cycle and serve for as long as they are willing. Primarily, Surveyors are those who would otherwise fall under the purview of the Adventurer's Guild, yet instead chose service to the emperor. Such individuals are issued a seal in the form of a token used in conjunction with ink or wax to identify themselves on official documents; each token bears the same device, but enchantments are woven into these tokens so they can be tracked and anything they are used to seal are linked until such time as the seal is broken. Thus an arcanist working with the Surveyors can verify the seal was made in good faith. The tasks of Surveyors is simple enough, and is given a very broad definition by design: Surveyors are to make a journey to a given province and keep an eye out for anything which may not be good for the citizens of the empire. Governors have standing instructions to never impede the investigations of Surveyors, and the Legion is likewise instructed to allow Surveyors to rest and resupply from a special discretionary fund given to each of the major fortresses.
Public Agenda
It is Our intent to do everything in Our power to create a sturdy bastion against the chaos of the world, a home for those who seek to enrich others and serve order rather than enrich themselves with chaos. We ask all citizens to devote themselves to the ideal world yet to come by helping others in the world which is now, and not to hold empty attachments to the world which was.The Imperium's agenda changes every time a new emperor comes to power, sometimes drastically. Whatever this agenda is, the rest of the bureaucracy underneath them is charged to make it a reality. The current emperor is focused on trying to put funding into efforts giving the realm a firm foundation from which to build. To that end, neglected projects are being re-examined and given new funding if they have the potential to be of use. Alternatively, projects and organizations which have outlived their window of usefulness are to be discontinued. As with many things, these motions have given a good deal of unease through the Imperium.
The New Year's Address
Once per year, during the Thirteenth Moon, the emperor will address a gathering of citizens and officials in Eva Valoria to speak both of what has transpired in the previous year as well as what they plan to deal with in the following year. This address coincides with festival days, and is referred to as "The New Year's Address" officially. Unofficially, the citizens have referred to it as "the Feast of Words" due to the length of the address and the timing usually leaving it at about the time many would normally choose to sit for dinner. It is rare, almost a poor omen, should a reigning emperor decline to appear for anything short of health reasons. During the address, there are often many minstrels and bards who attend for the sole purpose of reciting the experience to audiences elsewhere in exchange for a fee - while there is an official written copy delivered to each governor and mayor, not all residents of the empire have the access or the means to study these dispatches.History
The Imperium itself officially formed after a warlord-turned-king had taken over a considerable amount of territory today known as the Sanguine Province. King Adun Rhyliss, Scion of the Blade, traveled to meet with other kings neighboring his western border and laid out a simple choice. If they chose to serve him, they would be permitted to retain the reign of their territories, provided they follow any instruction he gave to them. Otherwise, he would conquer them and install his own rulers in their place after eliminating their bloodline down to the furthest scion. According to legends speaking of the Founding, those present chose to bend the knee and thus became the First Lords; according to accounts discovered recently through expeditions into forgotten burial sites, this may not be quite the case. Despite this detail, the First Lords and the new emperor began to expand westward and acquire new allies in their conquered neighbors. Emperor Adun made an effort to keep capable rulers when possible, and replace them only when necessary. At the time of the first emperor's death, the Imperium had almost tripled in size and had claims on the Sea of Light as well as the western coast near Stonewall Bay. Over the next few generations, the borders would expand and the necessity for a more centralized seat of power would drive Emperor Evantine to commission the construction of a capital overlooking the gentle prairies and farmlands now known as the Farmholds. This city would be later named Eva Valoria, in his honor.
As the empire expanded, and the Council of Lords rapidly grew larger, a civil war threatened to split the realm into several factions vying to follow their own understanding of the Imperial ideals. Empress Shaila chose instead to dissolve the Council of Lords at that time, and instead appoint governors to the various territories with the understanding her successor might be willing to keep them in the role if they were apt rulers in her name. Bloodshed still happened, though it took the form of small uprisings which the Imperial Legion were quick to snuff out. After the territories were sufficiently determined and settled, the governors were joined in their rule by appointed High Lords and councils meant to handle realm-wide issues independent of governors' rule.
Since the Shailan Reorganization, the Imperium has been largely unchanged save for councils being added or dissolved, provincial borders being altered, and the (relatively) recent formation of the 'Northern Frontier' province in the northeast. The most recent events of note are the separation of various large provinces in the last few emperors' reigns; these divisions varied in nature from amiable to caustic, with Estebrook choosing a martial uprising the Legion did not have the power to quell at the time it happened.
As the empire expanded, and the Council of Lords rapidly grew larger, a civil war threatened to split the realm into several factions vying to follow their own understanding of the Imperial ideals. Empress Shaila chose instead to dissolve the Council of Lords at that time, and instead appoint governors to the various territories with the understanding her successor might be willing to keep them in the role if they were apt rulers in her name. Bloodshed still happened, though it took the form of small uprisings which the Imperial Legion were quick to snuff out. After the territories were sufficiently determined and settled, the governors were joined in their rule by appointed High Lords and councils meant to handle realm-wide issues independent of governors' rule.
Since the Shailan Reorganization, the Imperium has been largely unchanged save for councils being added or dissolved, provincial borders being altered, and the (relatively) recent formation of the 'Northern Frontier' province in the northeast. The most recent events of note are the separation of various large provinces in the last few emperors' reigns; these divisions varied in nature from amiable to caustic, with Estebrook choosing a martial uprising the Legion did not have the power to quell at the time it happened.
Demography and Population
As series of nations originally inhabited largely by humans, it should be no surprise the majority of the citizens are humans or half-breeds in various ways. This being said, there are significant presences of other races across Imperial lands, often in the same locations their forefathers had lived in. The second highest population would be tied between elves and halflings, with the true number of either being debated hotly among the councils. Elven settlements are not always easily found, nor are they quick to make their presence known. Similarly, halflings have historically been unwilling to divulge all the locations of their settlements; to this day it is uncertain exactly where the halfling's original homeland is located, other than it being within the borders of the empire. The less common races still maintain a concentration inside the empire to not be unheard of as citizens, and citizenship is sometimes extended to visitors from allied nations who will be staying for extended periods inside the borders.
Territories
Currently, the Imperium directly controls roughly a quarter of the inhabited territory on the continent. Through diplomatic arrangements, they have extended the reach of their authority and influence over a great deal more. There are five major provinces, and two minor ones which are active within the Empire's boundaries.
Heartland Province
The area roughly within a day's travel outward from Eva Valoria is considered the 'Heartland Province', though the official name is 'the Capital Central Province'. Most of this territory contains farmland and pastures for livestock, lending it a peaceful air which is at odds with how dangerous Eva Valoria may be to the unwary. After several decades of negotiations, the port town of Conora was included within the boundaries of the province some generations ago. Following this, the Third Legion has settled into the fortress on the edge of Conora as their posting to keep a protecting presence over the port.Highlands Province
A densely wooded region north of the heartlands, there are ample amounts of hills and mountains in the area which make it hard to make simple journeys between settlements. Towns and cities here boast strong walls and other fortifications, many of these having existed since before the Imperium was founded, and local legends run with deep currents of ancestral reverence. With the official name being the 'Mid-Northern Province', the residents refer to it instead as 'the Highlands' as it makes more sense to them. Notable regions include the Falconwood and Arichala Valley, both places which used to be ruled over by Lady Lyra Arichala and her Falcon Guard before Emperor Adun convinced her to willingly submit to his authority.Vinland Province
Officially called the 'Western Province', this region has more than a few orchards and vinyards present. The western boundary is just over the Varol Mountains, where most of the iron supply for the empire is retrieved. The major center of population is the foundry city of Farro, where artisans are hard at work providing the empire with the steel it needs. Alto Farro is a second settlement founded for the goals of determining methods of making mithril which do not rely on the same procedures and formulas used by elven and dwarven artisans.Coastal Province
For once, the official name and colloquial name coincide for this region. On the west side of the Varol Mountains are numerous quarries supplying stone for the creation of fortresses and strongholds. The coastline is mostly dominated by sheer cliffs of stone, which local legends say was broken during a cataclysmic series of waves rendering a gentler coastline in ruins. The Order of Imperial Arcanists are the major authority here, maintaining a series of settlements along the coast far from the capital and even the governor's seat.Sanguine Province
The eastern province of the realm has the seat of the governor in Sanguine, the City of Hawks. In official documents, this place is referenced as 'the Western Helenic Province', though most residents continue to refer to the area along the major river as 'Hawk's Run'. With the presence of a strong river flowing down from the Azuri Mountains and winding through many forests, the lumber trade flourished and has been a major part of life in the province for centuries.Kiroan Province
South of Eva Valoria and the farmlands, there is an expanse of desert known as the Kiroan Desert. The province is dominated by this feature, making it easily the poorest region in the empire as natural resources go. However, many of the denizens of the desert are hunted for their components; the bulettes of the region often have parts of their hides incorporated into warships as armor on the waterline, and ankheg venom is a popular alternative to alchemical acids when it comes to etching metal. Despite a lack of firm evidence, there are rumors of ancient ruins inside the desert which draw many ill-fated adventuring parties every year.Northern Frontier Province
The smallest province, as well as the most recent region to be recognized as an area, the forest near the Silverbough Hills is home to a dense concentration of elven communities. Expansion from Estebrook and refugees from Firos have made the area rather unstable, and both Legions assigned here have been hard-pressed to keep the peace in every direction. The refugees are entering a region not entirely capable of supporting their presence, the elves have become wary and unwelcoming in the face of so much humanity forcing their way into a small area, and Estebrook forces constantly perform "unauthorized" raids across the border. The former logging settlement of Axweal has become the seat of the governor, but it has grown quickly and haphazardly in the last generation due to the refugees settling down rather than continue into the rest of the empire's provinces.Military
The empire is protected from external threats by the Imperial Legions, and handles internal security through the Imperial Guard. These two divisions are handled by their own High Lords, referred to as the First Legionnaire and the Master of the Guard, and ostensibly are equal in scope. The truth is far from the ideal, as the Legion receives a far more secure source of funding and a formalized training regimen. Together, these two military organizations are responsible for the peace of the citizens and security of the Rhyliss Imperium.
The Imperial Legion
The Imperial Legion is an evolution of the ancient army led by Emperor Adun and his successors. Over the centuries, Fort Dragonwall became the center of the Legion's leadership and also functions as the training ground for new recruits. Each unit, or Legion, is structured so it can be dispersed into smaller groups and yet keep to a clear single objective. There are a limited number of Legions, distributed among the provinces. Each province has two legions assigned to protect it; one of the Legions is posted in smaller divisions along the external border and the other Legion is posted at a fortified location inside the province. This location is generally chosen so the forces stationed there can quickly reach most of the settlements in the province, once mobilized. Every few moons, the Legions posted switch assignments and thus they maintain a fairly fresh force at the borders. Currently there are thirteen Legions, as the Northern Frontier province is too new for the Legion to have sufficient manpower to follow the usual operational method.The Imperial Guard
To deal with internal issues, the Imperial Guard were formed to be separate from the Legions two centuries ago by an emperor fearing the Legion becoming too large to properly manage. The guard formally only has a presence in cities, and a few larger towns, but there are a few guard posts which service smaller villages in the areas which lack notable city presences. Unlike the Imperial Legion, the Guard is entirely a volunteer service and receives funding from the provincial governors or the mayors of the cities they are based at. Nevertheless, the Legion has been known to assist training guards nearby the forts, resulting in major cities having guards with higher training and potentially better equipment than towns or smaller cities. Alternatively, adventurers who retire may join the Guard to continue protecting citizens without running afoul of being 'unlicensed'.Religion
See also: The Twelve Orders
With all the focus on the Twelve, it can be often forgotten there exist other organized religions in the empire itself. Many of these smaller orders follow older traditions which became absorbed into worship of the Twelve for the broader realm, preserved by the faithful as "the Old Ways". Amidst these 'harmless' religions are those devoted to other deities explicitly outside the pantheon of the Twelve Gods, including deities usually associated with evil. Many of these religions are referred to as "cults" and are usually quietly persecuted when found. The neighboring country of Helenic is frowned upon for their acceptance of this "degenerate behavior", and their reluctance to refer to the Twelve Gods by their "proper names". Scholars who note the Twelve Gods are close to specific representations of the deities through religions still persisting in Helenic often find their reputations destroyed, so strong is the conviction the Twelve Gods are the true natures of the pantheon.
The Twelve watch over all of us, their divine will absolute in power and infinite in scope. Through their will we will learn what it means to transcend simply living as mortals, and after our death know something greater endures.Most of the empire's citizenry venerates the Twelve Gods, a pantheon which was popularized by Emperor Cedilius a few generations after the empire's inception. Every town tends to have one nondenominational temple, but smaller chapels devoted to any of the Twelve may exist depending on the regional attitudes. Cities, however, will usually have more than one fully-developed temple dedicated to a deity and a number of smaller chapels so none of the Twelve Gods are not represented. In some cases, deities which are not strongly attached to the lifestyle of the residents have shrines barely maintained at all. In the capital of Eva Valoria, there are actually thirteen temples for the gods, including one nondenominational temple which serves as the primary site of worship within the city.
With all the focus on the Twelve, it can be often forgotten there exist other organized religions in the empire itself. Many of these smaller orders follow older traditions which became absorbed into worship of the Twelve for the broader realm, preserved by the faithful as "the Old Ways". Amidst these 'harmless' religions are those devoted to other deities explicitly outside the pantheon of the Twelve Gods, including deities usually associated with evil. Many of these religions are referred to as "cults" and are usually quietly persecuted when found. The neighboring country of Helenic is frowned upon for their acceptance of this "degenerate behavior", and their reluctance to refer to the Twelve Gods by their "proper names". Scholars who note the Twelve Gods are close to specific representations of the deities through religions still persisting in Helenic often find their reputations destroyed, so strong is the conviction the Twelve Gods are the true natures of the pantheon.
The Thirteenth
Unknown to the bulk of the citizens, there is a devoted religion founded many centuries after the Founding around the so-called "Thirteenth". According to the tenets of this religion, Emperor Adun did not perish in his final days but instead underwent an apotheosis and became the leader of the pantheon. Under the epithet "Eternal King of Blades", the First Emperor is revered as a force to conquer and subjugate Erisdaire under the rule of the Imperium. At various times, efforts were put forth to thoroughly destroy the religious cult and it would almost be successful. However, it is not nearly so simple to root out an ideal; either followers or written materials would escape the purges, rekindling the underground religion again over several generations until it again would be influential enough to require another purge.A Life to Serve Many
Table of Contents
Founding Date
~1442 AF
Year of New Foundations
Year of New Foundations
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Demonym
Imperials
Currency
Metal-alloy Coins
Legislative Body
High Lords
Provincial Governors
Provincial Governors
Judicial Body
Order of Magistrates
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Organization Vehicles
Comments