The Artorian Empire

The Artorian Empire was founded by Caelus Volusius Artorius, a visionary leader who united several disparate kingdoms and city-states around the city of Artoria under his banner through a combination of military conquest and political diplomacy. Artorius was a wise and just leader, and his reign saw the construction of many great works, including the The Palace of the Golden Throne and personally laying the first stone of The Kalemne. Under Artorius' guidance, the Artorian Empire slowly expanded its borders to the east, taking control of The Emerald Sea grasslands, driving the mysterious the Aeolians from the Isle of Aeolus, and establishing a military presence in the city of Calidora which is still thriving today.   As the Artorian Empire continued to grow south through the Blackwood Forest and into the The Golden Prairies, it then looked eastward, towards the towering Sun Ridge Mountains. The Empire's first attempts at crossing the mountains were met with resistance from the fierce tribes that lived there, but the Artorians eventually succeeded in establishing a foothold on the eastern side of the mountains.   With the eastern frontier secured, the Artorian Empire turned its attention to the declining The Voneian Kingdom to the southeast, which had long been a thorn in the Empire's side. The Artorians launched a series of successful campaigns, eventually conquering the entire Voneian Kingdom and taking control of the Broken Paradise and the rest of Aitolia. As the centuries passed, the Artorian Empire continued to expand and evolve. It became a center of culture and learning, with great libraries and universities being established. The emperors were also patrons of the arts, and the empire produced many famous poets, philosophers, and artists.   Over the last several hundred years, the leaders of the Empire have set their sights on westward expansion with the treasure trove of resources in the Kingdom of Dessai, a powerful civilization located to the west across the Viridanic Ocean. The two empires had a long-standing history of conflict, with both sides vying for control of trade routes and resources. These conflicts often escalated into full-scale wars, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Despite these conflicts, there were also periods of peace and cooperation between the two empires. Diplomatic marriages and trade agreements were common, and there were even instances where the two empires joined forces to face a common enemy.   However, the empire also had its share of challenges. Rebellions and invasions from neighboring tribes and kingdoms were not uncommon, and there were also periods of economic and political turmoil. Nonetheless, today Artorian Empire is the dominant force of Velia, spanning thousands of miles, and blanketing an entire continent. For the last 10 years, the Empire has been led by former military commander, Leandros the Wise who has focused more on improving the lives of Artorian citizens instead of further attempts to conquer the Kingdom of Dessai and gain control of all the resources the desert has to offer.   The Empire is composed of six distinct provinces, mostly named for old nations or nation states that fell to the Artorians long ago. The six provinces are Patriam, Elam, Edessa, Leuctra, Derriada , Aitolia.