Philos

**Philos** is the capital city of the Philosirian Empire.

Map of Mortis: here.

## History

### Founding

The city of Philos was founded by Thalyra, Princess of Palemon, one of the three major Phocenian city-states in Amaan. The story of the city's founding is retold in the legendary poem, the *Tragedy of Thalyra*. In the story, the beautiful princess is engaged to Maronios, a well-respected merchant who makes a living by exploring and trading throughout the vast Serephanian. While appearing to live modestly, only Thalyra and a handful of others know that the sailor is secretly among the city's wealthiest citizens, having found substantial wealth and treasures throughout his journeys. Thalyra, bound by her duties to rule Palemon like her father King Adones, is captivated by Maronios' stories of freedom, adventure, and exploration. The princess' favourite story is that of Philos (Phocenian for "paradise"), a majestic, unspoilt island in the far west, described by Maronios as the most beautiful spot in the known world. Together, the pair dream of escaping their lives of politics and duties, with Maronios promising to bring Thalyra to Philos as they sail across the world together.

the extremely wealthy Maronios, a merchant who found his riches by exploring and trading throughout the vast Serephanian. Thalyra, bound by her duties to rule Palemon like her father King Adones, is captivated by Maronios' stories of freedom, adventure, and exploration. The princess' favourite story is that of Philos (Phocenian for "paradise"), a majestic, unspoilt island in the far west, described by Maronios as the most beautiful spot in the known world. Together, the pair dream of escaping their lives of politics and duties, with Maronios promising to bring Thalyra to Philos as they sail across the world together.

After King Adones dies, Princess Thalyra accepts her fate and prepares to ascend to Queen of Palemon. However, Adones' brother, Cadmonides, challenges her claim to the throne and works with the corrupt Royal High Priests to deliver a verdict in his favour. The move is widely unpopular among the general populace, who adore the princess, while also upsetting the Senate and the military, who view Cadmonides as dangerous, destabilizing, and corrupt. Meanwhile, the Neo-Mephistonian Empire to the south prepared to take advantage of the situation by invading. Thalyra, having already received her father's blessing to abdicate the throne if it was her heart's true desire, concedes to Cadmonides and prepares to leave the city with Maronios.

Although he is officially crowned king, Cadmonides faces numerous difficulties. The citizens of Palemon openly call for his overthrow, and the king is left with little money, having spent all his fortune bribing the Royal High Priests, the military and certain senators to maintain and legitimize his rule. However, Cadmonides learns of Maronios' wealth through one of his spies, and hatches a plan to both steal Maronios' fortune and force the people of Palemon to accept him as king.

According to legend, Thalyra was an exceedingly beautiful woman and heir to the throne of King Adones. Following Adones' death, his brother Cadmonides claimed the throne for himself, gaining support from certain sects within the military despite being broadly unpopular among the general public. At the time, Thalyra was married to the very wealthy merchant Maronios. Cadmonides developed a plan to obtain Maronios' wealth; he had him killed in hope that Thalyra would gain possession of the merchant's wealth, who he would then acquire through marriage. Rather than marry her uncle, Thalyra threw all of Marinos' gold into the sea. The princess, along with nearly 20,000 of her supporters,