The Empire of Bengnion (Ben-Yohn)

The Empire of Bengnion is perhaps the oldest and most revered of the nations of Tellius, or at least that is what the average noble within the Empire would say. Bengnion is thought to have been one of the first nations that arose on Tellius, before even the Westlands were shattered, and certainly over the following centuries has expanded to become the premier military power on the continent.

History

Bengnion has a long and storied history, reaching back so far that many historians cannot agree on the date the nation was founded. Originally a republic situated on the Latrikan Penninsula, Bengnion expanded and conquered their local rivals until they were the largest power on the coast of the Southern Sea. Their rapid expansion brought them in conflict with the islands that would one day form the Kingdom of Kilvas, and while we know that many wars were fought between the two nations, many records of the time have been lost. All we know with certainty is that when our most accurate records resume nearly 300 years later, Bengnion controlled significantly less land, bounded on the West by the River Eleth and on the East by the River Legapha.
This defeat seemed to have curbed Bengnian expansion significantly, and for nearly three centuries the republic would only expand to small islands short distances away from their mainland. However, we are told that this peace is broken by a particularly warlike culture, the Lakonians. Invading from only over the nearby bay, Bengnion was put to siege for the only time in its recorded history. Though the Lakonians were beaten back, Bengnion was not comfortable with only defeating them. The city of Lakonia was wiped from the face of Tellius, burned to the ground and looted. Their lands were taken by Bengnion, and the city built to replace Lakonia eventually took on the name of its forebear, but likely held a different name at the time of its founding.
From this point Bengnion begins to expand north, reaching the Seven Arrows within 10 years, and seemingly expanded slowly for many years.
It was around this time when Bengnion declared war once more on the islanders to their south, at this point firmly under the control of the Kingdom of Kilvas. This time was not like the last, and Bengnion wasted no time landing army after army on the shores of Kilvas, and the island nation promptly surrendered, submitting themselves as vassals to the mighty empire. In exchange for their fealty, the islanders were allowed their autonomy, and they would fight alongside Bengnion in all wars to come.
From this point forwards, Bengnion was the undisputedly the strongest power on Tellius, and they were aware of it. Bengnion subjugated the Kingdom of Pelagia in much the same manner as Kilvas, and Took by force the fledgling kingdom of Delia. Delia's sister kingdom, in exchange for betraying their ally, were made subservient to the Empire. The city of Farron was founded on the other side of the Spine of the World, named for the legendary dragonslayer and the small passage through the mountain range that shared the same name.

Population

The people of the Empire of Bengnion are as diverse as the languages spoken within it. Men and women of almost every race can be found within the borders of the empire, with one notable exception: Dragonborn. While there are no doubt some dragonborn that remain within the empire's borders, it is not without great trouble. Since the crowning of Auberon Faeth, the dragonborn contingent of the empire's military has been disbanded, and a bounty has been placed upon the heads of any who are brought before an agent of the crown.

Politics

Throughout Bengnion's history, it cannot be said that they were a peaceful people. It was hundreds of years of war as the empire expanded, and the modern day is no different. Bengnion finds itself overlord of nearly half of Tellius. Daein, Kilvas, Pelagia, Fellirae, and Farron all bow down to their overlords, but the other half of the continent is not as happy. Constant skirmishes between Gallia and Bengnion have recently broken into all out war, and the Kingdom of Bryth attempts to use this to their advantage, plunging down the eastern coast in another holy war. And struggles within the empire are brewing as well. Daein and the subjugated Delia vie for independence, and threaten to break the union to pieces.

Royalty

The Emperors of Bengnion, until recently, have been able to trace their lineage back to the founder of the Empire, Ilphas Corryn. Only recently, however, with the overthrow of Emperor Orm VI, that this lineage has been broken. The New Emperor, Auberon Faeth (widely viewed as an usurper) has taken the reins of the Empire, and for the first time since the founding of the Bengnion Republic, declared himself High King. Alongside the disbanding of the Dragon Knights of Emperor Orm, this has caused tensions within the nation to skyrocket to a breaking point.

Type

Geopolitical, Empire