Holy Solarian Empire

The Empire is ruled by a dual system of governance, where both the Emperor and the Church share power, but not always peacefully.

• The Empire’s secular ruler, elected from among the noble houses.
• Commands the military, noble houses, and the economy, though he must balance his rule with the Church's demands.
• Some Emperors are puppets of the clergy, while others push back against the Church’s influence.

2. The Church of the Radiant Flame

• The true power behind the throne, dictating religious law and controlling vast lands and wealth.
• Led by the High Cleric of Solenara, who is considered the mortal voice of the Sun.
• The Inquisition enforces faith through purges, interrogations, and crusades.

The Holy Solarian Empire is a vast, diverse land shaped by the Sun’s divine will and centuries of conquest. From golden plains bathed in eternal sunlight to towering citadels atop sun-scorched mountains, the Empire’s geography reflects its military power, religious fervor, and unyielding dominion over its territories.

While the Empire is a single political entity, its lands are divided into regions controlled by the Elector Houses, each contributing to the Empire’s strength and cultural identity.

The Sunheart Lands (The Imperial Core)

• Terrain: Rolling golden fields, vast plains, and fertile farmlands.
• Climate: Warm summers, mild winters, with an abundance of sunlight.
• Major Cities: Solinthar (The Imperial Capital), Aureth’s Rest, High Solis

The Sunheart Lands are the beating heart of the Empire, home to Solinthar, the Imperial Capital, and the seat of the Holy Solarian Church. These lands are the most heavily populated and most devout, filled with grand cathedrals, statues of Solenara, and endless banners bearing the Empire’s golden sigil.

Landmarks

• The Radiant Spire – The towering citadel of the High Cleric of Solenara, where divine decrees are issued.
• The Grand Solar Basilica – The largest temple in the world, its roof is plated with gold, so it shines at sunrise.
• The Fields of Dawn – The most fertile farmlands in the Empire, producing grain, fruits, and livestock for the war effort.

The Sunheart Lands are the safest region, as they are the most heavily protected by the Solari Templars.

The Auric Highlands (The Noble Strongholds)

• Terrain: Towering mountains, deep valleys, and fortified keeps.
• Climate: Cool air, heavy snowfall in winter, unpredictable storms.
• Major Cities: Ignis Spire, Sunhaven Hold, Brightforge

The Auric Highlands are where the Empire’s nobility and warrior houses reside. The mountains are dotted with fortresses, and each Elector House maintains its own private army. The highlands are also rich in minerals, and much of the Empire’s weapons, armor, and siege engines come from Brightforge.

Landmarks

• Ignis Spire – The impenetrable fortress-city of House Carathen, carved into the volcanic cliffs.
• Sunhaven Hold – The seat of House Valenhurst, the Empire’s foremost defensive stronghold.
• The Forgebound Depths – A massive underground network of dwarven-forged mines and smelteries, producing Solsteel weapons.

The Auric Highlands are fortified and well-defended, making them a natural barrier against foreign invasions.

The Emberwastes (The Scorched Frontier)

• Terrain: Rocky badlands, red deserts, and volcanic plateaus.
• Climate: Extremely hot summers, mild winters, prone to sandstorms.
• Major Cities: Emberhold, Ashen Gate, Redspire

The Emberwastes are a harsh, nearly inhospitable land of jagged cliffs, canyons, and volcanic activity. This region is where the Inquisition holds prisoners, conducts interrogations, and carries out purges. The land itself is believed to be cursed, but it is also rich in rare magical minerals, which the Radiant Assembly harvests for enchanted relics.

Landmarks

• The Ashen Gate – The Inquisition’s most infamous fortress, where suspected Lunar sympathizers are interrogated.
• The Obsidian Wastes – A region of blackened rock, scarred by past wars and divine wrath.
• The Sunforged Anvil – A hidden forge where the Radiant Assembly crafts holy relics from enchanted metals.

The Emberwastes are feared by all, as few who enter the Inquisition’s dungeons ever return.

The Gilded Coast (The Trade Hub of the Empire)

• Terrain: Rolling green hills, coastal cliffs, sprawling port cities.
• Climate: Warm and temperate, with frequent ocean breezes.
• Major Cities: Aurora’s Harbor, Dawnmere, Velmaris Keep

The Gilded Coast is the wealthiest region of the Empire, filled with merchant cities, naval ports, and trade hubs. The coastlines are lined with ships carrying goods from across the world, and Aurora’s Harbor is the Empire’s largest port city, connecting it to distant lands.

Landmarks

• The Golden Plaza – The financial heart of the Empire, where merchants and nobles gather to trade fortunes.
• The Lighthouse of Dawnmere – A colossal lighthouse enchanted to burn like Solenara’s sun, guiding ships safely home.
• The Vaults of Velmaris – The largest treasury in the Empire, holding untold riches and relics.

The Gilded Coast funds much of the Empire’s war effort, making it a target for pirates and spies from foreign lands.

The Dawnward Marches (The Warfront and Borderlands)

• Terrain: Rolling plains, dense forests, and river valleys.
• Climate: Unpredictable, with harsh winters and stormy summers.
• Major Cities: Solaris Keep, Bastion of Faith, Ironwatch
• Ruled by: The Solari Templars and the War Council

The Dawnward Marches are the Empire’s war-torn eastern frontier, bordering the lands of the Lunar Covenant. The land is covered in fortresses, garrisons, and battlefields, as Imperial forces continue their crusade to reclaim the "heretical lands."

Landmarks

• The Bastion of Faith – A massive fortress-temple, where the Solari Templars prepare for holy war.
• The Burning Fields – Endless plains scarred by past battles, where countless warriors have fallen in the name of Solenara.
• The Dawnwatch River – The natural border between the Empire and the Lunar Covenant, constantly contested.

The Dawnward Marches are in a constant state of war, making them the most dangerous region in the Empire.

The Sunless Frontier (The Outer Territories and Conquered Lands)

• Terrain: Dense jungles, swamps, and distant mountains.
• Climate: Hot, humid, and filled with monsoons.
• Major Cities: None—only Imperial Outposts
• Ruled by: Imperial Governors and Colonial Commanders

Beyond the Empire’s borders lie distant lands claimed in the name of Solenara, but not yet fully under Imperial control. These regions are untamed, dangerous, and resistant to conquest, home to rebel factions, Lunar enclaves, and foreign civilizations.

Landmarks

• The Ivory Ruins – A lost city, older than the Empire itself, rumored to hold forbidden secrets.
• The Whispering Bog – A cursed swamp where the dead do not rest.
• The Forgotten Peaks – Remote mountains, home to outcasts, exiles, and hidden temples.

The Sunless Frontier represents both the Empire’s ambition and its limits, as many who venture too far never return.