Empire Asunder BoxSet
Page 77
Language
The Imperial tongue is spoken by everyone, regardless of location. Additionally, several kingdoms have their own cherished secondary languages:
Cartha - Carthic
Daphina - Dauphi
Yoshini - Yoshihan
Carthic is the oldest of the languages spoken in the empire, and has both an ancient and current version. Considered primitive by many, Carthic incorporates some words from the Chekican tongue itself.
Filled with illogical nuance, Dauphi is challenging for non-native speakers to pronounce flawlessly. Most evident, but equally difficult to master, is the propensity to leave one syllable of each word silent. For this reason, along with its soft, flowery vocabulary, Dauphi is often considered the most artistic language in the empire, if not the world.
If Dauphi is the most challenging, Yoshi is the most foreign-sounding language to Imperial ears. Its origins predate Yoshini’s incorporation into the empire, and the island province’s isolation for generations caused this vowel-heavy language to develop a unique vocabulary and sing-song delivery.
Naming Conventions
Names are an easy means to identify an individual’s class. Nobility traditionally use longer, three-syllable names; commoners, two; thralls are monosyllabic.
Surnames are not used. Instead, occasions that require distinction employ a parent’s name and suffix -son or -ster. Thus, Nicolas Hermann-son.
A similar convention is used as an actual name when a family wishes to honor a particular personage. Thus, Henrikson to honor a man named Henrik, or Kleoster to honor a woman named Kleo. These cases are rare, and must still conform to the requirements of class. The most common cases involve honoring the individual responsible for raising a family from common to nobility. Thus, Antonson.
History
Human occupancy of the empire dates back thousand of years, but not always as those in control. The oldest known civilization in the region was the Azilian Empire, of which these lands were only a part. The Azilians fell to their servants, the Chekiks, whose time had a much more lasting impact on the era that followed.
The Chekiks were a magick-wielding, devil-worshipping race of Demi-humans. After overthrowing the Azilians, they enslaved humans (hratha, in their tongue) and waged war on neighbor after neighbor. They named the land Ra’Cheka, but disliked the climate. So they expanded their dominion by digging vast underground cities, long since forgotten. By forming a communion with the devils they worshipped—a civilization known as the Chekican Communion—their expansion continued unabated until their own divided loyalties erupted in civil war. Seizing the opportunity, humanity overthrew the Chekiks, culminating in the Battle of Ethena, and formed the Empire of Four Kingdoms, comprising the original lands of Cartha, Daphina, Lorester, and Liniza.
Over time, these four kingdoms bickered and fought against each other and with themselves, splitting eventually into the Empire of Ten Kingdoms, then once more into the Empire of Twelve Kingdoms that currently exists. During that last civil war, the neighboring country of Naru invaded from the south, pushing as far as Asturia before slowly being driven back over the course of several generations.
Those mindful of history seek long, peaceful reigns by an emperor to prevent further weakness and separation. Sadly, more often than not, the Emperor’s Throne either sits empty or cushions a man more concerned with personal glory than Imperial stable. The most recent Emperor, Eberhart, was an exception to the rule and a model for others to emulate, if possible.
Religion
Most Imperials are not overtly religious. They acknowledge the existence of a host of gods, and on occasion engage in ceremonies or pay tributes intended to curry favor with a particularly relevant deity. But for most, the gods do not occupy much daily thought, and their primary manifestation is in simple expressions that are little more than thoughtless colloquialisms. “Great Theus!” is a ubiquitous expression of surprise, and “the poxing Devil” a common vulgarity.
As always, there are exceptions. In battle, a soldier might whisper a hurried prayer to Todos, the god of war and death. At harvest, a farmer might make an offering to Father Kron (“Kron’s Blessing”), the god of the earth. The denizens of Shady Glen perform a ritual burning of the dead in tribute to Tempus, the god of fire—though for most, the reasons why have been lost to time.
Some deities have formally organized followings inside the empire, however. Theus, in particular, is worshipped by many noble houses and clerics of the cities, and the Grand Cleric of Theus has a temple in Darleaux. Aqa, Goddess of the Sea, has an even more impressive temple in Valos. Todos has a secret shrine in Neublusten.
The most prominent gods and goddesses worshipped in the empire are:
Theus, eldest brother of the gods
Kron (sometimes Father Kron), the god of the earth
Todos, the god of war and death
Orkus, the god of wisdom
Sola (sometimes Mother Sola), the goddess of the sky
Aqa, the goddess of the sea
Theus, the god of fire
Yagos, god of immortality
(Note: The following contains countless spoilers. It is recommended that you only read this after finishing Hearts of Fire.)
Despite the irreverence of most Imperials, the gods are more active than widely believed. They are not benevolent beings looking down on the people, however, they are the same devils of old worshipped by the ancient Chekican Communion, simply renamed. In hidden places within the empire, the worship and practice of sacrifice continues by secretive cults who believe they protect the empire at large from the malignancies of these terrible powers.
Each devil is associated with a corresponding false god:
Shuberath, the six-legged snake (Theus)
Bellugug, the scorpion with two tails (Kron)
Bakulus (Todos)
Ithicus (Orkus)
Urhelia (Sola)
Thanathua, the fish-serpent (Aqa)
Reglaku (Tempus)
Nagnuaqua, the bat without wings (Yagos)
The Twelve Kingdoms
Akenberg
Adjective: Akenberg
People: Akenbergers
Capital: Neublusten
King: Hermann
Symbol: Mountain
Color: Indigo and White
Places
Allstatte - A city in western Akenberg, near the border with Daphina, seized in a border dispute by King Hermann of Akenberg.
Krankensheim (called The Crooked Wood by Asturians) - A forest in southern Akenberg near the border with Asturia, rumored to be home to twisted trees and hostile animals. Its southernmost reaches were part of Asturia until the entire forest was seized in a border dispute between King Hermann of Akenberg and King Anton of Asturia.
Lambon (called Lambina by Asturians) - A region in southern Akenberg, along the border with Asturia, where Lord Jacinto’s holdings were located before the area was seized in a border dispute between King Hermann of Akenberg and King Anton of Asturia.
Neublusten (“New Blue Stone”) - The capital of Akenberg and one of the four great cities of the empire.
People (first reference*)
The Royal Family
Hermann, king of Akenberg, father of Markolac and Nicolas (ToS)
Markolac (Marko), prince, Hermann’s eldest son and heir (ToS)
Nicolas (Nico), prince, Hermann’s youngest son (ToS)
The Court
Goodwin, a teacher (ToS)
Kip, a page (ToS)
Lorana, duchess (ToS)
Pris, a serving girl (HoF)
Renard, ex-soldier, Nico’s swordtrainer (ToS)
Sils, a serving girl, sister of Trip (HoF)
Thamos, chancellor (ToS)
Military
Anika, a captain (HoF)
Benson, a captain (HoF)
Cottzer, general, commander of the Emperor’s Army (HoF)
Dolen, a Swordthane and mercenary (ToS)
Freilenn, general, comman
der of the Second Army fighting Lorester (HoF)
Handersonn, general, without field command (HoF)
Henk, a private (HoF)
Hirt, a private and messenger (SaC)
Koblenzar, general of the Rechshtal (HoF)
Mychal, a private and messenger (SaC)
Piveto, a captain and aide to General Freilenn (SaC)
Rama, a private and messenger (SaC)
Reikmann, captain of Hermann’s Royal Guard (HoF)
Rinnick, a private and messenger (ToS)
Trip, a private, brother of Sils (HoF)
Witlock, an intelligence agent (SaC)
The Threeshields
Angus, a private (ToS)
Bayard, captain of the Threeshields, an Akenberg cavalry company (ToS)
Conley, a private (ToS)
Driscol, a private (ToS)
Ezra, a corporal (ToS)
Hager, a private (ToS)
Keldon, a corporal (ToS)
Kopek, a private (SaC)
Landon, a private (ToS)
Leny, a private (SaC)
Lima, a private (ToS)
Manus, a private (ToS)
Mickens, a corporal (ToS)
Mip, a private, twin brother of Pim (ToS)
Mira, a private (ToS)
Pim, a private, twin brother of Mip (ToS)
Others
Friederich, former king of Akenberg (SaC)
Walkenson, a hern (SaC)
*(ToS) Three of Swords
(HoF) Hearts of Fire
(SaC) Shield and Crown
(-) unreferenced
Asturia
Adjective: Asturian
People: Asturians
Capital: Cormona
King: Anton
Symbol: Olive Tree
Color: Vermillion and Gold
Places
Bloodspire - Ancient shrine dedicated to Orkus, the god of wisdom.
Cormona - The capital of Asturia. Once a thriving trade center, before the Qiver River dried into an unnavigable waterway.
The Crooked Wood (called Krankensheim by Akenbergers) - A forest in southern Akenberg near the border with Asturia, rumored to be home to twisted trees and hostile animals. Its southernmost reaches were part of Asturia until the entire forest was seized in a border dispute between King Hermann of Akenberg and King Anton of Asturia.
Fort Marbella - A fort and refitting station in northern Asturia.
Lambina (called Lambon by Akenbergers) - A region in southern Akenberg, along the border with Asturia, where Lord Jacinto’s holdings were located before the area was seized in a border dispute between King Hermann of Akenberg and King Anton of Asturia.
Trepas Gulch - A canyon in northern Asturia, with three exits at the southern end but narrowing into one at the northern. An effective ambush location.
People (first reference*)
The Royal Family
Anton, king of Asturia, father of Letitia and Tobias (ToS)
Letitia (Leti), princess, Anton’s daughter (ToS)
Tobias (Toby), prince, Anton’s son and heir (ToS)
The Court
Bayona, a lord (ToS)
Jacinto, a lord and advisor, land lost to Akenberg (ToS)
Silgo, Toby’s teacher and swordtrainer
Uza, an executioner (HoF)
Military
Burro, a corporal in Anton’s Royal Guard (HoF)
Gornada, captain of Anton’s Royal Guard (ToS)
Leonid, a corporal in Anton’s Royal Guard (HoF)
Pavel, a corporal in Anton’s Royal Guard (HoF)
Rafa, a guardsman (SaC)
Others
Delila, Gornada’s daughter (HoF)
Diego, Gornada’s son (HoF)
Iago, Baron of Feana, in rebellion (ToS)
Iasha, Gornada’s daughter (HoF)
*(ToS) Three of Swords
(HoF) Hearts of Fire
(SaC) Shield and Crown
(-) unreferenced
Buldova
Adjective:Buldovan
People:Buldovans
Capital:Livu Brada
Queen:Pricila
Symbol:Sickle
Color:Orange and Dark Brown
Places
Livu Brada - The capital of Buldova, located near the richest pastures of the province’s sweeping grasslands.
Wisola River - A wide, slow-flowing river marking the border between Buldova and Gothenberg. Replaced the drying Qiver as the major east-west conduit in the eastern and southern kingdoms.
People (first reference*)
Pricila, queen of Buldova (-)
Arturo (see The Order of Swordthanes)
*(ToS) Three of Swords
(HoF) Hearts of Fire
(SaC) Shield and Crown
(-) unreferenced
Cartha
Adjective: Carthic
People: Carthans
Capital: Valos
King: Konstantin
Symbol: Flame
Color: Purple and White
Language: Carthic
Places
Valos - the capital of Cartha, the largest port and one of the four great cities of the empire
People (first reference*)
Konstantin, king of Cartha (-)
*(ToS) Three of Swords
(HoF) Hearts of Fire
(SaC) Shield and Crown
(-) unreferenced
Daphina
Adjective: Dauphi
People: Dauphi
Capital: Darleaux
Co-Monarchs: Queen Louisa and King Argenlieu
Symbol: Fleur
Colors: Azure and Silver
Language: Dauphi
Places
Allstatte - A former city in eastern Daphina, seized in a border dispute by King Hermann of Akenberg.
Darleaux - The capital of Daphina and one of the four great cities of the empire. Widely considered the cultural capital for the empire entire.
People (first reference*)
The Royal Family
Argenlieu, king and co-monarch of Daphina (SaC)
Louisa, queen and co-monarch of Daphina (SaC)
Military
Boisson, a general, commander of the force besieging Allstatte (SaC)
*(ToS) Three of Swords
(HoF) Hearts of Fire
(SaC) Shield and Crown
(-) unreferenced
Falkenreach
Adjective: Reacher
People: Reachers
Capital: Varborg
King: Tesius
Symbol: Owl
Colors: Black and Gray
Places
Everdawn - The northernmost village in the empire and the location for Shady Glen’s many regional festivals.
Feursten Mountains (“Fire-stone mountains”) - A large mountain range extending along the northern coastline of the empire.
Shady Glen - A heavily forested region in northern Falkenreach, home to Everdawn and smaller villages.
Varborg - The capital of Falkenreach and home to the Varborg Academy, a prestigious school of swordfighting.
People (first reference*)
The Royal Family
Tesius, king of Falkenreach (-)
Everdawn and Shady Glen
Bashir (deceased), former disciple of Tempus (ToS)
Broker (Old Man Broker), Everdawn villager (ToS)
Calla, Henrik’s daughter, Kevik’s sweetheart (ToS)
Gallo, a village blacksmith’s son (ToS)
Henrik, Everdawn’s historian, father of Calla (ToS)
Hinch, Gallo’s friend (ToS)
Jak, Rodrik and Sofi’s housethrall (ToS)
Kevik, aspiring swordsman, Rodrik and Sofi’s son (ToS)
Kleo, Rodrik and Sofi’s daughter (ToS)
Kluber, Rosco’s son (ToS)
Kurtis, a friend of Kevik (ToS)
Lukas, disciple of Tempus (ToS)
Pikkel, Everdawn villager and musician (ToS)
Rif
f, Rosco’s housethrall (ToS)
Rodrik, Everdawn’s clerk, father of Kevik and Kleo (ToS)
Rosco, Everdawn’s magistrate, father of Kluber (ToS)
Rodder, a friend of Kevik (ToS)
Sofi, Rodrik’s wife, mother of Kevik and Kleo (ToS)
Others
Gronen, a trapper (SaC)
Mara, a refugee, Margo’s infant daughter (SaC)
Margo, a refugee, mother of Simpa and Mara (SaC)
Simpa, a refugee, Margo’s eldest daughter (SaC)
Sori, Gronen’s wife (SaC)
Tomba, a refugee, Margo’s husband (SaC)
*(ToS) Three of Swords
(HoF) Hearts of Fire
(SaC) Shield and Crown
(-) unreferenced
Gothenberg
Adjective: Gothic
People: Gothenbergers (slang: Goths)