The Shining Empire

Part of the Arteli Wars of Conquest
Part of History of Ariac
Deep in the jungles of central Nomos, there was once a strong kingdom known as the Shining Empire. Sprawling throughout the damp terrain, it was so powerful and so wealthy, that it’s cities were built entirely from precious stones. These cities included the Silver City, the Bronze City, the Ruby City, and so forth, yet it’s greatest settlement and capital, was the Golden City. 
The prosperity of this nation was shared by few, though. Almost all of its inhabitants were enslaved, beholden to the Masters who lived in the very center of their shining cities. 
Eventually, the Empire would encounter the expanding power known as the Arteli kingdom. Jealous of the wealth of the Shining Cities, the Arteli attacked the Empire, and wherever the Arteli went, slaves were freed. Thus, the Shining Empire resisted with all its might. Importing mercenaries and slave-soldiers from across ancient Nomos, they resisted the Arteli for decades, until one day, a group of saboteurs infiltrated the Golden City and stoked the flames of revolt among the slaves there. Languishing under the Masters for thousands of years, the slaves rebelled. 
The Masters never expected the revolt, and before they could even contemplate responding, they were set upon. All were crucified, and their decapitated heads were piled in the center of a river. So great were the number of dead that a great island was formed in the river, upon which was built a new city, where the former slaves would settle as freed men.
The revolt would spread to the other Shining Cities, and these Masters would be overwhelmed by their slaves as well. The Arteli would roll through the area, slaughtering any masters who remained, and killing their mercenaries. The Shining Cities would be picked apart by the Arteli, their precious stones sent back to the heartland of their empire to show the triumph of their realm.
The exact location of the Shining Cities has been lost to time, as has the Skull City in the river, which was lost in the Consumptive Plague. Despite this, there have been rumors of a lost city, deep in the jungle, which reflects light in a dazzling kaleidoscope of colors. The rumors of this untouched ruin, titled the Rainbow City by many, has attracted adventurers for centuries. Lured by the promise of an untouched Shining City, encrusted with valuable stones on every surface, people venture into the mosquito-filled jungle, often never to return.
Category:Arteli Wars of Conquest
Category:History of Ariac