End of a Dynasty

The end of the Atrian Dynasty in 1391 DA is still considered one of the most harrowing crimes in the histroy of Vardania. It spawned dozens of stories, hundreds of conspiracy theories, a revival of religious fervour amongst Vardanians and is seen by many to be the origin for the religious conflicts of the post-hegemonial period.
First imperial house of Vardania, the Atrians had ruled the continent for over 80 years and transformed the Hegemony from a military republic into an absolute Monarchy. Their increasing tendency to honour past emperors as gods equal to those of the ancient pantheon made them many enemies among both the nobility and religious class.
First among them, the Priest of Oberon the Sun God, dominant of the Vardanian Cults at the time. Ever since Honorian I. had claimed to be blessed by the sun itself, a statement in direct contrast to the cults doctrine, the two factions had been in a state of constant political war.
On the third day of the sixth month, a holy day to the sun cult as it is the longest day of the year, then Emperor Amelian and his family decided to make a public offering. The whole situation was designed to elict a deep conection between the Emperor and the God, as astronomers had predicted an increase in sun activity around the 12th hour. The Emperor would make his offering just before the event. It was designed to both slight the Cult and make the common believer see the family as blessed.
It would end differently however. When the suns rays increased in brightness at the predicted hour, the awed looks of the populace where interupted by ear tearing screams. The entire imperial family, three man and four woman stood in flames, burning so hot that they died in barely a few seconds. All that remained where a bunch of charred coprses.

Date of Setting

1391 DA

Related Ethnicities

• Vardanians

Related Locations

• Tarquinnia

Related People

• Alian Dynasty