Northern Empire

But the faith of Ator spread into the Northern Empire, and the Five Cities eventually rebelled against imposed Nevean orthodoxy. This led to a terrible civil war that caused the death of hundreds of thousands and the destruction of entire cities and towns.

Eventually, Celus IV, emperor of the Northern Empire, was deposed in a coup sponsored by the Southern Empire. Now Emperess Azula rules the entire Empire from her capital at Astoria, imposing the Ator religion on the reluctant Nevean worshippers of Calithornia.

The situation is unstable, but manageable, and Azula has chosen competent administrators, including members of the Imperial family, to keep order in the Northern Empire.

Now, she seeks to take advantage of the Empire's reunification and increased power to expand further, into Aquila. The bridges in the Nine Kingdom are being rebuilt, and a series of fortresses and a fleet are being built in the Dragon Bone Islands, with advanced weapons provided by the Duchy of Wenderhauser.