Holy Divine Sacred Empire of Angelic Purification
The largest nation in the Human Realm, known specifically for its anti-demon sentiments stemming from the Three Great Invasions.
Structure
The Empire is ruled by the Star-Crowned Emperor, the descendants of the first Champions. The identity of the current Emperor is kept secret, for his protection.
Under him are the Nine Stars of Angela - descendants of the rulers of the nine nations most affected by the First Great Invasion that joined forces against the threat the Seven False Demon Kings posed. Each carries a Blessing of Angela, the patron Goddess of the Empire, which denotes their responsibilities as a ruler. These Blessings were first given to the Nine Reborn - saved from death by the first Champion summoned to the Thirteen Realms.
The Star of Mikhal is in charge of the military branch of the Empire. This includes both the Holy Templars that go to war for and defend the Empire, and the Divine Templars that keep the peace domestically. The Blessing of Mikhal is the ability to manifest a sword of white celestial flame.
The Star of Gariel is in charge of the judicial branch of the Empire. Judges in the Empire are known as the Saints, with those of the highest in authority known as Arch Saints. The Blessing of Gariel is the ability to speak and understand all languages.
The Star of Rafel is in charge of the infrastructure of the Empire. This includes roads, sewers, defensive walls, and other such works. The Blessing of Rafel is superior strength and endurance.
The Star of Uhrel is in charge of the public works of the Empire. This includes public schools, hospitals, parks, and other such institutions. The Blessing of Uhrel is celestial healing, which can heal beyond the abilities of magic.
The Star of Lathe is in charge of the church of the Empire. The Blessing of Lathe is the ability to summon a celestial wall.
The Star of Gudie is in charge of the logistics of the Empire. This includes managing the treasury, merchants, and food stores. The Blessing of Gudie is a moderately sized personal pocket dimension.
The Star of Brakel is in charge of the magic branch of the Empire. Primarily, of preparing for the next Summoning Ritual, as it takes a significant amount of resources. The Blessing of Brakel is the ability to use the magic of others.
The Star of Ananie is in charge of the legislative branch of the Empire. This includes administration and law-making aspects of governance. The Blessing of Ananie is the ability to see falsehoods.
The Star of Remel is in charge of the diplomatic branch of the Empire. This includes managing ambassadors both to and from the Empire. The Blessing of Remel is the ability to communicate over long distances with those marked by its recipient.
Culture
The Empire believes that Angela is the One True Goddess - the Light Guiding All. While there may be other deities, they are but distant constellations to Angela's True North and indeed, her star shines brightest in the sky to show her power and importance. Spreading Angela's Light to every corner of the Human Realm is the guiding principal of the Church of Angela, though a secondary concern to the Empire itself.
The Empire spreads a message of charity and kindness to one's fellow human - and holds a deep grudge against demonkind and all those associated with it, such as Imps.
Public Agenda
The Empire's main agenda is to defeat the Demon King in the name of peace and safety for all humans. To this end, they enfore a trade embargo on the Demon Realm.
Their secondary agenda is to spread the Light of Angela across the Human Realm, often claiming She is the One True Goddess.
History
Long ago, demons invaded the Human Realm.
While their extistance had long been known, they had not been feared - as they should have, with their incredible strength and militant culture. Seven Demon Kings ousted the kings of human nations, decalring those lands once ruled by humanity now theirs. Humans soon learned there was little they could do against this threat - demon steel was harder than human, their skin was tougher, they were stronger, and had seemingly endless stamina. One trained demon warrior could easily handle ten or more equally trained humans.
The only advantages humanity had were magic and engineering - but they had neither in the amount necessary to uproot the demons once they had settled in without significant losses. So they preyed to the gods for an answer - and soon, it came.
The gods granted the surviving desdendants of the kings deposed by demons a spell for summoning a powerful champion from another world to fight against the demon kings - ones that would have power equal to one with two Greater Blessings of the deities. Normally, such a feat would be impossible - a single mortal could not survive the burden of so much divine power. But the Champion would have the power - the journey through the ether outside of the Thirteen Realms would strengthen their soul enough to stand it.
Of all the deposed rulers, only nine chose to use the ceremony - summoning the first Champion, Teodoro Evangelista Vincente. He brought with him the Word of Angela, and dubbed his summoners the Nine Reborn in Holy Fire. With his strength and guidance, not only were they able to defeat the kings, but rebuild as a new nation - the Empire of Angelic Purification.
And for a time, there was peace - until the second Great Invasion, when three more demon kings came to claim human lands as their own. But this time, humanity was prepared - the Empire, ruled by the descendants of Champion Vincente and the Nine Reborn, summoned new Champions with the resources they had stocked for just such an occassion. After eliminating the new threat, they declared themselves the Sacred Empire of Angelic Purification.
And of course, the Empire took in the countries ravaged by these new kings - helping them to rebuild stronger than before guided by Angela's Light. Peace came to the Human Realm again - but despite their long absence, the Empire knew the demons would return once more.
And so, they continued summoning Champions - once a century, which was as frequently as the ritual could be preformed. The Empire continued to grow in strength, and as the Church of Angela spread beyond their borders, they changed their name once more to the Divine Sacred Empire of Angelic Purification.
When the peace had gone on too long, the Empire decided to send their Champions to deal with the kings directly - into the Demon Realm, and prevent the next invasion before it began. This became their Hold Crusade - and they added the last name to their great nation, the Holy Divine Sacred Empire of Angelic Purification.
For nearly 100,000 years, the Emperor and Nine Stars of Angela have gone to war with the Demon Realm as the Sword of Humanity - and one day, they will prevail, and stop the threat of demon invasion from every occuring again.
Military
The Star of Mikhal runs the military branch of the Empire.
The original Mikhal was a warrior prince avenging the death of his father, and his righteous fury has been passed through his line to be the point of Humanity's Sword.
The knight-officers of the military are known as Holy Templars, and all carry the blood of a noble or royal deposed by a demon during one of the Great Invasions. In this way they are united in purpose and spirit, carrying the will of their ancestors.
Technological Level
The Star of Brakel runs the magic branch of the Empire.
The original Brakel was an illegitimate prince, but a powerful magic user saved from his wicked jealousy by Angela's Light. Now his descendants continue to research more powerful magicks, though their primary responsibility is preparing for the next Summoning Ritual.
The Empires Battlemages are considered some of the strongest and most well-trained in the entire Human Realm.
Religion
The Star of Lathe is in charge of the Church of Angela.
The original Lathe was a devout princess and High Priestess of Angela, and continued her work to support her Goddess. Her descendants continue to safeguard and spread Angela's benevolent Light, seeing themselves as the Empire's spiritual armor.
Foreign Relations
The Star of Remel runs the diplomatic branch of the Empire - and its network of spies.
The original Remel was the merchant prince of a seafaring nation now part of the Empire - as such, it was only natural for him to leverage his skills and contacts as one of the Empire's Stars. The Empire has dealings with most nations in the Human Realm - being one of the largest nations therein and having control of the Elven Realm Gate.
Of course, not everyone agrees with the blockade of the Demon Realm - those dazzled by the promise of their strong metals and goods from the other realms in the Strength Triad. Those that openly oppose the Empire formed the Strongarm Coalition - led primarily by the nations of Vede, Erei, and the legendary Asalban.
Vede is a nation of primarily imp heritage - most having been driven out of the Empire and other nations heavily affected by the Great Invasions. While the Empire has control of the original Demon Realm Gate, it is well known that Vede has access to another - though its exact location is well hidden. Erei is the largest nation on the second continent in the Human Realm, and in control of the Dwarven Realm Gate. Their large and impressive navy has long kept the Empire from gaining control over the seas in the west. Asalban is the home of a nation of pirates in the Inner Sea of the Ring Continent - though most do not believe it to be a physical location. While their fleet is smaller, their ships are fast and able to disappear into dangerous waters - preventing the Empire from gaining naval supremacy in the Inner Sea as well.
These three nations are the primary opposition to the Empire, though many smaller nations have also joined the Coalition - primarily those further away from the Empire.
Agriculture & Industry
The Star of Gudie is in charge of the logistics of the Empire.
The original Gudie was the prince of a nation well known for its agricultural ways, and his knowledge and support were instrumental to rebuilding what was lost. His descendants continue to manage vast farmlands and storehouses in case of faminine or drought, as well as animal husbandry across the Empire. The Empire is particularly well known for their pegasus and unicorn mounts.
Trade & Transport
The Star of Gudie also handles trade across the Empire. They mostly utilize the robust system of roadways within the Empire, and various routes without. Naval trade makes up a very small portion of Imperial trade due to the interferance of the Strongarm Coalition.
Education
The Star of Uhrel is in charge of the public works of the Empire.
The original Uhrel came from a scholarly royal lineage, so took charge of that branch of the new Empire. Public schools are open and required for all children in the Empire, though more prestigious academies are available to those with the coin or talent. While only primary education is required - teaching basics such as history, arthimatic, reading, writing, and geography - secondary academies are available for those who excel or seek a profession that requires more advanced education.
Infrastructure
The Star of Rafel runs the infrastructure branch of the Empire.
The original Rafel was a mighty warrior prince, but dedicated to the people - he believed his strength was meant to serve others, and his descendants have carried this belief on. They build and managed roads, bridges, and walls across the empire.
The Sword of Humanity
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Experienced
Demonym
Imperials
Ruling Organization
Government System
Oligarchy
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Legislative Body
The Star of Ananie
Judicial Body
The Star of Gariel
Executive Body
The Star of Mikhal
Official State Religion
Deities
Location
Official Languages
Related Species
Comments