Rhorellian Empire

Powerful and prosperous, the Rhorellian Empire has ruled over Merriby Main for centuries.

Structure

Ruled by House Rhorellian, with several other noble families holding power over the various cities and territories of Rhorellia.

History

The Rohrellian Empire- In 201 A.C., the first settlers reached the continent of Merriby Main. One of those brave pioneers was a high elf man by the name of Panan Rohrellian. Arriving on Merribian soil in his youth, he grew up watching the landscape around him turn from dangerous to habitable. When Panan reached the age of 172 in the year 362 A.C., Merriby needed a leader. Panan was declared the first sovereign of Merriby. Panan ruled over the kingdom, but primarily over farmland and small trade villages. Merriby Main would not reach a point of legitimacy for many years. When Panan died in 601 A.C. at the age of 411, he was succeeded by his far more ambitious son, Keavalur Rohrellian. Keavalur, often referred to by historians as Kathuphazgan (elvish for conqueror), Keavalur had been developing plans for major expansion since his early years. By 801, Keavalur had established 2 major cities. In 804, the peoples of Merriby Main officially declared Keavalur emperor, changing the government from their more primitive status to a far more legitimate system. In 823, Keavalur went missing on a diplomatic trip beyond the Halian Mountains. Keavalur had a strong belief in expansion but was always held back by the physical obstacle presented by the rocky terrain. Rumors of a rivaling kingdom had been spreading in recent years. Refusing to believe that his father was dead, Keavalur’s son, Dwilkas, sent search parties far and wide after being declared emperor in his father’s place. Dwilkas, just 15 at the time of his appointment, was not seen as fit by many of the people of Merriby. Dwilkas was also unable to provide the royal family with a male child. Through health complications (some believe brought forth due to his youth), Dwilkas was only able to have one child before his assassination in 828. Dwilkas Rohrellian was found murdered in his chambers at the age of 20, having ruled for only 5 years. This unprecedented turn of events led to his only child (a girl) being appointed. At the time, this was controversial. His daughter, Elniana, being just 4, was clearly unfit to rule. Two men stepped forward as the shadow leaders of the empire until Elniana was capable of ruling: Dwight Rohrellian and Otto Legran. Even more controversial than a woman at the helm of an ever-growing empire was the idea that a homosexual couple would lead in their place. However, Otto Legran proved to be a brilliant tactitian, quickly tracing the murder of Dwilkas back to the newly discovered kingdom beyond the mountains: the Halian empire. As news of a rival empire spread, the people of Merriby Main refocused their attention towards the foreign threat and their transgressions against the empire. Halian forces made attacks in small villages all throughout Brilia Wood, killing thousands. Small battles took place all throughout Brilia Wood, Dris O’grel, and the Silver Coast. Otto Legran, of the Legran family, a lineage of high elves based in Idenmount, continued to masterfully orchestrate empirical forces. In the meantime, Otto’s more passive husband, Dwight, was teaching young Elniana the ways of the Rohrellians. Dwight and Otto ruled until 842, on Elniana’s 18th birthday. Elniana had learned many things from her guardians, and in the years that followed became a generous and powerful ruler. She was able to quell the attacks on the empire and force back the armies of the Halian Empire, ending the First Halian War in. She ruled over the people in what many refer to as Merriby Main’s Golden Age. Cities flourished and grew. Trade was booming. In the year 999, a new threat appeared to the south: The Valiant Crusade. Disrupting trade routes, the VC was but a nuisance at first. Scouts from the empire were able to determine that the VC hailed from Khecisia, a sizable landmass to the distant south. Elniana wasted no time in putting down the foreign threat. The VC, seeing that the Rohrellian empire was not to be trifled with, turned its attention to the somewhat untamed Merriby West. In 1087, the VC began to strike ships headed south from the continent. Being so disconnected, Merriby West was woefully underprepared when the VC destroyed Ortholo in 1241. Inconveniently for the empire, Halis was growing in instability. Scouts reported internal conflict, and refugees were beginning to flee. Elniana relocated incoming refugees to Owroral Island and placed more forces along the border. Seeing the damage done in Ortholo, Elniana also declared war on the naval power that was the Valiant Crusade, wiping them out entirely by 1248 and reestablishing peace. Elniana Rohrellian, in the spirit of her unconventional rule, stepped down from her position in 1248, leaving her son, Percerian to rule.