Empire of Theos
"The Empire does not falter. Since the founders built Theos at the base of the Silver Horn, they did so with a foot planted in the past: upon the firm foundation of the ancient Tyrians. The other foot was striding forward, from the Cataclysm and into a future where all could be happy and safe under a firm civilized rule. It is why the dukes and duchesses are unified in the face of Chaos. It is why they support their chosen Emperor or Empress. It is what our people expect. We provide that guiding hand, one backed by the knowledge left to us by the ancients, and inspired by the will of the gods. It is why the Empire will not back down, even in this fourth age. We will define it - with our swords, our magic and our faith. This I swear, to all my people, but also, to all people who defy the Chaos that is threatening our whole world."
- Emperor Zeno Omenos
Demography and Population
Folk of all types can be found in the Empire. Primarily Humans are dominant species. But Dwarves and Halflings have integrated into most communities. Elves are found in many cities across the Empire. They do have a few communities closer to nature, such as the mysterious Amberwood Commune. Kor's folk are seen from time to time. Sakasta are most frequently encountered in large towns and cities, adapting easily to urban life.
While most folk are welcome, those with obvious ties to Chaos and specifically The Brass Horde are looked at with suspicion. Brass Elves are considered untrustworthy and dangerous by most folk. But they can be encountered in towns in the northern borders of the Empire.
Territories
The Empire is split into five Duchies, ruled by a duke or duchess who is part of the Emperor's Council. Each duchy was named after one of the founders of the Empire, but these names have changed in the years since The Cataclysm, becoming more Theosian sounding from the original spelling and pronunciation.
These duchies include:
- Kantrium - City of Theos and the Silver Horn
- Athius - East coast up to the Rift
- Tarna - Northwest up to the Everwood
- Kryto - Land surrounding Lake Kasia
- Makos - South coast and western border with The Grand Duchy of Kadmos
Military
The focus of the Empire's might has been on land. Their foot soldiers are well trained and disciplined. Their knights come from families long tied to leadership and equestrian combat. They have the finest archers trained in the elven skills of stealth and ambush. They have honed their defensive skills, able to build fortifications quickly and with resilience. Communicaiton is swift and accurate.
As good as they are, the imperial army is losing ground. The Brass Horde wielded fearsome magic and its chaotic and powerful attacks were impossible to predict. Corruption proved a potent weapon against the Empire's forces. Sometimes as simple as wealth and power. Other times blackmail. Most horrifying was the corruption of will and soul - when soldiers gave up the cause of Order and Life and embraced the hopelessness of the apocalypse.
Things have not improved with the return of Yeno and her magic. Now that both sides have access to magic in greater potency, the battles are more punishing. A few things have helped. The Woman of Bronze, a former champion of the Brass Horde, has joined the Imperial Army and has lead helped turn the tide in many key battles. Some say she is Red Talon reborn, a statement she absolutely denies. Others say she is just waiting for a moment to lead the Empire into a helpless position and destroy them utterly. But the rank and file find her presence on the battlefield a huge inspiration and comfort. And centurions and generals who worked with her have praised her skills with the shield and spear, as well as her knowledge of the Horde's skills and talents.
The empire has a few resources in both the sea and the air. The navy acts as more of a protective force. They protect the vital harbors on the coast, including the capital of Theos. They also provide escorts to merchant vessels sailing in the treacherous waters of The Sea of Dread. Within the last three years the Emperor Zeno Omenos has obtained help from the Confederation of Ithan to improve the ocean going vessels and train crew for military use.
In the air resources are few, but a special group of knights being trained to work with griffins and hippogriffs has been spotted around Lake Kasia. This may be a response to the rumors that an actual dragon was seen in the southern continent of Ejo and the Woman of Bronze telling stories of seeing wyverns used against dwarf strongholds.
Religion
The empire has always been open to most religious views. Like most human controlled territories, Ashtyr is the goddess with the most veneration. However Emperor Zeno Omenos has made a point of trying to bring together the three greater gods in a unifying force. He has endorsed a movement to worship Ashtyr, Yeno and Kor as one force - a Trideos. The idea has caught on in the more cosmopolitan parts of the empire. The main temple in Theos is primarily dedicated to Trideos. Even Casteel has embraced the concept.
But in smaller villages and towns, traditional worship of a patron god is the norm. Other gods usually have a space in the local temple to accept prayers and offerings. The Trideos is considered something fancy that city folk are embracing as a fad. Some more dedicated clergy even scoff at warping the identities of such powerful beings together in one "force". This is even more problematic as it is now obvious the greater gods have returned after the incident in Taneroa.
Worship of Chaos is forbidden and is considered a crime not only against the Empire, but against the living folk of all Cadash. Those found worshiping the "enemy of all" are quickly apprehended and given a very public execution, usually by hanging. While such occurrences are rare, it is said to becoming an issue in the Duchy of Athius, where strange magics from The Rift are traded and manipulated.
Foreign Relations
The Empire is at war. It's primary enemy is The Brass Horde to the north. The Horde has been actively battling the Emperor's forces for nearly a decade now. For a time, the Horde shifted their focus on destroying the dwarf kingdoms, and having mostly achieved that end, they turned their forces in full toward the south. There have been no negotiations with the Horde, because the Empire sees them as an agent of Chaos and therefore a part of "the enemy of all". With the return of the gods and magic to Reluria, the battles have become more intense but the stalemate is firm.
To the west lies the The Grand Duchy of Kadmos, a traditional ally to the Empire. The Duchy was established by the Duke Kadmos, a nephew to Emperor Omenos. But with the fall of Kadmos house (and the heirs in hiding), the Black Eagle has risen his standard over Mystemere. The Emperor is technically related to the man who calls himself the Black Eagle - Loxias Macros. However, the Emperor sees the man as nothing more than an opportunistic traitor to humanity. The Black Eagle has embraced forces of Chaos in his ranks, and Brass Elves as his body guards. Few doubt that he is working with the Horde to finish off the Empire and perhaps carve out a chunk of it's lands and people for his own control.
The Empire has good relations with Rifthold, or as good as you could hope with a loosely connected group of scavengers and scoundrels. As long as trade flows between the two groups, then the Empire is willing to look the other way when accidents occur. There is a limit to the Empire's patience, and a few Rift Hunters have found this out the hard way, by bringing very dangerous magic and toxins into the Empire. Retribution was swift, but controlled. In some ways, the Rift acts as a bit of a buffer, because they also trade with the Horde. As long as the Horde finds them useful they remain in place. But with an organization controlled by an aspect of Elemental Chaos - it is anyone's guess how long that can last. This is a point the Empire has stressed to Rifthold, in an effort to get them to align with the Empire more closely. So far the alliance in the Rift has refused such an idea.
The Everwood remains a mysterious border for the Empire. Every few years, the empire will send a delegation or group of scholars to find out more. And each time things go wrong. It is obviously a dangerous place, and yes it is slowly spreading. But it is not the active threat that the Brass Horde represents. For the most part the Emperor has considered it a secure border compared to the others. Recently through the efforts of close advisors, Emperor Omenos has taken a new interest in the ancient woods. The idea of lost elven magic and possibly elven allies has proven a temptation, especially with the overall war taking a turn for the more punative.
Trade with the Confederation of Ithan remains robust. While The Guild Islands are a good distance away, the news of the return of Red Talon and the discovery of Taneroa have reached the Emperor, offering a tiny bit of hope in the dark times. The Empire has paid very well for guild shipwrights and navigators in an attempt to improve their own navy. It is a slow process, but one Emperor Omenos feels is vital to turn the war around and against the Brass Horde.
Last are the rumors of a new threat coming from the southern continent of Ejo. The Empire has no official connections to anyone in that land. However, they do support the pilgrimages to the holy temple of Ashtyr that lies deep in the forests of that mysterious continent. Pilgrims have brought news of increased dangers and the rise of the ancient enemy, the Jade Empire. Such a threat is not taken lightly, since it took the actions of Red Talon herself to bring the Jade Empire to heel before. For now the Empire keeps an ear to ground, lest a new enemy rises from the South to strike a decisive blow.
Laws
Because of the ancient stance that Empire is a protector, it uses the law as its primary mode of protection within its lands. As such Imprial Law is robust and detailed. Laws are made at high levels with a council including the Emperor and his Dukes and Duchesses. These laws are then codified and further defined by Legates and Judges at the local level. Everything is carefully documented and publicized so the protections are known to all.
Or that is how it should work. Because the Empire has been at war for nearly a decade, law making has taken a back seat to the necessities of defending the Empire from exterior forces. More and more control has shifted to the Dukes and Duchesses, so much so, that they almost operate like independent kingdoms. Emperor Zeno Omenos feels he has intelligent and worthy people supporting him at this level has a loose grip on this. However, if he learns of any of the Dukes or Duchesses attempting to break the Empire, he will not hesitate to bring them in line. His firm stance on this is well known. But whispers abound that soon, one of his vassals may test this stance.
For now Imperial law is the law of the land. Punishments are meted out quickly and mostly fairly. Many times it is merely a fine or reparations. Incarceration is not typical, and those that commit grievous crimes are usually executed. As such career criminals are truly outlaws. Most have bounties on their heads, and will have swift executions upon capture.
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Alternative Names
The Empire, Theos
Demonym
Theosians
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
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