The Empire

[bickando 3967]

THE HOLY ORENIAN EMPIRE
“We were born from the very ashes of the Old Kingdom of Oren. We are the heirs to Horen and have continued Him by this Empire.”
 

 
CONTENTS

     I. GOVERNMENT

     II. LISTS OF NOBILITY AND GENTRY

     III. STYLES AND TITLE USAGE

     IV. THE MEMOIR

 
I. GOVERNMENT
The government of Oren is an absolute autocratic monarchy with the monarch acting as the head of state and wielding ultimate authority. Consequently, the laws of succession are those of agnatic primogeniture - the throne passes to the eldest male.

REIGNING EMPEROR

 

 

          HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY Alexander II Stephen of the House de Joannes, by the Grace of GOD, Holy Orenian Emperor and rightful Emperor of Aeldin, forever August, Apostolic King in Oren, of Marna, Mardon, Renatus, Seventis, Salvus, Savoy, Aesterwald, and the Westerlands, Defender of the Faith, Prince of Helena, Duke of the Crownlands, Avar, and Kingston, Count of Pruvia, Felsen, and Johannesburg, Fidei Defensor, Sovereign of Humanity, etcetera.

 

(1725 - )

 

 
THE IMPERIAL PRIVY COUNCIL

 

The Imperial Privy Council advises and aids the monarch in his just rule.
 
IMPERIAL ARCHCHANCELLOR

John of Nowhere [TangoisPointless, @BenevolentManacles, or TangoIsPointless#3486]

• The Imperial Archchancellor is marked by the Signet of St. Wilfriche. He wields penultimate authority in the Empire and is charged to preserve the crown and monarchy by all means possible, including in matters of succession.

 

IMPERIAL VICEROY

Hugo Wright [KosherZombie, @KosherZombie, or Kosher#5125]

• The Imperial Viceroy is marked by the Signet of St. Thomas. He is charged to oversee and ensure the fealty of the Imperial provinces and overseas territories, and acts as the Archchancellor’s deputy.

IMPERIAL EXECUTOR OF THE CROWN

Laertes de Falstaff [potent_rage, @lev, or josh#4247]

• The Imperial Executor is marked with the Signet of St. Michael. He is charged to oversee and execute the Emperor’s domestic affairs and advise upon matters of state.

IMPERIAL FIELDMARSHAL

Adrian of Temesche [Icarnus, @Icarnus, or icarnus#7244]

• The Imperial Fieldmarshal is marked with the Signet of St. Emma. He is charged to oversee the Imperial Retinue and marshal Imperial forces in times of war.

LORD STATE TREASURER

Saint-John Cardinal Helena [_Bueno_, @NordLord, or Zed#4474]

• The Lord State Treasurer is marked by the Signet of St. Tobias. He is charged as master of coin and coffer, responsible for managing the crown’s finances.

LORD JUSTICAR

Jan Haas [pbuh, @bungo, or bungo#2190]

• The Lord Justicar is marked by the Signet of St. Lucien. He is charged to update and codify Imperial law and oversee Imperial courts, delivering just judgement to those convicted of capital offences.

LORD PRIVY SEAL

William of Aanen [bickando, @edelos, or bickando [edelos]#5883]

• The Lord Privy Seal is marked by the Signet of St. Adrian. He is charged to keep the monarch’s wax seal and draft his legislation.

HIGH CHAMBERLAIN

Simon Basrid [donchomirzakhan, @Cracker, or dib bin olu dara#3625]

• The High Chamberlain is marked by the Signet of St. Godwein. He is charged to act as chief herald and keeper of the King’s court and household, managing the palace as well as its audiences.

GRAND KNIGHT

Bruno the Bold [Gwynon, @reformed_gamer, or fuckshit#9915]

• The Grand Knight is marked with the Signet of St. Lothar. He is charged to oversee the chivalric Orders within the realm, and to ensure their proper maintenance and morality.

HIGH ADMIRAL

Pierce of Avalain [BlanchCRP, @Sporan, or Blancharizard#6969]

• The High Admiral is marked by the Signet of St. Edmond. He is charged to oversee the Imperial navy and its naval operations.

 

LORD HIGH SENESCHAL

Charles Edward of Alstion [LithiumSedai, @LithiumSedai, or LithiumSedai#2394]

• The Lord High Seneschal is marked by the Signet of St. Catherine. He is charged to oversee the construction of public works within the Empire, and to act as the clerk of the Imperial demesne.

 

PAPAL LEGATE

Siguard Cardinal Reza [Ave_Imperium, @Imperium, or Ave_imperium#4314]

• Prescribed by His Holiness, the High Pontiff of the Church of Canon, the Papal Legate sits in council advising the Emperor on theological matters.

 
And, in an Honorary Capacity, the Junior Council;
 
Imperial Housekeeper: 
Imperial Archiater:
Confessor of the Palace: Daniel VI [Hunwald]
Wolfcatcher Royal: Simon Basrid [donchomirzakhan]
Captain of the Nauzica Brigade: Thomas Raleigh [GodisaGopnik]
Grand Equerry and Master of Horse:
Grand Master of the Artillery: Adrian I Helvets [u000893]
Master of the Arbalest:
Master of the Hunt: Francis de Joannes [cruzazul]
Imperial Executioner: 
Hammer of the Empire:
Master of Heraldry: Corvac Aldin [julius55]
Keeper of the Swans: Antony Sigismundic [Architecus]
First Architect to the Empire: Rupert [VonAulus]
High Steward: 
Groom of the Stool: 
Court Dwarf: 
Court Wizard: 
Court Mouselmann: 

 
II. LISTS OF NOBILITY AND GENTRY
The nobility and gentry of the realm serve the Emperor in ministering his provinces and peoples. In turn for their able service to the Empire, they are recognized with great honors and titles. All nobility of the realm attain their titles solely by imperial assent.
 
IMPERIAL ROYALTY
The imperial family is the crux of the Empire as it provides monarchs of righteous birth. The Imperial Line of de Joannes, descended from the lineage of the Johannians of the Fifth and Sixth Empires, acts as the Imperial House of the Empire.
 
His Imperial Majesty the Holy Orenian Emperor Alexander II Stephen.
His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince Francis Theodore, Prince of Ponce.

His Imperial Highness the Prince Robert Louis.
 
ROYALTY
The royalty consists of those who reign over an entire kingdom, vassal only to the Emperor himself.

His Majesty, the King of Hanseti-Ruska, Andrik III of the House of Barbanov.

His Majesty, the King of Curon, Pierce I of the House of Devereux.
His Majesty, the King of Kaedrin, Adrian I of the House of Helvets.

 
PRINCELY NOBILITY
The princely nobility consists of those who lord over sovereign principalities; an honor held by the direct line of Charles Elliot Horen {now in the form of the House of Alstion}, and to the line of William of Aanen for his relinquishing of the kingdom granted to him by the Pertinaxi.
 
His Serene Highness, the Prince of Alstion, Charles Edward I of the House of Alstion.
His Highness, the Prince of Aanen, William I of the House of Alstion.
 
DUKES AND DUCHESSES
The ducal nobility make up the great lords of the realms. They lord over vast swaths of land rife with lesser nobles sworn to their banner. The family of a duke is known as a great house.
 
His Grace, the 1st Duke of Temesch, Adrian of the House of Sarkozic.
His Grace, the 1st Duke of Westmarch, Stannis of the House of Staunton.
His Highness, the 1st Archduke of Suffonia, Edward of the House of Suffolk.
Her Grace, the 1st Duchess of Cresonia, Asria of the House of Nasrid.
His Grace, the 1st Duke of Vintas, Sergius of the House of Merentel.

 
KNIGHTS
Soldiers of capability and chivalry can be annointed as landed knights and gentry in the Empire. Their positions are not hereditary and their sons must squire in order to stand to inherit their benefices. This listing does not include holy knights, who are granted their title solely by the High Pontiff. The family of a knight is known as gentry, however they are not regarded officially as nobility.

 

III. STYLES AND TITLE USAGE
Certain rules follow for each rank of nobility. These rules pertain to forms of address and proper use of titling, and make up the backbone of formalized court protocol.
 
In the Holy Orenian Empire there are certain honorific prefixes that are added to the front of a person’s formal title. The current honorific prefixes that can be attained are as follows and ranked in order of importance and magnitude:
 
His Imperial Majesty/Her Imperial Majesty (HIM) - The reigning Emperor/Empress and their respective consort.
His Imperial Highness/Her Imperial Highness (HIH) - The immediate bloodline (Siblings, children and grandchildren) of the Emperor, who style themselves Imperial Princes/Princesses. The consort of an Imperial Prince is entitled to style themselves Imperial Princess by virtue of her husband, however the consort of an Imperial Princess is not entitled to style themselves Imperial Prince by virtue of his wife.
His Grace/Her Grace (HG) - A reigning duke/duchess within the Holy Orenian Empire and their consort.
The Right Honorable (The Rt. Hon) - A reigning count/countess within the Holy Orenian Empire.
The Honorable (The Hon) - A reigning viscount/viscountess within the Holy Orenian Empire, however the eldest male child and heir of a duke/duchess or count/countess is also entitled to this prefix.
His Lordship/Her Ladyship - A reigning baron or baroness, or any member of a noble house above the rank of baron.
 
Specific rules for each rank are noted as follows:
 
IMPERIAL FAMILY AND GOVERNMENT
 
EMPERORS
Style: His Imperial Majesty {For full title, see beginning of this manuscript}
Letter Salutation: Your Imperial Majesty
Oral Address: Your Imperial Majesty, and thereafter as Majesty or Sire.
 
EMPRESSES
Style: Her Imperial Majesty
Letter Salutation: Your Imperial Majesty
Oral Address: Your Imperial Majesty, and thereafter as Majesty or Ma’am
 
IMPERIAL PRINCES {A brother, son or grandson of the Emperor}
Style: His Imperial Highness, the Prince
Letter Salutation: Your Imperial Highness
Oral Address: Your Imperial Highness, and thereafter as Sir
 
IMPERIAL PRINCESSES {A sister, daughter or granddaughter of the Emperor and the consort of an Imperial Prince}
Style: Her Imperial Highness, the Princess
Letter Salutation: Your Imperial Highness
Oral Address: Your Imperial Highness, and thereafter as Ma’am
 
IMPERIAL PRIVY COUNCILLOR {Precedes all other titles held}
Style: His Imperial Excellency, the [Office]
Letter Salutation: Your Excellency
Oral Address: Your Excellency, and thereafter as My lord or Sir
 
ROYALTY

 

KING
Style: His Majesty
Letter Salutation: Your Majesty
Oral Address: Your Majesty, and thereafter as Sire.

 

QUEEN or QUEEN-CONSORT
Style: Her Majesty
Letter Salutation: Your Majesty
Oral Address: Your Majesty, and thereafter as Ma’am.

 

KING-CONSORT
Style: His Highness
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as Sire.

 

PRINCELY

 

PRINCE OF ALSTION
Style: His Serene Highness, the Prince of [Principality]
Letter Salutation: Your Serenity
Oral Address: Your Serenity, and thereafter as My lord.

 

PRINCESS OF ALSTION
Style: Her Serene Highness, the Princess of [Principality]
Letter Salutation: Your Serenity
Oral Address: Your Serenity, and thereafter as Ma’am.

 

PRINCE OF THE EMPIRE {Defined as the ruler of a principality granted by a sitting Emperor}
Style: His Highness, the Prince of [Principality]
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as My lord.

 

PRINCESS OF THE EMPIRE {Defined as the ruler of a principality granted by a sitting Emperor, or as their spouse}
Style: Her Highness, the Princess of [Principality]
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as Ma’am.

 

PRINCE
Style: His Highness, the Prince
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as My lord.

 

PRINCESS
Style: Her Highness, the Princess
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as Ma’am.
 
CLERGY
 
CARDINAL
Style: His Eminence, the Cardinal [Province]
Letter Salutation: Your Eminence
Oral Address: Your Eminence, and thereafter as Cardinal
 
ARCHBISHOP/METROPOLITAN
Style: The Most Reverend and Honorable, His Eminence, the Archbishop/Metropolitan of [Archbishopric/Metropolitanate]
Letter Salutation: Your Eminence
Oral Address: Your Eminence, and thereafter as My lord or Archbishop/Metropolitan
 
BISHOP
Style: The Most Reverend, His Grace, the Bishop of [Bishopric]
Letter Salutation: Your Grace
Oral Address: Your Grace, and thereafter as My lord or Bishop
 
NOBILITY
 
ARCHDUKE
Style: His Highness, the Archduke of [Archduchy]
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as My lord.

 

ARCHDUCHESS
Style: Her Highness, the Archduchess of [Archduchy]
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as Ma’am.

 

GRAND DUKE
Style: His Grace, the Grand Duke of [Grand Duchy]
Letter Salutation: My Lord Duke
Oral Address: Your Grace or My lord.

 

GRAND DUCHESS
Style: Her Grace, the Grand Duchess [Grand Duchy]
Letter Salutation: My Lady Duchess
Oral Address: Your Grace or Ma’am.

 

DUKE-PALATINE
Style: His Grace, the Duke-Palatine of [Duchy Palatinate]
Letter Salutation: My Lord Duke
Oral Address: Your Grace or My lord.

 

DUCHESS-PALATINE
Style: Her Grace, the Duchess-Palatine of [Duchy Palatinate]
Letter Salutation: My Lady Duchess-Palatine
Oral Address: Your Grace or Ma’am.

 

DUKE
Style: His Grace, the Duke of [Duchy]
Letter Salutation: My Lord Duke
Oral Address: Your Grace or My lord. 

 

DUCHESS
Style: Her Grace, the Duchess of [Duchy]
Letter Salutation: Madam Duchess
Oral Address: Your Grace or Ma’am.

 

LANDGRAVE
Style: The Right Honorable Landgrave of [Landgraviate]
Letter Salutation: My lord
Oral Address: My lord

 

LANDGRAVINE
Style: The Right Honorable Landgravine of [Landgraviate]
Letter Salutation: Madam
Oral Address: My lady

 

MARGRAVE
Style: The Right Honorable Margrave of [Margraviate]
Letter Salutation: My lord
Oral Address: My lord

 

MARGRAVINE
Style: The Right Honorable Margravine of [Margraviate]
Letter Salutation: Madam
Oral Address: My lady

 

COUNT-PALATINE
Style: The Right Honorable Count-Palatine of [County Palatinate]
Letter Salutation: My lord
Oral Address: My lord

 

COUNTESS-PALATINE
Style: The Right Honorable Countess-Palatine of [County Palatinate]
Letter Salutation: Madam
Oral Address: My lady

 

COUNT
Style: The Right Honorable Count of [Location]
Letter Salutation: My lord
Oral Address: My lord
 
COUNTESS
Style: The Right Honorable Countess of [Location]
Letter Salutation: Madam
Oral Address: My lady
 
BURGRAVE
Style: The Right Honorable Margrave of [Margraviate]
Letter Salutation: My lord
Oral Address: My lord

 

BURGRAVINE
Style: The Right Honorable Margravine of [Margraviate]
Letter Salutation: Madam
Oral Address: My lady

 

VISCOUNT, IF NOBLE
Style: The Honorable Viscount of [Location]
Letter Salutation: My lord
Oral Address: My lord

 

VISCOUNTESS, IF NOBLE
Style: The Honorable Viscountess of [Location]
Letter Salutation: Madam
Oral Address: My lady
 
BARON
Style: His Lordship the Baron of [Location]
Letter Salutation: My lord
Oral address: My lord
 
BARONESS
Style: Her Ladyship the Baroness of [Location]
Letter Salutation: My lady
Oral address: My lady
 
KNIGHT
Style: Ser [Full name] the Knight of [Location]
Letter Salutation: Dear Ser
Oral Address: Ser

 

IV. THE MEMOIR
The Memoir addresses past sovereigns who have had significant historical impact in the Empire or its predecessor states from the Phoenix Rebellion onwards.

 

 

THE MONARCHS OF AEGIS

The kings of Aegis are characterized by their disunity and nascent reigns, petty and primitive, teetering on tribalism.

 

HIS MAJESTY, GAIUS OF HOUSE MARIUS, KING OF HANSETI AND ALL EDEL
The mystic founder of the Teutonic Order, King Gaius fought against Iblees and human decadence, and his valor was so known that he was granted the crown of Oren by the decadent Sheffield dynasty. The local nobility of Oren, however, was outraged at a foreigner being granted the title, and Oren split three ways in the Pheonix Rebellion. He is a hero of Highlanders for his valor against the Undead and his restoration of Hansetian cultures.

HIS MAJESTY, EZEKIEL OF HOUSE TARUS, KING OF RENATUS AND ALL AAUN
A Harrenite lordling in the Sheffield Kingdom, Ezekiel was raised by the Orenian nobility to oppose Gaius’ claim as King of Oren. An inept Harrenite King, his blundering led to Renatus’ downfall and near-decimation by the forces of its enemies.

HER MAJESTY, DAWN OF HOUSE PEREA, QUEEN OF SALVUS
A witch queen and rumored Saulician, Dawn and the old Sheffield and Perea royals took to exile from the bickering of Renatus and Hanseti to establish the kingdom of Salvus. A coalition led by Blessed Lorethos Basileus 'the Mage' succeeded in overthrowing her regime and delivering Salvus to the Prophet Godfrey in the realm of Asulon.

 

[+]

 

THE MONARCHS OF ASULON AND ANTHOS, PRE-EXODUS

It is by Godfrey’s hand that the realm was shaped into a righteous form of governance and where humanity began to establish itself as the dominant race among the descendents.

 

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, THE PROPHET GODFREY OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
The third Prophet of the Canon, Emperor Godfrey’s reign was characterized by the formation of the feudal state and resurrection of matters spiritual. He is universally regarded as Oren’s greatest Emperor for the splendor and prosperity associated with his reign.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, HOREN OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
Godfrey’s firstborn, Horen was characterized by sociopathy and madness. A violent warrior-king whose most significant accomplishment was the annexation of the elven states, he lorded over humanity’s military apex but chose to abandon Oren to conquer the realm of Aeldin, leaving his thirdborn William to rule.

HIS MAJESTY, MARK OF HOUSE DENUREM, KING OF HANSETI
Whilst known by the heathen name of Mirtok by most, Canonist records have christened the vassal-king of Hanseti as Mark I. The last free king of Hanseti, Mark surrendered to Godfrey’s rule and became known as his primary military strategist. While a master of tactics, the Winter King was ill-suited for diplomacy with his noble peers, eventually entering a coalition war against House Flay, House Chivay, and House Carrion which spelled the demise of a legitimate Teutonic Order. He took to self-imposed exile in the midst of the war, ominously emerging multiple times to back pretenders and dissenters against the Oren throne. His last sighting was in 1477.

HIS MAJESTY, JOHN OF HOUSE BLACK, KING OF HANSETI
Mirtok’s successor, John ruled for a brief time after his King took to self-imposed exile. He suffered a crushing defeat in the Battle of the Dreadfort against House Flay and House Chivay and later died to the Black Scourge onslaught which took the Hansetian seat in the continent of Anthos, Castle Greywynn.

HIS MAJESTY, JAMES OF HOUSE HIGHTOWER, KING OF SALVUS
A wild hedonist, James was afforded the Kingdom of Salvus after Dawn’s usurpation and ruled for over fifty years. His excesses are steeped in legend and disturbed much of the nobility; it was only after he wed and copulated with a dark elf that he was forced to abdicate to his firstborn, Garth.

HIS MAJESTY, RENATI OF HOUSE VALLARK, KING OF SEVENTIS
Leader of a band of pacifist Jorenites, the Kingdom of Seventis under Renati was born in the cradle of the Cloud Temple of Asulon. The fledgling kingdom, however, fell victim to Harrenite sicknesses - and it was in Seventis that the Great Plague, and Exalted Godfrey’s conquests, began.

 

[+]

 

THE MONARCHS OF ANTHOS, POST-EXODUS

The Exodus, spearheaded by Emperor Horen, was a mass migration of Oren nobility eastward. The vast power vacuum led to absolute anarchy which split Oren five-ways; unity and restoration was only resolved by the hand of the prophet Sigismund.

 

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, WILLIAM OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
The thirdborn son of Horen V, William was thrust into his throne during the Exodus, a period of utter anarchy. Political missteps and the betrayal of critical councillors in the Count of New Ager and Duke of Furnestock cemented the end of the First Empire under his rule, and he would abdicate to take a monastic role for the next decade. He later served the Second Empire as Spymaster, Chancellor, and a Count.

HIS MAJESTY, SILUS OF HOUSE HOREN, KING OF RENATUS
William’s cousin once-removed, Silus Horen, inherited the throne after his kindred’s abdication. A known eccentric and dabbler in sorcery, he doled the crown to Ostromir Carrion, crowned Otto I, to continue his arcane pursuits.

HIS MAJESTY, GARTH OF HOUSE HIGHTOWER, KING OF SALVUS
The successor to James Hightower, Garth swore fealty to the Dwarven nation after the Exodus, causing all other human nations of the period to swear fealty as to avoid being isolated. He is known as an ill-ruler, managing his estates poorly to pursue carnal pleasures. He yielded his titles to Aron Hightower.

HIS MAJESTY, ARON OF HOUSE BEDEVERE, KING OF SALVUS
A Harrenite King of Salvus, Aron was the last to rule over its capital, Kingston, as a great Orcish horde sacked the city whilst the dwarves turned a blind eye. After the fall of his capital, Aron swore to the Second Empire and yielded his titles to Ostromir Carrion, crowned Otto I.

HIS MAJESTY, LACHLAN OF HOUSE ELENDIL, KING OF KAEDRIN
As part of William’s peace deal with the dwarven nation, the Emperor was forced to yield the Kingdom of Kaedrin to Urguan, where its Adunian vassals established a feudal state. This Harrenite polity was destroyed by the Prophet Sigismund and Lachlan forced into exile in Kal’Barbok, a dwarven hold.

HIS MAJESTY, MARCELLUS OF HOUSE FLAY, KING OF GALAHAR
A common thug and opportunist, Marcellus abused the chaos of the period to establish a bandit kingdom across the Crimson Isles. However, by the holy word and command of the prophet Sigismund, Marcellus stood down his banners without fight and surrendered his titles, taking to exile for his crimes against man.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, THE PROPHET SIGISMUND OF HOUSE CARRION, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
The progenitor of the Carrion Vochna and sage of faith, the Prophet Sigismund was characterized by his blunt statesmanship and grit, his liberation of the faith, his adaptation of the Canon scrolls, his unification of the kingdoms and his defense against dwarven incursion.

HIS MAJESTY, OTTO I OF HOUSE CARRION, KING OF RENATUS AND SALVUS
The firstborn son of Sigismund, Otto was characterized by his cruelty and low cunning. Seizing titles by abusing William Horen and Aron Bedevere, the Prince managed to filch two crowns to his name, though would later be forced into hiding due to a multitude of assassins after him, unable to inherit his father’s imperial throne.

HIS MAJESTY, OTTO II OF HOUSE CARRION, KING OF RENATUS AND SALVUS
A junior vassal-king to Sigismund, Otto was little more than a boy of ten when he inherited and thus was unable to cope with the difficulty in governance. But a taste of politics left him cynical and he took to the cloisters, abandoning his crown and forcing Sigismund to anoint his nephew as King.

HIS MAJESTY, HENRY OF HOUSE CARRION, KING OF OREN
The prophet’s nephew, the warrior king Henry was characterized by his bold martial nature. A conqueror who challenged and broke the dwarven spirit with victory after victory, Henry was well-loved by the people for his bravado. Yet he was ill-trained for statecraft, leaving much of his administration to corrupt bureaucrats who abused the state for personal advantage and failed to address the religious unrest at hand. When he ignited a world war due to a rash military assault on an elven nation and died in combat, he left behind a decrepit state doomed to collapse from religious and civil turmoil.

HIS MAJESTY, FRANCIS OF HOUSE CARRION, KING OF OREN
King Francis is the shortest ruling sovereign of Oren in the history of modern man, his reign a meager six months. A pontiff later laicized to serve the realm, Francis inherited after his cousin’s death, skipping over Henry’s boy heir given the war demanding a man to rule. However, he was soon caught in the wave of religious turmoil which plagued the nation and was assassinated by his own state retinue at the behest of the Order of St. Lucien and Bishop John of Darfey.

 

[+]

 

THE MONARCHS OF THE THIRD EMPIRE

After the death of King Francis, the House Chivay on the backs of Aeldinic soldiers returned to the western realms, claiming the throne as their own by right of conquest.

 

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, PETER OF HOUSE CHIVAY, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
A baron who rose to King under Godfrey’s own reign, Peter Chivay was renowned for his intoxicating charisma and love for war. He accompanied Horen V in his Exodus but later turned back west at the age of eighty-nine to claim the now-vacant Oren throne. His reign was characterized by immense military victories and an uneasy peace; few would dare stir dissent against the ‘the Lion of Chivay.’ He passed too soon to consolidate the Chivay reign, however, leaving the throne to his nephew, Robert.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, ROBERT OF HOUSE CHIVAY, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
Peter’s quarter elf successor, Robert was well-learned but lacked his predecessor's other-worldly charisma. Far more diplomatic, his negotiations with Oren’s enemies angered his military elite whilst his elven nature and tolerance of pagans stirred dissent among the Raevirs and Carrion scions of his realm. A military coup launched by his own marshal, Vibius de Sola, took him out of power and put unto the throne Francis’ nephew, Boris Tuvic Carrion.

 

[+]

 

THE MONARCHS OF THE FOURTH EMPIRE

Whilst the Fourth Empire aimed to replicate the success of the Second, it was doomed to fail due to ugly politics that would not be resolved by a Carrion ruling as sovereign.

 

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, BORIS OF HOUSE CARRION, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
The son of Tobias, Boris ruled for a year under a regency council due to a plague that incapacitated him. At the end of the year, however, his body was found missing from his sickbed and the lords were forced to find another king. They chose his father, Tuvya, crowned Tobias, as their Emperor.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, TOBIAS OF HOUSE CARRION, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
Elected by the Imperial Diet, Tobias was granted the crown in his seventies. Well-loved by the common people but disdained by the nobility, Tobias’ ended up making enemy of both of the recently subjugated Waldenians and his own knightly elite. He did not falter in face of them alongside the Undead threat, though, relieving the dwarven capital of Undead subjugation and besting his rebels in open skirmish. Yet when his youngest son, Yakov, turned corrupt and swore to Iblees, becoming a warlock, Tobias put aside his reign and sallied out with a band of his greatest warriors to slay the monster. He did not return his encounter with the Undead sorcerer until twenty years later under the reign of Olivier, leaving his son Aleksandr to inherit.

HIS MAJESTY, VORON OF HOUSE ROVIN, KING OF AESTERWALD
After the usurpation of Emperor Robert, many pagans, Adunians, and Lucienists took north and established a freehold known as Aesterwald. The polity rapidly grew until a rogue priest crowned it a kingdom and its leader, Voron, King. However, Tobias could not tolerate an independent Aesterwald and immediately demanded its fealty. Voron, after months of deliberation, decided to pay homage to the Emperor, but as soon as the Renatian Rebellion commenced, Voron renegaded on his oaths and rebelled against his Emperor. He passed mid-war, leaving his heir, Arn, to command.

HIS MAJESTY, MARIC OF HOUSE VARODYR, KING OF RENATUS
Grand Knight to the Emperor Tobias, Maric grew disenfranchised with his regime which focused more on populism rather than of the nobility and culture. He longed for the throne himself, and for his ambitions which bordered on treachery, he was fired from his post. When he was confronted with angry mobs who condemned his beliefs, the knight convened with noble peers and took to the Angren mountains, where they formed a rebel kingdom in homage to the Renatus of old. Whilst the fate of Renatus seemed precarious given Tobias’ military successes, the Emperor’s disappearance soon gave Maric soon the influence to break down the weak-willed Alexander Carrion and destroy the 4th Empire. His Kingdom, however, lacked the competent administration to manage statecraft, and thus was unable to cope and rally to defend itself from an Undead incursion on Angren. Maric was slain in the assault and his kingdom lost.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, ALEXANDER OF HOUSE CARRION, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
The mild-mannered however craven heir to Emperor Tobias, Alexander was ill-fit to handle the intrigue that surrounded his court. Countless Carrion claimants and cadet branches coveted his throne and undermined his ability to rule. When his own lord marshal, Varon Kovachev, seized Alexander’s fief of Karovia and proclaimed his own petty kingdom, the young Emperor yielded to pressures internal and external and surrendered to Maric’s host, forced into exile.

 

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THE MONARCHS OF THE SCHISM AND SAVOY

It was from the ruin of the Fourth Empire that humanity could unify once more, with common enemies and common objectives. After the schism, the banners of the Savoyards flew over the realms of Man.

HIS MAJESTY, ARN OF HOUSE ROVIN, KING OF AESTERWALD
Whilst Voron was characterized as a moderate despite his virulent disdain for the Fourth Empire, Arn was regarded as pathologically cruel and genocidal in his hate against the Raevir people, putting him at odds with the High Pontiff Daniel, a bastard of House Carrion. He declared a schism from the Canonist Church because of the Pontiff’s blood but the war that ensued rapidly turned against him as mankind united in faith to crush his kingdom. His forces depleted in the senseless war, he was swift prey against the Undead and his kingdom lost to their unholy armies.

HIS MAJESTY, VARON OF HOUSE KOVACHEV, KING OF AKOVIA
Known as ‘the Mad King’, Varon’s rule over Akovia was tumultuous at best. His populace had no love for the traitor, but they could not resist him in fear of a Waldenian incursion. They chafed under his rule as he appointed robbers and criminals to staff his councils until the stewards of Karovia, the Vanirs, organized a faction that deposed ‘Mad King Kovachev’.

HIS MAJESTY, ANDREW OF HOUSE VYDRA, KING OF AKOVIA AND OREN
The Akovian regents appointed Andrik Vydra to succeed the Mad King. A minor noble of little history, Andrik, crowned Andrew, miraculously united and marshaled the Canonist forces, destroying the armies of the Waldenians and their nonhuman allies. However, he was slain in a High Elven trap after attempting to enforce demands of subjugation upon them.

HIS MAJESTY, OLIVIER OF HOUSE ASHFORD DE SAVOIE, KING OF OREN
As Andrik left no issue, the lords of Oren gathered in a great council and chose among them Olivier Ashford de Savoie. A prominent Aeldinic nobleman and descendent of St. Lucien brought west by Emperor Peter, the mysterious figure rose through the chaos of the 4th Empire was poised to rule. He totally subjugated the elves and brought peace to Oren after Vydra’s long wars, ushering in a long age of relative domestic prosperity. However, nobles dissatisfied with his lax hand ignited the Duke’s War, a disastrous civil war for Oren. Whilst the crown claimed victory, it came at a heavy cost, leaving an Oren at a third of its military strength. The stress of war had also claimed the aged ruler’s life, leaving Oren without a secure successor.

HIS MAJESTY, GUY OF HOUSE ASHFORD DE BAR, KING OF OREN
By vote among the remaining lords of Oren, it was Guy de Bar who was to succeed the deceased King Olivier. A lord of low cunning however an immense sense of bravery, the consummate pride and hunger for glory that would define Guy’s reign found little support outside of his own soldiery, further narrowing his manpower. His reign was mostly characterized by gloom and apprehension, one achievement of note being the diplomatic annexation of the Kingdom of Salvus. Already a target of assassins due to the political enemies he made in his ascent to power, it was three years into his reign that he was slain by a mad bishop, rumored to be under the employ of Metropolitan Charles-Francis.

 

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THE MONARCHS OF THE FIFTH EMPIRE; THE JOHANNIANS OF AELDIN

By all accounts the greatest height of mankind since the First Empire, the Johannian dynasts brought a robust sense of culture to governance unseen for centuries before or after their reign. They departed from Oren in the same fashion they entered - in aplomb. 

 

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, JOHN I FREDERICK OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
The founder of the Johannian dynasty and Horen absolutism was the first foreign born Emperor over the Orenian peoples. Stubborn, shrewd, autocratic, and unloved, John’s reign was rife with internal dissent and foreign threats aplenty. Predators from both inside and outside the Empire had sought to see it dismantled in the precarious post-Dukes’ War period, however, despite facing calamity after calamity, John I’s twenty-one years of rule managed to create and preserve a carefully forged empire and annex sizeable assets from dwarven aggressors in the Eighteen Years’ War. He would be unable to see his ambitions through in establishing imperial absolutism and subjugating the dwarves, however, due to an untimely demise in the Siege of Dunland. Despite his rugged nature, John I is revered as the champion of the Horen restoration and the progenitor of the Johannian line which would go on to boast a host of successful and renowned emperors.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, JOHN II SIGISMUND OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
Known as ‘the Quarreler’, John Sigismund suffered from notable mental ailments as a result of mistreatment of a summer sickness in his youth, namely in averse phobias and bouts of lunacy. Despite these setbacks, the eccentric Gardener John managed to settle the Eighteen Years’ War in victory and secure Avar from pagan and Dreadlander incursions in the Avar War. Under his reign, palatial and urban life blossomed as a myriad of capable caretakers and imperial bureaucrats were entrusted with the management of his household, and the Nauzica Brigade became renowned as the pinnacle of Imperial culture and chivalry. However, internal conflicts in the North spurned by Haensetic ambition led to the infamous Riga War - leading both Krajians and Courlanders to become enemies of the empire for some time. He abdicated his throne at the age of fifty-six under auspicious circumstances to the Prince of Alstion, John Owyn, and has been presumed dead since, his whereabouts unknown.

 

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, JOHN III OWYN OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
Under his reign, he would remarkably complete a majority of the conquests of his grandsire, bringing both the human rebels and orcs to heel in the War of Orcish Submission, and thereafter led a reign of relative peace. His untimely assassination by a plot orchestrated by his eldest son, however, would cause a great rift within the Empire and see all three of his sons upon the Imperial Throne in the Year of Four Emperors.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, JOHN IV AUGUSTUS OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
He briefly reigned as Holy Orenian Emperor during the Year of Four Emperors which saw him reigning for a short two months before his assassination by his own feudal vassal, King Andrew II of Hanseti-Ruska. For his short time holding the throne, he is known as the Young.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, ROBERT II HENRY OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
He was the fifth Holy Orenian Emperor of the Fifth Empire, most notable for his attempted parlay with King Andrew II of Haense before his abdication as the third Emperor in the Year of Four Emperors. Originally brought up to take the vocation of the cloth, he is known as the Monk for surrendering the throne to his younger brother and retreating into the cloisters.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, PHILIP I FREDERICK OF HOUSE HOREN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
Philip was the third born son of John III to his wife Julia of Furnestock, and came to the throne at the age of fourteen. He was the fourth and final emperor who came to the throne during the crisis known as the Year of Four Emperors, and would be known for his self-implosion at Johannesburg, destroying the city - and its inhabitants - with it.

 

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THE MONARCHS AFTER THE DEVASTATION OF JOHANNESBURG

The balkanization of mankind led to a gradual decline of culture and military strength within its realms.

 

HIS MAJESTY, LEOPOLD I OF HOUSE HOREN, KING OF THE WESTERLANDS
Leopold I, called Leopold of Marna before his ascension, dedicated his life to the protection of the realms of Man against the Sunless Sanctum. Upon the Empire’s imminent collapse, he was granted independence - and, through a landmark peace treaty, peace with the anti-Horenic rebels - and leave to continue his war against the undead hordes. His capital of Bastion was a grand fortress, built atop the collapsing ruins of Death’s End, and his rule was known to be just. It was, however, in the bleak backwaters of his permafrost-covered lands that the remaining Horenic supporters and population began to dwindle.

HIS MAJESTY, CAIUS I OF HOUSE HOREN-MARNA, KING OF THE WESTERLANDS
Caius’ reign too was just, and his cause similarly holy. The problems that began in the time of his father, however, persisted, and as the undead hordes pressed onwards the armies of the Westerlands continued to shrink. His death upon the fall of Bastion similarly signalled the end of the reign of Horens until the birth of the Sixth Empire.

 

HIS MAJESTY, JOHN I OF HOUSE D’AMAURY, KING OF LOTHARINGIA
Upon his rebellion from the Empire, John I would become the first king of Lotharingia. His unlikely ascension to the Archducal throne caused by his brothers’ death and abdication respectively, John I was known for being indecisive as compared to his father, the Iron Duke Augustus d’Amaury, though the large military formed by his predecessors tipped the war decidedly in the rebellions’ favor.

HIS MAJESTY, LOTHAR I OF HOUSE D’AMAURY, KING OF LOTHARINGIA
Lothar I inherited a strong nation, but one inhibited by internal strife. His youth kept him in regency for the beginning of his reign, and he ruled for but a stark few years before his assassination at the hands of the treacherous and unrelated Anna Sophia, who would attempt to illegitimately claim his throne - though would be assassinated within a year in retribution for Lothar.

HIS MAJESTY, ODO I OF HOUSE D’AMAURY, KING OF LOTHARINGIA
Following Lothar’s untimely death, and with the assassination of his heir-apparent Philip and disappearance of their youngest brother Hughes, the Lotharingian nobility was called upon by an emergency council, and Odo elected. His brief reign was remembered well, but upon his abdication to the newly-rediscovered Hughes, Odo would be murdered by his own son.

HIS MAJESTY, HUGHES I OF HOUSE D’AMAURY, KING OF LOTHARINGIA
Placed abruptly into power upon his reappearance, and in controversial circumstances, Hughes was remembered as a national hero within his own country for his administrative ability and the resurgence of Lotharingia during his reign. His alliance with Ruthern forces during the Greyspine Rebellion would enable the rise of Hanseti-Ruska, but his early death by flaying at the hands of the bandit family of Romstun would cut short his rule.

 

HIS MAJESTY, TOBIAS I OF HOUSE STAUNTON, KING OF COURLAND

The son of the Duke of Riga, evacuated upon his house’s escape to Urguan after their fall to the Carnatian League, would eventually return with a band of Staunton loyalists to claim the Lorraine castle of Ostwick, from which they would launch a war that would bring the Empire to its knees and result in the disastrous Devastation of Johannesburg. He would reign over his kingdom until his death.

HIS MAJESTY, JOSEPH I OF HOUSE STAUNTON, KING OF COURLAND

Joseph maintained for many years the position of the Kingdom of Courland, but would fail to recognize the rapidly-coalescing core Human states as they rebuilt into the Sixth Empire. He would abdicate following his poor display of diplomatic wit and loss of the Kingdom of Haense in the Greyspine Rebellion, creating the Principality of Evreux in its stead.

 

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THE MONARCHS OF THE SIXTH EMPIRE

A shadow of the Fifth Empire, sewn together from many disparate and powerful vassals.

 

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, JOHN V GODWIN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
The landless John Godwin’s self-declaration to the Imperial Throne would create a ramshackle shadow of his forefathers’ Empire, but would nonetheless survive through his reign. Facing dissent both domestically and abroad, he would lose his life upon the rise of the Axionite Coalition, during the Siege of Trier.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, PETER II SIGISMUND, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
Able to keep the Empire somewhat intact, though with large losses in land and manpower, Peter II’s reign would last an unstable decade before he was forced to abdicate following a loss in a Dwarven war.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, JOHN VI MAXIMILLIAN, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
John VI, while raised to be an Emperor, would be brutally murdered at the hands of the usurper-king Canonius, aided by a band of vile brigands, in his own courtroom. His death led to the full dissolution of the Sixth Empire, and the fall of the Johannian line for nearly a century.

 

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THE MONARCHS OF ATLAS

A time of tyranny, in which the Pertinaxi put to the blade any dissent among the ranks of mankind.

 

HIS MAJESTY, FREDERICK I PIUS OF HOUSE MARNA, KING OF MARNA
Upon the Coup of Adelburg, the vast majority of the Empire’s nobility did not recognize the Pertinaxi usurpers’ claim to the throne. The restless nobility put forward Frederick Pius, a distant relation by way of John I’s later sons, to lead them forward, and Marna under his reign would be remembered as both powerful and central among the politics of humanity. In a sudden and strange turn of events, however, Frederick would declare the usurper Canonius his heir and abdicate the throne to him.

 

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, AURELIUS I OF HOUSE PERTINAX, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
Aurelius I, born Canonius, spent his early years in complete obscurity among the bandit-family of Romstun, born and raised within their decrepit fort of a capital. His brutal slaying of the child-emperor John VI would bring about the collapse of the Sixth Empire, and for years his kingdom sat idly as Marna rose. Upon Frederick’s sudden abdication, however, Canonius would embark upon a series of conquests that would end in Orenian control over three quarters of the continent, and declare himself Holy Orenian Emperor. His control over the realms of the Descendants was therefore unrivalled in its era.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, AUGUSTUS I OF HOUSE PERTINAX, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
Known for holding a centralized, strong Empire, Augustus’ reign is marked by relative peace. For a generation men travelled the Empire without worry, though its image has been forever marred by his declaration shortly before his abdication - that he had fornicated with his sister, wife of the last real Carrion scion, and that the new Duke of Adria was indeed his son. He is remembered therefore for hiding well the madness of his Pertinaxi line, the same that would more profoundly manifest itself in his successors.

 

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THE MONARCHS OF ARCAS; UP TO THE WAR OF TWO EMPERORS

A time of infighting ended only by Joseph of Khalestine’s loss at the Siege of Helena - and the complete collapse of the Empire as it was known at the time.

 

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, ANTONIUS I OF HOUSE PERTINAX, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
Antonius, while initially regarded hopefully for his father’s long and prosperous reign, would instead cause irrevocable fractures within the Empire. His allowance of the imperial guard to run rampant, even going so far as to raid his own vassals, would cause dissent to grow in the ranks, culminating in their demand of the extradition of Prince Yury for a trial. It was then that Antonius gathered the Legion and began the Sacking of Ves, burning the city to the ground. His disappearance to a foreign continent in the middle of his reign caused the Empire to think him lost at sea, and the regency council declared a new Emperor in his nephew Remus. Mysteriously, he returned then, though only to attempt to dissolve the Empire and denounce his relatives.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, GODFREY II REMUS OF HOUSE CASCADIA, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
Godfrey II, but a child upon his ascension, would gather the remaining Pertinaxi forces for the defense of the Empire against the Marnan pretenders in the Siege of Helena. Whilst he personally lacked ability, and was known for constant sickness and hallucinations, the legion created by his forefathers and his able and still-intact privy council would defend the Seventh Empire from the pretender Joseph I, resulting in his victory. His unannounced exit, however, would leave the rapidly-collapsing political landscape of his Empire in tatters.

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, JOSEPH I LEOPOLD OF HOUSE MARNA, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
A Marnan whose life consisted mostly of living among the tribal people of the Khalestine, his attempt at the Imperial throne garnered large support by its dissidents, but his inability to adapt to his new circumstances would result in key instabilities within his faction. His loss at the Siege of Helena would lead to its complete dissolution, and he would go into hiding once more.

 

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THE MONARCHS OF ARCAS; AFTER THE WAR OF TWO EMPERORS

Few eras since the Exodus have seen the realms of humanity split as it was after the War of Two Emperors. A time of great fracturing, and of a variety of ambitious but weak lordlings.

 

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, JOHN VII ACHILIUS OF HOUSE CASCADIA, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR
Bearing the hallmark traits of the accursed Pertinaxi line, the child born Achilius would do little with his reign of three months. Known for advocating war whilst his internal affairs rapidly collapsed, he would end his reign with an attempt to parcel out the Empire to its various vassals - and enemies.

 

HIS MAJESTY, PIERCE I OF HOUSE DEVEREUX, KING OF CURON
A kind man by most accounts, Pierce’s reign during the collapse was known mostly for its long and tedious court sessions. Well-governing domestically, though little-known internationally, he acquiesced to the Treaty of Ves.

 

HIS MAJESTY, MARIUS II OF HOUSE BARBANOV, KING OF HANSETI-RUSKA
The second human monarch to be known as ‘the Weak’, Marius’ acquisition and immediate surrendering of Ves to the Pertinaxi tyrants, leading to the Sacking of Ves, permanently staining his reputation. He would live his life in fear, but ultimately be assassinated by his own courtier-turned-Renatian-agent nonetheless.

HIS MAJESTY, ANDRIK III OF HOUSE BARBANOV, KING OF HANSETI-RUSKA
Held in regency the majority of his reigning years, Andrik was nonetheless able to strike an incredible peace treaty with the Holy Orenian Empire upon his predecessor’s failed rebellion. Known for his bookish and peace-loving ways, the majority of the collapse was spent attempting to consolidate and rebuild his vast-but-emptied realm.

 

HIS HIGHNESS, EDWARD OF HOUSE SUFFOLK, ARCHDUKE OF SUFFONIA
The reclusive and idle Edward committed to few moves during the War of the Two Emperors and the resulting collapse. Was known for little except his loyalty to Curon, though has otherwise been recorded to marry well below his age.

 

HIS SERENE HIGHNESS, MATTHIAS I OF THE RUTLEDGE FAMILY, PRINCE OF VES

The duly elected Prince of Ves following Alfred Myre’s unexpected death, Matthias is known to have ruled ably, but dissidence in the ranks and rumors of plot caused his early resignation.

HIS SERENE HIGHNESS, IDE I OF THE HARACCUS FAMILY, PRINCE OF VES
The de facto leader of a group of farfolk that had risen to power and influence within Ves. A man with a sound legal mind, he was thought to be a new way forward and a strong testament to the preservation of the republic. After a failed coup against him orchestrated by Urrion Drumm, his mental fortitude shattered. He arbitrarily declared Helton Hadrian the Prince of Ves, discarding the systems of law which he once held so dearly.

 

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THE MONARCHS OF THE COLLAPSE

In the year following the final collapse of the Seventh Empire, some would-be Emperors, Kings, or otherwise declared their rule over a variety of regions. Each would measure their claim through a variety of criterion, though none would be coronated as such before the formation of the Ninth Empire.

 

HIS SERENE HIGHNESS, HELTON I HADRIAN OF HOUSE HELVETS, GRAND DUKE OF CATHALON
Born of an ancient Rhoswenii house, Helton rose from relative obscurity to the forefront of Vesnian politics in a single year - and was raised to the throne of Ves soon after. He would declare it once more a hereditary duchy, though Ves’ position of power and size would afford it the title of Grand Duchy. Credited with helping to begin the process of the reconsolidation of the Empire, Helton was among the first to accept the terms of the Treaty of Ves. Following the signing, Helton would go on to be proclaimed the King of Kaedrin by the remainder of the Rhoswenii and take the regnal name Adrian I.

 

HIS MAJESTY, WILLIAM I OF HOUSE ALSTION, KING IN AANEN
Accredited with the Renatian defensive works in the War of the Two Emperors’ climax at the Siege of Helena, and with the administration of the Empire during the regency years of Godfrey II and John VII. Whilst his efforts slowed the final fall of the Seventh Empire, the compassionate but naive Johannian was outmaneuvered by the empire’s enemies and would not be able to prevent its complete collapse. He would be granted a titular kingdom for his efforts, another sign of the tumultuous era, but fall from grace as John VII’s mental condition deteriorated. William would live in relative seclusion between John VII’s coronation and the rise of Alexander II, and would give up his newly acquired kingdom to reintegrate as a prince within the Empire.

HIS SERENE HIGHNESS CHARLES EDWARD OF HOUSE ALSTION, PRINCE OF ALSTION, PRETENDER TO THE EMPIRE
Relinquishing his claim nearly as soon as he had arrived, little is known of Charles Edward other than by his esteemed bloodline. Little more than a child, and with an army little more than a small banner-force, his family attempted to place him on the throne against most vassals and allies’ wishes. He acquiesced to the Treaty of Ves, and was affirmed to keep his ancestral Principality of Alstion.

 

HIS GRACE ADRIAN OF HOUSE SARKOZIC, DUKE OF TEMESCH, PRETENDER TO THE EMPIRE
A Carrion-spawn nobleman with false claim to the Imperial throne, except for his popular mandate among the nobility and foreign powers, his primary motivation was cited as the prevention of democracy and preservation of the crown. A noble effort, though one ultimately doomed to fail, he would acquiesce to the Treaty of Ves, under the terms that he become the Duke of Temesch.

 

TIBERIUS OF HOUSE TIBER, KING OF CASCADIA
Granted the Kingdom of Cascadia in John VII’s final days as Emperor, and declaring independence briefly during the collapse, Tiberius’ reign as King would last but a fortnight before his deposition at the hands of Charles Edward. Known for his trademark Pertinaxi lunacy, his incompetence at personnel management, and his weak oratory abilities, but known too for his skill with the blade bordering that of a savant, he would leave the capital in a fiery rage upon the international acceptance of the Treaty of Ves.

 

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THE MONARCHS OF THE NINTH EMPIRE; THE JOHANNIANS’ RETURN

The era of the Ninth Empire is recognized to begin on the date of the signing of the Treaty of Ves.

 

 

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, ALEXANDER II OF HOUSE DE JOANNES, HOLY ORENIAN EMPEROR