The Emperor of Lagash

Defy me and suffer. Obey and prosper.

The Emperor of Lagash, who goes by no other name within his empire-city of Lagash, is a mighty wizard, adept ruler, and ambitious beyond reason. With no gods and no masters to shackle mankind, he sees a future of conquest and glory ahead. For a lesser mortal, such visions would be hubris, but the Emperor is one of the most powerful spellcasters in all of Lakhanavati, if not Ithekshem. His certainty is the kind that will draw the world into a war not seen since the End of All Things, and he might just win it.
That's not to say the Emperor is in any way a reasonable fellow. He rules his Empire and city with an iron-fist and frequently uses his authority to crush those who displease or annoy him. He has no patience for fools and is certain no one could ever fool a man of his intellect in any way. On the occasion he is proven wrong, the consequences have been.. Ruinous.
When times are quiet, the Emperor is only seen once a year, always from afar. Recently, he has descended to his city many times, and people are growing nervous. Every visit is like a storm, tearing apart carefully laid plans and business deals, rearranged to suit a new agenda.

by Pixabay

The Emperor is a human, a man in good form - if gaunt - with black hair that have begun to grey around the temples, and dark eyes. No matter whatever regal outfit he wears on his visits to the city, it is always in the color of the empire's flag - purple, black, and gold. Even on a friendly visit, the artifacts he carries are of such power that the air become charged, dogs howl and flee, and hairs stand on end.
Most of the time, the Emperor does not speak to his subjects, appearing in galas or gladiatorial games as a spectator from afar. When he makes his way through the city, it is at the head of a grand procession of hanger-ons and sycopants, loyal citizen who cover his path with flowers and praise raining down from thankful inhabitants that know what's good for them.

If required, the joy and fevor is encouraged at swordpoint.

Lagash has grown in both dominion and prominence since the Emperor's rule began, in part due to his own power and in part due to adroit management. Much of that is left to lesser clerks and moderately corrupt officials these days, the Emperor occupied with more important matters. Still, while Lagash is a stewing, boiling cauldron of chaos and crime, near war and dangerous political games, the ruling class of bureaucrat and administrators are hard-working, honest, and loyal. Many have witnessed the consequences to be anything less and manage the Emperor's domain with both pride and considerable fear.
Few know the true extent of his plans. With the rule of gods shattered, all magic once forbidden lie open to mortals and entirely new ways of wielding it are discovered every day. Should the Emperor find the key that he is looking for, Lakhanavati will soon be consumed by war unlike any other.

by http://www.tribalartasia.com/

Imperial Panoply

To augment his already considerable abilities, the Emperor possesses a host of potent artifacts - some which are unique to him. Some, he occasionally lends to favored servants or those who will further his ploys - sometimes in ways only he can see.
Chief among them is the Eye of Archaus, a fist-sized jewel said to be the eye of a god slain in the End of All Things, and a rare Focus of Divine magic.

The Emperor will sometimes casually refer to a long-standing but seemingly friendly rivalry to someone called 'the Dark Lord'. Who this person is, or if they're even real, is a matter of significant debate.