[Nations] The Empire of the Phoenix

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Czernobog
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[Nations] The Empire of the Phoenix

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THE EMPIRE OF THE PHOENIX

HISTORY

The Empire of the Phoenix has its origins in the Fourth Crusade, fought to drive out the Turks and forces of Stygius from the former lands of Byzantium, which had collapsed into anarchy and chaos. The Crusade was a resounding success, ending in the Battle of Antioch, where the Black Emperor Acheron fell to the blade of the French king, Lord Stygius sounding the retreat as the veil of night Acheron had drawn over the battlefield faded. The Empire's first act was to unify the Crusader States that had survived Stygius' expansion, converting the population to Catholicism and securing the area from the Turks.

The first Emperor, Flavius, declared the Empire of the Phoenix in a grand speech made from the Imperial Palace at Constantinople, saying that 'Byzantium has fallen, but like the Phoenix, it shall be reborn!'. From that day on, the Empire has protected the population of Greece and Anatolia from the armies of Stygius and the threat of conquest, securing their lands and livelihoods from the enemies that gather around them.

CONSTANTINOPLE

Constantinople is a wondrous city, beautiful and great, a clear contrast to the shadowed remnants of Jerusalem. After the Great Fire of 1730 it was rebuilt on a gridded plan, not unlike the cities of North America. There are four quarters to the old city, with a massive sprawl of factories, docklands and houses outside. They are known as the Religious Quarter, the Mage's Quarter, the Military Quarter and the Houses of Government. In the centre of the city lies the Imperial Palace, standing high on an artificial hill. The Religious Quarter houses the glorious Basilica of the Holy Word, built of white marble and in the classical style atop the fire-destroyed ruins of the Hagia Sophia. The Religious Quarter is also home to the House of Art, which produces breathtaking works of unparalleled beauty.

The Mage's Quarter is home to the Imperial Academy of Magic, which trains many of the Empire's mages and includes the greatest library in Europe, home to thousands of books and ancient grimoires, painstakingly added and preserved by the library's collectors. The Military Quarter houses the War Office, which co-ordinates the Empire's military and is home to the headquarters of the Watchmen, the Empire's secret spying organisation. The Houses of Government contain the Imperial Senate, in which the Senate debates important issues and decides new laws, which can be passed or vetoed by the Emperor.

Finally, the Imperial Palace stands high on an artificial mound, a bizarre mix of Gothic, Neoclassical and Baroque. It is quite literally breathtaking to see, immense and built entirely of white marble. Its gardens are beautiful, containing statues and fountains aplenty, trees to provide shade and long green lawns to walk in.

MILITARY

The military of the Empire of the Phoenix contains a large number of professional soldiers, usually supplemented by local militia and other elements of the army. Cavalry and artillery are commonly used to pin down the enemy, with mages usually in support roles, healing the troops and weakening enemy units. But that is not to say that the military of the Empire only stick to one dogmatic method. Their forces are tactically flexible, and the main books on strategy used by its generals are taken only as guidelines, to be changed depending on the foe and the factors of the battle. Indeed, the generals who mindlessly stick to their teachings are usually the ones who are defeated the most.

Perhaps the most deadly of the Empire's troops are the Guard of Constantinople. They are supreme fighters in all forms of combat, trained in battle from an early age and recruited from the orphaned children of those who fell defending the Empire's territories. That is not to say that they are invincible - for all their training and skill, they are still only human, and despite their enchanted armour, they can be killed quite easily if sent into the meatgrinder of battle. No, their role is as assassins and guards, and the majority of them are garrisoned in Constantinople, ready to be sent into the fray where they are most needed.

The Imperial Military is divided into three divisions - the Imperial Army, the Imperial Navy (which also includes the Sky Navy) and the Emperor's Children, an elite force that is only called upon to fight the most vital and desperate of battles. In the meantime it guards the Emperor, protecting him from all harm.

GOVERNMENT

The Head of State of the Empire is the Emperor, or Princeps Imperium, and the Master of the Armies and Head of the War Office is known as the Lord Commander. There is an Imperial Senate, somewhat similar to Parliament in the Kingdom of Britannia, where the voice of the common people is heard. The Master of the Estates Imperial also exists, he being responsible for running the country, and the provinces are governed and ruled by Governor-Generals, whose word is law inside their respective provinces, although they must also obey the laws of the land.

The Governor-Generals are chosen by the Emperor himself, and have seats in the Senate, as well as reporting to the Master of the Estates. There are also Custodian-Generals, responsible for the activities of the Royal Custodians in their province and that answer to the Master of the Estates. The Royal Custodians perform the dual role of police and emergency services, and are held in high regard by the people.

The Empire of the Phoenix is divided into 12 provinces, each named after the capital city of that province, where the Governor-General lives.
You have ruled this galaxy for ten thousand years.
You have little of account to show for your efforts.
Order. Unity. Obedience.
We taught the galaxy these things.

And we shall do so again.
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