Kaelic Empire
Geography
The Kaelic Empire lies on the eastern border of Reddale. It stretches out for thousands of miles. Sanctuary was founded by this empire centuries ago, to serve as a fortress of the Western Frontier against the "savage tribes" that were further west. But this was back with the Kaelic Empire was in its prime, expanding in all directions under the guidance of the Scions of Kaelle, its Emperors. But when the Mines ran dry, the Empire lost some of its interest in maintaining so far an outpost and its influence over Reddale waned. And now the Kaelic Empire is a shadow of its former self.
History
The Kaelic Empire once held sway over a vast realm, the mightiest empire the world has ever seen. Kael The Great founded the realm, and led its armies to greatness. And when Kael was taken to bosom of the Gods then the Scions of Kael led the Empire he founded with skill and vigor. And as the years ran to centuries the Empire grew realm by realm, until its might and grandeur was unmatched by any other Power upon the world. And on its Western Frontier, Reddale was claimed by the Empire, and Sanctuary established as a fortress safeguarding the Marches from raiders beyond the border. And the Mines of Reddale were discovered, and Sanctuary grew in importance and wealth for a time. But when the mines went silent, then the Empire withdrew many of its forces from the area and sent some northwards against the Dragonborn Clans and and others southwards against the Corsair Islands, for those borders were the more active in those years than in the now-quiet West.
All the forests, hills, and fields of this mighty realm, and all those who dwelt therein, Elf, Gnome, Halfling or Man, recognized the Scions of Kaelle as their rightful lords. But the Dwarves, who dwelt secure in their mountain fastnesses, held themselves as peoples apart from the Empire, even as they recognized the right of the Scions to hold dominion over all the lands surrounding each and any of the Dwarven Kingdoms. And trade with the Dwarven craftsmen was prosperous, and the Dwarves were cheerfully willing to obey all dictates of the Scions while they walked the overworld realm. And so for a time the interior of the Empire was at peace, though war pressed ever on the borders of the expanding realm.
Fifty years ago, however, this all changed. For the Final Scion of Kaelle, Kedrick the Fifth, Kedrick the Fool, in pride decided that this was not enough. He called upon the Dwarven Kingdoms within the empire to submit now to the direct rule of the Imperial Throne. This was met with derision by Folk of the Mountains, who rebuffed the Imperial messengers with scorn. And so the Wars of the Dwarven Realms began, and Fall of the Scions was assured.
For the Dwarven armies were the best armed and armored forces to ever stride the empire, and none knew how far and deep the Dwarven Mines ran. But the Mines ran deep indeed, and the people who dwelt within were far more numerous then the Empire ever knew. And now it was shown that the Dwarves had long ago set aside some of the finest weapons and armor, and with forethought had set aside great stores of food and supplies against the treachery of the surface world.
The Wars ran for 15 years, and at every turn the Empire found itself suffering defeat upon defeat. In one year, three of the Golden Cities of the Inner Circle learned to their cost that their walls sat atop extensions of great Dwarven Mines, though the gates of the nearest Dwarven Kingdom lay many miles away. And it was Dwarven sappers who taught the cities this lesson, in the destruction of said walls.
Now with the Empire reeling from disaster, the Last Scion finally humbled his pride, and sued the Dwarves for peace, and asked that things go on as they had before. And this the Dwarves granted, and withdrew their armies back behind their great Gates of steel and mithril. But the foolishness of the pride of Kedrick was not forgotten by his Marshals, nor his failures in battle, nor his poor grasp of strategy. And the Marshals murmured against the Emperor, saying the Scions of Kaelle were fallen from greatness, and not worthy to be Emperors anymore. Then the High Vizier Council spoke against the Scion, and some of the Marshals sided with one Vizier, and some another. And now war again broke out: the Wars of the Viziers. Few indeed took the part of Scion Kedrick, and he was forsaken, and killed before the gates of his own palace as he tried to slip away from the strife as of his own court. And the wars raged for a long time, breaking out again and again in various parts of the Empire. Until finally most of the Visiers were dead, and the Empire exhausted of the fighting.
It is now thirty years since the last of the Vizier Wars have ended. The Council of Five now rule over the Kaelic Empire, with each Counsellor being responsible for aproximately one-fifth of the Empire. But though the wars have ended, the Counsellors still endlessly strive against each other fruitlessly instead of looking to the greater good of the wider realm. And the Dragonborn of the North have not forgotton nor forgiven the Empire its tresspasses, and the Corsairs of the Southern shores neither, and the armies of the Empire are hard put to hold the borders as they once did. And Reddale, once a provice of the Western Marches of the Empire, now no longer acknowledges the overlordship of the Empire. And though the Empire has never renounced Reddale, and claims suzerainity over it, nonetheless it no longer has the power to project its will so far from the Core Cities any longer.
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