The Isenian Empire
( The Imperial Crest)
"In Ages past, we were weak. Like newborn deer, we lived in fear of the Wild Beasts. We lived in the shadow of cruel and Pagan gods, and we stole fang and flesh and hide to survive. The Sena came, and struck down the Great Wyrm. From that victory, We grew to become a nation.
Macto Sena! Gloria Isenia"
- Liber Isenia, book of Sena
History
The Empire we now call Isenia covers from shore to shore, and further. The Imperial Standard is known throughout this Island as the Authority. We have grown large and powerful over the centuries.
Things were not always so. In a time known as the Age of Darkness, the people of this Island were little more than petty tribes, little better than the wild beasts that roamed the land.
One such tribe lived in terror of a great beast, a Dragon. The Wyrm burned the tribe's crops, and took many away to it's lair near the peak of Greatmount. So ferocious were it's repeated attacks, that very few warriors remained to defend the village!
One man, whom we now call Sena took up his stone spear, and armoured himself with bone and hide. He climbed the Greatmount, to confront the Wyrm in it's lair. It was that battle that the Wyrm finally met it's end.
To celebrate his victory, Sena drank from the Wyrm's blood, and fashioned it's hide into armour. From the Wyrm's battle, he brought fire to the tribe, so that they could cook thier food, smelt Iron, and protect themselves at night. For this victory, and the many gifts it brought, Sena was made the leader of his people.
That, in essense, was the birth of the Isenian Empire. Over the decades, Sena's people conquored the other tribes - either through words, or through war - until the Isenian Empire is as we see it today. So it has been for the past 500 years, give or take.
In his honour, the heart of this Empire was named Sena, and his name has been passed down, from Emperor to Emperor. He figures prominently in the doctrine of the Imperial Church, as the Emperor is apointed by God himself!
Population
The Empire composes mostly of humans, there number totalling roughly 50% of the population. The rest of the civilised population is roughly equal between the Elves, the Dwarves, the Halflings, the Orcs, and cross-breeds thereof.
The Orcs are relatively recent additions to the Citizens of the Empire. They are the minority of Orc that chose to settle in the Cities, and adopt the culture and traditions of the Isenians. Most folk of the Empire still hold Orcs and Half-Orcs with a modicum of caution, associating them with thier more bloodthirsty "Feral" kin.
Government
The current Emperor, Sena XVII, is the overal ruler of Isenia. From the Capital of Sena, His Imperial Majesty is the heart of the government, and the final word on all matters.
The Empire is divided into 5 "Regions": North, South, East, West, and Sena. Each Region is governed by a High Lord, that answers only to the Emperor, and paying an annual tribute to Sena.
Each Region is made up of a number of Provinces, each with thier own Ruling Lord, that answers to Regional Lord, and pays tribute to the same, which is garnered from taxing the populace of the Province.
Military
The Empire's growth was, on many fronts, greatly aided by it's military strength. The Imperial Legions make up the core of Isenia's armed forces, and are made up of disciplined soldiers in fine steel armour. In addition, each Province is expected to raise a citizen Levy in times of need.
Some provinces are fortunate enough to have Military Battle-Magi to support the main body of troops. These Mage-warriors use thier powerful Magicka to unleash devestating forces upon the enemies of the Empire, as well as bolstering thier soldiers.
Religion
While foreign faiths are tolerated in the Empire, the biggest religious group is the Imperial Church. The Church preaches the creed of the One True God, and worship him and the many saints, such as St. Sena, the Father of the Empire. So prevalent is this faith, that even the most far-flung villages of the Empire have at least a shrine to a Saint, if not a proper Church.
The Symbols of the Church include the Dragon (signifying Sena's epic battle against the Wyrm), or the Cross (representing the four compass-points, and the growth of the Empire).
