Maps & Factions of the 5th Heroic Age, the Golden Age, the Age of the Buccaneer Uprising

## The year is 3623 of the Empyrian Calendar

### **The Beginning of the Aurean Era aka the Golden Age aka the 5th Heroic Age in the year 3623 E.C to 3681 E.C aka the Late Gunpowder Age**

The Emperor sends his Imperial Herald to make an Imperial Declaration about a War in the East and embarks on an expedition to the Eastern Kingdoms of Eastardonia to help the Empire's Cathayan ally against a horse archer horde called the Khulan Horde. This begins in the year, 3674 E.C. This is years after Leothar is crowed Sacred Valoryan Emperor of the Sacred Valoryan Empire and as King Carlos the Magnificent of Castellona. However, in the 51 years before this expedition, the Empire faces an uprising known as the Castellonian Succession. The Emperor did not know that the Castellonians are still very loyal but were annexed by pirates from the south west of Empyria. The pirates were buccaneers who no longer wanted to work for the Emperor. They rose up in anger at the privateers who would rather trade with the Empire than raid it. A great civil war breaks out and the Emperor has to put this rebellion down in order to reclaim his rightful claim on Castellona itself. Within 24 years of this conflict, the Buccaneer Captain develops a strategy to infiltrate the Empire. He and a small group of men kill off alot of Castellonian guards and then impersonated them. Inspired by how the Telmarines invaded Narnia, yes, the Buccaneers had to hide their faces with face masks, hoods etc, and lied to the Emperor, to the Elector Duke of Castellona and most of all, to the people for being Imperial spies under discretion. Within 5 years, this deception was discovered and the people arose along with the Emperor to put them down permanently. The former three captains who had sworn fealty, betrayed their oath of allegiance, joining the rebellion. Finally, in the year 3674 E.C, the rebellion was put down. It seemed that ever since the betrayal of Talin Frostlance, Lazarus Mortem & the Lord Corruptionist who self-proclaimed himself Archbishop over the Temple State of Faith were not the only ones who arose in perdition against the Emperor. There were more imperial Successionists who weren't imperial born. They were impostors who adopted imperial culture and became terrorists to instill fear and to spread more propaganda to cause unnecessary revolts. These imperial Successionists called themselves, Telmervanians

Ulrich von Castellonberg, Elector Duke of Castello & Katerina of Aragónna, Duchess of Aragónna

3674 E.C to 3681 E.C The Khulan Horde, liberating Cathay from enslavement, allying with the Solar Islander people

## The Sacred Valoryan Empire

The flourishing Imperials of the continent of Empyria. A vast Empire with 15 Electorate Imperial States ruled over by the Emperor & the Empress along with the Elector Dukes of the Imperial High Council. Amongst them, humans, Wizard-kind, high elves, dwarves, golems, Fey and giants live together in harmony in the lands of the Sacred Valoryan Empire. Unlike Witcher's Nilfgaard, even though I love their armor style, the Sacred Valoryan Empire loves all kinds of creatures who are human-like and friendly. If they are chaotic creatures such as orcs, goblins, ogres, trolls, undead and vampires etc, then no, they are not allowed because of war and because they all hate those who are not them.

## The Castellonian Secession (Years: 3623 E.C to 3674 E.C)

Ever since Leothar, who is also known as Carlos the Magnificent later became King of Castellona and his wife, Elliena, who goes by the name of Rosabella, became Queen of Castellona, there have been rebels who want to restore the old days of the Moorish pirates. For centuries ever since the rise of the ancient Kingdom of Valanor, the pirates were mere coastal corsair raiders and for those same amount of centuries, they've failed to reclaim their lands. But in this new age, the Golden Age, it was their chance again. They were known as the Babylnorian Corsairs. During the great divide of Valanor into three separate Kingdoms, Babylnora grew towards accepting piracy, thievery, kidnapping, rape and so on. They raided their own lands, causing their own people to suffer. It wasn't until the first King, Gustaf, outlawed piracy, making an absolute declaration that all piracy is punishable by death. However, the King grew tired and instead exiled the surviving pirates to a far away island to the south western coast. It was a mistake that he would regret and a problem that his descendants would have to face later on. For years they waited, they even bred with the women who chose to rebel. In the year 3623 E.C, the Cult of Buccaneers sailed towards the shores of Castellona. They managed to sneak into the lands of the Empire, killing off many guards of the Castellonian Elector Duke. They disguised themselves as his guards and for 3 years, deceived the Elector Duke. When the Emperor, Leothar von Greifondom discovered this treacherous plot, he was about to make war against Ulrich von Castellonberg. However, the Emperor was notified by his scouts and spies that the Elector Duke was tricked and was lied to. He was told that the Elector Duke remained ever loyal and was just in a very tight situation. When the Elector Duke discovered this deception from the pirates, he reasoned with the Emperor, asking for a pardon. The Emperor agreed. Together, they built a strong fleet to counter the pirate fleet that was about to invade. But the Elector Duke suffered a defeat, leading his part of the navy into a skirmish, which got him captured. For about another 2 years, he was imprisoned and was secluded in an island fortress. The Emperor, at the head of his imperial fleet, manages to destroy a hundred corsair ships. But he discovers that the rest had made it to shore and had annexed the Elector Duke's lands, calling himself King. Without the people knowing, they were tricked as well to believe that the King Carlos himself had died at sea. The Emperor knew, he had to plan a strategy to free the Elector Duke and unravel the truth before it was too late. When the pirate usurper, Barabussa (Not Barbossa) became crowned King, he called for a rebellion, a separation from the Empire. The nobles....in fear of him reluctantly agreed but left to warn the Emperor. Nobody liked him except his crew. In the year 3628, the Emperor made his move to free the Elector Duke, Ulrich von Castellonberg. His tactic worked, as his plan was to send a small detachment of ships, led by Aldric von Weisenberg, the Grand Admiral who is also the Elector Duke of Geonova and Father-In-Law of the Emperor to reason with the pirates. While the pirates were diverted, the Emperor and his main fleet moved in to liberate the Elector Duke from the island fortress. They even claimed it as a fortress for the Empire. After freeing the Elector Duke, the Emperor orders the entire fleet to surround the pirates. They stood no chance. Everybody was annihilated. When the pirate King Barabussa heard about this, he forced boys and old men into his army. However, the people denied it and arose in rebellion, capturing him within a day. The three conspirators involved were also captured and when the Emperor, the Grand Admiral & the liberated Elector Duke, Ulrich von Castellonberg arrived in Castellona, they found the main city in ruins. Civil War had occurred while they were away. The Elector Duke, Ulrich von Castellonberg fell to his knees and called out to the Lord Messiah, Christomar, regretting that he could not thwart the rebels in order to prevent the deaths of some of his people. Hearing his plea, the people who lived, came out of their homes and forgave him. The pirate usurper though had found a way to escape. It wasn't long before the Emperor sent his best Truth Seekers aka the Templar Witch Hunters to recapture the pirate. They tracked him all the way to a large pirate encampment. The Truth Seekers turned their steeds around to ride back to the Emperor to warn him of a coming battle. The final battle that would determine whether or not Castellona can remain an Imperial City-State. The Emperor knew he had no choice but to fight these thugs in an open field. Within the plains of central Aragonna, the two armies met. The pirate King had about two hundred thousand. The Emperor brought with him five hundred thousand, consisting of all the Elector Dukes who gave their full support to their liege. On that day, in the year of 2630 E.C, the pirate usurper was defeated. But the rebellion would last for another 44 years before an expedition to the east would occur. Castellona is reclaimed by the Emperor in the end. This was how Carlos and his wife earned the titles they earned. Leothar earned the title of 'the Magnificent' and Rosabella earned the title of the most Fair & Just Queen in the history of Sol Eldium itself.

### The Buccaneers of the Devil's Hand (Based off of the Black Band, who were considered traitors of the historical Holy Roman Empire)

The pirates who want to take over the Sacred Valoryan Empire. They are privateers in full revolt even though they are paid well in gold. They have become power hungry due to their greed, power lust and pride.

### The Imperial Secessionists of Telmervania (They are supporters of the traitors because they believe the Buccaneers of the Devil's Hand will restore honor to the Pontiff State of Telmervania. They are less then human and wrong because they believe this lie.)

These are rebels who never were truly imperials. They were either convicts, exiles, bandits, merciless outlaws and anyone who basically hated the Empire. They are an unjustified group of rebels who seek the throne and power for themselves. They are in league with the buccaneers. Their realm is built on slavery, tyranny, terror, greed and the blood of the innocence. They value nothing more than power itself. They do not care if they lose their loved ones. All they want is chaos and anarchy. They are the wicked humans of the upper parts of Empyria. Inspired from the Telmarines, these people have a similar coat of arms, except they worship the sun and believe it brings them glory. They are heretics who are no doubt hunted by the Holy Order of Witch Hunters & Truth Seekers of the Empire. Telmervanians grow in vanity every time they kill an imperial. They believe the "Sun deity" they worship is all about vanity. "More Vanity for the Sun god" is their motto. This faction is obviously bred for chaos, anarchy, lawlessness, sin and are led by rogues who want destruction. Ever since the time of Nimrod, the sun worshippers had existed. They never really disappeared, even after the fall of Baal-Bylon. They are now under disguise of followers of the faith. But their actions go against their claims. They are dressed in black robes, wearing golden sun masks. Some of them carry the cross with the grim sun emblem at the center. The three traitors who went in disguise as three hedge captains were impostors. Amongst their dark cult, they have dark paladins, dark pilgrims and an Unholy Order of Eldritch Knights, instead of Battle-Paladins, whose faith are true in Arthandiel. The state of Telmervania is governed by the Pontiff, Alexandrus the Deceiver. His false piety earned him a well deserved death in the fifth book. Their city is called Aldurias. Talin, Ethel and Alexandrus lied about where they were from. Victor van Helsing knew it from the start as did the three wizards from Caladania. Unlike the Sonnellanders, the sigil of Telmervania represented the very vanity they worshipped. They worshipped Alexandrus and they also worship Moloch-Baal. Their church is a false one and is spread throughout the world of Sol Eldium, Telestia, rivalling that of the true Church, the Holy Church of the Messiah. The false Church is called the Church of the Dark Religion.

## The Artillery Advancement of the Empire

In the early ages, cannons, culverins, bombards and hand rifles/hand guns were invented thanks to knowledge given by scholars from Cathaya. In the Golden Age, the Sacred Valoryan Empire engineers make more bigger guns and artillery weapons to fight off hordes and hordes of evil monsters. Stormfire Orgunns are already invented in the Adamantine Heroic Age by Leonardo von Divinci, Stormtower Wagons are invented as a first prototype medieval tank, horse driven with smaller cannons put at the top of the tower. Finally, Stormfire Gatling Guns and Stormgun Vessels (Mechanically advanced Tanks) are invented by Leonardo von Divinci and his team of imperial engineers. Stormgun Vessels are like Warhammer Fantasy's Steam Tank except it is powered by lightning absorbed from the Heavens and conjured by wizards who pray to God to use God's wrath as a weapon against creatures of the dark are invented in the Golden Age.

## The Khulan Khanate aka the Aurean Horde (Continent of Cathaya)(Khulanghols) (Years: 3674 E.C to 3681 E.C)

A flourishing rising empire in the east with nomadic culture. This faction has a capable force of horse archery and the warriors within this Khanate are known to be amongst one of the most fiercest. They are ruled by Khungis Khan (Inspired from the historical Mongolian leader, Genghis Khan). The Khulan Horde is loosely based off of the Huns as well, not just the Mongols. Their invasion of Cathaya brings the Sacred Valoryan Emperor and his forces over to help their Cathyan ally and also the Solar Islands. In the year 3672 to 3673, Khungis Khan attempted to invade the Solar Islands, twice and twice he failed. Little did he know that the Solar Islands are an ally to the major faction in central Empyria called the Sacred Valoryan Empire. When Khungis died in the year 3674, Khulgan became the new Khan. The Khulan Horde choose the symbol of the burning sun along with the crescent moon and the flame, along with a black bird because it shows their resistance to the True Faith. They worship a pagan deity that does not exist and later, they are deceived that their "god" has come back by the Hellfire princes of Pandemonium Helldom. That is how they were convinced to turn to the vampires and undead.....perishing with their mortal souls drained from them. When the first Dragon Emperor unified Cathaya, the early Khulan Horde was known as the conspiring Hunnic clansmen. They entered Cathaya around - 3927 of the Ancient Era, during the First Heroic Era.

## The Emerald Empire (Years: 3674 E.C to 3681 Empyrian Calendar)

Greater Cathay is ruled by the Huan Di (Mandarin for Emperor) and the Dragon Lords. Their relations with the Sacred Valoryan Empire is positively excellent. They have been friends ever since the old days in taking down the tyrant Nero Augustus. They have the strongest force of Shield & Pike Infantry along with crossbows and developing gunpowder as well as large ballista. There is a man amongst them called Tzun Zhu who is a master Strategist, who helps Emperor Leothar further, after liberating Cathaya from the Aurean/Khulan Horde. In the year, 3674 E.C, the Khulan Horde is led by Khulgan Khan, who plans his conquest across Cathaya and even into Solanese territory. 2 years later, 3676 of the Empyrian Calendar, the Khulan Horde decide to make an attempt to invade Cathaya. Their path is blocked by a wall made of adamantine steel. This wall is known as the Emperor's Grand Wall. The first Dragon Emperor named Qin of Cathaya ruled way before everything in Empyria. He lived during the time of the First Heroic Age. He took his entire lifetime unifying Cathaya. However, years later, even after having nine sons, his empire was overcome by civil war once more and he was assassinated by conspirators. Than began the War of the Nine Dragons until one of them achieved victory, by submitting to no one and instead, persuaded his other eight brothers to unite once more because of a greater evil at work. They listened and the name of this Emperor is Qin II. But the second Dragon Emperor was slowly manipulated by his most trusted advisor and brother, Gao. He was forced to abdicate by ending his own life. However, when the Cathayan imperial loyalists discovered this plot, they killed Zhao Gao. Prince Jianglü ascended to the throne and became the new Emperor. Up until the current era of Leothar's timeline, all the sons have passed on. There are still descendants left. Qin Zhu Lǜ is rumored to be the last of the Dragon Emperors. He is the one who chooses to finally open the borders of Cathaya to trade of weapons and new technological buffs with the factions, the Sacred Valoryan Empire and the dwarves of Thulamdor. This is where historical accuracy doesn't fit in anymore. From here, it's made up and it's just fantasy lore.

The invasion is halted and the Khulgan Khan withdrew his army. However, 3 more years afterwards, the creatures of darkness from the Badlands attempt the same thing to invade both the Solar Islands and Cathaya. Again, they failed because of the Sacred Empire of Valorya's large naval fleet, blocking passage, destroying the majority of the Thunderstone navy. The orcs, goblins, ogres and trolls fled back to the Badlands in Empyria. Emissaries and ambassadors of the Emperor even warned the Badland dwellers, "Invade again and you shall face extinction."

I have based this faction off of the historical Qin Dynasty with superior weaponry of early guns.

2 years later, in 3681 of the Empyrian Calendar, the vampires and the undead unfold their scheme to invade Cathaya and the Solar Islands, without retreat nor any leniency. They suffered a great defeat when the Sacred Empire of Valorya heard of this. However, it was within these two years that Khulgan Khan struck a deal with the vampires and the undead. In doing so, he brought great peril to his people, including himself. He died determining the deal is sealed. The vampire Dukes surrounded him and slayed him right where he stood. His army turned their backs due to ambition for power and were seduced by female vampires. They eventually succumbed to the power of darkness.....of which the Empire, the Minga Dynasty and the Solanese Shogunate did not like very much. Meanwhile, in Empyria, the lower counties are assisted by the Dukedoms of Britonnia, led by their High King, Arthur Pendragon. The Sacred Emperor of Valorya led his chosen forces to sail across and around the Forbidden sea, landing somewhere in the Solanese colony that is the only location shared between the Minga and the Solanese people. Leothar negotiates with both the Solanese Shogun Emperor and the Dragon Emperor of Cathaya, coming to an agreement to push back the undead and the Vampires once and for all. When the Khulan Horde invaded again, they were already turned into undead and vampire minions. The three Emperors worked together, defeating the hordes of darkness and their leader, the Conduit. The Arch-Lich Emperor has not turned up just yet. The Cathayan banner has never changed because the people will never forget their first Emperor who unified them, sometimes terrorized them and yet, brought a legacy to improve China in the later years. When the greater evils of the world began to reveal themselves, the people of Cathaya realized their Emperor was right to be ruthless. The new Emperor allowed the symbol of the Ying & Yang because only he can bring balance back to Cathaya, back to the Emerald Empire. The green charge symbolizes growth and hope. The twin black dragons symbolize the Qin brothers. The Ying & Yang symbolizes balance, brought forth by the Emperor.

## The Nagakumo Shogunate & the Daimyo Clans of the Solar Isles (Solanese)

The Solar Isles is in a state of feudal warfare. Inspired from the real life Sengoku Jidai era of wars between clans. In the world of Sol Eldium, the Shogun manages to unite at least several of these clans against a common foe, Oda Nobunaga, who made a deal with the demons of Helldom to become a god himself. Deceived by these demons, Oda became an abomination and the Daimyos of the Solanese Samurai had to purge him from this world.....until he returns again a second time to exact his revenge. The clans involved are called the Shimazites, the Datanites, the Takedanites, the Ikkozites. Together they fought against the Odanites and Tokugawanites.

### The Shimazite Clan

This clan is skilled in it's arts of the katana. They favor the Nagakumo Shogunate because they are promised the best katanas in order to fight fashionably. They also do not like the Odanites and the Tokugawanites. They are also promised the highest rank amongst the best Samurai on foot. They are granted a place by the Shogun in his Council because of their tactical strategies, helpful to actually unite the Solar Isles further.

### The Datanite Clan

The Datanite Clan are promised freedom of religion as well and freedom to work alongside the Ikkonites who share the same beliefs. They are also promised the highest rank, as the Shogun's personal council & bodyguards in being the most loyal to the Code of Bushido.

### The Takedanite Clan

The Takedanite Clan are promised the best horses by the Shogun as they are skilled in training the best cavalry in all of the Solar Isles. They also do not like the Odanites nor the Tokugawanites who want to subjogate them. They are promised the second highest rank in being the best cavalrymen on the Solar Isles. They are granted a place in the Shogun's Council because the use of their cavalry is meant to shock the enemy when there is foggy weather.

### The Ikkozite Clan

This clan is historically inspired from the Ikko Ikki, the warrior monks who fought against the Oda and historically lost. However, in my books, they triumph over the Odanites and Tokugawanites with the help of the other clans and the support of the Nagakumo Shogunate. They are promised religious freedom and so they stay in the Shogunate since the Odanites and the Tokugawanites refuse to give them their religious freedom. They are granted a place in the Shogun's council for religious advise.

## The Odanite Clan

This clan is ruled by a ruthless Samurai warlord named Nobunaga Oda. He conspires with the warlord Tokugawa Leyasu to annex all of the Solar Isles. They face alot of opposition from the other clans. Five were strong enough to form an alliance against both of them.

### The Tokugawanite Clan

Tokugawa Leyasu is the only samurai warlord naive enough to help the Odanites annex the Solar Isles. Alot of the other clans are forced into subjugation, while five clans stand together against the tyranny of the Odanites.