Empire

Biodata

Government and Institutions

• Imperial authority — The emperor issues military orders to lords and formally commands forces called up for war, though Annan retains practical control of Free City’s troops 784 1834.
• Judgment Hall — Investigates alleged enemies of the Empire. Its broad mandate makes even opposition to an imperial decision potentially dangerous 1704 1711.
• Bone Edge Legion — An intelligence organization also known as the Bone Eye; its work includes surveillance, informants and assassinations 805 808.
• Ceremonial Affairs Department — Handles official visits and protocol, including Annan’s travel to Montreal Mountain 1703 1704.
• Finance Department — Pursues the Empire’s Gold Depository interests and favors swift negotiations over ceremonial delays 1385 1402.

Military

• Eight imperial legions — Blackwatch is one of the Empire’s eight Royal Guard Legions. During the northern campaign, four legions are committed against the Chaos forces while the other four remain stationed across the Empire 910 1898.
• Northern forces — The Red Radiance Guard, Silverwing Storm and Ashen Bone-Torture Legions operate in the north. The Empire also fields a Royal Magic Academy Mage Corps and large numbers of conscripted Professionals 1827 1550.
• Northern Great Wall — A major defensive work on the Northern Frontier; after a year of repairs, it extends for hundreds of miles and stands a hundred meters tall 787 1239.
• Warships — The Broken Laws, sent to Free Port with Finance Department officials and guards, is one of the Empire’s Ten Dreadnoughts 1385.

Relations with Free City

The Empire grants Free City privileges and allows it to benefit from its connection to the Montreal Golden Family. Annan eventually recognizes that this support carries an expectation of military service, and Emperor Tatuun orders him to bring troops to Montreal Mountain 783 784.

The relationship does not prevent disputes. An unauthorized demand that Free City surrender its Imperial Gold Depository branches is traced to Prince Igstiphens’s interests; the official responsible is recalled 1385. The Empire later establishes its own Royal Gold Depository network while exempting Free City’s depositories from its ban on private ones 1404.

Northern War

• First coalition deployment — Imperial forces bring an allied army to the Northern Great Wall, where Free City’s troops serve beside them 786 787.
• Blackwatch operation — Blackwatch survivors are condemned as traitors, prompting Annan to challenge the Judgment Hall. The apparent betrayal is later revealed as part of an imperial plan to infiltrate the Chaos Cult and investigate a suspected threat in the north 1704 1739.
• New alliance — For a later campaign against the Northern Chaos forces, the Empire seeks Free City and the Dimon Kingdom as fighting partners rather than relying on less capable nobles, whom it intends to make contribute money 1835 1848.
• Offensive and border defense — Imperial forces push north, leaving Free City and Dimon to defend exposed territory. Dimon takes the main fight around Old Val Town while Free City clears the surrounding region 1859 1860.

Political Character

• The Empire is widely feared for its harsh treatment of enemies, including head-mounds, but Annan cautions that it is a collective of people with differing interests rather than a single will 1046 1847.
• Its size can slow decisions and encourage resistance to new ideas. Imperial observers nevertheless study Free City’s reforms 1313.
• Emperor Tatuun has met Annan while disguised as a guard and a waiter, preferring candid conversation to a formal audience 1822 1848.