Transcribed by Kardan Verigio

While I cannot do justice to illustrate the time period that was still living memory to such greats as Denares the Scribe, I can leave a few notes that I recall from my brief studies into the period.

While the Empire was originally founded by Emperor Vicarian of House Eldstone, formerly Lord Leoris Vicarian of Caladona, it was little more than a city-state for nearly two centuries, having small but measured successes against the other Cities of Saronae. Villages and towns would swear fealty or switch allegiances near annually, often depending upon which army stood at their gates. 

It wasn’t until the rise of Emperor Asyrus that the Empire truly began its march toward becoming the monolithic entity that ruled over much of the known world. He gathered five generals, each of them with experience in fighting against the other City-States, and focused them against the much smaller city of Tytheros. It is mentioned elsewhere that Tytheros was ruled by a senile King called Zadares during that time, and his heirs were too busy squabbling over the throne for any single one of them to take charge and lead a successful defense of the city.

Thus, Tytheros fell. However, instead of putting their rulership to the sword, Emperor Asyrus put King Zadares and his three children, Shavia, Meshon, and Ardessian in a room with a single sword, under the caveat that only would be allowed to leave. An hour later a knock came at the door, and Shavia emerged, sword dripping with the blood of her brothers and father. Asyrus allowed her to rule Tytheros as his vassal.

Two years would pass before King Marestes of Altorra would send an emissary to the Emperor, seeking a union between the Emperor and Princess Lyvernia of Altorra. Less than a year would pass before the wedding resulted in the birth of a daughter, Cyrie.

With the might of three of the city-states at his beckoning, it wasn’t but five years before the forces of Emperor Asyrus rode forth again, this time to carve territory from Nacizain. The forces of King Legarro held out for another five years, forcing every single village and town to be taken after a particularly brutal battle. When Legarro finally surrendered, he stabbed his sword into the ground and snapped the blade, and took up a life of pacifism.

The mountain state of Myrneas was the next goal of Emperor Asyrus, and he spent several months planning with his generals on how to best begin the campaign. As fate would have it, the next year saw a terrible drought that caused the arid lands of Myrneas to produce minimal crops, and after blockading the port town of Caracathos, the armies of Myrneas crumbled amidst desertion and hunger.

A final city stood against Emperor Asyrus, the lands of Verosca. A campaign of less than a decade had brought five of the Great Cities of Saronae under a single banner, leaving only the vast hills and island fortresses of Verosca to stand against the Empire. 

It is said that over a decade would pass while the Empire slowly drove forward until finally the armies of Verosca stood with their backs to the sea. Seeing an inevitable defeat and not wishing for her people to endure further sieges, Queen Elyrria offered peace.

Thus, Emperor Asyrus unified the Great Cities of Saronae. Afterward, his silhouette would go on to mark the much-used copper coins in great circulation throughout the Realm, and he would be surrounded by six stars, one for each of the Great Cities. On the opposite side of the coin is a depiction of Caladona during the second century of the Empire.