Empire of Cavellas

At the apex of the Empire sits the Emperor or Empress, known as the Basileus Imperium, a semi-divine figure regarded as the embodiment of the empire's divine mandate. The Basileus, descended symbolically from Theonides Cavellion, is responsible for overarching governance, the declaration of laws, foreign diplomacy, and command of the military. Their word is considered to be infallible in matters of state and law, though tempered by counsel from the advisory body.   Directly under the Basileus are the Archstrategoi, supreme military commanders responsible for the defense and expansion of the empire's territories. Each Archstrategos oversees a strategic region or fronteir, commanding the imperial legions and reporting to the throne of the Emperor. While their primary duty is militaristic, the Archstrategoi also maintain significant political power, acting as the de facto governors in unstable or contested regions.   For administrative governance, the empire is divided into provinces, each overseen by a Hegemon. Hegemons are appointed by the Basileus and are responsible for the collection of taxes, enforcement of laws, and maintaining order within their provinces. While they wield substantial power, they are closely monitored by the Imperial Inspectors, known as Logothetes, who report any discrepancies directly to the central administration in the capitol. Hegemons also coordinate with the Archstrategoi to ensure the military readiness of their regions.   The judicial system is headed by the Dikaiarchon, the Supreme Judge of the land, who oversees a network of regional magistrates called Nomothetes. These officials are tasked with interpreting and enforcing the empire's laws, ensuring proper justice is served out fairly across all strata of society. The Dikaiarchon is also a member of the Emperor's advisory council, known as the Synedrion, offering counsel on legal and ethical matters.   At the foundation of the empire's administrative structure are the Demarchoi, local leaders who govern towns and cities. Appointed by the Hegemons but ratified by the Basileus, Demarchoi are responsible for the infrastructure, local law enforcement, and managing the daily needs of their communities. They are supported by councils of elders or prominent citizens, known as the Gerousia, to ensure that local governance aligns with the broader imperial mandate while addressing the specific needs of their locales.

Cavellans see their empire as the pinnacle of civilization, a divine construct that bridges the moral and divine realms above. To a Cavellan, life is not merely a series of personal pursuits but rather a costribution to the eternal glory of the empire, a legacy passed down from the founder and first Emperor, Theonides Cavellion.   Central to their identity is their reverence for the gods, who are believed to guide the empire's destiny. Temples dominate cityscapes, and rituals mark every stage of life from birth to death. THe Cavellans hold festivals to honor the gods, celebrate military victories, and commemorate the founding of the empire. THese events blend solemn ceremonies with jubilant processions, theatrical performances, and athletic competitions. Faith is tightly intertwined with governance, as the Basileus is seen as a chosen intermediary of the divine.   Intellectual pursuits are highly esteemed in Cavellan society. Education is a cornerstone of their culture, with a focus on philosophy, rhetoric, mathematics, and the natural sciences. Scholars are revered almost as much as warriors, their discoveries and teachings celebrated as divine insights. Libraries and academies flourish throughout the empire, ensuring that knowledge is preserved and disseminated throughout the citizens of the empire.   More than intellectual pursuits however, Cavellans are fiercely proud of their martial heritage, viewing military service as a sacred duty and a path to personal and familial honor. Their martial ethos is balanced by a strong emphasis on justice and fairness among citizens, as they believe an empire built on tyranny cannot endure. Soldiers are not seen as mere enforcers of the state's will but as protectors of the people and the empire's divine mandate. Citizens honor their soldiers with public celebrations, monuments, and songs.   Family is the cornerstone of Cavellan society, viewed not just as a private institution but as a microcosm of the empire itself. Respect for the elderly, loyalty and remembrance of kin, and the nurturing of future generations are paramount to a Cavellan. Marriages are both romantic and pragmatic, often arranged to strengthen alliances or ensure prosperity for both families. Festivals, rituals, and shared meals bring families together. Hospitality is also a defining virtue and one that extends even just beyond citizens of the empire; to a Cavellan, the proper treatment of guests is sacred, reflecting both personal honor and the empire's ideals.

The Empire prides itself on a grand and ambitious public agenda rooted in its divine mandate: to unify and elevate humanity as the preeminent force of the world. The Cavellans believe they are charged by the gods to spread civilization, wisdom, and order wherever their influence reaches. This belief drives their expansionist policies, territorial claims, and societal structures. The empire sees itself not only as a protector of its citizens but also as a beacon of progress, tasked with uplifting humanity to its highest potential.   At the heart of Cavellan policy is the unwavering prioritization of human welfare, particularly that of its citizens. The empire guarantees stability, prosperity, and protection through centralized governance and military strength. Citizens are assured access to education, opportunities for trade, and the benefits of the empire’s advanced infrastructure, including aqueducts, roads, and public forums. The public agenda is framed as the fulfillment of humanity's destiny, with Cavellan society as the pinnacle of that ideal. To ensure this vision, the empire seeks to expand its borders, incorporating territories it deems underdeveloped or chaotic.   The empire’s interactions with non-human races reflect its belief in human primacy. Goblins, who often inhabit the wild regions of Cavellan territories, are viewed as primitive and in need of guidance. The empire justifies its enslavement and "civilization" of goblins as a moral duty, asserting that through labor and exposure to Cavellan customs, they can transcend their savage origins. Goblins are assigned roles in agriculture, construction, and other manual labor, their work supporting the empire's infrastructure and economy. Cavellans frame this practice as benevolent, a means of bringing order and purpose to otherwise “wild” creatures.   Beyond its internal focus, the public agenda of Cavellas extends to its role as a stabilizing force in the world. The empire seeks to establish a Pax Cavellana—an enduring peace enforced by its military and political dominance. Neighboring regions are encouraged to join the empire as provinces, benefiting from its protection and prosperity in exchange for loyalty and tribute. Diplomacy often precedes conquest, with emissaries sent to demonstrate the advantages of Cavellan rule. However, if persuasion fails, the empire does not hesitate to use its formidable military to enforce its claims, framing such actions as necessary for the greater good.   The empire’s agenda also emphasizes the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. Libraries, academies, and temples serve as centers of learning and cultural exchange. The Basileus and the Synedrion actively promote intellectual and artistic endeavors, believing that enlightenment is both a tool of governance and a divine duty. By spreading their culture and knowledge to conquered territories, the Cavellans aim to create a unified civilization where human potential can flourish unimpeded by ignorance or discord.   Ultimately, the public agenda of the Empire of Cavellas is driven by a blend of idealism and pragmatism. While its policies may be framed in lofty terms of divine purpose and human upliftment, they are also deeply strategic, aimed at consolidating power, securing resources, and ensuring the empire's dominance. This duality—between genuine belief in their mission and the practical necessities of imperial rule—defines the Cavellan approach to governance, diplomacy, and conquest. To the Cavellans, their actions are not merely acts of ambition but the fulfillment of humanity's divine destiny.

The Empire of Cavellas met its end several centuries ago, brought down by a combination of internal decay and external rebellion. The catalyst for its dissolution was the Cetandari Rebellion, a massive uprising sparked by centuries of discontent among the empire's subject peoples and internal factions. While the empire had long portrayed itself as the light of civilization, its rigid hierarchies, systemic inequalities, and heavy-handed policies sowed seeds of dissent within its borders. The rebellion did not erupt suddenly but rather emerged as the culmination of long-standing grievances that Cavellan rulers failed to address.   The decline of Cavellas began with internal corruption and inefficiency. Over time, the central government became bloated, with provincial Hegemons prioritizing personal wealth and power over their duties. The Logothetes, once vigilant imperial inspectors, became increasingly complicit in the systemic graft. Meanwhile, the military—once the pride of the empire—grew overextended as it struggled to maintain order in distant provinces and repel incursions along the borders. Weakened leadership and infighting among the Archstrategoi further eroded the empire's ability to respond to crises effectively.   The Empire met its final end not through foreign conquest but from within, undone by the very individuals who had once been its most loyal defenders. The rebellion that sparked its downfall was led by Lorcan Castivir, one of the esteemed Archstrategoi of the empire. Lorcan was a celebrated military leader, known for his tactical brilliance and deep commitment to his soldiers. Yet, despite his loyalty and achievements, his faith in the empire began to crumble when he witnessed its pervasive injustices, particularly its treatment of those deemed "lesser" by Cavellan society.   Lorcan’s disillusionment with the empire was deeply personal. His wife, Iselda, was a half-elf, a rare union in Cavellan society that brought them both scorn. Though half-elves were not outright enslaved like the goblins, they occupied a tenuous position—neither citizens nor property but tolerated outsiders at best. Iselda’s experiences of exclusion and disdain from the citizenry opened Lorcan's eyes to the hypocrisy of Cavellas, which claimed to be a beacon of civilization while marginalizing and oppressing those who did not conform to its strict hierarchies. This hypocrisy was mirrored in the empire’s treatment of goblins, who toiled as slaves, and in the growing resentment among disenfranchised human citizens in the provinces.   Lorcan's rebellion began as a mutiny within his own legion. Stationed in a distant province rife with unrest, he refused an imperial order to violently supress a local uprising of goblins and impoverished humans. Instead, he joined their cause, rallying his troops and proclaiming his defiance of the Basileus. Lorcan argued that the empire had lost its way, corrupted by greed and blinded by arrogance. His charisma and moral conviction quickly won him allies among other discontented military leaders, as well as a growing coalition of oppressed peoples seeking liberation.   The rebellion spread like wildfire. What had begun as a localized mutiny evolved into a coordinated revolution. Lorcan’s military experience allowed him to unify the disparate factions into an effective force, while his wife Iselda became a symbol of the movement, representing the hope for a society free of prejudice. The goblins, long enslaved by the empire, played a pivotal role in the rebellion as both soldiers and laborers. While they had not initiated the uprising, their inclusion in Lorcan's vision of a new society empowered them to fight for their freedom and an equal place in the world.   The Siege of Cavellion, the climax of the rebellion, was both the greatest tragedy and the defining moment of the empire’s fall. Lorcan’s forces, bolstered by defecting legions and a wave of popular support, marched on the capital. The Basileus attempted to rally the remaining loyalists, but the empire’s internal divisions and weakened military left it vulnerable. After a brutal campaign, Cavellion fell, and with it, the empire’s centuries-old divine mandate. According to accounts, Lorcan personally confronted the Basileus, urging them to abdicate and spare further bloodshed. The Basileus refused, choosing death over surrender, an act that marked the symbolic end of Cavellas.   With the fall of Cavellas, Lorcan established the Cetandari Empire, named after a mixture of Cavellan, Goblin, and Elvish words into a new word that stood for Peace among All. The new empire sought to create a society founded on the principles of equality and inclusion, though these ideals were not without their own complexities. Many former Cavellan citizens resisted the new order, clinging to the traditions of the old empire. Lorcan spent the remainder of his life consolidating his rule, striving to build a more just society while navigating the challenges of forging unity among a deeply divided population.