The Florean Empire

The Florean Empire was founded in 683CE by Saint Basarab I Florea, and unified in 891CE after the Forge War. It's national symbol is a brightly colored cross stitch pattern on a blue backdrop with a collection of 16 flowers including Dog Roses, Globe Daisy, and Transylvanian Sage. This massive nation is actually a collection of 17 former sovereign nations all under the control of the current Florean monarch. While the Florean royal family rules the land, each conquered royal family (with the exception of 4) were allowed to keep their lands albeit with demotions to Grand Dukes and Duchesses. Presently in the year 943CE the Florean Empire is run by Queen Constance III Florea, with her pliable nephew Archduke Nicolae Pătrașcu in line for the throne if gods forbid anything were to happen to her... This year will be the Tricentennial of the founding of the Florean Empire, and Queen Constance is a young ruler who is hoping to prove to her people that the empire provides stability above all else.

Interesting Things About the Florean Empire

The Florean Empire was built through conquest. While this has created some bitter rivalries and old wounds, the war machines of the empire provide a much safer life for most Floreans than other nations. This has in the past manifested as hyper nationalism and a shared militaristic culture, but has recently been shifting to public works with Queen Constance III.
The Florean Empire has the largest number of warforged in Mynthris, excluding the isolationist Carnstat of course. Warforged in the empire were created for military service, and as such almost all warforged have a war story or several dozen to tell. This service quickly gained them the rights of full citizenship and a position of national pride in the empire, a viewpoint warforged don't enjoy anywhere else.
Through the use of warforged and the light rail the empire has learned that borrowing old toys can at times be more beneficial than building new ones, and as such often times funds adventures guilds to delve for lost technology and ancient artifacts.

Florean Characters

While all Floreans have a shared history dating back at least a few generations there are in fact 17 distinct territories within the empire. Meaning an entire party could be from the empire and have lived vastly different lives; however, the cultural influence of the empire runs deep. Consider the following characteristics for your Florean:
Proud Military Tradition. The Florean Empire has a strong tradition of military service, making soldier or sailor appropriate backgrounds for any character. Criminals and charlatans will have a difficult time evading the harsh laws of the Empire. The Martial Adept feat can give a character a strong sense of military traditional even if these backgrounds are not chosen.
State Sponsored Public Service. Florean tradition emphasizes teamwork, focus, and care for others. This is seen in the political power given to organizations such as The Nightingales and the Thalen Athenaeum. If you're looking for an organizational tie to fit into your Empire character's story consider one of these.
Students of the Past, Visionaries of the Future. Relics, artifacts, and technologies from the past are what has allowed the Empire to flourish. This has not only created heavy interest in a the acquisition of such things, but also a booming resurgence of artificers in the Empire.

Cities & Sites

• Leagăn de Fier, literally "The Iron Cradle" is located in the Vechi territory, the military heart of the Florean Empire. This is where the bulk of Florean military manufacturing occurs. Leagăn is both a military training complex and the core of warforged society within the Empire. Leagăn is also the location of the foundry responsible for building the siegeforged.
• Des Graven Hage, literally "The Count's Wood" is one of the empire's largest cities, and the seat of power for the territory of Bloem. The Hage has a service-oriented economy. Professional life in the city is dominated by the large number of civil servants and diplomats working in the city. In addition to this The Hage is surrounded on three sides by fields of flowers, and on the fourth butts up against one of the Empire's most notable forests, the Pădurea de Coţofană (Forest of the Magpie).
• Gura de îngheț "Frostmouth" is the Florean Empire's sole, small, isolated port town, with a harbor for a dozen or so ships outfitted to brave the ice and dangers of the Weeping Morter. Although its isolated location and the dangers of the Weeping Morter limit its growth and importance. It is one of the Empire's older towns, established with the first of many attempts to settle the Boreal Wildlands. It remains a very rough-and-tumble frozen coast town.

Current Events

• In recent months a series of magical disturbances have been noticed around the Weeping Morter, and the Athenaeum has been looking for adventures to make the trek.
• Empire magewrights are hoping to expand the Lightning Rail throughout more of the rural Empire, but the technology takes time to replicate, and some parts of the heartland are rife with danger.

Founding Date

683 CE

Type

Geopolitical, Empire