Empyrean Mandate

The Qi Empire shouldn't really exist; empires on such a scale (particularly where magic and gods abound) should crumble in upon themselves, as a general rule. The explanation for why that hasn't happened can mainly be found in the Empyrean Mandate: a contract between the gods and the Tien Dynasty.
Forged by the first Emperor, Tien Haian, the Mandate is a binding pact between the Qi and the pantheon. The Tien Emperors swore that they would respect and promote the gods, without giving favour to any one over others, and would commit themselves to the prosperity and good health of the Qi people. In return, the gods agreed that they would not meddle in the affairs of the Empire, would not favour or support any challengers to the rule of the Tien, and would generally refrain from overt interference in mortal affairs.
In the year 501 Empyrean, the Mandate was withdrawn in response to Emperor Tien Nai's Divine Edict, which required the destruction of temples and places of worship of the pantheon, and the establishment of new shrines and statues depicting him as the One True God. With the withdrawal of the Mandate, the gods are no longer bound to avoid interference in the affairs of men and the Empire.

Type

Metaphysical, Divine