The Holy Empire of Visimar

The Holy Empire of Visimar or the Empire of Visimar is one of the oldest and most powerful human kingdoms in Clamund. They are a Religion based empire that follows the Order of Paragon Religion. To complement the region, Visimar is home to two of the most famous trade routes in Clamund, one being called the Iron Gullet, which is the great river that goes inland, several rich towns dot the coast while the furthest up the river leads to the HEV’s Capital City “Midheim” The largest traders hub in the Clamund Realm, traders from near and far come to sell their goods to the citizens of the massive city. The other largest trade route being the Jade Road, which is also connected to Midheim, this where traders can unload their goods from the port of Midheim and hire a few pack animals in order to take one of Clamund’s safest routes across the Kingdom to travel to the neighboring Kingdom of Lambert where they can sell their goods to another large cast of buyers.
The Holy Empire is ruled by an Emperor, who acts as the head of state and also by an Arch-Confessor, who acts as the head of religion. These two major titles are then monitored by a council of high ranking nobles, this council is rightfully named the Holy Kings Council who act as the deciding factor when new laws and declarations are introduced These leaders are important to the Empire as they are the ones that possess the most power over all of the Empire, much to the disapproval of the minor lord and kings that rule under them. When a king or lord does get uneasy and raises their banners in rebellion, the Emperor can easily muster one of the largest armies in Clamund. This is complemented further by the quality of soldiers that the Empire is able to muster, with quality steel weapons and armour given to both knights and footmen alike. 
Having a large army and an advantageous trade route in the capital makes the Empire of Visimar one of the most successful and powerful kingdoms in Clamund.
== History ==
=== Early History,<100 ===
The early history of the Empire is shrouded in varying accounts and the lack of historical records. Many people agree however that the first Visimarians were foreign explorers from a now-extinct kingdom who have sailed up the Iron Gullet to settle in the area of Midheim. These explorers left little historical records of their time in Clamund, but the tribes and early clans that they interacted with were so intrigued and interested in their iron weapons and metal shirts that they intertwined with political marriages and confederations that resulted in the quick establishment of a kingdom which was promptly named after the explorer's expedition leader, Visiman. Early feats of this small kingdom started with the subduing of the nearby tribes and clans who opposed this foreign-led Warband. Under a year, a good portion of land was taken from the tribes of the gullet by the Visimarians and their borders were large enough to allow some early sort of vassalage to take place. 
=== Early Conquest, 102-254 ===
The Kingdom of Visimar was a primitive shell of what the empire would become but through the sheer conquest of territory the kingdom will soon take over almost the entirety of the northern land of the Iron Gullet, only stopped by the outlandish wildman plains with their nomadic horse tribes and savage Orc retaliation. By this time they would've met with the early Kingdom of Lambert who was at first more than happy to open peaceful negotiations with them. By the mid-century, most of the Empire's northern and western territories would be taken by the petty kingdoms and tribal confederations that inhabited them either by conquest or vassalage. The Kingdom of Visimar now claims to be an Empire by the end of 254 by its king, now Emperor, Odovacar the Builder. 
=== The Conquering of Maol-Moirel, 410 ===
As the Empire of Visimar continued to expand its borders it was met by several tribes and clans that inhabited the now known Union of Maol-Moirel and swiftly defeated their armies in pitched battles. And after less than two years, Visimar had full control of the territory, claiming it for their own.
After a few centuries, The Holy Empire of Visimar had absolute control over its present-day borders through careful diplomatic interactions and swift conflict. Despite the good news that swept across the lands about being the largest Kingdom in Clamund. Maol-Moirel clan leaders were unhappy about the conquering of their forefather's lands. So while working under the noses of Visimarian nobility placed in the Union, the clan leaders worked together to convince the population to join their cause and order the quiet assassinations of important Maol-Morian nobles that supported Visimar, the clans launched a massive assault on the Maol-Moirel territories in 601, seizing most of the region under a week of conflict. This conflict soon came to be known as The Reconquering of Maol-Moirel.
=== The Dortmund Border War, 499-504 ===
The Petty Kingdom of Dortmund was an early kingdom established during the early era of the Age of Iron. They would regularly harass the Empire of Visimar around the year 475 using tribal mercenaries. After discovering who sent the raiders who laid waste to the city of Balrea, Emperor Robert the Outsider would send the western army towards Dortmund's border in a conflict which would last over 5 years due to poor quality armies and unmotivated forces. By 504, most of Dortmund's mercenaries and forces would be eliminated, forcing King David to sue for peace by giving up the merchant town of Totar as well as some hostages who were given back by 510. Dortmund Border War.
=== The Order of Paragon, 513 ===
The Order of Paragon was founded in the Empire after a blind priest barged into the Emperor's Palace one day and proclaimed he saw Garung in a vision who told the Emperor at the time (Ragnfred the Holy) to establish a place of worship of this holy being within Midheim. The Emperor accepted this request, thus forming the Order of Paragon as a religion in the Empire, who was dwarfed by the ever prevalent Old Faith at the time of its establishment.
Self-Proclaimed priests and confessors were quick to jump at the opportunity to establish political positions within the ever-growing Empire, and soon, the position of Arch-Confessor was established to be an equal of the Emperor in rank, and the Empire now became the Holy Empire. This sudden change received both praise and hatred as some people of high status and position were either assassinated or exchanged for more faithful candidates while the more simple folk were forced to praise this religion or suffer the chance of death or imprisonment by established faith militias around the Empire. This was a step too far for some nobles of the Empire as they raised their flags in rebellion in 539 to boot out the fanatical worshippers of Paragon. 
=== The Paragon Rebellions, 539-553 ===
This rebellion erupted after the establishment of an Arch-Confessor as an official rank. Many non-religious nobles formed the Western Empire of Visimar that declared war on the now Eastern Holy Empire of Visimar to eliminate the overbearing Order of Paragon. This conflict lasted over 15 years that saw the death of many nobles on both sides. This conflict was considered one of the largest conflicts that were to decide the faith of Clamund itself. For more information on this series of wars go to the Paragon Rebellions
=== The Trade Boom, 559 ===
Years after the rebellion had passed, The HEV slowly became a trading hub after the construction of the Jade Road, this influx of foreign traders and enterprising trade guilds were allowed to take the safest route to the Kingdom of Lambert. With patrolled roads and several trading posts that dot the road. It soon became a staple of Clamundian trade and the eventual success of the Holy Empire of Visimar. This trade boom allowed the Empire to swiftly recover from the losses that came from the long rebellion and soon overcome it. 
=== The 1st Lambertian-Visimar War, 562 ===
The 1st war between the Empire of Visimar and the Kingdom of Lambert erupted soon after the completion of the Jade Road. Despite the Merchant Guilds of both kingdoms asking their lords kindly to avoid the conflict, it all soon became a reality that was unavoidable after an assassination attempt on the Lambertian King Graham II. For more details on the subject, refer to the 1st Lambertian-Visimarian War
=== The War for the Crown, 571-599 ===
The war for the Crown was another conflict fought between Visimarians, this time instead of holy matters, it was with regards to the heir of the Emperor after Wulfred IVs untimely death. The Empire was divided between Jörg the Slayer and Sigmund the Fat, because of the rigging of the elections, Sigmund ascended to the throne which threw half of the Empire into a rebellion to take him off of the throne, this also sparked many other factions that wanted to see their candidate on the throne. For more details on the matter, refer to the War for the Crown.
=== The Reconquering of Maol-Moirel, 601-604 ===
After centuries of neglect and famine in the Maol-Moirel region of the empire, the clans of Maol-Moirel began a guerrilla war that would lead to the eventual independence of the Union. This swift conflict was a stain in the history of the Empire that no Emperor couldn't erase. For more information, go to 
=== The 50 Year War, 621-675 ===
After a failed assassination of the Emperor by the Coalition of Five Kingdoms, the emperor, along with several free states and the Kingdom of Clonran, declared war on the Coalition in a long and brutal war that would last a little over 50 years. The war would see casualties never seen before in Clamund as nobles and peasants would meet their fate in the battlefields that littered the land. Refer to the 50 Year War for more information
=== The Great Peace, 702-854 ===
After subduing the Coalition and the several disloyal nobles that rose their flags in rebellion for a brief time, the Empire fell under a great peace that would see no conflict or rebellion for over 100 years. During this time, the empire flourished in the trade that would throw the Empire into a powerful state of flourish that would see the rise in Merchant Guilds and a happy populace. As the War of the Tulip in the west and the Clan Uprisings of 800 in the east shook Clamund to its core, the Empire did nothing to deal with the problems as they had no reason too.
=== 2nd Lambertian-Visimar War 874-890 ===
After a petty claim of war was given by the Empire of Visimar, claiming that tribes and clans were paid off by the Kingdom of Lambert to assault northern settlements and colonies close to the Wildman Plains border. This resulted in a long conflict that saw many casualties on both sides, refer to the 2nd Lambertian-Visimar War for more information
=== The Reign of Hartwig the Immortal, 924-1095 ===
The reign of Hartwig the immortal brought terror and strange events all over the Holy Empire of Visimar, the seeds of heresy were sown by strange priests that promised immortality to all who worship these strange and dangerous cults. Mythical creatures have appeared out of dangerous cracks in the earth that harassed the population in the countryside. These strange events did not end until Hartwig's eventual death by the stake, this was a long process for the Visimarians as Hartwig hired foreign mercenaries, local cultists, heretical clans and strangely accepting Orcs to slowly replace his armies and push out any religious and powerful figures within Midhiem. This heretical reign led to a long-lasting conflict known as the Garung's Reconquest of Visimar (1080-1095) which saw several generations take to the field to capture Hartwig and strike his heresy from the Holy Empire. 
=== The Purple Party Reign, 1061-1095 ===
During Hartwig's Reign, a sign of his loss of immortality became more present as the old witch king became unable to properly administer the realm, either due to a loss of power with his immortality or a loss of favour by the chaotic gods he worshiped. Despite the chaos that preceded his rise to power, the realm saw some meagre prosperity when compared to the massive loss and famine seen during the early chaotic era of Hartwig's Reign. This saw the rise of a peoples party occupied by nobles and noteworthy people such as cultists and preachers of the chaotic religion Hartwig is twisted by. This party was mostly concerned with pocketing commoner tax and paying little attention to the realms needs as peasant mortality skyrocketed as the lack of control allowed for the complete decentralization of provinces and fiefs far from Midhiem, with few even establishing peasant councils. Purple Party
=== Heretical Uprisings, 1134-1150 ===
Long after the death of Hartwig the Immortal and long before most fanatical heresy cults have been wiped from the Holy Empire of Visimar, an anti-priest of a major cult had convinced other teachings of similar heretical ideas to commit to an uprising of gigantic magnitude to carve out their own kingdom within the Holy Empire of Visimar. This conflict lasted over 15 years with many sightings of strange events and creatures during battles that were conjured by the darkest of sorcerers and necromancers that these cults worship. 
===The Eastern Border Crisis 1163-1165===
The Eastern Border Crisis was a conflict between clans from the Union of Maol-Moirel hoping to take a part of the Eastern Kingdoms of the Holy Empire and the Eastern Kingdoms. This conflict was a short yet major conflict that could have ended either way. Eastern Border Crisis
=== Kunid-Visimarian War - 1254-1256 ===
Using sly tactics, Visimarian lords used the pretense of a sellsword attack in the south of Kunid to stage a small-scale war which was largely directed by the Duke of Knokburn and the surrounding nobles under his allegiance. The war saw a couple years of raiding and looting as Visimarian raiders blitzed through the Kunid land take what ever they can lay their hands on. Most battles ended up becoming major routes as the half-elf militiamen put up to the task of defending their homes often fled when they saw a mass of plated Visimarian knights. Battles that did occur were very often won by Visimarian raiders who celebrated by raiding and pillaging the town they targetted. By the end of the war, the Duke of Knockburn called off his men after getting complaints petitioned to Emperor Krauser the Kinslayer to cease conflict with the elves to which he complied. Kunid-Visimarian War
=== 3rd Lambertian-Visimar War 1294- ===
As more and more nobles along the borders of the Holy Empire and the Kingdom of Lambert fight in petty conflicts amongst one another catch the attention of the Emperor and King. Yet another war between these two powers would begin for a third time in Clamund as these two kingdoms send generations onto the battlefield to lose their lives. As this conflict is ongoing, it seems as if the Holy Empire could lose their power in the North-Western region as more and more nobles along the borders begin to form sub-factions with radical ideologies of starting a new kingdom during the chaos. 3rd Lambertian-Visimar War.
=== Stoneshard Rebellion 1299- ===
The stoneshard rebellion is a conflict that sprung up in the eastern kingdom along the border of the Union of Maol-Moirel. Armed and trained by the clans bordering the Holy Empire, this rebellion, led by a wealthy noble who's grandfather fought in the Eastern Border Crisis continues to ravage the countryside with his army of clansmen and soldiers. This rebellion's motive is to cede the Eastern Kingdom to form an independent kingdom in order to cut the borders off from the Union of Maol-Moirel. For more information refer to Stoneshard Rebellion.
== People And Economy ==
The culture of the Holy Empire of Visimar is rather uptight and more religious focused when compared to the rest of the realm. Many citizens believe that waking up in the morning to pray to Garung to grant them a plentiful harvest or to bless them in battle. The Empire focuses its population on the use of the common feudal system, this means that Serfs and Peasants and other lower class are tied to a property in the land, forced to work in its fields while being guarded closely by their landowners. Middle-class citizens usually consist of said landowners and merchants of the realm that sell their goods to markets in nearby towns. And the high-class nobles and confessors lay in their keeps, writing reports and attending feasts. Knightly Orders play a small part in Visimarian culture as many Orders are owners of villages as payment for military service. Their treatment of the villages varies, however.
== Military ==
The military might of The Holy Empire is only dwarfed by the faraway Golden Empire. Armies are heavily reliant on the use of levied commoners as well as paid professional soldiers that are usually armed by lords and nobles, employed as personal guards or retinue. Most levies use basic equipment that they usually bring from their villages, this could range from a simple pitchfork to a spear while the more professional soldiers use more martial focused weapons such as metal maces, halberds and such. The use of mounted heavy soldiers is more than common in any Visimarian army as both knightly orders and nobles prefer to go into battle mounted on horses while armed with lances and a large assortment of hand weapons. 
The use of mercenaries is quite common as they are employed as vanguards and "meat shields" in order to soften up the opposition before the real army could get into grips. Many nobles prefer this use of tactics with their hired mercenaries which are usually frowned upon by everyone else. 
=== Age of Magic ===
During the dark times after the colonization of Clamund by the Visimars, many armies on the field were part-time "freemen" that were under obligation by their king and emperor to be drafted into the army one time a year for several months at a time, preferably before or after harvesting season as to not starve a village or empire. These Freemen would make up a great majority of a host, being led by town officials and minor nobles. A much smaller portion of an army is reserved for the household warriors, those who are equipped and trained by nobles and rich people of note that fight professionally. These warriors would be frontline soldiers who would do the majority of the fighting with other household warriors while being backed up by the freemen. 
Cavalry is rare during these times as warfare in the Age of Magic is costly, and many nobles and kings would much prefer to bring 10 warriors onto the field rather than a single cavalryman. However, with Visimar having access to many resources during this time allowed commanders to field large bodies of cavalry who were mostly household warriors who were able to purchase horses for themselves. These horsemen would use their steeds as a small shock force which could break any freemen, but their prowess would not reach its full potential until the introduction of the knights in feudal society. 
Overall, the numbers of men hosts would usually bring onto the field at this time would number around 1000 to 3000 men as logistics and food storage would severely limit the number and range of Visimarian hosts in times of war.
=== Age of Iron ===
The Age of Iron brought many new issues in the older levy system that conflicted with the feudal system which has risen in popularity in places such as the Holy Empire. Because of this, a new style of levy must be introduced. A vast majority of feudal armies at the time would decrease the usage of bring mass amounts of freemen on the field who are obligated to be drafted a few months at a time. Most armies would instead increase in household retinues and sellsword companies, who were more expensive than peasant levies, but fought and were equipped better. Since the rise of the Order of Paragon, coin has been limitless in the Emperor's coffers, meaning that sellswords and noble retinues were far more common than peasant levies as they slowly took a more rearguard role in battle-lines instead of taking up the majority of a party's host.
The Age of Iron saw the rise of the knight's, an elite cavalry force that is made up mostly by low-born nobility, with a few exceptions of minor-lords and dukes joining units of knights in formation. These knights would form a vanguard and sometimes a rearguard role, their effectiveness on the battlefield is substantial as no levy formation would stand around and receive a charge from knights. 
Category:Kingdoms