The Benuvian Empire

## Benuvian Empire

Flag of the Benuvian Empire

Coat of Arms of the Benuvian Empire

A great empire formed from the many tribes, duchies, and kingdoms of Humans that migrated into the lands known as Benuvia. The ancient humans that left the Great Elvish empires were stripped of all their magic. This lead to the now Benuvian people to seek another way of development in the form of industrialization. The Benuvian Empire led the world into the industrial age, with rapid territorial growth and militarization. They will either lead the world to harmony, or bring the world to ruin.

## Formation

Before the great migration of the ancient Benuvian Humans, the lands now known as Benuvia were sparsely inhabited by Stone Giants and Gnomes. The ancient Elvish Empires after the many bloody revolts of Humans against the Elves, stripped all magic from the Humans. This radical action saw a large portion of the Human slaves revolt into the largest revolt in the history of the world. The Revolt would become known to all as the Thousand Days of Fire. Many however do argue the length and extent of the Thousand Days of Fire. However large and bloody the revolt actually was, the aftermath was the fall of many of the Ancient Elvish Empires. The Elves hid away for many years, hiding their civilization from the revolting humans, ensuring the survival of their knowledge of the magical arts. The revolt left much of the lands unfit for many to live on. The aftermath of the revolt led to the great exodus of Humans from the Elvish empires which saw massive amounts of Humans populate the many regions of the world. The groups of Humans that settled in the lands of Benuvia began to out populate the native Giants and Gnomes of the region. With the ability to use magic, the Humans grew a hatred for these native beings. Facing harder lives and refusal of cooperation from the Humans, the Giants and Gnomes left to areas that were not populated by sentient life. The Gnomes migrated to the many Islands of the East, where the Giants primarily migrated to the Isle of Stone. The Benuvian Humans began to grow from tribes into larger civilizations. These civilizations began to expand their territories and began to form duchies and kingdoms. However the many groups of Humans growing further apart from each other began to create their own regional identities. Three main culture groups of Benuvians formed, High Benuvian, Middle Benuvian, and Low Benuvian. Along with the growing regional differences, the desire for local rulers to grow and protect their lands and people, led Benuvia into an era of infighting of waring tribes, duchies, and kingdoms. This age came to an end during the Great Invasion of the Dragon Born from the North. The three leading Kingdoms of Benuvia came together at the Great Benuvian Convention to discuss the Great Dragon Born threat. This Convention saw at least one member from every group in lands of Benuvia attend and show their support and dedication to ending the invaders. Every member of the Convention agreed that a formal military pact of cooperation was needed to even have a chance of victory over the Dragon Born. The great invasion lasted many years, and claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Benuvians, but the Benuvians successfully repelled the invasion. The comradery of fighting along side each other for so many years lead to the proposal of Unification of all Benuvians under one flag. It was proposed that the strongest Kingdom took the leading position of the new Empire. So the crowning of the first Emperor of Benuvia, Emperor Gregory I of the Kingdom of Reising, proclaimed the beginning of the Fourth Era, an era of Benuvia.

## Kingdoms

Kingdom of Reising

Kingdom of Bariyon

Kingdom of Henfell

## Industrialization

The rest of the world were developing rapidly during the warring infighting period of Benuvia. Many of the other Humans chose cooperation with the native inhabitances of the lands they settled in. Some of these Humans were able to relearn the ways of the magical arts. The reformed Elvish Empire reappeared during the 2nd Era, with desires to rebuild not just their glory but their relations with the many races of the world. The North West Humans reestablished relations with the Elves, and was rewarded with the knowledge of the Elvish magic. When diplomats from the Elves finally arrived to the newly formed Benuvian Empire soon after the beginning of the 4th Era, they were not greeted with the open arms they expected. Emperor Gregory I declared that magic had led to the Elvish fall to tyranny, and that magic would be outlawed during the Declaration of Revolution on Magic. This declaration was seen as a serious deterioration of relations between the Elves and Benuvians. The situation became so tense that war between the two Nations was inevitable. A distinct rivalry developed between the two nations. Both sides began a rapid militarization of army and navy to help deter the other from war.

Benuvia seemed to be at a vast disadvantage due to their lack of magic. It wasn't until the discovery of coal in the Kingdom of Bariyon and scientific advancements in the Kingdom of Reising which instigated the Industrial Revolution in Benuvia. With the lands of Benuvia and the Empire's vast colonial territories holding vital resources, Benuvia shot to the top of the Great Powers of the world. Nations of the world saw this Industrial Revolution at odds with their culture of magic. Nations would slowly grew to adopt the ways of Benuvia's Industrial Revolution, however at a much slower pace to not overshadow their tradition of magic. The Elvish Empire saw the need to Industrialize their Empire as rapidly as possible to ensure that the growing Benuvian Empire would not see and opportunity of weakness and strike at the Elves. However with major resistance from the Elvish population seriously hampered the Elves ability to Industrialize, leaving them at a crossroads.

## Current Situation

Many years have past. The current Emperor of Benuvia, Emperor Edward Gregory III, has loosened the thrones grip on the empire from his predecessors. Reforming the Empire's government and restrictions on magic. However, he is growing old, and his the heir to the throne has other ideas about Benuvia's place in the world. Crowned Prince Karl Hermann has outspokenly supported the desire to end the Elvish menace once and for all. The country has become more and more divided as many of the Old Guard block the Emperor's reforms, causing division between the Kingdoms and Duchies. For too long the Kingdom of Reising have consolidated power and now are refusing to give more autonomy to the other Kingdoms and Duchies. With Old Guard politicians forming pacts with the Crown Prince, Benuvia's political situation could rapidly change for the better or for the worse.

## Military

### Benuvia's Army

Benuvia has a large professional army, equipped with the most modern weaponry. Benuvia has always been a nation built on the principles of military tradition. Large standing armies were kept by all the Kingdoms, Duchies, and tribes of Benuvia. A almost cult like love for the military was started from the defeat of the Dragon Born in their invasion of Benuvia. Benuvia's military is equipped with newly invented bolt action rifles for every soldier in the Benuvian Army. The Army is also equipped with large numbers of siege artillery that can wipe cities off the face of the planet. Benuvia's army strength has not been matched in ages. However, with many geological limitations, the army cannot be deployed in massive numbers in singular borders. Benuvia's strength is being almost impossible to invade from outside.

**Head of the Army:** Grand General of the Armies Johnathan Oppen

Small Arms of the Benuvian Empire

### Benuvia's Navy

Benuvia has had a long standing tradition of mariners, originating from the crossing of the Sea in the great exodus of the ancient Benuvians from the ancient Elvish Empires. Benuvia's industrialization led to the advancement of ship technology. Benuvia has built an extremely large navy consisting of many steel ships, with a few newly developed Dreadnought Battleships. Ever since the reveal of these floating behemoths to the world, the Elves have finally been surpassed in naval strength, a pride they have held for centuries.

**Head of the Navy:** Grand Admiral Reinhard Nimitz