THE ARMETHIAN EMPIRE
The formation of the Armethian Empire began when Aramus lead a crusade across the entire planet. His goal was to rid the world of the tyranny that once enslaved him and infected nearly ever corner of the globe.
Aramus began small, attacking slave routes and prisons. Grateful for their freedom and unwilling to challenge his power, Aramus quickly gained a small army of slaves and used them to overthrow larger and larger kingdoms.
Those with military backgrounds, such as General Damien Palik, advised Aramus on strategy and minimalized casualties. Their counsel, combined with Aramus' power, created a force that no army could match.
Aside from peaceful nations such as Ignoltis and Etheria, the world was united beneath a single banner. To many, the tyrants of the past had been defeated. To others, they'd merely traded one tyrant for another.
ARMETHIANS
Aramus is a god in the eyes of many. Never before had a human been capable of such power and never before had a ruler favored peace over oppression.
Before Aramus' crusade, many Armethians were either enslaved or mistreated by their former Kings. Overworked, overtaxed and viewed as tools rather than people.
To many, Aramus' liberation was a miracle. He provided clean water, food and housing for all. He broke the shackles of slaves and united humanity under a single banner.
In the beginning there were few who could argue with such generosity. Though as the Empire expanded, its rules and regulations grew with it.
Aramus knew that if his Empire was to flourish, restrictions would need to be set into place. Everyone would have food and shelter just as he'd promised but it would all be distributed in equal shares.
The rich were now commoners, large families were forced to ration their meals. Any who owned large plots of land were ordered to surrender them so that the Empire could build new lodgings for others.
Armethians are expected to do what is in the best interest for the Empire. Everyone has what they need to live a decent life but none possess the power to excel beyond it.
For many this is enough. There are no taxes, there are no chains or public executions. To others, living as a single entity is far worse than any shackle or whip.
ORILLITH
Before Orillith became the capital city of the Armethian Empire, it was governed by King Thaddeus, ruler of The United Front.
With his reach stretching across several regions, Thaddeus was considered the most powerful man on the planet. His city of Orillith was deemed impenetrable and had never been taken under his rule.
Aramus had grown tired of his enemies questioning his abilities, and by taking Orillith, Aramus would be overthrowing the most powerful threat the world had to offer him.
Aramus won the day through an excessive use of his power and his plan worked just as he'd hoped. Many allied with The United Front were quick to surrender in fear and those in Aramus' legions began hailing him as a god.
The scales of war were quickly tipped in Aramus' favor. However, his excessive use of power would come at a great cost.
BLACKWATER PRISON
Located on a small island and surrounded by a lethal hot spring, Blackwater Prison proved itself to be inescapable.
This prison was once reserved for traitors of The United Front. However, when Aramus took control of the region, he reserved it for King Thaddeus himself.
Thaddeus lived the rest of his life in unending torture. His punishment served as an example for traitors and enemies of the state. Those who chose to ignore this warning were forced to share his fate.
MILITARY
The Armethian Empire stretches across the globe, enlisting countless volunteers to serve in the ranks of the almighty Emperor.
Due to its treaty with Ignoltis. Imperial Soldiers are fitted with the finest weapons and armor.
However it is their unwavering devotion to Aramus himself that makes these soldiers so formidable in combat.
Image, from left to right: General, Captain, Private.
ETHERIA
Etheria was once a great empire which controlled the entire planet. Its Emperor considered humans to be inferior to Etherians and chose to rule over them as slaves.
Many Etherians disagreed with the Emperor's reign but none had the power to overthrow him. The Emperor was considered by all to be the most powerful Etherian to have ever lived. It was said that the only thing that could stop him was the power of death itself.
The Emperor knew that his reign wouldn't last forever. The excessive use of his power had made his body weak and crippled. Feverishly, he searched for a way to conquer death with his magic. But the harder he tried, the faster his health declined.
In the weeks following his death the Empire became gripped in a massive civil war. Etherians seeking to liberate the humans and those wishing to preserve the Emperor's reign battled across the globe until both humans and Etherians were nearly extinct.
One thousand years after the fighting, Etheria found itself a much smaller nation with much smaller ambitions. Located on a large peninsula, the last of the Etherians lived peacefully outside the nations of humanity.
The Etherians who founded this land vowed to never seek conflict, nor power for ones own gain and retained a neutral status in the eyes of the surrounding world.
Etheria valued knowledge and growth above all else and saw its dark history as a valuable lesson that should never be relived.
ETHERIANS
Etherians are a wise and noble people. Instead of glorifying warriors and conquerors, they honor the discoveries of former Masters and philosophers.
Though many Etherians study magic, not all are required to do so. In Etheria, citizens are free to follow any profession they desire.
Contrary to popular belief, not everything in Etheria is done by the wave of a sorcerers hand. Etherians pride themselves on hard work and discipline. Relying on magic only as a last resort and only with the blessing of the Royal Council.
The Etherian staff draws its power from the crystal located within it. This crystal binds its energy with the wielder and allows them to manipulate the physical world however they wish. However, the ability to use this power is not without its price.
Since the energy of the wielder is bound to the crystal, a portion of the wielder's energy will be expunged upon every use. Those who abuse their power, such as Aramus have found their bodies aged and crippled well before their time.
ETHROMIR
The city of Ethromir is the Capital City of Etheria. Its many halls house vast libraries of knowledge and its streets are decorated with the towering statues of sorcerers long passed.
Ethromir is where Etherians come to study magic and to gain knowledge of the surrounding world.
Etherians value knowledge as humans would treasure with the most valuable information being stored within The Great Hall.
Everything from Etherian history to the most forbidden magic is kept here and those keeping watch are prepared to give their lives to protect it.
THE GREAT HALL
The Great Hall is not only a vast library. It also contains the preserved energy of Masters who have long passed.
Before their death, these sorcerers were bestowed with the rank of Master. A title that few ever achieve and many aspire to attain.
Becoming a Master is the greatest honor an Etherian could ever receive and a necessity for any who wish to become King.
A Master is in full control of their emotions. They think logically instead of passionately and do what is best for preserving Etheria's long standing peace.
When a Master reaches the end of their life, they're faced with one final decision. They can either fuse what remains of their energy with the energy of their crystal or die a natural death.
Should they chose the former, their energy will live on until the crystal in their staff is inevitably destroyed.
This allows future generations to speak with Masters who are long dead and gain different perceptions on the world to further develop their own philosophy's.
TRAINING AREA
The training area is where Pricilla goes to practice her studies in secret.
Located near the coast and far from the city it is the perfect location to practice magic undetected.
When Aramus comes to Pricilla and asks her to teach him her magic. Pricilla already knows exactly where they can go.
IGNOLTIS
Ignoltis is a harsh and brutal environment. Due to constant volcanic activity, the area is subject to perpetual lightning storms, dark skies and falling ash.
With little sunlight and spars pockets of soil, cultivation proves to be extremely difficult. Before Ignoltians opened trade with the rest of the world, they were forced to fast and ration what little yield they could produce.
What Ignoltis lacks in beauty, it gains in raw materials. Ignoltis is ripe with rare metals, minerals, and ores and Ignoltian craftsmanship is surpassed only by means of Etherian magic.
Though its environment may be harsh, Ignoltis has a sophisticated and peaceful culture. The King of Ignoltis (Pharron) is both wise and humble. He seeks to resolve matters with words rather than brawn and believes strongly in the guidance of his forebears.
After learning of Pharron's reputation from General Palik. Aramus opened talks with Pharron once he gained control of Orillith. Pharron agreed to help supply Aramus with the weapons and soldiers he needed to grow his Empire. In return, Pharron would continue to receive shipments of crops from Orillith and retain his nations independence. The only nation besides Etheria to do so.
IGNOLTIANS
To many, an Ignoltian lifestyle is just as harsh and brutal as the surrounding environment.
The food is undesirable, in both appearance and taste. The furniture is chiseled from stone, for the entire nation is devoid of lumber.
For Ignoltians the gift of life is far more precious than any material luxury. Instead of chasing wealth and power they prepare themselves for their inevitable end through meditation and worship.
To an Ignoltian the purest form of power is to be without fear. To be as unbiased and incorruptible as the beast that they worship.
VERSHAI
Vershai is the Capital City of Ignoltis and is considered sacred ground by the Ignoltians.
The city has been carved into the side of an active volcano. A volcano that is said to house the presence of a mythical creature (The Dragon). A creature to which the Ignoltians have vowed worship.
Constructing a city in such a dangerous place may seem like suicide to many. However, in the Ignoltian culture, death is simply another part of life.
SHRINE
The Shrine was constructed around the cavemouth where the creature was last seen.
Here Ignoltians gather every week to pay their respects to something far greater than themselves.
They believe that without this creature's existence the world would not be allowed to die and start anew.
Without this everlasting balance, there would only ever be death.
MILITARY
Aside from items infused with Etherian magic, Ignoltian soldiers are fitted with the finest weapons and armor the world has to offer.
In Ignoltian culture, death is taught to be welcomed, not feared. A mindset that proves beneficial when faced with the terrors of battle.
Image, from left to right: King, Royal Guard, Private.