Aurelian Imperial Record: Concerning Other States

In the standard Imperial year of 987, I dedicate this written record and chart of the known lands of Vitrael to the gods above and to our Kaiser Servius II to be preserved in the Library of Antipolis for future generations.

Our glorious state of Aurelia is in a Golden Age.

From the Western ports of Dunara to the Eastern Isle of Invicta to the Kaiser's seat at Olympia, the borders of our great nation are vast and our influence even vaster.

The once power-hungry states of Zahra and Alboria have, despite their historical aggression, become submissive as of late.

The combined efforts of the Temple and Legions have proven to be incredibly effective in past decades. Gone are the days when god and man teared the land in two. I have had the pleasure to see the armies myself, years ago, during their campaigns in the formerly Zahran, now Imperial, province of Thalassopolis.

How great the Kaiser's efforts have been in the Reconquista. For me to live when our continent has finally been secured, both in the names of our forefathers and the honor of the gods, it is a privilege.

More recently, the swift victory at Cieloblanco against the great Kingdom of Alboria has demonstrated Imperial domination in the art of war beyond our continent.

The southern people of Alboria are strong in both mind and body. Their navies and fortifications are not to be underestimated. And their gods are the same as ours, dark-skinned they may be. The Kaiser has expressed hope in the continued subjugation of the southern Alborian continent. 

The western people of the Zahra sultanate, however, worship false idols, with only greed and lust for power in mind. Fortified by great mountains, their native lands are hard to reach with our navies. Harder still would it be to deliver Imperial authority to that nation of sand and fire.

Their heretical order of wizards and witches controls the continent of deserts and, while an obvious enemy to Imperial sovereignty, is a necessary evil to preserve. The Zahra sultanate provides a buffer between our great nation and the Fallen States of demonic rule.

For five hundred years, the sultanate has managed to keep the demonic beasts at bay.

The average Imperial citizen lives in blissful ignorance, their knowledge of demonkind limited to the fairy tales of Arthurian and Alexandrian legend. Their world is limited to the boundaries of our maps, cut off at arbitrary limits set by the ones who know the truth.

We, the scholars of Antipolis, and the Imperial family, know the truth of the horrifyingly godless nature of demons. Our work on Invicta has made sure to remind us.

Regardless, I foresee no Imperial conflict with the Western state of Zahra. Not while the wise Kaiser is still in power.

Furthermore, I must mention the northern Commonwealth of Zimovka.

Zimovka is dangerous.

The people of that cold, northern land are of a distinction beyond that of heretical influence. Rather, they are more closely related to demons, being a truly godless people. The Temple has no authority there; all manner of culture and work is dictated by current Tsar Dominik I.

The Tsar may very well be a human of demonic descent, spouting nonsensical heresies of the superiority and intellect of man and man alone. How could a nation so great and powerful be so limited in their world view? It is a tragedy that our fellow humans follow a lonely path of apostacy.

A conflict with Zimovka is almost inevitable, but it is certainly not desirable.

Such a war may bring both powers to their knees, for what good is power if the two halves of the known world destroy each other.

If one day a great war may occur between the Empire of Aurelia and the Commonwealth of Zimovka, it will likely begin out of some foolish thing in the Imperial province of Neptunia. I pray that such a day may never come to pass.

Finally, the final continent power: Eirann.

Eirann is a land of idleness and unwarranted existence.

The Kingdom of Eirann is unique for its geographical seclusion. As a land so isolated to the east, it would not be surprising to learn if their people had not even a basic understanding of continental geopolitical movements and the ancient demonic threat.

They are a soft people, inexperienced in the brutal art of war and too preoccupied with domestic feudal affairs. Their one good fortune was their connection with the lands of the Far East, across the waters of the Serene Expanse. Although, even that has become stagnant as of late.

It seems that the mysterious states of the Far East are currently in a period of tremendous civil war, reminiscent of the early days of the Empire. They are of no matter to the Empire, however, who has no interest beyond the affairs of the holy continents.

Eirann is not a practical enemy to make, nor a valuable ally to pursue.

As of now, the Empire is too busy in the southern Alborian campaign and keeping guard against northern Zimovka aggression to care about that idle western land.

It is important to note too, however that, although they are a rather unintelligent people, they are worshippers of the true faith and possess the same blood as our forefathers. Whether it was in foolishness or in bravery, the people of Eirann have not relented in the face of increasing Zimovka belligerence.

I am of the opinion that the Empire should pursue peaceful unification in the far future, so as to reunite with our blood brothers and sisters in the east.

The Empire is a entity beyond anything I have studied in our extensive records of post-fallen history. We carry with us the responsibility of the human race and, therefore, prepare for the day of reckoning. When the demons attack again, we alone will be there to save mankind.

We shall regain our fallen lands and push the demonic hordes back to their homeland. Back into the abyssal shroud.

On the topic of the demons, we know th-

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-may the Empire continue to flourish in power and riches. May the gods continue to bless us with their unlimited benevolence.

May this written record and attached charting of our known world be viewed by future generations of Imperial citizenry and be understood as what has come to pass, rather than what we hope will pass.

Deus vult.

Sophia Livius