The Light Ape Empire

## The Light Ape Empire (WIP)

The Light Ape Empire, or the Empire of Safashu, was the largest and longest lasting civilization in recorded isles history, engulfing and controlling the central isles for nearly 3000 years, and exercising vast influence over the respective states which made up their domain. In the 3000s BLC, the authority of the Light Apes began to erode, culminating in the Fall of Lumis in 2553 BLC, and the subsequent flight of the Light Apes to the Isle of Safashiik.

### History

#### Myth of Formation (~6000 BLC)

The creation of the Light Ape Empire is inexorably inked with the genesis of the Light Ape people, both of which are legends shrouded in the mystery of the ages. The Solinariam, the Safashuist Orthodox holy book, provides the basis for this legend. As the story goes, Creed, the personification of evil and mischief, was infecting the Monkes of the Isles with his darkness, propagating pagan religions and fostering disobedience to the creator of the world, Safashu. The latter, within the Light Realm, became aware of Creed's misdeeds, and descended upon the isles to put a stop to his madness. What followed was a battle of cosmic proportions, the result of which was Creed's ultimate defeat, and the beginning of the Light Ape race.

The Light Apes were instructed by their creator Safashu to prevent the abomination of paganism and Creedism from ever spreading in the isles again, and to guide the rest of Monke-kind towards the light of Safashuism. They were endowed with pale eyes, long life, and a sensitivity to magic in order to affirm their mission. Afterwards, the Light Apes built the city of Lumis, (circa. 5500 BLC), which later became the capital of the Safashuist world.

#### The Age of Enlightenment (5400 - 5000 BLC)

The Age of Enlightenment represented a gradual rise and expansion of the Light Apes. Not long after the establishment of Lumis, the Light Apes organized themselves into a holy body known as the Convocation. This holy order was made up of only the wisest and most skilled in the art of Elemental Light Magic, whose knowledge and insight into the force of Safashu helped them rule the rest of their kind. This style of republican government allowed elected Light Ape elders to rule over the city of Lumis, and further any further territories which came under their yoke.

The Convocation then dispatched a series of peaceful missionaries to many pagan territories of the Isles, most of which had not yet become the states and kingdoms now observed today. These dedicated individuals embarked on a sacred quest to spread the teachings of Safashuism across the isles, where various monke pagan tribes resided. With their pale eyes that seemed to glow with an inner light, the Light Apes were regarded by many as divine emissaries, chosen by Safashu to bring enlightenment to the pagan tribes.

They possessed a unique ability to tap into the mystical energies of the sun, enabling them to practice magic and perform miraculous feats that astonished those who witnessed them. The missionaries' primary goal was to introduce the pagan tribes to the worship of Safashu, emphasizing the sun-god's benevolence, wisdom, and the transformative power of enlightenment. They sought to peacefully enlighten the pagan tribes about the importance of harmony with nature, the pursuit of knowledge, and the practice of compassion and empathy.

The missionaries encountered a variety of responses from the pagan tribes. In some instances, the arrival of the Light Ape missionaries was met with hostility, leading to violent clashes and massacres. Such was the case in the Gorilla Lands where the missionaries were time and time again repelled by the unified pagan tribes, and their chieftains. Other examples of similar resistance were found in the Chimp Jungles and Orangutan Marshes, where likewise missionaries were repelled and attacked by tribal warriors. These tribes, deeply rooted in their own traditions and beliefs, resisted the introduction of a foreign religion and saw the Light Apes as a threat to their way of life. They would remain a stronghold of anti-Light Ape sentiment for several centuries thereafter.

However, in other cases, the pagan tribes were open to embracing the teachings of Safashuism. They recognized the wisdom and power of the Light Apes, their magical abilities, and their connection to the sun-god. Among these was the Howler Kingdom under Nazdra the Conqueror, whose conversion to Safashuism garnered the loyalty of the Howler tribes of the Redwoods in 5027 BLC. Due to the cooperation of the Howler tribe, they were allowed almost total royal autonomy throughout their history, existing as cooperative neighbors of the empire and frequent patrons to Lumis. A second tribe which demonstrated willful conversion and acceptance of Safashuism were the proboscises, just south of Lumis, who likewise maintained their own rulers.

These tribes saw the adoption of Safashuism as an opportunity for growth, enlightenment, and a path to a more harmonious existence. In the regions where the Light Ape missionaries were accepted, they played a vital role in establishing centers of worship and learning. These sacred spaces became beacons of Safashuism, attracting both the converted and the curious. The Light Apes shared their knowledge, teaching the tribes about the sun's energy, magic, and the importance of aligning oneself with the greater cosmic order.

These were times of relative peace, and significant prosperity, as the Light Apes did not often use force as a vehicle of conversion in the early days, instead using the power of example to attract pagan monkes. These tribes would join on their own accord and pay tribute to the city of the Light Apes frequently, while the Convocation ruled benevolently and fairly. The magical capabilities and advanced wisdom of the Light Apes allowed them to develop advanced maritime and medicinal technology, further bolstering their dominance throughout the isles. The only wars fought during this period were battles against baboon raiders occupying the lands near which the Holy City of Lumis was built. In response to frequent raids, the Light Apes erected The Gods' Bastions in 5300 BLC, a series of fortresses designed to repel brigands and tribal leaders. However, in 5112 BLC, a peace was reached between the baboon chieftains and the Light Ape Convocation, declaring an autonomous zone for the baboon natives beyond the Gods' bastions, into which the Convocation pledged not to send missionaries or extend their domain.

In these days, the Light Apes designated themselves no higher than the common monke, instead baring their divine charge as a duty instead of a quality of superiority.

#### Age of Conquest (5000 - 4829 BLC)

After the Age of Enlightenment, the Light Ape Empire experienced an era of conquest that lasted from 5000 to 4500 BLC. This period was marked by the holy conquest and conversion of various pagan lands, including the Chimp Lands, Gorilla Lands, Orang Lands, Macaque Lands, and the tribes of the Middle-Molnkans. Emperor Illanion, and emperors thereafter, embarked on numerous campaigns, which would gradually bring the entirety of the central Isles under imperial rule. The Light Ape forces displayed their magical prowess, overwhelming pagan tribes and enforcing the supremacy of Safashuism. The conquered lands were subjected to religious conversion, often accompanied by cultural assimilation and the imposition of absolute Light Ape authority.

##### The Rise of Illanion (5017 - 5015 BLC)

The catalyst for this age of conquest was a violent act that shook the Light Ape community to its core—the brutal raids of the baboon king Gestovis in 5017 BLC, who united the baboon tribes together and attacked the Gods' Bastions. After laying waste to Fort Safashu, the pagan baboons built an additional fortress which they dubbed "Fort Creed", in order to mock the Light Apes. Thereafter, the baboons moved farther inland, laying waste to all Light Ape settlements outside the walls of Lumis. Initially, the majority of the Convocation of Elders hesitated to respond with violence, despite the bloodshed suffered by their kin. They counseled appeasement, and attempted to negotiate with Gestovis and his armies. This decision, however, became increasingly unpopular among the Light Apes, who grew angry with this lukewarm response. In 5015 BLC, a schism erupted within the Light Ape order, leading to a military coup that overthrew the Convocation. The first Emperor of the Light Apes, Illanion, seized power and immediately instituted a policy of eradication against the occupying baboons. He vowed to enforce the might of Safashu on all infidels, shattering the peaceful resolutions of his predecessors and opening a new chapter in the annals of Light Ape history.

> "Henceforth and hereon in, the great task of the Light Apes shall be led not by circle of aging has-beens, but by a dynasty of holy and radiant emperors with the strength and will to dispose of the enemies of Safashu, and guide the isles to its truest heights of majestic enlightenment. The reluctance and cowardice of [various Convocation Elders], when dealing with the bloodthirsty and brutal spawn of Creed, has cost us an ocean of pure Light Ape blood. At the helm of our empire, I will ensure the light of our lord falls on every isle, into every cave and crevice, until all the world knows the might of our kind."
> Emperor Illanion, 5015 BLC
>
>

##### The Great Baboon Exile (5015 - 4999 BLC)

Not long after Illanion took power, he organized the armies of the Light Apes, and swept through the lands killing and capturing all under the sign of Gestovis. Their magical might harnessed by the mages and warrios under Illanion's command was unlike anything the pagan tribes had faced. Gestovis himself was executed in 5014 BLC, and the baboons' war effort dissolved into a mess of aimless tribes. All those not captured delved into caves beneath the earth to spare themselves from the wrath of Illanion. Dungeons were built beneath Lumis to house the thousands of baboon prisoners taken from the villages and battlefields across the lands. When the question was raised as what to do with these thousands of petrified monkes, Illanion ordered swift immolation, but was counseled against it by his generals, who saw it as a pointless act of violence. Instead, the baboons were shipped north, away from Lumis, and marooned by the thousands upon the isle of Avgrund, or what we now call the badlands. To this day, that is where the majority of the baboons reside. Those who remained either stayed hidden from the Light Apes in the caves, or threw themselves before the walls of Lumis and converted to Safashuism, pledging loyalty to the sun and its terrible warriors.

##### The Gorilla Lands (4998 - 4981 BLC)

In 4998 BLC, Emperor Illanion of the Light Ape Empire initiated the first foreign military campaign to conquer the Gorilla Isle. With a force of 5,000 Light Apes, he landed near what is now known as Hectorine, ready to face the countless tribal foes that inhabited the isle. The Gorillas, comprised of nine major tribes, had been unified under the leadership of Chieftain Gomo. Each tribe had its own beliefs, worshiping a myriad of pagan gods and viewing Gomo as their chosen savior destined to liberate the lands from their long-time sun-worshiping enemies. The Light Ape forces, armed with their formidable magical abilities, unleashed their full might upon the tribal resistance. Their mastery over magic proved devastating, overwhelming the Gorilla tribes and gradually bringing the entire isle under their control. The conquest of the Gorilla Lands spanned a period of seventeen arduous years, as the Light Apes encountered fierce opposition and engaged in numerous battles to secure their dominance.

With the Gorilla Isle firmly in the grip of the Light Ape Empire, a Light Ape viceroy known as the Archpriest was installed to govern the newly subdued lands. The first Archpriest of the Gorilla Lands was Thurio the Inferno, a figure whose name accurately reflected his ruthless nature. Thurio earned his moniker due to his penchant for setting entire villages ablaze when faced with even the slightest hint of disobedience. His reputation for swift and merciless retribution ensured that rebellions following the initial conquest were swiftly crushed. As the Light Ape rule took hold, the ancient pagan gods worshiped by the Gorillas were driven underground, forced to yield to the growing influence of Safashuism. The common folk, seeking survival and stability, readily embraced the new religious order. Safashuism, with its doctrines and rituals, became widely adopted throughout the Gorilla Lands. The gods of the old world faded into the shadows as Safashuism became the dominant faith, intertwining itself with the fabric of Gorilla society.

The conquest of the Gorilla Isle marked a significant milestone in the expansion of the Light Ape Empire. It showcased the formidable power of the Light Ape forces, their mastery of magic, and their ability to bring disparate tribes and lands under their control. The establishment of the Archpriest as the ruling authority ensured the preservation of Light Ape dominance and the enforcement of their imperial will. The Gorilla Lands, once a bastion of tribal diversity and pagan worship, now stood as a conquered territory, shaped by the indomitable might and religious zeal of the Light Apes.

##### The Orang Lands (4980 - 4969 BLC)

Emperor Illanion's conquests continued relentlessly, with Lumis as the epicenter of power. In 4980 BLC, the Empire expanded its reach by crossing the Isthmus of Apes and invading the Orangutan Lands. However, the Orangutans of the marshes proved more cunning. Having heard reports of the atrocities in the Gorilla lands, the Orang pagans retreated into the marshlands with which they were familiar, and avoided all contact with the Light Ape invaders. Illanion, infuriated, would execute every orangutan he could capture, and would try in vain to set fire to the woodlands, which were too damp to catch. Refusing to give up his struggle and fueled with religious zeal, the Emperor persisted, obsessing over his mission relentlessly searching the dense jungles for the next decade. One day in 4971, while on an expedition, Illanion was bitten by a deadly insect, and fell dead days later. Illanion's son, Orion, assumed the throne of the Light Apes, and established an Archpriest in the region, who ruled from the city of Shabamont over what territory the Light Apes could claim.

##### Banana Forest & Chimp Lands (4965 - 4929 BLC)

From the Orang lands, the legions of the Light Apes swept north, with Emperor Orion at the lead. With his paragons, he quickly claimed the Banana Forest, and tried to lay decimate to its many ancient pagan temples. However a strange sickness began to fall upon the Light Apes, once they began to chop down trees and lay foundations for their own houses of worship. The disease, which spread like a plague, seemed to Orion, a somewhat smarter ape than his ambitious and zealous father, held council with his elders on whether or not to continue their settlement. They all advised against his further expansion into the forest, and told the young emperor to withdraw his troops from those hallowed grounds. With some hesitation, it is recorded, Orion proceeded north with seven thousand light apes, landing in the southern Chimp Lands, and founding the city of Suderon, later known as Sudenna in 4960 BLC.

Not long after establishing base in the southern Chimp Lands, Orion faced near constant onslaught by the native Umamuk, who had mastered the art of venom. The battlemages of the Light Ape legions fell in the dozens to venomous darts and guerilla attacks from all sides. For several years, the Light Apes struggled to make it through the Chimp Jungles, until in 4950 BLC, general Kuzmo of the Light Apes devised a plan to circumvent the defenses and territories of the Umamuk, sailing Northeast around the Great Ape Peaks, and landing in modern day Bogotown. While a lesser force commanded by Kuzmo occupied the Umamuks of the South, the Light Ape Legions led by Emperor Orion obliterated the rest of the tribal resistance in the Chimp Lands, establishing a holy capital in modern day Chimpsburg, which was then known as Suncrest. An Archpriest assumed control in 4929 BLC after the Chimp Lands had been completely subdued. Orion traveled back to rule Lumis in 4928 BLC, exhausted by the toils of crusade, giving control of the conquering Legions to General Kuzmo.

##### The Middle-Molnkans (4920 - 4862 BLC)

The Light Ape Conquest of the Middle-Molnkans, under the reign of Emperor Orion, was a significant chapter in the expansion of the Light Ape Empire. Emperor Orion, having successfully subdued the Chimp Lands and established Suncrest as the holy capital, turned his attention to the Middle-Molnkans, an incredibly diverse intersection of dozens of species and their respective tribes. These lands, prior to the settlement of the Gibbon Tribe in 2777 BLC, were ruled by three dominant tribal chieftains of differing species: Chief Mortac of the Spider Monkes, Chief Suralack of the Lemurs, and Chief Curozo of the Capuchin. All were known for their impressive agility, resourcefulness, and a deep-rooted sense of tribal loyalty. They presented a unique challenge to the advancing Light Ape forces, who were determined to bring the many tribes under the banner of Safashuism.

In 4920 BLC, Emperor Orion ordered a full-scale invasion of the Molnkans. He deployed his experienced general, Kuzmo, to lead the campaign alongside a force of highly trained Light Ape Legions, over eleven thousand in number. The initial encounters with the combined tribes were met with fierce resistance, as the chieftains Suralack, Mortac, and Curozo rallied their collective forces to defend their ancestral lands. The Spider Monkes, known for their intricate tree-dwelling settlements and the ability to traverse the dense forests swiftly, utilized hit-and-run tactics and guerrilla warfare to challenge the advancing Light Ape forces. The Capuchins, skilled at mounted combat and archery, attacked the Light Apes from the trees and from their capybaras. The Lemurs were skilled healers and shamans, and helped to nurse the wounded will contributing to the war in their own right. Decades of fruitless battle ensued, and the Light Ape Legions knew they had to adapt their strategies to navigate the dense foliage and counter these nimble and elusive warriors from many tribes.

General Kuzmo, recognizing the need for a decisive victory, devised a plan to bring an end to the fragmented resistance. He sought to exploit the rivalries between the three chieftains and sow discord among them. Kuzmo strategically offered alliances and promises of power to various factions within the Molnkan tribes, effectively undermining the unity of their resistance. In 4870 BLC, the Light Apes witnessed a significant turning point in the Great Battle of the Siamang Forest, in which all three of the tribal chieftans went to war with one another over disputes created by General Kuzmo. The latter, capitalizing on the internal conflicts among the tribes, launched a coordinated assault on their respective cities, utterly devastating their internal resistance. The Light Ape forces showcased their superior magical abilities and strategic coordination, overwhelming the divided tribes.

As the tribal chieftains fell one by one, the remaining tribes surrendered or were swiftly subdued. The conquered lands were subjected to violent religious conversion, with Archpriest Octavius appointed by Emperor Orion to oversee the assimilation of the many tribes into the Light Ape Empire. To solidify control over the Molnkans, Emperor Orion ordered the construction of fortified settlements and garrisons, strategically placed to maintain order and suppress any remnants of resistance.

The end of this lengthy campaign was the last of Orion's many victories, as he would pass away from natural causes in 4860 BLC. He was replaced by his son, Emperor Xerion.

##### The Macaque Lands (4850 - 4829 BLC)

The Light Ape Empire set its sights even farther north, on the Macaque Lands, a region known for its rugged terrain and fierce warrior culture. The Macaques, skilled in guerrilla warfare and known for their prowess in battle, presented a formidable challenge to the expanding empire. However, Xerion, like his father, was determined to bring Safashuism to every corner of the Isles.

In 4850 BLC, the Light Ape Legions, led by General Kuzmo and Emperor Xerion, launched a large-scale invasion of the Macaque Lands. The Macaque tribes, led by their chief Warlord Grathar, fiercely resisted the incursion. The ensuing conflict was brutal and prolonged, as the Macaques utilized hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, and their intimate knowledge of the treacherous mountainous terrain to hold off the Light Ape forces. It wasn't until 4834 BLC, after years of bloody battles and tactical maneuvering, that the tide began to turn in favor of the Light Apes. General Kuzmo, weary from constant guerilla battle, decided to strategically burn sections of the macaque pinelands, cornering the remaining forces under Grathar high into the mountains. In the Battle of Brugo Peak, the Light Ape forces, bolstered by their superior magical abilities and tactical acumen, emerged victorious, dealing a fatal blow to the Macaque resistance. However, the macaques under Grathar proved ambivalent til the end, and took many down with them including the illustrious General Kuzmo, who perished with an arrow to the neck. After their final surrender, in 4829 BLC, Xerion established a permanent presence in the Macaque Lands, constructing fortresses and garrisons to solidify Light Ape control over the region. The Macaque tribes were gradually assimilated into the empire, their traditional beliefs supplanted by the teachings of Safashuism.

The Archpriest of the Macaque Lands, Cyburn, appointed by Emperor Xerion, played a crucial role in overseeing the religious conversion and ensuring the loyalty of the newly conquered lands. However, contrary to his southerly counterparts such as Thurio of the Gorilla lands, Cyburn demonstrated a unique desire to improve and peacefully manage the macaque nation, organizing it into a functioning kingdom in its own right. While adopting Safashuism completely, the conquered macaques were able to establish a central dynasty working in tandem with imperial authority in Lumis, long before the Gorillas or Chimps wrested such autonomy from their Archpriest overlords.

#### Age of Radiance (4800 - 3600 BLC)

The "Age of Radiance" in the Light Ape Empire was a time of unprecedented unity, prosperity, and technological advancement. Spanning roughly 1200 years ( following the conquests under Emperor Orion, this era saw the empire at the pinnacle of its power and influence. The Light Ape Empire, under a succession of strong and visionary emperors, experienced remarkable growth and achievements across various aspects of society. During this period, the Light Ape Empire made staggering advancements in technology, art, literature, architecture, and magical studies. The empire's capital, Lumis, served as the epicenter of knowledge and innovation, attracting scholars, scientists, and artists from all corners of the empire.

##### Evolution of Safashuism

Within the city of Lumis, the Light Apes practiced what they considered to be the purest and most original form of Safashusim. During the age of radiance, while the gates of Lumis were open to the rest of the isles, those who entered therein remarked on the glory of the Light Ape Capital and its many worshipers, describing the traditional call to prayer (the illumination of the Great brazier) as a transfixing and blindingly holy experience likened to being in the presence of Safashu himself.

However, across the isles and after the conquests of the first emperors, the many tribes within the new imperial acquisitions struggled to accept the Safashuist religion and still clung to the tribal ideologies which had guided them for millennia prior. While many perished under Light Ape steel holding fast to their beliefs, others transformed their tribal identities into an amalgamation with Safashuism, compromising certain aspects of two opposite faiths to create something unique. This was known as tribal syncretism, and took place in nearly every territory claimed by the Light Ape Legions. A few adhered almost completely to the methods of worship practiced in Lumis, while some diverged dramatically from the common perception of the traditional faith, while still maintaining the figure of Safashu at the center of their rituals.

In the Orangutan lands, the tribes developed a form of Safashuism called Toroterru Safashu, centered critically around nature and zen mentality and regarding Safashu as a peaceful and life-loving deity. Orangutans, during the Age of Radiance, united under this pacifist faith and were responsible for relatively few rebellions under the Emperors, preferring to remain attached to the bogs and swamplands they called their home. While prioritizing peace and unity with nature, Toroterru Safashu also encouraged the pursuit of knowledge as an extension of acquainting one's self with the natural world. This led to significant advances in medicine and natural science during the prosperous Age of Radiance, feats which elevated the orangutan tribe favorably in the eyes of the Light Ape emperors.

The neighbors of the orangs, the gorilla tribes, developed a different style of Safashuism, quite independent from the influence of their Light Ape conquerors. Known as Bausudo, this religion placed the origin of Safashu (renamed Baufashu) and his heavenly kingdoms upon the staggering heights of the gorilla mountains. The sun god was worshiped as a warrior deity who had carved the earth with his sword of fire and chosen the mountain dwelling gorillas, instead of the Light Apes. Their fables spoke of the Light Apes as pirates and pretenders who had snatched fire from the depths of the earth to use against the creatures of Baufashu's creation. For decades and centuries this interpretation of the religion spawned near

##### Trade and Travel

Several notable advances were made in the field of maritime and land based travel travel during the Age of Radiance. The Order of Sokus, a Light Ape supervised guild of explorers and ship-builders based in the Middle-Molnkans, produced several inventions which revolutionized sea travel across the isles. Among their inventions were stabilized rigging, the lateen sail, tar caulking, and stern rudder, as well as overall improved ship building techniques. Chief among the ship builders of the isles, the Order of Sokus built the majority of the merchant ships used travel across the empire. Trade was expedited, and the Light Ape Empire experienced a wave of economic prosperity generated by the streamlining of goods and resources from all over the isles.

Navigation was revolutionized by an Orangutan explorer and astrologist nicknamed "Skycast" (4690 - 4510 BLC). His extensive study of the stars and of celestial movements produced a new method of navigating the high seas. Trade routes became more efficient, and the astrolabe was invented to chart the movement and direction of the stars. Unfortunately, Skycast was executed by Archpriest Buro of the Orangutans for suspected heresy and treason against the empire, although the cause for these accusations remain lost to history. Many suspect his Light Ape contemporaries were jealous of his marvelous discoveries, and had him framed in order to ensure the intellectual supremacy of the Light Ape race, while taking credit for many of his inventions.

A crucial contribution to the Age of Radiance was the official mapping of entire empire and its dominions by the Light Ape Guild of Cartographers, who traveled to the extents of the Imperial territories, drawing up the first complete maps of the central isles. Their accuracy and detail, to the very tree, remains an uncanny aspect to this day, and the basis for all subsequent maps.

##### Thyrelon's Bureaucracy

During the reign of Emperor Thyrelon in the Light Ape Empire from 4597 to 4478 BLC, a highly advanced yet oppressive bureaucracy was established to enhance control and governance over the vast territories of the empire. The primary goal of this bureaucracy was to consolidate power in the hands of the emperor and ensure the smooth administration of the empire's affairs. Emperor Thyrelon, known for his penchant for order and efficiency, believed in a centralized system of governance that would enable him to exert control over all aspects of the empire. To achieve this, he established a complex network of administrative offices, departments, and magistrates that spanned across the entire empire.

Thyrelon recognized the need to revise and reform the Archpriest system, as it was outdated and frequently abused. Instead, Thyrelon appointed Imperial Consuls one every state of the extended empire, chosen from the most loyal and efficient trained within the imperial academies. They held immense power and authority, acting as the intermediaries between the emperor and the lower ranks of the bureaucracy. Under every Consul, there was a host of organized bureaucrats tasked with maintaining loyalty to the empire in their respective regions, and spreading the Safashuist Orthodox amongst the populous. A key feature of the bureaucracy was the extensive use of written records and documentation. The Light Ape Empire was known for its meticulous record-keeping, with every decision, transaction, and communication carefully recorded and preserved. This allowed for efficient communication and enabled the bureaucracy to maintain a detailed account of the empire's activities, while squashing rebellions an ensuring imperial loyalty at an unprecedented level.

The bureaucracy of Thyrelon operated under a strict hierarchy, where officials were expected to follow orders without question. Disobedience or failure to adhere to imperial policies often resulted in severe punishments, including demotions, exile, or even execution. This strict enforcement of obedience created a climate of fear and oppression within the bureaucracy. Furthermore, the bureaucracy served as a mechanism of control and surveillance over the population. Agents of the bureaucracy, known as Order of the Oculus, were tasked with monitoring the activities of citizens, ensuring compliance with imperial decrees, and reporting any signs of dissent or rebellion. This pervasive surveillance allowed the empire to swiftly identify and suppress any threats to its authority.

However, Thyrelon's strictness when it came to political cohesion did not apply as intensively to his religious attitudes. Thyrelon allowed the persistence of syncretic Safashuist faiths throughout the isles, and set a precedent of tolerance for all those who respected the dominance of the Empire. He placed obedience and loyalty to the empire and its Consuls over the supposed purity of the Safashuist faith. The legacy of Emperor Thyrelon's bureaucracy continued long after his reign, shaping the nature of governance in the Light Ape Empire for centuries to come. It became an integral part of the empire's power structure, exerting control over the lives of its citizens and contributing to the consolidation of imperial authority during the Age of Radiance.

##### The Order of the Sun & Crucible

A hallmark of the light ape empire was their advanced capabilities in the magical sciences, most particularly in the metallurgical arts. The Order of the Sun and Crucible, founded by Thoruck the Goldenfist in 4733 BLC, was the center for metallurgy for the Light Ape Legions and would yield myriad of metals and alloys used in swords and armors which cemented imperial rule across the isles. Many historians refer to The Order as a central pillar of Light Ape domination over the tribal chiefdoms in the early years.

Perhaps the most famous of their many inventions was the alloy of Bananite, first synthesized circa 4700 BLC. Known for its high density and unfathomable sharpness and durability it was prized by every monke, and given out by the Light Ape Emperor as gifts to his various loyal vassals and obedient tribal chieftains. At the height of the empire, every imperial guard within Lumis was rumored to have a full set of Bananite armor, along with accompanying weapons. Since the Fall of Lumis, however, the vast majority of Bananite artifacts have gone missing, with only about three dozen accounted for in contemporary times.

##### Magical Advances

In the field of magical studies, the renowned mage and philosopher, Archmage Selene, emerged as a prominent figure during this age. Selene delved into the mysteries of ancient arcane arts and developed new spells and enchantments that revolutionized the practice of magic. Her treatises on elemental manipulation and astral projection became foundational texts in magical education, and her name was revered for centuries to come. The Age of Radiance also witnessed the rise of esteemed philosophers and thinkers who pondered the nature of existence, the balance of power, and the interplay between magic and technology. One such philosopher, Roderick the Wise, proposed a groundbreaking theory known as "Harmonic Synthesis," in 3904 BLC, which posited that magic and technology were not mutually exclusive but could harmoniously coexist and enhance each other. Roderick's ideas sparked intellectual debates and inspired further research, leading to innovations that combined arcane knowledge with engineering expertise.

Roderick's theory reached farther than many Light Apes would have preferred. Starting around 3750 BLC, a few monkes scholars and scientists across the isles discovered that they, too, could tap into the forces of nature by embedding magic into relics. Orders of sorcerer began to spring up across the isles, ushering in a movement called "relicism", which saw a few small-scale magic rebellions spring up against Archpriests in the Howler and Giga lands. The Light Ape Emperor, Xerion II, responded swiftly and silently in retaliation to relicism, banning all relics and the practice of relic-making, making sure all rumors of rebellions having happened were reduced to dangerous untruths. Xerion II ushered in more imperial edicts involving magic, consolidating its power safely in the hands of the Light Apes of Lumis. However, magic could not be smothered despite their best efforts, and would soon rise again to thwart the supremacy of the Empire.

##### The New Orthodox

After the reign of Emperor Xerion II, his daughter Wuju, ascended the throne in 3683 BLC. The new empress, until her call to govern, had spent her entire life in a priory learning the holy book of the Light Apes, the Solinarium, and was one of the foremost religious scholars in the Empire. As the empire expanded and inflated to absorb many different cultures, Wuju saw it necessary revise the holy text and translate it into the tongues of the many new cultures which it now governed. Moreover, the empress was infuriated at the syncretic faiths which had arisen amongst the tribal territories, and sought to purify them with an absolute text. Assembling a council of hundreds of priests and scholars, (all Light Apes) known as the Consortium Solinarium, she spent decades revolutionizing and translating the text into every tongue spoken in the isles. Many fables were rewritten and the monotheistic stature of Safashu, as the one God of Safashuism, was elevated and expanded upon, while Creed was reduced into a minor and infantile character. Moreover, and perhaps more importantly, the fable of creation was written, as well as the fable explaining the aforementioned genesis of the Light Apes and the origin of the Holy City of Lumis. The New Orthodox, as the revised Solinarium came to be known, introduced significant changes to the religious teachings and doctrines. The elevation of Safashu as the sole deity and the diminishing of Creed's importance represented a shift towards a more monotheistic and centralized faith. The fables of creation and the origin of the Light Apes and Lumis provided a cohesive narrative that emphasized the chosen status of the Light Apes in Safashu's plan. For example, it now stated among its ordinances that only Light Apes could become ordained priests of Safashuism, and participate in the imperial bureaucracies which governed the diverse nations of the Isles.

Upon the completion of the New Orthodox in 3650 BLC, Wuju ordered that the scroll be distributed across the many territories of the Light Ape Empire, where it was faced with widespread rejection and hatred. Some, such as the macaques, accepted the new holy book wholeheartedly, and reiterated their fealty to the central empire. However many others, like the gorillas and chimps, had formed syncretic faiths by mingling Safashuism with their tribal ideologies over the centuries since their conquest. Of these tribes, they saw the New Orthodox as an attempt to alienate them from Safashu and subjugate them even further beneath the heel of their Light Ape overlords. In addition, the many monkes who had become priests of Safashuism were now stripped of their authority, and replaced by Light Ape counterparts, further stoking the flames of hatred for the empire. They burned the new texts and spat upon the Light Ape's claim of Safashu's favor, blasphemies which were punished harshly by the Consuls and the Order of the Oculus. Syncretic faiths were made entirely illegal, and tribal tensions were pushed to a breaking point not seen for millennia.

In that respect, the divisive New Orthodox is cited in many historical texts as the pivotal factor which caused the Imperial Schism of 3520, and later the ultimate downfall of the Light Ape Empire. It caused above all the alienation of Light Apes from the rest of the monkes of the isles, and spread the general sentiment that their time to reign was over.

#### Age of Twilight (3600 - 2553 BLC)

The Age of Twilight is regarded in history as a period of slow deterioration and downfall for the Light Ape Empire, culminating in the fateful Fall of Lumis in 2553 BLC, in which the last of the imperial authority was chased from the Isles.

In the 2594 BLC, Emperor Brutus signed the Severance Concordat an event leading to the hunting down and extinction of all the Dragons in the isles. This costly war against dragons lasted three years and lead to the dragons being removed from the isles but also to the deaths of thousands of Light Ape Soldiers.