Caledonian Empire

The Benevolent Empire of the Caledonian Family [Imperium Caledonium Senatus populusque Caledonius] (SPQR) The Senate and People of Caledonia
c296 BC–573 AD
Andreas II of Andante
The Caledonian Empire at its greatest extent in 235 AD The Caledonian Empire at its greatest extent in 235 AD
Capital	Chong-Hue until 174 BC Edinburgh Until Fall of Empire
Common languages	Scots & Latin
Religion	Pluralistic Christianity after 230 AD
Government	Autocracy
Emperor
• 296 - 267 BC	Stanislav I
• 267 - 250 BC	Vladimir "The Gorer" I
• 250 - 202 BC	Andreas I
• 202 - 181 BC	Stanislav "The Good-Natured" II
• 3 BC - 47 AD	Karl "The Beheader"
• 134 - 197 AD	Kris "The Cupar"
• 213 - 265 AD	Constantine
Legislature	Senate
Historical era	Classical antiquity
• Final War of the Caledonian Empire	567 - 573
• Stanislav Caledonia Becomes First Emperor of Chong-Hue	c296 BC
• Virkin Clan Defeated.	267 BC
• Edinburgh becomes new imperial capital.	174 BC
• Chong-Hue is lost to the Kingdom of Fife.	BC 35
• At Its Greatest Extent	235
• Caledonian Navy Defeated at The Blade.	476
• The Callander War	523 - 573
• Edinburgh is Burnt to Ground. Empire Falls.	23rd December 573 AD
Area
50 BC	576,287 km2 (222,506 sq mi)
235 AD	3,459,000 km2 (1,336,000 sq mi)
573 AD	1,823,000 km2 (704,000 sq mi)
Population
• 50 BC	2,300,000
• 235 AD	12,000,000
• 573 AD	9,000,000
Currency	Dolaserviticus
Preceded by Caledonian Empire
Today part of	Nouvel Ecosse, Plätteisen Adler & Glisandia

The Caledonian Empirewas one of the earliest and largest Astyrian Empires, spanning much of the North of the continent of Lorecia, in modern-day Nouvel Ecosse, Plätteisen Adler and Glisandia. It was the first dominant civilisation in the north of Lorecia, and its rulers were from the Caledonia Dynasty, a long family stretching back to one hundred years before the beginnings of the Empire in 296 BC.

The Empire was officially at its largest around 235 AD, before numerous poor leaders destabilized the regime. It entered a period of Civil War from 342 AD, and would never recover, officially ending with the sacking of Edinburgh in 573 AD.

Because of the Empire's vast extent longevity, the institutions and culture of Caledonia had a profound and lasting influence on the development of language, religion, architecture, philosophy, law, and forms of government.

The History of The Caledonian Empire

Stanislav Caledonia I 296 BC - 267 BC

The Caledonian Empire officially came into existence when Stanislav Caledonia I rose to the position of Emperor of Chong-Hue in 296 BC. Originally protecting the small, helpless farmlands around the City of Chong-Hue, the 'Empire' gradually began to expand, protecting these farmlands and villages from the threat of Yellosian Raids. However, around this time, a new, more powerful and barbaric menace grew out of the surrounding tribes. The Virkins were vicious and savage fighters, however with orginisation on the battlefield a formidable opponent for any army. It was at Starkley Hill that the two Empires first clashed, and with their "Andante" style of attack the Virkins edged their opponents, claiming a close victory, with the remnants of the Caledonian army on retreat. The Caledonian Empire would regroup and build back up its ranks, and on returning to Starkley Hill would trample the Virkin Army. The rivalry would culminate in the historic Great Battle of Channel Shore in 267 BC, where although the Virkins were defeated with ease, the ageing Emperor of the Caledonians, Stanislav I, was slaughtered by a Virkin fighter. The King of the Virkins was beheaded, and the surviving remnants of the Virkin Army adopted into the Caledonian ranks.

Vladimir 'The Gorer' I 267 - 250 BC

Vladimir 'The Gorer', son of the killed Stanislav, would ascend to the throne, and his first act was to order the deaths of his uncles, who he believed to be conspiring against him. However, against his barbaric, insane methods, Vladimir would refuse to expand the borders of the Empire. Some historians put it down to the paranoia created from the death of his Father leading the Army, whilst others associate it with the fact that Yellosian raids continued to trouble the growing Empire. The Strachan Clan would rise to prominence to the West of the Caledonians during this period, bringing savageness that even the Virkins couldn't match. But at home, the Strachans were civilised, artistic beings, the City of Vivace being a cradle of Art and Philosophy. When the Strachans began raids on outlying Caledonian villages, Vladimir was forced to lead the attack, and the City of Vivace, alongside the Strachans, were razed to the ground. In his later life, Vladimir would descend further into his insanity, and after murdering one of his sons the eldest Andreas was forced to in turn kill his father.

Andreas I 250 BC - 202 BC

Andreas I restored order and civility to the Empire. "The Night of the Many Deaths" saw 400 Virkin and Strachan descendents in the Caledonian Army hanged in the City of Chong-Hue. Andreas also faced his power on the Yellosian raiders, who were mainly attacking ships destined for Edinburgh, outside of Caledonia's influence but still a major trading partner. Under Andreas I, the borders of the Empire would hardly change, barely fluctuating. But the strength of the Empire multiplied gloriously. Dissent amongst the workers and soldiers was at an all-time low, and the farmers who had feared for their lives under Vladimir now felt safe.

Stanislav 'The Good-Natured' II 202 BC - 181 BC

After Andreas' death, his son, Stanislav II, or Stanislav "The Good-Natured", ascended to the title of Emperor. Under his reign, the Empire would once again grow, but he would do it rather peacefully. Even the City of Vivace, burned to the ground by his grandfather, would be rebuilt, once again focusing on the architectural and artistic values which had made it such a success before. The Army was sent out to gradually increase control, and hearing of the benefits many farmers gave up without a fight. But Stanislav's reign was short-lived in comparison to his predecessors. He would die in his forties, assassinated by his cousin Kerzhog, who would become Emperor, Stanislav lacking a son.

File:Caledonian Empire conquest of Edinburgh.png

The Empire by 170 BC

Kerzhog I 181 BC - 149 BC

Emperor Kerzhog was ruthless yet respected. In 176 BC, Kerzhog personally lead the attack on the bustling port of Edinburgh, an attack which the limited defended merchants cracked under easily and with little resistance. For both sides it was win-win situation; the merchants would receive more protection from the Yellosian raiding forces, and the Empire would receive taxes from goods coming through the port. With its size and tactical land location, Edinburgh was also more easily defended than Chong-Hue, which was open to attack from all areas, and so in 174 BC Emperor Kerzhog I moved all the vital operations of the Empire to Edinburgh, where he not only established the City Protectorate, but also began the formation of the Great Caledonian Navy. Of all the Emperors of Caledonia, Kerzhog was the most tactically astute, and his feats as Emperor lead on to create the basis for the future Empire's expansion. The creation of the navy would be vital in combating not only the Yellosians, but also the future Callenders. Kerzhog would die a rather ennoble death aged in his sixties, falling from the city walls to his death in the surrounding ocean.

Kurt I & Dagovich I 149 BC - 133 BC

Kerzhog's son and heir Kurt's reign was a sad yet romantic affair, lasting only three years. A passionate lover of the arts, he died aged 27 from pneumonia whilst leading his Army Northwards in the hopes of expanding the Empire. Caught in a devastating blizzard during the winter months, the battalion was stranded, and many, including the Emperor, were to weak to withstand its freezing cold. Despite setting off with heroic intentions, the bodies would return frozen solid. His brother, Dagovich, was equally as heroic in his intentions, although much less head-strong. He knew of the threats that the North brought with them, most notably the warrior clans who resided there who had adapted to their environment, and so instead pushed westwards, towards the Fife Hochlands. Nearly impassable, they seperated the Caledonia Empire from what would become one of their greatest threats, the Kingdom of Fife.

File:Caledonian Empire and other empires..png

The Empire (Blue) 129 BC. Fife (Brown), Callander (Red) & Ice Tribes (Green Area) also shown.

Dagovich would meet his end when murdered by his advisor and cousin Commandante whilst planning to cross the mountains. Commandante believed that the South was a much easier conquest, and that Dagovich would destroy the Empire with his plans.

Commandante I 133 BC - 89 BC

Commandante's reign is remembered as the period where the germanic, almost Yellosian people of modern-day Plätteisen Adler were conquered, and the return to the North. Leading his now all powerful Army, the newly crowned Caledonia Protectorate, Commandante I conquered the Land between the modern day Nouvel Ecosse Border and the Wikinger Meeresarm, a powerful feat considering the nature of the area, covered in thick woodland and teeming in hoardes of brutish warriors. Although the Empire would never make it to the modern Yellow Star Republic, they would get close, eventually stopping at the Ferdinand Rhein, which was uncrossable due to harsh flooding. The brutish warriors, once 'tamed', were then a vital part in the Caledonian Army. Commandante then began expanding northwards, leading his army against the Ice Tribes to the north. Despite his army's size and skill, they lost numerous battles to the Tribes, most notably at the modern-day Matveyez. After a victory at Moon Town, the Caledonian Army chased the Tribes to Winterfield, where, in a cunning battle, the tribes overwhelmed the Army. Commandante was captured and sentenced to death, and drowned under the ice.

Darien I 89 BC - 67 BC & Andreas II 67 BC - 23 BC

Commandante's brother, Darien, seeked revenge for his brother's killing, and sent a legion of the Platteisen Adler Germanic warriors after the Ice Tribes. Although the Germanic people were from warmer climates, their hunting and tracking skills came into great use and they successfully followed the Tribes northwards to Stramtan, a growing settlement on the banks of the Merihobu Jarv. A small distance away in the pine forests that surrounded the Loch the warriors camped whilst two returned to bring legions of the Caledonian Army to the Tribes' location. What followed was the infamous "Battle of Merihobu", a bloody and well-fought victory for the Caledonian Empire and the eventual incorporation of the entire Ice tribes to the Caledonia Empire. Darien would be murdered in his sleep by a former tribesman in revenge for their father's death, and his son Andreas would replace him. Andreas II was the first Emperor to not personally lead his Army in combat. A weak and scrawny man, he avoided all forms of physical exertion, even hunting, which had been a popular past-time of his fore-fathers. From his throne in Edinburgh, he attempted to rule the Empire, but with no experience of the front it was a disaster. Although he was Emperor for forty-four years, the Empire actually lost land, with many of the tribes claiming land back. He would die of a heart attack aged in his sixties, the Empire disintegrating around him. One major loss was the city of Chong-Hue, which was claimed by a ragged pack of barbarians from modern-day Glisandia.

Cavillus I 23 BC - 3 BC

Although Cavillus only reigned for twenty years, his reign is often described by historians as one of the most important. It was under Cavillus that the construction of the Stanislav Wall began, a vital defense in the future Wars in protecting Edinburgh, and it was also under Cavillus that what is now modern-day Glisandia became subject of invasion. In addition to this, he also halted the decline of the Empire's lands, and once again the Empire began to flourish, with Chong-Hue once again reclaimed. His first act as Emperor was, seeing the potential of future invasion of his lands, to begin the construction of a great wall stretching from near modern Walrus Harbour to the Caledonian Sea.