Verilius Imperium

The Verilius Imperium is perhaps the oldest nation in all of Estoria, formed in the year 485 of the First Era. It has stood steadfast ever since, growing to be the largest empire in the world's history and remaining so for several centuries. Only in the Third Era did its domain shrink, bringing it now to a mere shadow of its former glory, nestled between Stahlheim to the west and the nations of the Kretingan Order to the east. It has remained untouched by the last great March of the Damned, however, and though it is not so great as it once was all of the Imperium clings tightly to the traditions that once saw them rule the world. Their legions are feared even today: Disciplined, professional soldiers who will stop at nothing to bring glory to Verilius and the Empire. Their isolation has kept them far from world politics and their history of subjugating has seen them with few allies, but so long as the Emperor is strong and the Eternal City has not fallen, the Imperium is never far from greatness.

Geography
The Verilius Imperium is currently a landlocked nation, surrounded by the Stahlheimian Empire to the west and the Kretingan Order to the east. It has survived in large part due to the make of its lands, a rise of nearly impassable mountains and harsh winters making any foe think twice before attempting to take on the Imperium. It is a beautiful valley that resides within these all encompassing mountains, arable soil and lush vegetation making the Imperium's land the envy of the Estorian world. This unique combination has allowed not only survival of the Imperium but the ability to thrive, excessive losses of land and countless wars never managing to breach the home province. The Eternal City is named as such for a reason: It has never been tarnished by war or taken by any foe.

Economy
The Imperium's economy was once the greatest in the world, spreading from the ports of Lorenthal to the city-states of Varese. Even with its fall from greatness it manages to thrive and hold firm. The Imperium has remained isolated by choice for nearly a century, relying only on its vast natural resources to build upon former glory and commemorate long past victories with magnificent statues. The Imperium has many resources that would make for lucrative trade, but as of yet the Emperor has refused to open the old trade routes that once filled the coffers of Verilius. This isolation has had a unique effect upon the Imperium, contributing to huge amounts of growth in infrastructure that does not reach the rest of the world and a failure to keep up with the newest technologies of the rest of Estoria.

Religion
The Imperium can lay claim to one of the world's oldest religions, known as Veriliusi Paganism. It was formed perhaps even the worship of the Old Ones, and for a long time was the world's premier religion. As the Imperium spread over most of the known world, nations that fell under its domain adopted its religion and worshiped the many Gods of the Imperium. It is now found hardly anywhere except the Imperium, near all nations following the Old Ones in the process of overthrowing the Imperium and most nations converting to the Church of Ignis at the end of the Third Era. As such, the Imperium is essentially alone in their faith, though no other nation has dared assault their domain to try and convert them. Missionaries that reach their borders are turned away, and those that refuse to leave are executed as an affront to the Gods and Imperial authority.

Culture
The culture of the Imperium can be found in bits and pieces throughout the known world, for at one time it was a culture shared by almost all. Many languages still bear the inflection of the Veriliusi tongue, roads and walls of the Imperium still grace foreign infrastructure, and the calendar universally used throughout Estoria was an invention of the Imperium. As such, the Veriliusi people are extremely proud: anad rightfully so, they would say. They are a determined people, and once set upon a goal will approach that goal in every way possible until it is achieved. No obstacle can stop their ambition, and those who attempt to curb them can expect to be crushed by the weight of their wealth or the might of their legions. Even centuries of decline have not blunted this attitude, the Imperium's citizens more determined than ever to abandon their isolation and once more carve the world to their own liking. They are a people who highly value intelligence and service, and though these traits can be found among the Veriliusi it also lends them a certain haughtiness. They deify the heroes that best represent their ideals, and the punishment for failure or betrayal is harsh indeed. Such is the way in the Imperium.

Politics
The politics of the Imperium are dominated by the Emperor and his heirs, certainly, but his powers are not entirely absolute. The People's Voice serves as a sizable legislative body, affluent citizens who have either greatly contributed to the Imperium or who have achieved military success retaining a seat. Each man or woman within is given a voice, allowing them to propose laws for the Emperor as well as determine how best to enforce laws already in place. If the Emperor declares war, the People's Voice maintains the right to deny his declaration with a unanimous vote, though this has happened only once in the Imperium's history.

Military
The Veriliusi army revolutionized the way battles were fought, and though the Imperium itself grew weak over the years it was because of too few troops rather than too weak troops. The soldiers of the Imperium, dubbed Legionnaires, have long been considered some of the finest in the world. Their harsh training and sense of bortherhood makes them coherent and disciplined, their culture makes them brave and desire glory, and their home's wealth allows them suitable equipment. The Legions of the Imperium are far fewer in number than they once were, but 10 yet remain. Each legion has 5,000 trained legionnaires within its ranks, though the First Legion has 10,000 men. This puts estimates by outsiders of the Imperium's forces at approximately 55,000, by no means the largest army in Estoria but truly a powerful one if composed entirely of trained soldiers. This martial force ensures peace within the Imperium's borders, and the rest of Estoria must always prepare that one day the Imperium will deign to rule the world again.

History
The people of the Verilius Imperium have existed within their bountiful haven for countless centuries, and all those around them were jealous of their bountiful wealth. The Veriliusi people were under constant threat and endless attacks, leading them to develop the world's oldest professional army as well as a great distaste for outsiders. The Imperium itself was forged out of necessity for a strong leader, enemies that set upon Verilium from all sides threatening to overtake it. The ruling body(consisting largely of affluent citizens) was helpless to do anything, lost in the struggles of bureaucracy. A leader known now only as Caesarus the Indomitable proclaimed himself Emperor and founder of the Verilius Imperium. Though there were some skeptics, his unending devotion and daring bravado saw others gather around him. He quickly reversed the troubles of Verilium, pushing back would-be invaders and panhandlers from all sides. He was not happy with simple existence, however.

From there, Caesarus attacked in every possible direction. He expanded his territories well past those of the former invaders, taking whatever nation he could and coercing those that would not buckle they would be better served under his rule. He established the Imperium as an absolute monarchy, demolishing those that stood in his path and creating the world'sa first true super power. From there the Imperium stretched onwards, and those that came to rule after him would see it stretch from the border states of Kretinga to the coasts of Lorenthal. In the course of its existence, the Imperium ruled fully over every modern Estorian nation save for Vasteras and Kronstadt. Over centuries of decline these holdings were lessened, the Maelstrom seeing some fall and their ill-tempered subjects bringing about the demise of others. The current borders of the Imperium were only barely maintained during the Siege of Eternity, an assault on the walls of the Eternal City by nearly endless enemies. The legions of the Imperium barely managed to keep the city pure and absent of intruders, and the following peace treaty saw them pay no reparations. They have existed in self-imposed isolation ever since, rebuilding and expanding their strength while avoiding those who they feel who have wronged them and their legacy.

Recent Events
The Imperium has recently tested the waters of the outside world, opening its gates for the first time in centuries to outsiders. Emissaries from other nations have been allowed within, though for what reason remains known only to the Emperor. With the Imperial Legions ever ready to march, only time will tell what the Imperium's intents for the outside world are.