“Unified under Emperor, unified under God.”
The Aurean Empire
“Never were there a people more historically dominant than the Sarovians. Many preach the importance of brains over brawn, but little did they know the overwhelming power of brains and brawn…and by God, did the New Sarovian Empire wield both in unforgiving magnitudes. Also, I wish I had Constantine’s penis in my asshole.” – Kevlar Vaughn, black dude from Fortnite
The sun shone especially bright on the twenty-eighth of October, year of our Lord, twenty-sixteen. Very few however, would be able to recall this, as not long thereafter the continent of Classica found itself engulfed in the shadow of the Imperial Standard. After three long months of winter campaigning, the unforgiveable drumroll of musket and cannon fire finally arrived at a cease, and the world fell silent for a night. It would later be said that the following morning saw the sun shine especially bright once more, and the Aurean people basked in its rays as if it were divine recognition of their victory; having established the Empire’s dominance and cemented the Imperial Grand Military of the Aurean Empire’s place as one of the most dominant military forces to ever have marched upon Graal. It all made for good propaganda, but none of it actually happened.
The dawn of the Second Age saw the West Aurea Company sail to Westoros and set up the Second Aurean Empire’s first provisional colonies. The Companymen, as they came to be called, fought against Sarovians in the hills of Gaston, and civilized the tribes in southern provinces. Their efforts paved the road for civilization and technological advancement, and the rapid industrialization of the Empire. Education become a national focus, and research in the magic arts became an imperial priority.
Thus, it came as no surprise when the Third Aurean Empire came to be revered as the Golden Third Age by all who lived during its time. His Imperial Excellency signed Imperial Edict, No. 4 into effect, beginning the relocation of the Imperial Capital of Valeroche from Yorke, Classica to Fiore, Westoros; an action which came as an immense shock to the international community, but the widespread praise of his people. Across the ocean, the Aurean populace thrived, making groundbreaking strides in all areas of national progression, coining the first functional economy seen on either continent, expanding the Aurean Imperial Government, as well as the Imperial Grand Military of the Aurean Empire, amongst many other achievements.
It is wisely prophesied that with all peaks, the depths are oft not far behind; a fact decreed and upheld with rigorous dedication by fate’s ever-swinging pendulum. The abrupt death of the Emperor led to the coronation of his nephew, effectively ending the Third Age and ushering in the Fourth Aurean Empire. The Fourth Age led to the reversal of many policies that were upheld by the previous Emperors, and enabled the noble faction to reach a new peak of unchecked power; an oversight which would later lead to the fragmentation of the Empire. As civil war threatened the Empire, the lost son of the former Emperor arrived at the gates of Valeroche, riding in full Imperial dress at the head of the a column of soldiers. These soldiers did not wear the blue uniforms of the Old Guard Corps, but rather the shining blue parade dress of the Sarovians. He was imprisoned.
Arriving in this humiliation, he was released to his people as a show of good will. Afterwards, he desperately clawed and successfully ousted his uncle and quickly went about reversing several policies deemed detrimental to the Sarovians. He purged all the turncoats and foreign conspirators in the nobility, and further empowered a now shrunken military in hopes of restoring security to his people. Under the new Emperor’s guidance, the Fifth Age came into thunderous effect, quickly returning the Empire to a place of absolute stability. Not one to be content with simply achieving glory at home, he turned away from the guidelines of New Sarovia and soon turned his gaze to international diplomacy and global affairs. He founded the heretical Stefanic Church, declaring the Aurean Empire’s intent to protect the true faith and livelihood of all persons united under Stefan’s Grace. Shortly after, he extended his hand to the nations of Classica, hoping to foster further settlement and civilization on the sands of Westeros’ southern shores.
As time progressed the Emperor adopted the son of his uncle and named him heir-apparent, granting him Imperial Inheritance as Dauphin of Aurea. It was with this move, that the Emperor declared the formation of the Sixth Aurean Empire, an Empire which he was quoted saying “Would be raised upon the shoulders of the new sons and daughters of Aurea, to reach heights previously thought impossible by old men like me.”
The Sixth Age, at its height, was a prosperous era for Aurea in Westoros, with activity and ambition comparable only to the 3AE. Aurea, in this time, reached its economic height – with the successes of past economic maestros, such as Irish Rhodes, Aurea’s already wealthy footing had been propelled further by a new House of Lords. This economic pre-eminence put Aurea, once again, on a geopolitical pedestal.
After the retirement and abdication of Kevlar IV, a quiet coronation was held for Cassio I, cousin of Kevlar IV and son of Nylius II, inside the Palace of Valeroche. With this, Cassio I proclaimed to his people the beginning of the Seventh Age. Anticipating the retirement of Lords loyal to his uncle, Cassio I restructured the Hall of Lords to consist of new-blood, hoping the youth of a new generation of Aureans would prove more effective in governance than those of old. The Imperial Government of the Seventh Age was the first time that there was no direct influence of a Lord from the first Aurean government. Hoping to spread the Stefanic and Aurean influence, Cassio I commanded the Imperial Grand Army sailed back east, reclaiming land lost after the Imperial Edict No. 4 and proclaiming the colony of “New Fiore” in the north of Classica. They would be decisively defeated by an ally of the New Sarovian Empire – the Amestrians. Many Lords called for the abdication of their Emperor and replacement with their most talented of leaders.
After the abdication of Cassio the Magnanimous, Kevlar V would take over with the intent to assemble the most successful army ever seen. Utilising the forces of the battle-hardened Vist pretender rebels, the two forged an alliance made in Hell: the creation of the Auro-State Empire. This was the last straw and affront to the Sarovians who mobilised and decisively defeated the Aureans twice on Classica, taking the Imperial Standard amongst others; arms, guns and more. On Westeros, battles crushed the Old Guard Corps repeatedly and for the first time in history, Aurea accepted that Sarovia had beat them in battle. All other times were brushed under the rug and lied about. All Aurean forces surrendered in the Treaty of Leda, which included humiliating war reparations, the ceding of all territory and complete surrender. The Treaty was barely upheld before Kevlar V abdicated in favour of his cousin, Angel Vaughn, at the demand of the Sarovian forces.
In response, the Aurean House of Lords, almost every single member, fled to Sarovia to proclaim Constantine IX as Constantine I of Aurea, a title he continues to hold to this day. The House of Lords and the Sarovian government agreed to the recognition of the Dominion of Carolusburg as the successor of Aurea, while Angelite rebels continue to claw on for recognition in a futile attempt to regain lost “glory.” To find out more about Aurea, click here.
Aurea 