The first Empress, the reluctant ruler. Essandra’s history is widely known. She may well have been the legitimate Queen, that part is unclear. What is known and widely accepted is Essandra did NOT want the throne, or power, to lead. She rejected the throne, and some rejected her decision. This led to war.
It is also known that the Kingdom’s days were done – the sun was setting on the golden age. The only ones not accepting that, held all of the power in the current structure. Corruption was everywhere, everyone suffered (well, except for the corrupt of course). When Essandra rejected the throne she made way for her brother, not to undermine or change, simply to have no part. Those who chose to follow her were now at grave risk though, the Kingdom had branded them rebels without cause and quite unreasonably.
It was as Empress that Essandra established the council of 12 (Truth be told, it rarely had exactly twelve members, sometimes more and sometimes less – most records concur the smallest number was 7, so far), to administer Empire’s interests. In effect, they advise the Emperor or Empress, manage affairs of day to day matters and, as needed, elect the new Emperor. The council is drawn from the Noble houses that have supported the Empire since its formation (formerly) in 250 AE. Over the centuries a few noble houses have “changed” as new houses gain prominence, and others fading into oblivion. A footnote in the histories.
Throughout the centuries, the pretenders of Geldheim (and their cowardly backers) have attempted to undermine, assassinate, divert, threaten, intimidate, bribe, or overthrow with subterfuge our just and Noble council members. The August body has always remained true, to the people of the Empire, and its leader. All the pretenders of Geldheim have really done is thrown away the lives of their commoners whom they send to do the dirty work.
I digress.
Essandra died in the final battle of the succession wars.
Emperor General Ordan Callingber – hero of Ashnoor: 250 AE – 270 AE.
The final battle on the Fields of Ashnoor (original) that ended, or, more accurately, paused, the Succession Wars, General Callingber was not famous, influential politically or outstanding….yet.
After weeks of constant battle, the Empire line began to falter (Callingber was unaware that the Empress had been mortally wounded). Callingber led a daring counter flanking manoeuvre catching the enemy completely off guard, crushing their left flank and causing such chaos that pandemonium ensued. Then came the Erayax causing even more deaths and destruction.
After fleeing both Erayax and Kingdom forces the army paused in a quiet forest area on the western side of Lake Miasma. They took some time to count their losses and the council had decisions to make.
Callingber's daring heroics and leadership won him fame and some regard; his calm measured affect also earned much respect. Essandra having died from battle-wounds, and after an appropriate (and short, given the location and circumstances) mourning period, the council elected Callingber as Emperor. He immediately took charge and the entire force moved further west, eventually settling into Mirthstone. Mirthstone would ultimately become the Hadovean capital.
Callingber survived his time as Emperor and voluntarily stood down after a twenty-year run as leader. Every five years leadership is reviewed by the council – he was successfully re-elected each term. The first five years were consumed with the war and immediate recovery, exodus and resettlement – Callingber had managed exceptionally well in extremely difficult conditions. Those who survived would no doubt unanimously agree with the council in the ’55 elections, he was their leader in absolute terms and had protected them.
As indicated, under Callingber the Hadovian’s settled to the southwest, those who lived in that region willingly welcomed the Empire’s people and happily became subjects of Emperor General Callingber. It is widely believed that this was achieved by diplomacy over force.
Callingber implemented infrastructure programs that, over time, started to improve travel and communication particularly. Roads were a high priority as evidenced by the speed (and efficiency) with which they were built.
Whilst he got non-combatants busy with building projects (Roads, hospitals, Learning centers – from school to university as it were, city/town/village improvements generally), Callingber demonstrated just how keen a military mind he had, shoring up defences despite limited people power and resources.
Callingber resigned from office in the Autumn of 270 AE to retire and live out his days near Lake Noor.
Author’s note: please take note that during the time known commonly as “the recovery age” record keeping was not as fastidious as one would otherwise find useful. Please forgive some gaps in the chronology – there is simply either not enough or no evidentiary documentation to support any kind of claim. We can trust the council got it right obviously or we would not be here today.
270 AE 375 AE:
Impossibly, records only exist regarding two elected leaders during this 105-year period, whilst this does not seem credible, the following account is as honest as it can be.
270 AE - ?:
Emperor Joran Honmire – The Banker. Many a tale is told about Emperor Honmire, not all are flattering, in fact, and arguably most aren’t. Also known as the Emperor of Taxation, Honmire did manage to fill the treasury during his time. It is widely assumed he did help himself to treasury funds rather freely, however, to his great credit, he did not drain them dry, or so it is said. This holds true, to this day we have a healthy treasury with minimal management.
It is recorded that Honmire laid the very first foundation stone of this very library. If I may, I personally hold him in high esteem for that alone.
I digress.
Largely peaceful times, given no serious pressure or crisis, The Banker had an unremarkable, ordinary run-in office. There is no clear record of how, why or when he left office – or what happened to him from there (of course there are rumours, persistent ones, that he hired some clever folks who could make explosive black powder. Then he hired some other folk who were somewhat adept for using said powder to…get their way with some things – from there they began to recruit, so the rumour goes).
? – 375:
Empress Hally Stormeye – Justice. Despite no war, at least no threat from any wars (i.e., the Kingdom or Erayax), Hally still managed to live in violent and dangerous times. Crime was rife and the Empire was unsettled because of this.
Empress Stormeye established the first Empire wide sheriff or policing system to address the increasingly brazen attacks, thefts, murders on every road in the empire.
Being an adversarial lot, the sheriff’s approach quickly established more people stalking highways for victims rather than less. Violence was now on the increase, whereby previously some almost mischievous stealing; now violence was almost a certainty from either side.
Hally had implemented widespread reforms none the less when she was killed in a roadside incident in 375 AE.
This rolled into a period of civil strife for a decade or so. Arguably, the Empire was at its most lawless state between about 375 and 385 (or thereabouts).
Brokered deals with a range of groups some fully under a backdrop of civil unrest and some deals were with the merely disgruntled whom could go either way. Ultimately, Elyian restored calm to the Empire with minimal (if any) use of force.
A renewed age of building and restoration began.
Torlea also reshaped the council somewhat in order to maintain momentum on beneficial projects that may require attention for longer than an individual Emperor’s run. In effect, the council adopted a little more power; however, this body had proven time and again to be absolutely trustworthy.
Many whom had previously hunted on the highways were now on payroll to patrol the very same roads and keep them “safe”. The Empire was about to embark on a period of peace, prosperity for all and rejuvenation.
