Empire of Illodia

"The destiny of humanity must not be decided by one man alone": Kaldan II.

Independence

Tale of two Rebellions

At the end of the third century the great tyrant Ebelan tried to reunite and restore the Daulerim Empire, which had fallen into chaos due to the War of the Crownless. Ebelan was known for his ambitions and cruelty and in four years he conquered the lands and united them once more. But after five years the people rose up in 321 and wanted to topple the tyrant. Ebelan made the final decision and had all his enemies killed. Crushing the rebellion earned him the title of a tyrant for ever more. From there on his rule was short. No army could stand against him, but the blade of an assassin took his life. His legacy was one of terror, so it was no suprise that as soon as he had died, his Empire collapsed. In 333 a second rebellion broke out and this time successfull. The heir to Ebelan, his own general, was defeated by an alliance of various provinces, consisting of Illodia, Edlam, Kurnau and many more. This year the young leader Kaldan II. became King. Posthumously he was titles the first Emperor of Illodia.

The Age of Peace

The decades which followed upon the victory of Illodia are considered a golden age. While the Daulerim Empire remained disunited and sank deeper into chaos, the western provinces, now independent flourished on their own. In this time no major conflict was recorded and instead the people of Illodia and Edlam and the surrounding lands made peace with each other. The glorious Kaldan II. had even pacified the Mountain Tribes who had once pillaged their land. This era of peace lasted until the end of the fifth century, when the Imperial Reformation of the Daulerim was underway. The region once merely known as the Western Provinces had become rich and influential, yet the Daulerim Emperor aimed to conquer it once again.

The Miracle of Illodia

The Daulerim Empire attacked in the year 493 with an overwhelming force. Initially nobody thought that Illodia could stand against them. The Daulerim demanded them to join their Empire, to recognise their universal right to rule, yet the Illodians refused and for this insolence they had to be punished. Their army and mages outnumbered the Illodians almost ten to one. Yet the Illodians knew their strength and they knew their allies. In a desperate appeal they joined together to fight off the Daulerim. The war was brutal and lasted until 499, when both parties were at the end of their strength. The Daulerim decided to let go and draw back believing the Illodians to be unbeatable. The truth was that Illodia had almost bled out and was at the end of their strength. To them the daulerim retreat was a miracle. Without knowing the Daulerim Empire could have obliterated Illodia once and for all, but instead they persisted.

The Empire

Now Illodia knew their enemies and they swore to never ever have themself in the same situation. The allies of the war united and from this day onwards they were known as the Empire of Illodia. They lived under the motto of Kaldan II. that never one single realm must decide upon the fate of humanity. The Daulerim, who continues to claim universal rule became their arch-enemy. Their state changed its face and they did everything they could to rival the Daulerim. Three great wars they fought against them, in 550, 610 and in 681. The final peace was established in 685.

Organisation and Structure

The Empire of Illodia used to be merely a loose alliance of principalities and Kingdoms united in their opposition of the Daulerim Empire. Trough trade, but also trough the connections of Mages amongst each other they grew together. Finally when Daulerim attacked during its own Reformation, they joined together for good. Since then the Illodian Empire consists of six subdivisions. Upper and Lower Illodia, of which Lower Illodia is considered the historical heartland of Illodia. The province of Edlam. The so called Illodian Islands, Magerpi, Tatenau and Aldrimein, the autonomous Mountain Tribes and the capital distric of Illodia itself.
While the Daulerim Empire has a feudal structure and gives much autonomy to its subserviant realms, the Illodian Empire is a centralised state. Illodia has a single military and every third citizen is drafted for military service. Everyone with an apparent Gift of Magic is forced to become an Imperial Mage. The training and employment of these imperial mages is overseen by the Order of Edlam. The law and judician are the same in the whole Empire.
While having a much smaller population, the Illodian Empire managed trough these measures to counter the Daulerim Empire, which is highly decentralised. Their military is equal to the military of the Daulerim and the number of their imperial mages is higher, not to speak of their loyalty.
The Empire as such is ruled by a triarchy of the King, representing the noble families of the realm, the High General, representing the military and the Grandmaster of the Order of Edlam, representing the mages. Since 691, the role of the Grandmaster has been fullfilled by Ragaster Telve who many see as the strongest leader within the current Empire. He himself aims as transforming the Empire, from an aristocracy into a pure meritocracy ruled only by the most capable mages and warriors.

Name
Karduše Illodzayin (Illodzin)
Karrush Illodim (Daulerim)
Illot Kartoosh (Emat)
Type of State
(Human) Empire
Capital
Illodia
Type of Government
Absolute Monarchy (Triumvirate)
Current Emperor
Garin Eter III.

Grandmaster of the Order of Edlam
Ragaster Telve

Military Leader
Lord Admiral Kaldan
Independence
333, Rebellion of Kaldan II.
500 (Imperial Consolidation)
Language
Illodzin (Official)
Emat (Literary)

Alternative Names

Western Empire

Demonym

Illodian

Subsidiary Organizations

• Order of Edlam

Controlled Territories

• Edlam
• Illodia
• New-Edlam

Neighboring Nations

• Daulerim Empire
• Tribes of Alwaein

Notable Members

• Garin Eter III.
• Kaldan II.

Related Ethnicities

• Daulerim
• Illodian