Cyrean Empire

The **Cyrean Empire** was a legendary Isarian empire that lasted throughout large portions of the First Age of the Third Era, based out of the city of Bremt. It was founded by Cyrius the Great in 195 1A 3E. It lasted until ca. 650 1A 3E, where it is lost to history. The empire saw advancements in science, literature, engineering, philosophy, military strategy, economics, the arcane arts, and numerous other things.

The Empire saw five Iterations, which saw many different dynasties and governments take hold. Each Iteration was analyzed after its end and declared by the succeeding Iteration. For example, Ramorious Thrax declared the Second Cyrean Empire, which was the second Iteration, and, as a result, declared that the First Cyrean Empire was a separate and distinct Iteration.

## The Iterations

### First Cyrean Empire (195-301)

The **First Cyrean Empire**was founded by Emperor Cyrius the Great upon his declaration following the First Marble War in 195 1A 3E. It existed for a brief time until the Thrax Dynasty overtook the Bremtan Dynasty in 301 1A 3E by Ramorious Thrax, who would go on to establish the Second Cyrean Empire, which was far larger and would reach the greatest extent of the Cyrean Empires.

### Second Cyrean Empire (301-444)

The **Second Cyrean Empire** would see immense expansion. Began by Ramorious Thrax's victory over the corrupt Emperor Cylerean Anaxius who was emperor-consort who killed his wife and the reigning empress and claimed the title for himself, Ramorious Thrax declared that he would take over the duties as emperor and it would be a different entity altogether.

Ramorious enacted many reforms:

* Ramorious formed the **Cyrean Senate**, which was a body of officials elected and appointed from localities.

* Ramorious established the **Directory System**, which allowed for management of the large empire.

* Ramorious declared the **Court of Souls**, which was a governing body that was directly appointed by the emperor and would also act as his check. They would be tasked with "maintaining the purity of the title" and had specific guidelines that allowed them to be loose checks on power. They served for life after appointment and were guaranteed protection by the armies and the Senate.

* Ramorious also reformed the armies into what was called **the Triumvirate**. This allowed for management of large armies and allowed Ramorious to give autonomy to generals, and his top generals, the **Forgemasters.**

The Second Cyrean Empire saw many wars during this period, including the First Green War with the Glenwood Elves that ended in resounding victory and the conquest of Upperhand and what would become known as Escyrea. It also saw the Storm War, which was a short, but epic war that saw the Cyrean Empire conquer all of Valden, Gracehill, and Lowerhand. Finally, it saw the Cerian Annexation, Treaty of Akrsfold, Treaty of Dragonlake, and the Invasion of A'li'ra, which ended in the death of A'li'ran tyrant, Alkali'ir, at the Skirmish at Tarkada. A'li'ra, however, was left independent, but with a new, just ruler in his stead, that allied with the Cyrean Empire.

All of this happened during Ramorious Thrax's reign. Ramorious' reign would finally come to an end, however, in 341 1A 3E, at the Battle of Sutherly Thicket, where the young Glenwood chieftain, Archius Strauss, would stand on the defense during the Second Green War, and defeat Ramorious Thrax in combat using his own ability called *True Sight*.

After Ramorious' death, his appointed, adopted successor would maintain the Empire's immense size. There would be an attempted Cyrean Invasion of L'har that would end in defeat at the hands of the Dwarves of the Upperforge. Nevertheless, minor conquests would be seen until the empire saw its maximum extent in 417 1A 3E, under the emperor, Adrianus Thrax.

The Pinnacle would be completed in Bremt during this Iteration, so would great works, like the first compilings of the Enchiridion and the first Festival of Colour. The adoptive lineage would end with Ancius Thrax, who would give the title to his firstborn son in 444 1A 3E, thus ending the tradition of adoptive lineage. This would also end the Second Cyrean Empire and begin the Third Cyrean Empire and the **Merovian Dynasty**.

### Third Cyrean Empire (444-539)

The **Third Cyrean Empire** was marked with peace and internal restructuring that would, unfortunately, lead to the empire's inevitable demise. Began by Ancius' son, Aurorious Merovian, he declared a third Iteration of the Cyrean Empire in that he believed the empire, which was losing its grip, needed a stronger hand and a smarter approach.

Aurorious released all Askian lands and chose to centralize his rule solely over Isaria. He tightened imperial authority, nullified the Senate, and refused to appoint new members of the Court of Souls, letting it eventually die off during his reign. By nullifying the Senate, he allowed it to exist, but neutralized its legal authority.

Aurorious also declared a state of peace, which ushered in an era of prosperity. The Third Cyrean Empire was largely a pacifist state and saw internal growth and development. It also saw a refinement in the arts and culture. This Iteration is often viewed to be the cultural height of the empire and the pinnacle of Cyrean civilization.

The Merovian Dynasty would last just short of 100 years, where it would meet its end in assassination. Lucius Ameus, Forgemaster from Chalter, who had gained Empress Gheleria Merovian's trust, assassinated the empress in her sleep and claimed her throne. With no children or close relatives of her own, his claim was somewhat legitimate.

Nevertheless, the third Iteration was ended in civil war: the First Cyrean Civil War, to be precise, in 539 1A 3E.

### Fourth Cyrean Empire (539-607)

After the long First Cyrean Civil War, Emperor Titus Raun would defeat Lucius Ameus in battle and would restore order to the Cyrean Empire. The **Fourth Cyrean Empire** was declared by Emperor Titus Raun and would be centralized under his Raun Dynasty (539-575). The Raun Dynasty focused its time centralizing imperial authority and creating a fully autocratic state, abolishing the Senate outright and ending the Directory System.

During the Raun Dynasty, the Iafed Peoples invaded from the north and severed Akrsfold from Cyrean control. They also jeopardized Escyrea and their Greenhill territories. This invasion was referred to as the War for Eastern Supremacy, as the Iafed Empire was on the rise, rivalling the Cyreans.

The Forgemasters would eventually take up arms in opposition, and thus the Forgemaster War would end the Raun Dynasty's tenure after just 36 years and three emperors. Nevertheless, the young emperor Allus Raun, would be usurped by Valdenis Forgemaster, Laurencius Valorious, who would succeed as emperor.

The Valorious Dynasty (575-590) saw itself as the true fourth Iteration and ruled with a looser grip. They reinstated the Triumvirate and the Senate, focusing on a three-way balance of powers, while keeping the Directory System defunct. They kept a strong, central authority, but gave the venire of power checks.

The Valorious Dynasty would be ended by the Second Cyrean Civil War. From this war, the warlord Isaakius Demestrus would take the throne, deposing Laurencius' son, Loran Valorious, just fifteen years after Laurencius took the throne.

The Demestrus Dynasty (590-607) would finally end the War for Eastern Supremacy by Isaakius' brilliant military genius, and he would decimate the civilization, destroying the major settlements of Adant and Esdaforan. The Iafeds are no more and the Ad’mir are given independence and jurisdiction over the old lands of the Iafeds. Liandas is never attacked and, for fear of attacks from the Upperforge, the Cyreans leave L’har alone and Liandas joins the Ad’mir in the formation of a new empire. Despite this major development, the dynasty itself was short-lived and ended in 607 1A 3E when Isaakius would die with no heirs. His wife, Julia Celestius, would take over as empress, beginning the final Iteration.

### Fifth Cyrean Empire (607- c.650)

The **Fifth Cyrean Empire** would run concurrently with the final dynasty of the the Cyrean Empire, the Celestius Dynasty. Julia the Great, as she would be called, did everything she could to maintain the rebellious western territories in Gracehill and Land's Edge. But, ultimately, she would witness their loss.

The Fifth Empire made some major technological advancements before being lost to the annals of time. They kept their sphere of influence up until around 640, when records of the Cyreans begin to disappear. It is unknown after Julia who ruled the empire, and it is believed the empire collapsed around 650 1A 3E. Thus abruptly ending the legendary Cyrean Empire once and for all. By 700, it is said Bremt is left totally abandoned, with no citizens living within the walls.

## Provinces, Administrative Regions, and Annexes

The Cyrean Empire was divided into provinces, administrative regions, and annexes throughout its duration. They remained relatively consistent and are listed below, as well as shown above.