The Empire of the Chantillion Isles

The **Empire of the Chantillion Isles** is the electoral monarchy, which encompasses all of the Chantillion Isles.

Formed in 1530 after the end of the War of False Kings, with the crowning of Emperor Sol Morgengaard on the 6th of the Month of Illumination, 1531. The Empire is ruled by an Emperor or Empress who is elected based on the meritocratic ideals of the society. The political and social dynamics of the Empire shift on occasion with families falling in and out of power due to a fluid class system.

## Territory

The Empire encompasses five large islands and several smaller ones:

* **Exemis** - The central isle and home to the Imperial capital of **Rauven**.
* **Serkonos**
* **Albion**
* **Heremis**
* **Viltos**

## History

### War of False Kings

At the beginning of 1520, the Kings of Heremis and Serkonos declared war upon the other powers of the Isles, vowing to take control of their lands and people and create their own two-headed tyrannical rule. The Kings of Enntyr and Viltos had a standing alliance, due to the marriage of Crown Prince Sol and Princess Jesein and vowed to stop the threat of these two tyrants. The Grand Prince of Albion at first did not want to join the larger effort, instead focusing on the defense of his own people, but after the death of the Grand Prince and their army's defeat at the Landing of Salnatch, the newly crowned Grand Princess aligned herself with Enntyr and Viltos. Together the three monarchs managed to push back against Heremis and Serkonos. Following the death of the King of Heremis, the only enemy left was the King of Serkonos, who was bent on destroying the others.

### Formation

The Empire was founded after the end of the War of False Kings in 1530. On the 6th day of the Month of Illumination, 1531, Emperor Sol I Morgengaard was crowned in the city of Rauven. In the same year, the Emperor handed down the Edict of Vindamere, which established the system of elective succession. This saw several families hold the throne over the next few centuries, with the Morgengaards continuing to be one of the Empire's most prominent dynasties.

### The Viltos Uprising

In the Month of Wind, 1702 an uprising sparked on the isle of Viltos that called for their independence from the Empire. While much of the warfare during this time was naval, which led to the establishment of the Rauven Bay Fortress to protect the city, there was also substantial fighting on the isle of Viltos.

The final battle of the war, known as the Battle of the Maidens, took place in the Month of Songs, 1705. During this battle, the Imperial Navy dealt a critical blow to the uprising by sinking or capturing what remained of its fleet which was followed by a successful invasion of the main holdout of the uprising and eventual capture of its leader, Aenan Drontavos. He was later found guilty by the courts of Empire and was executed.

Once order was restored, Empress Kaidiel Silopho visited Viltos and spoke with people from all over the isle about their thoughts on the Empire and their treatment. The Empress order no retribution beyond those that were to be tried by the courts. She took the information she gathered and instituted many reforms including an expansion of health care, a rebalancing of the tax system, and the establishment of a new learning academy, which now bears her name.

### The Rise of Industry

In 1715, a group of bright minds at the University of Rauven made a series of discoveries and inventions that ushered in a new age for the Isles' people. Portia Spencer, an engineer, Lavinia Kadwell, a mage, and their advisor, Praeceptor Viola Thatcher were responsible for integrations of magic and machinery which brought about inventions making typical jobs in both the fields and cities of the Isles simpler and more efficient. Once these inventions were shown to the public, the group worked with Emperor Sol II and his advisors to ensure accessibility and equity was the top priority and that everyone would benefit.

As these inventions have allowed Chantillion society the ability to split their focus more, there has been a sharp rise in the number of children and young adults attending schools and educational programs across the isles. However, there were some naysayers amongst the Archons and Consuls, who would see certain technologies rendered for private use or kept from the populace altogether. Some cite the dangers and the changes to the very fabric of society, however, others have a more selfish reason behind their protests. With the election and ascension of Emperor Theophilus, previously one such naysayer, in 1719, the Isles stands on the brink of major change which will depend on this new monarch's state of mind.

## Government

### The Throne and the Consuls

The holder of the Imperial crown, known as the Emperor or Empress is the head of state and government and holds absolute power. Each island has its own imperial governor, known as a Consul, who manages the different corners of the Empire in the Crown's name. Upon the death or abdication of the monarch, the next is chosen by Consuls. Any citizen of the Empire is legally capable of becoming a monarch, however, traditionally they are chosen from amongst the top echelons of society. Should a stalemate exist or an elongated period where no monarch is named, the Consuls act as a regency council until one is chosen. If a Consuls is named to the throne, a new one must take their place once they have been crowned. The Consuls themselves are chosen by the sitting monarch with the recommendation of the rest of the Consuls. Should no monarch be on the throne at the time of a Consul vacancy, the body votes on the seat themselves.