Dragon Empire
The Dragon Empire has been the greatest nation on Phaldorya for over two millennia, under its control the seed of modern nations was sown. Since Saythian became an indipendent Republic it has returned to its former denomination of Dragon Kingdom.
Structure
The Dragon Empire has been a powerful feudal empire having the Emperor as a supreme leader, with a pyramidal structure in which land and power was distributed according to blood and fighting prowess. The respect of the feudal overlord was the founding stone of this system and betrayal, although common, could lead to a rapid turnover of someone's fate. The top tier was occupied by the Emperor, the second was occupied by the lords (earl/countess, barons/baronesses, princes/princesses, marquees/marchioness according to the different type of Fief conceded), these ones would command over a number of knights, who would control smaller portions of land worked by peasants/serves.
Culture
The values of chivalry was at the base of Dragon Empire culture, for this reason some orders such as Order of the Dragon, have had an fundamental importance in the empire. Honor, respect and loyalty were seen as fundamental to maintain power. Servants instead had fairly easy lives, although their status changed significantly through the centuries granting them more or less freedom according to the local customs.
Public Agenda
The conquer of the continent, at least the parts that were considered achievable with military power, was probably the leading point of the Dragon Empire. For many of the peasants this meant, anyway, better condition of life and a stronger and more effective administration, therefore people for a number of centuries was happy to serve under the empire.
Assets
At the time of maximum expansion the Dragon Empire counted thousands of castles, its power could be considered limitless.
History
The Dragon Empire was founded by the alliance between Kharmian and Agorians during the Confluence of the Ring of Fangagon. At the end of the Dark Tiranny with the reconquest of the capital Virkenhall, the priority was considered to control the borders with the Ahrmur because this belligerant people constituted a constant threat to the villages. Multiple skirmishes occured during the years following but for a while the empire kept more or less the same extension, plotting anyway to bring Ahrmur and Saythian lands under their control. The war against this two nations continued for several centuries with phases of successes, alternated to setbacks. The last country to surrender to the power of the empire was Ahrmur when their capital Altamura was sieged and conquered by the army of the Empire.
Disbandment
Although the control on the Grand Duchy of Ahrmur has never been easy with constant riots and attempts to overthrow the established power, the event that started the decline of the Dragon Empire is the peaceful secession of the Free Principate of Hörburg, mostly due to the pressures posed to commerce by the adjacent Grand Duchy. The end of the Dragon Empire occured eventually in 2222MC due to the revolution that allowed the Saythian Republic to become indipendent. From that event the Dragon Empire reverted to the original name of Dragon Kingdom, renouncing to plans of expansion but establishing the bonds for a peaceful time.
This is a fascinating empire! I like the fact that it became a kingdom in the end, and decided to stop claiming territories. Great job! :)
Let's say that they hadn't alternatives, but in a way, the people evolved and continuous warfare wasn't any longer feasible...