Imperii Draconi
General
The Imperii Draconi [ɪmpe:ʁɪi: dʁako:nɪ] (also known as the Old Empire) was the largest known empire that ever existed on Áváhé. The Empire was a multiracial state designed to bring diverse species into peaceful coexistence for mutual benefit.
At the height of its power, the empire dominated all of the Middle South and half of the Lower South, all the way up to the Middle North.
Etymology
The term Imperii Draconi derived on the one hand from Imperý, which in ancient Dýrráchian means "law / right" or "rule of the agreement" and from Draconi, which meant "of the Dragons" or "of the friend". It referred to the rule of 'the law of the Dragons', a clear reference to the Old Law, which originated from the Dragons.
Construction
The empire underwent numerous transformations, yet it mostly upheld principles such as the rule of law, individual freedom, and humanism. Throughout its existence, all institutions in the empire were bound by the Old Law, serving as a quasi-constitution that initially resolved disputes pragmatically and later became the general standard.
The governance of the empire also varied over time. Initially, it was primarily led by clans and their prominent figures. Decision-making processes gradually became more democratic. Key institutions throughout included the Imperial Estates, representing local communities and clans, the Imperial Diet as the central democratic body, and later the Kaiser as the dynastic executive.
Up to 5 different sentient species belonged to the empire: the Humans, the Dragons and the Old Ones, as well as some Wolves and Kehdei.
Imperial Estates
The official affiliation of individual imperial estates to the empire was first documented in writing in 215 A.I.D. in the Acta Imperii Draconi. However, certain regions were already deeply integrated into the emerging empire by that time.
Membership in the empire was contingent upon voluntary accession, and similarly, departure was also possible. The estates were tasked with maintaining law and order and adhering to the Old Law, but in exchange, they enjoyed cultural and domestic freedoms and benefited from the empire's infrastructure.
The estates belonging to the Imperii Draconi are listed here:
| Name or Region | Type | Official Length of Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Dracomayor | Dragon Hoard | 215 A.I.D. - 5909 A.I.D. |
| Phoeica | ||
| Acadia | ||
| Rhona | ||
| Flavia | ||
| Ionia | ||
| Tiburia | ||
| Meomor | ||
| Erebus | ||
| Istina | ||
| Quanar | City-State | 215 A.I.D. - ? |
| Thôsco | Dragon Hoard | 215 A.I.D. - ? |
| Mesócrata | Federal Memberstate | 215 A.I.D. - 5911 A.I.D. |
| Dýrrách | 215 A.I.D. - ? | |
| Templar | Regional Estate | |
| Anath | Regional Estate | |
| Ádron | City-State | |
| Áterôn | Human City-State |
The Imperial Diet
The imperial estates or their representatives convened in the Imperial Diet to vote on the policies of the empire. Later, it also elected the Kaiser. Initially, each member state and community in the empire held one seat in the Diet, and later, the number of seats allocated was proportional to its population.
The Kaiser
The office of the Kaiser or Emperor was created with the later feudalization of the empire. The Kaiser was first an administrative and later a dynastically inherited office in the empire.
The term Kaiser derived from the old Aerznian languages.
Impact on the World
Throughout its existence, the ancient empire engaged in terraforming in Aerznia and the lower north to transform the desert regions into habitable lands. Art, science, and magic flourished and combined numerous regional influences.
But the greatest, still lasting influence, besides terraforming, was the breakdown of the empire after more than 5000 years of existence. The fact that the empire ceased to be an organizing power around 5900 A.I.D. made possible the emergence of modern countries and cultures all over Áváhé. The continent in its present form is a direct result of the collapse.
Self-image
In its inception, the empire emerged as a collaborative venture among diverse sentient species, functioning initially as a pragmatic alliance and a structural framework aimed at averting conflicts by fostering mutual reliance. However, as these connections endured and deepened, the constituent peoples gradually developed interrelations, giving rise over the centuries to a sense of national pride often intertwined with regional identities.
Ultimately, the empire conceived itself as the paramount governing authority across the known world.
Politics
Domestic Policy
The empire implemented varying domestic policies over time. Nonetheless, the safeguarding of individual rights and adherence to the rule of law most often remained consistent priorities. Fundamental freedoms such as freedom of expression and protection of private property were codified in the Old Law, serving as a quasi-constitution. However, the empire also maintained the authority to conduct imperial executions, and military operations targeting internal threats.
Despite this framework, internal conflicts and civil wars were not always avoidable.
With increasing integration, a degree of feudalization also emerged, particularly with the establishment of the Kaiser.
Foreign Policy
The foreign policy of the empire evolved from the collective representation of the interests of individual communities, later becoming the responsibility of the Imperial Diet and the Kaiser.
Initially, the empire's foreign policy stemmed from collaborative efforts among individual communities aiming to safeguard themselves against external threats. However, as the empire expanded, it increasingly assumed the role of a regulating force in Áváhé. This blurring of lines between foreign and domestic affairs made foreign policy issues more complex.
Regions traditionally prone to instability, such as Béveren, the Dróžt, and the Upper North, posed ongoing challenges that the empire sought to manage. By contrast, Kehda maintained a longstanding friendship with the empire.
History and Epoches
Prehistory (? - 0 B.I.D.)
The Old Empire emerged over a protracted period, possibly spanning several centuries, influenced by various factors and chance occurrences.
Many united Dragons, guided by the principles of the Old Law, were steadfast in their commitment to preserving this newly found peace facility, despite differences among them. Positive interactions with the Old Ones facilitated peaceful coexistence and the adoption of magical abilities, such as Emphasic Communication. This early collaboration between two distinct species in Áváhé set a precedent for mutual learning and benefit, which would come to be an integral part of the later empire.
In addition to this, Human tribes began migrating northward and westward from Mesócrata in search of more hospitable environments. As they expanded, they inevitably clashed with local Old Ones, resulting in the displacement of the latter from many areas, with some seeking refuge among the Dragons. While both Dragons and Old Ones were involved in terraforming Aerznia in the Mid South, many Humans harbored a deep-seated fear of the Old Ones, whom they traditionally regarded as demons due to their innate magical abilities.
However, since the Humans lacked the means to challenge the Dragons during that period, and many Dragons demonstrated little interest in the Humans, an uneasy truce emerged, particularly in the region that would later evolve into Eastern Aerznia. In such conditions, Humans gradually expanded further westward.
It was during this time that the seeds of collaboration between Dragons, Old Ones, and Humans were sown, initially tentative but steadily increasing in both frequency and scope. Curiosity led to initial interactions between small communities of Humans and Dragons. These interactions evolved over time into small alliances, with Dragons providing protection to Humans in exchange for sustenance. As cooperation deepened, it extended to areas such as agriculture, medical assistance, and even the establishment of rudimentary transportation networks. Friendly relations blossomed, marked by the exchange of gifts such as jewelry or food. With the progression of cooperation, Dragons, and later the Old Ones as well, increasingly welcomed Humans into what would later become Aerznia.
Ultimately, a significant catalyst for the formation of the empire came from the Dragon clans. Influential and proud Dragons, upon encountering Humans, became intrigued by their craftsmanship and construction skills. Among the first to engage with Humans in this manner were the Magotho, who offered talented individuals the opportunity to build structures in exchange for provisions. They brought these skilled Humans with them to Dracomayor, where the foundation stone for Dracominor was laid.
Foundation ( 0 I.D.)
At its inception, the empire was merely an idea conceived by a small vanguard of Dragons, Humans, and Old Ones.
The Dragons found common ground with the Old Ones, who sought a permanent resolution to lingering conflicts with Humans. Consequently, the notion of bolstering cooperation gained rapid traction. Certain clans and communities thus opted to formalize cooperation and peace indefinitely.
Numerous Humans became involved through the Dragon clans they cohabited with and through individual interactions, though some independent Human communities also participated, alongside Old Ones. However, the founding ceremony on Dýrrách lacked a representative assembly, and attending groups held varying expectations of the proceedings. Many proto-Aerznian settlements learned of the empire's inception only years later.
Clans and communities convened regularly on Dýrrách to discuss cooperation, with project decisions made by those present at the time. The rigidity of the Draconic Old Law served as an inspiration for a to-be-developed, unbreakable codex - a new concept for many Humans, yet something especially the Old Ones demanded. Also, a growing number of Dragons sought representation and organized into compounds or clans. Consequently, meetings were eventually relocated from Dýrrách to the mainland.
The Early Empire - A Person-State-Association (0 - 680 A.I.D.)
As conditions eased, an increasing number of delegates attended meetings, which were held in various locations to prevent conflicts between territorial Dragon clans.
Given the costly nature of travel, an emerging patronage system gained traction swiftly. With this development, the early empire evolved into a federation of tribes and settlements. Those seeking to assert claims needed to have a clientele supporting them. As communities grew larger, the leaders of clans and settlements gained prominence, with some names becoming widely recognized and respected. Thus, the federated system transitioned into a person-state association.
With the growing prominence of the Old Law, the Magotho also grew more influential. They made substantial investments in common infrastructure and fostered integration, to the extent that Dracomayor emerged as the cultural hub of the federated tribes, despite its rugged terrain.
Constitutionalization (680 - 1020 A.I.D.)
A sense of unity began to pervade the empire. Discussions at conferences expanded from internal cooperation to dispute resolution, infrastructure, and also foreign policy. While agreements were made primarily verbally, their enforcement lent credence to the tribes due to the large number of witnesses.
The growing prestige of the conferences attracted nomads and visitors from neighboring settlements. Such visitors increasingly began to settle at the gathering sites, leading to the establishment of new towns.
At the behest of the Old Ones and Humans, the empire began its process of constitutionalization. As affairs became more complex, an administration became necessary. The Old Ones advocated for clear and concise rules as the best way to safeguard their communities, leading to a renewed codification of the Old Law. In response to evolving demands and emerging legal principles, individual rights gained prominence, playing a crucial role in dispute resolution and conflict avoidance.
Unstable Phase (1080 - 1200 A.I.D.)
A growing dominance of certain Human-Dragon communities emerged between 1080 A.I.D. and 1200 A.I.D., primarily manifesting informally and de facto, despite the formal equality of all communities.
The deepening interconnections among these communities led, albeit temporarily, to a complex web of alliances and factions, whose power struggles risked paralyzing the coordinating conferences. Consequently, the need for some form of administration became apparent. Initially, this administrative body arose organically from within the conferences and focused primarily on managing its proceedings. However, while there were growing expectations for the administration to function as a government, it struggled with effectiveness and relied heavily on local support from communities.
Consolidation as Interdependocracy (1200 - 1220 A.I.D.)
As a compromise to address the need for leadership, the representational aspirations of the Dragons, and the requirements of the Humans and Old Ones, the now-so-called Imperial Diet appointed a Consul. This position rotated among the various communities, serving as the executive authority responsible for enforcing resolutions and maintaining a small army for imperial executions. The Consul's powers were subject to continual renegotiation, prompting the emergence of the Tribune of the People as a counterbalance.
During this era, the Imperial Diet convened primarily in the largest and wealthiest cities of the empire before establishing permanent seats in Quanar, Ádron, and Dracominor for extended periods.
The High Empire (1220 - 4100 A.I.D)
During this time, the arts and sciences flourished, enabling more individuals to pursue endeavors beyond mere subsistence farming. Regionally, a moneyed aristocracy emerged, and in some areas, certain communities underwent a process of feudalization. The accumulation of wealth among the Dragons, in particular, led to growing inequality and social concerns that were addressed in the Imperial Diet. Occasionally, oligarchic conditions arose, contributing to increasing tensions. However, the empire's structure had become sufficiently robust to resolve these conflicts through established channels. The implementation of a tax system was one outcome of this period.
As external powers began to assert themselves, trade expanded, and foreign policy issues became more pertinent.
Elective Monarchy (2600 - 3000 A.I.D.)
Several cities and communities became so rich through trade and cooperation that they began to compete with each other. This was mainly driven by Dragons and Humans. Since they also had to bear a good part of the tax burden because of their wealth, the competition became increasingly political.
Diverse Human, Kehdaic, Draconian, and Old One’s forms of rule increasingly encouraged regionalist strivings for power. However, since the traditional system of the Reichstag with its rotating presidency initially prevailed through the forces supporting the status quo, and tensions were mitigated through mediation and reconciliation of interests, there was no hegemony by a regional power.
Instead, however, various communities began competing in displays of imperial power. This was also accompanied by the colonization of various territories not belonging to the empire. In changing constellations, Dragons, Humans, and even Old Ones set out to take possession of often unpopulated lands, but occasionally populated ones as well, sometimes to the eventual advantage, sometimes to the disadvantage of the inhabitants there.
Territorial conflicts were therefore not long in coming. Since the tensions over this goings-on were derived from the empire to the outside world, the Reichstag initially tolerated it, even when feuds broke out over insignificant territories. But when such settlements almost led to war with Kehda, it was stopped.
That imperial competition had to be curbed was demanded above all by the Old Ones, Kehdei, and the moderates in the empire. However, since many of those involved stubbornly refused to surrender their new possessions and fundamental questions also arose about the empire's competence in this matter, the Reichstag finally decided to programmatically change the constitution of the empire.
The executive president of the Reichstag was transformed into an office with higher prestige, dignity, and a few additional powers. Effectively, more ceremonial and easier access requirements to the office were provided, which satisfied the Dragons and thus also slowed down the striving for power of the Human and Kehdei communities. The clan or community that held the office took every opportunity to distinguish itself, which in some places caricatured the actual task of the office. However, since the approval of the Reichstag was indispensable for the implementation of projects, it did not go beyond that.
Since political competition could now be waged for a coveted office, there were fierce disputes over it in the early stages. Dragons, in particular, increasingly carried out their aspirations in battle, which led to feuds and, in some places, to internal petty wars that caused some communities to leave the empire.
Eventually, moderate forces came together and had the Reichstag decide that nonviolence was a prerequisite for access to the presidency. This displeased various parties, but they could not muster sufficiently strong opposition because of their feuds. Attempts to take over by force did occur, but these could be put down by imperial executions or opposition forces. The situation eventually stabilized again, as no party could overcome the interdependencies in the empire and the powerful players kept each other in check. Moderate forces eventually succeeded in dominating government affairs again.
As the conflicts and new questions about the degree of centralization in the empire inevitably led to conflict with communities that insisted on their self-determination, it was clear to all parties that the empire could not remain in its current state. Therefore, the structure was changed again.
Separated from the presidency of the Reichstag was now a kind of Kaiser. This was endowed with representational duties, and ceremonial and special honors. This move led to the division of the power-hungry forces into those, like some Dragons, who were mainly after prestige and those who sought more power. At first, the imperial office of the Kaiser was also awarded on a rotating basis, but then a kind of Olympic competition prevailed, the winner of which would receive the office. The disciplines involved were increasingly expanded and met with widespread approval. The Reichstag thus returned to its original task and got rid of its ceremonial and power-political overload.
Rule of the Dynasties (3050 - 5900 A.I.D.)
At first, the Kaiser had no really relevant powers beyond ceremonial duties. Nevertheless, the office led to strife with regionalist elements in the empire. Since the moderate forces in particular did not want to see the disputes that had just been settled arise again, the imperial dignity was endowed with resources that made it possible for the incumbent to be active as a donor and benefactor to the poor and needy. However, this also led to a feudalization of the office, but it also made it more popular.
Over time, the Kaiser was increasingly perceived as relevant. As a result of intrigues, individual provinces and communities of the empire declared themselves free of the empire and answerable only to the Kaiser in 3021 A.I.D.. Not wanting to be overridden by the Kaiser, the remaining communities (the clear majority) launched an imperial execution against the renegades. The current Kaiser, however, sided with the rebels. The Reichstag therefore unceremoniously deposed him, thus proving once again its ability to assert itself, backed by the majority vote of the imperial estates.
This left open the question of what to do with the office of Kaiser. Abolition was certainly considered, but this met with resistance even among the moderates. The pragmatists finally prevailed, with the result that the office remained, but was not filled for the time being. Thus, the empire had no Kaiser for fifteen years.
In the next Olympic competition for the office, a Jerowårga initially prevailed. This was to be the last Kaiser to come to the office for a while as a result of the competition.
Raecar I.
Flarrock started a war of conquest against the empire around 3048. The rushing Kaiser was killed in battle. Since there was no time to hold games to appoint a new one, the Magotho Raecar from the imperial retinue unceremoniously declared himself the next Kaiser in 3050 A.I.D.. Since no one wanted to see succession strife in the midst of a war, a majority of the forces on the ground accepted the Kaiser and stopped rebellious voices for the time being.
Raecar himself intervened in the battles and asserted himself as a motivating element. The fact that the war was therefore won relatively quickly was also credited to him. Raecar then went on to expand his new position. He propagated - with the support of the army on the ground - a policy of revenge against Flarrock so that vassals and imperial estates were awarded the conquered territories at his discretion. The Diet was thereby presented with a fait accompli, which Raecar justified by the fact that only quick action could avoid new territorial conflicts. For the first time, the empire expanded into the Lower North, which made it possible for the empire to later develop a fateful interest in the region.
Powerplay
Raecar now did everything in his power to stay in power. He traveled almost throughout the entire empire, making promises and forging alliances in order to be allowed to keep the office. Finally, he also visited Kehda to gain its support. This did not go unnoticed by the moderates and pragmatists, and even the Old Ones voiced criticism of this goings-on. To prove himself, Raecar personally traveled to the border areas of the empire to support the expansion. He spent a large part of the funds he was entitled to on this activity and also distinguished himself as a benefactor in other ways.
However, it was clear to him that he would not be able to hold the office forever. Therefore, he proceeded to support new Olympic competitions for the office. He himself was too small and lanky to compete in the League of Dragons. However, among the competing Dragons, he carefully selected one he thought had promise and - in what was a rather unusual move - accepted her into his clan. The Dragoness Ira became the next Kaiser and the office remained in the family.
In this way, Raecar succeeded one more time in keeping the office with the Magotho, this time he and Ira officially endorsed the candidate and made him a Magotho even earlier. Quickly, other influential clans and estates copied this approach and tried to recruit candidates for themselves. The next winner was the Quaräan Drace. Raecar and Ira (who had become a couple in the meantime, regardless of politics) therefore united their clan with the Quaräa without further ado.
This step could not remain without consequences, since other Human communities and Dragon and Kehdei clans now felt left out. The Magotho were accused of playing fast and loose with imperial dignity. For a short time, fights broke out between the Dragon clans in designated duels.
Out of calculation, Ira and Raecar then launched a campaign to have the Kaiser elected directly by the people. The proposal found support among the Old Ones, but not throughout the Reichstag, whereupon they simply bypassed the institution and organized an election at immense expense. Since Magotho-friendly cities and imperial estates, as well as hoards went along with the idea, the Reichstag was de facto nullified. Although an imperial execution against the Magothians was considered, this was not enforceable due to the numerous supporters, especially since they were perceived as benefactors.
It is unclear how free and representative the election really was, but in any case, Raecar again emerged as the winner. In order to retain power longer this time, he proposed reforms for the empire that would allow the office to be passed on dynastically. When he did not succeed, he proposed that the office should be passed on dynastically until the Reichstag should decide otherwise and made the confirmation of the Kaiser by a majority of the imperial estates obligatory. If confirmation failed to materialize, new contests had to be held.
As foreign policy issues increasingly reemerged, the Reichstag finally agreed. It is characteristic of this whole affair that the general public of the empire mostly only came into contact with these power games on the sidelines and that the empire almost always developed well. The struggles for power and prestige were not more strongly suppressed for this reason either.
Late Empire (4100 - 5909 A.I.D.)
The Late Empire is characterized by a large increase in population and advances in the arts, education, and sciences.
By 5500 A.I.D., the Old Empire had expanded over almost the entire continent. The Magotho succeeded again and again in holding the imperial office for a long time, until towards the end of the empire an unchallenged ruling family emerged. They finally made Dracominor the capital of the empire.
Before the fall of the Empire, the Magotho ruled most of Áváhé from Dracominor. This included the Aerznian heartlands, such as Dracomayor, Quaräa, Thósco, the Scarlet Heights and Gesoria as traditional Dragon hoards, as well as Mesócrata, Lochäa, Bantubwe, the Achat, Freja, and the Middle North as Human states. The Deep South belonged to the Allied Old Ones, and the Kehdaic Peninsula was bound to the Empire in friendship.
The disintegration of the empire was triggered by a long agony. On the one hand, the empire had overstretched itself with the expansion to the Mahr. The arid south was also experiencing an economic crisis at the time, partly due to the Kehdeiic religious war between 5580 A.I.D. and 5607 A.I.D.. On the margins, there were also signs of disintegration due to the internal heterogeneity of the empire.
The Akrehdei Question
The Magotho allowed the Akrehdei, who fled the war in Kehda, to enter the empire, which worsened relations between Dracominor and Erachtapesh.
The Akrehdei issue alone was resolved when many of the refugees migrated south and eventually disappeared from the historical record to go into religious exile.
The Wars for the North
When a massive migration from the far north occurred around 5638 A.I.D., the empire could not defend itself and quickly retreated to the Fallwacht. The migration was triggered by unexpected conflicts among the Old Ones in the Upper North (The Wars of Old), in turn triggering the Wars for the North, as the migrants clashed with the local imperial estates while at the same time, the empire tried to win over the whole North.
The Magotho were by now used to peaceful expansion and were unprepared for a war on this scale. The reigning Kaiser Tilân III. ordered the army to retreat as far as the South-Fall. This strategy worked in so far as the Grasslands held off the hordes who were unfamiliar with the area, but the Mahr and the Upper and Middle North were devastated.
The retreat left the traditionally somewhat unstable and regionalist north open to plunder, where the empire was then perceived as a traitor. When the Dragon Chrioseptico reconquered the north with an army within five years, the Upper North no longer had any interest in joining the empire and cultivated hatred for the Dragons. Only Dracoš and the western north remained loyal to the empire. Dracoš, however, quickly lost its connection to the empire.
Tilân III., who was blamed for the original military chaos, had to abdicate in 5648 A.I.D..
End of the war through the Dominion Treaties
By 5650 A.I.D., a good half of the empire's territory had almost been lost. It was mainly thanks to the diplomatic efforts of Nideon Thavi and Chrioseptico, as well as their entourage, that the Middle and Lower North did not simply leave the empire and dissolve into chaos. The two negotiated the terms of settlement with the migrants and persuaded the estates to remain in the empire. Their efforts resulted in the Dominion Status for the two major regions of Herse and Brônia.
Although science and the arts flourished, there was a general sense of crisis emerging among the general people throughout the empire.
The Lochäa Crisis
Another crisis arose around 5653 A.I.D. in Lochäa. The aftermath of the war and the mass migration eventually threatened to drain the Upper South of resources. This favored separatist movements and caused Lochäa to revolt, peacefully at first. However, disunity among regional powers led to total chaos. The impending secession of Lochäa cut the empire off from the Lower and Middle North since the region was now hardly safe.
Mesócrata's Rebelion
The next blow came from an epidemic from Mesócrata, which affected Phoeica in particular. Out of overwhelm, Mesócrata began a rebellion by 5667 A.I.D., only to sacrifice the advanced infrastructure based on cooperation with the other estates. The rebellion ate itself and after three years Mesócrata asked to be reinstated. This request led to massive internal strife, as Mesócrata attacked imperial estates. Over the Mesócrata issue, old conflicts between Humans, which had kept the empire in check until then, now erupted again.
The burdens of the war, the migration, the refugee crisis, and the epidemic in connection with the passive behavior of the Magotho favored the disintegration. The empire was massively weakened, even in the face of external enemies such as Falkland and Flarrock, who could only now think of showing off. Fundamental questions about the empire's self-image arose.
Nevertheless, the consolidation efforts were great and the continuation of humanist and enlightened policies was quite successful.
The Golden Age (5680 A.I.D. and 5900 A.I.D.)
The golden age marks the time between 6680 A.I.D. and 6900 A.I.D.. During this period, the empire regained relative stability. However, the general sense of security and the idea that the empire was invincible had passed.
The Fall (5900 - 5909 A.I.D.)
The fall of the empire was triggered by a completely unforeseen event.
Around 5900 A.I.D., there was a total breakdown of the government in Dracominor. Though the exact events are lost to history, almost the entire Magotho dynasty was wiped out overnight in the so-called Scarlet Night. The capital was destroyed and the violence quickly spread to Dracomayor, deeply shocking the empire.
Several cities initially declared themselves the new capital in the next two years, first Quanar, but also Ádron. Thanks to the shock of the war, there was no immediate succession war.
Shortly thereafter, two lost descendants of the Magotho - Emrag and Jumai - reappeared in 5903 A.I.D.. They settled in Quanar and convened a Reichstag, declaring the city the new capital. However, there were now great reservations about the dynasty. Communities and cities started to revolt
Hard Imperialism
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Out of insecurity Emrag and Jumai initiated the brief imperialist phase that ended the empire.
The new policy of the hard hand, which was characterized by imperial executions, turned supporters and opponents of the Magotho against each other in a war so that the entire empire sank into chaos and secessionist battles, known as the Imperial Cleavage Wars. Although it was possible to reconquer parts of the empire on various occasions, the empire had de facto dissolved. The imperialist policy also deprived the empire of its population of Old Ones, who disappeared into the darkness of history.
Increasingly, Dragons were now being hunted by Humans, as the majority of them (though often actually passively) sided with the Magotho, as an example of the increasing separation of the species.
Breakdown
Around 5909 A.I.D., the two surviving Magotho abandoned any efforts at ruling and retreated to an exile on the Thorntoll to raise their offspring.
For the next one and a half thousand years, the empire fell into oblivion. Especially the Humans turned away from the empire tradition and rejected both its records and ideas.
Legacy
A few countries directly or indirectly claim to be the successors of the Old Empire.
