[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/VwGbAQo.jpg[/img][/center][hr][center][h2][color=steelblue][b]The Imperial Records[/b][/color][/h2][/center][hr]
[hider=Imperial Records #000][quote=Imperial Records #000][color=c0c0c0][b]The Valys Continent:[/b] [i]A great landmass composing most of the Known World. Valys is a land of sharp mountains, deep forests and vast plains the majority of which are very low populated thanks to the many dangers —both natural and not— that plague the land. Valys weather is predominantly temperature in nature and very humid thanks to the the large oceans all around it. Nevertheless some areas, like high mountain ranges, or isolated islands have climates and biomes unique to them.

A large number of beings inhabit Valys. Some of them are natural like wolves, bears and horses. Most of them are fearsome beasts which are said to posses incredible powers and that threatens mankind's everyday life on a constant basis.

However, men persevered. It created civilization and culture, mastered fire, steel and magic, founded nations that rose and fell to the inexorable tide of time. The Golden Era of Valysian men may have ended a long time ago but mankind still thrives on this land. Currently the three main powers which claim domain over the land are known as the Arcadian Empire, the Grand Duchy of Westris and the Alliance of the Free States.[/i][/color][/quote]
[indent][hider=Imperial Records #000-A][quote=Imperial Records #000-A][color=c0c0c0][b]The Empire:[/b] [i]
The Empire occupies most of the Northern Valys, a mountainous land of deep valleys and temperate forests full of natural resources which power the Empire's mighty economy. The very Northern however are a harsh land where few can prosper. Despite its riches, the fact that the Empire is plagued by dangers, both mundane and supernatural is the main reason why it hasn't succeeded in reunifying the continent once.[/i][/color][/quote][/hider]
[hider=Imperial Records #000-B][quote=Imperial Records #000-B][color=c0c0c0][b]The Alliance:[/b] [i]The Alliance occupies most of the Southwestern Valys, along with many of the maritime territories of the Valys Southern coast. Their lands are far poorer in resources to the Empire but have a better agricultural potential, allowing the many smaller states that comprise the Alliance to stand up with numbers that pretty much match the Imperial Army toe-to-toe.[/i][/color][/quote][/hider]
[hider=Imperial Records #000-C][quote=Imperial Records #000-C][color=c0c0c0][b]The Grand Duchy:[/b] [i]Of the three major powers in Valys, the Grand Duchy is the least plentiful of resources and population, or so is said, but they more than make up for it with intellectual and technological advancement. They occupy  the high mountains and plains of the Northern Valys, nearly completely encircled landlocked, except for some bits of the North Sea's coast.[/i][/color][/quote][/hider][/indent][/hider]
[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/NwfEIgl.png[/img][color=c0c0c0][i]The Empire.[/i][/color][/center][hider=Imperial Records #001][quote=Imperial Records #001][color=c0c0c0][b]Arpeggio:[/b] [i]The Capital of the Arcadian Empire and largest city in the Known World, with a total population of a little more than a million souls. The city is was founded —in fact, the older parts of it were carved— in a heavily defended mountain side, making it nearly impossible to siege. Arpeggio is a truly vivid and luxurious city unlike any other in Valys. It's perfectly cobbled streets, beautiful arched bridges and many ancient monuments dating all the way to the Empire's foundation are true treasure trove of mankind's history.[/i][/color][/quote][/hider]
[hider=Imperial Records #002][quote=Imperial Records #002][color=c0c0c0][b]Orello:[/b] [i]Fort Orello and its namesake village were located. Being one of the last remaining citadels of the Old Empire, originally build to thwart the lackeys of the vile Goddess of Strife, Orello is one of the Empire's most critical defense positions, standing right in the way of the Grand Duchy's forces.

The village of Orello itself is very well known through the most of the Empire for the quality of it's beer, made from their freshly clean waters, as well as for their sheep, whose both wool and meat are coveted as luxury goods.[/i][/color][/quote][/hider]
[hider=Imperial Records #003][quote=Imperial Records #003][color=c0c0c0][b]Aquaria:[/b] [i]Second only to the Imperial Capital in terms of importance, self-administered City of Aquaria is the trading heart of the Empire, it's no exaggeration to say that all of the Empire's treasures pass through Aquaria before reaching the Capital. The City of Water is also a major hub for enlightened, having the most advanced schools and academies, not to say anything of museums and the Grand Library, which is said to house a countess number of volumes in its maze like chambers. The Aquarian Royal Guard are the stalwart defenders of the city, known for their fierce determination and skill at arms, thought most of them aren't as magically gifted, unlike the Cadenza Knights.[/i][/color][/quote][/hider]
[hider=Imperial Records #004][quote=Imperial Records #004][color=c0c0c0][b]Religion & Myths:[/b] [i]A long, long time ago it's said that Valys was a land of peace, where mankind and their Gods, known collectively as The Thirteen, lived in peace and harmony. Under the rule of the Gods, mankind built its greatest civilization, the Arcadian Empire, which lived in a Gold Age of peace and advancement far beyond that of today's world. However, the Goddess of Strife grew tired of the other Gods' complacency, tricking them, stealing their divine essences and, eventually, killing them.

With the power of all of Gods together, the Goddess of Strife wagged war against mankind, building an army of dark and twisted creatures. It seemed like men were doomed, falling like flies before the mighty of the Goddess, only thing they could do was pray and try to survive.

Mankind's prayers were heard by The Three, who came to their aid. Some say that The Three are mighty archangels left behind by the Fallen Gods to safeguard the world in case of disaster, other say that they are beings of immense power —dragons, perhaps— created by the Goddess of Strive who ultimately grew a consciousness and challenge their Mistress besides mankind. Yet others say that they were neither, but humans who, somehow, achieved the greatness necessary to lead their armies to victory. The Three are said to have imparted, some say they have in fact sired or gave birth, to the first Vessel Bearers. To this day any who can manifest a Vessel is regarded as a physical manifestation of The Three by the most superstitious.

Regardless of the truth about The Three, it's said that, with their aid, humanity finally could push the armies of the Goddess of Strife back and defeat the Goddess herself. However, she was too powerful to be destroyed. Instead of that, it's said that the Goddess' divine essence was divided in thirteen parts and sealed away in the distant reaches of the world to never be seen again. It's still a common belief between certain natural philosophers and historians that areas with unnatural concentration of monsters and old ruins may indicate the places were such remains have been sealed. Nevertheless, the danger posed by such a research keps it out of reach of any rational scholar.[/i][/color][/quote][/hider]
[hider=Imperial Records #005][quote=Imperial Records #005][color=c0c0c0][b]Time & Age:[/b] [i].[/i][/color][/quote][/hider]