The Lorian Empire

The Grand Empire

• The Imperial March

  "When we look back on what we've done we must always say that it was worth it. The needs of the many are many, and must be tended to at all costs. I remember the day when King Lorian owned nothing but a few cities and some wasted farm ground... but today? Lorian's bloodline managed the improbable and created the world's largest realm. The days of the kingdom were over, with one swift betrayal his children propelled Lorian's people into an age of culture... into the age of order. The Lorian Republic was a dream, the Gods themselves smiled on us daily. There was order, peace, enough food for every family, our scholars and scientists were making remarkable breakthroughs, our neighbors worshipped us. I will always look at such a time as 'The Golden Age'. Of course... betrayal brought the Golden Age into realization... we all should have expected what followed. In true Lorian fashion, a son deluded a father and murdered his sister. The Senate was seduced and deceived, the armies that swore to protect the Republic turned their swords inland and marched on their own cities. I remember it so clearly, some believed the world was ending. If you stood atop a mountain and looked over the Republic that night you would see fires in every city. Millions died that evening, entire regions were burnt to the ground. City walls are often defended by catapults and ballista. Have you ever seen a catapult turn around and fire on its own city? I thought not, that's precisely how it happened. I remember asking myself 'how can these soldiers do this?! They have family that they are killing!' and each time the puzzle leaves my mouth I retain the look in their eyes as they marched. Hollow, dead inside. Those men were turned against their own civilians by something far more sinister than political gain. I thought the Gods had surely abandoned us as the survivors were gathered in every city and preached at by masked men. 'The Republic is inadequate and requires only -one- voice!' and that's when it truly started to sink in. It was the end... the Republic had collapsed."
  
  "Long live the Empire." - Tarvalon the Immortal

• A Taste of Wine and Culture

  After the march and fall of the Republic, the new Lorian Empire needed years to repair their injuries, one of the first things to return was a sense of culture. Thanks to the purge men and women were more ready than ever to guard themselves with weapons and the art of war. The Imperial treasury paid its neighbors magnanimously for wine, cheese, whores and fine garments. The time of healing had come, the new Empire needed to earn the trust of its people, who secretly feared it completely. Decades passed as the Empire built itself. Alliances were made and armies were forged.
  
  The Imperial culture was... novel. Nearly everyone in the empire spoke the same language, enjoyed the same music. Every city, village, and town were unique and oddly identical in a nonsensical way. Children were at play, clay potters presented their work on cobbled streets. Women wove blankets and clothing for the passerby to observe. Wine sloshed through the empire like blood through a magnificent beast.
  
  Imperial dignity was a true and communicable thing. Boys and girls glorified the Imperial commanders as they drifted by on chariots of gold. Legionaries held the admiration and fear of the people. One would be hardpressed to find a little boy or girl that didn't pretend to be in the Imperial army as they marched with play swords.
  
  The Imperial adults believed in might and honor. Service and courage. The Empire would not last long if everyone did not work their hardest. In times of war even the wives of distinguished soldiers would take up the sword and rush into the fire... though it was always frowned against.
  
  Men and women in the cities, towns, fishing villages all knew how small they were... but that never stopped them from relishing their lives. Entire generations of people were born in a city that they never left. Young people fell in love and lust, married and cheated. gambled their fortunes away at the arenas, paid mercenaries to sort out their problems. Some enjoyed working the fields while others enjoyed the art of festivities and overindulgence. The Lorian Empire was awash with all different kinds of people with very little in common... but still always greet each other with a superb smile and a welcoming hug.

• Of Mice and Titans

  The only thing that seemed to remain despite the different stages of the Lorian kingdom, Republic, and Empire, was their Gods. Even as decades into the Empire passed every household believed in the exact same Gods... for good reason! Gods have shown their might before, usually when wronged by mortals or when simply, sadistically bored. Gods have dealings with each other often, most of the time the Gods are so busy fighting with each other that they forget mortals exist entirely. Below is a list of Gods and their boons... and curses.
  
  --Zeion, the Herald of Mercy
  While not looked upon as a God, Zeion is a crucial pillar to most Imperial families. When a mortal wrongs a God and fears facing the wrath, that mortal can call out to Zeion and beg for mercy. Should Zeion hear this plea, the Herald of Mercy will move to attempt and make peace between mortal and God. Be warned, depending on the wrath, Zeion is not always able to sooth the holy rulers. Zeion is taught to children as a lesson of mercy and peace. Every family actively studies Zeion's teachings.
  
  --Emera, the Goddess of Health
  There isn't a day that goes by when Emera isn't called upon by a woman seeking beauty and youth. Emera is often mistaken as a blesser of great looks and a tight body... though no one has ever received such a blessing from her. The Goddess of Health instead chose to wed Ildis, the God Of Harvest. With his boon to farm growth and Emera's focus on health, any harvest blessed by the couple is sure to greatly benefit any who partakes of the meals from blessed fields.
  
  
  
  --Wostyx, the God of the Hunt
  Wostyx is feared and respected by millions. The God of the Hunt is one of the most active Gods in the mortal realm simply because He cannot resist a challenge. When a man or woman is feeling brave enough they may issue a challenge to Wostyx, he will answer by conjuring some foul creation and sending it loose on the Empire. If the Hunter is successful then they will be greatly rewarded by Wostyx. There is never any telling what the God of the Hunt will unleash, it could be a great wolf, it could be a colossal hydra. Should a mortal issue a hunt and then refuse the target, they will suffer severely. Children are actively taught to fear the Gods thanks to divines like Wostyx. The Empire hopes that in teaching children to fear Him, they won't grow up and attempt to challenge Him.
  
  
  
  --Dhodnos, the God Of Endings
  No God is more neutral than Dhodnos, He provides no boon nor curse, His way is the way of ending, as all things should. When the time has come for something to end, even a great empire, Dhodnos is there to observe the destruction. The only way for a world to continue on is for it to relinquish its past and forge a future. Dhodnos chooses to aid in the ending of things, often times but wiping the slate clean and insuring something that has ended has no way of returning.
  
  
  
  --Other, the God of Secrecy
  Other is an enigma, a patron to those who seek to keep themselves in shadow, away from the light. Other is everywhere, watching intently as mortals conduct deals in the alleys of marble cities. Many Gods have dealings with the God of Secrecy, Other simply enjoys keeping the light and dark hidden from each other. Those who worship and obey Other is rewarded with the near-perfect ability to deceive and lie to anyone they choose... while those that have wronged Other are cursed to always admit the truth whenever they speak.
  
  
  
  --Selkor, the First God, God of the Original Sin
  All life began with Selkor, he birthed reality into existence... and it was beautiful. Crystal clear waters, vibrant and dense forests. Selkor was without flaw, his love of the world knew no limit. When the animals began to grow lonely Selkor created their caretakers, his most prized creations, mortals. The creation of mortals came at a cost, however... Selkor's sanity. A being without flaw birthed a creation that began to make flaws. It was an accident that Selkor was too distracted to understand. His prized mortals gave rise to "sin" and that very first sin erupted, cursing Selkor and corrupting him to his bones. The First God, so rapacious with madness, fell from his home as other Gods rose up. That first evil act from his creation twisted and deformed Selkor, his mind was lost, earning him the nickname "God of the Original Sin". Any mention of Selkor within the empire is treated as absolute blasphemy, the twisted God was an outcast from his own creations. None alive know what happened to Selkor when he fell, many believe that he exists within the world, those divine fingers creating frightful and abnormal creatures. Cults have cropped up dedicated to Selkor, it is rumored that should Selkor ever return to his world, he would bring a terrifying fury and a legion of villains.