Read A fallen Empire :: Chapter 1 - Introduction

Chapter 1 - Introduction

"Hello, this is just a introduction to the whole world. You do not actually need to read this, if you find it too long. Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading my story and have a nice day!" - The Author

The turn of the century brought about a rude awakening which would shake all of Terra.

The 17th century, a prosperous age of peace and progress had come abrubtly to an end.

The world known as Terra was divided into six continents, Edoris a small continent in the south, Ribrix to the south-east. Ogira to the west, bodering with Onura to the north-west. Etiuan to the east and lastly Plaihera in the middle.

Edoris, was the smallest continent, originally uninhabited. It was discorverd in the late 16th century, its barren lands were covered in mountains and rocks. None deemed the land worthy to claim, but that all changed when nearly limitless deposites of jewels were found under the continents rocky surface. This triggered a political war over ownership of the small continent, triumphant was a newly founded union of merchant guilds called the Union of Edoris, who now possesed the monopol over jewerly in the entire world. No other source could produce jewels as beautiful and clear as Edoris.

Ribrix, was a medium sized continent inhabited by Elves and ruled by the High Council of Elves. A single nation claimed the entire continent, the Great Alliance of Ribrix. The Elves were always weary of other races and nations. Although their beauty was uncalled for, their arrogance soon became the downfall of any diplomatic talks with other nations, as they closed their borders to the world and isolated themselves. In their 1000 year life spans, many found comfort in practicing arts and music. Their craftsmanship was supreme and incomparable to others.

Ogira, was a medium sized continet inhabited by humans. The continent was referred to by some as the "endless desert" as the whole surface was covered in sand. With tempratures rising to 50 degrees during the day and sinking to 20 degrees during the night, visitors from other nations often had problems ajusting to the climate. The desert folk, as they were refered to, had long since adapted to the climat and shortage of water, only needing to drink a single glass of water to last them an entire day, even in the burning hot sun. Their skin had become darker in order to adapt to the desert climate. Most people were born with black hair and brown eyes. The desert people were mostly nomads, traveling from oasis to oasis, they had conquered the desert with ease. Others perished at the many dangeres lurking in the sand and beneath it, giant sand worms roamed the lands, hunting for prey that was foolish enough to make enough sound on the surface of the sand, to alarm them. Ogira featured no nations, instead they had many city councils ruling over the oases, but nonetheless the continent featured a capital city. Babylon was the majestic capital called, behind the gigantic city walls laid a paradis of plants, gardens and rivers. In the middle towering over it all was the Tower of Babylon, none knew who had build it or how. It rose far beyond what eyes could see, some believed it to reach the heavens, others believed its size was a mere illusion. Inside there was a giant spiral staircase, an endless amount of stairs rose to the top. People who believed that they had sinned in the eyes of the endless desert climbed the stairs in order to repent for their wrongdoings. The capital city was ruled by a king, refered to as the King of the endless desert, he was an individual recongnized by all beings living under the desert sun.

Onura, was a larger continet, inhabited by humans, directly bordering Ogira to their north, Onura was the complete opposite of Ogira, while Ogira was covered by a gigantic desert, Onura was completly covered in water and contained many islands ranging from various sizes. Each island was ruled by a different Noble, the size of which determined their rank, small islands were ruled by Barons, medium islands were ruled by Counts and lastly big islands were ruled directly by members of the imperial family. Onuras economy entirely revolved around fish, they were the biggest exporter of fish in the entire world, which had granted them and their many port cities enormous wealth and prosperity. Due to their wealth and easy access to water, they possesed some of the biggest and strongest fleets, which they often used to attack their neighbouring continent to the south Ogira. They who refered themselves as "people of the sea" hated their southern neighbors and deemed them an infiror race, often attacking Ogiras ports and ships, making it impossible for the desert continent to trade with anyone beyond the sea.

Etiuan, was a large continent, inhabited by humans; elves and dwarfs. Three democratic nations belonging to each race lived in peace, while territorial disputes arose, they were mostly resolved quickly with life continuing as usual. Etiuan featured a variability of terrain found nowhere else, vast plains covered most of the continents middle, where humans resided. In the north, where the dwarfs resided, mountains arose which seemingly reached up to the clouds. In the south, where the elves resided, great forests and lakes were to be found. Harmony seemed eternal, but as time passed, each kingdom and its people grew apart more and more, envie and hate filled the hearts, tensions kept growing as all believed that a war were to come.

Lastly Plaihera, the biggest of all six continents was inhabited by humans, who claimed to be ruled by none other than god himself. The beauty of nature had long since disappeared as the industrilisation moved forward, giant cities filled with millions of people produced huge amounts of waste and pollution. The clear air had been polluted and now stank foul. Rivers once filled with bright blue water, were now nothing more than muddy streams full with toxic chemicals and rotten corpses. Blue skies were turned dark and grey, as the constant black smoke of the factories poisoned the air. Plaihera was home to the nation, which called itself Holy Eternal Imperium of Mankind and ruled by their Eternal Emperor Wilhelm inlaid upon the golden throne, who had reigned for over twothousand years, some believed him to be immortal and all knowing. Around this godlike being there formed a religion called the Imperial Doctrine. All those who did not follow said religion, were thought of as heretecs by the Imperial Church and deemed unworhy of living, in Plaihera they were either purged or used as slaves, working to death for the Imperium. The Holy Capital contained over 300 million humans and lessers, abominations born by the toxins that were found at the bottom of the hive like citiy. Overcrowded described the city best, it was so filled with people that it almost looked like it was going to burst. Countless factories and slave processing facilities were found in the city. In the middle of the Holy Capital there was a structure holier than everything else, made out of marble and pure gold, jewels decorating some of the walls. The gigantic Imperial Palace contained over 100.000 rooms, countless floors and walkways created the Imperial Palace, where the Eternal Emperor rested, inlaid upon the golden throne, living for eternity. Most knew the horrors of the holy continent, but could not do anything as the Imperium possesed an army, the size of which was unmatched. The Imperium being the oldest known nation, was also the most powerful and most advanced one. Diplomacy with the Imperium of Mankind was not possible, it was either submit and convert or perish at their might.