Rembia
 | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 496 FA |
| Size | Major Kingdom |
| Ruler | Overlord Theodric XIX |
Rembia is commonly referred to as the Old Kingdom. Established in 496 FA by Overlord Alfric I, it is oldest human kingdom in the Realm. Rembia has held close ties with the Collegium Magicium since 900 FA when the Overlord sought the wizard's help in the War of Ars Magica.
The current overlord, Theodric the XIX, is the absolute ruler of this kingdom that stretches from Thorinshold in the north, west to Elothian and south to the Freelands. The Overlord rules in absentia through a network of local lords and nobles. Royal proclamations are brought via gold-gilded litters to these rulers from Theodric's Palace in the Celestial City on the holy island of Serapherum. Born in the palace, Theodric has never left the island.
Rembia is a well-settled land. Across from the holy island lies the great capital city of Whitecliff, the largest human settlement in the Realm. At its peak, hundreds of thousands of men, women and children lived in this sprawling metropolis - although its population has declined in recent centuries. Serving as the mercantile capital of the Empire, Whitecliff forms the central brain of Rembia. Roads radiate out from Whitecliff like the spokes of a wagon wheel. Along these roads are the cities, towns and villages of the Old Kingdom. The first farms begin to appear after 60 miles journey from the coast, and carefully tended forests abound, but there is no true frontier in this ancient land. A patchwork of fiefdoms and crofts all swear loyalty to the Overlord, but this is a land of many nobles of ancient heritage and labyrinthine courtly rituals.
While a kingdom in decline, Rembia is still a pre-eminent trading power with strong ties to the Tang Empire. The Army of the Overlord is the most technologically advanced in the Realm, although it is rarely called to action. Periodic feuds with the Lords of the Heptarchy represent the entirety of fighting that the Old Kingdom has undertaken in the last two centuries.
History of Rembia
The next four hundred years passed in relative peace and prosperity. It was a time of great education and enlightenment. Great sailing ships were constructed to sail over the ocean to the lands far beyond, advances in alchemy and medicine were made, and the proliferation of magic became widespread. Merchant trade made the Western Empire the greatest civilization in the Realm.
Nearby Places of Interest
At the farthest edge of a spoke road running to the northwest of the capital lies the ancient city of Sarth, home of the great libraries of learning. The priests of Sarth jealously guard their incomparable hoard of books and papers collected over the last four thousand years. This city sits near the borders of Elothian and Thorinshold. It is rumored that both the elves and dwarves have sworn protection to the priests of Sarth.