History of the Empire

The first city to fall to Calgar Pagitax was the one he once served. As a former captain he knew well the layout of the city, its strengths and weaknesses, and the many supporters he had within. As much a revolution as a military action, he led the charge against the tyrant Nereos and his corrupt government and soldiers. The struggle was brief, Nereos and his cronies were hanged, and the foundation stone of the Empire had been laid.

After stabilising his rule in Cardena and Murinium, Pagitax turned his forces on Tarcos. Ruled by a merchant council the citizens of Tarcos firmly believed that the revoultion in in Cardena and the fall of Murinium were isolated incidents. They had no quarrel with Cardena or wtih Pagitax. They were not a threat to him, so they believed he had no cause to attack him. They were wrong. The mercenaries employed to protect the city were quick to turn and run in the face of disciplined opposition. The city fell, and Pagitax chose to let the people decide the fate of their former rules. Their failure to protect the city, and the fact that many were caught attempting to flee, was not looked on with kindness.

With troops tired and hungry from the long siege, Pagitax was forced to march rapidly home as news arrived that Cardenna was under attack. THe remaining city states had seen enough, and were not content to sit idly by and be picked off one by one. Augusta Riga, Arvenna and Vestina had allied and sent troops to capture Cardenna and cut off Pagitax's support. Pagitax's son, Brandar, defended the city against bloody assualts, until his father could arrive to drive the attackers away. While victorious, the action had cost Pagitax dearly, while his attackers cut their losses and retreated.

As the forces of Arvenna marched towards Augusta Rina, intent on destroying Pagitax and his army while they were still weak, they encoutered a grisly fate. An army of undead, risen from nearby battlefields descended upon them in the dead of night. A brutal and unexpected attack by an army from beyond the grave scattered the terrified Arvenans. Many died, but many more fled, ignoring their commanders calls to rally.   It is rumored that this attack was initiated by the necromancer Master Edas, at the request of Pagitax himself, though the official historical accounts deny this.

Dudorian Hardhand, a great grandson of Calgar Pagitax, leads a revolution against the Emperor Salmus Promidius, with the suppor tof the senate. Eventually he storms the palace and kills the emperor, taking his place on the throne.

The emperor Brandar Pagitax is replaced in coup by his cousin, Lothelius Duridimus, with the support of the senate and the priests of Luna.

A tidal wave crushes the city of Arvenna, drowning most of the inhabitants and destroying most of the buildings. Rumours begin that Poseiden is angry witht he emperor Uclemacles

The Order of the Rose, a small and secretive organisation is created by concerned senators. Its express purpose is ensuring that no emperor should ever become a threat to the survival of the empire.

Following the death of Julia II her twin sons, Siros and Seruban agree to rule the empire jointly.  It is agreed that the firstborn son of either of the two emperors will be the next heir to the empire.

The high priest of Janus, Jero proposes a solution to the ongoing civil war. Both candidates must submit themselves to ten trials, each set by the High Priest of each of the gods of the Decatheic church. The two cousins agree, and Julian emerges victorious.

Seeking to further expand imperial territory, and wary of any possible pact between Aldremre and the Norse, Clovar Pagitax orders the invasion of Aldremere. It is a bitter and miserable campaign and guerilla action by the Aldrim accounts the the greater part of imperial losses. The invasion paves the way for the extermination of the druids for their practice of blood sacrifices.