The Elamites are an ancient people who have long inhabited the region between the Honshu mountains and the vast Rodinian plains. An early city-state civilization had evolved here when Rodinia was still in its infancy.
A Brief But Powerful Empire
The early Elamite kings were frequently at war with the surrounding nations and several centuries ago the Elamites briefly created an extensive empire which was bigger than the current Rodinian empire. That empire collapsed when the emperor, Marlek, left the lands and moved across the mountains.
Recent Times
In more recent times, the Elamites were frequently overwhelmed by their more powerful neighbours, however, they tended to exploit divisions between the Rodinian and the Honshu empires but were finally crushed by the former and much of their aristocracy was executed.
Following the disintegration of the Elam power, the Elamites were incorporated into the Rodinian empire, and Susa, the capital, became one of the empire's major cities. Many Elamites subsequently served as the celebrated Rodinian royal bodyguard.
Politics
After the self-imposed exile of the once-emperor Marlek, the political landscape of Elam collapsed. One city fought with another and soon they were all essentially independent. Slowly the city-states reformed into one great alliance for mutual protection and the fundamental nation of Elam was reforged from the fires.
The various city-states of Elam now recognise one Overlord who rules from Susa. Alongside him, there is also a viceroy (the heir presumptive and the Overlord's brother), and another ruler, the Prince of Susa (the overlord's son). Only when all of the Overlord's brothers are dead can the son succeed. Elamite law also demands that an Overlord's widow marry his oldest surviving brother (thus usually his heir), so this system is extremely effective, allowing the Elamite state a degree of political stability not shared by its contemporaries in the Rodinian empire. It was a direct response to the collapse of the Succession after Emperor Marlek left.
The Ancient Empire of Elam
The ancient empire of Elam, was a realm of grandeur and mystique. Before Emperor Marlek’s departure and his rumoured transformation into a lich, Elam was known for its:
Golden Age of Expansion: Under the guidance of wise rulers, Elam expanded its territories, bringing diverse cultures under a single banner. This era was marked by prosperity, cultural exchanges, and the flourishing of arts and sciences.
Architectural Marvels: Elamites were master builders, creating towering structures that touched the skies and grand palaces that sprawled across vast lands. Their capital was a jewel of the continent, with libraries holding the wisdom of ages and marketplaces brimming with exotic goods.
Magical Prowess: The empire was a nexus of arcane knowledge. Mages and scholars delved into the secrets of the universe, harnessing elemental forces and crafting spells that could alter the fabric of reality.
Diplomatic Alliances: Elam maintained a complex web of alliances through marriages, pacts, and treaties, ensuring peace and mutual prosperity with neighboring nations.
Militaristic Might: Its armies were unmatched, composed of disciplined soldiers and enhanced by war mages. Elam’s military prowess deterred invasions and maintained internal stability.
Cultural Renaissance: Art, literature, and music thrived in Elam. Bards composed epic poems, artists painted scenes of legendary battles and serene landscapes, and sculptors carved statues that seemed to breathe life.
The fall of the Elam Empire began with Emperor Marlek’s obsession with immortality, leading to his self-imposed exile. His quest for eternal life left the empire without a leader, sparking internal strife and the eventual decline of a once-unstoppable force in Rodinia.
Fall of an Empire
The decline of the ancient empire of Elam can be attributed to several factors:
Emperor Marlek’s Obsession: The last emperor’s fixation on achieving immortality led him to abandon his empire. His absence created a power vacuum that destabilized the central authority.
Succession Crisis: Without a clear successor to Marlek, the empire’s noble families plunged into a bitter struggle for the throne, fracturing the unity that had once made Elam strong.
Economic Strain: The cost of maintaining the vast empire, along with the lavish lifestyles of the elite, drained the treasury, leading to increased taxation and public discontent.
External Threats: With the empire’s attention turned inward, external enemies seized the opportunity to attack, further weakening Elam’s hold on its territories.
Internal Rebellion: The heavy taxes and the absence of strong leadership led to uprisings among the common folk and even within the military ranks.
Loss of Magical Protection: As Marlek, a potent mage, left, the empire lost not only its leader but also its greatest magical defender. This made Elam vulnerable to both mundane and supernatural threats.
Cultural Stagnation: The focus on political infighting and the neglect of scholarly pursuits led to a decline in the cultural and scientific advancements that had once been the pride of Elam.
These factors combined to erode the foundations of the Elam Empire, leading to its eventual downfall and relegation to the annals of Rodinian history.
