The Eldarinese Empire

The Eldarinese Empire is the largest nation on the continent of Bray as well as the oldest. Primarily ruled by the ancient Maxos dynasty, the Empire has served in history as a bastion of law, order and progress. Its population is largely a mix of human and Elven peoples, however the passage of time has made the land a cosmopolitan melting pot of races and cultures living in relative peace and safety within the nations vast borders.

The Empire has a long history of conflict with its neighbors however, and just like any nation it can and has been seeded with corruption and disaster, despite that it has stood for nearly three thousand years, and its might while not undefeated has remained widely unmatched, even by their most prominent rival and neighbor, The Olarinese Sultanate.

The Empire is also home to dragons like the Silver Dragon Lord Draxos, who are welcome as prominent members of society, holding ancient wisdom that they have held through the passage of time.

Though recent times have seen it face troubles including frequent warfare and internal power struggles, especially from the likes of The Imperial Holy Inquisition, its ability to remain stable and stand the course of time have made the Empire the only true superpower on the continent. So sure are its people of its longevity that the saying "As long as there is society, there will be the Empire." is often spoken by those who have lived in its reaches.

## History

### Early History

The Eldarinese Empire was founded nearly three thousand years before the rise of The Stormguard by the legendary figure Eldarin Maxos and his many followers following his victory over the tyrannical Ebon King. After their final battle, Eldarin took his followers home to his home village, which sat on the great river Melvas. Eldarin is said to have had thousands of followers join him, and being the legendary hero of the land, he was promptly appointed their leader. His first action was to rename the town to Cassírë, with its old name being lost to history, though Imperial records state that its name was insignificant as it changed depending on who was ruling at the time. With his newfound power, and council of his many compatriots, he began to create the legislative framework that would create the first true nation on Bray. While he developed the laws and systems, his thousands of followers set to labor and began creating roads to other villages and settlements, spreading Eldarin's words and inviting them into his new union. Within three years of his return home, Eldarin had incorporated every town and settlement that lay within the heartlands around the river Melvas.

## Structure

### The Imperial Hierarchy

The Eldarinese Empire is a centralized, feudal hierarchy with the Eldarinese Emperor reigning over dozens of noble houses with limited autonomy that act as regional governors and rulers. These houses are granted both privilege's and obligations by Imperial law, and they must rule accordingly or face appropriate prosecution by the judicial arm of the Imperial Government. Officially, the reigning Emperor has absolute authority in manners of legality, however there are long standing protections held in place by a democratic assembly of nobles called the Council of Commons which have stood since the founding of the Empire. By its design, no single lord of the Empire will be able to hold more power than the Imperial house, but many together aligned for a cause may come together and reasonably appose even the Emperor.

As it is a hierarchy, some ranks of nobility bear more power and responsibility than others. As of 2967 P.F. the highest standing office below the Emperor is the title of Duke. However, as with the case of the former territory of Mearth, larger regional rulers comparable to Kings have existed in the form of Lord or Lady Primarch, however since the secession of Mearth in 2887 P.F. none have held such a title. As previously stated, the next title below a Lord Primarch is that of a Duke or Duchess, who reigns over a duchy. A duchy is usually comprised of two or more counties, which in turn are ruled by Counts or Countesses respectively. It should be noted that most Dukes also have a primary county title, which is superseded by their title of Duke. A count may also rule over a number of Baronies, ruled by Barons and Baronesses, who are responsible for smaller lands typically surrounding a smaller collection of villages, typically on the borders of their lieges lands.

As for the governance of individual villages and towns, Elders, Mayors, and Masters are typically democratically appointed by the landowning citizens of those fiefs, with each position beholden to obligations to their respective lieges and constituents. These citizens are often influential land owners or other members of the towns elite that desire the responsibility and power that comes with such a position. It should be noted that unlike the higher titles of nobility, these elected positions are strictly that; in that none of these positions can or should be inherited by family of the current or previous holder of the title. However this does not prohibit family of title holders from holding or achieving office through democratic means.