Fourth Empire

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## Political information

### Type

Semi-elective, unitary constitutional monarchy

## Societal information

### State religious body

Nine Divines (formerly)
Ten Divines

## Historical information

### Formed from

Imperial Potentate, eventually after the Third Empire

### Era(s)

Fourth Era
Fifth Era

The **Fourth Empire** or **Fourth Empire of Men**, often referred to as the **Varian Empire**, or sometimes the **Dragon Empire**, **Fourth Cyrodilic Empire**, and the fourth **Empire of Cyrodiil**, was an Empire founded by Reman Varian in 4E 129 after the Imperial Civil War. At its height, the Fourth Empire spanned across the entire province of Cyrodiil and the island nations of Cathnoquey, Esroniet, Yneslea and Roscrea, it administered full control through the Imperial province, with an Emperor or Empress as supreme ruler. After the death of Claudius V, the Empire slowly declined throughout the Fifth Era and ended when Usurper Shamar gro-Rogdul lunched an invasion of Cyrodiil and killed Emperor Titus III in 5E 725, however Shamar was killed by Crassius Avento, becoming the first Emperor of the Avento Dynasty.

## Background

### Mede Dynasty and Potentateship

*Main articles: Mede Dynasty and First Imperial Potentate*
During the rule of Titus Mede I, Bravil and Leyawiin were reclaimed. Hammerfell was also reconquered, and, if High Rock did leave the Empire, High Rock was also reclaimed. Under his leadership, rebels in Valenwood were also supplied by the Penitus Oculatus. Under later Emperors, Elsweyr was presumed to have been reclaimed, though Elsweyr was lost again following the Void Nights of 4E 98. The status of Morrowind's affiliation with the Empire is questionable as they have full autonomy and appear to have little love for the Empire. Furthermore, the An-Xileel's invasion of Morrowind during the Accession War prevented the Empire from reclaiming Morrowind. During the Void Nights, the Thalmor claimed that they had restored the moons using previously unknown Dawn Magicks, but it is unclear if they truly restored the moons of just took advantage of foreknowledge that they would return.

With Titus Mede's death, General-turned Council Valentinian Tiber created the Imperial Republic, making the only tyrant but he his republic was very short-lived was deposed by Titus's son in 4E 57 and with the republic dissolved. The Mede Dynasty was restored with Emperors controlling the Empire, until when Emperor Attrebus Mede II come to the throne, but his rule was the worst Emperor of Tamriel, making unfit to rule. However Attrebus changed back to his name Antonius, which his full name is "Antonius Attrebus Mede" and become a Potentate and restored the republic was more, after Antonius once visit a book across called the "Republic of Hahd", an underwear country. Since his popular that his selfish, evil, and tyrant Emperor of Cyrodiil. While the Elder Council demanding the Emperor not to create a republic, because the Empire is failing.

His rule caused Cyrodiil to have one of the worst economy problems, he forced the Elder Council to dismissed, which many of the council went into exile. Antonius replaced the coin of Varian are banned, and replaced with Mede, which only to be Varian Coin to be bring back into Cyrodiil. While he was Emperor, Antonius let the kingdoms of Skyrim, High Rock and Hammerfall to gaining independent respectfully.

### Civil War

*Main article: Varian Ruby Rebellion*
In Cyrodiil, Potentate Antonius Mede's popularity was quickly faded and reiterated soon after of his downfall when he mistook Talos as an Necromancer. The riots by mobs had been failed, often called Mad Attrebus. Doctors often attempted to cure the Emperor's madness multiple times, but Attrebus refused. This may cause succession crisis without a bride or issue, he may die childless. The Elder Council made a decision that the surviving Varians which it was thought to be extant when Martin Septim become Akatosh to defeat Mehrunes Dagon during the Oblivion Crisis.

Throughout Antonius's life and reign, he was deeping depths of insanity, possibility was cursed or gifted by Sheogorath. Attrebus's grandfather Titus Mede I was crowned Emperor after the Oblivion Crisis sometimes during 4E 17. When Antonius Mede banished Reman from the Imperial City, even though that Antonius didn't stripped him of his General role and councillorship. Reman received letter secretly by Elder High Councilor that the Council will support Reman no matter the consequences. Thus the thirty-two year old Reman rise the and huge army to deposed the Potentate and hoping the future of Cyrodiil. His brother, Lucius Varian joined him, as Cyrodiil broke in two again.

Reman went on by defeating Counts/Countesses' armies, while almost all of them allied with Reman. Reman's major victories at Battle of Rivalry, Battle of Silver Road and the Battle of Sun's Dusk, caused Reman's right to claim the crown was popular than ever. His final campaign was to re-took Imperial City, where the remaining of Antonius's supporters. His new appointed Generals at his side, Reman marched into Imperial city, which an army of the Emperor's supporters and the battle broke out, which known as the Battle for the Imperial City. After the battle, Antonius mysteriously disappeared, possibility murdered or escaped death. Reman become Emperor by the Elder Council after he return to the Imperial City, and founded the dynasty, known as the Varians. that will last 700 years.

## Military

 File:Praetorian Commander card art.png
*Main article: Imperial Legion*
The armed force of the Fourth Empire are the Imperial Legions. The Legions are considered one of the most disciplined and effective fighting forces Tamriel has ever seen. Consisting of a wide selection of units, its soldiers are tasked with upholding the law, defending the citizenry, and waging war against enemies of the Empire. Imperial Soldiers patrol the roads of the Imperial provinces, engaging in combat with any threat to the traveler on the road.

The Imperial Legion is surpassing the Imperial Legion of the pervious Empire, the Varians, and was re-formed by Marcella Varian, the fourth Empress of Cyrodiil. And the number of troops of the new Legion is by far one of the most powerful, then the Third Dominion Armies of all time.

## History

### Rise of the Varians

 File:Cyrodiil map.jpg
During the outbreak of the Varian Ruby Rebellion, the Potentate Antonius Mede who ruled Cyrodiil since 4E 119. When Antonius Mede banished Reman from the Imperial City, even though that Antonius didn't stripped him of his General role and councillorship. Reman received letter secretly by Elder High Councilor that the Council will support Reman no matter the consequences. Thus the thirty-two year old Reman rise the and huge army to deposed the Potentate and hoping the future of Cyrodiil. His brother, Antonius joined him, as Cyrodiil broke in two again. Reman went on by defeating Counts/Countess's armies, while almost all of them allied with Reman. Reman's major victories at Battle of Rivalry, Battle of Silver Road and Battle of Sun's Dusk, caused Reman's right to claim the crown was popular than ever. His final campaign was to re-took Imperial City, where the remaining of Antonius's supporters.

His new appointed Generals at his side, Reman marched into Imperial city, which an army of the Emperor's supporters and the battle broke out, which known as the Battle for Ruby Throne. After the battle, Antonius mysteriously disappeared, possibility murdered or escaped death. Reman become Emperor by the Elder Council after he return to the Imperial City, and founded the dynasty, known as the Varians. During his reign, Reman called one of the most popular monarch since Tiber Septim and was described as "Reman the Cyrodiil Savior" which the Imperials called Reman as "A Emperor who Saved Cyrodiil." The council proclaimed Reman, new Emperor of Cyrodiil — which he adopted his regnal surname, Reman Varian. During his reign, he improved the Domestic and foreign policy as well as the economy, creating the Five Alliance Pact. During the final years of Reman life, his health decline quickly where he died in 4E 160. He was succeeded by his elder son, Caius.

### Great War and Dragon Crisis

*Main articles: Great War and Dragon Crisis*
By the time of the Great War, the Empire was only a shadow of its former self. Only by signing the White-Gold Concordat was the Empire able to survive the Dominion's onslaught and thus end the Great War. The concordat lead to the loss of Hammerfell; the southern part of which would have been handed over to the Dominion if not for the Redguard uprising (though most of the demanded territory was already conqeured by Dominion forces). The northern portion of Hammerfell had been warring with the Dominion-held southern portion until the Second Treaty of Stros M'kai, which declared a truce between the Dominion and Hammerfell, resulting in the former's forces to withdraw. Included within the White-Gold Concordat was an immediate and thorough banishing of Talos worship, which would later result in the forming of the Stormcloak Rebellion in Skyrim (though many Talos worshippers now simply worship in secret). After the signing of the White-Gold Concordat and the events of the Markarth Incident, the Aldmeri Dominion's Thalmor agents established an embassy in Skyrim. The Thalmor Justiciars were sent to Skyrim to enforce the White-Gold Concordat and make sure that the Empire doesn't break it again. However, the Justiciars are also known to secretly capture and imprison any Nords who question their doctrines or beliefs. Furthermore, the book known as The Talos Mistake was published by an Imperial Liaison to the Aldmeri Dominion.

Prince Uriel Lotdwiin was succeeded to the Ruby throne as Emperor Uriel Varian VIII. Uriel VIII also had becoming King of Hammerfell when he married High Queen Yisine way before becoming Emperor. Uriel then contuning at outgoing war in Skyrim with the rise of Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak and the Stormcloaks. Uriel's children refused to becoming their new Emperor/Empress of the Empire, which cause a Succession Crisis, but he attopted Imperial Princess Dragonborn Herdis Early-Stone, also known as Marcella Varian. Marcella succeeds, and is named Empress Marcella Varian I, beginning both the Fifth Era and the Fourth Empire, the Imperial Empire. As her time as Empress, Marcella Varian had come out as an lesbian and had a relationship with a Dunmeri Jenassa Telvanni, an well-known mage of the Mages Guild, and an member of the well-known of House Telvanni. Both Marcella and Jenassa adopted a child, named Brinella (later Livia Varian) from Winter-Honored family.

### Fifth Era

After Marcella Varian's death, the first eight Second Varian Emperors ruled with relative peace and prosperity, but within 300 years, mismanagement and political infighting become the norm. Emperor Claudius Varian IV suffered an long-time illness and refused to in his duties of his illness. Claudius's sons had beef to fought over the throne, which Marlena Varian II took the throne. Marlena then was assassinated, some say that Claudius's son, called Claudius assassinated her, but with no proof. It would not be until the reign of Claudius Varian V that the most popular Emperor since Marcella Varian; fought final war with the Summerset Isles but the Isles was defeated by the Empire, but was later accidentally killed while hunting with Claudius's son, Pelagius.

The next generations of Second Varian rule restored the peace, prosperity, and most importantly, the stability of the Imperial line to Cyrodiil. By the time of Attrebus Varian and his daughter Kintyra IV, the Empire was back almost to the height of its power.

Kintyra IV's reign was most stable and loyal one, but it was that she becoming Dragonborn after Marcella Varian. While Kintyra was Half Imperial, Dunmer and Nord from her predecessor family members. Kintyra IV's military career was most successful of all of Cyrodiil, when defeated two decent wars between Forsworn in Skyrim and Northern Cyrodiil. Kintyra IV than makes her final battle at near border in Skyrim which she was died of her wounds.

Her son, Titus Varian III becomes Emperor but at the time of his six-year reign, the rumors are that popular Orcish warlord by the name, Shamar gro-Rogdul planning to invade Cyrodiil. Titus III was preparing of war and got the Tamrielic Alliance to out-numbered the Orcs 6-1. Even though the Orcs were powerful.

As it turned out, the Oricismer then suddenly gained the upperhand and being to raid on Imperial City, Shamar than stormed into the palace with the Emperor waited. Titus's children was later wounded or killed during the sacking and the Emperor himself was later killed by Shamar, but Shamar was defeated and killed before he was going to usurped the throne.

The Empire was left without an heir once more, but this time, with no one even distantly related to both Cepherous Varian III or Marcella Varian available to be crowned. The Imperial Dynasty had ended their 854 long-year reign and becoming one of the popular, devoted and longest empire dynasty in Tamriel and Cyrodiil and surpassing the first Varian dynasty.

## Alternative history

*Main article: Fourth Empire (Rebellion)*
## Leadership

The Empire is lead by an Emperor or Empress and governed by the Elder Council. The Council is devised by the Emperor to help keep the empire running by taking charge of the day-to-day operations, their responsibilities consist of administrating and overseeing provinces, advising the Emperor, and creation of laws (over which the Emperor still holds a Veto). The Council's importance becomes clear when the Empire is in some emergency or struggle, such as an interregnum.

## Appearances

* *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim*
* *The Elder Scrolls VI: Invasion*

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 *Dynasties: The Varians of Cyrodiil*
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 *Pocket Guide to the Empire, Second Edition: Cyrodiil*
3. ↑ *Brief History of the Empire, Book III*
4. ↑ *Report: Disaster at Ionith*
5. ↑ *Second Battle for Ruby Throne*
6. ↑ *Rising Threat, Vol. IV* - Lathenil of Sunhold
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 *The Great War (Book)*
8. ↑ Template:Infernal City
9. ↑ Dialogue with Adril Arano
10. ↑ *Lady Nerevar, Greg Keyes, Lord of Souls Lore Notes* — Imperial Library
11. ↑ *Lost of A Republic*
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 *The Mind of Potentate Emperor*
13. ↑ *Ordo Legionis*
14. ↑ Dialogue with Imperial Legates
15. ↑ Dialogue of the Skingrad Patroller in *The Elder Scrolls: Legends*
16. ↑ Combat dialogue with Whiterun Guards
17. ↑ Legionnaires seen patrolling the road in *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim*
18. ↑ Imperial horsemen seen on the roads of Cyrodiil during the events of *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion*
19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Loading Screens (Skyrim)
20. ↑ *Nords Arise!*
21. ↑  Dialogue between Thalmor Justiciars and Ondolemar
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `TSS`
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 *The Dragon Empress*
24. ↑ *Sacking of Windmen Inn*
25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 *Peace within Cyrodiil: First Second Varian Emperors*
26. ↑ Dialogue with Claudius
27. ↑ Dialogue with Titus Varian III
28. ↑ Dialogue with Titus Varian III
29. ↑ Events of "A New Dynasty"
30. ↑ Events of *The Elder Scrolls VI: Invasion*
31. ↑ 31.00 31.01 31.02 31.03 31.04 31.05 31.06 31.07 31.08 31.09 31.10 31.11 31.12 31.13 31.14 31.15 31.16 31.17 31.18 31.19 31.20 31.21 31.22 31.23 31.24 31.25 31.26 31.27 31.28 31.29 *Dynasties: The Varians of Cyrodiil*
32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 32.4 *The First-Three Non Emperors of Cyrodiil*
33. ↑ *Life of Reman the Great*
34. ↑ *The Great Saint*
35. ↑ *The Great Steel*
36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 *Pocket Guide to the Empire, Second Edition: Cyrodiil*
37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 *The Varian Dragon*
38. ↑ 38.00 38.01 38.02 38.03 38.04 38.05 38.06 38.07 38.08 38.09 38.10 38.11 38.12 38.13 38.14 38.15 38.16 38.17 38.18 38.19 38.20 *The Fifth Era*
39. ↑ *Pocket Guide to the Empire, Second Edition: Cyrodiil*
40. ↑ *The Lion Lady of Cyrodiil*
41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 41.4 41.5 *Peace within Cyrodiil: First Second Septim Emperors*
42. ↑ *A Incident in Anvil*
43. ↑ *The Incident in Anvil*
44. ↑ *Brief History of the Empire, Book I*
45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 45.3 *Pocket Guide to the Empire, Fourth Edition*
46. ↑ Dialogue with Claudius
47. ↑ 47.00 47.01 47.02 47.03 47.04 47.05 47.06 47.07 47.08 47.09 47.10 Brief History of the Empire, Book III
48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 *Pocket Guide to the Empire, Fourth Edition: Eras*
49. ↑ *Dossier: Kanato Vulpon*
50. ↑ *The Bruma Killer (Book)*
51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 Rumors heard during the Orcish Invasion; *The Elder Scrolls VI: Invasion*
52. ↑ Dialogue with Titus Varian III
53. ↑ *The Four-Day Siege*
54. ↑ Events of *The Elder Scrolls VI: Invasion*
55. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 5E 725*
56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 *Year in Cyrodiil: 5E 733*
57. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 5E 687*
58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 *Year in Cyrodiil: 5E 758*
59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 *Dynasties: The Rising Aventos*
60. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 5E 720*
61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 *Year in Cyrodiil: 5E 766*
62. ↑ *The Fifth Era Timeline*
63. ↑ *The Ten Year of Two-Emperors*
64. ↑ Events of *The Elder Scrolls VI: Underworld*
65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 *Year in Cyrodiil: 5E 819*
66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 *Year in Cyrodiil: 5E 852*
67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 *Year in Cyrodiil: 5E 861*
68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 *Year in Cyrodiil: 5E 918*
69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 *Year in Cyrodiil: 5E 989*
70. ↑ 70.0 70.1 *Year in Cyrodiil: 5E 991*
71. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 5E 963*
72. ↑ *A New Heir to the Throne*
73. ↑ Events during *The Elder Scrolls VI: Akavir*

The following are unlicensed references. They are not copyrighted by a ZeniMax Media company, but can still be considered part of *The Elder Scrolls* lore and are included for completeness.
1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 *The Rise of the Varians*

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