Astrasi Empire

The Astrasi Empire were a super-faction that consisted of Near Harad, Half-Trolls, Limwaith. Morwaith, and the Taurethrim.

## History

#### Age of Founding

Following Karseius's establishment of Astras-al-Harad he succeeded in winning back Harondor after signing a NAP agreement with Gondor. Following this event, on July 31st 2015, ekans2012 of the Freehold of the Fertile Valley, shamiir of Ajtiaz-al-Harad, Kvesir of Umbar, Glydencat of the Moredain, and nox\_sidere of Mordor swore allegiance to him and the Astrasi Empire was founded. Demon\_26 of the Half-Trolls joined shortly thereafter, and the Imperial Council was established at the Gardens of Beruthiel with all Astrasi leaders holding seats. The Harpy Cult was established at Astras-al-Harad, becoming the state-religion.

With the establishment of the vast Astrasi Empire, conflict soon emerged. All Black Council factions save for Gundabad refused to accept Mordor in the Empire and a power struggle emerged between the Astrasi backed nox\_sidere and the Mordor backed chris800, who preferred the Black Council over the Astrasi Empire. War was threatened by the Black Council after a disputed vote in the Misty Mountains, but afterwards the Dark Council backed off. Following this event Karseius abdicated as Emperor for shamiir, who in August 2015 was coronated at the Imperial Frigate of Poros. Shamiir then appointed ekans the Warlord of the Empire, making him her deputy.

   Shamiir improved the relations between the Astrasi Empire and the Black Council in a great manner, even joining the Council as a member. It seemed that the future was bright when on August 27th 2015 Numenor invaded Umbar.

#### **The Dark Ages**

Umbar was rapidly overrun by Numenorean, and by September 19th 2015 Umbar was a province of Numenor, not the Empire. Simultaneously, Mordor left the Empire on September 1st 2015 following aidansebastian's rise to power in the country. Demon\_26, meanwhile, all but disappeared and the Half-Trolls all but fell into anarchy. Thus the Astrasi had, within a month, shrunk to only encompass Near Harad and a relatively small Moredain. With the Empire rapidly in decline shamiir moved the Imperial capital from Astras to her own city of Ajtiaz as it was easier to defend and located in the Imperial heartland of the Fertile Valley. Astras, on the other hand, had weak defenses and was positioned in the isolated Far Harad mountains.

#### **The Astrasi Golden Age**

The Scourge was founded by Umbar exiles on September 24th 2015 and would go on to join the Empire, while on November 17th 2015 Umbar rose in rebellion against Numenor and once again swore fealty to the Empire. On March 11th 2016 Umbar and the Scourge officially merged.

After a Half-Troll rebel named Scrubor ended his rebellion on January 2nd 2015, Demon\_26 was immediately removed as the Half-Troll ruler and was replaced by Lord\_Gil\_Galad, strengthening Astrasi control in Pertorogwaith. After ekans2012 replaced shamiir as Empress in May 2016 he convinced Gingilgipho, the Tauredain ruler, to join the Astrasi Empire. This finally united all of Harad under the banner of the Harpy.

#### **The Age of Tension**

On May 27th 2016 the Dark Council collapsed due to a feud between the traditional alliance members and the newly formed Khaganate. The Astrasi aided in the establishment of the Dark Alliance, but the Khaganate were fearful of the Astrasi and in June 2016 sponsored the old Tauredain leaders, Minecraft\_forevr and julianroma, in returning to the jungles and claiming ownership of the Tauredain. Simultaneously the Khaganate convinced Yoeki of the Half-Trolls to abandon the Empire for the Khaganate. Yoeki was ultimately convinced to rejoin the Empire and on July 16th 2016 a peace was signed between the Astrasi and the Khaganate with the Astrasi controlling the jungles north of Actuun-Kaah and the Khaganate the jungles south of it. This treaty was made in the Astrasi's favor as the north held the vast majority of Tauredain waypoints.

#### **Second Astrasi Golden Age**

Following the treaty with the Khaganate the Empire entered another golden era. New players flowed into the Empire while the Empire saw a great wave of infrastructure being created as the city of Otoch-Kaah rose in the jungles, Umbar raised the cities of Umbar and Gate of Umbar, and every Near Haradrim waypoint was developed. The Moredain saw perhaps the greatest reversal in fortunes with them gathering a core group of players and raising cities all across the savannahs.

After the abdication of ekans in favor of shamiir in late 2016 stevethebuffalo was named Serpentlord and Imperial Warlord, becoming the first non-Astrasi founder to hold a major position within the Imperial government. The only true low point in the Empire was the Half-Trolls who continued to struggle with recruitment and construction despise constant infusion of Astrasi resources.

#### **Age of Decline**

After a civil war in Mordor between loyalists of Lord Faylynn and rebels backed by Khaganate General aidensebastian ended, aidan and Fay united in their common goal of destroying the Empire. In August 2017 aiden founded a group known as the Red Scorpion Cult that began harassing the Empire and attempting to take control of the Gulf of Harad while Fay, with the backing of her protege Er\_Murazor of Angmar founded the Kingsman. The Black Numenorean rulers of Umbar, the Moredain, and the Northern Tauredain were recruited to the Kingsman with the plan of them seceding from the Empire and joining a Mordor-led confederacy. This would have replaced Astrasi dominance in Harad with Mordoran dominance.

The Empire fought back fiercely, however. With the aid of the Dark Alliance the Red Scorpion Cult was filled with spies and after overwhelming pressure was forced to withdraw from Harad while Umbar was convinced to stay in the Empire. The Moredain withdrew from the Empire and on October 21st 2017 the Northern Tauredain merged with the Southern Tauredain and departed the Empire, but Astrasi power was strong enough to prevent them from forming a Mordor-led confederacy.

As the Empire battled Khaganate, Mordor, and secessionists the Dwarves declared war on Harad on October 4th 2017, and the Astrasi rallied to its defense, beating the Dwarves north and proving that the Harpy still had claws. After Fay increasingly attempted to control Er\_Murazor he was convinced to abandon Fay and join the Empire on February 8th 2018, a reversal in Imperial fortunes that set back its decline. On January 30th 2018, however, the Half-Trolls under Jules\_Mannus chose to leave the Empire after being manipulated by Aglarion\_II, one of the Kingsman.

The first leadership change that the Empire had experienced in a long time came with the resignation of the old and respected Empress shamiir on October 12th 2018, and stevethebuffalo ascended to the position of Emperor while Herodain was named Imperial Warlord. Zesheir of Pertiogwaith, who took over the Half-Trolls after Aglarion\_II was banned, rejoined the Empire on December 19th 2018, but Angmar departed following a coup against Angmar's Astrasi loyalists by supporters of Faylynn on January 25th 2019. The following day the Astrasi Empire left the Dark Alliance, and throughout late 2018 and early 2019 the Empire attempted to establish the Limwaith, but it ultimately collapsed.

Throughout February 2018 Dale launched devastating raids against Umbar, hoping to pressure them into leaving the Empire and further weaken evil unity. Umbar at first unanimously scorned Dale, but on February 18th 2019, Northern Umbar broke free and declared independence from Astrasi Umbar, who held the south. This initiative, however, soon collapsed due to a Dalish crusade, as Dale had determined that their honor was more important than damaging the Empire, and the North was peacefully reclaimed.

Following the consolidation of Umbar, steve abdicated on March 20th 2019 in favor of Herodain, who named MandatoryPeanut Imperial Warlord and gave the Imperial Scepter to him on June 30th 2019. During this period the Astrasi Empire joined the Shadow Pact on July 2nd 2019. Throughout mid 2019 the Empire once again attempted to have Astrasi loyalist Professor\_Hunter found the Limwaith, but once again the plan collapsed.

#### **Collapse**

On March 20th 2020 KingBob123 rebelled against Zesheir, ruler of the Half-Trolls. LordSylvestrion of Umbar threw his support behind Bob, leading to Zesheir withdrawing from the Empire and submitting to Mordor. Days later, on March 20th 2020, LordSylvestrion was banned and after a brief battle for succession between the Astrasi-backed Ar\_Ataruk and LordReaperOfPyke, Pyke was victorious and withdrew from the Astrasi. After having fought off threats by the Khaganate, Mordor, Dwarves, Dale, secessionists, and rebels, the Empire had swiftly collapsed from internal disputes.

#### **Revival**

On December 26th 2021 the Astrasi Empire was re-founded by the Half-Trolls under Shadowejm and the Southron League under MandatoryPeanut. Shadowejm defeated BlackPhantom31 of Near Harad in the first Imperial election on January 2nd 2022, and on January 14th 2022 the Astrasi Empire joined the Shadow Confederacy.

On January 15th Umbar under PizzaKingOfPizza joined the Astrasi Empire, and on February 14th 2022 the Limwaith under RyanButter64 joined the Empire. On February 19th 2022 the Southron League and Umbar officially merged into the United Kingdom of Near Harad. This turned the Astrasi into a faction with 3 stable member factions, each of whom had 1 vote in the running of the Empire.

Emperor Shadowejm abdicated as the Emperor on April 10th 2022 after overseeing the re-founding of the Empire. An election was thus held between PizzaKingOfPizza, the new Torogost of the Half-Trolls, Noxen, and supernick8. In general Pizza was backed by the majority of Near Harad's active players, Noxen was backed by a block of every Half-Troll, and nick was backed by a group of mostly inactive Near Haradrim won over by his aggressive campaign. Pizza received 15 votes to Noxen's 8 and Nick's 7. As 5 of Nick's 7 voters listed Pizza as their second choice he was crowned on April 14th 2022.

While Pizza worked to reform and further strengthen the Empire over discord, the server was shut down for a lengthy period of time and he was banned on July 5th 2022 for vehemently criticizing the admins in private chats. As his last act he held the Third Astrasi Imperial Election. In this election the former Emperor, Shadowejm battled it out with the Near Haradrim Prince of the Harnedhrim Titus\_Marcellus and a little-known gulfing, Blockkanone. Shadow was supported by the entirety of the Half-Trolls and the leadership apparatus of Near Harad while Titus was supported by Near Haradrim nationalists and Blockanone was supported by his friends from the Gulf of Harad. Shadow ultimately won 13 votes to Titus's 5 and Blockkanone's 2.

**Betrayal and the Fall of the Empire**

On July 26th 2022 Emepror Shadowejm and the Half-Troll ruler, Noxen, opted to betray their Astrasi brethren and sold Half-Troll leadership to Greater Mordor. After turning over the factions forts and territory to Mordoran forces they fled north, taking 650k Mordoran coins with them. The Empire's future would be unclear until; MandatoryPeanut took it upon himself to become the new Emperor of the Astrasi. Crown Prince of Umbar, Hallo\_fi then became the new SerpentLord. The Astrasi Empire would soon leave the Alliance of the Rising Sun on August, 27th, 2022, after Emperor MandatoryPeanut had grown tired of the Taurethrim's treatment towards the Astrasi Empire. After inactivity plagued the Astrasi Empire, Emperor MandatoryPeanut demoted several inactive Princes and promoted FelisGamerus as well as CreepKillerWilliam to the positions of Princes.

On January 16th, 2023, The Union of Numenor declared war on The Astrasi Empire claiming that the lands of Harondor and Tolfalas belonged to them, and that they were the rightful owners of these lands. They called it the Gondorian Wars of Reclamation, but a more fitting name would be The Haradondor War. Four bloody battles were fought in this war, with the first being on the northwestern part of Harondor. Which ended in a decisive victory for the Haradrim and their allies. The second battle, was fought at East Osgiliath. This battle ended in a devastating defeat for the Haradrim who were quickly driven back, forced to retreat back into Mordor. The Third battle was fought on the Isle of Tolfalas. Which also ended in defeat for the Haradrim and their allies. With the Empire struggling to bounce back from their two past defeats, they decided to launch the final battle; the invasion of Dol Amroth. With the hopes in turning this war into a draw. But unfortunately, The Union of Numenor was too powerful, and far gone in the war and drove back the invading forces. Thus the Haradondor War ended on the 26th of March, 2023.

On May 8th 2023, war erupted as Angmar declared war on Forodren. The Astrasi Empire soon declared support for Angmar a day later, despite this alliance of Evil, it was soundly defeated. Forodren with their victory then sought to take the remaining part of the Isle of Tolfalas. Likely eyeing a lucrative deal with Dol Amroth for coin. Emperor MandatoryPeanut recogizing this imminient threat to his territory, could not sit idley by. He marshaled forces comprising of Mordor, Isengard, and Near Harad to combat the Forodren menace. United, their forces led Evil to a decisive victory over Forodren in the second battle for the Isle of Tolfalas. The Valar, having witnessed astrocities committed by both sides, intervened and ended the war.

In the Month of September, months after the end of the Forodren-Angmar war, the Astrasi Empire already teetering on the verge of collaspe had been disbanded by Emperor MandatoryPeanut. The Limwaith one of the last remaining factions in the Astrasi Empire had plans of declaring war on Near Harad for the tiles of Emyn Lithnen. Outraged at this betrayal, Emperor MandatoryPeanut demanded Ryanbutter make amends for his peoples actions. But he refused and Emperor MandatoryPeanut removed the Limwaith from the Empire. The Near Harad council then decided, as the sole founder and last remaining faction in the Astrasi Empire decided to once and for all formally disband it. Thus, Emperor MandatoryPeanut stood as the empire's final Emperor, a testament to the rise and fall of a once-mighty realm.

## Imperial Constitution

The Astrasi Constitution can be found here.

## The factions in the Empire are:

-Near Harad (former)

-Half-Trolls (former)

-Limwaith (former)

-Umbar (merged into Near Harad)

-The Scourge (merged into Umbar)

-Morwaith (former)

-Taurethrim (former)

**-**Angmar (former)

-Mordor (former)

## Differences between the Two Empires

Although the two Empires share the same name and a common heritage, they are not the same, and the failings of the first Empire should not be heaped upon the second.

The first Astrasi Empire was effectively a contract. At the time the factions of Far Harad faced the turmoil of rapid leadership upheavals, lack of construction work, gear shortages, and a severe lack of players. Near Harad provided stability, construction aid, gear, and aid in recruitment in exchange for these groups submitting to the Emperor or Empress, who always had a Near Haradrim background. As these smaller factions developed, they no longer had the needs that had drawn them to the Empire in the first place, and it collapsed.

The second Empire is markedly different. While it commits to aiding its member factions in times of hardship, its goal is not Near Haradrim dominance of the south, and the Empire's stated goal is instead to make the continent of Harad the greatest region of Middle-Earth through increased unity and cooperation. The title of Emperor is now simply a relic of the Empire's heritage who seeks to further unite the Empire.