Vitian Empire

The First Imperial Union of the Doctrine Vitae (or simply the Vitian Empire) is a union of several states in the Ordinian region of Isthima established roughly 1050 ATC under the conquest of Annarach, The Uniter. Historically, the Vitian Empire rests upon the ruins of the former Chroma Supremacy and their Drogon Elf allies. After the end of The Chroma Conquest, the Female Primordial Brass Dragon, Illiazar, was put in charge of the reformation efforts for the Drogon Elves to be reintegrated into continental politics, coined the Living Reformation. In contemporary times, the Vitian Empire stands as a model utopia. Advances in technology, culture, and diplomacy has set the Vitian Empire as a world power.

Notable Information

 * Capital: Annarach's Rock
 * Government: Sixth Office of the Imperial Highness
 * Government Type: Selective Absolute Empire
 * Ruler: Prinda Amastacia
 * Prefectures (States): Baqliya, Dythys, Khensu, Pithom, Tanta, Tjaru
 * Larger Cities: Ramal, Aegina, Hierophant, Usum, Luxa, Illios, Akielios
 * Allies: Nassau
 * Neutral: Kyros, Tyrahna, Valis Statera, Yachtingham, Domino Dracari (Tempestia, Agrisauria)
 * Enemies: Domino Dracari (Adeiazo), Coastal Conclave
 * Population: 6,000,000 (30% Elves, 20% Dragonborne, 20% Human, 10% Tabaxi, 10% Tiefling, 10% Other)
 * Climate: Desert/Savannah/Tropical
 * Economics: Tourism, Agriculture, and Art.
 * Predominant Religious affiliation: 95% Doctrine, <5% Other

General Timeline
507 ATC - Chroma Conquest is finished, Tsunamarach sues for peace and, in the process, demilitarizes the region of Isthima and places its inhabitants in the stewardship of Illiazar.

521 ATC - After demilitarization efforts have completed, Illiazar institutes the Great Separation, a process by which the current generation of Drogon elves (those who had served the Chroma Supremacy and adopted its values) were separated from their children and exiled from the region. During this time, Illiazar passes down her Doctrine Vitae to the new generation of elves, coined Vitian Elves.

699 ATC - Illiazar, content with her work with the Vitian Elves, builds the City of Light (Illios) in the middle of the Dunes of Kaman into the Serbal Mountains. Within the city, they build the Temple Sicyon and as her last act upon the plane, Illiazar left a portion of her power, in the form of The First Flame, to sit upon the Dais of Eternity.

717/721/729/731 ATC - Eager to spread the Doctrine Vitae and to expand their territory, several groups of Vitian Elves, Dragonborne, and Humans ventured across the region to establish the cities of Hierophant, Luxa, Aegina, and Akielios respectively.

824 ATC - After years of separation, the Vitians establish regional states: Tjaru (Hierophant), Pithom (Luxa), Khensu (Aegina), and Dythys (Akielios). Although each state agreed-upon core principles of the Doctrine Vitae, each had its own regional customs which developed due to their geographical separation.

944 ATC - As each state developed similar but distinct customs with regard to the Doctrine, they became more assured that their interpretation of the Doctrine was the correct one. With each state laying claim to Illios, the War for the Flame begins.

945 ATC - While Tjaru, Pithom, and Khensu waged ware for dominion over Illios, a Vitian Elf by the name of Annarach went to plead with the First Flame to end the war. The First Flame, seeing Annarach to be of true virtue, imbued him with the power of the First Flame and its creator, Illiazar.

947 ATC - Empowered by the First Flame, Annarach went first to Khensu, the instigator of the war, and met with Djeru, leader of Khensu. Annarach challenged Djeru to single combat, bested him, and decided to spare his life as an example of his virtue. Inspired by Annarach's ability and virtue, Djeru swore fealty to Annarach and agreed to use the forces of Khensu to end the war.

947 ATC - As the forces of Tjaru and Pithom gathered on the outskirts of Illios, Annarach on a lone mount, approached the leaders of Tjaru and Pithom to parley. Happatra, leader of Tjaru, and Nankantan, leader of Pithom, agreed to meet with Annarach with both intending to ally themselves with him to defeat the other. Contrary to both's beliefs, Annarach convinced both to understand his vision of the future and a glorious Vitian Empire. The forces of Tjaru and Pithom both swore fealty to Annarach thus ending the War for the Flame.

948 ATC - While Khensu, Tjaru, and Pithom fought with one another, Dythys and its people were content to build up their forces and strike when its enemies had dwindled one another's army. With the advent of Annarach, though, their strategy had to change. Thaan'Ra, leader of Dythys, believed that Annarach was an impostor and desired to make a fool of him so that Djeru, Happatra, and Nankantan would continue to fight one another. In order to reveal Annarach as a fraud, Thaan'Ra invited him to Akielios and staged an assassination attempt against the invited guest. After the would-be assassin was apprehended, Thaan'Ra allowed Annarach to pass judgement on the assassin. Expectting Annarach to order the assassin's execution, Thaan'Ra was surprised to see Annarach demonstrate his virtue and pardon the assassin after listening to the life story of this framed criminal. Convinced of Annarach's status as the First Flame's Chosen one, Thaan'Ra swore fealty to Annarach.

950 ATC - In an attempt to get all states the chance to speak for their people, Annarach, Djeru, Happatra, Nankantan, and Thaan'Ra author and sign the Writ of Exaltation, which formally establishes the Vitian Empire and enumerates its organization in accordance with the Doctrine Vitae with Annarach, "The Radiant," as the first Emperor.

960 ATC - Annarach mandates the creation of The Trials, the process by which he next emperor will be chosen to preside over the Empire. Annarach creates the Twin Sphinxes of Khen-Ra and Kal-Non to "design, build, and preside over The Trials" in the crypts of Temple Sicyon.

972 ATC - In order to effectively manage and organize the Empire, Annarach mandated the Office of the Emperor under which he established the role of Vizier of Isthima, the Empire's steward, at the same level of Prefecture Hierarchs and Dominon Arbiters.

976 ATC - In his final act as emperor, Annarach addressed the citizens of Illios in a speech entitled "Eternal Horizon" in which Annarach states his pride in the Vitian people and his vision of an eternal Vitian Empire on the horizon, if the Vitian people maintain it. After he completed his speech, Annarach enters the Temple Crypts and completes the Trials once more to give his power and soul back to the First Flame.

1053 ATC - A great earthquake ravages the Isthiman region, The Khala-Rakni, and devestates the Vitian Empire. A new emperor rise from the devastation, Amundyr, a female human doctor who completes the trials after being sealed inside the crypts knowing there are those who need her. Once she bonded with the First Flame, Amundyr mandated the created of the Pharmaburo, Imperial Union Public Works, and the Doma Planning Agency.

1061 ATC - Having rebuilt a majority of the Empire and established organizations to strengthen the Empire's infrastructure, Amundyr mandated the building of a new capital to symbolize the renewed strength of the Empire. The city's foundation was built upon the Lonely Mesa so that travelers would see the glorious capital from miles away. Once completed, the city was named Annarach's Rock, to honor the first Emperor.

1075 ATC - Amundyr, now referred to as "The Builder," moved into the Imperial Palace in Annarach's Rock and addresses the citizens of the Empire. Amundyr described how the power of the Empire is derived from the unity of its people in action, speech, and purpose. Soon later, Amundyr passed from the power of the First Flame and her body was taken back to Illios into the Masoleum of Emperors. A grand statue was erected in Annarach's Rock and was inscribed with her speech, now referred to as "Edifice of Unity."

1126 ATC - In the aftermath of the Khala-Rakni, several tunnels and passages are created, some of which connect to the Underdark. One such connection leads to Akielios and from that connection arose a legion of creatures of the night which wreaked havoc on the citizens of Akielios in the middle of the night, slaughtering a majority of the population.

1130 ATC - What began as a minor incursion quickly developed into a full-scale occupation of the state of Dythys. In the midst of this chaos a new emperor emerges, Mohaiem a male tiefling blacksmith who had survived the Long Night. After he ascension to the Imperial Office, Mohaeim mandated the creation of the Imperial Praetorian Guard to reclaim that which had been taken by the demons. To appropriately supply his army, Mohaiem’s mandate included a provison called the “Great Defense” which dictated that all must serve in the Praetorian Guard.

1134 ATC - Using the newly founded Praetorian Guard, Mohaiem is able to disperse the demonic incursion and rebuild the ruined city of Akielios and seal the source of the incursion. In doing so, Mohaeim discovers that the underground lakes and rivers which feed each city are connected through these very same tunnels and mandates an extensive exploration of these waterways.

1167 ATC - In an effort to secure the Empire’s future, Mohaeim combines the Public Works into the Praetorian Guard to encourage a philosophy of community integration and defense so that all must serve through that which they can provide. Mohaeim then gives his final address to the people in the reconstructed city of Akielios “Fires of Forever” and devotes himself to the flame as a phoenix which may guard over the empire for eternity. His ashes then being taken to the Masoleum of Emperors.

1203 ATC - The extensive exploration of underground lakes and rivers is completed and a system of waterways is developed to allow secure and safe passage between major cities and regions, named after the late Emperor Mohaeim to AquaMoha.

1322 ATC - What begins as a localized outbreak of a rather tame disease (Cavern Crawl) becomes an extensive pandemic that spreads fast thanks to the AquaMoha which connects the large cities far easier than before. The Pharmaburo becomes unable to handle the rush of medical attention and is unable to provide care and determine proper methods of long-term care and prevention. Kapri, a male Elf librarian, arose to become the new emperor.

1324 ATC - Kapri, with the assistance of the Empire’s best and brightest was able to control the extent of the outbreak and inspire the people to comply with measures which had seemed antithetical to the Vitian way. In an effort to centralize the distribution of knowledge and safe practice, Kapri established the Kalidaburo to ensure equal education and information access to all citizens of the Empire.

1377 ATC - Kapri mandates the establishment of the Imperial Archives, which shall house information across the empire’s major cities for distribution by the Kalidaburo and the Rajahan named after the great Vizier of Kapri who famously critiqued his emperor with the utmost respect and admiration. It is the solemn mandate of the Rajahan to be the voice of concern for the Empire when it’s emperor makes a decision deemed bold or controversial: “To Trust With Eyes Open”.

1381 ATC - In front of the newly finished Grand Archives in Hierophant, Kapri gives his final address “From Darkness to Light” which discusses his hope for a Vitian Empire which seeks to grow in service to the needs of its people and to serve as an example of stability and modernity to the citizens of Ordinia. Kapri then passed on his journey from Hierophant to Illios and had his ashes sealed in the Mausoleum of Emperors.

1543 ATC - In the town of Sakara, on the outskirts of Annarach’s rock, an experimental crop was being tested to feed the empire’s growing populace. Instead of producing a new agricultural powerhouse, the crop infected the nearby plots and ravaged the harvest of the Empire, leaving them without food. During this famine crisis, a new Emperor arises, Khemba, a female Tabaxi farmer from the ravaged region.

1552 ATC - Understanding that the Empire can no longer rely solely on its own self-sufficient production, Khemba establishes the Office of Day within the Lights of Illios to serve as the diplomatic corps of the Empire on the world stage. Khemba is then able to leverage this new diplomatic office to establish a trading agreement with the island nation of Nassau which was the only nation to listen to their plea and offer aid. In order to allow more cargo ships to bring aid to the Empire, Khemba mandated the establishment of Ramal a coastal city in the newly established state of Tanta.

1560 ATC - Although previously standard coinage had been handled at the state-level, in order to repay the debt of the Empire to Nassau and to organize a system of commerce between nations rather than between states, Khemba mandates the creation of the Vitian Exchange Bureau. In an effort to avoid a future famine, Khemba also mandated the Standard Doma Allotment which ensured that each Doma would receive the basic food items needed for survival, regardless of price.

1578 ATC - In the newly established city of Ramal, Khemba meets with the Archbishop of Nassau and delivers a gift of eternal gratitude for the aid given by Nassau in the Empire’s time of need. Khemba then delivers a speech, “Twin Suns,” which talks about the newly eternal bond between these two nations and sets the tone for the allied status between these two nations in perpetuity. Soon after that address, Khemba returns to Illios and returns her spirit to the First Flame.

1748 ATC - With the advent of the Office of Day and the Vitian Empire taking a more worldly approach to its affairs, neighboring nations began to take an interest into the Empire’s internal politics. Crime in the coastal cities rose to a level which the Empire was completely unequipped to handle. Human trafficking became a very profitable business as the Vitians are a generally trusting people. Whole Doma’s began disappearing and during the journey of one such kidnapped Doma, a shipwreck allowed the rise of the next emperor Asaya “The Awakened,” a non-binary Human.

1752 ATC - After Asaya spends several years in the Great Dunes of Kaman, they approached Illios as a mere commoner and saw the deterioration of the Doctrine Vitae. Asaya saw that the Empire’s most sacred spaces had become places of the mundane. Against the wishes of the Temple’s elders, Asaya entered the Trials to officially claim their title as emperor of The Vitian Empire to the surprise of the Temple caretakers.

1755 ATC - In order to protect the citizens of the Empire, Asaya broadened the purview of the Vitian Exchange Bureau, through the Mandate of One Flame which allows the Bureau to manufacture fiat currency by which to control the flow of foreign currency and influence. This was then further strengthened by their Mandate of Solemn Night which established the Office of Dusk whose solemn duty is to protect the Empire from internal and external plots against its citizens.

1761 ATC - Asaya, pleased with the reduction of foreign influence, then Mandates the establishment of a new series of practices which reinforce the strength of the Doctrine Vitae such as: The Rashashan, The Suul-reian , and The Saiadeemar. Furthermore, they mandated the creation of the city of Usum, where Asaya landed after the shipwreck, and then establishment of the state of Baqliya.

1802 ATC - Unlike his predecessors, Asaya gave no final speech before the end of his reign. Instead, he left an open letter to all citizens of the Empire where he discussed the rebirth of the people’s empire which Annarach united and how proud he was. It is believed that Asaya went back into the Dunes of Kaman and transformed his soul into a phoenix to watch over the empire for eternity.

1979 ATC - While on a pilgrimage to Annarach’s Rock several Doma’s were raided by reavers from the nation of Adeiazo which left several Vitians dead and injured. Among the survivors was the new emperor Prinda, a female Elf engineer who lost several members of her Doma to the raid. In her grief she found the courage to face the trials so that no Vitian would have to lose as she did.