Holy Orenian Empire
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The Holy Orenian Empire, or simply Oren, (High Imperial: Sacrum Orenorum Imperium) is the largest and most powerful nation of humans or of any race upon the continent of Axios, and historically any past worlds as well. It was founded by the Exalted Godfrey, also known as Godfrey I, from whom the current Holy Orenian Emperor, John III, descends his claim. Its capital is the city of Johannesburg, and it adheres to the Church of the Canon as the state religion.
The language of the lands of the Holy Orenian Empire has always been Common, however High Imperial is often employed in official documents and among the bureaucracy and nobility, as well as in other parts of society with great Aeldinic influence. The current empire is in its fifth incarnation, known as the Fifth Empire to modern historians. The symbol of the Empire is the Horenic Dragon, with such motifs being employed in many of its standards and banners.
Contents
History
Pre-Imperial
Before the rise of King Daniel of Oren, the pre-Godfreyian humanity was split between a variety of independent kings and dukes, not unified under any common banner. In fact, after the burning of Pontia in 1000, many human lords had deviated from the original Creatorist faith, some of whom had took up Aengulic worship. Many before King Daniel had attempted to take up the title as King of Man, most notably the Prince Baldwin IV of Balain in 1231 and the Horen-scion King Edmund of Mzen in 1235, both of whom were denied (Baldwin by his assassination en route to Jrent and Edmund by his defeat at the Battle of Harwock). King Edgar of Aaun, father of Daniel, had also attempted to claim the title, having the support of numerous lesser lords yet could not find the support among the fractured clergy.
The First Empire
The Second Empire
The Third Empire
The Fourth Empire
The Fifth Empire
The rise of John Frederick to the throne of Oren after the assassination of Guy de Bar is marked by historians as the Fifth Empire, or the fifth reestablishment of the Imperial Throne. The Fifth Empire is the current incarnation of the Empire, with the period being known as the Johannian Era. Currently three Emperors have served during this period, John I, John II, and the current reigning John III. The beginning of the Fifth Empire saw the bloody Eighteen Years' War, the Third Rurikid Uprising on the Island of Avar, the Carnti-Courlander War, and the current War of Orcish Submission between the Empire and the Kingdom of the Orcs.
Horen Restoration
See also: Horen Restoration
During the political instability after the Dukes' War and the election of Guy de Bar as King of Oren, the Aeldin-inhabitant Charles Henry Horen, known as the Old Pretender, created a plot in order to overthrow the Ashford monarch and place his own son, the Horen claimant John Frederick Horen. Joined in his endevour was John Frederick's uncle (and Guy's father-in-law) Titus, Duke of Istria, Henselt Chivay, and the bishops Edmond de Montfort and Renauld of Metz. Later supporters included John, Count of Kvasz and Guy's nephew, Baldwin de Bar. Using Baldwin's personal connection with the king, King Guy was brought forth unprotected into the royal palace gardens, where he was stabbed repeatedly by both Bishop Renauld and the priest Iosif of Roiye. Iose\if escaped from the palace but Renauld was cut down in the forests outside by Guy's brother, the then Lord Chancellor Adrian de Bar, before he was captured by Baldwin and the knight Marius Baruch.
Days prior, John Frederick had landed upon Istria with a small host commanded by Athirius Roke, where he was joined by Duke Titus and Titus' youngest son, Vanderus de Sola. Before John reached the capital city of Felsen, Prince Gereon of Savoy (former King Olivier's brother and Guy's first cousin, one removed) had locked down the city and reestablished order while declaring himself Lord Regent.
Culture and society
The Holy Orenian Empire is a human nation, and as such, revolves about the culture of mankind. Its ruling caste, the infamous nobles and ladies who descend from ennobled blood, come from predominantly Heartlander and Highlander backgrounds, and as such as created a melting pot swath of numerous identities, sets of life, and languages.
Politics
Army
Main Article: Imperial Army
Throughout the different periods of the Holy Orenian Empire, its military forces have adapted and changed dramatically from its original state. The Empire still relies upon levies of its vassal states and allies, however majority of its forces have been consolidated into one central military hierarchy and command. The current Imperial Army is headed by the princeps, which currently consists of two legions led by its respective legates. Lords of the Empire are typically given command of their own company, or if large enough, their own brigades within the legions, allowing the nobility to maintain control over their men without diminishing the strict chain of command which the current structure provides.
Succession
The Holy Orenian Empire follows strict semi-absolute primogeniture succession, where only males and sons of females may inherit. Succession would follow first to the firstborn son of the reigning Emperor, then to his sons, and the sons of his sons, and so on and so forth. The secondborn follows, continuing to all male members of the dynasty. If there are no males of the Imperial line, then sons of females would then follow. However, females cannot inherit the crown in their own right.
The succession of the Imperial Throne within the House of Horen is limited only to the progeny of Prince John, Duke of Marna, the secondborn son of Horen I, Holy Orenian Emperor, firstborn son of Exalted Godfrey.
The current line of succession is all followed:
- John, Prince of Alstion (b. 1568), eldest son of John III.
- Prince Robert, Duke of Marna (b. 1570), secondborn son of John III.
- Prince Philip Frederick of Alstion (b. 1571), thirdborn son of John III.
- Prince Alexander, Duke of Balamena (b. 1552), secondborn son of John II.
- Prince Joseph, Duke of Furnestock (b. 1555), thirdborn son of John II.
- Prince Robert Frederick of Marna (b. 1540), eldest living son of Prince Alexander, Duke of Marna.
- Prince Leopold, Baron of Senntisten (b. 1544), thirdborn son of Prince Alexander, Duke of Marna.
- Prince Philip Louis of Marna (b. 1546), fourthborn son of Prince Alexander, Duke of Marna.
- Charles, Viscount of Balain (b. 1575), eldest son of Prince Charles, Viscount of Balain.
- Lord Edward Baldwin Horen-Balain (b. 1575), secondborn son of Prince Charles, Viscount of Balain.
- Prince Henry Joseph of Furnestock (b. 1543), secondborn son of Prince Charles, Duke of Furnestock.
- Lord Arthur Horen-Vimmark (b. 1567), eldest son of Princess Eleanor of Saltstone.
Demographics
Humans make up the majority of the Empire, namely Highlanders and Heartlanders. Small minorities include Farfolk humans and Elves.
Religion
The Church of the Canon is the state religion of the Holy Orenian Empire, with nearly every human within the Empire adhering to it. Small minorities of Owynism and Ruskan Orthodoxy, both branches of Canonism, also exist. Local groups of Iman al-Rashidun followers can be found in the Empire's enclaves near the Sultanate of Haria. Aengulic religions are considered heretical by the Church of the Canon, however numerous clerical orders in the past and present have been allied with the Empire or even sworn under its banner with promise of religious freedom.
Old paganistic faiths were once dominate in the humans, however majority of the old beliefs systems have died out after the refounding of the Empire by Exalted Sigismund and the defeat and exile of the Highlandic Old Faith worshiper King Lachlan Mor at the victorious Battle of Kralta.
Geography
The holy Orenian Empire is spread across two islands, Tahn and Asul, covering vast swathes of plains, forests and mountains. On the island of Tahn, the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska lies on the northern fringes, with the Archduchy of Lorraine to the south; bordering the Dominion of Malin, the Grand Kingdom of Urguan and the Sohaerate of Haelun'or.
Notable Imperials
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