Declaration of the Senate of Blati

Context

In 460 AP the unthinkable happened. Ikaria, the capital of the great Ikarian Empire, the paradigm of civilization, the Empress of all the cities in the known world, was taken by a coalition of barbaric nomads, Crorai and Nords. Its last Emperor Arcadius VII died fighting the barbarians in the last stand of the Ikarian Troops at the Red Fortress, buying time for the Ikarian Fleet to rescue as many citizens, Senators and members of the Imperial Family as the could. After 5 days of looting the splendour of the city was lost and all that was left was corpses, fire, blood and ruins. Many of them will take refuge in Blatibut that time the Empire's biggest and wealthiest city, protected by their strong double walls.   Here, in the months following the fall of Ikaria, Prince Eutychius, Arcadius' oldest son, and heir to the throne was recognized by the people of the city, the surviving religious authorities and the remnants of the Senate as the legitimate Ikarian Emperor after the death of his father defending the capital. Though for the time being his claim was just recognized in the territories he controled directly (which became the Blatian Empire and by some Blatian petty kingdoms which recognized the Emperor of Blati as their, in theory, overlord. This claim by the Blatian Emperors to be the continuation of the Ikarian Imperial title was later challenged by the descendants of Eutychius' brother, Afranius who ruled in Cloudia and who continued to claim the Imperial title until they were forced to change their title to that of Emperor of Cloudia and Aros.   Returning to Eutychius' time , this following proclamation as Emperor also served him to get some of the provinces to recognize him as Emperor and to be peacefully annexed by Blatian troops .  

The declaration

We, the remnant of the Ikarian Senate, after such an unimaginable tragedy has befallen our nation, gathered in the city of Blati, declare the following:   First, that, honoring the sacrifice of our lord Arcadius VII, and in agreement with the religious authorities of our faith, we declare that his deeds have not gone unnoticed in the eyes of the gods and that he now stands with them and all the heroes of the past and has been granted immortality, whereupon it is the duty of every citizen to pay him due homage, honoring his death for the salvation of the Empire.   Second, Considering the throne of Ikaria vacant, and taking into account the last wishes of our recently deceased lord, expressed within the walls of the capital, we declare before all citizens the appointment of Prince Eutychius as Emperor of Ikaria, to whom the imperial scepter and crown were entrusted on the day of the fall of the capital. This has been ratified by the citizens and army present at Blati, following the custom and traditions of our country, which, under the designs of our new sovereign, has been proclaimed as the new capital while the rest of our Empire remains occupied by the barbarians.   Third, we urge all citizens of Ikaria to acknowledge our decision and swear allegiance, as well as to pray for our new Emperor, that the gods protect him, that our holy mother Zerah give him strength to rule and restore the splendor of our Empire, and that Abbon Shabai, father of us all, sovereign over all the gods, grant him the wisdom necessary in these difficult times.   Finally, we urge all our countrymen to defend their homes and not allow themselves to be subjugated by the invaders. In these times, we must all unite in the defense of our homeland and attempt to expel the invaders. It will not be an easy task; we must atone for our sins before achieving victory, but remember, it is to us that the gods have given the right to dominate other peoples, not to be conquered or enslaved!   Long live our Emperor, and long live the Ikaria Empire!