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Imperial History

Counting almost a quarter of the worlds land mass as its territory, the Valdagarr empire stood proud and noble. Emperor Harragrand had united the humans of his land into an efficient fighting force in order to defend themselves against the orc legions of the dreaded warlord Grimgarr One-eye that were massing their numbers to invade and enslave all of humanity. Meeting the orcs in battle, Grimgarr was slain by Harragrand himself and the orc legions were shattered by the massed firepower of the human ranks. Pushing forward, Haragrrand’s forces surged over the borders of their lands, claiming the orc territories as their own.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  The vast plains previously inhabited by the orcs were quickly altered by the humans to suit their purposes. A vast network of rail roads stretched like a spiders web, linking the newly founded settlements. Although the plains proved poor soil for growing crops, they were ideal for supporting grazing animals and many cattle farms and horse ranches were created. The people living in this new land quickly became rich and prosperous.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Although driven from their lands, the orcs were still at large, lingering in dark forests and forbidding mountains upon the edges of human society. While many of the human soldiers were sent to hunt the foul creatures, the orcs numbers quickly grew and they began to raid and pillage the nearby human settlements. Many of the farmers quickly armed themselves, when the forces of Valdagarr proves insufficient and many skirmishes were fought when orc raided isolated farmsteads. Despite these problems, the Valdagarr empire thrived. Trade with the other human nations had made them wealthy and powerful people.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Then, a couple years ago, Emperor Harragrand died and his eldest daughter Shianne became Empress. At this event, a dark shadow seems to have fallen upon the once proud empire. Shianne quickly set about ending the problems with the orc raiders. Specially trained human negotiators took their simple message to the orc tribes, join the Harragrand empire and become true citizens, or die. Many of the orcs quickly became accustomed to the luxuries of civilised life brought by the human diplomats, and gladly swore oaths of loyalty to Empress Shianne. These orcs were then turned against the other orc tribes. Replacing their crude clubs and axes with human rifles, and lead by human officers who were experts in orc psychology and tactics, Shiannes orc legions quickly conquered and assimilated most of the remaining free orc tribes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Although hailed as a saviour by some, many people voiced their objection against Shiannes policies. Hardened by years of fighting, there were many who objected to this new found acceptance of the orcs. This was made worse, when the orcs were given the same rights and privileges as humans, and orc legions were permanently established alongside the human armies of the empire. The orcs were never made to conform to human life, in fact their barbaric and savage nature was encouraged by their human officers as it saved time and resources necessary to otherwise train them.

It was then that Shianne announced the future plans of the empire. What she had done to the orcs, she would do to all races of the world. Either bow down to the her armies or be crushed by them. At this, vast legions marched across the empire, and began to invade the lands belonging to the elves. As the soldiers marched on, they were followed by engineers who built forts to subdue the remaining elves, and railroad to link and supply them. Now these lands are beginning to be colonised, with many anxious to claim this newly conquered land. While some of the elves fight a guerilla war against their human captors, the forts and soldiers stationed nearby mean the newly constructed settlements and farms remain relatively safe.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            A bigger problem perhaps comes in the form of the humans who oppose Shianne. Many groups of rebels and freedom fighter have sprung up, wishing to overthrow the Empress and return the Valdagarr empire to its former splendor.

Magic and Religion

Although a powerful force, the link between magic and the daemonic entities living within the realm of magic was quickly realized. Although many humans could easily use magical energy to cast powerful spells and forge mighty artifacts, they ran a great risk of daemonic possession.

As more and more people became possessed, it was thought the end of humanity as they knew it was at an end. The last few powerful human warriors and magicians fought a last battle against those controlled by the daemons. Although many of the humans were slain, they were victorious and the daemons were driven back to their hellish lairs. The rulers of the human nations then decreed that no human would ever use magic again, and outlawed the use of any magical energy.

These days, the Church of the Celestial Majesties worship those human warriors who fought the daemons as if they were saints. Their teachings are revered and the use of magic is a grievous sin, only utter submission to the churches inquisition will save a spellcaster from death. All magic items which are discovered are sealed away in vaults under the great cathedrals to prevent them from corrupting impressionable minds.

Magic users are now hunted criminals, always of the run from church inquisitors. Rumour has it that Empress Shianne herself is a sympathiser of those who illegally wield magical energies, and it is well known that several imperial scientists have been caught studying magic as if it were a science, and inventing machines to harness its power.

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