Current History of Fódlan

The Adrestian Empire encompasses the southern part of Fódlan, a relatively lush and bountiful region with ample access to the sea. It is ruled by a dynasty that can be traced back over 1,000 years to its legendary founder, Great Emperor Wilhelm Paul Hresvelg, who is said to have been crowned by Saint Seiros herself. Its capital city is Enbarr, the largest city in Fódlan, which was chosen for its association with Seiros. Adrestian Empire Founding Day is celebrated annually on the 1st of the Great Tree Moon.

In recent decades, the Empire's longstanding relationship with the Church of Seiros has cooled due to a political rift, with some believing that the Church's strength comes at the Empire's expense. As a result, the Church's influence and following within the Empire have diminished substantially.

The Adrestian Empire is a hereditary monarchy with a rigid hierarchy. All important government ministries and leadership positions are passed down through the same noble families, generation after generation, although that has not stopped political maneuvering among the nobles.

The head of House Aegir occupies the post of prime minister, with the title being hereditary. House Vestra is responsible for managing the darker tasks of the Empire, as well the emperor's periphery affairs, including coordinating affairs such as ceremonies and rituals, Imperial consorts, and the Imperial Guard. House Hevring has rule over the Empire's domestic affairs, particularly those relating to administration, finance, and the judiciary. House Bergliez rules over the Empire's Ministry of Military Affairs and commands all of the armies that do not directly belong to the emperor. House Varley is responsible for the Empire's Ministry of Religion, whose main responsibility is to maintain amiable relations with the Church of Seiros. House Gerth directs Empire's diplomacy, foreign relations, and relations between various provinces and the capital.

The Military
Despite its strength having diminished over the centuries since its founding, the Empire remains one of the most powerful forces on the continent. The Imperial army is known to rely on its magic-users. During times of war, the head of House Bergliez becomes the Imperial army's commander-in-chief.

History
The Adrestian Empire was founded in Imperial Year 1 by Great Emperor Wilhelm I, with its name gifted by an oracle. Between Imperial Year 32 and 98, Wilhelm and his successor, Lycaon I, fought to unify Fódlan under their rule with the aid of Saint Seiros and her Church in what became known as the War of Heroes. The nobles who opposed this were united under Nemesis, the King of Liberation. In 91, Seiros personally killed Nemesis at the Battle of Tailtean, and the war concluded in 98 with the demise of Lycaon I. At this time, the Empire ruled the whole of Fódlan.

Following the First Mach War of 721, in which Dagda invaded the land of Mach and was repelled by Imperial forces, the Empire conquered the Dagdan ally of Brigid in 728, which has remained a vassal ever since. The Empire attempted a large-scale invasion of Dagda in 731, but were ultimately defeated.

In 747, Loog of House Blaiddyd rallied the nobles of the Faerghus region in rebellion against the Empire. The War of the Eagle and Lion ended in 751, when Loog defeated the Emperor at the Tailtean Plains. The Church of Seiros mediated peace between the two sides, resulting in the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus securing its independence and Loog being crowned its first king.

In 801, the Leicester region also rebelled against the Empire, which found itself unable to reassert control. The Kingdom saw an opportunity to increase its political power and invaded, occupying and annexing Leicester. In 861, the three sons of the late King Klaus I divided the Kingdom between themselves, and in 881, upon the death of their ruling archduke, the nobles of Leicester once again fought for independence. The Crescent Moon War ended in 901 with the founding of the Leicester Alliance.

In 961, the Empire assisted the Alliance in turning back an invasion from Almyra. This prompted the three countries of Fódlan to begin cooperating to defend against foreign invasions.

Locations:

Currently ruled by:
Empress Ileosa Hresvelg II
Empress Ileosa Hresvelg II of the Adrestian Empire - she was a young Empress when she made the controversial decision to ignore her advisers and send troops to aid the Leicester Alliance in pushing back the Almyran invasion. In the 16 years since she has come to be known as an open minded and flexible ruler.

The Leicester Alliance is located in eastern Fódlan, a temperate region of plains and mountains. Leicester Alliance Founding Day is celebrated annually on the 8th of the Horsebow Moon.

In contrast with the other two countries of Fódlan, the Alliance's relationship with the Church of Seiros is neither especially warm nor antagonistic.

Unlike other territories, the Leicester Alliance is a league of multiple noble families who refuse to swear fealty to any king or emperor. Instead, the Alliance is ruled jointly as a republic through roundtable conferences between the five most prominent allied dukes called the the Five Great Lords, which is led by House Riegan and joined by the heads of House Goneril, House Gloucester, House Ordelia and House Edmund, all of which convene at the capital city of Derdriu. Each house's territory is technically an autonomous region, though they all swear reciprocal oaths of allegiance to each other.

Although membership in the Roundtable is generally hereditary, it is not permanent.

Military
The Alliance's military is derived from the troops maintained by each of its noble houses, which cooperate for mutual defense. In particular, House Goneril is chiefly tasked with military strikes and defense against the aggressive neighboring kingdom of Almyra. Soldiers of the Alliance are known for their skill with bows.

History
In Imperial Year 801, only a few decades after the secession of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus from the Adrestian Empire, the nobles of the Leicester region also rebelled against the Empire, which found itself unable to reassert control. The Kingdom saw an opportunity to increase its political power and invaded, occupying and annexing Leicester. In 861, the three sons of the late King Klaus I divided the Kingdom between themselves, with one prince ruling Leicester as an archduke. In 881, upon the death of the archduke, the nobles of Leicester rejected his heir and launched a second bid for independence led by the influential Duke of Riegan, who himself belonged to a cadet branch of the Blaiddyd royal family. The Crescent Moon War ended in 901 with the nobles of Leicester gaining independence from the Kingdom and forming the Leicester Alliance.

The neighboring kingdom of Almyra invaded the Alliance in 961. The invasion was narrowly turned back with the help of an army from the Adrestian Empire.

Locations:

Currently ruled by
Duke Marius von Riegan
Duke Marius von Riegan, the youngest of the three rulers. Marius is known to be something of a prodigy. He ascended to the throne only a year ago, but has a reputation for being a strategist and having a great deal of foresight. He is the eldest of his siblings, currently at the age of 26 and despite being one of the younger lords in the newly formed Alliance, he is well respected by most. Due to the closeness of their families, he has a past with Madeleine Goneril.