The Imperial Senate
To know what Dannor represents one must understand The Imperial Senate.— Consul Octavius to young Caius before sentencing him to fight in the pits.
The founding of Dannor begins with the building of Imperium going back to the very early days of civilization. It is so old, it is today known as 'the eternal city'. The Imperians believe that their city was founded in the years leading up to the Godswar, although historical records dismiss this as fiction, it is believed Early Dannor began prior to the end of it. Early Dannor was governed by kings from its Capital of Imperium, after only seven of them had ruled, the Imperians took power over their own city and ruled it themselves.They instilled a council known as The Senate which ruled over them. From this point on one speaks of the 'Imperial Republic' or the 'Imperial Senate' rather than the Dannor Domain, Kingdom or Nation as Dannor which came to represent the region and former provinces while Imperium came to represent the city itself.
Words are a powerful thing in Dannor. The word 'republic' itself comes from the language of Imperium, which is still used widely throughout the Realms as the accepted language of trade or the Common Tongue, while other words like 'res publica', which means public matters or matters of state remain inferred even though the exact words have fallen into disuse. More powerful than words, however, is a name. To the people of Dannor what is said about someone and what name and title they carry is more powerful than any magic in the realms, save perhaps the visions and prophesies of The Oracle. The current Oracle, has had a prophecy that will shape the future of Dannor. With impressive words, a strong name, and powerful results.
Dannor will face complete devastation from fire, earthquakes, tsunamis, and famine from the loss of harvests and destruction of stored reserves as flooding leave much of the land under several feet of seawater in the days after The Great Cataclysm. With the last of their strength, the Consul and a few surviving nobles of The Imperial Senate along with a small group of riders fought their way through pillagers and the smoldering rubble of their half destroyed city to seek the advice of The Oracle before she left the realms.
When they found her she decreed to them, if Consul you seek look no further than the rider Caius who is among you. He is the only one who can save his people from this calamity, though he knows not how or why he will become the First Emperor of Dannor, Augustus Maximus Imperius, The Greatest and Most Magnificent of Imperium. Though saved it will never be the same again. When the remaining Senate asked how this could be that Caius should be chosen, she drifted into a daze and recounted a prophecy;
"The slave who became a free man, the free man who became a rider, the rider who became a consul, the consul who became the eighth of one and the first of another, he will be called Augustus Maximus Imperius. This man was born of the blood of the Ancient Noble Houses.
He was captured as a child and sold as a slave where he rose to become Caius, the Primus Palis of Ludas Magnus. He then fought for Consul Octavius in the Colosseum as a gladiator and won his freedom for his unequaled victories after only ten short years. He used his freedom, and his popularity, to found Ludas Parracia and train the next generation of great gladiators, making him extremely wealthy. Still, his noble blood felt the call of destiny when Consul Octavius asked him to become a rider leading to him being here before you, now at this time, asking for your approval and appointment. Soon it will be you asking him for such things.
His destiny is to unite Dannor from Imperium to Amphillens, Asterionis to Gortyn, Hellas to Koureus all the way to Odysia. He is to be the first emperor of Dannor, but only if you appoint him consul."
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