The Empire of Apricity
The Empire of Apricity encompasses law and light, an embodiment of the god that supposedly started the royal lineage of the Ariannaids. Blessed by the Heart Smith, the patron god of the Empire, Apricity has a tendency to get into a lot of conflicts with other countries due to differing religious views. While this has settled down mostly since the reign of Emperor Hawthorne, the Ariannaids will attack anyone who dares to disrespect their god in an extreme show of blasphemy. The current empress is Archangelica, the oldest daughter of the famous Hawthorne, known as the Dragon Emperor. Since the death of Hawthorne, the surrounding countries have less fear toward Apricity.
Structure
The Emperor makes most of the decisions for the country but has a cabinet of leaders to help make decisions. The second in command are usually the children of the Emperor, as historically they usually have five or more to serve as military leaders and generals. Afterward is the Wysteraii, elected from a group of seven ministers to be the 'prime minister'. Right beside the Wysteraii is the Orchidéa, the actual head of the Emperor's vast military force. After that are the other ministers who bring forth information and decide on laws, policies, etc with the Emperor being the final decision. Nothing can veto the Emperor's decision.
History
The Empire has had a strong hold of its land and gaining more of it thanks to an Emperor in recent memory that many country leaders are convinced will come back from the dead, Hawthorne. Emperor Hawthorne survived the mass killing of his own family when he was a teenager by a group of assassins hired to kill the entire bloodline. In his personal notes, he recalls the table he was hiding under and the white cloth draped over it saved his life, but he was forced to watch it become soaked completely red before the screams had stopped. Due to this traumatic experience, Hawthorne doubled down on efforts to avenge his family. However, he came to learn that they were hired because many family members had been executed due to worshipping different gods. He spent his life ensuring that no more lives were lost due to small religious quarrels while also proving to the world that the Heart Smith was indeed real, something they could not deny. Being one of the most powerful Emperors recorded, his sword was known as Dyrnwyn, was known to harness such strong fire power that it could turn anything to ash. It's said that he used the Heart Smith's aid to create a dragon known as Lorylth, his closest companion and the one he rode into battle, giving him the name 'The Dragon Emperor.' He passed away fifteen years ago due to old age. His husband, the vampire Emil, is still alive though is rarely in Apricity and uses his time to spread the stories of his husband.
Religion
The Emperor is the religious figurehead for the Heart Smith. They are known for having auburn red hair and supposedly blue eyes, but that is a mere rumor. The Emperor always covers their face with a veil, as it is a sin to look upon their face (and one would be immediately smited) unless they are apart of the family or the governing party of the Empire. The Heart Smith is a god of life, creation, law, and blacksmithing. Each Emperor has a unique weapon created by hand from the Heart Smith, made of pure white metal and gilded with gold, imbued with magic. When one ascends to become Emperor, it's said they must undergo a ritual in the Heart Smith's Forge that the Dynastein palace was built on top of. It is a grotto with the Heart Smith's forge, surrounding by running water. The heir apparent must survive in grotto for 7 days, which should be an easy task for an Ariannaid, the magic in their lineage giving them a small bit of creation magic. The heir apparent is not announced until the day they become Emperor, to avoid assassins and in case they die in the ritual leading up to their crowning.
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Capital
Alternative Names
The Empire of the Hearth
Demonym
Apricitians
Leader
Leader Title
Government System
Theocracy
Economic System
Market economy
Deities
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Comments