Leader: The Forever Emperor Darius VI, the Infinite Brilliance, King of Meralia, Hanarus and Disthonia, Archon of Trevalisse, Duke of the Eastern Marches of Nanshere, Steward of Menatragon, Protector of the Dawn, Lord-high Refulgent

Population: 2.5 billion
Primary Inhabitants: Humans, Clademen

Governmental Structure: Autocratic Unitary State

“Wherever the Sun shines, so walk the heralds of the Empire. Wherever the Empire is known, so is the Emperor known. For the Sun, the Empire and the Emperor are all one. One man, one land, one light.” - Arch-Refulgent Radiatus IV, written in 759

The Empire has existed for as long as there have been those who have walked the land, and in that time much of the explored world has been taken into the Sun Empire. The Empire brings light, prosperity and opportunity to everyone - or so their books, and their Imperial Army say. Each town has a role, each person a job and everything feeds the glory of the Imperial Machine.

The long line of emperors has gone on for so long that it would take a full library of

tomes purely dedicated to capturing their family tree. They are the Sun by which the lands bear fruit.

However, that line has ended with Emperor Darius who it is said has sat upon the very Throne of Creation. From his high seat he has led the Empire of Sun for the last millennia, and its influence has spread to encompass all. All roads radiate from the throne, and all orders which flow through the Empire are said to originate from his ancient lips.

The early history of the empire is shrouded in much myth and legend. Many a scholar has run afoul of the Sun Ascendants when trying to delve too deep into any surviving writings from prior to the current Emperor’s reign. Those who do say that the empire was once much smaller, a handful of kingdoms conquered through bloodshed and intermarriage. The rulers of that empire are believed to have been like other humans in temperament and lifespan.

All changed with the crowning of Darius VI. Some say he found the Throne of Creation in his early years and the capital of Helione was built around it. Others say the Throne sprang up upon his birth. Others still say he built it from rays of sunlight, woven like strands of silk or forged like white-hot iron bars. Regardless of your preferred orthodoxy, it was in Darius’ lifetime that the capital was moved to its current location of Helione, and the city was constructed.

Under Darius’ rule, the Empire’s reach has spread significantly. Numerous kingdoms have been brought into the fold, some willing and some not. What the Empire offers to its vassal lands is peace, stability, prosperity and order. What it wants in return is absolute submission to Imperial hierarchy. In the Empire’s lands, the words of the Emperor are law, and none can gainsay them. Each conquered territory is assigned an Imperial Governor, who works alongside whatever amenable leadership remains. Government is restructured, trade is reorganized, Imperial law and justice is implemented. In time, the Sun Ascendants begin spreading Imperial doctrine, especially focusing on the teaching of children. Within two to three generations, it’s common to have fully accepted Imperial rule.

At the upper echelons of Imperial society stand the Emperor’s blood. In his millenium of lifespan the Emperor Darius has had many wives and lovers, and fathered numerous children. Status is higher for those who are closer in lineage to the Emperor himself (i.e. children bear more of his blood than grandchildren, or great-grandchildren, and so forth). There is even a unique form of ritual spellcasting created purely to discern exactly how closely a person is related to the Emperor. As the descendants of his earlier children intermarry with his more recent get, it can be quite difficult to track the small differences in shared bloodline percentages without mystical aid.

Next in social standing are the high-ranking members of the Imperial government: the leadership of the Sun Ascendants, the Imperial Generals, the Imperial Governors, and the Imperial Ministers (bureaucratic heads of the various departments which oversee day-to-day affairs). Though many of those positions are filled with members of the Emperor’s blood with ambition and drive, some are held by unrelated citizens of the Empire who show exceptional skill within their field. Beneath those are the army of soldiers and (veritable army of) bureaucrats that keep the machine of governance moving smoothly.

For ordinary citizens life can be quite pleasant, albeit heavily controlled. Local governors spend a great deal of time concerned with role selection and job placement. As teens set out to find their place in life, they are allowed to speak of their preferences but ultimately what they do and where is determined by the leaders of their city or village. Mayors will trade citizens like horses in order to ensure their village has exactly the proper quantities of folks trained in necessary skills, paying heed to citizen wishes only when it doesn’t inconvenience their other needs.

Yet in spite of all of those, those who are comfortable sitting back and letting their world be dedicated often find themselves in a comfortable, prosperous life. The Imperial calendar is full of holidays (many related to various important events in the Emperor’s life, such as his birthday or first marriage or the birth of his first or most recent child), which are often accompanied with celebration and feasting. Few in the Empire experience famine or poverty. Those who do what is expected of them will be given the chance for a full, happy life. For those who wish to set their own course of life, however… well, refugees from Imperial rule are a reality in other lands. For example, the labor force of Kagepolis had to come from somewhere, and a regular infusion of expatriated Imperials keeps the workforce ever-growing.

Regional Professions

Sun Empire Regimental Forces (varied)

Trait: Income

Auxiliary forces of the Imperial Army, the Regimental Forces are recruited from the local population of wherever the Empire expands. Typically made up of the former provincial authority, and what’s called the ‘drafted generation’ of the most able-bodied when the Empire first arrives in a place - the Regimental Forces are an eclectic and diverse cast of people and specialties. It is not unheard of for a special unit of bridge builders that once lived in a tiny mountain town, to be sent all over the face of the Empire to update infrastructure, and never see their homes again.

Roles:: Scouts, soldiers, local leadership

Sun Ascendant

Trait: Unify

If it is accepted that the Empire is the Sun by which the world has grown than the Emperor is the one who seeds the world with possibility. The Sun Ascendant is an ecclesiastical Order dedicated to the worshipful activities, and preservation of ‘righteousness’ that the Empire should be. When people speak of the ultimate glory that is the Empire, they are speaking of these paragons of virtuously espoused communal ideals.

Roles:: Bureaucrat, counselor, “paladin”