The Holy Empire of Imperia

# The Holy Draconic Empire of Imperia

## History

Ancient Imperia was first unified 2000 years ago by the revered King Dexicos who conquered the divided seven Princedoms that made up the country, after the unification an age of progress came as Imperian cities grew and technology advanced. Eventually the Princedoms and their ruling Princes and Princesses would evolve into the seven Provinces and their Dukes and Duchesses, the nation would stagnate for 700 years and it’s nobles would adopt an isolationist policy for foreign affairs. It was when King Cyrillus fell and named his vassal Mavverik Allacrone his successor that great change occurred to the kingdom, King Mavverik over his first century of rule would consolidate his power and bring many large scale reforms to the nation such as centralization, a royal professional military and the great roads. Once King Mavverik had been serving as the Imperian crown for 177 years and the announcement of the beginning of the Godwar did something great occur, the prophet of Judicator, Ethaniel, changed the nation from the Kingdom of Imperia to the Holy Draconic Empire of Imperia naming Mavverik to be the first Dragon Emperor in millennia.

## Culture

### Themes

Imperian Culture is renowned for their engineering technology both in the form of mechanical and architectural work, their cities are made of much stone and aqueducts connect them to larger bodies of water, cleanliness has also become valued due to this. Patriotism and Collectivism have also become large aspects of Imperian culture, Patriotism was established due to their centralized government allowing their people to form a nationalistic pride while Collectivism influenced by traditional values and religious influence. Military service is highly valued in Imperia under their patriotic values, it’s considered to be honorable and noble to serve in your nation’s military willingly opposed to being drafted into service (as Imperia has a draft for peasants and citizens), this causes noble houses to almost always contribute at least one or two of their family members to military service often becoming officers.

### Language

The language spoken primarily in Imperia is local to their culture being called Imperian while Common is a second language spoken by the majority of the nobility, citizenry and to a degree the peasantry. Enochian and Draconic are spoken to a degree, though they’re primarily used during religious and traditional ceremonies such as advanced sermons/rituals, military graduations, coronations, vassalizations, etc. Although no longer spoken nor understood by anyone either then scholars and dedicated historians, the Ancient Imperian dialect can be found written in some of the oldest texts in the nation’s history dating back to the first Imperian unification two millennia ago.

### Appearance

Human and Half-Elven Imperians are known for being tall people, often averaging 6’ for men and 5' 7 for women, Half-Dwarven Imperians being an exception to this due to their Dwarven blood. Human, Half-Elven and Half-Dwarven Imperians usually have either pale or tanned complexions, tanned skin tones are most common in rural settlements such as villages or small towns in the vast Imperian plains or hills due to the longer amount of time they spend working outdoors farming, fishing, etc while pale skinned Imperians are found most often in urban settlements such as the large towns and cities. Most Imperians have brown or dark green eye colors while their hair colors most commonly are black or dark brown. Imperian commoners usually wear simple tunics, often with something wrapped around the waist, with or without pants, for men they typically go down to their thighs or knees while with women they often mimic that of dresses. The wealthy of Imperia are found in a much wider variety of clothing such as togas, stulas, silk robes/dresses and buttoned up coats atop more ornate tunics.

### Races

Imperians are mostly Human with a decently large number of Half-Elves and even Half-Dwarves, other races are for the most part accepted, though races such as Orcs and Dark Elves tend to be viewed with scrutiny (though not legally oppressed). All races and afflicted with Dark Magic in them (undead, lycan, vampires, etc) and generally not societally accepted afflicted are outright oppressed both by the people and by traditional and current laws.

### Holidays

There are several important holidays in Imperian culture. Imperials Day (Dies Regius in Imperian) is celebrated in early spring as a form of celebration of the new holy mandate of the crown being fulfilled established and the overthrowing of incompetent monarchs, on this day the flag of Imperia can be found waved around more than usual and drinEmperor is commonplace. Initium Messis (Beginning of the Harvest) celebrates the beginning of fall, the season of harvesting, as farmers begin harvesting their crops across the nation, most towns host festivals on this day with farmers presenting their harvest to the festival goers, families and friends usually gather for a feast on this day. The Day of Virtue (Dies Virtutis) is a day of faith and Allacrist worship as well as a day of giving, it’s celebrated in winter and involves prayer for three hours straight, embodying the seven virtues and gift giving between family and friends, many can be seen flocEmperor to temples and cathedrals on this day before spending time with their family and friends.

## Religion

### Worship & Following

Most Imperians follow a faith known as Allacrism, Allacrism although previously a faith dedicated to the worship and following of all of The Seven is now a faith dedicated to the worship of Judicator, however referring to it as a monotheistic faith would be wrong. Allacrists may pray to the dragon god, however they still also have faith in The Creator and view Judicator as an extension of the most moral aspects of The Creator and a means of indirect worship of the god of gods. Allacrists believe The Creator to be omnipresent and omnipotent, flowing through the entirety of Elysium and every living thing within it, however thanks to the Judician following Allacrists believe in mortals taking matters into their own hands in solving problems and influencing the world. The way Allacrists see Judicator is as a powerful draconic man that wears the simple robes of a commoner when in the form of a Human, he is seen as a God of Order, Magic and Science.

### Heresy

The usage or carrying of Dark Magic and association with The Rebel/Darkness, Fiends (Demons/Devils) and Dark Spirits/Creatures is considered heresy under the Allacrist faith. The term infidel is used to describe those who don’t follow the Allacrist faith but aren’t guilty of the above acts/associations deemed heretical, though is not always used with hatred in Allacrism.

### Sins & Virtues

The seven sins Lust, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Gluttony, Envy and Pride are deemed to be sins under Allacrism, if one is to indulge into them too often they will be considered a sinner while the 7 virtues diligence, chastity, patience, kindness, temperance, humility and charity are valued. Committing the sins lightly does not make one a sinner immediately as these aspects are considered naturally human, however living a life based on sin is considered sinful such as a greedy merchant allowing people to suffer for example. The usage of drugs and alcohol although discouraged are only considered sinful if one were to fall down a pit of usage to them to the point of harming others, the clergy on the other hand may not consume alcohol. Harming innocent people or animals is considered sinful in Allacrism, meaning animal abuse is sinful as well as chattel slavery (in the vast majority of cases), dark/malevolent creatures and heretics tend to be naturally exempt from this however.

### Love & Marriage

Allacrists are able to have up to four marital spouses at once and partners outside of said marriages, but it is heavily frowned upon to do so without the approval of your other partners, though not particularly considered to be sinful in the eyes of the Allacrist Church. Sometimes dating is used before marriage while other times courting is (or a combination of both), in courting the one interested in marriage or a relationship in general regardless of their sex is the one to court their love interest who can choose to accept or decline. Equality of the sexes are promoted under Allacrism and same sex marriage is allowed as well, not considered to be sinful or evil in the eyes of the church.

### Clergy

The Allacrist Clergy has specific sets of rules for its members which does not change based on social class or sex, clergymen can often be found dawning red and gold robes. Members of the clergy must surrender rights to succession and noble titles (if the ladder applies) and dedicate their time to the church, newly joined clergy members become Monks in which they have a temporary oath of celibacy (and a ban on romantic relationships) until they become a Priest/Priestess. Clergy members are not allowed to engage in drug usage besides for medical purposes, 50% of clergy members have medicinal training and/or healing magic as well to fulfill their role of providing help and healing.

Every town/city in Imperia has either a High Priest in charge of local clergy or one in every four towns is outright governed by a Bishop, every County has a clergy member of the rank of Metropolitan who oversees church operations in the County and advises the Governor on religious/spiritual matters while every Province has an Exarch. The second in charge of the Allacrist Church is an individual holding the rank of Ecclesiarch who advises the Imperian crown and manages the church in the name of the Supreme Patriarch, the title of the Supreme Patriarch of the Allacrist Church being held by the crown of Imperia.

## Government

### Form

The Empire of Imperia is ruled under a somewhat constitutional monarchy with an individual with the title of the Dragon Emperor as the ruler of the nation, the nation is not your typical feudal realm but instead is governed by a centralized bureaucratic system with all the complexities that come with it. The Dragon Emperor of Imperia acts as the head of state and government, Supreme Commander of the Imperial Military and High Exarch of the Allacrist Church, however a Senate exists which fulfills legislative duties in the Imperial Government while the Emperor fulfills executive and judicial.

### Succession

Opposed to the crown’s oldest son inheriting the throne, the crown can choose an individual to hold it out of anybody they wish, however if they were not able to choose an heir before their passing then their oldest child (regardless of sex) will inherit the throne. The crown can appoint one to be their regent, this can be any noble in the nation however the High Consul tends to fulfill this role (and if a regent is not selected will automatically assume the role), the regent’s role is to rule the realm in the event of the crown being away, being incapable or being dead without an heir. In the event of no heir to the throne being available, the Senate will choose the next Emperor.

### Administrative Regions

The Empire of Imperia, unlike most nations, is not divided amongst feudal fiefdoms but instead bureaucratic administrative regions called Provinces with Viceroys appointed by the crown, and under Provinces are Counties which govern over the different townships and bishoprics within. The nation is divided amongst seven Provinces, the Province of Ticium, Province of Sozopolis, Province of Cambria, Province of Abula, Province of Herdonopolis, Province of Autricium and the heartlands of the nation the Province of Cortium.

### The Senate

The Senate is made of two chambers of elected representatives, the House of Commons represents the citizenry and thus citizens are voted into being Senators of this house by the citizenry alone while the House of Lords represents the nobility whose officials are nobles elected by the nobility alone. Each Province has three Senators of the House of Commons and two Senators of the House of Lords for representation in the Senate, each able to serve a term of eight years and required to be at least 27 years of age. The Emperor of Imperia presides over the Senate when they meet, and is able to put in a vote as well beside the Senators in bills and holds the power to veto bills unless overridden by 50% of the Senate, in times of war the Senate may grant the crown emergency power.

## Social Structure

### Servitry

The servitry are the chattel slaves and indentured servants of Imperia, although indesntured servants are not considered part of the servitry under imperial law many group them together with chattel slaves due to their similarities of obligated servitude. Indentured servants are Imperian peasants or foreigners under either contract-based servitude (as in, the indentured individual signs on willingly to pay off debt or for a beginning in a new country) or issued as a means to punish criminals. Chattel slaves are less common in Imperia, due to culturally being viewed as an alien form of slavery, but not entirely unheard of, however one cannot be enslaved while within Imperian lands and so all chattel slaves are either traded from foreign lands or the children of two chattel slaves. Slaves in Imperia have three basic rights, they must be fed and watered fairly, disciplinary actions are limited to prevent cruelty and all chattel slaves and indentured servants must be paid at least three copper pieces or four copper pieces every three days respectively.

### Peasantry

The peasantry are the lowest class and make up the majority of the population. Peasants possess fewer rights than citizens but hold many of the same obligations, most peasants spend their lives trying to do what they can to become a citizen. Peasants cannot fully own land, having to rent it either from the local government or a landlord.

### Citizenry

The citizenry are the middle-class of the nation, they have more rights than the peasantry such as the right to fair trials, full land ownership and voting rights for local, provincial and national elections. Citizenship is obtained in one of five ways, service in the Imperial military for a decade, service as a state clergyman for a decade, marriage, having a citizen as child’s legal guardian or being granted citizenship directly by the Emperor themself (the last one is of course a very, very rare occurrence). It is not uncommon for the upper citizenry to become influential or wealthy enough to reach a similar level as that of aspects of the nation’s nobility, merchant families, guild leaders and clergymen are the most common of these citizens.

### Nobility

The Nobility of Imperia are the ruling class of the country, they’re entitled to all of the rights of Imperian citizens but can also occupy many high ranEmperor roles in their society such as members of the Imperial Council, Legates of the Army, Fleet Commodores and Admirals, etc. Nobility in Imperia is not based on landed titles like in most nations, but instead is utterly legitimated by the Emperor, the titles includes Lords/Ladies at the lowest, Counts/Countesses and finally Dukes/Duchesses, noble houses typically have a villa in Imperia’s major cities. Those who are knighted in service in the Imperial army are technically considered to be lesser nobles with the title of Ser/Dame, many view knighthood as the starting off point to creating a legitimate noble house in the Empire of Imperia, especially with military service being viewed well by Imperians.

## Credits

Author - Karkles

Editor - Delta