An Introduction to the Empire

The Empire of Adana has stood for six centuries, spanning the heart of the continent of Elsoth. In truth, it is scarcely an empire, but rather a loose confederation of polities, large and small. All within it nominally owe their allegiance to Empress Koline Otrese, Second of Her Name, Duchess of Firstbridge, Countess of Aten, Thalund and Zaina, Knight-Commander of the Companions of the First King, and Guardian of the Empyreal Gates, who reigns from her throne in the capital city, Sanctuary. The reality of the situation is rather different. The Imperial House of Otrese exerts only loose control over the empire as a whole. Certain of its vassals, most notably the Realm of Hadash, the Realm of Dyria, the Commonwealth of Hana and Lonin, and the Grand Republic of Thasen, arguably outstrip the wealth and military power that the Imperial House alone can bring to bear.

Why then does the empire hold together? Contemporary observers and scholars note a few reasons. First is that the security of association with the empire is enough by itself to prevent any one constituent polity from rocking the boat too much. The world beyond is an often perilous place. Various neighbours would think nothing of subsuming smaller imperial polities, but few have the power to defeat an even moderately unified empire; conflict with the empire is often kept to a sufficiently small scale that only local noble houses react. Beyond the empire's immediate neighbours, more alarming problems lie farther afield. The second is the web of alliances within the empire. Disturbing one strand in this web through use of military force might lead to a cascade of treaties coming into play. Internal politics require a deft and subtle hand. The third is faith. The empire does not adhere to any single faith, but the Cult of Valon is generally held in high regard, and the values it espouses are conducive to maintaining a cohesive society with strong nobility.

The fourth and perhaps most important reason is the nature of imperial high society. It is a long-established tradition that the nobility spend significant time in the imperial capital. Such nobles are said to be "at court", although few care to make a habit of attending the palace itself to stand in the great chamber before the imperial throne other than for major occasions. Rather, the city sits at the heart of the political web which keeps the empire together. There, virtually every noble house of any consequence in the empire maintains a mansion or townhouse. Soirées, balls and all manner of functions abound, and adroit socialites are held in high esteem indeed. Negotiations between houses happen in the many establishments around the city more than happy to act as neutral ground for suitably wealthy customers, or behind closed doors of mansions. Factors of major mercantile concerns attend the capital to deal with the nobility and with each other, and other enterprising common people come simply to see what opportunity the capital presents. Knightly orders maintain major chapter houses in the city and seek the patronage of the wealthy.

So the empire continues, as it has for six centuries.