The Isran Empire - History
The Free City was founded by a group of survivors who found themselves without somewhere suitable to live in the wake of The Cataclysm. So they built their own city, with democracy, and personal freedoms. They chose
Ildesias Xen Torsal , an Elven noble, a survivor of The Cataclysm, to be their Lord, the first Lord of The Free City. He would be the head of The Assembly, a collection of 100 persons chosen and elected to represent the people of the city. (June 2015)
Under the rule of Lord Ildesias and The Assembly, the fledgling city did well and attracted a highly diverse population. It quickly became a hub for adventurers, mercenaries, and all those who had no greater allegiance. Following a vote, it was decided the city would be called “Isra.” (November 2015)
At that point, The Phoenix Imperium was a major military power and had its expansionistic eyes set on The Norkari Mountains immediately north of The Free Plains. If they were to be allowed to seize them, not only would it be less than ideal for the people of the mountains, but it would put Isra in a very bad strategic position. As such, Lord Ildesias brokered a deal with Lord Enlidil of The Norkari, making The Norkari Mountains Isra’s first client state, but leaving the still highly xenophobic Norkari people to their handle their own affairs, as they have ever since. (December 2015)
Some months later, a local business owner, one
"Madame Naoki," was appointed Minister of Finance and given a seat in The Assembly. Though even before that point, Naoki had a great deal of sway in the city as the head of The Midnight Sun Family, the organization behind The Midnight Sun establishment. (January 2016)
Lord Ildesias resigned citing exhaustion, and following a close election, Madame Naoki beat out then-Chancellor Tyrus Spehierian and became Lady Naoki of Isra. After taking power, Lady Naoki installed many of her “family” from The Midnight Sun in government positions, establishing a solid base for her power. (April 2016)
Ryden Greyiron arrived in Isra as many others had, a refugee of lands now lost. He came to The Citadel following a proclamation by Lady Naoki stating that was searching for officers for her new government. After proving his competency, he was granted the post of Judiciary Minister, in charge of The Citadel’s security and keeping peace in the city. (May 2016)
Lady Naoki was approached by one Lord Crovan, the leader of a small settlement to the northeast. He and his family had ruled the area for some time, but lacked workers for their silver mine, and requested that The Winterlands become a part of Isra. Lady Naoki accepted, and The Winterlands became the second state of Isra. (June 2016)
Shortly thereafter, now with two client states, Lady Naoki declared the formation of a federal government, The Free States of Isra. She also took on the title of High Lady and used the opportunity to consolidate her power, reorganize, and strengthen the Isran military. (June 2016)
Lady Naoki held a political summit in Isra following the destruction of the nearby nation of Aaedan to a terrible apocalypse of dark magic. It resulted in The International Accord of Rights and Protections, which was signed by High Lady Naoki, Warlord Shintaro Nishida of Aozora, Elder Havador (on behalf of the Land Tiller People), King Averin Ararch of Alban, and King Renaux of Travére (Gauldin). The document, which is still technically in effect, grants a number of basic rights to all beings, outlaws slavery, and declares rules regarding prisoners of war. Today, The Accord is largely irrelevant, and the summit did not, as Lady Naoki hoped, result in an alliance of nations to address the atrocities being committed in Goraia. (August 2016)
After speaking with
Lamina Manira , an escapee of Goraian prison, Lady Naoki became outraged. Tension had been building between Isra and Goraia since the coup that ousted the ruling Hylon family of Medan, an ally of Isra—which was before Lady Naoki was even elected (February 2016). Lord Ildesias had a policy of neutrality and did nothing when the first harrowing tales reached Isra. Earlier in her rule, Isra was not prepared to make war, but at that point, hearing of what crimes Lamina had endured, High Lady Naoki declared war on Goraia. (October 2016)
Isra’s first move in the war against Goraia was to seize Sakand, a distant desert city that Goraia had invaded and occupied shortly after establishing itself. Grandma approached the leadership of Sakand with a simple offer: join The Free States and cooperate in ousting the Goraian regime, and enjoy the associated benefits. Sakand accepted, and with hardly a navy to speak of, Goraia was in no position to contest. (November 2016)
Isra then launched a two-pronged offensive into Medan. One was led by Marshal Emahara Untrid through the mountains separating Medan from The Free plains, aimed toward the heartland of Medan. They took losses when the Goraians collapsed a vital tunnel, but pushed through with help from The Dawn Riders, and eventually made their way all the way to the capital, Stonevale.
The second attack was a naval assault on the port city of New Brimiarde, led by High Lady Naoki herself from her flagship, The Depravity. Infantry and siege equipment was landed a short way down the coast and marched up to New Brimiarde alongside The Depravity, a sizeable portion of the Isran Navy, and a considerable complement of Dawn Riders supported by their carrier ships. From The Depravity, Enclave Magi
Eloria Tyrins and
Jun of the Celadine performed extraordinary feats of magic to simultaneously siege the city and prevent Goraian magi from retaliating. After taking heavy losses on the wall, the Goraian cavalry was sent out in a last-ditch effort that ultimately proved futile. Within 48 hours, New Brimiarde was under Isran occupation, without a Goraian official to be found.
In fact, no Goraian leaders were found whatsoever. The “war” was hardly a war at all, as it was later learned the Goraian administration abandoned ship. Where they went, no one knows, but Isra was able to liberate Medan swiftly, almost without resistance. (Febuary 2017)
Lady Camilla, the bride with children of the late Prince Evrand Hylon, was appointed Duchess of the newly formed Duchy of Meridian. With help from a set of administrators appointed by Lady Naoki, Duchess Camilla rules Meridian, working to regain the glory lost to the Gorian regime. Following Medan’s rules of hereditary transfer of power, her children would be in line for the throne, but that matter has yet to be determined.
At this point, Isra had grown from its humble city-state beginnings to The Overworld’s dominant power, left without rival. Following some negotiation, The Land Tiller’s State, Isra’s neighbor to the east, agreed to join The Free States, in need of protection. The following day, High Lady Naoki quietly assumed the title of Empress, and The Free States of Isra became The Isran Empire that is known today. (May 2017)