The Emperor
The Emperor or Empress is the most powerful individual in the The Material Plane, and some say even the entirety of the planes. The absolute and unquestionable leader of The Empire and in control of all of its resources, land and peoples. Regarded as an almost godlike figure by the common folk, and a leader with great power and deserving of much respect by the nobility, they are the highest authority in any matter. As a whole, the Emperor rules with an iron fist, and their word is law. However, they are only a humani, with all the flaws and vices that come with it. This piece aims to explain how a single person rules over a land as vast and divergent as the The Empire, which spans from the frozen tundras of the Northern Wastes, to the scorching desert of Ahridian.
The founder and first ruler was Gondor Lionel, The Omnipaladin, who through his brave actions and legendary deeds gained the blessings of all five major empire gods, and with their power behind him, conquered much of Tolhera and with their blessing officially formed The Empire. His bloodline has maintained the throne, though through the years that has become more and more difficult to state with certainty, a fact which is entirely ignored by the current and all past figures to hold the position.
A similar chain follows all the way down from High Lord, to Duke, to Count, to Baron, and finally to a normal citizen of the Empire. While on practice functional, this can lead to many situations where the time taken for word to get from a citizen or baron, to the Emperor, and then be implemented, is horribly long, and many villages have been razed to the ground, with no reinforcements in sight. In the past years, Emperor Manfred III has made efforts to make the system more efficient, and ensure that it runs smoother, but that has not been entirely successfull.
For more urgent or personal matters, the Emperor can utilize the Royal Guard, a group of extremely capable individuals, that are at the behest of the Emperor, and can act as their right hand. Each member of the High Council is required to have a member of the Royal Guard at all times, so the range of skills is quite varied. Past members include battle-wizards from the Arcanic Order, clerics and paladins from the Church of Vitaria, Inquisition and Church of Yiortis, skilled assassins and warriors, and many more. Their identities are hiden, and their absence is always masked by an illusionary duplicate, to ensure that none can know exactly when they are away.
The left hand of the Emperor, is the Imperial Mint and Heart of the Empire. Led by the Coinmaster, the Imperial Mint acts as a direct tool for the Emperor to control the economy of the realm, seperate from the High Council, to which she acts as a balance. It also employs the largest mercenary guild in the Empire, which has a small army of adventurers, ready to do anything from battle dangerous beasts, to slit the throats of unruly Barons. Since its founding in 91 P.F., the Imperial Mint has been a very powerful tool, used to keep the High Council in line, and deal with some problems that might escape the Emperors direct line of sight.
Gondor Lionel, founder of the Empire, and First Emperor. His deeds speak for themselves. He did not produce an heir until late in his life.
Manfred I Lionel, the unfortunate son of the First Emperor. During his fathers corronation, an army of angels came down to assist him in his war. When at his own, nothing of the sort happened, it sparked a civil war for the throne, the Years of Smoke which put the heredity of the throne into question. He eventually won that war, and started the Second Crusade.
Gondor II Lionel, given the name at an early age, this arrogant Emperor was consumed by the Blade of Bratuul, and his death was used as an excuse for High Inquisitor Redacted to rise to the throne.
High Inquisitor Redacted was the leader of the Inquisition at the time of the Second Crusade, when its power was at its height. He took the throne by force, and was eventually erased from every imperial record.
Ferdinand I Lionel, the Peacemaker, one of the greatest Emperors, whose capability created the most poppular Royal Name. He took back the throne, founded the Imperial Mint, ended the Second Crusade, and brought much needed peace and prosperity on the lands.
Ferdinand II Lionel, the first in a long line of the same name. Begun the Great Hunt, which reunited the Empire at a time of divisions, and ruled for 38 full years.
Ferdinand V Lionel, a female Empress, who took the name as to not break the chain and bring misfortune on herself. It seemingly worked, and she ended the Great Hunt in a success.
Ferdinand VI Lionel, assassinated days after his corronation.
Isabella I Lionel, start of the Isabella and Richard Royal Names, after her and her husband, honored by their son, after they were both slain in battle.
Isabella IV Lionel, waged the War of the Shattered Teeth, which led to the incorporation of the Jarldom of Värmod into the Empire.
Dracon I Lionel, reigned for eighty three years, with the aid of necromancy. The discovery sparked much controversy, and nearly ignited a civil war. After his death, the truth on his condition, the scale of his corruption, if any, and the nature of his death, were all covered up, to the extent that not much is known about him. Nobody else is known to have taken the name, except Dracon Lionel, the Tainted, who was killed by Emperor Manfred III at the Wicked Pass.
Manfred II Lionel, his lineage is questioned, and it is unclear if he trully was a direct descendant of Dracon, as the previous Emperor was so mysterious.
Erinia I Lionel, incorporated Ahridia into the Empire, and greatly improved the overall economy.
Ferdinand VIII Lionel,gave the Arcanic Order a seat on the High Council.
Emperor Manfred III, is the current Emperor, and has proven himself to be a steady and powerful leader, who rises in times of crisis. He has won many battles that he personally led, and is more direct in his rule than many others.
Full Timeline of Emperors and Empresses
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The founder and first ruler was Gondor Lionel, The Omnipaladin, who through his brave actions and legendary deeds gained the blessings of all five major empire gods, and with their power behind him, conquered much of Tolhera and with their blessing officially formed The Empire. His bloodline has maintained the throne, though through the years that has become more and more difficult to state with certainty, a fact which is entirely ignored by the current and all past figures to hold the position.
Laws, Orders and Bureaucracy
The Empire contains five Provinces, many dozens of Duchies, and thousands of Counties, and many millions of people. For a single person to rule all that, delegation is nessesary, and bureaucracy is a nessesary evil. Below the Emperor is the High Council, made up of representatives from all parts of the Empire, who are in charge of debating and voting on topics and bringing them to the attention of the Emperor. The Emperor can then pass them on as law or refuse to do so, with the latter being very rarely done. The High Council is responsible for enforcing any decrees signed by the Emperor in their respective organisations, and ensuring that the people below them, be they Dukes, Archmages or Generals, know of the command, and are following it.A similar chain follows all the way down from High Lord, to Duke, to Count, to Baron, and finally to a normal citizen of the Empire. While on practice functional, this can lead to many situations where the time taken for word to get from a citizen or baron, to the Emperor, and then be implemented, is horribly long, and many villages have been razed to the ground, with no reinforcements in sight. In the past years, Emperor Manfred III has made efforts to make the system more efficient, and ensure that it runs smoother, but that has not been entirely successfull.
For more urgent or personal matters, the Emperor can utilize the Royal Guard, a group of extremely capable individuals, that are at the behest of the Emperor, and can act as their right hand. Each member of the High Council is required to have a member of the Royal Guard at all times, so the range of skills is quite varied. Past members include battle-wizards from the Arcanic Order, clerics and paladins from the Church of Vitaria, Inquisition and Church of Yiortis, skilled assassins and warriors, and many more. Their identities are hiden, and their absence is always masked by an illusionary duplicate, to ensure that none can know exactly when they are away.
The left hand of the Emperor, is the Imperial Mint and Heart of the Empire. Led by the Coinmaster, the Imperial Mint acts as a direct tool for the Emperor to control the economy of the realm, seperate from the High Council, to which she acts as a balance. It also employs the largest mercenary guild in the Empire, which has a small army of adventurers, ready to do anything from battle dangerous beasts, to slit the throats of unruly Barons. Since its founding in 91 P.F., the Imperial Mint has been a very powerful tool, used to keep the High Council in line, and deal with some problems that might escape the Emperors direct line of sight.
Notable Past Emperors
In the five hundred and twenty nine years that the Empire has existed, there have been a total of twenty eight Emperors and Empresses, not all of which have made an important mark in the history books. Be it due to their incompetence, or the times they ruled during, many past rulers of the Empire are not extremely memorable. Below are listed those that are, and a very brief summary of their deeds.Gondor Lionel, founder of the Empire, and First Emperor. His deeds speak for themselves. He did not produce an heir until late in his life.
Manfred I Lionel, the unfortunate son of the First Emperor. During his fathers corronation, an army of angels came down to assist him in his war. When at his own, nothing of the sort happened, it sparked a civil war for the throne, the Years of Smoke which put the heredity of the throne into question. He eventually won that war, and started the Second Crusade.
Gondor II Lionel, given the name at an early age, this arrogant Emperor was consumed by the Blade of Bratuul, and his death was used as an excuse for High Inquisitor Redacted to rise to the throne.
High Inquisitor Redacted was the leader of the Inquisition at the time of the Second Crusade, when its power was at its height. He took the throne by force, and was eventually erased from every imperial record.
Ferdinand I Lionel, the Peacemaker, one of the greatest Emperors, whose capability created the most poppular Royal Name. He took back the throne, founded the Imperial Mint, ended the Second Crusade, and brought much needed peace and prosperity on the lands.
Ferdinand II Lionel, the first in a long line of the same name. Begun the Great Hunt, which reunited the Empire at a time of divisions, and ruled for 38 full years.
Ferdinand V Lionel, a female Empress, who took the name as to not break the chain and bring misfortune on herself. It seemingly worked, and she ended the Great Hunt in a success.
Ferdinand VI Lionel, assassinated days after his corronation.
Isabella I Lionel, start of the Isabella and Richard Royal Names, after her and her husband, honored by their son, after they were both slain in battle.
Isabella IV Lionel, waged the War of the Shattered Teeth, which led to the incorporation of the Jarldom of Värmod into the Empire.
Dracon I Lionel, reigned for eighty three years, with the aid of necromancy. The discovery sparked much controversy, and nearly ignited a civil war. After his death, the truth on his condition, the scale of his corruption, if any, and the nature of his death, were all covered up, to the extent that not much is known about him. Nobody else is known to have taken the name, except Dracon Lionel, the Tainted, who was killed by Emperor Manfred III at the Wicked Pass.
Manfred II Lionel, his lineage is questioned, and it is unclear if he trully was a direct descendant of Dracon, as the previous Emperor was so mysterious.
Erinia I Lionel, incorporated Ahridia into the Empire, and greatly improved the overall economy.
Ferdinand VIII Lionel,gave the Arcanic Order a seat on the High Council.
Emperor Manfred III, is the current Emperor, and has proven himself to be a steady and powerful leader, who rises in times of crisis. He has won many battles that he personally led, and is more direct in his rule than many others.
Full Timeline of Emperors and Empresses
| Year (P.F.) | Name |
|---|---|
| 0 - 40 | Gondor Lionel, The Omnipaladin |
| 40 - 66 | Years of Smoke |
| 66 - 75 | Manfred I Lionel |
| 75 - 79 | Alicia I Lionel |
| 79 -81 | Gondor II Lionel |
| 81 - 85 | High Inquisitor Redacted |
| 85 - 98 | Ferdinand I Lionel, the Peacemaker |
| 98 - 116 | Alicia II Lionel |
| 116 - 137 | Richard I Lionel |
| 137 - 175 | Ferdinand II Lionel |
| 175 - 195 | Ferdinand III Lionel |
| 195 - 212 | Ferdinand IV Lionel |
| 212 - 227 | Ferdinand V Lionel |
| 227 - 227 | Ferdinand VI Lionel |
| 227 - 231 | Isabella I Lionel |
| 231 - 246 | Richard II Lionel |
| 246 - 264 | Isabella II Lionel |
| 264 - 268 | Isabella III Lionel |
| 268 - 281 | Richard III Lionel |
| 281 - 336 | Isabella IV Lionel |
| 336 - 419 | Dracon I Lionel |
| 419 - 421 | Manfred II Lionel |
| 421 - 437 | Isabella V Lionel |
| 437 - 447 | Thadeus I Lionel |
| 447 - 465 | Erinia I Lionel |
| 465 - 472 | Albert I Lionel |
| 472 - 481 | Ferdinand VII Lionel |
| 481 - 500 | Ferdinand VIII Lionel |
Type
Religious, Political
Status
In effect
Alternative Naming
The Omnipaladin, Chosen of All Gods
Source of Authority
The Empire Gods
Length of Term
Life
First Holder
Current Holders
Related Locations
Related Organizations
Royal Name When an Emperor or Empress is coronated, they choose a new name to be known as, as they are now Chosen of All Gods, and thus a different person than they were before. The Royal Name has now become more of a tradition, but each of the poppular names does have a meaning behind it, given to it by those in the past that held it. In the past, the Royal Names were only for the Emperor or Empress, but nowadays many nobles give them to their children as a blessing for good fortune
