Vurolingian Empire

Map of the Vurolingian Empire

The **Vurolingian** **Empire** is a nation on the continent of Elyria, dominating its heart and controlling Vurolingia, eastern Lorondia and regions south until Maixentis. Its foundation with the coronation of Emperor Adalard 'the Lion' in Adalburg marked the end of the Second Age and the beginning of the New Age. The Empire has slowly encompassed a massive swath of territory, through treaties and war, and now has only one rival on the mainland - the Matriarchy of Dryadia. The capital of the Vurolingian Empire is Adalburg, located at the northern edge of the Empire in the Vurolingian Valley. Adalburg is not the most populous city of the Empire, holding second place to the grand city of Cinen at the geographic center of the country. .

## **Geography**

The Empire ranges from the Amaranthine Alps in the west to the Varenfair Gulf in the east, and from the Northern Alps down to the Wall of Dryadia.

### ***Kingdom* of Vurolingia**

→ *Main article: Kingdom of Vurolingia.*

Located in the northwest of the Empire, Vurolingia is an area of fertile grasslands and rolling hills. It borders the Gnajun Hills to the southwest, the Duchy of Lorondia to the east and the Endless Desert and the Amaranthine Alps to the north.

The Kingdom of Vurolingia is split in three major regions; Tarovia, the western Vurolingian Valley and the Königswald.

#### **Vurolingian Valley**

A beautiful and warm valley system around the Amaranthine Alps that marks the origins of the Vurolingian Empire.

* **Adalburg:** the capital of the Vurolingian Empire and the second largest city. Adalburg is also one of the five Hochburgs.
* **Adalalp:** A mountain directly to the north of Adalburg on which the Castle of Adalard lies. The Imperial Electors convene here for elections of a new Emperor.

#### **Königswald**

An enormous forest system seperated only by several major lakes and Vurolingian towns. Three towns are named after past Emperors (Arcen after Arculf 'the Old', Theodemia after Theodemus 'the Strong' and Albeck after Alberic 'the Young')

* **Löwensieg:** A town located centrally within the forests of the Königswald. It's name translates to Lion's Victory, in honor of Adalard's victory over the Laghanese hordes (see history).

#### **Tarovia**

A swampland in the far northwestern corner of the kingdom that is directly controlled by the Chapels of Tanus. Access is limited to outsiders.

* **Tanuslau:** The primary estate of the Patriarch, a large collection of abbeys and churches.

### **Gnajun Hills**

→ *Main article: Gnajun Hills.*
The Gnajun Hills is a cragged and hilly region to the west of the Empire that hosts the ruins of the once great kingdoms of the Gnaj, which were conquered by Emperor Theodemus in the early years of the Empire. The victory came at the cost of the region becoming cursed with the Blood Plague, though the precise source of the plague remains unknown. This causes the air to be acidic and prevents imperial colonisation of the conquered territories.

* **Ruins of Gil'Iraz:** The ruins of a grand city of the Gnaj, raized to the ground by Emperor Theodemus (106-145NA).

### **Meadows of Maisen**

→ *Main article: Meadows of Maisen.*

The **Meadows of Maisen** is a formerly independent region that is now under the control of the Vurolingian Empire. The region is the most fertile land of the Empire, and exports a majority of the continent's food production (in particular grains). The population consists mostly of the native Linster Halflings. Having arranged a special integration treaty with the Empire, it has special privileges that include the right to tax goods, prohibit the construction of roads and other infrastructure without prior agreement, limit the military occupation of the Imperial Army and earn a special seat on the Imperial Council.

* **Wimbourne:** The largest of the Maisen towns, it is located at the southern edge of the region and hosts the Imperial Garrison and governmental offices for the Meadows. Surrounding farms produce a majority of the food supply for the Empire. Natives are called Oldbuck Halflings.

* **Holmfirth:** An isolated town deeper into the Meadows to which no major roads connect. A farming village primarly, natives are called Headstrong Halflings.

* **Lockmon:** A larger town at the eastern edge of the Meadows connecting the road between Cinen and Illartein. Halflings from Lockmon and the surrounding area are called Fallowhide.

* **Cinen:** A massive, sprawling trading city. So much food is exported from Cinen that grain is commonly called 'cin' throughout most of the continent. Peculiarly, Cinen is not a Hochburg despite it's size and importance and is particularly culturally diverse for imperial cities, hosting many Vurolingians, Lorondians, Gnaj and Linster folk. Minorities include Drowads and even a handful of Nanites.
* **Mayes Forest:** An isolated forest in the northeast of Maisen. It's primitive natives, called the Ghostwise Halflings, are protected from disturbances by the Integration Treaty of Maisen.

### ***Duchy* of Eastern Ireon**

→ *Main article: Eastern Ireon.*

**Eastern Ireon** is amongst the Empire's most recent expansions, and is located in the southwest from the Amaranthine Alps in the west to the Hochburg of Cinen in the east. Eastern Ireon was granted to House Corbus by the Emperor, but remains tightly controlled by Imperial forces.

* **Leisenberge:** A grand *Hochburg* hosting the Duke-Elector and one of the three Academies of Lebuin, the city is wedged in the valley between the mountains of Remiswe and Tepenbour. Tepenbour exports a very large supply of silver from numerous mines, stimulating the economy and industry of the city.
* **Schneidesford:** The western most trading town on the Amber Road between Leisenberge and Cinen. Due to the rapids further up the Pitzeck River, all trade goods exported from Leisenberge must be brought to Schneidesford by cart and horse, where it is heaved onto trade ships and transported throughout Elyria. Zook Folkor was born in Schneidesford.
* **Rauenbruck:** A small town further east on the Pitzeck River which hosts repair and resupply services for passing shipping vessels.
* **Bredemond:** A minor village that marks the final stop on the trading route from Leisenberge to Cinen before reaching Wedemond.
* **Quiet Forest:** A massive forest to the southwest containing almost half of the territory of Eastern Ireon. The homeland of a majority of Wild Gnaj tribes, of which several still remain.
* **Zaroan Woods:** Located to the north of the Pitzeck, the Zaroan Woods is a smaller and darker woodland when compared to the Quiet Forest. A handful of hardened Wild Gnaj tribes remain here, and much of the interior of the forest remains unmapped

### ***Duchy* of Lorondia**

→ *Main article: Lorondia.*

**Lorondia** was once an independent kingdom on the western coast of the Varenfair Gulf, before being conquered mercilessly in a series of conflicts in the late first century and early second century by Emperor Alberic 'the Conquerer' and his predecessor Farabert 'the Deposer'. Home to the xenophilic and trade-centric Lorondian culture, it is now a Duchy ruled by House Pelissier within the Vurolingian Empire.

* **Illartein:** The metropolis of the Empire, Illartein is a city of gigantic proportions which sits on the coast and controls trade to and from the capital. House Pelissier rule from this Hochburg. Sophia Dufournant was likely born here.

### ***Duchy* of Maixentis**

→ *Main article: Maixentis.*

**Maixentis** is a region conquered from settled Laghanese orc and lies at the southern edge of the Empire, bordering the Matriarchy of Dryadia. At it's center lie the Thelan Mountains which still host several tribes of orcs and other wildfolk. Besides Maixenau, the region is not very rich in resources and serves mostly as a buffer region to protect more prosperous corelands of the Empire from Dryadian expansion.

* **Maixenau:** A heavily fortified Hochburg hosting a Duke-Elector for the Empire that lies right at the southern border.
* **Thielon:** A prosperous Hochburg which lies on the Pitzeck trade-route and is a port in the southern half of the Varenfair Gulf. A Laghanese orcish minority lives within the city, and the Count-Elector from Thielon is partly of Laghanese heritage.

## **Politics**

### **Emperor / Kaiser**

→ *Main article: Emperors of Vurolingia.*

The current head of state is Emperor Amalricus IIl, the 24th Emperor of Vurolingia. The Emperor is commonly called the 'spear' of the Empire by their citizens, due to the importance of the Spear of Vurolingia. By the year 621 N.A, Amalricus is in his 72th year. His law is absolute throughout the Empire. In exchange for protecting its citizens from foes beyond its borders, the spear of the Vurolingian Empire demands that its citizens pay it tithe, follow its laws, worship its gods, and bow to the installed local leadership (Dukes, Counts and Reichsrepräsentanten). Otherwise, most citizens are left to their own devices.

The Emperor is elected by the five Electors and must be selected from amongst members of the Marcus-Vurolingian Dynasty, but it is known that Emperors often select their own heir who is almost always then selected by the Electors. Thereby the title is effectively hereditary, although there have been some exceptions in the past.

### **Electors**

The Five Electors are: the Duke of Leisenberge, the Duke of Illartein, the Duke of Maixenau, the Count of Thielon and the Baron of Adalburg. Upon the death of an Emperor, the electors meet at Castle Adalard and are given two weeks to discuss and vote upon a new Emperor. The entire process takes place in secret from the public, but is directed by the Patriarch who thereby wields great power in influencing the Electors during the process. The Patriarch also has a veto whereby he is allowed to block the election of an Emperor if they are selected by a margin of 1 vote (for example a 3:2 election), although this has only been used once before. Electors are forbidden from leaving until the election is settled, thereby making month long elections a rarity.

### **Imperial Council / Kaiserrat**

The Imperial Council resides in Adalburg and is the primary legislative body of the Empire. It serves to advise the Emperor and make his word law by implementing policy. A Seat (Ratsmitglied) on the Kaiserrat is typically permanent (with some exceptions) and an extraordinarily prestigious position. The Council is chaired by the Baron of Adalburg and includes the following other figureheads: the Patriarch, the Pentarchon, the Marquette, the Feldmarschall and a Speaker from Maisen. In addition to these permanent Seats, all 5 Electors are able to join the Council during demanding times, and the Emperor is allowed to appoint additional members if he sees fit.

### **Foreign Politics**

#### **Dryadia**

Tensions are rising with Vurolingia's southern neighbour, as the Empire is still bitter from their defeat and loss of Eastern Maixentia not but 30 years ago. Another war seems inevitable, though it might be years or decades away.

#### **Nanitia**

Whilst the Vurolingian-Nanitian Defense Pact has been dissolved, relations with the dwarven neighbours are still amenable. A healthy trade exists, whereby grains and other organics are transported to Nanitia, and valuable metals and ores are brought back to Vurolingia in exchange.

#### **Afari**

As Dryadia continues to influence the Republic, relations between Afari and Vurolingia continue to sour. Given time, a war between the two states seems likely, unless a new agreement can be found.

## **Law**

Whilst local regions are allowed to establish individual laws, imperial rule always supercedes these when they come in conflict.

### **Arcane Law**

Under current imperial law, the use of magic for the purposes of impersonation, domination of others, murder and assault are outlawed. Depending on the severity of the crime, sentences ranging from years to decades in jail or even death are possible.

### **Laws of Tanus**

Since the First Cleansing, public or collective worship to all but Oelim, Zoi, and Zanje is prohibited. Private and individual worship is in a legal greyzone and is often considered on an individual case basis in court. Due to the influence of the Chapels of Tanus, death is the most common sentence resulting from religious nonconformity.

The white rose is contraband in the Empire due to it's linkage with the Loveweaver, whereby it is a symbol of rebellion.

### **Other Laws**

The Empire also enforces a great range of other laws which are less well known but are not unlike those of it's neighbours. All ranging from murder, theft, rape and more are strictly illegal.

## **Demographics**

Whilst the Duchy of Vurolingia hosts almost exclusively people of Vurolingian descent, the remainder of the Empire is diverse in it's cultures and ancestries. Survivors of the fallen lands of the Gnaj now mostly live in Eastern Ireon and particularly in the cities of Cinen and Leisenberge. Lorondians populate the largest Duchy, Lorondia, on the eastern coast and mark the largest minority in the Empire. Linster halfling folks reside mostly in the Meadows of Maisen, but some (particularly the Fallowhide) Linsters are nomadic in nature and travel across the Empire. A Drowad minority lives in almost all significant Vurolingian cities, having constructed their own city districts underground which often operate almost independently. Finally, Laghanese orcs remain in the south and southeast of the Empire with only a sparse number trekking further.

## **History (Chronicle of Emperors)**

### **1. Adalard ‘the Lion’: The First and Greatest Emperor (0-46)**

##### **Life**

In the immediate aftermath of the Vurolingian victory over the Laghanese hordes, Adalard was crowned Kaiser of the Vurolingian people and celebrated as a hero of his people. The Vurolingians, which were named after a great dynasty that ruled their people before the Blood War, reforged this dynasty under Adalard Vurolingia. He quickly rose to his position, becoming an adaptive and ambitious leader. After centralizing his power and securing the stability of the Kingdom, he looked outward. During the latter two decades of his rule he led a campaign of conquest against the reborn Lorond Kingdom. A ceasefire was signed only 2 years before the Emperor’s death that granted the Vurolingian Empire the territories stretching within a few hundred miles of the coast to the east.

##### **Death**

The Lion died in the Skysrise of 46, just days before the Day of Glory. It is likely that he succumbed to old age though illness may have played a part in his death.

### **2. Arculf ‘the Old’ (46-73)**

##### **Life**

Arculf was the eldest child of Adalard, born before his rise to Emperor. He grew up impoverished only to experience a great shift as his father became the leader of his people. During his rule Vurolingia negotiated an Alliance with the Maisen peoples, who were advantaged due to the weak ruler. He died comatose in bed in 73 NA after a prolonged period of illness.

##### **Formation of the Kaiserrat**

Arculf became Emperor at the old age of 64, and suffered from mental instability throughout his rule, leading to the establishment of the Kaiserrat, then consisting of leaders of noble families but also the Patriarch. Up until then, the Patriarch had only had a limited amount of power, but with this inclusion the position became very powerful. For much of his latter rule, the Empire was effectively governed by the Kaiserrat due to his inability to take charge.

##### **Death**

Arculf died comatose in bed in 73 NA after a prolonged period of severe illness.

### **3. Alberic ‘the Young’: The Child King (73-79)**

##### **Life**

As Arculf had died childless and his brother Eracle had died of illness a few years ago, rulership was given to the son of Eracle, Alberic. When he was crowned Alberic was only 8 years old and so the Kaiserrat ruled in a regency.

### **4. Farabert ‘the Deposer’: A Bastard Emperor (79-82)**

##### **Life**

Farabert was a bastard of Eracle that whilst not given any legitimacy by his father was still tutored in the arts of war. Through his education, Farabert garnered great popularity amongst the officers and generals of the Imperial Army and thus was able to seize his cousin Alberic and force his abdication.in the Godsfall of 79.

According to records, it is only because of the influence of the Patriarch that Alberic was kept alive, as Farabert had initially intended to execute him. Instead Alberic was kept under guards and was personally educated by the Patriarch throughout Farabert's reign.

##### **Death**

In Starfall of 82 however Farabert was stabbed more than a dozen times by members of the nobility who were dissatisfied with the dictatorial and unyielding rule of the ‘Deposer’. This conspiracy led by Dietrich Corbus reinstated the now young adult Alberic as Emperor of Vurolingia.

### **5. Alberic ‘the Young’: A Young Conquerer (82-104)**

##### **Life**

Driven to ambition by his early failures and having grown to become a very zealous man, Alberic implemented stricter religious law that restricted the practice of old religions and gods that did not fit with the Imperial standard. During his time he led a successful campaign against Lorond, which resulted in him seizing Illartein and forcing them to capitulate their entire territory to imperial rule. A loyal member of the Pelissier dynasty that had ruled Lorond was selected and given the Barony of Illartein.

##### **Death (Battle over the Rowan Hill)**

However, in 102 the Gnaj of the west invaded the Amaranthine Alps and hills that lied within the Empire. During the Battle over the Rowan Hill Emperor Alberic was struck by an arrow (from one of his own soldiers) in his chest and later succumbed to the injuries. He was 39 years old.

### **6. Adalard II: The Shortest Reign (104-106)**

##### **Life**

After the death of his father, Adalard II was given an Empire embroiled in an unwinnable war against the Gnaj foes that were much better suited for hill and mountainside warfare. He ceded western parts of the Empire in exchange for a ceasefire.

##### **Death**

But only two years into his reign he died of severe illness at the terribly young age of 19. Modern historians believe that it was likely cancer that killed Adalard II.

### **7. Theodemus 'the Strong' (106-145)**

##### **Life**

The younger sister of Adalard II, Adaltrude, was pressured by the Patriarch and other important figures to abdicate the crown in favor of her cousin Theodemus, who was deemed more suited to fight a soon coming war against the Gnaj.

Trained in the art of war, Theodemus indeed fought a long and embittered war against the Gnaj that ended in a narrow victory, reclaiming the Amaranthine Alps and diminishing the strength of the Gnaj forces sufficiently to make future invasion much easier. His rule saw the formation of the Grand General of the Army and it’s addition to the Kaisersrat. Theodemus died as a result of old age in 145.

##### **Death**

Theodemus died as a result of old age in 145 having reigned for nearly 40 years.

### **8. Adalard III (145-162)**

##### **Life**

An often overlooked Emperor, Adalard III was responsible for further negotiation with the rising state of Nanitia to the east, ensuring positive relations whilst simultaneously conquering the last territories that separated the two nations. He was born with a physical weakness that grew worse with age and prevented him from having children.

##### **Abdication**

In 162, Adalard III abdicated the crown and spear to his cousin Adallinda due to his growing illness and weakness. He lived for but a few more years before peacefully dying in the royal castle of Vurolingia, the Adalalp.

### **9. Adallinda 'the Mother' (162-203)**

##### **Life**

Considered by many historians to be one of the most popular Empresses, she led a time of peaceful expansion, diplomatically annexing Maisen and surrounding territories. During her reign the city of Cinen was formed south of Maisen as a hub from which future expansion could commence.

##### **Formation of the Lebuin Academies**

‘The Mother’ also formed the Lebuin Academy of Adalburg and placed her distant relation Theodrade Lebuin-Vurolingia in charge in order to prevent infighting within the dynasty.

##### **Death**

She died of old age in late 203, having ruled for more than 40 years.

### **10. Adaltrude ‘the Fair’ (203-236)**

##### **Life**

Eldest daughter of Adallinda, Adaltrude inherited a prospering Empire and continued to lead it through a peaceful period.  Remembered as a beautiful and elegant Empress that was beloved by many foreign leaders and diplomats, she secured alliances with all of Vurolingia's neighbours. Despite this she suffered from infertility and had no children.

##### **Death**

Indeed, in 236 NA, Empress Adaltrude ‘the Fair’ tragically died in childbirth alongside her only baby, ending the line of Alberic ‘the Young’ forever.

### **11. Nibelung ‘the Bear’: The War of Brothers (236-273)**

##### **War of Brothers**

Without a direct line of succession, turmoil broke out within the Empire. Both Nibelung, a distant cousin of Adaltrude, and his younger brother Valadir claimed the spear. In secret, Nibelung was crowned Emperor by the current Patriarch. With the armies of the north united under his banner with the help of the Patriarch’s influence, he felt secure. His younger brother fled the court of Adalburg and retreated into the distant region of Afari. Able to convince many of the southern lords to unite under his banners, claiming Nibelung to be a bastard son and not rightfully a part of the Vurolingian dynasty.

##### **Accord of Brothers**

A great war ensued that lasted more than a decade. During a siege of Adalburg that tore deeply into the armies of both sides, the two brothers agreed to a truce, signing the famed ‘Accord of Brothers’ that stipulated that Valadir would be granted the region of Afari alongside with sections of the Imperial Navy in exchange for a military alliance, promising to defend each other in case of a foreign invader.

##### **Formation of the Imperial Soul**

Nibelung formed the Imperial Soul, explaining the choice of name by saying that “the Imperial Soul acts as the soul of the Empire, united and unbreakable .” The latter end of the phrase would become the motto of the Imperial Soul to the modern day. The Imperial Soul initially served as a direct spy agency for the Emperor, rooting out enemy plots and schemes.

##### **Life**

Following this, the Empire recovered for some years before Nibelung initiated a massive wave of expansion and conquest. With the aid of his brother the Gnaj of the west submitted to Imperial rule and many of the mostly empty southern lands were settled. In 265 the city of Leisenberge was founded in the far southwest and given to the noble Corbus family in remembrance of their aid in securing the Vurolingian line to continue (see the death of Farabert 'the Deposer'). He also founded both the Academy of Cinen and the Academy of Leisenberge shortly after the settlement of Leisenberge. Nicknamed ‘the Bear’ for his success in war, many poets still write of this great Emperor.

##### **Death**

In 273 'the Bear' succumbed to an infection from wound he suffered during a duel against one of his rivals, Arculf Lebuin-Vurolingia.

### **12. Marcus ‘the Wise’: The Wise Emperor (273-318)**

##### **Life**

Following the death of ‘the Bear’, his eldest son Marcus was crowned Kaiser. He promptly proceeded to execute Arculf Lebuin and centralising control over the Academies by making the title of Pentarchon granted by the Emperor. Marcus was a pragmatist and a wise diplomatic. He avoided conflict with the newly met southern Dryadians, who were now on the imperial doorstep, and employed a pro-nanitian trade policy that involved an exchange of vast amounts of foods in exchange for ores and mercenary companies.

His most famous diplomatic success involved avoiding the breaking down of the Alliance between Afari and Vurolingia by promising lands in an upcoming war against the Dryadians (which never occurred as Marcus died before he could start it) and paying gold.

##### **Death**

He died of old age in 318, being succeeded by his eldest son Alberic.

### **13. Alberic II ‘the Mad’: The Weakest Emperor (318-333)**

##### **Life**

Often considered the weakest of all emperors, the eldest son of Marcus was known for making arbitrary decisions and showing little interest in rulership. During his rule the empire experienced decentralization, with much power going to local nobility and the Imperial Soul and the Lebuin Academies.

##### **Abdication**

In 333 his rule was peacefully usurped by his son Amalricus, and Alberic II continued a luxurious life until his death in 351 NA.

### **14. Amalricus ‘the Pious’: Religous Reformer (333-357)**

##### **Life**

Having been tutored by the Patriach, Amalricus was a zealous follower of the God’s of Tanus, rejecting all other beliefs. Under his rule, the religious institutions of the Empire were all merged into the Chapels of Tanus, led by the Patriarch. Inquisitors enforced the newly reformed religious law of the Empire.

##### **Revolt of Cinen (338)**

In 338, the Academy of Cinen which by this time had renamed itself the Assembly of Erudition and cut all ties with the Lebuin Academies, convinced the city government to declare independence from the Empire. They promised to the Emperor that the city of Cinen would never fall into his hands for they would rather see it destroyed.

##### **The Great Cleansure**

The ‘Great Cleansure’ is seen by (some) modern historians as bloodshed that was necessary for the continued prosperity and unity of the Empire. Heretical ideas were suppressed and extinguished, including the old gods of folks such as the Gnaj and replaced with the more modern understanding that the Moonweaver created them.

##### **Formation of the Vollstrecker**

Amalricus also formed the Vollstrecker, a sub-department of the Imperial Soul acting as talented assassins and spies trained within both the Academies and the Soul.

##### **Death**

He died in 357 after being poisoned by an unknown assailant. Rumor says that the Imperial Soul murdered the Emperor for shifting power away from themselves and towards the Churches.

### **15. Adala ‘the Calm’: Years of War (357-362)**

##### **First Vurolingian-Dryadian War (Battle of Triun)**

Wishing for her name to be remembered, she led the Empire into war against the Dryadian armies of the south. At the time, the Empire had not been at war for almost a century and thus the military struggled to properly organize such a large scale offensive. At the Valley of Triun (to the west of the Pass of Dryadia) the Empress suffered a colossal defeat against the Dryadian forces that were personally led by the Eternal Queen Asalre Ashreeh. This was the first time Vurolingians would encounter the Immortal Queen and certainly not the last military defeat against her.

##### **Abdication**

Following the Battle of Triun, Adala was forced to abdicate in favor of her distant cousin Adalberta ‘the Usurper’ by a large coalition of nobles including almost all of the Dukes and Duchesses.

### **16. Adalberta 'the Usurper' (362-379)**

##### **Battle of the Queens**

After usurping the crown, Adalberta focused her efforts on the war in the south. She was a famed military genius and led her Empire to a narrow victory following the famous ‘Battle of the Queens’ in which she defeated the army of the Eternal Queen that had marched onto Maixentis

Whilst a tactical success, the armies of the Eternal Queen had nonetheless secured strategic victory in sufficiently weakening imperial forces and preventing them from expanding deeper into Dryadian territory.

##### **Abdication**

In 377, Marcus son of Adala 'the Calm' revolted against her rule, embroiling the Empire into war once more. Unable to lead her exhausted forces to victory against the army of Marcus consisting mostly of Nanitian mercenaries, she surrendered in 379, abdicating in favor of Marcus.

### **17. Marcus II ‘the Fox’: The Wisest Emperor (379-435)**

##### **Signing of the Reichskonstitution (380)**

Having experienced two coups within his lifetime, Marcus wished to end the power fighting and secure the future of the Empire. Having a strong connection to the military through his education he was able to bring great reform against the will of many members of the Kaiserrat. The Reichskonstitution was famously signed which included declaring the five greatest cities of the Empire the Hochburge in which the newly named Duke-Electors would elect a member of the Vurolingian dynasty upon death of the Emperor in order to ensure stability and unity. This form of government is named by modern historians Marcusian, in honor of Marcus II. He formed a third academy in Illartein named the Academy of the Fox.

##### **Re-Conquest of Cinen (381)**

In 381 the leading mage of the Assembly of Erudition, Hera Zurs, vanished forever. Without her leadership the Assembly quickly found itself in disarray and Emperor Marcus II simply marched his army into the city of Cinen and seized it without any resistance.

##### **Death**

Marcus II died after 56 long years of rule, the longest of any Emperor in the history of Vurolingia. His death is attributed to severe illness, likely cancer.

### **18. Bernard 'the Good' (435-472)**

##### **The First Imperial Election**

In 435 NA the first imperial election was held at the royal castle of the Adalalp. There the Duke-Electors and the Patriarch gathered to determine the next Emperor. They selected Marcus' eldest son Bernard, who would take on the mantle with duty and respect. Bernard would be known as the Good amongst the people, for his care for the common man. He implemented policies to improve working conditions in the Empire, such as making Festday a guarranteed day of relish for everyone.

##### **Second Vurolingian-Dryadian War (War of Three Emperors)**

In 472 NA, war broke out between the Vurolingian Empire and the Matriarchy of Dryadia following the capture of a Dryadian spy who supposedly attempted to poison Emperor Bernard. The old Emperor was reluctant to engage in an open war with Dryadia, as he had read much about the failures of his ancestors to conquer the lands of the south, but the Kaiserrat persuaded him of this course of action.

##### **Death**

The old Emperor tragically died at Fort Wedemund when he fell from a kilometer high mountain wall overlooking the Pass of Wedemund and planning the moves of the Imperial Army only shortly after the outbreak of war.

### **19. Marcus III 'the Heroic' (472-477)**

##### **Life**

Following the Reichskonstitution, Marcus III was crowned Emperor at Fort Wedemund instead of at the Adalalp, and without an election. Marcus III was only twenty years old at the time of his coronation and went on to continue his father's war of aggression. For five years, the war stagnated around the recently built Wall of Dryadia and the heavily fortifications north and south of the Pass of Wedemund. Neither side was willing to seek peace, with Marcus III needing to finish what his father started and the Eternal Queen's will being as unfathomable as always.

##### **Death (Battle of Wedemund)**

Finally, the Reichsarmee and the Dryadian forces led by the Eternal Queen herself clashed in the Pass of Wedemund. The pinnacle of the Battle of Wedemund occured when the young Emperor foolishly saught to duel the Queen herself. Emperor Marcus III never made it to Asalre Ashreeh, being slain by an arrow from her mighty Dryadian longbow whilst riding towards her. The battle was a victory for the Dryadians, having slain the Vurolingian commander, though virtually no actual land was gained following the battle.

*Despite his terrible and emberassing defeat at Wedemund, Marcus III is remembered within the Vurolingian Empire as 'the Hero' because he is said to have stood up to the tyranny of the Eternal Queen and because he sacrificed his life in the name of the Empire. Thanks to imperial propaganda, traits such as bravery and heroism are often attributed to this Emperor to this day.*

### **20. Arculf II 'the Resilient' (477-514)**

##### **Life**

Since Marcus III died childless, his younger brother Arculf became the next in line. He would continue to fight for two more years, but chose to seek peace after the war progressed endlessly and without success. Neither side had gained anything throughout the entire 7 year period of the war, but the Empire had lost 2 Emperors and many young souls.

Arculf II is remembered as very focused on the internal structure of the Empire rather than foreign politics and as a divisive ruler amongst the populace. He is often seen as an Emperor who desired greatly racial seperation within the Empire and who acted in accordance of wanting to bring prosperity to Vurolingians even if it came at the cost of the Empire's other citizens.

For this reason unrest was on the rise during his reign, though the Soul and the Imperial forces did well in squashing dissent. This was particularly the case in the southern territories dominated by Gnaj and Leinster.

##### **Death**

His nickname is attributed to the fact that he had survived several major bouts of illness before finally succumbing to it after nearly 35 years of ruling the Empire.

### **21. Imbert 'the Dumb' (514-524)**

##### **Election (Patriarch Vetoes)**

When Arculf II died, he had two children. His eldest child Imbert, and his daughter Adaltrude (named after the great Empress). For the first time since the writing of the Reichskonstitution, the Patriarch vetoed the election of Princess Adaltrude when she was elected by a margin of 3:2 against her elder brother. During the second round of voting, Imbert was crowned Emperor of Vurolingia by will of the Electors and the Chapels.

Emperor Imbert would become known as 'the Dumb' amongst his people, following his emberassing coronation speech held in Adalburg. The Imperial Soul managed to keep the details of the event a secret, but the rumor was sufficient for the name to stick. In either case, whilst showing initial promise, Imbert would quickly lose interest in rulership and lead a private life of debauchery in Adalburg whilst the Imperial Council governed in full.

In 523 N.A. a Dryadian embassy arrived in Adalburg with the aim of promoting collaboration between the nations and to secure both against foreign threats like the Republic or the orcs of the Laghan Plains. But the Emperor was insulted by the gifts brought by the ambassdors and chose to execute several of them before forcing the rest to leave the city without supplies.

*This diplomatic insult sparked the **War of the Withered Rose** and the **Third Dryadian-Vurolingian War**, led to Dryadia allying itself closer to the Republic of Afari and further establishing the Matriarchy and the Empire as definitive rivals.* *523 N.A. is commonly considered the end of the golden age of the Empire by scholars (though such a statement could never reach the public given the Imperial Soul).*

##### **Third Dryadian-Vurolingian War**

Following the grievous insult by Emperor Imbert, he would proceed to march his armies north to attack Dryadia without a declaration of war (something unseen in Imperial history and to which the Imperial Council objected).

##### **Death**

Just days after the first skirmishes on the southern border, Emperor Imbert was found dead after having fallen down stairs within the Adalalp.

*Whether this incident was an accident or a murder remains a mystery that will likely never be solved, though he had certainly antagonised much of the establishment in Vurolingia.*

### **22. Amalricus II 'the Victor' (524-556)**

##### **Life**

Whilst Imbert's sister Adaltrude was the next in line, she was skipped in the line of succession by the Imperial Council who instead elected her son Amalricus II to the spear. Thus, Amalricus was but a young man when he ascended the steps to the Imperial throne for the first time.

*To this day, scholars debate why Adaltrude was skipped not once but twice in the line of succession. Some speculate that she may have antagonised the Patriarch by convincing her father, Emperor Arculf II 'the Resilient', to allow her to worship the Loveweaver despite the Laws of Tanus. Whatever the truth might be, it is well kept by the Imperial Soul and the Chapels of Tanus.*

##### **War of the Withered Rose**

Only shortly after the Imperial Election and the first major battle in southern Maixentis against Dryadian forces, an insurrection against Imperial rule started in Eastern Ireon. The antagonised Gnaj and Vurolingian populations had long been in strife, particularly because of discrimination against the Gnaj and a large wealth disparity between the two folks. The insurrection began when a Gnaj pastor watched an opera of the events of the Afari Revolution. Inspiration soon led to the rallying of Gnaj to the cause of freedom against imperial tyranny. Word spread and soon the entirety of Eastern Ireon was threatening to turn to anarchy.

##### **Windswrath of Malice**

Emperor Amalricus II was forced to abandon his war efforts against the Dryadians and, with the aid of the Imperial Soul, brutally retook control of Eastern Ireon. Thousands were executed or imprisoned during the Windswrath of Malice of 524 N.A. For a hundred years the region would remain without violent rebellion, or even without thought of such things.

The war of 523-524 was named the War of the Withered Rose, as an allusion to the symbol of the Sunfall Revolution (a White Rose of the Loveweaver). Whilst Amalricus II declared himself 'the Victor', in truth the Empire had lost Eastern Maixentis to the Dryadians as a result of the War of The Withered Rose.

##### **Death**

In the Rainswrath of 556 Amalricus II suffered from a fatal stroke at the age of 48.

### **23. Adalard IV (556-580)**

##### **Life**

The only child of Amalricus II was promptly elected upon the imperial throne, having been educated in stewardship and in Vurolingian tradition. His rule saw the signing of a beneficial trade deal with the Nanitic Commonwealth that helped strengthen the Vurolingian economy after worsening relations with it's southern neighbours.

Adalard is also known to have been an avid enthusiast of architecture and his rule saw the construction of the Grand Chapel of Tanus in Adalburg, the tallest tower within the Vurolingian Empire.

Under his rule he managed to strengthen the power of the Emperor after a slow decentralisation over the past two centuries. For this and other reasons, his relationship with the Imperial Soul was strenous at best and he attempted to subvert their power throughout his rule. The most famous such decree was the formation of a fanatically loyal subdivision of the Vollstrecker that would serve only the Emperor and neither the Imperial Soul nor the Lebuin Academies. He would call them the Reichsritter.

##### **Death (Crisis of Blaze and Glare)**

In the Windswrath of 580 Adalard IV was murdered by the Evoker Joseph Bernier of the Lebuin Academies. The event occured within the throne room in Adalburg and led to a great fire within the halls of the capital. Bernier was caught by the Reichsritter who captured and publically executed him in what might have been the execution watched by the most people in the history of the Empire. As a result of The Crisis of Blaze and Glare as it would be called, the Lebuin Academies suffered a loss to its reputation and influence, though Pentarchon Artaud managed to stabilize the crisis and not have his own reputation tarnished.

### **24. Amalricus III (580-)**

##### **Life**

Amalricus III was elected over his young brother Nibelung following the Crisis of Blaze and Glare, selected for his religious zeal and cunning education in scholarship and history. During the past 40 years, he has balanced his focus between the interior and foreign politics. He has passed minor religious reforms that placed harsher sentences on the worship of Dragosta and other lesser deities whilst simultaneously attempting to strengthen the weakened bond between the spear and the Imperial Soul, which was weakened during the rule of the past Emperors.

Amalricus III has managed to avoid war throughout his reign, passing by opportunities that might have persuaded many other Emperors. Now in 621, with the Dryads distracted by a southern aggressor, who knows what the Emperor will do. Will he choose to side with peace and go against the will of many on the Imperial Council, or will he follow their advice and lead the Empire into the fourth Dryadian-Vurolingian War? Only time can tell..