Chakradei Empire

The Chakradei Empire was the first major civilization in the Western world, and was present on both Shavhan and Hirokir. The Empire features heavily in myth and legend, as the civilisation who believed they were mightier than the gods, until they were destroyed by their own hubris. The exact time of its founding is unknown, but records in Old Tikrong show that it could be older than -30.00.

The Capital of the empire was Old Tikrong. At its greatest extent, its territory covered almost the entirety of the area known as the Steppes of Shavhan, and a large portion of Hirokir, including Andahera. The empire heavily influenced Shavhani and Hirokiri traditions, and founded many of the monastic orders which survive to this day.

## History

#### Astral Dragon's Disciples

At a time in history where humankind was fracturing, diverging from the ancient Vexii traditions, and creating new religions, the monks of Tikrong held strong to the worship of the Astral Dragon, and considered all other forms of worship to be heresy. They considered themselves to be truly enlightened, and their proof of this was their mastery over a variety of magical disciplines. If other settlements would refuse to be enlightened, they would be forced to. This aggressive stance lead to the Empire growing vastly in size, and spreading across the continent.

#### Mightier than Gods

The first Emperor of Chakradei was an ancient Sorcerer, infused with incredible power. His name is unknown, but in Shavhani he is known as "Sho'Xin" (The First). When he died, and none of his children possessed the same level of power, the crown instead went to a different sorcerer, who was considered to be the true reincarnation of the emperor's soul. This formed the basis for the Imperial system of the Three Dynasties of Shavhan, much later.

The first Emperor was also supposedly responsible for slaying many of the ancient Demons and monsters which occupied Shavhan at the time. To make sure these creatures could never return, their essence was stored in a magical prison created by the monks, called the "Darkvessel".

Given the incredible power of their emperors, their focus on enlightenment, and their disparaging of all other religions, it was not long before the mages and monks of the Chakradei empire began delving into ways to elevate humanity, such as through the creation of Sorcerers and Vampires. Supposedly after this innovation, they declared themselves to be "above the Gods themselves". It is said that with this utterance, the Chakrou earned the ire of the Gods, who ceased their endless battle and became united in their purpose to bring down the arrogant Empire who dared to make such claims.

#### Price of Hubris

According to legend, the Gods gave their favour to the dispossessed nomadic people of the Steppes, the Zong'Kitou, who had been driven from their home by the Empire. The gifted the Zongols immense magical power, the wrath of the land itself. The power to tear down the walls of the Chakradei cities, and enhance their power with the blood spilled upon the land. Supposedly, Kanzayong and Qoridan, the Zong'Kitou war gods, rode alongside their soldiers. Though this is likely an exaggeration, the sheer power displayed by the Zongols during this event is indicative of divine intervention.

The last stand of Chakradei was the siege of Old Tikrong in around -9.50. Such was the destruction that the city remained uninhabitable and unpopulated for centuries after this event

#### Aftermath

After the collapse of the Empire's central authority, it split into many pieces. The Hirokiri portion remained relatively stable and was the largest of the fragmented successor nations, and so declared themselves to be the real Chakradei Empire, moving the capital to their city of Andu. This would last another few centuries, until they destroyed themselves by shattering the Darkvessel.

Several of the other prominent cities fractured into independent city-states, such as Banjantam, Tandolay, Pelabuhan, and Nemu'Jinsula. Most of these were not powerful enough on their own to defend from the growing power of the Zongol tribes, and so were eventually subjugated. Nemu'Jinsula survived due to its defensible location, and eventually developed into the nation of Yangain.

According to legend, three princes of Chakradei fled the destruction of their home, to the western mountains, where they founded the Three Dynasties of Shavhan. These three princes each carried a portion of the power of the great Sorcerers of Chakradei, a power that has remained heavily connected to the imperial dynasties to this day.