Selliayrian Empire

The **Selliayrian Empire** were one of the first interdimensial empire to arise. Rivals to the Keirdien Republic, and the Selliayrians decline was mostly due to their wars, where the Keirdiens eventually outpaced them.

## History

Forged in the northwest quadrant on the Multiverse, the Selliayrian Empire rose from the Clans of Rookhars, Sarl Mendians, and Sellians, and based around the Dimension Arluc Jumme, particularly the Sellia System. The Empire was founded by Dgjelonnhad I, who united the three clans and was the first King of Greater Sellia. Dgjelonnhad’s grandson, Erlephous II the Great, patron and founder of the Library of Sellia, role the Empire to prominence. Erlephous was known as the Great Sevi’r, a term applied to a scholar or philosopher of Mendian origin, due to his role in the creation of the library. Erlephous greatly expanded the empire, and is credited as becoming the first true ‘Emperor’ following the conquests of neighboring regions, particularly subjugating Norstea down to Zlermiac Yu-mria. Erlephous’ son, Erlephous III, was the first to appoint a Servi’r was his advisor, taking the name from his father’s title. Erlephous III also started construction of the Crypt of Stone Kings, although he would not see it’s completion in his lifetime, dying relatively young from Quarlin’s Sickness.

Erlephous III only had a daughter, Mealsanphie, who assumed the position of Empress at a young age. Mealsanphie’s Sevi’r, Noplpolis Nciceat, practically ran the country (particularly initiating the Sunhardlind Campaign and commissioning expansions to the Great Library) until his death under mysterious circumstances, at which point Mealsanphie assumed power, now of age, and oversaw the completion of the Crypt of Stone Kings, Library Expansions and Sunhardlind Campaign. Mealsanphie consolidated power, marrying Prince Leorick of the Sarl Mendians and appointing Nurl of House Thunder-Horne as her Sevi’r, which tied back in the Clans, which were beginning to drift apart. Mealsanphie brought a new age of expansion to the empire, going on to subjugate the West Gold Strip and Straits of Centrifi, bringing the empire to its maximum height. Leorick II succeeded Mealsanphie, as she outlived her husband, yet his reign was short. Leorick II died trying to suppress rebellion in the southern part of the now overextended empire. It is believed by some that Leorick’s brother, Erlephous IV, coerced him to go to the southern empire so he might be slain.

Erlephous IV succeeded Leorick II, yet spent to majority of his life suppressing rebellions and attempting to keep order. Although  Erlephous IV succeeded, near the end of his reign he was confronted with the vastly expanding Keirdien Republic. Reportedly, a Keirdien Diplomat met with Erlephous IV to ask for the secession of some of the Straits of Centrifi to the Keirdiens. Talks broke down and the diplomat insulted the Emperor, who promptly declared war on the Keirdiens. Erlephous IV died a short time into war, his son Dgjelonnhad II took up the mantle. The war didn’t end well and the Selliayrians were forced to cede the Straits to the Keirdiens. Dgelonnhad II was forced to abdicate the throne in a coup afterwards, ending the Dgelonnhadic Dynasty. His successor was Goerge Frahiad, who only maintained power for a short time before falling out of favor himself. Ulyumar of Sellianon, the Sevi’r of Dgelonnhad II, then took the throne, renaming himself as Erlephous V to help bridge divides. Erlephous V spent his early years consolidating power and focusing into technological advancements through grants to the library. Erlephous V then went to war with the Keirdiens and recaptured the Straits of Centrifi, effectively reestablishing faith in the empire.

Erlephous V’s successor was Leorick III, who attempted to further the war against the Keirdiens with the Third Trans-Centrifi War. Leorick III invaded To’Sorops, gaining an alliance with the Ghord-Men Clans against the Keirdiens. Despite this, they were defeated decisively in the Battle of Jûnd’s Claw. Leorick III returned home having gained nothing and spent the rest of his life dealing with domestic issues. Succeeding Leorick III was Reorick, whom was the second king to die early of Quarlin’s Sickness. Reorick had married Alena of Fhrohn but had no children, ending the Ulyumarian Dynasty. Alena served as Queen, remarrying to Seolphius of House Agunbren, appointed a Nosd as Sevi’r the first Sevi’r not of the central three clans, in an attempt to quell new calls for secession in the south. This ended up backfiring with the central three clans not supporting the choice.

Alena and Seolphius were assassinated not long after by their own guards. Their young son, Erlephous VI, was instated as a puppet monarch with Xildsoar Evits Alaht acting as Sevi’r. Not long after the south rebelled, and the Keirdiens, smelling blood in the water, invaded the Straits of Centrifi again. The south succeeded in declaring independence, and the Keirdiens easily recaptured the straits. Xildsoar was disposed, and Teorick Houlyrodor became Sevi’r to the dependent Erlephous VI. Teorick managed to negotiate a deal with the Keirdiens and end the war, before suppressing more calls for rebellion with an iron fist. When Erlephous VI died, his son Erlephous VII took the throne, Teorick believing to manipulate him much like his father. This proved false, and one of Erlephous VII’s first order was the disposition of Teorick and instated his friend Jharc Mowntan. Erlephous personally forced the Clans back into line with the monarchy, paying off the guards and generals back onto his side.

Erlephous VII then launched a campaign and recaptured the seceded southern states. Erlephous VII was known as the last strong Selliayarian Emperor, he enacted reforms through the empire which added more freedom for its constituent peoples but also forced them into loyalty to the empire. Erlephous VII attempted to reconquer the Straits of Centrifi, nullifying Teorick’s deal, but died while campaigning. Erlephous VII’s children all died young, but in order to prevent chaos he set Jharc as his successor. Jharc Mowntan attempted to continue Erlephous VII’s war with the Keirdiens, but failed, being forced to pay exuberant tributes to the Keirdiens. He spent much of his reign trying to get the money from the Clans and his conquered holdings. Jharc died still not having payed off the debt, and his son, Rogadan, refused to continue payments. The Keirdiens then invaded the central empire, defeating Rogadan.

Only barely was the great Library saved. Braghict Mowntan, the cousin of Jharc, seized power, taking the name Erlephous VIII in a vain attempt to legitimize his power. Erlephous VIII tried to reimburse the arts and sciences, which succeeded for a short time during an small economic boom from a reshuffling of wealth. This did not last long, and when the economy collapsed the south and east both rebelled. Erlephous VIII failed to re-subjugate the regions and the empire vastly shrunk in size. Two contenders then arose for the throne, Leorick IV, younger brother of Rogadan, and Cura’stel, a distant relative of Seolphius. A civil war broke out between the Clans, eventually ending with Cura’stel taking the throne. Following the tradition of despots, Cura’stel renamed himself Dgelonnhad III. His empire was in a dire position though. The Clans were barely held together. Invasions from the Norstean Empire now in the south eventually destroyed the remains of the empire. The library survived, falling under bipartisan protection even as the Clans fell apart.

This bipartisan alliance was known as Lorwhey. The second Sevi’r of Lorwhey as they called their leaders, named himself Dgelonnhad IV, and attempted to form the Neo-Selliayrian Empire. He expanded to the south-east, reconquering former territory and funding more advancement of the church. The third Sevi’r of Lorwhey took the name Erlephous IX, and attempted to further expand this new empire. However, their expansion towards the Keirdiens eventually made them a perceived threat, and the Keirdiens defeated the Neo-Selliayrian Empire. Ever since Lorwhey has maintained itself an independent minor kingdom, far removed from the days of a massive empire.