The Hadrian Empire

Discipline, order, knowledge

Centuries ago, a prophecy was given to the Hadrian people. The translation of this prophecy has varied, until the coming of Empress Elizabetha in 990. Chosen by the gods and so moved by the prophecy, Elizabetha overthrew the slow moving Senate, taking singular power over Hadria.

Her prophecy spoke of a coming darkness, one that would consume all of humanity unless they became a united people under her banner. Thus began the campaign to unite the peoples of the world. Through diplomacy first, and force when resisted, the Empire moved through the southern lands, gathering the congregation of lands under the bureaucratic might of the Hadrian Empire.

These lands enjoyed full rights as Hadrian citizens, access by law to food, shelter, and education, in addition to keeping their traditional religions and customs. Though some of these lands still push against Empire influence, all have agreed to fight against the coming darkness under the banner of the Empire. 

Once the lands of the South had been united, Empress Elizabetha began to look north to the uncrossable Maw. Through an incredible investment of time, people, science, and engineering, the Hadrians succeeded in crossing the toxic desert. 

The Hadrians entered the March in __, but their diplomats were met with violent resistance from the Rivlan people. So the Empire sent their military might - the Legion - across the Maw, and so began the 10 Years War. The Empire gained a foothold in the March through the acquisition of the city of Goldenfold, establishing the city as an example of Hadrian citizen life in conjunction with Legion preparations. Hadrian alchemists, arcanists, and business owners filled the city with their new discoveries and technologies, working hand in hand with the Rivlans who were willing to be friendly to the retinue.

But the prophecy is never far from the minds of the children of the Empire, for they alone are the ones who can bring humanity through the darkness to come.


Leadership

The Hadrian Empire is an absolute monarchy with all power centered on the Empress. Managing the nine provinces beneath her is a vast bureaucratic system. The first layer is the High Consulate, composed of the Consuls and Legates hand-picked by the Empress to serve as governors of the Empire’s provinces and as her decentralized advisory council. Beneath these governors are the Provincial Senates, then the Consilium and Officia. The residents of each province are all considered citizens, granted equal rights and protections under Imperial law regardless of social status.


Relationship in the March

The Hadrian Empire's relationship with the March is that of a conquering force, whether that is a desired or undesired reputation; they fought a bloody and protracted war with the Rivlan Baronies, seeking to bring them into the Empire as a vassal state. The Vadurkin Clans and Suzak-Mar as a result watch the Empire with bated breath. They have not yet established themselves as firm allies or enemies, though Imperial diplomats have come to many different conclusions regarding how negotiations might unfold.

Goals

The End Times are coming - the signs can be seen everywhere one looks, and can be heard upon the wind if one stops to listen. The only way to prevent them from coming to pass is to unite all of Humanity under a single banner so that they might march together in a final battle to save the world. The March represents the final step in this great endeavor. All that lies South of the Dragon's Maw has already been brought into the fold. Whatever the methods, the March must be brought in as well. The Empress has decreed it must be so.

The Hadrian Pantheon

When the universe exploded into being, the light and darkness were all in existence. They came to know themselves as Caliga and Lucius, mother and father to the cosmos. From their essence they created their siblings; Caelus, god of the moon, to reflect the light of Caliga into creation and Ortho, god of the earth, to foster life in Lucius’s shadows.

As the eons passed like fleeting moments, the love of Caliga and Lucius grew furious and passionate. From this union sprang the children of the creation. Aelia burst into being as a radiant fire and awoke the splendor of life on the earth. This was the first of a new generation of gods. Following Aelia, Lucretia spun into the world as life sprang into its many variations and forms. And Trajan washed over the earth and came to settle in its valleys to claim its hidden places and create new depths. The old gods found these children to be a powerful dichotomy to themselves, while the young gods felt their parents were idle and oppressive.

As the eons stretched on and the three youngest gods came of age, they began to create for themselves. More complex and intricate than their parents, they created fascinating creatures. Aelia convinced her siblings to come together, plot in secret, and created mankind. Humans were given free will that was unknown to the cosmos, the intelligence to invent, and the drive to evolve. Humans were unlike any other creature in creation. Caliga and Lucius were furious and commanded that these beings be destroyed. It was then that Aelia lead the war of succession. The Rebellious Three, the first children of creation, defended us from their parents as creatures devoid of life came to claim our souls.

After a long war, the Rebellious Three overthrew their parents, banished them to the corners of the cosmos, and rescued us from oblivion. But victory came at a cost. Caliga and Lucius vowed to return with their void creatures to clash again with their children to wipe the earth and start anew. Death was now the fate of all life since the sources of creation were gone. And our gods are now distant while they watch for the return of their rivals. Some believe the fires of Aelia will save us. Some believe those same fires will doom us. But we all share the believe that uniting mankind is our only salvation from the void.

It is said that after the old gods were overthrown, Aelia took her seat as the ruler of the gods and retreated to rest. As she slumbered she feared for the souls of the humans that she had created and dimmed as she sorrowed. In her dreams an ethereal woman came to console Aelia and promised to guide their soles to a secret place that her parents would not know of and keep them safe. When she awoke, she found Astara, the ethereal woman, still embracing her in comfort and affection. She was everything that Aelia was not. Astara was kind rather than ruthless, gentle rather than firm, calm rather than rash. She left to keep her promise and stand as a vigil for sight of Caliga and Lucius. A love was born between them as love between stars. Separated by great distances, their light and love will always be felt by one another. When the the sun is embraced by shadow, it’s a sign that Aelia and Astara have found a moment’s embrace amid their eternal watch over mankind.

  • Aelia - Sun, War, Fire, Victory

    Partner to Astara

    Daughter of Caliga and Lucius, gods of darkness and god of light respectively. She led a rebellion against her parents, with the assistance of her siblings, Lucretia and Trajan. She is ruthless and undying.

    The eldest of the siblings, she is driven to achieve and saw her parents as unfit leaders. She strove to set an example for the mortal realm, placing her favor only on the families and individuals that strove for greatness. She places her favor on the ruling family, gifting the matriarch of the family with greatness. (It is the believed that the empress is the mortal embodiment of Aelia. This has led to a tradition of the throne not being given to the oldest daughter, but the one who is proven to be skilled and ruthless. This in turn, has fueled the expansion driven culture of the Hadrians)

    Lucretia - Luck, Fortune, Choices

    The middle child of the rebellious 3. Kind and mischievous, gifted with visions of the past and future. She dreams of the end of the world. Where all realms are cleansed with an unending fire. It is suspected that this end will be brought about by betrayal and vengeance. She gives favor to gamblers, mercenaries, and equestrians.

    Trajan - Sea, Wrath, Trickery

    Youngest of the rebellious 3. Your typical youngest child, no consequences for his actions, no matter the harm done. Mortals rumor that Trajan will be the betrayer that brings about the end of times. He favors thieves, old sailors, those who seek revenge, and actors. Description text goes here

  • Caelus - Moon, Wisdom, Change

    An old god. Uncle of Aelia, not given the same fate as his sister Caliga, due to his wise nature. He supported Augusta’s attempt at power, wanting to see the change that she could create in the world. He is an important advisor to Aelia, but has no loyalty to her. His loyalty is solely to growth and change. He gives favor to creators and inventors, philosophers and those who work at night. He is frequently represented by an owl, and it’s said that when you see an owl, Caelus is watching you.

    Otho - Earth, Harvest, Revelry, Fertility

    An old god. Born at the beginning of creation, he emerged from the earth as the fruit of the first tree. A fickle god that values entertainment and joy. Festivals are thrown in his honor that are raunchy and raucous. It is said that the largest families are those that are throw the best gatherings, and are favored by him. He gives favor to farmers, brewers and midwives.

    Astara - Sleep, Death, Peace

    Partner of Aelia

    Born from the aether, appeared in the dreams of Aelia and when she awoke Astara stood before her. She guides the mortals to the realm of the dead, and is the keeper of the Hidden Plains from Caliga and Lucius. She gives favor to those who negotiate peace, daydreamers, and those who heal.