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Of Princes and Power

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~A Roleplay from the Shattered Empire Series~

The year is 4E 28 and the mighty Cyrodiilic Empire has finally taken its last breath. Having no legitimate heir to the throne, the Elder Council had taken the responsibility of governing the Empire and all of its provinces upon the apotheosis of Martin Septim. Needless to say, personal interests soon became a priority in the Councillors' agendas, and as the years passed, corruption took hold of the Elder Council. Contradicting claims to the throne were made by many. Distant cousins, supposed bastards, and diluted branches of the Septim line attempted to claim the mantle of Emperor. Several of Cyrodiil's most prominent noble families also strung their banners with the red diamond. An unavoidable struggle for power ensued. The capital province split into a collection of warring city-states and factions, all vying for the empty throne. In the end, the once great Cyrodiilic Empire forged by Tiber Septim brought about its own death. The Imperial City and White Gold Tower was sacked in 4E 8. During Cyrodiil's self inflicted downfall, many of the provinces saw a chance to relieve themselves of their Imperial overlords, who were now weakened considerably. When the Empire finally achieved a fragile stability late into the first half the century, the seams sewn by Talos had already unraveled and Tamriel was no longer united.

Morrowind was the first to secede, as was expected by many, raising their banners in the first few years after the Oblivion Crisis. The Dunmeri nation had long held contempt for the Imperials and their empire. The nation of Resdayn was forged anew, and the traditional aristocratic house system reigned supreme once again. With their Imperial supporters and main source of income gone, House Hlaalu lost the majority of its power and support. During the initial revolt, Great House Redoran, Great House Indoril, and the Temple struck the first blow to its old nemesis. House Hlaalu and the remnants of the Imperial Legions fought a losing battle against the combined force of the Great Houses and the Temple. They were finally driven back the very borders of southwest Resdayn where they remained locked in a cold war.

The second nation to secede was the Altmeri nation of the Summerset Isles; however, not long after their secession, a war began within their own borders. Two radical groups, the Thalmor and the Beautiful, fought a long and brutal war for power over the Isles. The Thalmor emerged victorious after over a decade of conflict. Soon after the victory of the Thalmor, Valenwood seceded from the Shattered Empire as well. Rumors have spread of an imminent invasion by the Thalmor, who have dominated politics in the south. Rumors have also spread that Elsweyr is next to join the ranks of the Dominion; though, nothing can be said for certain.

Black Marsh, Hammerfell, and Skyrim soon followed. Hammerfell maintained some semblance of order and split into a system of confederated city-states. In Skyrim a brief civil war broke out resulting in a white peace and the crowning of a new High King. After its succession, Black Marsh was consumed in a flurry of tribal wars. However, a few of the larger northern tribes have allied and taken up arms against the Dres and Hlaalu of Resdayn.

High Rock was the last to secede from the Empire and did so without incident or conflict. The Empire's hands were full with the internal struggle for power; they offered no resistance as the independent states of High Rock seceded one by one.

The independent states that once formed High Rock warred between themselves for a long time. As time passed and wars raged, many of the lesser kingdoms began swear fealty to the larger and more prominent political powers of High Rock. Eventually nine realms reigned over the entirety of the province, including the now independent nation of Orsinium. Of the eight Bretic realms four allegiances were born: Daggerfall and Camlorn allied in the West, Northpoint and Shornhelm in the North, Wayrest and Evermore in the South. Jehanna and Farrun were lost to Nordic hosts under the new High King in his wars of expansionism, and the Reach has gained a fragile independence.

The political situation in High Rock in tense to say the least. Wayrest and Daggerfall are at each others throats once again. The ongoing cold war between the two superpowers has done nothing but raise the tension to a climix; something will happen, sooner rather than later, that is certain. Northpoint is recovering from a long and bloody war with the now vassalized Shornhelm, trying to hold itself together as the West and East press against its sides.

But before High Rock became a battlefield of Princes and Powers, there were the stories of the countless citizens of the land of the Bretons. There was the struggle of the peasantry, the adventures of the warriors, and the revelry of the nobility. These are their stories ...

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You may be wondering, what is this thread, and how does it fit in with the other two threads in the “Of Princes and Power” series? Well, think of this as a prequel thread. This is a thread designed for all players, new or old, to be able to write about any characters or events of their choosing. You may choose who you wish to play, so long as it is within reason. Keep in mind, you don’t necessarily have to make a character sheet for every person you write as in this thread.

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Maps:

http://rapidshare.com/files/1272078555/High%20Rock%2001.png (File is clean. It's my personal Rapidshare account)

http://i41.tinypic.com/714jlf.jpg

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The Official "Shattered Empire Series Wiki"

Of Princes and Power is the first of many roleplays to come in the "Shattered Empire Series." More information on the series as well as Of Princes and Power can be found on the official Wiki at http://theshatteredempireseries.wikia.com/wiki/The_Shattered_Empire_Series_Wiki.

Information regarding Of Princes and Power.

http://theshatteredempireseries.wikia.com/wiki/The_Characters

http://theshatteredempireseries.wikia.com/wiki/The_Factions

http://theshatteredempireseries.wikia.com/wiki/Of_Princes_and_Power

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Other Chapters:

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1343716-of-princes-and-power-chapter-i-a-game-of-pawns/

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1456030-of-princes-and-power-chpt2-the-queens-gambit/