Imperium Faeranum

The Imperium Faeranum was once the dominant force on the continent of Faerol. The Empire began as a Republic, until the first Emperor, Tiberius Adamantius, forged the Republic into a mighty empire that dominated the lands north of the Mediane more than 3000 years ago.

The Empire is made up mostly of humans and halflings, with dwarves and elves being viewed as exotic even in the most cosmopolitan areas of the Empire. The Empire has had a long-standing distrust towards elves following the ghost elf invasion of Merida and Oram, one that has continued to hound diplomatic relationships between the two races for over two millennia.

At the height of its power, the Empire ruled over the following regions: the Capitol Isle, Etiam, the Heartlands, the Highlands, Igneus Mons, the Medianne, Litore, Cappulus, Meridia, and Oram. Following the Mooring, however, the Empire was greatly reduced in size to only rule over the Capitol Island, Etiam, the Heartlands, the Highlands, and Igneus Mons. In the times of the Adamantius dynasty, each imperial province was governed by a governor who answered to the Phoenix Council, however in this new age imperial provinces are ruled by a feudal lord called a Magnate, who owes their power and allegiance to the ultimate authority of the Emperor. Though it was once a centralized nation, the modern Empire is more of a confederation of allied feudal states, united by their faith in the Divine Right of Emperors, and in the sanctity of the Imperial way of life.

The seat of the Empire's power is in the Capitol Isle, a large island in the center of Lake Etiam on which the Capitol City is built, at the center of which sits the White Tower, one of the three Towers of Arenam where the gods are believed to have first entered the world from. Stretching out from Lake Etiam is the Heartlands, a plentiful grassland that is home to many rivers, lakes, and forests. To the west of Lake Etiam is Igneus Mons, a great volcano whose ash is responsible for some of the Empire's most lush farmlands, and beyond that is the Black Mountains and the Ghost Elves that live below, as well as the Badlands and the Shattered Lands, where only goblinoids and giants are said to live. To the west of the Empire is Blackthorn Forest, and beyond that the Ruined Peaks where ancient dragons are said to hide. South of the Empire are the Mediane mountains, as well as the Meridian nations and the Oram nations.

History
The history of the Empire is long and bloody. Stretching back well over 3000 years, Imperial scholars have many disagreements as to whether the events of the Empire's early history even happened or whether they are simply a collection of myths and legends that have since been accepted as fact. Centuries of war and bloodshed has seen that much of historical texts have been damaged or lost altogether, with scholars constantly fighting over surviving scraps of history that could prove or disprove the ancient stories.

The Phoenix King
Following the Dragon War, many of the dragons of Arenam were recalled to Avdrakal. However, the Dragons of Faerol refused to concede their domain without a fight, having only fought against scattered human and halfling tribes. They continued to rule Faerol well into the 2nd Era, until a warrior by the name of Kranos began uniting the tribes of the heartlands under one crown. According to legend, Kranos lead the united tribes of humans and halflings against the Dragons, driving them back with an unmatched ferocity. A duel between Kranos and the dragon Dwiin'jot was said to have ended as both combatants dealt mutually mortal blows to the other. However, as Kranos lay dying, he is said to have been visited on his deathbed by the vision of a majestic eagle with wings made of fire. The eagle bestowed Kranos with the gift of immortality, and Kranos is said to have been revitalized immediately after this vision was complete, his wounds miraculously healing. The soldiers that witnessed this miracle named Kranos "the Phoenix King", and began to worship him immediately.

With his new gift of immortality, Kranos rallied others to his cause and continued to fight against the dragons of Faerol, driving them back into the Ruined Peaks and systematically slaughtering them and their worshippers. He is said to have repeatedly killed in these battles, only to return to life again and again. Under his leadership, his kingdom conquered the heartlands and united all the tribes under one banner. The kingdom united, Kranos is said to have lead his people to the great island in the center of Lake Etiam, where the White Tower stood. Kranos climbed the tower along with his sons. At the top of the tower, Kranos is said to have met the transfigured visage of Hyth, who blessed him and his sons, and decreed that his line was to become the rulers of all the lands to the north and south of the mountains.

The War of Brothers
The five sons of Kranos, Gaultias, Iberian, Scipio, Iconius, and Tiberius were charged with the joint rulership and defense of Faerol. However, the brothers could not agree on how best to rule their new domain, and so they divided the kingdom into five quarters. The Capitol Isle,