The Imperial Standard, the most commonly accepted flag of the Annotilian Empire. The purple laurel wreath resembles the Emperor himself. First before the people and the land represented by the yellow and black background.
Name of Nation: The Sacred Empire of Annotilus, more commonly known as Annotilus to its inhabitants.
Species: Annotilus, being the expansive empire that it is, is home to a myriad number of different peoples. The most common are the Alliner and Humans. The Alliner are a Humanoid race which closely resemble Humans apart from their long, pointed ears and golden skin. They have longer lifespans compared to their Human conterparts. Where as a Human would have the average lifespan of 60 years, the Alliner could easily cover 200 and beyond.
Other notable races include the Nocterani, the Ghiroda and the Valkar. The Nocterani are a race of subterranean Humanoids that only grow to roughly 3 feet tall. Because their habitat is that of the dark underworld, the Nocterani have developed sensitive vision. Sensitive vision that unfortunately cannot be used in the daylight. As such they prefer to interact with other races during the day, earning them their name.
The Ghiroda are Humanoid lizards. Their most recognizable features are their thick hides covered in scales and their yellow slit eyes. These creatures are cold-blooded and prefer to live in the southern regions of the empire.
The Valkar are a race not too dissimilar from Humans other than the fact that they grow a thick mantle of fur around their bodies and two, long fangs that protrude out of their mouths.
Culture and Society: There is no unified culture within the Annotilus empire for the empire itself is barely unified. With a myriad of different people from different lands. However the empire operates under the legal and military codes that has become popular ever since the collapse of the previous Annotilian Empire. Society in Annotilus revolves around the "three pillars of the realm". These are the nobility, the clergy and the peasantry. The nobility are obligated to defend the peasantry, the clergy obligated to serve in spiritual and social matters and in return the peasantry is obligated to provide for both.
The nobility answer to landed lords. This lords usually acquire their lands, known as fiefs, through inheritance or granted by a higher authority. The highest being the Emperor himself. The title of Emperor is not inherited though. Instead the Empire has an Imperial Diet, a body of elector-lords who decide a new emperor upon the death of the previous one. The current and first Imperial Diet consist of different leaders who sided with Emperor Allemagne during his conquest. Currently there are 19 elector-lords out of the current 27 states in the empire. This elector lords are;
- * Emperor Allemagne of House Merrelin - Emperor of Annotilus, King of Rohln, Posdal of the Father
* King Devin of House Nullard - King of Toulon
* Duke Widan of House Hladan - King of Herzagoza
* Duke Brainir of the Dawiir clan - High Lord of Annivir
* Duke Magdar of the Jumon clan - High Lord of Iskadavar
* Duke Ymir of the Clennir clan - High Lord of Meltenhiem
* Duke Svanar of the Ostlen clan - High Lord of Parheim
* Duke Janus of the Aldin clan - High Lord of Annuvar
* King Leanne of House Galet - King of Adellaine
* King Orel of the Maltiir clan - High King of Munnhiem
* Queen Nadeen of House Kolbeck - Steward of Breinneir
* King Osmond of House Kolbeck - King of Sliddin
* King Pyter of House Mayfair - King of Wester
* Duke Christian of House Longhorn - Duke of Baylourn
* Duke Willard of House Langley - Duke of Berville
* Duchess Anise of House Forlorne - Duchess of Stonewall
* King Eduard of House Pecher - Holme
* Father Flavius II - 22nd Posdal of the Mother, Overseer of the Posdal State, Leader of the Holy See.
* Father Philo VIII “the Wise” - 23rd Posdal of the Son, High Magistrate of the Posdal Faith
In the event that a new Emperor is chosen, the Posdals of the Mother and the Son themselves crowns him as Emperor and protector of all Posdaldom. A position that automatically assumes the title of Posdal of the Father. However the Emperor himself has little direct authority over his vassals. The different vassals, whether ruled by an elector-lord or not, are granted relative autonomy. Each vassal is free to determine their own internal affairs, even to wage war with one another for territorial disputes. However Emperor does have the authority to end these wars if he wished it so. Vassals are also obligated to provide half their levies if the Emperor orders them to and give a portion of their taxes to the Emperor upon collection.
The Empire is also united by faith. Posdalism is the most practiced religion in the Empire. It had started as a slave's religion a millennium and a half past the formation of the Holy Annotilian Empire. Annotilian Posdalism is often known for the typical attire worn by its priest. A long, black cassock and black, soft-sided cap. Its central tenants include the proclamation of the belief in the all-mighty creator and the creator's three aspects.
It's teachings come from the hermit of the east. The aspect of the divine known as the holy son. He named himself Urush to those who followed him. Urush, often shortened into ‘Ush’ within Annotilus, spoke of his father's kingdom. A kingdom in the afterlife where those who followed his word would be accepted in to. Spending their afterlife in unimaginable bliss in the companion of their creator.
Urush was said to have martyred himself for the salvation of his followers. Being caught by his rivals, beaten and left to die in the desert. However when they came back on the fifth day to desecrate his body, they found Urush sitting on a rock. His body was covered in flames but the fire did not touch his person. He told his rivals that he forgave their acts and his father would be willing to if they changed their ways. Soon after a great chariot of fire came to take him into the heavens. His followers viewed this as his miraculous ascension to join his father in their blessed kingdom. Those most devoted of his followers spread across far and wide to spread their religion. They called themselves "posdals", meaning messengers in their native tongue. Eventually they would spread their faith to the ancient empire of Annotilus.
Initially the followers of the posdal faith were persecuted by the ancient Annotilian emperors. Particularly Emperor Gaius Tulio Gracus who would have the Posdal believers flogged in public. Their persecution continued for another 300 years until a rebellious general and claimant to the throne, Cyrus Maximus defeated his rivals and crowned himself Emperor. He converted to posdalism halfway during the war. Owing his later victories to this single god. After his coronation as emperor, he would eventually make several religious reforms. Reforms aimed to make Posdalism as the dominant faith in the empire.
The Morric people, even before their discovery of the original Annotilian empire, already practiced Posdalism. The church had supported Emperor Allemagne because of his sworn promise to protect the Posdal state.
Two of the three Posdals, the figureheads of the faith of Posdalism, are themselves chosen by another elective body. The Holy See which is made of senior priest known as prelates. There are three Posdals of the faith. The Posdal of the father, the Posdal of Mother and the Posdal of the Mortal Son. Each of them serves as a representative for their chosen aspect. The Posdal of the Father serves as the protector of the faith. They are given the task of safeguarding the followers, relics and holy sites of Posdalism. In the days of the old Annotilian Empire, the Posdal of the Father also commanded an armed wing of the church known as the “Fratrum Gladii,'' roughly translated into ‘the Brotherhood of the Sword’. The Posdal of the Mortal Son directly governs the Posdal state itself. The Posdal of the Son also oversees the daily operations of the church and manages its financial responsibilities. The Posdal of the Mother serves as the judiciary branch of the church. In the Annotilian empire, most legal disputes are settled by the church. Those grievous enough to warrant court hearing are taken to the Posdal of the Mother. Where he would decide on the legal course of action according to the teachings of Ush. Internal disputes within the Church as also settled by the Posdal of the Mother.
Apart from governance and religion though, the empire is very diverse and distinctive. However there are seven dominant cultures notable in the empire.
The Morric people were a traveling people before they eventually settled in the Barrapy plains during their first encounter with the previous empire. It was said in their legends that they came from a land far east. Their ancestral lands were lush and bountiful until their river dried up. They were forced to flee and pushed west until they were stopped by the Annotilian legions. They were a resourceful and simple people during their nomadic times. Living off the land as they traveled from one place to another.
At some point in Morric early history, a majority of their people had converted to Posdalism. Now they kept their faith a central tenet in their lives. Every member is obligated to follow the laws of the faith and observe the holy mass on the eight day of every week. Most holy orders of monks were founded by them. Here any form of art, music and literature primary focuses on the life Urush and his heavenly messages. Some of these monks would come to nearby villages and cities and sing liturgies for its citizens.
Almost every Alliner consider themselves ethically Truskan. The name being taken from the Truskan hills where Annotilus is located on. Truskan carry traditions thousands of years old. As a result Truskans are staunch traditionalists. They tend to preserve as much of their founding beliefs, customs and heritage as possible. Often one would see Alliner bakers using large clay ovens hundreds of years old. Alliner boatbuilders using tools that haven't changed in thousands of years. To the Truskans, the way of the ancestors are sacred and any change must be slow subtle so that it might best blend with the ancient ways.
Another notable Human ethnicity are the Cello-Daxons. The Daxon ethnic group that used to settle the plains of Daxia before the invading Morric people forced them out. The group was then forced to settle in the province of Aquinala. However they would sail east Tollum sea for mercenary work. The Cellic people have a long history of grievances with Annotilus. Seeing weakness during the Morric invasion, they themselves rose up in rebellion. The combined forces of the Cels and the Daxons eventually pushed the Empire to the province of Stravinna.
The Cello-Daxons has turned into a hardy and warlike people after the fall of the previous Annotilian empire. Cello-Daxons lords are thought to hunt, fight and different principles of warfare at a young age. Eventually they would be expected to lead their own warhost at the age of 16. Cello-Daxons farmers will teach their kin the basics of using a bow. Each peasant family is expected to have at least one bow in the household.
The southern province of Herzagoza is home to the Ghirodan people. The Ghirodan were the last to convert to Posdalism. Even now most of their pagan folklore has been blended into their Posdal beliefs. They worship their saints more akin to minor gods than conduits to the divine. Many of their pagan celebrations has attributed to Urush in one way or another. Mythical spirits have been incorporated as different agents and enemies of the holy triad.
History: It was said in old legends that the city of Annotalia was founded by the triplets Pollon, Marron and Quinton. They were the children of a mortal woman and Arus, the god of war. The triplets were raised by the sea witch Vernussa after their mother was killed by Arus’ rival and sister, Asirus. The three Alliner children would be found by hunters that took them in as their own. The triplets would then embark on a great effort to find a permanent settlement for their nomadic people. Eventually finding a spot on the Annotalic river, naming their new town after the river itself.
Of course most scholars now agree that the founders of Annotilus most likely came from the ancient Human Imperium to the east. Whether or not the founders themselves were Human is vigorously debated by scholars. Some arguing that the Alliner were part of the ancient eastern Imperium. Others arguing that it was Humans who introduced the native Alliners of the west to Imperial culture.
The Annotilian city-state quickly became rivals with its neighbors. To the south was the Remulos kingdom which became Annotilus' most bitter rival. To the east were the thriving Nocterani proto-kingdoms who would occasionally raid at the outskirts of Annotilus. To the north were the quarreling Alliner city-states that had ever changing rivalries and alliances. Across the great Tollum sea was the great merchant kingdom of Daridar which commanded an intimidating navy. Surrounded on all sides by foes that constantly challenged their nation, Annotilus became a militant state. During wars Annotilus would disregard the commonly held etiquette of battle and introduce new strategems that would surprise their enemies. They would come to develop rigid battlefield formations, learn to use fortified camps to defend their supply routes and disuse chariots in favor of ranged cavalry to name a few. Her enemies would fall one by one. The kingdom of Remulos was the first conquest of Annotilus. Then the fractured city-states north of them. They then subjugated Nocterani people and would go on to fight seven campaigns against Daridar before its ultimate defeat.
The thriving Empire ventured further east in its expansion. Often clashing with the different people of the (INSERT FURTHER NEIGHBORS HERE). It would only know peace with 600 years of its founding, being known as "Pax Annotila". A great age of financial prosperity, scientific and magical progress and cultural importance would happen during this time. However this golden age would be brief. Followed by constant civil war and attacks from its enemies. 900 years after its founding, the empire was divided into five regions. All ruled by different claimants to the throne. All in constant war with one another.
One of those claimants and a high ranking legate of the Empire was Cyrus Maximus. Maximus had been fighting a losing war. Constantly losing men and ground to the then Emperor Aurelian Remus. Maximus would have a dream before another battle with the forces of Emperor Remus. He was visited by an old man in his vision. The old man’s face constantly covered by shadows however his grey beard was clear for the Alliner to see. The old man would propose a covenant between them both. At this time many of the slaves within the empire believed in the posdal faith. However those caught practicing the religion were brutally punished. A popular punishment for posdals was public flogging and being flayed alive. The old man in Maximus’ dreams would secure the Imperial crown for Maximus if he promised to stop the persecution of the posdal people. Maximus would agree. During that morning before
Territorial Claims:
(Because of my incompetence, I forgot to name the two other nations here. The dark blue one is Scandig. The dark pink one is Holme.)
Economy:
Army:
Navy:
Traits:
Foreign Relations:
Rolls:
- Land Area - (20-6)=14
- Land Fertility - 13
- Development - 6
- Land Power - (4+9)=13
- Naval Power - (6+5)=11
- Economy - (10+6)=16
- Magic Reserves - (20-5)=15
- Magic Sophistication - (18-8)=10
Other: