The Hadrian Empire

The Hadrian Empire

Location	The Heartlands, The Hinterlands,	The Nordlands
Races	The Attian Humans, Hinterlander Humans
Primary Religions	Makerism
Political System	Monarchy
Current Leader	Kaiser | Philipp Wilhelm II
The Alderian Council	Lord Steward | Ser Cedric Reinhardt Lady Justiciar | Ma Belov
Preceded by:	The Kingdom of Veronia

Introduction

The horsemasters, the Hadrians call themselves, for their dominance on the field is unmatched. The charge of the Hadrian cavalry is an avalanche of steel that drives everything before it with lance, hoof, and blade. It is a truly majestic sight in their shining armour and proud heraldic liveries. While the Hadrian knight fights in the name of their divine lord, the Maker, the thorns of the Hadrian rose are it’s people, those who rebuild the foundations of the crumbled Attian Empire. Those who have survived the countless horrors of Eden, but stand valiantly to safeguard the Attian race and the Hadrian Empire.

Society

Social Hierarchy

WIP

Political structure

WIP

Culture

Apparel

The Attians in Hadriana usually dressed in typical yet colorful town and working clothes, wearing what was fit for daily comfort or represented their work profession. The commoners' dress code also includes hats. Primarily short or smaller-sized hats to help with comfort and not get in the way of their work. Higher families of knights and lords, dressed in the latest types of fashion. Female fashion was often influenced by what the Queens wear; meanwhile, the Lords often dressed in clothing representing their family's history, wealth, or signature colors.

Celebrations and Holidays

• Saint’s Day : At every change of the seasons on a Saints Day, the last day of the week, requires every Hadric citizen to attend local church sessions and pray to their sentinel of choice or The Maker in general.

• Day of the squire : The day of the squire is a day where local commoners are called up to prove themselves in a series of tests. Local farm boys, workers, citizens or others are able to freely participate in this event. Those who succeed and pass, will eventually be judged by knights. These knights will eventually choose which person will become their squire, hence the name “Day of the Squire”.

• Saint Nillias day : Day originates from the priest Saint Nillias who performed multiple miracles and pilgrimages in order to become so famous. He gifted children who behaved presents, those who did wrong were given a piece of charcoal, symbolizing an unhealthy future and bad luck. A sign of disobedience. On this day, children are told to behave even better by their parents. A priest from the local church will visit them, judge the children and perform the same tasks as Saint Nillias. The children have to sing for the priest at home or outside in little choirs. Even visit other homes to sing in front of their doors.

• Yearly jousting tournament: Once every four years a jousting tournament is held. All knights and warriors around the world are challenged to participate in a tournament of honour and chivalry. A festival which holds tests of strength, courage and agility. Ending in a tournament of jousting. The winner of this tournament receives a prize.

• Harvest Festival: A day where the big harvest is done by the populace of Hadriana. To celebrate this, a big feast is held in the capital. A harvest market is set up around the main road and square, inviting many outsiders as well to participate in such a feast.

• Feast of the Ashes: Originating from the day Hadriana was founded, after the great collapse of the Attian Empire, followed by the exodus and the founding of the kingdom. On this day Hadriana celebrates by holding a great feast in its castle and town. The king gives a speech, where afterwards all knights, again, take their fow on this day to pledge loyalty to the kingdom. After this is done, the feast will continue until the next days’ sun rises.

Romance and marriage

Marriages are celebrated in Hadriana, typically a small party thrown to celebrate the newly wed couple. Arranged marriages are normal in the city. It’s seen as an easy way to grow in power and the social hierarchy. As the act of marriage creates a link between two families, marriage is a powerful tool. Wars and blood feuds which have lasted for centuries have been ended by the strategic union of houses through marriage. Moreover, it is customary for the suitor to ask permission for her hand in marriage from the father or warden. Lastly, in order to officiate the wedding, the couple must consummate their marriage on the night of their wedding. Also, the Kingdom only allows for monogamous marriages to be carried out, and incest is frowned upon.

A matter many citizens care to improve their lives. In order to officially be wedded or divorced it must be approved by the main church of Hadriana. Marrying through romance is welcomed as well and is not seen as foolish. Those who are widows or children of honorable deceased are treated with great respect in public.

It is a tradition for the couple to receive gifts from their family members. The wedding ceremony is usually finished by dances around a decorated tree, displaying their ancient traditions from the old times..

Life & Reproduction

The Hadrian people are hard working, they are never idle for too long. Those who couldn’t afford luxurious meals normally ate soup and bread for their meals.

Hadriana becomes alive the most in the mornings when people head off to run errands. It’s a hustle around the central area in front of the post office; various different stories crossing paths at once. Whether it’s a long day at work or a commemorative party, the evening is the period of rest and celebration. The local tavern being a hotspot for those who need to quench their thirst. Life is comfortable, warm, and festive.

The Hadric people view birth as a gift from the maker and as a liability to them. It is not mandatory, but producing or adopting heirs is advised from the King to regrow the population after the devastating plague. The society of Hadriana expects parents or guardians to educate their child on any possible dangers as precaution. Due to the environment most citizens can live up to 60-70 years before passing away of old age.  

Death & Funerals

Death in Hadric Society is a bittersweet occasion. While the pain of losing a loved one is greatly felt, it is believed that if they were righteous in life and steadfast in their faith they shall return to the Maker in the afterlife, free from the woes and hardships of mortal life.

Dying in combat is seen as the greatest honour a knight could receive, as he has died protecting and serving those in need, his kingdom and The Maker. This is especially for those who are in the military; hence why joining the military is one of the most popular career choices. It is believed that the body should return to the Earth from whence it came. The traditional funeral rites of Hadriana are burial or interment. Commonfolk are typically buried in a local cemetery, while the wealthy and highborn may be interred in catacombs beneath their estate should they be there.

High honoured knights or warriors are buried in burrows. This will later on be decorated in white flowers and intricate headstones by the family.

During the times of the Rotting Plague, people tried burning the bodies believing it would rid them of the plague, however it did the exact opposite. The smoke contained the disease and it became another mode of transmission. In order to contain the disease, mass graves were dug, and people weren’t allowed to touch or come in close contact with the infected bodies, especially with their bare hands. Normally, however, a burial is more of a ceremony where the family and friends would carry the coffin containing the deceased to their grave.

Economy

Due to the dedication the people of Hadriana put into their work, providing for themselves and the nation, Hadriana became known as a nation of mass-producing quality products. From your furniture, tools from the blacksmith, to the best quality bred horses of Eden. The many different kinds of career options in Hadriana give its citizens and newcomers plenty of opportunities to learn new skills to share with the nation.

Hadriana provides its nation with different kinds of Mead and Ale. But are also the founders of the Golden Stallion Whiskey, but also Vodka and Rum liqueur. Quantities equal to the different kinds of Elven wine. But even the army provides for anyone who wishes to learn the ways of the sword.

To those who wish to unite themselves in groups of same interest craftsmen and trades are gathered in different guilds. When cooperating, certain tradesmen can apply to raise a guild. In return for the privilege of a guildhouse the guid pays a monthly fee. Some guilds may differ in structure but an overlapping theme with guilds is that the guild appoints a master of a certain trait. This master is allowed to keep several apprentices for a certain period of time. These apprentices will rise through the ranks of the guilds to earn their privileges to set up a prominent shop.

Religious Beliefs

The primary religion within the Kingdom of Hadriana is known as Makerism. The followers of the one and only God, The Maker, believe that he is the one who created the heavens, soil and life of Eden. Together with the nine Sentinels, each one represents emotions and challenges that all humans will encounter throughout their lives.

The clergy may outwardly appear as a humble social class wielding little power beyond ceremony, the truth of the clergy is much deeper. As the appointed representatives and servants of the Maker and the Sentinels, the word of the clergy is treated practically as law in the deeply religious society of Hadriana. They are pervasive throughout Hadric society. In every village there is a chapel to the Maker or a shrine of a sentinel, and in every noble court there is a resident clergyman. When a child is born, they are taken to the clergy. When a couple is to be wed, it is a clergyman who officiates. Even in death the clergy’s influence is felt, as clergymen are there to administer religious rites at any funeral.

The people of Hadriana believe in an afterlife. Those who live by the principle guidelines of the Maker’s traits, known as the Nine Wisdoms, are welcome to join him there in the realm of Heavens. This place is where one is presented by all his or her life choices and can reflect on the time that was given to them on Eden. Eventually living out the rest of their lives in these realms in peace.

However, if one does not live by the Maker’s teachings, one will fall into the abyss of the mirror realm, to a place the light can’t reach.

This mirror realm has many names in Hadrian religion. It is both known as The Void or The Four Hells. This realm is ruled by Dolus, the sentinel of corruption and deceit. He punishes those who fell to his corruption by turning them into monsters he unleashes onto Eden. Hence, being “corrupted” or known as turning Heretic is punished severely.

On the Nine Wisdoms.

“As the night crept over the fields, Onnodrith looked up to the skies and saw the bright star of Hadrius. At this point, the star became so overpowered with light that through it the sentinels all came forth. Above them, hovered a man covered in bright light. The Maker presented himself to Onnodrith and his children. And together each of the children, good and bad, presented the nine rules the Attians had to follow. Nine rules that were needed for the Attian race in their new home. The sentinels sang and danced one last time together before Onnodrith, encouraging him to ride back to his home and settle the new kingdom. And only with a new start could its people survive, guided by the Nine Wisdoms of the Maker.”

1. You will not have faith in false gods.
2. You will not take the word of the Maker in vain.
3. You will take the first day of the nine day week for holy contemplation.
4. You will respect your forefathers.
5. You will not take life.
6. You will stay true in marriage.
7. You will not commit thievery.
8. You will tell the truth.
9. You will not envy.

Military

Chivalry and Knighthood play a significant role in the nations' culture. Knights are those who have proven themselves to the King and have been given high status and the honor to serve under the King and nobility. Every knight must wear their households' colors or crest on them to represent their family. Nobility are those who have the high authority right under royalty. They possess more privilege than any other social class below them in Hadriana.

Structure of the Hadrian army

Knights of Hadriana

With the collapse of the Attian Empire and the subsiding Rotting Plague, the number of men needed to wield an army steadily declined. Hence the early kings of Hadriana relied on a professional core of riders, ditching their familiarity with foot-infantry. These riders required professional training from a very young age. Thus the concept of this riding elite quickly became hereditary, so riders would teach their children from a very young age to wield a sword and ride a horse. To keep this army loyal, the early Kings of Hadriana would give them special hereditary privileges as long as they swore the Oath of Fealty to the King. The families of these so-called knights would forever be anointed with these privileges. They have a special standing in Hadrian society and have the responsibility to administer provinces or fiefs. To be a Knight, however, is no easy feat; the course of Knighthood will start with rigorous training and exercise. Next to that, they learn the ways of court and manners. Follow up by the ways of the sword and shield. A knight is tasked with having the skills of many different weapons. A knight also needs to show an excellent set of skills for handling animals and horse riding. Hence, every knight cares for their horse.

Man-At-Arms

Man-At-Arms are the backbone of Hadriana. They are the shield of the nation, the core of the army, and the last ones to falter. Man-At-Arms serve and protect the citizens and Hadriana as a nation. Man-At-Arms are often conscripts; people who wish to serve the King can sign themselves up for training. Man-At-Arms will be put under a Hadrian Knight, who will act as their superior. They will wear the colors of said knight by painting it on their armor, shield, or wear fitted clothing. This turns entire armies into endless parades of colors. A Man-At-Arms will follow a rough training period of drills, combat skills, and the handling of weapons and armor to mold them into the perfect soldier.

Chaplains

Chaplains, or commonly named Paladins, are the warrior-priests of the clergy. They minister the spiritual and psychological well-being of every knight, Man-At-Arms, or other that holds the steel to defend Hadriana. Yet, they are well known for their use of magic in combat. This is due to the clergys' laws around magic itself.

They instill the values and beliefs of the Maker and the Sentinels to promote veneration in the ranks. They are leading from the front as awe-inspiring Paladins, fighting wherever the foe is most fierce. Their training is a combination of standard Man-At-Arms training, combined with the church's spiritual, magical, and strict religious guidance. They could lead entire armies if needed, praising the Maker while rejoicing in the glorious act of war. They go to ever more marvelous deeds of bravery, devotion and chivalry—most of them devoting their lives towards one of the Sentinels.

Law

The Hadrian law

Base Fundamentals

Law article I. Thou shall not inflict acts of barbarism, violence, or other of the kind to those fellow citizens.

Law article II. Thou shall not steal from others in the name of self lust or greed.

Law article III. Thou shall not inflict destruction on other properties not owned by thou self.

Law article IV. Thou shall always stay faithful to the Maker, never to follow false idols or gods.

Law article V. Citizens shall not tolerate individual conversion or public praisings to false idols or gods.

Law article VI. Thou shall not kill nor harm an individual.

Law article VII. Citizens shall not tolerate any individual who denies the path of Makerism or His will.

Law article VIII. Thou shall never deceive those of goodwill or cheat in marriage.

Law article IX. Thou shall not take the word of the Maker and his Sentinels in vain.

Law article X. Thou shall not use magic for wrongdoing or without jurisdiction of the clergy.

Punishment:

Punishments given to those who break the law are strict and sometimes brutal. Those speaking against the law can receive punishment, as the givers of judgment are the law. And those speaking against it are against the law itself.

In most cases, they are looked over by a judge. The judge can either be someone of nobility or a priest of the clergy. In rare cases, the king himself can perform the role of judge.

Depending on the breaking of a law, punishments are always performed in public. Thieves lose fingers or an entire hand, for example, beggars and liars an ear, and those who commit acts of heresy are either tortured or sentenced to death by fire in the worst case.

An executioner or knight always performs sentences of death. The church looks over all public performance punishments that are linked to a law of religion.

History

WIP

Nations
Human Nations	The Hadrian Empire
Elvish Nations	Luminion · Mitrona · Anjyarr
Dwarvish Nations	The High Kingdom of Arduan
Orcish Nations	Zadh Nadrozz
Other Nations