Dagroth

The Empire of Dagroth is a sovereign state located in Brigidna on a large penninsula near the center eastern edge of the continent. The nation is surrounded on the south and east side by the Pythian Sea, with the north having the Gulf of Dagroth, as well as the Estrek Plains. Several islands off the coast of the mainland are considered part of the nation. Eastern Dagroth, and Southern Dagroth have a tendency to have a maritime climate, while the inland parts are more continental. The Grand Kingdom of Ashford sits on the north-western border of Dagroth, The Allied States of Carpathia and Moldova sits on the northern border, The Principality of Felis and The Kingdom of Freesia sit on the south-western border of the Empire.

Dagroth has held a long tradition of Monarchism and nobility rule, with a fairly militant, and conservative rule the nation has not had to deal with the rise of a democratic faction. The Empire possesses an Absolute Monarchy, who is served by the various Praetors, and Dominai. The Emperor/Empress is considered the sole owner of all of the land within Dagroth, but the Praetors and Dominai rule in their stead. This has led to many Praetors to seek more land by proving that the other families do not deserve to rule it, often through military means.

History

The History of Dagroth is rich and bloody, as it is a nation forged by the fires of war, and the blood of the devout. Those who have served the various families of the Empire know this to be true, and they can trace their lineage back to many battlefields, and to many heroes.

Independent Kingdoms

Before the Empire of Dagroth existed the region was dominated by dozens of Minor Kingdoms. There original borders are still used today to separate the various Imperial Provinces. Kingdoms rose and fell in quick succession, some united, others divided. With the hundreds of Kingdoms that existed during this period, and many lasting less then ten years it has become hard to keep track of them all. The ten that would one day unify and create the Empire though did not exist until the last century of the Independent Kingdoms Era. OF these many Kingdoms only two remain intact,The Kingdom of Korvain, now known as the Empire of Dagroth, and the Kingdom of Ashford, now known as the Grand Kingdom of Ashford.

Rise of the Korvain

In the year 775 The Kingdom of Korvain was founded by a lesser son of King Herald Kroviun. Reginald Kroviun changed his name to Korvain upon the founding of his new kingdom high in the Malik Mountains, with the capital near Mount Krenlow. He had worked hard to gather together some of the greatest knights in the land, and with them now serving him he began the hard work of expanding his power and influence in a world of chaos and blood.

In the year 781 Reginald Korvain had doubled the size of his Kingdom by unifying smaller barbarian tribes under his power, and by giving safe haven to refugees. As his power base and population grew several nearby kingdoms began to take notice of this new and growing threat, but others began to see it as an opportunity.

In the year 785 Reginald Korvain married Allysa Craein, the elder daughter of the Craein King, allying the two Kingdoms. When the Craien were under siege by another Kingdom Reginald offered to help, but only if they swore to serve him as a part of his growing Kingdom. Jerid Craein refused, and soon found a Korvain Host marching against his Kingdom as well. Jarid Craien sent his heir, and a host to repel the Korvain army, only to see his heir die in a duel and his army surrender. Jarid Craein swore fealty, and his home was successfully defended by the new and more powerful Kingdom.

A New Empire

On May 15th 1159 the various Kingdoms of Dagroth had been unified under the Korvain Family as the Empire of Dagroth. The new Emperor called forth one leader from nine of the previous kingdoms to the top of Mount Krenlow. The leaders arrived, and swore fealty before the new Emperor, he thus declared them the first Praetors of the Empire, and each would be granted one ninth of the Empire to rule over in his name. Beyond this each one would have to send a delegation of no less then three to meet with the Emperor four times a year at the Imperial Assembly.

It was from this basic design that the Empire has developed and thrived. After five years (1164) the Renves Family led a revolution against the Emperor. The retaliation from the united Empire saw the Renves family squashed beneath the united forces of the various houses. The lands that were once owned by the Renves family were divided between the Fenix and the Scairp. After the revolution was quashed in the year 1167 The Emperor commanded the formation of the Imperial Knights, and required each house to send up five hundred knights to serve in the new Knighthood.

In the year 1178 the Praetor of the Helren Family declared to be an independent Kingdom, recalling his knights from the Imperial Capital. This was called the second revolution, and it was followed with even greater brutality then the first. All members of the Helren Family were killed, eradicating the bloodline. The Capall and Lowe families split the lands of the Helren Family. The Foiche Family had been the ones to capture the castle of the Helren Family, and they were granted rulership of several small islands off the coast of the Empire, becoming the first Independent Holding.

Foiche War

In the year 1184 The Foiche began to recruit mercenaries from beyond the seas to help in forming their armies. The Kóri Family that serves the Foiche was formed from several of these mercenaries who had married local Foiche Islanders. With the new forces from beyond the sea, and the Ambition to become a Great House the Foiche set their sights on the other Dagrin islands, seeking to bring them under their control.

The year 1189 saw the first Foiche invasion of Fenix controlled islands. The Fenix family viewed this as a precursor to a sea based invasion from the northern part of their realm. They were surprised when the Cynebald Family suddenly revolted from them in the south, with the aid of Foiche forces they gained a large swath of land near the coast. With this the Foiche War began.

1190 saw the most fighting during the war as the Foiche had allied with the Scairp and Craein Families, and the Fenix allied with the Nathair and the Lowe Families. With nearly half of the Empire fighting over a section of coastline, and the nearby fertile fields production of trade-able resources dropped to nearly zero.

The Foiche were one of the few Families who maintained efficient trade routes, and had access to trade-able resources through Craein Lands. This allowed them to blockade Fenix ports, maintain control of the islands, and prove their worth to the Emperor.

On August 16th 1191 Emperor Scarig Korvain ended the war by calling together an emergency session of the Imperial Assembly. In the assembly he recognized the Foiche Family as having proven their strength and worth in battle, granting them dominion over all Dagrin Islands, and of a swath of coastline that once belonged to the Fenix Clan. He also ascended the Dominus Jirin Foiche to the position of Praetor of the Foiche, the first to be ascended post unification.

The Warring States

The Warring State Era saw the sudden escalation of violence and warfare between the various Great Families. It led to the sudden rise of Independent Holdings as people proved their worth in battle, and as ways to end unnecessary conflict between various parties. Many wars occurred in rapid succession of one another, and sometimes at the same time as one another, this marks the longest period of strife within the Empire during its history.

The Three Emperors

The Three Emperors was an Era of warfare between the three inheritors of the Imperial Throne of Dagroth as the previous Emperor had divided it among the three instead of traditionally leaving it to the first born. The war split the Empire into three factions with each of the Emperors proposing a specific way to continue the Empire. The Red Dragon sought the formation of a Imperial Republic, where the people would elect representatives to the Imperial Assembly, in addition to the representatives from each Praetorate, she also wanted to grant the Independent Holdings a representative on the Imperial Assembly. The Green Dragon sought to create more mobility between the commoners and the nobility, hoping to stir the commoners to his side, as well as create a stronger bond with all people of the Empire. The Green Dragon even married a commoner to prove his dedication to his ideals. Finally the Black Dragon sought to maintain the status-quo, and ensure that only the first born son would inherit the position of lordship in the future. The Red Dragon was assassinated by Scairp who were loyal to the Black Dragon, and the Green Dragon ended up being defeated due to betrayal from the Capall Family. The Black Dragon became the Emperor of Dagroth and cast his brother out from the Empire. The war lasted from 1231 until 1240 when the Green Dragon surrendered to his brother.

The Fallen Prince

When the Green Dragon Emperor, Revaric Korvain, surrendered to the Black Dragon Emperor, Mal Korvain, he was stripped of his titles and forced to leave the nation by foot with no supplies. He began calling himself the Fallen Prince as he wandered the Empire, slowly gathering dishonored knights and nobles. In the year 1259 after traveling the nation for nearly twenty years, as a drifter, he departed to lands unknown.

During this time period he forged himself a new minor kingdom, Driaz Kore, in the foreign kingdom of Ashford with his army of fallen lords, and the aid of local mercenaries. He took on a new name, Spinne, meaning spider, and swore one day his family would have a place in the Empire. He used a spy network within the Empire, and within his new home, to slowly build a web that would make his return that much easier.

Revaric Spinne died far from his homeland, and his only son knew little in the ways of war. His son would never see the homeland of his father, it would be the grandson of Revaric Spinne, Derin Spinne, who would lead the invasion of Dagroth.

Spinne Invasion

After nearly fifty years of developing and growing the Kingdom of Driaz Kore began its invasion of Dagroth in the year 1305. They used their connection with several provincial lords to gain ground throughout Capall and Loew lands without having to unsheathe a sword. These provincial lords swore their lands, swords, and men to the Spinne Family, viewing King Aeldric Spinne as the true heir to the throne of Dagroth. Within a year the Driaz Kore forces had doubled their holdings in Dagroth, as well as pushed further into Ashford territory. This sudden increase in size, as well as the betrayal of several prominent provincial lords was a shock to the Empire, which was still recovering from the war of the Three Emperors.

The Driaz Kore conquered nearly half of Ashford, granting the, access to important mineral reserves, as well as a strong industrial base. This strength would be mixed with the fertile lands they now ruled in Dagroth as a way of increasing its military strength. The Driaz Kore quickly conscripted members of the peasantry all the while whispering in their ears dreams of power and grandeur. Emperor Aelrick Korvain called together the Imperial Knights, as well as calling the various houses to prepare for war against these invaders. The Driaz Kore was hit by the Imperial Knight forces within the year, but the aid the Emperor called from the houses was delayed by the winter storms and the deep mountains most would have to pass through. Fighting during winter was not uncommon within Dagroth, but it was still something most soldiers dreaded leading to low morale, and high casualties for those traveling to halt the invaders.

By the time the thaw arrived in the spring of 1306 nearly half of the Imperial Knights were dead, and their reinforcements were greatly dwindled by the harsh winter, one of the harshest in history. The Driaz Kore, since they were a much smaller nation, had focused on building up defenses around the lands they now dominated, for the first time they had the capability of holding back the rage of an Empire. All the while slowly taking more and more land in Ashford. Seeing this Emperor Aelrick Korvain called together an Imperial Assembly, while his forces continued to fight. This became the most important Imperial Assembly of the war as it dictated the strategy for victory, as well as laid the ground work for a future alliance with the Kingdom of Ashford.

In 1307 King Aeldric Spinne formed the Ursler Family from a group of mercenaries who joined the Driaz Kore ten years earlier. This family was given control of the Central region of Driaz Kore controlled territory, where the capital of the Driaz Kore sat. They were to be the defenders of the heart of the Kingdom, as well as the reinforcements to any of the front whenever the king would call them forth. This caveat would lead to many issues in the following years.

While the Driaz Kore had gained land quickly thanks to political scheming, manipulation, and a sudden strike into the Empire, they were beginning to have a hard time holding it by the year 1309. King Aeldric Spinne had been injured in a fight with a Foiche force that struck at their small shoreline holdings. With the King in a weakened state the Driaz Kore force decided it was time to move north against the now split Capall forces, all in the hope of bringing an end to the three fronted war. While the move north happened quickly, they lost the southern lands they had held for years almost as quickly. The Provincial Lords who had served at the onset of the war quickly saw their lands being devastated by Imperial forces as the Driaz Kore focused on the northenr expansion. These lords soon found themselves without reinforcements, without troops, and soon without their heads. While the current leaders of the Spinne family saw conquering the north as a huge voctory, they failed to see just how much land they had lost, and how many leaders had perished seeking to hold onto it.

By the year 1312 The Driaz Kore maintained control of the northern land of Dagroth but saw a large number of their forces defeated in the south. Emperor Aelrick Korvain opened strategic negotiations with the Kingdom of Ashford, officially unifying the two nations against the upstart kingdom of Driaz Kore. Near the end of the year King Aeldric Spinne gathered together his personal retainer, and reinforcements from house Ursler in an attempt to reclaim the southern lands they had lost. It was during this battle that the King was killed with no heir apparent, as well as several of the leaders of house Ursler. With the death of the head of house Spinne and the lack of faith House Ursler and House Heinrick had in the current commanders of House Spinne chaos loomed. The leaders of House Spinne fought amongst themselves for who would be the new King, meanwhile House Heinrick, and house Ursler began to feel the pressure of Ashfords assaults without the aid of the Spinne family.

House Ursler and House Heinrick both seceded from the Driaz Kore, declaring their fealty to Queen Sarillia Kroviun of Ashford in the year 1315. Declaring their intent to help her reunify her nation, and bring an end to the war. Around the same time a Major Lord of House Spinne swore his fealty to Emperor Aelrick Korvain, recognizing him as the only viable heir to the Kingdom of Driaz Kore. This Lord secreted his forces out of Spinne controlled land, and met up with a Loew force. The two forces worked together to break the Spinne Lines, and bring the Spinne lands back under Imperial Control.

Imperial Reformation

By the year 1316 the Driaz Kore had ceased to exist as a unified force and the Empire was reeling from the blow. With the Spinne forces subjugated their came a concern as to what would happen to them, as well as which family would receive the lands the Spinne had ruled. The land was in chaos millions dead on both sides, Imperial forces heavily weakened, and Spinne holdouts still remaining throughout the region. Emperor Aelrick Korvain had overseen the war, all ten years of it, all the while knowing that the Empire would never be the same. He called forth an Imperial Assembly, with three representatives from each Praetorate, one from each Independent Holding, as well as three from the Spinne controlled lands. Amongst the Spinne delegates was Lord Merik Spinne, the Lord who had sworn fealty to Aelrick a year earlier. Many of the representatives were outraged that the Spinne had been invited to the Imperial Assembly, but the Emperor would have none of it, silencing them by speaking aloud. It was uncommon for an Emperor to speak to his subjects, as they were considered to be the living will of the Empire, and their voice to pure for mortal men to hear.

Emperor Aelrick Korvain dismissed his Voice, the member of the court who spoke on his behalf, and instead addressed the whole of the Assembly. This was the beginning of what are now called the Imperial Reforms. Some of the major changes was the integration of the Spinne Family as one of the Great Families of the Empire, granting them control of a vast swath of land that they had conquered, they were assigned as defenders of the far north, a duty that Merik Spinne took as a sacred duty. The next change was the end of their isolation, an isolation that had started back when Emperor Mal Korvain ascended the throne in 1239. The Emperor also created a unified military, instead of one that was divided up between the various Praetorates, each Praetorate would have its own 'reserve' force that could be called to war by the Imperial Armed Forces as needed. The Grand Knight of the Imperial Knights would act as the Commander of all Military forces, second only to the Emperor/Empress of Dagroth. Emperor Aelrick Korvain declared that daughters who are of the direct bloodline of the Emperor have the same right to rule as sons, and that the first born child would be heir to the throne, regardless of gender from then on. Modernization became perhaps the single most important part of the Assembly. The Empire would no longer lag behind technologically because of tradition, instead the Empire would seek to be at the forefront of technological development.

The Empire was united, and the Praetorates capability to wage war on each other was greatly weakened, or so was the belief. The Emperor now had taken upon himself even greater amounts of authority and power, all in the hopes of maintaining peace and prosperity within the Empire. Over the next few years tension within the Empire became palpable as many of the Praetors saw what the Emperor had done as a direct insult to their own rule, he had stripped them of power, authority, and military might, something that had never occurred in the history of Dagroth. The Scairp Family was the most insulted, having served as the vanguard of the Black Dragon Emperor during the War of Dragons, now they felt as though all they fought for was wasted. This feeling of treachery would lead to the start of the Dagroth Civil War.

Dagroth Civil War

The Dagroth Civil War lasted from the year 1325-1400, lasting for a total of 75 years. The war saw the Nine Praetorates, the Eleven Independent Regions, and the Imperial Families all be destroyed. It was the bloodiest war in Dagrin History. The war led to the rise of the Five Great Houses that now rule Dagroth, as well as the formation of a New Imperial Assembly that oversees the creation of laws within the Empire and the election of a new Emperor when the previous dies or abdicates the throne. The days of an Imperial dynasty ended with the eradication of the Korvain family due to their assassination by the Scairp Family.

Geography, Flora, and Fauna

The Empire of Dagroth is a mostly coastal nation, to the south forests dominate the land before the snowy mountains rise up to the North. The North West is a large highland plains region that gets most of its water from the mountains to the south of it. The Empire is of a mostly Temperate climate with coastal rains during the winters, and harsh snow storms inland during the same time. The nation is often struck with many large storms per year due to its location, this has made the region very lush and diverse in flora.

Governance

The Empire is divided into the Imperial District and five Praetorates. Each Praetorate is controlled by one Great House. The Imperial District is controlled and protected by the current Imperial Family, who all serve the Emperor or Empress of Dagroth directly. The nation is further divided into two-hundred and seventy-five Provinces. The Emperor/Empress is decided at the Imperial Assembly, a gathering of the Great Houses representatives, ten each, to the Craigstead Castle in Rioga. The Great Moot decides who among the Great Houses shall ascend the throne and become the new Emperor/Empress. Before the Dagroth Civil War the Emperor/Empress was always a member of the Korvain family, but with the extinction of the family the Great Houses that survived the war came to a compromise to keep the Empire united.

The Emperor/Empress

List of Imperial Rulers

The Emperor/Empress is elected from among the members of one of the Great Families by the Imperial Assembly upon the death or abdication of the previously reigning monarch. The Imperial Assembly will be called to order by the Voice of the Emperor/Empress of the now deceased or abdicated Emperor/Empress. The Imperial Assembly will then hold a vote for the new Emperor/Empress of Dagroth from all living members of the Great Houses who must receive 3/4ths of the Imperial Assemblies vote. If after voting no single member of one of the Great Houses has 3/4ths of the vote, those family members with either no votes, or with less than 1/10th of the votes are removed from the process. If after a second vote there still is not singular choice the lowest will be removed, this will continue until there is a 3/4ths vote for one member. Members from the Great Houses may drop out of the election at any time, so long as there is at least one other member still in the voting process.

The Emperor/Empress acts as the head of the Imperial Assembly and is the only individual within the Empire who may declare war, pass resolution into law for the entire empire, issue imperial decrees, acts as the head of all foreign relations, and appoint all Imperial Bureaucratic leadership positions. The Emperor/Empress is one of two members of the government who can call forth an Imperial Assembly, the other being the Voice of the Emperor/Empress.

Voice of the Emperor/Empress

The Voice of the Emperor/Empress is selected from among the Imperial Assembly upon the ascension of the Emperor/Empress by the Emperor/Empress. The Emperor/Empress may remove the Voice at their discretion, and may select any member of the Imperial Assembly to replace them at a moments notice. The duties of the Voice of the Emperor/Empress is simple, they shall call to order all meetings of the Imperial Assembly, they may vote on the Assembly, and should the Emperor/Empress be indisposed they shall act as the Emperor/Empress. During the election of a new Emperor/Empress the voice will act in all respects as the Emperor/Empress except in the case of declaring war, that power will be granted to the Grand Knight of the Empire, in addition the Voice may not dismiss the current Grand Knight, nor select a Voice for themselves.

The Imperial Assembly

The Imperial Assembly consists of ten members from each of the Great Houses. The Imperial Assembly meets regularly every quarter in the capital city of Torman, though additional meeting may be called by the Emperor/Empress or the Voice of the Emperor/Empress. The main duties of the Imperial Assembly is the creation and passing of resolutions for the Emperor/Empress to sign into law or to veto the resolution. The Imperial Assembly also acts as an advisory council to the Emperor/Empress when called upon to act as such. The Imperial Assembly is responsible to elect from among their membership a new Emperor/Empress should be previous die or Abdicate the throne. The Imperial Assembly, with 7/8ths of the vote, may demand the Emperor/Empress abdicate the throne. If this occurs the Emperor/Empress is stripped of all titles and power, returns to their original Great House, and an election should begin immediately. This demand for abdication has never happened within the history of Dagroth.

The Former Imperial Families

The Imperial Families ruled over the Imperial District of Rioga. The region is located deep inside of the Malik Mountains, making it one of the harshest regions to live, often wracked by freezing snow storms during winter. The Capital city of Chathair Impiriúil, or Torman in the common tongue, is located at the center of the Rioga Region, and hosts Craigstead Castle where the Korvain Family ruled the Empire from. The Korvain Dynasty ruled the Empire from 1159 until their eradication in 1325 for a total of one hundred and sixty-six years. Before they ruled the Empire though they had ruled there own kingdom from the year 775, having split off from the Kroviun family who still rule Ashford.

• Korvain: The Korvain Family were once the Greatest Family among the Great Families who lived within the region now known as The Empire of Dagroth. Through their use of Military force, alliances, and marriage agreements they united the many great families within the area and forged the Empire. They gave up their claims to almost all of the lands, and put their now subservient Great Families to oversee the land in their name. The Korvain Family had acted as the mediators for the various disputes of the Great Families, as well as the ones who discussed various issues with foreign powers. They were assassinated during the night of Embers, just after the start of the Dagroth Civil War, by the Scairp Family.

• Ásvaldr: One of the Original servants of the Korvain Family during the conquest. Many members served as stewards the the Throne, or acted as Magistrates who traveled the Empire ensuring the Emperors/Empresses will was being followed. They lead the Knight Emissaries of the Empire, and were feared by many throughout the Empire.

• Hakarin: The Hakarin Family were a lesser family who ascended to an Imperial Family through marriage. They oversaw the day to day running of the Imperial Bureaucracy as well as the Imperial Capital of Chathair Impiriúil. Very rarely did they hold an office of significant power or authority.

• Ignerias: The Ignerias Family served as the Emperors main military force during the conquest, after the war they served as the defenders of the Rioga Region, and as the foundations of the Imperial Knights. The Ignerias Family often held the position of Grand Knight of the Imperial Knights, thus overseeing its running and development.

Praetorates

Praetorates are large regions of land, often many provinces, that are ruled over by a Praetor who serves directly under the Emperor and rules over one of the five Great Houses. Praetors are in charge of defending, developing, taxing, and ruling over large swaths of land in the name of the Emperor of Empress of Dagroth. The lands that a Praetor rules over can also change if the Emperor or Empress so chooses, while it occurs rarely it does occur, often due to another Great Houses intervention.

Modern Praetorates/Great Houses

The Five Modern Praetorates are the remnants of the ancient great families of Dagroth, the empire is now divided into five regions, instead of the traditional nine. The 'Imperial' Family is whichever of the Great Houses has managed to place their leader on the throne, a constant battle of politics, assassinations, betrayals, alliances, and scheming being the primary methods of attaining the position.

• Mourne The Mourne clan ascended during the Dagroth Civil War from among the Spinne family. They are descended from the peasants who first joined the Spinne during their reign of the Kingdom of Driaz Kore. House Mourne is well known for their ruthless tactics, drive, and their ambition to attain the throne of the Empire should it become vacant.

The colors of House Mourn are Red, Black, and White.
Their Symbol is a Black Dragon and a Red and White vertical divided background.

• Ealdræd The only remaining family of the once mighty Phortain family. They now rule the lands that the Photrain family once ruled, but instead of being cold and callous like their progenitors, House Ealdræd instead focuses on living lives of honor and duty, with a strong sense of justice and honor.

The colors of House Ealdræd are White, Blue, and Red.
Their Symbol is a White Stag on a Blue and Red quartered background.

• Hemingr House Hemingr revolted from the Capall family when they saw their lords destroying the environment for victory, the betrayal of their allies, and enslavement of the common people, House Hemingr could not let this stand and revolted against their lords. Had House Hemingr not betrayed the Capall family much of the nation may never had recovered due to a lack of food, and natural resources.

The colors of House Hemingr are Green, White, and Black.
Their Symbol is a Gold Wolf and a Green and White Horizontal divided background.

• Kóri When the war spiraled out to the ocean surrounding Dagroth the Kóri family defended their lone island for much of the war, and afterwards united the remnants of the Foiche family under their new house after the abdication of the leaders of the Foiche family. They recruited pirates and brigands to aid in the war.

The colors of the House Kóri are Red, Green and Blue.
Their Symbol is a Red Lion with the bottom half of a fish on a Green and Blue Quartered background.

• Arnórr When the leaders of the Craien family were assassinated by the Scairp family, the event that started the civil war, the Arnórr family served the few remaining Craein till their deaths. Afterwards they sought to unify the Craien remnant, only to e involved in yet another civil war.

The Colors of House Arnórr are Black, Blue, and Green.
Their Symbol is an Evergreen tree on a solid Blue background.

Extinct Praetorates/Great Families

The Dagroth Civil War was the largest war in the history of Dagroth, as well as the most brutal. Minor families left the services of major families, major families were irradicated, and the Imperial Family of Dagroth was wiped out by a Scairp coupe.

• Phortain: The Phortain Family had long defended the South West border of Dagroth, standing as the most well regarded defenders of the Empire. Prior to the ascent of the Foiche family the Phortain also patrolled the southern seas fighting against pirates and would be invaders. The Phortain family were served by the Caomhán, Ealdræd,and Hallsteinn Families.

• Craein: The Craein Family were known as the masters of the Imperial Court, as well as the greatest Duelists within the Empire. The Family often served as the voice of the Emperor or Empress, many members also became ambassadors or delegates to foreign nations. The Craein Family were served by the Arnórr, Cynbel, and Rúni Families.

• Capall: The Capall Family serves as one of the defenders of the Northern Border of Dagroth, prior to the Spinne Invasion they were the lone defenders of the north. They were also once well known for their horsemen during the medieval era of the Empire, they were known for their fertile plains where a great portion of the Empires food is grown. The Capall Family were served by the Leofdæg, Svantepolk, and Hemingr Families.

• Scairp: The Scairp Family were once the Assassins and Spies of the Emperor in the ancient past, then they became the lone defenders of the Imperial Family, then they were the greatest rivals to the Craein Family within the Imperial Court. The Scairp were often accused of assassinations and spying by the other families. The Scairp Family were served by the Dubhshláine, Búi, and Godric Families.

• Nathair: The Nathair Family were often very solitary, living in the central mountains they often focused on metal and stone production and cared little for politics. They also hosted a large number of ancient temples to the gods, and were perhaps the most religious family within the Empire. They often stayed our of the Empires politics, but still participated in national fighting tournaments, taking first place more often then other families did. The Nathair Family were served by the Galchobhar, Hallvarðr, and Herleifr Families.

• Foiche: The Foiche Family was founded as a Minor Family that held several islands off the coast as Independent Holdings. They eventually invaded Fenix lands, and managed to maintain a hold, the Emperor granted them the land, and all Islands within the Empire. They served as the defenders of the coastlines and the seas around Dagroth, they were well known as traders and pirates to many within and without the Empire. The Foiche Family were served by the Leofsige, Cynebald and Kóri Families.

• Lowe: The Lowe Family had often acted as the personal military forces of the Emperor or Empress, and many of their members served as Imperial Knights. The Lowe Family has a long history of service and warfare with the other families within the Empire, as well as for being one of the few who have been sent to aid allies in foreign lands. The Lowe Family were served by the Cunobelinus, Æðelfrið, and Ceolmund Families.

• Fenix: The Fenix Family were perhaps the most technologically focused family, they had been ever since the Foiche Family decimated there armies in the early history of the Empire. They were the first family to begin using firearms, and were the reason for most of the advances in science and technology within the Empire. The Fenix Family were served by the Valdimárr, Helgi, and Jodocus Families.

• Spinne: The Spinne Family was founded by the banished Prince Revaric Korvain just outside of the Empire. When he departed the Empire he gathered all the dishonored knights and eventually gathered many barbarians from outside the Empire and forged a small kingdom Driaz Kore for himself. His Grandson is the one who led the Spinne invasion, and eventually solidified the Spinne Family as a Great Family within the Empire. They served as the defenders of the North alongside the Capall Family. The Spinne Family were served by the Nynniaw, Mourne, and Áedh Families.

Independent Holdings

Independent Holdings existed in a unique space within the Empire. While the Rulers of these regions served the Emperor or Empress directly they did not have a voice in the Imperial Assembly. An Independent Holding consisted of a single Province that was ruled by a single noble family, the leaders of which were known as Dominus instead of Praetor. Independent Holdings were rarely formed, and were often created to honor a Hero, or to ensure the peace is kept within the Empire. The Dagroth Civil war saw the destruction of Independent holdings, and currently none exist.

Extinct Individual Holdings

• Ein: The Ein Family were granted an Independent Region because their founder, a peasant man, raised an army of peasants and stopped the Craein Phortain War. They were as such granted land that bordered both Families, as well as the Nathair Family who supported the formation of the Ein Family in one of their few court appearances. They merged with the Phortain family during the Civil War.

• Sionnach: The Family was founded by the Druid Leader Albert Sionnach, a cousin of the Praetor of Foiche. He found a large forest near the coast and gathered followers who sought its defense against the encroachment of the Craein family. They brought their plea before the Emperor who granted them the land, and the position as an Independent Noble Family beholden only to the Emperor, as all Independent Regions were. They were conquered by the Scairp during the civil war, and the forest was burnt to the ground due to their loyalty to the Korvain family.

• Broc: The Broc family were one of the smallest Families that served the Fenix Praetorate. When the Foiche Family sought to take even more of the Fenix lands as their own, claiming they deserved them if the Fenix couldn’t defend them. The Broc Family held back the Foiche forces thanks to the firearms they had developed. After the war was stopped by the Emperor, the Broc Family was granted the land the two Praetorates had been fighting over. The Broc family willingly joined the Fenix family in the hopes of keeping the Foiche family at bay during the Civil War.

• Giorria: The Giorria family had been a member of the Capall Praetorate for many generations, serving as shock troops. During the war of the three Emperors the Giorria Family served the Black Dragon Emperor who granted them their own land after the war, taking some of the lands of the Capall who had served his sister the Red Dragon. They were part of the Minor Family Alliance. They were conquered and enslaved by the Capall family during the Civil War.

• Ochse: Once the servants of the Capall Family they revolted after the Three Emperor War and declared themselves an Independent Region. The Capall responded with an already weakened army, only to see them constantly defeated. The Emperor halted the bloodshed by recognizing the Ochse family as independent. The Ochse Family are members of the Minor Family Alliance. The Ochse were hunted to the last man by the Capall family during the civil war, none survived.

• Torc: When the Empire was invaded by a group of Barbarians early in their history the Torc Family defeated them and held the small part of the Phortain Praetorate they were in charge of defending. For nearly two centuries the Torc Family held their own, when others had failed. When Saria Torc saved the Emperor from an assassination attempt he made her the High Lord of the Torc and granted them Independence from the Phortain. They sought to ascend to Praetor status, and were members of the Minor Family Alliance. The Capall enslaved them during the civil war.

• Gorm: After the Torc Family was granted independence, the Gorm Family swore their allegiance to the Nathair, betraying their vows to the Phortain. A war ensued with the Nathair defending their new lands, and the Phortain trying to retake them. The Emperor granted the Nathair the right to rule over the Gorm. When the Turtar family became independent the Gorm were separated from their own lords and had the Phortain looking at their lands hungrily. To ensure their independence and survival the Gorm family were granted Independence. They were now part of the Minor Family Alliance. The Capall enslaved them during the Civil war.

• Turtar: The Turtar Family was one of the few Nathair families who interacted with other parts of the Empire, specifically they worked closely with the Phortain Family who provided most of the families food supply in return for metal ores. The Turtar Family sought independence after the integration of the Gorm Family, seeking to remain out of the conflict of the Nathair and the Phortain Families. The Emperor Granted them this on the condition they provide 50% of all metal resources to the Crown, they did so. They were now part of the Minor Family Alliance. The Capall enslaved them, and strip mined many of their resources during the Civil war.

• Gealbhan: The Scairp assigned the Gealbhan Family to serve as the defenders of the Rioga District, as well as the personal assassins for the Emperor. The Family served well in their role, with many eventually joining the ranks of the Imperial Knights. When the sudden rise of Independent Families the Emperor separated the Gealbhan from the Scairp Family to ensure they would only ever serve the Emperor. They served to defend Imperial Lands and maintain the only land pass into the Rioga Region. They held back the Scairp family's main army, but they failed in their duty to protect the Imperial Family, they were killed to the last man by the Scairp during the Civil War.

• Affe: The Affe Family originally served the Lowe Family, but their lands were conquered by the Capall shortly after the Three Empire War, the Capall had lost quite a bit of land, and the Lowe Family was heavily decimated. The Affe served the Capall Family until they were conquered by the Spinne Family in their initial invasion of the Empire. After the war they were made into an independent region in the hopes of a peaceful existence between the three Praetorates. They were conquered by the Spinne during the Civil War.

• Libelle: The Libelle had long served the Nathair Family and they were viewed as highly important due to their location. The Libelle Family guarded one of the few safe entrances into Nathair land. For their constant dedicated service the Nathair Family granted them Independence with the support of the Emperor. They were conquered by the Capall, granting the Capall easy access into Nathair lands during the Civil War.

Military

In ancient times the Dagrin Military was a widely divided force, with each Praetor having their own military that 'served' the Emperor of Dagroth. The Emperor had but a token force consisting of the Imperial Knights, which in turn consisted of soldiers from each of the Praetorates. When the Imperial reforms took place in 1316 that all changed, the military was unified under Imperial control, with the Praetorates being granted the right to 'reserves'. These reserves in truth act like a national guard force within the Praetorate.

Culture

Dagroth is a nation where Personal and Familial Honor are considered paramount to ones life. To be one without honor is to have no place within society, but the code of honor within Dagroth is seemingly focused on the self, instead of on the whole of society. This is the perspective of an outsider looking in, Dagrin people view their honor code of one dedicated to bettering the community through the bettering of self. The code they follow is a rigid one that allows for very little room to slip up, and those that do often end up at the end of a sword. Control, Determination, Insight, Knowledge, Strength, Will, Perfection; these are the precepts of the code of honor among the Dagrin people, and they double as the national motto for the Empire.

Dueling

The Art of Dueling is a long held tradition within Dagroth, it has been a part of the Empire since before its founding. It is said the first duel occurred on the battlefield between a Korvain and a Craein. The two fought one on one for three hours before the Korvain leader won, the Craien Army surrendered with the death of their leader. Since this event duels have been one of the primary ways of ending a conflict with as little loss of life as possible. Over the years rules were created for dueling, and many types of duels were created as well.

Honor Duel

An Honor Duel often occurs when one person is shamed, or treated negatively by another. The one who was offended will then challenge the other to a duel to ensure that their honor is avenged. The challenged will select the location of the duel, but it must be within ten miles of the original challenging location. Each will select a melee weapon of their choice, no weapon longer then five feet is allowed in an Honor Duel. These duels are always to First Blood, and are thus much less lethal compared to most other duels.

Duel to the Death

A Duel to the Death often only occurs on the battlefield between two opposing leaders. These duels are often called outloud during a fight, and melee weapons are drawn and used immediately during the battle. The side that loses will often times surrender, allowing for less loss of life on both sides.

Trial by Combat

If a person is accused of a crime they may request a trial by combat. Traditionally only those of noble birth are allowed to be tried in this manner, but on a rare occasion a peasant will be allowed to do a Trial by Combat. The weapons may be any melee weapon under seven feet long, each may wear armor if they so choose, and the location will be within the 'courtyard'. A trial by combat is always to the death.

Music

Traditional Dagrin Music has a large emphasis on drums of various sizes and sounds. These drums were used as both signals during wars, as wars of giving order. The common use of drums soon evolved into part of the culture, as these war drums began varying in size and began to be used during training, and with specific aspects of warfare. Bells, and giant gongs were added to add more power to each strike, as well as increased the use of these drums in festivals.

Traditional Dagrin Music is still played live all over the nation, especially in military training camps, and at festivals amog both the peasantry and nobility. The influence of various other cultures can be seen in the music often used by the nobility, as well as the increased interest in various modern forms of music.

International Relations

Dagroth has opened relations with a select few nations as well as opened embassies with even fewer. Dagroth does not recognize Monroe Republic as an independent nation, instead viewing it as a terrorist organization that occupies a region of Ashford, because of this view relations with Carpathia and Moldova are strained at best.

Embassies

The Holy Lanlanian Empire has an Embassy in the capital city of Chathair Impiriúil. It was one of the first embassies that Dagroth opened in the capital.

The Grand Kingdom of Ashford also has an Embassy in the capital of Chathair Impiriúil.

The Kingdom of Freesia maintains an Embassy in the capital of Chathair Impiriúil.

The Principality of Felis maintains an Embassy in the capital of Chathair Impiriúil.