Scarlet Moon Empire



= Scarlet Moon Empire = The Scarlet Moon Empire was an aristocratic imperial nation created in the Fourth Age by Barbossa Rugner. Considered the most powerful human nation in recorded history it controlled the North for most of its existence and for a period was seen as a serious rival to the Holy Kingdom of Ormindreal to its south. ↵

Formation - 171 The Fourth Age
↵Bards sing a song, 'A Scarlet Moon Rises'. In it, a young man offers his soul to a demon who in return gifts him an empire and the will to rule it.

It is a popular tale but records show not quite true. It also diminishes the accomplishments of the first Emperor, Barbossa Rugner, who turned a small harbour city into the capital of the greatest human civilisation to have ever existed.

Born twenty three years prior, Barbossa was a child of humble origins. After his mother had died during childbirth it was his father, Geil Rugner, a fisherman, who was left to raise the weakly boy. Suffering from a range of illnesses, Barbossa was unfit to follow in his fathers footsteps and so with his father away much of the time, the boy was left in the care of a family friend. It was during this time Barbossa was exposed to learning, benefiting from the treatises and old tomes of his carers office. He consumed everything put before him and hungered for more and as the years went on he began putting his mind to more practical pursuits. Studying oceanography and tidal currents Barbossa predicted with incredible accuracy where schools of the rarest fish of the region could be found at any given time and with this knowledge his father grew in status.

At fifteen, his father now commanded his own small group of trawlers. The more he developed, the more Barbossa was able to spread their influence. With his father as head of the family and the young boy happy to remain in the shadows, Scarletia itself began to benefit from the good fortune of this one family.

And so it continued in this way, the two men changing the fortunes of a forgotten part of the world into a thriving hub of activity, with merchant ships from the Anvil Isles to Port Izkas busying the bay outside. Then tragedy struck, it was rare for Geil to venture far from home after the fortune had been made but on one such occasion the family vessel left home but did not return. On a trip to the Anvil Isles it is said the ship strayed too close to the Calamity and was lost to that ancient, primal force. Many were in disbelief, an experienced sailor with great knowledge of the waters, for Geil to meet with such an ignominious end left the town in shock. With no body to bury, a vigil was held to commemorate the dead in the port that had grown so much. Barbossa stood for three days and as the sun set, in its place rose a blood moon. It was said this was the moment he made the fateful decision to become more. It is also the part in the tale where many believed he was spurred on by whatever dark pact he had made to kill his father to further pursue greater heights.

With his wealth and influence the shy, sickly boy was soon a respected leader. He pushed Scarletia to develop and grow and within a few years expanded the town into an impressive city. What's more, the small militia that had served as town guard were better armed and trained and they too were increased in size. It was around this time the other human nations, scattered across the north became aware the growing influence of this new 'Scarlet Moon Empire', sending envoys to ascertain the purpose of this great development. Barbossa told them, he intended on uniting humanity and would in short measure conquer the lands they had ruled for so long.

Outraged they began amassing their own forces and so in response Barbossa had 'little choice' but to develop his own further, expanding his borders as a preemptive action. Soon, the north was embroiled in war yet try as they might, none could defeat the Emperor. One by one he marched onward, crushing all opposition until with the defeat and exile of King Barov, Barbossa stood victorious at the head of a unified human empire that rivaled the Ormindreal in size.

The Moonrise War and The Scarlet Oath - 403 The Fourth Age
Despite a sense of inevitably for a war between the empire and its southern neighbors, peace held firm. Barbossa long since dead it was his decedent, Gregor, known as the Blood Moon that finally dared to believe the time of elves had ended and that it was humanity that should rule the continent. Bold, but not foolish, Gregor spent years bolstering his war machine, funneling all resources to the war effort. On the eve of his deceleration of war an assassin crept into his room and sat on his bed, or so the story goes. The assassin woke the titan (Gregor famously towered above most other humans) and posed him a question, "Will you die today, alone? Or in a year with the blood of thousands on your hands?" For a warrior like Gregor it was a simple answer and so the assassin left, wordlessly, seemingly content with his answer. The curious part of the tale often forgotten is it was no elf that spoke with the emperor that night, but a human. And so a year of bloody war was unleashed, like the Merrshaulk before the Scarlet Moon drove into Ormindreal lands but once again were repelled. Wave after wave of battalions burned forests and spilled elven blood but never enough. Organised, resilient and ultimately more skilled at war, Gregor was forced back. On the anniversary of the outbreak of conflict, as Gregor plotted his next assault he ordered all of fighting age to bolster his dwindling forces. Maddened by defeat he retired to his tent, keen to rise early and once again push south. He never rose, he was discovered dead with a single, odd wound in his forehead. Sentries described a single sound, a marriage of magic and steel and then silence. Whatever had killed Gregor, his son, Barbossa 3rd understood the message and with little appetite to continue the pointless war, met with the Ormindreal and signed into existence the 'Scarlet Oath', a promise to not only end hostilities but to never again move Scarlet Moon troops past Nefa Anore. The Ormindreal had beaten back two empires in the age and as had always been the way, pulled back to within their borders and returned once more to internal matters. To the Scarlet Moon it was a reminder why their elven neighbors had endured for millennia whilst empires had long since crumbled to dust.↵

844 - The War of the Moons

In the period since war the Scarlet Moon continued to prosper, consolidating its position as a major trading nation it reaped the benefit of it's proximity to the ores of the Anvil Isles and underwent lengthy voyages to previously faraway destinations like Port Izkas. It was during this period of growth that Emperor Gael became the father to twins, Romas and Rema. Growing up at the height of the empires power the pair were afforded every luxury but seemingly touched by the same genius as their ancestor Barbossa, spurred comfort and decadence for what in time they both came to believe the empire required, progress.

Romas was a gifted military strategist and spied oppertunity in the frozen northlands long left alone, seen as wild places. Monsters of legend freely roamed the tundra and only the fierce tribal Goliath people seemed to survive. Desiring expansion and realising the folly of ever marching against the Ormindreal, Romas took several legions beyond the shields mountain range. His father, a nervous man loved his children and desired only stability yet saw in both of them the stuff of legends.

For eleven long years Romas fought in the snow with fiercely loyal soldiers, in those dark winter years they forged bonds that would stand the test of time. Romas was respected and loved and not only was his campaign successful, it was a triumph. He increased the land of the Scarlet Moon Empire into hitherto unknown places and gathered resources from these forgotten lands. It was during this lengthy expedition he became known as the 'Snow Moon'.

Yet his brother, Rema was by no means his inferior. Possessing the same bloodline as great warrior emperors before him he grew into a fine young man. Blessed with great strength and wisdom and where his brother sought expansion of the borders, Rema sought expansion of his self. Journeying throughout the realm he was known for his good looks, approachable nature and singing voice said to be the finest of any human. The people loved him and yet his desire to learn, to see the world remained undiminished. At twenty he sailed east, to the Anvil Isles and the traditionally reclusive dwarven kingdom of Undermountain. He spent four years in those deep places and was too loved by the dwarf folk. It is said Rema did more for human-dwarf relations than any human before or since. Yet he was not sated and similar journeys awaited him in the Ormindreal where he was said to have done much to heal the mistrust many had for his people. And then, across the Inner Sea to the west he sailed with the tabaxi, hunted with the aarakocra and studied at the Rukmia institute of the Arcane for a time, where he excelled at the druidic arts. Indeed, it is around this time he earned his nickname, for when not in human form he was said to favour that of a white wolf, and so he became known as the 'Wolf Moon'.

It seems inevitable now then that as Romas was finishing up his conquest of the north and Rema preparing for a journey across the Pale Beyond, tragedy struck. Emperor Gael Rugner succumbed to illness and died. The line of succession had been known since the twins birth, Rema had been born first, by several minutes and so was set to inherit the throne. Yet as the two returned home to bury their father, a foreboding red moon hung above the realm. As the body of the Emperor lay in state the two sons came together for the first time since childhood. Romas declared his intentions quickly. "Seven minutes will not deny me the crown nor a brother besotted with the horizon impede my accession to the title emperor."

The legions loyal to Romas struck, as had been his plan all along. Rema was seized and imprisoned and Romas did exactly what he had set out to do, he took the title of emperor and now at the height of its power the Scarlet Moon Empire was in the hands of one of the greatest strategic minds in history. Decent was quelled swiftly and those loyal to Rema were seized and impriosned alongside him or killed outright. It is said a red moon follows death, never before had it been more true.

Time passed. Emperor Romas Rugner set to work consolidating his power, his armies bolstered by unwilling small folk, Aletrias spoke of the agony of war that was to come again. Would humans once again march south, breaking the treaty that had stood for centuries? Would they sail east to pillage the Anvil Isles? As the fires of war bellowed and the question lingered, Rema remained captive. Why the newly crowned emperor never executed his brother we may never know. Was it love? Honour? To many in his closest circle it was a mistake and so in time they were proved right.

Much has been said of the love of Rema. In his journeys across the continent he had met many and helped more. A warrior without equal he had earned the respect of all races with his willingness to fight for righteous causes and help those who needed helping, for no other reason than it was the right thing to do. Heir to an empire, he could have chosen a life of luxury and never left Scarletia, but in the dirt, under the stars he found kinship. Kin that upon hearing the fate of their friend did exactly what they believed Rema would do, they came to help. Much is written of this alliance, from different races and faiths, bards who sing of the 'Bonds of Friendship' and 'The Twin Moons' may do the tale more justice, for it indeed takes its rightful place in the pantheon of legendary stories that are still told. The facts however are quite simple, this fellowship came to Scarletia and rescued their friend. Fleeing north Rema recovered his strength and made the fateful decision that was said to wound him deeper than any blade ever had. He would rally those loyal to the true emperor and stop his brother.

The War of the Moons had begun. A civil war that would cripple the Scarlet Moon Empire and would begin a period of decline it would never recover from.

Four long years of war ravaged the land, though Rema was a great warrior, his brother knew war better and had access to resources. The rebellion relied on luck, good will and its righteousness to endure and eventually, after many great battle it began to turn the tide. By cover of darkness and deep within the Crownswood Rema stunned his brother with a long march over a week, barely stopping for rest. Many an army would have given in, wouldn't have endured but so loyal were the troops under his command they followed him without hesitation. And so the army emerged. Romas was caught off guard, his flank exposed his rushed to regroup, assuming his brother would make for Scarletia. Charging south it was only as the first arrows fell he realised his error. Rema's target wasn't the capital, it was his brothers army. And so the final battle began, 'The Battle at The First Wound' was bloody and both sides suffered heavy losses. As perhaps was written in the stars, the twins found one another on the battlefield. Romas, clad in bronze and wielding his fathers blade, the 'Holy Avenger' he charged down Rema, who fought on foot with his great axe. In a furious coming together of the fates the pair did do battle that day, equally matched many surrounding them stopped their own conflict to watch the warriors clash. A nation held its breath. When the combat took its toll the pair, barely able to walk let alone fight, came together and fought hand to hand in the mud. Romas, convinced of his destiny, Rema, the rightful heir threw what little strength they had at each other until finally, Romas fell. Rema, victorious took up his fathers sword, his birthright and held it aloft. There was one more thing he had to do. And yet as strong as he was, Rema now faltered. Suddenly, he saw not a tyrant, but a brother, a man burdened by a cruel destiny thrust upon so many that shared his blood. The onlookers were stunned, Rema dropped the blade and offered to his brother a hand, "I do not yet know what it is, but there has to be a better way. Will you help me find it?"

The land once more fell into a deathly silence, Romas extended his hand and for the briefest of moments a hope flashed before the world, that man could be better. What happened perhaps betrays his true nature. Romas brought forward a dagger and struck it into the neck of his twin. Rema did not fight back, he merely embraced his brother one final time before falling to his knees, his life taken.

In the confusion the emperors personal guard were able to push forward, they rescued him and rode east to the ocean  whilst chaos erupted behind them. The War of the Moons was over, it's legacy one of fratricide and pain. As the soldiers loyal to him awaited his command Romas was silent. He who had been decisive all his life could not believe what his brother had done, beyond the horizon he stared, unbeknownst to him at the same scene his ancestor, Barbossa, had done many centuries prior. Wordlessly he boarded a ship, alone, and sailed away towards the same calamity that had taken his forefather and birthed the empire and its legacy of blood. He was never heard from again.

903 - Stagnation and Decline
With the War of the Moons over it was said the true heirs to Barbossa were all gone. A collection of cousins and branch house members rose to power and the title Emperor lingered. Indeed, with such large swathes of territory held for so long the race of man could scarcely imagine a time without a single leader. The period after civil war was one of decline, the brilliance and reinvention of Emperors gone by had been replaced with avarice and contentment. The dark side of humanity showed itself and Emperors came and went, petty despots and uninspired fools most. The period saw two Emperors named 'The Cruel' (Udnir and Barbossa X), one named 'The Mad' (Barbossa XI) and three killed before their fifteenth birthday. As trade routes dried up and the military fell into ruin it is said that humankind is fortunate it bordered the Ormindreal, for a more opportunistic race may have taken advantage of this apathy. It took four hundred years and a new age for the decay to finally bring about its ruin, by then it was mostly lawless and the smallfolk cried out for change.

593 - Collapse
With the death of Arnault Rugner, his son, Barbossa XV took the throne. A young, selfish man he filled the palace at Scarletia with debauchery and violence. Still surrounded by people who believed in what the Empire stood for he wished to turn their focus away from him and so ordered the greatest knight of the age, Sir Oskar Hawkswood North to Anoi-Lao, to bring the Tortle people into the fold of the Empire or destroy them. The campaign was to last years and would remove those who opposed Barbossa from the capital and potentially see them freeze to death in the northern snow.

They did not.

Much and more is written on Sir Oskar Hawkswood, widely regarded as the finest example of human chivalry in history. Obeying his Emperor he took as sizeable force and marched north. Where he rode the people loved him and on his journey wherever a settlement was in need, or a dispute needed arbitration, he was there, personally helping solve the problems of the realm he had sworn to defend. The march took some time and when he finally crossed into the north it was said he came face to face with the choice that would determine the fate of the Empire. Serve the Emperor or the people. He vanished with his company and to Barbossa's delight was not heard from again.. until years later.

Word arrived at Scarletia that not only had SIr Hawkswood retutned, he was in open rebellion. As he marched South the smallfolk flocked to him, his numbers swelled and in his fury, the cruel Barbossa heard voices of dissent in all shadows. His advisors, friends and even a sister were all put to death as he clumsily sent forces chasing after the seasoned military commander. They all failed, Sir Hawkswood was coming with the Holy Avenger, the ancestral blade of his house. When he arrived at the gates of Scarletia the outcome was inevitable, yet Barbossa has one cruel trick left to play. The men loyal to him rounded up all the citizens of the city and a proclamation was made, he would have them all killed in three days unless Sir Oskar surrendered. Given little choice, the knight, against the will of almost everyone, walked forth and accpeted his Emperors punishment. Barbossa himself swung the sword after the knight was given his last words to a frightened populace,

'“A knight needs not sword nor shield to enact justice, nor does a man need the title sir to do the right thing. To each of you I ask this, who are you? Do you serve Emperor, King or Gods? Or do you serve neighbor, decency and friend. I die knowing the answer, I pray you find yours.”'

Barbossa XV took the life of Sir Hawkswood and legend has it not another soldier would obey his commands, the Emperor was left absolutely alone. Powerless and driven mad he was killed by the smallfolk he had ruled so cruelly over. So fell the Scarlet Moon Empire.

Geography
↵Spanning vast territories controlled by regional dukes the Scarlet Moon terrain ranged from frigid snow capped mountains in the far north to warmer climates by the ocean in the South by the capital Scarletia. ↵

Politics
↵The Emperor maintained absolute authority within the Empire and ruled from the capital Scarletia. ↵

Notable members of the Scarlet Moon Empire

 * Sir Galen Hawkswood
 * Barobossa Rugner
 * Sir Oskar Hawkswood