Elurian Empire
The Crumbling Monolith
The Crumbling Monolith
Author's Note: The Empire
It is said that empires rise and fall, and this is certainly the case with the oldest and most influential empire on Alkun. If one believes (Elurian) scholars, the Elurian Empire has its roots in early antiquity. Other cultures have different stories.
Most people now accept that the Empire is in its inevitable decline, although this is only a recent phenomenon. As returning troops from fronts being abandoned circulate, the general population learn of a general contraction. In decades past, military units were shuffled to other outposts to conceal the facts of abandoned posts; however, as the few remaining forts were vacated the facts could no longer be dismissed.
Structure
The Empire is a type of constitutional monarchy on a grand scale. The head of state is (of course) the Emperor, who is selected by his or her predecessor following the ratification by Parliament. If no agreement can be made prior to the Emperor's death or retirement, a Regent is named (usually the most senior noble in Parliament, regardless of rank). As this can be potentially catastrophic, it is generally in the best interests to find common ground in a successor.
Parliament is the deliberative body that serves the Empire and its interests. It is comprised of three Bureaux: the Council of Nobles, the Episcopal Curia, and the House of Burgesses. The Chamber is comprised of representatives of the noble houses, representing the administrative backbone of the state. The Curia is comprised of representatives of the Church from each diocese. They act to speak for the common folk and to provide insight regarding the wills of the Seven Emperors. The House of Burgesses is comprised of representatives from each chartered town and city in the Empire, representing the urban classes and the economic concerns of state. Representatives from each bureau are assigned to various Ministries, including the Chamber (not to be confused with the Chamber of Nobles), the Chancery, and the Exchequer.
Administratively, the Empire is divided into duchies, counties and palatinates, with chartered towns and cities being independent entities. Each division is ruled and administered not by an individual noble, but by a noble House. These Houses operate under the laws of the realm and are answerable to the Parliament at large.
History
Elurian scholars have been obsessed with the Imperial history for centuries. Indeed, they claim to have traced the entire history of the world (see Elurian History of the World for details). This fascination is illustrative of the Elurian interest in understanding nature, the world, and the supernatural.
As may be seen, seven of the Emperors have been said to have risen to godhood (hence the Church of the Seven Emperors, the dominant polytheist faith empire-wide). Similarly, the natural philosophers from various Imperial universities theorize about the nature of magic, from subtle and delicate to blatant and potent.
Foreign Relations
In Nomine Imperatoris
(“In the Name of the Emperor”)
Imperial Army
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