Athuran Empire

"'All roads lead back to Athura,' - Empress Ana"The Athurian Empire is a small nation that guards the Black Strait. It was once a mighty empire, but its adversaries have plucked the empire its strength. Renowned throughout the known world for its colossal walls and rich atmosphere, the city of Athurios stands as a golden reminder of the empire the Athurians once ruled.

Barbaric Invasions
After a millennia of rule, the Lorantine Empire was on the edge of collapse. its western lands are desolate, cursed with disease and war. Meanwhile, in the east, the Athuran peninsula reels from a sudden invasion by the Southern Realms, though the mountainous terrain of the Hallowed Lands ensured that any incursion into the heartland of the Athuran peninsula was impossible.

The fall of the Lorantine Empire began with the sacking of Aurelia, the capital of the empire. Within the course of a week, the peoples of the Lorantine Empire rebelled against their rulers, forming independent realms. Weakened, the empire had no choice but to relinquish their territories to the warlords. Worst still, in the far west, a new tribe began to emerge from the steppes of the Bloody Hills. The Angshirians were a hardy folk whose mastery over the horse could turn an entire Lorantine legion into a bloodbath. The Angshirians migrated southwards, settling in the empty lands of Lorantine. When the Angshirian warlords reached the walls of Aurelia, Emperor Aurelian abdicated the imperial crown before opening the gates to the Angshirians.

Dance of Princes
With the fall of the Lorantine Empire, the Athurans declared themselves as the heir of the Lorantine Empire. However, the lords of the region could not decide on who should be the next monarch. The largest faction was led by the Varangi dynasty, whose ancestry dates back to the founding of the Lorantine Republic. They held the most influence in the Athuran court, and their supremacy was left unchecked by the reigning monarch, who was increasingly viewed as merely a figurehead rather than an actual political force. However, they were opposed by the Akavir Beminios, captain of the Hekmenon Guard. The two factions maintained a tense relationship, though it ultimately broke down when the Emperor was found dead on his seat, with his chalice sitting on top of a pool of wine.

Prelude to the Dance
Moments after the Emperor's body was found dead in his court, Alexios Varangi accused Akavir for poisoning the Emperor. He organised a witch hunt against the collaborators of the Emperor's assassination, eliminating many of his opponents whilst simultaneously solidifying his hold over the capital. During this tumultuous period, Akavir was leading an assault against the Norvicians in the west, who had saw the empire's weakened state as the perfect opportunity to press its claims over the Yugar river.

When word arrived of the Varangi's coup, he marched for the city of Duvand, where a group of sympathetic politicians was willing to accept Akavir into their city. Shortly after he arrived, the city swore allegiance to Akavir, along with towns that border the Vatar rivers. Thus, the Athuran Empire was divided into north and south.

Grand Campaign
On November 7th, 148 T.A, the Beminion forces had