The youngest of the Northern Kingdoms in terms of lands claimed, Empyrion was founded by Visigoth venturers in 168 SC, though at the time was known as the Vicic Republic. Its lands were enriched and its borders were later broadened when nobles from distant Nova Terra, ousted by rebellion from their ancestral home in the south, fled to the northern banks of the Silver Sea for protection and to start anew. The wealth they brought with them to their newfound valley (Nova Pylae) gave them a head start with regard to carving out a nation of their own, and they have been quick to take advantage of a land grab that seemingly took the rest of Crown’s Reach by surprise. Empyrion has close ties to the Holy Isle of Avalonia, and has been a leader in the Illumination Reformation. 96% of Empyrion religious worship is Light-based. Empyrion has good relations with its northern neighbor Flandre, as well as noble Palador, and tepid relations with its eastern neighbor, Melanois, who it sees as too secretive—and in dire need of illumination—as well as Vertaes, a kingdom they seem wary of, despite the forest nation’s insistence that it is Light-loving and peaceful.
Locale: Southwestern coastal nation cornering the Setting Sea and Silver Sea; borders Flandre (northwest), Melanois (southeast), and Vertaes (northeast)
Banner: The white-and-gold Excalibus (the Illumination Reformation’s sword-and-sun symbol) on a red-orange field bordered in orange foxfur (copper for brooches)
Role: Sprawling theocracy bringing the Light’s grace to the pagan wilds of the north (forcibly or not)
Theme: This world’s version of the Sacrum Imperium Romanum. Minus any actual pope; these guys answer only to Holy Avalon and Her August Queen.
Ruler: His Humbled Austerity, Praetos-Imperium Rhettos Daevin (but really, the Illumination Reformation)
Duchies: Destiel, Diluvos, Nova Savoy, Portis
Capital: Nova Pylae
Cities & Strongholds: Castrum Potesta, Castrum Solas, Diluvel, Excelsium, Eleusis, Magna Valoria, Nova Victoria, Nova Alexandria, Porta Azura, Turis Lapisto (Tower of Stone), Turis Planginio (Tower of Lamentation), Turis Solinae (Tower of Watchfulness), Turis Vae (Tower of Woe)
Notable Towns: Aliena, Crellum, Fem Ragusa, Horto Amaro, Horto Curati, Opis Lunan, Verda, Visal
Landmarks: The Brevis (Short) Range, the Cantu (Singing) River, Luna Bay, the Lunan (Moon) River, Pylae (Gulch) Vale, Venator’s (Hunter’s) Wood, Vetus Silvis (The Old Wood; aka the Sylvanwood)
Exports: Copper, fleece, wine, pottery, the Illumination Reformation
Internal Factions: The Albus Ignus (the White Fire), the Albus Verum (the White Truth), the Brothers Unarmed, the Illumini, the Knights of the Golden Covenant, the Novo Emendacio (New Reformers), the Pauper Via (Poor-man’s Path)
Old Tongue: Veru Lingae (originating in Nova Terra, Lorea, and is most certainly progressed from 18th century Latin)
Nobiliary: a (example: Lord Attican a’Castrum)
Noble Houses: Adriatus, Altador, Anberlin, Armenante, Castrum, Daevin (ruling), DeAmando, DeJalaen, DeLarum, DeNobilis, DeVeris, Neville, Rovas, Sunstoke, Tandalion, Teirel, Trieste, Vitaen
Faiths: Illumination Reformation (96%), Vindici Deorum (2%), Olympos Athanatoi (1%), Other (1%)
The capital city of Empyrion was built on the bones of an old dwarven habitation whose name has been lost in time. Named Hillport, it was the traditional trade city between the men of Crown’s Reach and the Sylvanni nation of Elspenn (modern Sindathlar, before that too retreated in the face of Vertaen expansion). The city grew and spread throughout Pylae Vale, however, and thus was Nova Pylae evolved. The city is a mix of old and new, with dwarven-built architecture mingling with the sprawling villas created by the Empyrian newcomers. Nova Pylae houses the Empyrion Council, which meets and votes on various national interests weekly—owing a godly amount of influence from the clergy. Empyrioni pay much more than simple lip service to the Church of Light, and their cathedrals are breathtaking to behold, rivalling even those on Holy Avalon.The Cathedral of Morning: This soaring temple is said to be the most beautiful (and powerful) religious sanctum east of Holy Avalon. The Church has such a strong influence that there has been secretive talk within about dissolving the republic and staking claim behind a single Light-fearing moral leader. Such talk would have been treasonous a mere twenty years ago, but the Church’s presence is most influential.
Daevin, Dyna: Chancellora of Empyrion
Daevin, Rhettos: Praetos (Prince) of Empyrion
This strange place is a relatively new (and perhaps the most modern) city in a relatively isolated part of Empyrion. Unlike Mudtown, which floods for half the year, Diluvel was built on the side of a lush but steep hill that went straight down into the water. Rather than being content with the idyllic limits of their town, the Empyrioni continued to build straight out into Luna Bay and created a city that—as it stands now—is 80% water-bound. Steam technology (Diluvel has multiple trade agreements with the advanced city of Indoma) has made its presence felt here, and the forward-thinking people continue to invent new and fanciful ways to live in an unconventional yet picturesque city.
Illumini: An order of magic-users founded in 1,237 SC who attempt to circumvent (or, some say, control) the Scioni in Avalonia, as well as to influence various events within Empyrion and throughout many other nations within the Northern Kingdoms.
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