The Empire of Dawn (Patreon)

Revived Hope
Following the address of the Gods to their new world of subjects, devoted cults emerged from every nook and cranny in reverence to the new pantheon. After centuries of strife, war, and dire conditions, the faces of the gods were taken as omens of improving fortune. The largest cult to form during this time was then known as the Home of a Rising Age, and boasted enough numbers to spread far and wide across the land. Headed up by a collection of ‘prophets’ who claim to have been seated at the feet of the Gods during the address, they attract new members to their fold by way of public sermons, community aid, and acts of generosity to the needy.

During the more ambitious years of the established Rising Age, they sought to actively invite and absorb smaller divine cults to increase their numbers and reach. Around this time, the foundations of the city Sunhara were laid by members of the cult, assisted by an estimated two-thousand manual labor volunteers from communities that bordered the site. This city of faithful, once erected, would become the first center of religious teaching and record-keeping. Here, the story of the Victor’s Hour and all the subsequent disasters would be logged by scribes and preserved by the Rising Age.

A Dynasty Ordained
Generations of migrants to Sunhara quickly transformed the once modest city into a bustling metropolis, easily reaching the size of any pre-Victor’s urban areas. This surge of population brought with it a rising economy that, at that time, was unmatched on the continent. The people of Sunhara quickly found themselves living in a veritable Renaissance of trades, crafts, and arts disciplines. Commerce suddenly reappeared on the world-stage, with even distant farming communities finding themselves courted by the “city of coin” to come, trade, and be merry.

The Gods saw this prosperity and were relieved by the resilience of the Aavan folk. To further enshrine Sunhara and the stability it introduced to the world, they bestowed divine right upon the most noble and upstanding family in the city – The Amadeja.

Built upon a tradition of cobbling, the Amadeja were seen as a grounded and steady people, indeed very fit to rule the metropolis of Sunhara as its holy royals. Few among the citizenry of the city questioned this decree by the gods, but those who did were invited to the home of the Amadeja Matriarchs to resolve these qualms. It is said that by the end of one week, the six matrons of the family had spoken to, dined, and laughed with each detractor in the city. Only then did the Matriarchs select the first of their lines to take the title of Emperor; Tamin Amadeja. He is remembered in modern times for his swift unification of Sunhara with its tributary towns and villages, creating the first iteration of the Empire.

Modern-Day
The Seat of Heaven, Sunhara, the place where the Emperors of Dawn have sat in power for several centuries, remains the largest economic power on the continent. Blessed with divine favor and controlling vast tracts of land, the Imperial Family has only solidified their position atop the world’s largest city as the god-kings and queens of Aavana.

The people of the Empire live comfortably, wanting for very little and enjoying the safety of Imperial law. It is said to be a nation of peace and prosperity, where any Aavan can put down roots and thrive. The divine cult of the Rising Age maintains its position within the borders of the Empire as the evolved Church of Four Crowns, which glorifies the four canon gods of Aarus, Xota, Ulbran, and Ipnir – with Sinos being shunned as a traitor to their celestial kin.