Imperium of Kazandor

''“Kazandor is like the great dragon that the legendary Apollus once slew. Every now and then, it spreads its wings. And when the dragon of Kazandor spreads its wings, it rules the world.”''

- Lucius Magna, the first ImperatorKazandor, also known as “The Imperium”, “The Holy Imperium”,“The imperium of man”, "Nugalbar", and "Mistir" is Trinia’s central nation. It is without a doubt the most powerful and wealthy of all Trinia’s monarchies. Forged by the great king Lucius Magna, from the primitive tribes of barbarians who inhabited what became the lands of the Imperium more than 2500 years ago.

The greatest nation of the greater world, the Imperium of Man is ruled by an Imperator and is composed of the descendants of the ancient tribes of Mankind united after the Battle of King's Pass.

History
The Imperium has a history that stretches back for thousands of years, but much has beenforgotten or lost in the intervening centuries. War, fire, flood and even conspiracy has helped to hide much of the historical record, whether it was recorded in books and scrolls or preserved in the form of artifacts. Present-day Imperial scholars dig and research to discover the hidden truths of the past, but the gaps are many and their conclusions are often simply wrong or skewed to match their preconceptions and political or religious ideology.

The time of Apollus
In 765 1k, even after the tribes of Man had taken the lands of Trinia, they still didn't rule all. The lands of Tantrius were home to the Umdala ruins of Asandre and the tribes of Faleri. These ruins were inhabited by a dragon that claimed to be the sole ruler of the central lands. A tyrannical figure, burning those who opposed him. His name, was Razul.

Few were brave enough to stand up against Razul. But then there was one young hero. His name was Apollus. But he did not have the means to fight a Numar. So he prayed. He prayed all nights and days. He prayed to Barrakas, the god of war. And finally, these prayer were answered. Barrakas told Apollus to leave his sword at his altar for three nights and days. And when Apollus returned, it wasn't his rusty blade anymore. It had been blessed by Barrakas into a mighty flaming sword. The inscription said, "This is Diana, use her to bring down my wrath upon those who wish harm".

And so Apollus traveled to the ruins of Asandre. Here he met the tyrant known as Razul. He was gigantic, way bigger then Apollus expected. Razul started to speak, "who dares stand against me". Apollus tried to sound confident, but everyone would be able to hear the fear in his voice. "I have come to end your reign tyrant, and establish an age of peace". Razul laughed like one gone mad. The false bravery of this mere Man amused him. He lunged at Apollus and the battle began. The flames of Diana shined bright with the powers of Barrakas. And thanks to these blessings, Apollus killed Razul, and beheaded him.

And so the Faleri tribes could inhabit the lands of Tantrius once again. Apollus is these days still known as one of the greatest heroes of Mankind. And on the ruins of Asandre, Apollus established the greatest city the world would every know. Pretora, the city of the Imperium.

Lucius Magna and the battle of King's Pass
In the year 1485 1k the heartlands were divided into three kingdoms. Fallion, ruled by Fervidius Magna. Midusa, ruled by Cornelius Magna, brother of Fervidius. And Lexicum, ruled by Theodorus Iulius. King Fervidius who ruled Apollus' legacy, Fallion, died in a hunting accident. Having been killed by a boar. His son Lucius Magna was only 14 years old when he took the throne of Fallion in the footsteps of his father. Two hard years went by, and with the help of his father's advisors Lucius managed to rule the monarchy. But Fallion was still weakened since the death of Fervidius. And some saw opportunity.

King Darus of Eonith finally witnessed a weakened Fallion with a child leading it, and he took his chance. He started to muster his forces to march for King’s Pass. Fallion’s forces were weakened both morally and in numbers since the king died. Many not agreeing with being led by a 16 year old. What they didn’t know is that Falir, despite his age, already inherited the military cunning of his father. But that alone does not win a battle. Fallion’s army was to weak and Lucius knew he needed help from the only man he could trust.

To the west lay the kingdom of Midusa, ruled from the city of Lullin. 7 years prior king Tilin died without heir. The brother of king Fervidius “Cornelius” traveled to Lullin to lead its people as king. Lucius traveled to his uncle and didn’t only ask for his aid, but came with a proposal. To unite the kingdoms of Fallion and Midusa under a single banner and stop the thread from the east. King Cornelius was wise man, he saw how dire the situation was and the benefits of a united central kingdom. He agreed with Lucius and they established the united kingdom of Kazandor. The combined forces of Kazandor now sallied out and marched for King’s Pass to stop king Darus from invading Kazandor. The sixteen year old king Lucius lead the forces of Pretora. And King Cornelius marched with the forces of Lullin. Despite this the legions were still outnumbered. The armies of Darus came from all over Eonith, and some were even forced to fight, leaving parts of his army moral low. Yet their forces shook the foundation of the earth as they marched for King’s Pass, where they would meet the kings of Kazandor in the field. Meanwhile King’s Pass lay still. A silence before the storm. The crows flocked the skies, not knowing that a feast was on its way. After a long march, the armies of Kazandor arrived at king’s pass. They set up camp and awaited the forces of Eonith for the inevitable battle.

A few days later the forces of Eonith arrived. King Darus was surprised to hear that a united force of Fallion and Midusa was awaiting their arrival, lead by king Lucius. He knew that Lucius had the position, but he had the numbers. He set up camp and prepared for the coming battle. Two long weeks went by. Many skirmishes took place and a few times the armies were even assembled. The lands surrounding the pass slowly turned into no man’s land. But the major battle had yet to take place. Both sides were being very careful. Lucius not wanting to give up his strong position, and Darus wanting to lure and take out as many as possible.

But on the 4th of Kuthona, Darus was done waiting. As the sun rose Darus ordered his men to march for King’s Pass. He ordered his generals to take their forces to march for the surrounding areas of the pass and flank Lucius' forces. To the west, general Marius, known for his heavily armored foot knights.To the east, general Marcus, and his numerous spearmen. King Darus went for the pass itself. To crush whatever foe might be waiting for him there. Scouts reported Darus’ actions to Falir, who initiated a tactic to counter the flanking forces. To the west marched king Cornelius and Supreme Archium Titus, to counter the forces of general Marcus. To the east, Supreme Archiums Augustus and Lorus, to counter general Marius.''' And in the pass itself, King Lucius. Who in such a little time won the trust and loyalty of so many doubtful soldiers and united two kingdoms to face a common enemy, at such a young age. He was ready to face King Darus. In the west the Eonithian forces started to advance towards king Cornelius’s lines. After a small skirmish the Eonithian infantry charged for Cornelius’s troops. The battle of King’s Pass had begun. In the east the Eonithians were still waiting patiently. In a reckless move to save time, Lorus and Augustus decided to charge the Eonithian forces. The battle in the pass had not yet ignited. While the fighting on the flanks was already very heated. While Lucius wondered when Darus decided to march his forces towards his phalanx, suddenly fiery arrows started to rain from the skies. Feet were pinned to the ground, shields and men alike burned to dust, and horses fled in panic. After the volleys the Eonithian infantry started to charge toward Lucius' troops. The men reformed and prepared to defend King’s Pass with their lives, or lose everything. Lucius looked at his brave soldier. Knowing that after the day was done, many widows would inhabit Kazandor. The Eonithians crashed into their phalanx. While many soldiers piled on top of each other, the men of Kazandor pushed each other to the front, forcing their foes back. The battle of the pass had only just begun as the forces of King Darus fought for their liege. Meanwhile the situation to the east was looking dire. The reckless charge to Archiums ordered left them in a great disadvantage. The men of Kazandor were forced to retreat back to king’s Pass while the men of Eonith advanced. But the gods had smiled upon King Cornelius, for the western flank was winning. Cornelius and his brave men forced the enemy infantry to retreat. While many pursued the fleeing men. Cornelius and a portion of his forces returned to king’s pass to support King Lucius. The battle at King’s Pass was a slaughterhouse. The clashing of metal and the screams of dying men surrounded the air. And even with the supporting forces from both flanks, the battle had yet to turn in Lucius' favor.

The dead littered the field, but things were looking brighter again. The men of Kazandor started slowly pushing back the Eonithian infantry and many started falling back. It didn’t take long for both king Lucius and Darus to join the fight themselves. The Eonithian men supporting from the east charged into the Therorian soldiers, driving them back once again. While the scent of blood still filled the air, the Eonithian reinforcements ran over the bodies of their brethren and foes. But the men of Kazandor kept holding the lines.

It was one action that changed the course of the battle. History will tell you that Lucius and Darus met on the field and Lucius defeated him in a dual. This is false. Kazandorian soldiers pinned King Darus and killed his horse. After the Kazandorian soldiers were done Killing Darus, they cut of his head and put it on a spear, waving it around for all the Eonithians to see. The sight of their dead king made the Eonithian soldiers panic. And they fled back to their camp. What they didn’t know was that Supreme Archium Titus and his men had trashed and destroyed the camp. When seeing the Eonithian soldiers flee, they killed even more of them. Only few got away. The crows started to appear, as the dead littered the field. Many lives were lost that day, but Lucius was victorious. His first great battle was a victory and he defended his homeland from Eonithian rule. But he did not feel joy.

The march back home was a silent one. Do results justify the means? Despite the time that has passed and the many feasts held in Pretora, Lucius still did not feel joy. That day They honored the men who now stood in front of the gates of Novus, and gave their lives so that Kazandor could be free. The kingdom of Kazandor would be ruled by the two kings of the pass.

The dawn of an Imperium
"I do not seek power, i seek unity."

- Lucius Magna, the first imperator

In 1511 1k, king Cornelius fell off his horse. He broke his neck and died instantly. Lucius was on his own and at a loss. He believed that the united kingdoms were a blessing from Therendor, gifted upon mankind. The other realms of Man were barbaric lands in the eyes of the Kazandorians. Spreading this unity across Trinia was his biggest dream. Unity among Man.

The ground shook, the people came out of their homes, they cheered and danced. The Legions were marching for war. The kingdom of Kazandor had grown. King Theodorus Iulius of Lexicum bend the knee to Lucius. Joining the united kingdom. Kazandor's ago old enemy, Eonith, was in peril since the defeat at King's Pass. Political rivals splintered the nation as the king was struggling to keep control over his fiefs. And so the great legions of Kazandor marched for King's Pass once again. The familiar sight of King's Pass brought back memories of years earlier. Lucius knew that many legionaries marching by his side right now were also present when Darus was defeated. Now it was considered a glorious place by many. As the statues of Lucius and Cornelius stood on both sides of the pass. But Lucius knew better. He knew what this place truly was.

The legions split up and invaded Eonith. Many barons fell under Kazandorian rule. In 1516 1k the siege of Damarna started. With the baronies weakened, taking Damarna would mean victory for Lucius. The battle took months. The city was bombarded, towers burned, men fell to the arms of their foes. But in the end, the legions tormed through the streets of the city. And like many before him, king Jamey of Eonith kneeled before Lucius. His new king. South of Eonith lay Aridia. But with his current forces Lucius wouldn't be able to take the Dukes. He needed more men. And for his legions to grow, his kingdom needed to grow. The 15th and 17th legions were harassing the divided realms of Dwallnor to the west. An easy target for the whole force. And so Lucius marched west. Under his leadership the legions quickly took most of the kingdoms. Only Reichbergen stood strong. The legions were preparing to besiege the great city of Mariaburg. As Lucius stood on the hills, admiring the city from afar, an eagle flew over, and dropped a rock in front of his feet. Lucius saw this as an omen. An omen that told him that, just like the rock, the city would fall at his feet. And so it did. In 1520 1k Mariaburg was taken by the legions. And so all of Dwallnor was now part of the united Kingdom.

With Reichbergen under Lucius' control, a great asset was now his. The great fleet of Schwartshafen. He knew that this fleet was necessary if he wanted to counter the Carthan ships. Lucius stayed in Mariaburg for three years before continuing his wars. In 1523 1k he marched for Cartha. Cartha was a great military and economical power. United under the king's rule. Taking the Carthan cities was a bigger challenge than Lucius had anticipated, as he had never seen defeat before. After getting word of legions falling at El Rumares, he decided to lead the siege himself. A Carthan mercenary company from the city was hired by Lucius in order to get insight on the cities defenses. Lucius heard of a secret entrance leading to the sewers under the city. And so cohorts of men waited under the city streets. When the main assault started, legionaries started merging from the sewers, flanking the Carthan forces. The city was his but Lucius had no time to celebrate. Reinforcements from San Pedro were marching for the city of Cartha in order to protect the capital. A new fleet was also on its way to protect the city. In a haste the legions marched south, hoping to besiege the city before the reinforcements could arrive. And he succeeded in doing so. His men were tired but they won the race. The armies of San Pedro turned around and returned home. after a few days Lucius ordered the assault as the Schwartshafen fleet approached from the water. While the battle was going in his favor, Lucius heard that his fleet was destroyed by the Carthan reinforcing fleet. The reinforcements coming from the ships forced the legions to retreat. They had to try another day.

A week went by. And on the night of Sarenith the 4th, a small boat sailed around and arrived at the Carthan port. The men were disguised as merchants. And after traveling through the whole city, they managed to open the gates for the legions. In the silence of the night, the men of Kazandor ran towards the gates of Cartha. The Carthan soldiers were alerted, desperately trying to hold back the incoming force. But it was to late. Cartha was now under Kazandorian control. And with the fall of San Pedro in 1530 1k, all of the kingdom was now lead by king Lucius, conqueror of worlds.

The kingdom of Aridia was the last realm of Mankind that wasn't part of the United Kingdom yet. And Lucius knew exactly how he was gonna take this powerful kingdom of Man. But for his campaign to work, he needed ships. So he went to the Felen of Chimera, a powerful naval force. After a recent civil war Chimera was weakened and unable to hold their ground against the legions. King Orunil spoke to Lucius and they came to an agreement. Chimera would become a mostly independent vassal of Kazandor and would be left in peace. In turn the Felen would provide ships to invade Aridia. With the Chimeran fleet, lead by Lucius himself, on their way to Mortagne. Half of the legions would march through Grumgar pass in the west of Aridia. Attack the realm from both sides. Lucius lay siege to Mortagne in 1532 1k and took the city in 2 months. With King Gustave Laframboise already at Lucius' feet, the great Dukes of Aridia felt divided and lost. The legions now marched from two sides. Taking the duchies one by one. Until the final battle happened at the siege of Dubois, where both sides met. With the combined powers of the legions, taking the city was easy. And with the fall of Dubois, the realms of Mankind were finally united under the kingdom of Kazandor in 1536 1k. Leaving the Supreme Archiums to lead the provinces of the kingdom, Lucius returned home to the great city of Pretora. With mankind under one banner, Lucius now declared the kingdom of Kazandor, into the great and holy Imperium of Mankind. Declaring the beginning of a new Kalpa. The holy Imperaotr would rule the Imperium for thousands of years to come. Starting an age of gold.

Lucius ruled peacefully for 32 years until dying of old age at 97. His son Severus Magna becomes the second Imperator. Lucius would be remembered as a legend. The great conqueror who united mankind and established the greatest nation the greater world would ever know. Lucius had earned his place in the Kazandinium.

The Paradonian wars
In 64 2k the holy kingdom of Paradon was thriving, ruled by priest king Mallock. The kingdom of Paradon was very self preserved and did not rely on trade with any foreign powers. But they weren't happy with the Trinian merchants at their shores. The merchant kingdoms of old Cartha took most of the goods from the Paradonian traders in order to trade with the Imperium. In order to isolate the great kingdom from Imperial corruption, priest king Mallock decided to close their ports from Imperial ships.

This had dire consequences on the growing population of the Imperium. To save the Imperial economy, Imperator Titus Magna gathers the legions to march for Paradon. In 66 1k the legions arrive at the Paradonian city of Alkanor, having met little resistance on the way. That same year they conquered the city of Alkanor. Much to the disapproval of Titus, the legionaries kill Alkanor's Concord. This leaves priest king Mallock angered.

He send forth his own legions who met the Imperial legions at the fields of Dazatahr. The battle of Dazatahr leaves both sides with heavy casualties. Both being unable to continue the war, a truce is called in 70 2k and the Imperial legions return home. This ends the first Paradonian war.

In 79 2k, 9 years after the first war ended, Imperator Titus dies. His son Varus takes the throne. Seeing the truce as a foolish and weak decision from his father, he reignites the war against Paradon. He takes the legions east once again and reaches the lands of Nifhelia after 5 years of war. Here the legions of Paradon are waiting, this time lead by Mallock himself. The battle of Nifhelia lasted many days. But in the end Varus was victorious, and forced Mallock back to the Paradonian capital of Melkanar. In 87 2k Varus reaches Melkanar, The holy city of the gods. Even though the fighting never stopped, the three year siege of Melkanar would be known as the "third" Paradonian war. Three years of battle go by. King Mallock and Imperator Varus both die during the siege but it ended in Paradonian victory. With both Varus' sons also killed in battle, Varus' wife Metilia takes the throne in Pretora and becomes the very first Empress. She calls the imperial legions back to Trinia and the Paradonian wars end.

The Arcanian invasion
In 325 2k, renowned Aridian captain, George Valois, sails to the far south east to find undiscovered land.

The great purge
The year was 406 2k. For over 400 years the great Imperium rules the world of Man. In the far east the kingdom of Paradon fell to the Cataclysm. As the land was swallowed in in shadow the Ghazar marched north and fought the cursed legions in the no eyed war. When the dust had settled and the cursed men disappeared, the cataclysm had already taken its toll on this world. The curse had tainted the air, and a disease simply known as "The Purge" spread throughout the world.

There was chaos, pain, anarchy. The great Imperium of Trinia fell to darkness. And as Hadrius Magna, last of the Magna line of Imperators, fell to the disease himself, the Imperium followed. With the governing bodies of the Imperium dying, new leaders stood up, declaring independence. Swearing that Man would survive this great purge. And thus, the kingdoms of old rose up again. And Kazandor was forced back into nothing but the heartlands. And so the great legacy of Lucius had fallen. For 400 years the Imperium rules mankind. But with one deadly curse, it all fell to its knees. 35% of the world's population had died. And 50% of The Imperium itself. Ending the second Kalpa, and marking the beginning of the Glooming Age.