Empire of Man [Forgotten Eon Factbook]

[Achesia]

-About
-Culture
-Religion
-Lands of the Empire
-Royal Army
-Houses
-Demographics/Facts

About

Over the tallest mountains and across vast oceans lies a land covered in trees and rolling plains. The ocean to the west and the tallest mountains to the east the Empire of Man is a natural wonder unto its own. Its people farm off the land like they have for decades ever since the first tribes were formed. In the evenings the sunset dips below the waters of the western ocean creating a beautifully colored spectacle while in the mornings the mist covers all the land giving mystery to the first lights of the day.

Since the great storm and the fall of the Dark Lord the Empire in its infancy was just a small Realm surrounded by many Realms of Men each fledgling and trying to pick up the pieces. The Emperor of Man lead these small groups of men each broken from the calamities begotten by the Dark Lord to a brighter future in which man would not fear the demons that surrounded them. Every generation the Empire grew bigger and more powerful until soon in encompassed several dozen kingdoms, each bending the knee to the Emperor. This is reflected in the Empire's extremely feudal nature, many instances of in fighting have occurred but the House of Requient the royal house of the Emprie has always stood strong.

[Achesia]

Culture

The Empire is a land steeped in culture. The average Imperial family consists with the father at the head of the household ruling over the major family decions. The mother primarly manages the household/ farm when the husband is away and raises the children. The children live at home until their coming of age which in the Empire is at about 18 years for males. Females live with their families until a proper husband can be found for them.

Women in Imperial soceity are highly regarded from an early age up until their eventual deaths. The matriarical figure is an important one to most Imperials. Young maids are protected and respected to the highest degree and elder women are respeced for their wisdom on life.

Marriages are arranged by the familites and usualy happen just after the males coming of age. Usually a male is married to a younger female of his equal station. The most elderly couple in the village or community is sought after to give approval to a marriage before it is preformed. Young couples are expected by the culture to produce children in a few years after the marriage was officiated. Males rarely marry outside of their station in society.

The caste system in the Empire is elaborate with many stations that Imperials reside in. This system has existed since before the Kingdom and has rarely been question or challeneged. The rankings of the caste system are listed bellow from highest to lowest:

-Royal nobility (Emperor, Empress, Imperial Princes and Princess)
-Clergy of Achari Sumari
-Upper nobility (Kings, Dukes, Marquiess, Barons, Counts, Earls, Lords, etc..)
-Lower nobility (Knights, and other Nobiles.)
-Aristocrats
-Bankers
-Businessmen
-Commoners
-Adulterous
-Foreigners
-Criminals
-Murderers
-Other Races

Foreigners rank low on the caste system as in the Empire they are rarely trusted. Most people will avoid those with different accents or look a different way. Much superstition about foreigners excists within Imperial culture. Most see their presence as a bad omen.

Religion

Religion in the Empire is held in high regards within society. Imperials practice Achari Sumari which is the monotheistic worship of the God of Summer (He is also known by the Dread Lord, The Lazy One, and the Defender).

The focus of the religion is sacredness of the family and of the people of the Empire. The purity of Imperial blood is important in Achari Sumari. This is partially why foreigners are unlike and distrusted in the Empire as they are seen as defilers of Imperial purity.

In the history of Achari Sumari there has been little divine interaction besides the great purge which happened when the Achari Sumari champion with the aid of the God of Summer drove out the god of the underworld: Silva from the land. The Dread Lord usually speaks to his clergy on top of their high mountain and fortress of Pactguard. There he appears to them in dream form giving those blurry hints as to what he has intended for them. The biggest sign of the Dread Lords communication with a mortal is their depression or mania.

The afterlife in Achari Sumari is one that is sought after by many. It is a joyous place where the dead can reunite with other dead and live on for eternity. To reach the afterlife however one must be a true servant of the God of Summer and not wane in the face of other influences.

The supernatural in the Empire is greatly feared and respected. To that end it is very rare to find magic users in Acheisa outside of the clergy of Achari Sumari, it is considered heresy unless you are a member of the clergy or one who has been blessed. Most people leave any magic at the door and do not play in what they do not understand. Spirits are also respected within Imperial society. It is a belief that all settlements or villages are home to a spirit which guards them from harm. Many make sacrifices to the spirits of their villages.

Worship is primarily an individual ritual that happens on a person basis involving incense and meditation. Many travel or make pilgrimages to shrines of the Summer God throughout the Empire. Many villages have village shrines for its inhabitants.

There are many holidays in the Imperial culture. Most like Emperors's day are to celebrate important Imperial figures including heroes, martyrs, and clergy. Other holidays are meant to celebrate harvest, new moons, or the changing of the seasons.

The clergy of the Achari Sumari are few in number. Their order is the oldest in the land and it is home at the top of MT. Pactguard where sits a fortress called Pactguard where the Fraters as they are known within the order pray, meditate, raise wyverns, and train in combat. There lifestyle is not glamorous however it is fulfilling. The Clergy are encouraged to have large families who live in the mountain fortress. These families bear male children which serve as future clergy. Clergy are chosen by the senior members of the order. Knights from across the realms often come to study and learn under the clergy to become more holy knights.

Apart from serving as spiritual leaders the clergy of Achari Sumari serve an important role as military commanders. The Rectors as they are known are great warriors that are trainee in the science of warfare and leadership. They serve the Emperor by commanding his multitudes of men at home and in faraway lands. They along with the Fraters that serve as elite foot soldiers train constantly in the art of war perfecting their skills even during times of peace.

The commandments and teachings of the Summer God are passed down orally by the Clergy of Achari Sumari. While some written text exists it is only kept in the vaults of Pactguard. Praetors travel around the land teaching the word of the summer god to the people of the Empire.

Mortals are said to be the children of the God of Summer and thus he looks down on us with love from his post in heaven. To represent our path to the afterlife the symbol of the labyrinth is often seen in Imperial culture. The dragon also is often seeing as it is the harbinger of death in Achari Sumari.

The deadly sins of Achari Sumari are: cowardice, lust, recklessness, dishonesty. While the high virtues are: responsibility, thoughtfulness, honesty, humility, abstinence, diligence and piety.

[Achesia]

The Major Noble Houses of the Heartland and their Lands

*Click to Enlarge

The Empire of Man is divided into several different provinces that are ruled over by feudal lords and their families. Central control over the Empire's bastions is limited however each of these Lords pledge loyalty and pay taxes to their Emperor. Those who do not comply to this are often rooted from their holdings and replaced by many other eager families willing to bend the knee. Families often style themselves in different ways in the Empire, some based on their fancy, others on heritage, and some based on what the Emperor had appointed them as. But whether called King, Viceroy, Landgrave, or Prince each is a peer to the other and each is under the Emperor.

Major Houses-

House Requient

Lands: The Empire, Imperium
Population of Subjects: 3 Million
Overlord: None
Seat: High Requiem
Current Lord: Emperor Titus the IV
Heir: Julian the III
Titles: Emperor of Man, Chosen of the Summer God, Voice of Summer, Dragon Knight, and Guardian of Humanity.
Divisions: None
Cadet Branch: House Requient of Draccastle, House Requient of White Haven, House Requient of Crownguard, House Dunstan of Ell'urlana
Vassals:
Sworn Knightly Houses: House Ekkehardt, House Axel

House Daevous

Lands: Kingdom of Achesia, Valley of Greenfair, March of Bycrest
Population of Subjects: 7 Million
Overlords: House Requient
Seat: Fawnnorth
Current Lord: King Ewald Daevous
Heir: Prince Edmar Daevous
Titles: King of Achesia, Heir of Bale, Marshal of the East, Protector of the Realm, Lord of Bycrest, and Lord of Greenfair
Divisions: Violetmarsh, Goldmeadow, Fairiron, Blackborough, Greenfair, Norbarrow, Bale's Shore
Cadet Branch: House Daevous of Castle of Song, House Daevous of Bycrest, Hosue Daevous of Starcrest
Vassals: House Magnus of Violetmarsh, House Crownfox of Goldmeadow, House Gotthard of Fairiorn, House Helmut of Blackborough, House Julitt of Norbarrow, House Ottmar or Bale's Shore
Sworn Knighty Houses:House Volker, House Ansgar, House Fritz, House Marcellus, House Daevous of Castle of Song

House Meardrake

Lands: the Marches, Marchrule
Population of Subjects: 3 Million
Overlords: House Requient
Seat: Mearcastle
Current Lord: Marquis Anton Meardrake
Heir: Sur Ludolf Meardrake
Titles: Lord of the Marches, Lord of Marchrule, Marshal of Summer Bay, Lord of Sunkeep Isle
Divisions: Bycrest, Greenmeadow, Marchrule, Faymarsh, Blackmarsh, Wester
Cadet Branch: House Meardrake of Sunkeep Isle
Vassals: House Daevous of Bycrest, House Zander of Greenmeadow, House Marzell of Faymarsh, House Manfred of Blackmarsh, House Wester of Wester
Sworn Knighty Houses: House Derry, House Driscoll

House Swynn

Lands: The Grand Duchy of the Coastlands
Population of Subjects: 4 Million
Overlords: House Requient
Seat: Redshore
Current Lord: Grand Duke Seamus Swynn
Heir: Sur Cayden Swynn
Titles: Grand Duke of the Coastlands, Marshal of the Seas, Baron of Landhall, Lord of Stonemoor, Baron of Swynnport
Divisions: None
Cadet Branch: House Swynn of Landhall, House Swynn of Stonemoor, House Swynn of Swynnport
Vassals: None
Sworn Knighty Houses: House Deforrest

House Avondale

Lands: Avonhold
Population of Subjects: 3 Million
Overlords: House Requient
Seat: Swordgrove
Current Lord: Lord James Avondale
Heir: Kenneth Avondale
Titles: Lord of the Avonhold, Marshal of the West, Sword of the Faith, Defender of the Empire, Guardian of Summer, Lord of Avondale, Lord of Lakewynne
Divisions: None
Cadet Branch: House Avondale of Avondale, House Avondale of Knightglen, House Avondale of Lakewynne
Vassals: None
Sworn Knighty Houses: House Avondale of Knightglen

House Dunstan

Lands: Ell'urlana
Population of Subjects: 2 Million
Overlords: House Requient
Seat: Summercourt
Current Lord: Fürst Rayner Dunstan
Heir: Sur Luitgar Dunstan
Titles: Fürst of Ell'urlanua, Lord of Summercourt, and Imperial Prince
Divisions: Thonbridge, Dronedge, Staucholt, Qalecoast, Summercourt
Cadet Branch: None
Vassals: House Royden of Thonbridge, House Wilf of Dronedge, House Stauckman of Staucholt, and House Algernon of Qalecoast
Sworn Knighty Houses: House Cohen

House Crarvolk

Lands: Barony of Crarpine
Population of Subjects: 2 Million
Overlords: House Requient
Seat: Grattham
Current Lord: Baron Fitxroy Crarvolk
Heir: Sur Benjamin Crarvolk
Titles: Baron of Crarpine, Lord of Gornwick, and Knight of Iron
Divisions: None
Cadet Branch: House Crarvolk of Gornwick
Vassals: None
Sworn Knighty Houses: House Crarvolk of Westguard

House Thribiger

Lands: Northern Countships, Countship of Mablewater
Population of Subjects: 9 Million
Overlords: House Requient
Seat: Mablewater
Current Lord: Viceroy Ezra Thribiger
Heir: Jaylin Thirbiger
Titles: Viceroy of the Northern Countships, Protector of the Peace, Steward of the Northlands, Hand of the Crown, Count of Mablewater
Divisions: Mablewater, Easthen, Gesmead, Dellmount, Himhold, Foxvale, Naivale, Brerspell, Pobarhurst, and Seicwynne
Cadet Branch: None
Vassals: House Easthen of Easthen, House Thrinmark of Gesmead, House Dell of Dellmount, House Himdale of Himhold, House Crownfox of Foxvale, House Wetzel of Naivale, House Brerrich of Brerspell, House Pobarlong of Pobarhurst, and House Wolfmar of Seicwynne
Sworn Knighty Houses: None

House Heartwald

Lands: Kingdom of Welland, Northmoore
Population of Subjects: 6 Million
Overlords: House Requient
Seat: Wellhall
Current Lord: King Richard Heartwald
Heir: Prince Jochem Heartwald
Titles: King of Welland, Marshal of the North, and Protector of the Realm
Divisions: Yerloch, Fenacre, Edgeness, Frisaka, Prusswyln, Northmoore
Cadet Branch: House Heartwald of Nale Harbor
Vassals: House Ekkehard of Yerloch, House Balder of Fenarce, House Othmar of Edgeness, House Marwin of Frisaka, House Florian of Prusswyln, House Heartwald of Northmoore
Sworn Knighty Houses: House Guntram, House Gerhard, House Urban, House Uwe, House Manuel, House Mathias, House Ingomar

House Thrat

Lands: Landgraviate of Thratmere
Population of Subjects: 1 Million
Overlords: House Requient
Seat: Thratmere
Current Lord: Landgrave Luitpold Thrat
Heir: Sur Huppert Thrat
Titles: Landgrave of Thratmere
Divisions: None
Cadet Branch: None
Vassals: None
Sworn Knighty Houses: House Stipe of Passfort, House Matthäus

[Achesia]

The Imperial Government-

Emperor: Titus Requient the IV
Empress: Lidia Requient (Formerly Avondale)
Heir Apparent: Julian the VI, brother of the Emperor

Chancellor: Lord Herold Julitt
Minister of Statecraft:

[Achesia]

Military:

Total: 250,000
Total Fit For Military Service: 7 Million

Types of Soldiers:

Foot: Levis,Town Milita, Sergeant Spearmen, Swordsmen, Men-At-Arms, Axemen, Armored Swordsmen, Armored Spearmen, Pikemen, Pole Armsmen, Zweihanders, Destitute Soldier, Levi Archers, Archers, Longbowmen, Crossbowmen, Pavise Crossbowmen
Horse: Milita Riders, Gothic Cavalry, Heavy Cavalry, Lancers, Light Cavalry, Mounted Archers, Mounted Crossbowmen
Knights:Household Knight, Errant Knight, Base Knight, Order Knight, Wyvern Knight, Achari Knight, Rector
Special: Achari Warrior, Rangers, Achari Bowmen, Merchant Son's Cavalry
Seige Engines: Catapult, Balista, Dragon's Tongue, Trebuchet
Ships: Cog, Hulk, Caravel, Carrack, Galley, Longship, Imperidon

Armies of the Empire-

Army of Requient - Imperium
(30,000 Men):
(Peacetime)

• 2 Dragons
• 24,000 Foot
• 4,000 Horse
• 2,000 Knights
• 60 Galleys
• 80 Cogs
• 20 Imperidons
• 30 Carracks

Royal Army of House Daevous - Greenfair
(16,000 Men):
(Peacetime)

• 12,000 Foot
• 2,600 Horse
• 1,200 Knights
• 200 Rangers
• 20 Galleys
• 30 Caravel
• 5 Carracks

Vassal Armies:

House Magnus of Violetmarsh
(9,000 Men):

• 8,500 Foot
• 1,000 Horse
• 500 Knights
• 3 Cogs

House Crownfox of Goldmeadow
(11,500 Men):

• 8,000 Foot
• 2,000 Horse
• 500 Crownfox Rangers
• 1,000 Knights

House Gotthard of Fairiorn
(10,000 Men):

• 8,000 Foot
• 1,500 Horse
• 500 Knights

House Helmut of Blackborough
(10,000 Men):

• 8,000 Foot
• 1,300 Horse
• 700 Knights

House Julitt of Norbarrow
(15,000 Men):

• 10,000 Foot
• 2,500 Horse
• 2,500 Knights
• 5 Galleys
• 6 Carracks
• 2 Caravels

House Ottmar or Bale's Shore
(5,000 Men):

• 4,000 Foot
• 750 Horse
• 250 Knights
• 5 Galleys
• 8 Longships
• 2 Carracks
• 2 Caravels

Armies of House Meardrake - Marchrule
(8,000 Men):
(Peacetime)

• 6,000 Foot
• 1,200 Horse
• 800 Knights
• 10 Galleys
• 20 Cogs
• 7 Carracks
• 20 Longships

Vassal Armies:

House Daevous of Bycrest
(5,000 Men):

• 3,500 Foot
• 1,000 Horse
• 500 Knights
• 3 Cogs
• 8 Longships
• 5 Galleys
• 2 Carracks

House Zander of Greenmeadow
(2,000 Men):

• 1,000 Foot
• 800 Horse
• 200 Knights

House Marzell of Faymarsh
(5,000 Men):

• 3,000 Foot
• 1,600 Horse
• 400 Knights
• 20 Longships

House Manfred of Blackmarsh
(3,000 Men):

• 2,700 Foot
• 250 Horse
• 50 Knights

House Wester of Wester
(7,000 Men):

• 5,500 Foot
• 1,000 Horse
• 500 Knights
• 15 Galleys
• 1 Carrack
• 10 Longships

House Swynn's Coastland's Army - Coastlands
(40,000 Men):
(Peacetime)

• 31,000 Foot
• 7,000 Horse
• 2,000 Knights
• 20 Imperidons
• 60 Galley
• 20 Carrack
• 40 Cog

Army of the Avonhold - Avonhold
(28,000 Men):
(Peacetime)

• 17,800 Foot
• 8,000 Horse
• 2,200 Knights

The Prince's Host of House Dunstan - Summercourt
(5,000 Men):
(Peacetime)

• 3,500 Foot
• 900 Horse
• 500 Knights
• 100 Rangers

Vassal Armies:

House Royden of Thonbridge
(4,000 Men):

• 2,300 Foot
• 1,500 Horse
• 200 Knights

House Wilf of Dronedge
(3,000 Men):

• 2,000 Foot
• 800 Horse
• 200 Knights

House Stauckman of Staucholt
(4,000 Men):

• 3,000 Foot
• 800 Horse
• 200 Knights

House Algernon of Qalecoast
(2,000 Men):

• 1,500 Foot
• 400 Horse
• 100 Knights
• 4 Longships

Army of Crarpine- Crarpine
(20,000 Men):
(Peacetime)

• 14,000 Foot
• 5,000 Horse
• 1,000 Knights

The Many Hosts of the Northern Countships

House Thribiger, Countship of Mablewater
(9,000 men)

• 6,500 Foot
• 2,000 Horse
• 500 Knights
• 5 Galley
• 4 Carrack
• 15 Cog

House Easthen of Easthen
(10,000 men)

• 7,000 Foot
• 2,500 Horse
• 500 Knights
• 5 Longships

House Thrinmark of Gesmead
(5,000 men)

• 3,800 Foot
• 1,000 Horse
• 200 Knights

House Dell of Dellmount
(9,000 men)

• 8,000 Foot
• 1,500 Horse
• 500 Knights
• 6 Longships

House Himdale of Himhold
(10,000 men)

• 8,500 Foot
• 1,000 Horse
• 500 Knights
• 6 Longships
• 7 Galleys

House Crownfox of Foxvale
(12,000 men)

• 10,000 Foot
• 1,000 Horse
• 1,000 Knights

House Wetzel of Naivale
(6,000 men)

• 5,000 Foot
• 900 Horse
• 100 Knights
• 4 Longships

House Brerrich of Brerspell
(8,200 men)

• 7,000 Foot
• 1,000 Horse
• 200 Knights
• 7 Longships

House Pobarlong of Pobarhurst
(9,000 men)

• 7,000 Foot
• 1,300 Horse
• 700 Knights
• 4 Longships

House Wolfmar of Seicwynne
(7,000 men)

• 5,000 Foot
• 1,800 Horse
• 200 Knights

Royal Army of Heartwald- Northmoore
(10,000 Men):
(Peacetime)

• 7,500 Foot
• 1,000 Horse
• 500 Knights
• 2 Imperidons
• 11 Galley
• 5 Carrack
• 17 Cog

Army of House Thrat- Thratmere
(8,000 Men):
(Peacetime)

• 6,200 Foot
• 1,000 Horse
• 800 Knights
• 13 Galley
• 2 Carrack
• 9 Cog