The Wurjellian Empire

The Wurjellian Empire was a nation of ancient Harrendor that dominated the Northern part of the continent and brought about peace through the tyranny of it's ruler, the Lich-King Wurjell, who ruled from the capital city, Wur. The Empire was originally founded by Wurjell's great-grandfather, Wurjell "The Lawmaker", a righteous ruler who promoted equality and freedom, and who, upon his death, allowed for the election of a ruler not of his bloodline. This practice would be the official succession rule of the Wurjellian Empire though in practice, it quickly became hereditary due to the popularity of the Wurjellian dynasty and is considered the earliest record of elections within Harrendor (though they were limited to the nobility).

## Rulers

Wurjell I (He/Him) - A kind and benevolent man, Wurjell the Lawmaker, first of house Wurj was made Emperor after the casting out of the previously corrupt Lord of the Dunes. Under his stewardship, the capital city of Wur was founded under the name Karri. Religious freedoms were at an all time high and the Faerunian pantheon was first introduced to the region. Under his rule, The First Pyramid of Wurjell was constructed, and he was ultimately laid to rest within it.

**REIGN: 487-453 BEFORE TIME OF TROUBLES**

Wurjell II (He/Him) - The son of Wurjell the Lawmaker, Wurjell II was known as a foolish man who spent much of the treasury on fancy parties and dinner dates. His crimes of greed were so well known that his taxes were known as "The Sinner's Wallet". He was known to exhorbitantly raise taxes at random times, often causing hunger and civil unrest. He was poisoned at the age of 28, 7 years into his reign and was succeeded by a non-Wurj for the first time.

**REIGN: 453-446 BEFORE TIME OF TROUBLES**

Ptymno I (They/Them) - An advisor to Wurjell II, Ptymno was rumoured to be behind the assassination of Wurjell, though whether this was true or not has never been confirmed. Regardless of this, Ptymno served diligently as ruler of the Wurjellian Empire and declared themselves "Regent of the Realm". During their reign, the Faerunian Pantheon propagation reached it's peak and Ptymno converted to the faith as a show of unity with their subjects. They expanded the Wurjellian Empire's borders to the very edge of The Singing Dunes for the first time, and renamed the city of Karri to Wur. Known as Ptymno "The Great", they perhaps had the greatest impact on Wurjellian history and culture out of all rulers except Wurjell IV.

**REIGN: 446-400 BEFORE TIME OF TROUBLES**

Wurja (She/Her) - The daughter of a high-priest of the traditional Wurjellian faith, she ascended to the throne at the age of 19 and ruled till her death at 57. She was the last ruler of the traditional Wurjellian faith and was installed after a brief period of instability caused by boycott of the election of the next ruler. After she healed someone with a miracle, she was elected by all the traditional Wurjellian electors and one Faerunian elector, giving her a majority of 1. She promoted religious unity and kindness, and ensured that the Wurjellian faith adopted some Faerunian gods into their pantheon.

**REIGN: 388-350 BEFORE TIME OF TROUBLES**

Wurja II (She/Her) - The half-sister of Wurja I, she was born Klatrau but adopted the name of her sister upon her ascension to the throne. Her reign saw the standardization of the election process and distribution of electoral roles to the minorities of the empire to ensure that they always had a say. She died at the age of 61 after just 5 years as ruler. She was succeeded by her wife.

**REIGN: 350-345 BEFORE TIME OF TROUBLES**

Alkatia (She/Her) - The wife of Wurja II, she ruled until her death at the age of 86. Her reign saw the establishment of the Office of the Keeper of the Pyramids, who would go on to ensure that all future pyramids would be appropriately cared for. Known as a reformer, she reformed the economy of the Wurjellian Empire to prevent exploitation by figures such as Wurjell II. She also introduced a grain tax and bread dole for when there were periods of great prosperity and poor weather, ensuring that starvation would be rarer.

**REIGN: 345-320 BEFORE TIME OF TROUBLES**

Wurjell III (He/Him) - The Grandson of Wurjell I and nephew of Wurjell II, Wurjell III was a ruler who ruled for only eight years, but would see the Wurjellian Empire's expansion into the plains and grasslands of Harrendor, he died from a wound sustained in battle in an attempt to siege Ferrenport, after his death the army was forced to pull back and many of their gains were lost.

**REIGN: 320-312 BEFORE TIME OF TROUBLES**

Ptymno II (He/Him) - The son of Wurjell III, Ptymno II sought to make peace with those in the South of Harrendor and established many trade routes with them. He successfully pushed the hordes of monsters in the Bramblewood back, ensuring peace for his entire reign. In his reign the Gnoll Horde was finally pacified and integrated into the Wurjellian army. Ptymno moved the capital city from Wur to Rul, a city on the coastline of The Singing Dunes at the time.

**REIGN: 312-298 BEFORE TIME OF TROUBLES**

Amnos (They/Them) & Wurja III (She/Her) - The siblings of Ptymno II, they served as co-regents until Ptymno II's daughter could ascend to the throne. Three years into the regency Wurja murdered Amnos and once Ptymno's daughter reached adulthood she was deported from Harrendor to a now unknown island.

**AMNOS REIGN: 298-295 BEFORE TIME OF TROUBLES**

Wurja III (She/Her) - Her rule lasted for a further ten years after the assassination of her sibling. Her reign was notable for a meteorite strike which hit the palace and the city of Rul, sinking the city to the depths of the sea and killing her

**WURJA's REIGN: 298-285 BEFORE TIME OF TROUBLES**

Wurjell IV (He/Him) - A famous and popular wizard and distant relative of Wurja III, Wurjell IV was elected under the promise of reversing the actions of Wurja III and bringing back the daughter of Ptymno II. These promises were not kept, and instead, abusing a loophole in the Grain Tax and Bread Dole he gathered a gargantuan amount of food for the army, increased taxes using loopholes in the taxation system, he increased military wages and guaranteed food for those in it's service. As the military's numbers swelled he followed by introducing conscription of all humans for 2 years, Half-Elves for 8 years, and Elves for 24 years. He promoted magical studies throughout the empire and began to wage war on all of Harrendor. His reign continued with successful conquest after successful conquest, eventually pacifying the Bramble Wood and ending with the conquest of what is now Kaiden's Pass and the failed establishment of towns within The Hollowed Mire. His tyranny and constant abuse of power made him deeply unpopular, and fearing for his safety and mortality he eventually looked into life extending magic before becoming a Lich and ruling for over 200 years before being defeated in the Wurjellian Civil War, bringing an end to the Wurjellian Empire, and the House of Wurj, making way for the next era in history.

**REIGN: 285-23 BEFORE TIME OF TROUBLES**