Hadaran Empire
The Hadaran Empire is the largest and oldest human empire in Galledall. It was their people who fought the Ancient Elven Dominion off the landmass of Vadovass, and has since maintained a stark rivalry with the elves. The Hadarans have always been known for their indisputable military might and love for law and order. However, the return of magic and rise of new nations has challenged the Hadarans to keep their empire together. Recent wars have been lost, causing great distress inside the empire. Many citizens that saw the near liberation of Charmonte wish to have autonomy in their own regions as well. While the empire has overcome many hurdles in the future, it is unclear if they can overcome these modern problems as well.
History
Age of Mortals
The region that is the Hadaran Empire was one of the most developed regions on Vadovass before the First Cataclysm. Comprised of many city states and small kingdoms, most of the time they warred with each other, making alliances and pacts only to break them several years later. While they fought among each other, they united in their passionate hatred for elves, whom had crossed the Schism Sea and were expanding westward. Mostly human, the nations in the region would unite just long enough to keep the elves at bay before going back to their own wars and plots against one another. While these wars were mostly won in the favor of the humans, the Ancient Elven Dominion would typically gain land in peace deals, often only miles at a time. While the humans did not worry about this, the elves were seeking to slowly eat away at the human land over centuries.
Post-Cataclysm
Though the cataclysm caused the destruction of many towns and cities, those who survived quickly moved into the territory, and continued their infighting. Though the cataclysm had stifled the elves, they were back to war with them within just a few decades, the elves continuing their slow advances on the land and the human kingdoms. Who would continue to unite and fight the elves before dispersing to weaken each other once more. However, the Elves of the Dominion were seriously weakened by the Second Cataclysm, as were many of the human kingdoms and cities. However a young kingdom survived, and finding itself one of the only surviving powers in the region, it began to take over the surrounding settlements in a peaceful manner to protect them. This would be the beginning of the Hadaran Empire.
As the Kingdom of Hadar continued to grow and recover from the cataclysm it spread outwards, taking the advantage of the situation and greeting themselves as liberators and protectors of all peoples. While many welcomed the soldiers, some saw it as plain and simple invasion. Many of those who did not accept Hadaran rule were 'convinced', or were put to the sword by the Hadaran's growing military. The region had some of the largest and most plentiful iron mines in Vadovass, giving them an excellent source of material to make iron and steel weapons and armor from. The Kingdom of Hadar began to mobilize over sea as well, their ships travelling the Gulf of Handel to trade and find allies, making the kingdom more powerful and wealthy. In 1444 P.C. the city of Astreonarcum had been captured, a city state at the end of the bay. The city was known to be ancient, at least one of the first human cities in Vadovass free of dragon or giant rule, and so the city was remade as the capital of the Kingdom of Hadar.
As the Kingdom of Hadar grew stronger, its elven enemy grew weaker in the region. In 1510 P.C., the Kingdom of Hadar and several smaller kingdoms in the region of Asturgia all joined to fight off the elves. Elven strongholds had been unassailable due to their widespread use of magic, but with that gone they sought to totally wipe the elves from the region. The fortresses were still nearly impossible to take, demanding heavy sacrifices as each fort was heavily garrisoned with hundreds of elven marksman, whose aim was deadly. Though the first few forts fell quickly, the elves regrouped and doubled defensive measurements, as well as receiving reinforcements from the Archaism Mountains and their homeland. Though many wished to go around the forts, doing so would split up the human armies, making them very easy to wipe out in detail, even without magic. Though fewer in number, the elven soldiers were expertly trained and could consistently win outnumbered one to four. Most forts had to be taken one by one, or else each human soldier would be put at risk. It didn't make it any easier that the elves knew of this, and tried to bait out attacks and lead the humans away from their positions. The Hadaran navy had been pushed to its limits, with ships staving off counter invasions and trying to disrupt supply lines.
Finally, in 1516 P.C. after over two years of constant siege, the fortress of Aršra Mune fell. Elves tried to flee but were slaughtered, allowing the sieges at Aršra Duri and Aršra Faenlor to be reinforced. Once again efforts to hold off the humans or push them back were redoubled, but a year later Aršra Faenlor had its wall sapped and felled, allowing just enough soldiers in to create a breach and overrun it. All the armies on the offensive moved to Aršra Duri while armies that were on the defensive moved up to cover counterattacks. Aršra Duri had been built sometime near the end of the Age of Mortals, and had supposedly been able to fend off dragons. More a city than a fortress, it was a legendary sight to behold according to accounts of soldiers who were there. The siege weapons of the Hadari endlessly battered the walls, with all sides surrounded. A desperate counterattack against the armies was discovered and covered by the human defense groups, who managed to repulse Aršra Duri's final hope for rescue. Finally, on the 9th of Ekeros 1169, the fortress fell. No one inside was left alive. With the destruction of Aršra Duri, the elves went into a full retreat, armies defending just long enough to evacuate all the elves that they could before the attackers caught up. The Hadaran's navy worked to destroy every ship that was fleeing back to Secaré, with many being sunk. By 1521 P.C., the humans had achieved their victory, and though they would try and fail to assault Secaré, the land was free of the Dominion's influence.
Defeating the elves gave the Kingdom of Hadar a legendary status among the other human nations. Nearly immediately after, the Kingdom of Grendor, a land of elf haters, pledged voluntary vassalization to Hadar, while kingdoms in the land of Ecra made pacts and treaties with the Hadarans, having assisted in the naval assaults on Secaré. The kingdoms in Asturgia were badly beaten, taking the brunt of the land attacks the Elves threw. After some diplomacy, the region united under the Asturgian Union, which became a client state of the Hadarans in 1541 P.C., before becoming a fully qualified vassal in 1580 P.C. A campaign was launched when the land of Reevo Flautis began to unify and prove a rival to Hadar before its king signed an agreement of vassalship in 1657 P.C. Ecra united and was fully vassalized after a long series of wars in 1841 P.C., while the region of Cledrobia was annexed in 1843 P.C. before being granted its vassal status in 1914 P.C. Oshensia was the most challenging to take, with woodland and swamplands proving difficult to invade with the native's use of hit and run, defensive, and Fabian tactics. Oshensia also had an ally in the nearby Kingdom of Charmonte, which kept the empire's attention divided. After taking a break from war and using a strategic marriage with the kingdom of Losmeder to have the land turned into a province in 2038 P.C., Oshensia was finally assaulted again and taken in 2052 P.C. Afterwards, the Empire turned its attention to Charmonte. Though difficult to cross the Petmur Mountains which divided the two regions, the kingdom totally surrendered after having armies within forty miles of its capital. After some resistance fighting was put down, the region was turned into a satrapy in 2054 P.C. before it was finally given vassal status in 2112 P.C.
After the vassalization of Charmonte the empire took a brief break from conquest, its emperor focusing on internal affairs. Though these are not the only wars that were fought and won by the Hadaran Empire, they won land for the empire that made it grow stronger and more famous across Vadovass. From each province it took the best thing about it and integrated it into the rest of the land. Each conquered people were taught to speak Hadari and use Hadaran customs, and most cities were renamed, to varying degrees of success. The final region to become a province was the region known of Zelyr, know better as the Cradle Valley. A large settlement in the area had asked for protection in return for vassalship, which the empire put into effect in 2290 P.C.
Age of Restoration
The final wars of note in this era is a war of aggression fought against the Free Kingdom of Soldern and the Republic of Viltanor starting in the first year. While it saw initial success, by the 4th year the Hadaran's had been pushed out of the region as the heartland began to suffer from plague and famine. While the plague ended by 6. A.o.R., the famine continued, causing severe instability in the region. The land of Zelyr rebelled by allowing the Almaridian and dwarven armies to march into the land and divide it among themselves. A year later after the famine had ended, and the Hadaran Empire declared war on the Almaridian Empire to take back the lands they had lost. Proving capable foes, the Almaridians and Hadarans warred for one year before the Kingdom of Charmonte began to call for independence, the last of their bloodline miraculously revived. This internal instability caused only a minor upset at first, but it wasn't long until some in Charmonte began to organize a full revolution, requiring resources to put down. Finally, the Almaridian Empire put the few magic users they had on the front line, something the Hadaran military was not used to fighting. The two withdrew from war in 10 A.o.R. after a truce was signed. While the Hadaran's called the war a draw, everyone knew they had been bested, and could have even had the region of Losmeder overrun if they had continued.
Troubles for the empire did not end after the war. Charmonte continued to push for greater autonomy, with acts of violence beginning to become more common. While soldiers were ready to move into the area and pacify the populace, the emperor of Hadar met with the Prince of Charmonte, Nicolou Esperanco and granted him and his realm more power if they would remain vassals of him. An extremely unpopular choice, the emperor has lost favor with many of his other vassals who wish to have similar autonomy, his generals who saw the move as needless and unwise, and with many nobles who see it as a sign of weakness.
A very religious state, the return of the gods has been very pleasing to the Hadarans, many of which are devout worshipers of the Galledallian Pantheon. However, magic is another story, its return unwelcome in most of Hadar. Though many wish to explore its uses, most take a cautious attitude while those who have suggested its adoption by the military have been met with stark opposition by traditionalists.
Social
While all who live as citizens of the Hadaran Empire may be called Hadaran by outsiders, only those born in the province of Hadar itself go by that name within the empire. Instead, everyone refers to their nationality by what region they belong to, first being servants to the lord of that province, who are in turn servants of the emperor. Despite this, there is little transgression among those between different provinces, all seeing themselves as servants to the emperor primarily, then to their homeland. This is not true for all regions, and has become less true with recent events causing cries for more independence. While some wish for their lands to have greater freedom from the decrees of Hadar itself, few wish for total separation from the empire. Most calls for total independence are seen as treasonous even by those considered liberal within the borders of the empire.
The culture of the empire has been slowly made homogeneous after centuries of conquest. Those conquered had many of their noble youths taken back to Astreonarcum where they were taught to think and act like Hadarans before being sent back to their own courts to rule. Practices seen as barbaric and inhuman were outlawed, with resisting practitioners hunted down and wiped out, imprisoned, or exiled. Druidry, animism and practices deemed as witchcraft were outlawed, with the areas being encouraged to adopt the Galledallian, or at least the very Wizgaran Pantheon.
The empire of Hadar has the largest population of humans both by percent and per capita. Their ancient rivalry with elves makes them mostly unwelcome in the region, but not outright hostile with the exception begin Grendor. Other races that descend from humans such as aasimar, tieflings and half-elves are mostly welcome if they adopt the culture and customs. Orcs, half-orcs, goblinoids and other such creatures are viewed with great suspicion, if not killed outright.
Political
The empire is extremely centralized, with the emperor's commands taken as law throughout the entirety of the empire. While the emperor's vassals rule as his subjects, controlling the provinces that make up the empire, they report directly to him and have little say when it comes to making their own laws. Such requests to change, remove or add laws must make their way to the emperor's court, who decide if they are important enough to bring up to the emperor or make the decision for themselves. The emperor has the right to remove the vassals as he pleases, and could even order the complete annexation of land into another province should he choose to. While the vassals are typically the sons and daughters of the former vassal rulers, the Imperial Court is chosen by the emperor personally as advisers, administrators and magistrates for different branches of the government.
Currently the Hadaran Empire is unstable politically, with many wishing that the emperor's reign would come to an end. Many of the wars raged during his time have been failures, and many of his policies and edicts have been unpopular. While many hope that his son will be better, others have their doubts. Some rumors abound of the emperor preparing to abdicate to his son in the near future, though the truth is unknown. The position of emperor has always been a hereditary office, going to the firstborn male of the emperor. The current Alexiadan dynasty is the 5th of the Empire's history and the longest lasting, the first of them leading since the early 1600's P.C. When dynasties change, new ones take over typically by favor of the Imperial Court, with only native born Hadarans allowed to rule.
Economic
Being over a million square miles, the Hadaran Empire is so large that it could survive isolated with just its provinces, trade going both by sea and land between each of them. Wine and silk from Charmonte are highly prized across the continent, while Oshensia is known for its furs and timber. The Gulf of Handel has exotic corals that are traded as luxury items, as well as leather and animal skins. The iron, copper and tin of the empire however is seen as a strategic resource, dedicated to military use and whose sale is carefully rationed to outside trade. While few outsiders venture into the city of Astreonarcum due to it being located almost in the center of the empire, it is famed for its wealth and sheer volume of rare and valuable goods.
The loss of direct control of Charmonte has made it harder to trade with the empire directly, helping Charmonte's economy while slightly dampening that of the empire. Still trade resumes at a normal pace deeper into the heartland.
Religious
Being primarily Human, the Empire of Hadar are devout followers of the Galledallian Pantheon, particularly following close the worship of the Children of Ravidia, who according to myth fashioned and created Humans. The city of Astreonarcum has large temples devoted to each of these gods, with more for them and other Galledallian gods spread across the land. The priesthood of Hadar are perhaps second only to the Imperial Court themselves, and the two often quarrel for power. When seeking to conquer or fight, generals will first consult all of the gods of war and see if conditions are favorable, whole wars being abandoned when omens are less than ideal. Most cities, noble families and provinces have their own patron deities. For example, the patron for Grendor is Ferskon, a demigod of elf slaying. Across the empire most gods of the Galledallian Pantheon are worshiped, but they are not the only ones. The Wizgaran Pantheon is present to a lesser extent, mostly further away from the central empire. Druidry, animism, the Church of Man and the Dragon Cult are all seen as heretical, their followers rooted out and imprisoned or executed. However, the Church of Man has started to gain hold in the province of Losmeder.
Military
The Empire of Hadar is known mostly for its military, being far larger than most other militaries and conquest considered a noble pursuit in Hadaran culture. Most of the military is made up of light infantrymen who wield shields and spears, leading charges in phalanx formation. Though heavy infantry is less common, it is still used in certain situations. The empire's generals have done well to take the notable soldiers and tactics used from each province and integrate them into the empire's overall military. Knights from Charmonte and Grendor, cavalry from Losmeder, archers from Oshensia and ships from Ecra. Some of the most prized soldiers are the Vectan warriors from Cledrobia, who are often raised from childhood in the desert to become self sufficient and ferocious soldiers. Though the extent and power of the military is great, the officers that lead the soldiers have suffered from stubbornness in recent wars, unable to deviate from tradition and the ways they were taught.
Foreign Relations
Most other nations have a negative view of the Hadaran Empire. The Hadarans are outwardly hostile towards many of their neighbors and dismissive of most others. Because the empire is so old, it sees most others as less sophisticated and barbaric. Having a prestigious history of conquest and domination also makes many in the empire feel as though they could conquer their neighbors should they truly want to. The only nations they have very positive relations towards are the Domuc Empire, who are a similar imperial power and devout followers of the Galledallian Pantheon as well as Shiminore, which controls the Galledallian holy city of Azmina. The enemies of the empire are boundless to them. Soldern and Viltanor are seen as upstarts that will soon need to be put rightfully in their place, and the war with the Federation of the Dwarven Lords has put diplomatic relations with them on thin ice. The Hadaran's despise the Almaridian Empire, who took the province of Zelyr from them and is the only nation on Vadovass that anyone in the Empire sees as any sort of equal. The real enemy of the empire though is the Ancient Elven Dominion, who many see as a looming threat that has yet to be dealt with. The return of magic has been serious cause for worry, with stories of the elven mages of the previous ages making many wonder if the Hadaran Empire could hold them off should they choose to attack. In addition to them, the empire has to constantly patrol their northern borders for nomadic raiders from the Uncharted Territories, and piracy in the Gulf of Handel and along their coastlines can get out of control if not given serious attention.
Magic
Though magic has returned to the world, the Hadaran Empire has paid it little attention. In addition to associating magic with elves, a large portion see incorporating it for military or civil use as a break from tradition and unfamiliar territory. While being beaten back by those who used magic in the war with the Almaridian Empire has made some officers realize that change is needed if they are to remain relevant, others have simply dug their heels and refuse to back down, preferring to stick to old strategies. Using magic currently requires an expensive permit to practice or study, meaning only nobles can really delve into it. Even then some forms of it such as evocation and necromancy are still forbidden in most provinces. Unfortunately for the empire, this has only empowered the black market to deal in magical training, fake permits, and magical items.
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