The Autumn Empire

The Autumn Empire is a nation-state and great power. It encompasses the West Land and the Caldera archipelago and several colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories. The Empire was unified after the Hoja Restoration in the year 686 when the First Empress of Autumn, Aki Hoja, unified the various warlords under her rule.

The Empire underwent a period of industrialization and militarization after the Hoja Restoration being the fastest modernisation of the Four Lands to date. Economic and political turmoil in the 900s, including an economic depression, led to the rise of militarism, nationalism and totalitarianism. The Atumn Empire's armed forces initially achieved large-scale military successes during the Warring Lords era (537–686). However, since unifying the continent and surrounding islands, Autumn was forced to adopt a defensive stance. The Autumnal Home Guard is renowned for its military training and discipline.

The Autumn Empire has had three empresses since its inception with the current Empress, Somi, reigning since the year 926. Somi has adopted a seclusion policy believing that the Empire was entirely self-sustaining and did not need the assitance of outsiders. The feudal system formally 686 with the Hoja Restoration. The newly formed government issued a decree giving all citizens equal legal status. However, slow-changing social attitudes, especially in the countryside, meant that former lords were met with hostility from local residents.

### Imperial Family

The Imperial family consists of the Empress Somi, Third Empress of Autumn, and her Nine Daughters. Every daughter was born under the harvest moon and are considered holy blessings from Bahamut. The family's ancestral lands center around Hearthside in the center of the West Land.

#### Empress Somi II

The third Empress of Autumn who has overseen incredible financial growth. Somi, much like her mother Somi the First, prioritized the Imperial family's technological superiority that allowed the Hoja family to gain power under Empress Aki. These advancements have expanded to agriculture, trade, and exploration and benefited the Empire as a whole.

#### The Nine Daughters of Autumn

##### Princess Hana

The eldest Daughter of Autumn and Governess of Hearthside.

##### Princess Nina

The second-born Daughter of Autumn and High Priestess of Bahamut.

##### Princess Sana

The third-born Daughter of Autumn and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

##### Princess Gemma

The fourth-born Daughter of Autumn and Governess of Caldera.

##### Princess Raina

The fifth-born Daughter of Autumn and Minister of Improvement.

##### Princess Skye

The sixth-born Daughter of Autumn and Minister of Finance.

##### Princess Octavia

The seventh-born Daughter of Autumn and Warden of Drakemont.

##### Princess Yara

The eighth born Daughter of Autumn and Captain of the Home Guard in Hearthside. Yara is a skilled archer and full of quiet confidence who defaults to her older siblings but is not afraid to let her bow speak for her and end conflicts.

##### Princess Nyla

The youngest Daughter of Autumn with no formal role as she is a minor.

## Worship of Bahamut

Empress Aki believed that her ascension to power was entirely due to her belief in the Great Dragon Bahamut. After multiple spectacular military victories over several more powerful warlords, she adopted the colors red and brass a drake for her standard. Part of the social tension after unification affected religious practices and institutions. Conversion from alternate faiths was encouraged to upon unification, with the Empresses' devotion to the Great Dragon Bahamut mandated as the official Imperial religion. Missionaries established draconic churches throughout the Empire and any other worship was strictly prohibited.

### The Vicar of Flame

The Vicar is the head of the Imperial religious order and is represents the will of Bahamut on the material plane. The church teaches that Bahamut appointed the first Vicar through a trial by fire. Determination of the Vicar's successor is still determined by trial by fire in the modern period though fire juggling has been removed from the program after multiple unfortunate incidents when the Third Vicar set the Palace of Bahamut aflame twice.

### The Palace of Bahamut

The Palace is set into the side of the Great Hearth, overlooking Hearthside and the .

## Regional Organizations

Former ruling families from before unification still hold sway in their respective regions. Crime is understated in the Autumn Empire due to the heavy-handedness of the Home Guard against petty crimes and the Empire's general wealth and prosperity. Grandsons of the former warlords still try to wield power in other ways, however, and the families are an accepted part of life in the Empire, especially the countryside where the Home Guard and Imperialists have less influence.

### The Cole Family

Born of the former Southern Warlord's ambition, the Cole family operates in the shadow of Hearthside and are particularly strong in the valleys of the southern mountain range. The Embers pride themselves on their ritualistic nature and rigid structure based on honor. Their lands are rich with coal which provides power to the Empire's burgeoning technological advancements.

### The Sangre Alliance

The Salazar family once ruled over the Bountiful Coast, based out of Harvestport. They are now the head of the Sangre Alliance, a group of former minor warlords that have banded together repeatedly throughout the history of the region to combat the other continental forces.

## Traditions

The Autumn Empire has several rich traditions that it has been practicing for centuries. Most center around the worship of the Great Dragon Bahamut.

### The Harvest Festival and Ancestor's Day

The Harvest Festival takes place under the harvest moon every year as the Empire celebrates that year's harvest and those that came before them to make it possible. A weeklong celebration culminates in Ancestor's Day, one of the most important days of the year.