Tepron Empire

Mostly Human Imperialistic empire. Ruled over by Emperor Walt Drugo, Second of his Name. Began as the relatively small nation of Tepron until Emperor Drugo’s grandfather launched a brutal scorched-earth campaign against his neighbors. Those who resisted were slaughtered mercilessly, but those who surrendered themselves to the Tepron were treated reasonably well. People were allowed to keep their religion and customs, as long as they paid taxes to the crown and obeyed the laws established by the Empire. Only those of Teproni birth are allowed to hold the higher political and military offices however, and this has been a major sticking point for the conquered peoples of the realm. The rapid expansion of the Tepron Empire was halted by the formation of the Oshax Confederation in the West, and the stiff resistance of the Gatraxi-Ushian Alliance to the South. Following the death of the first Emperor Walt Drugo, his third son Sterling Drugo came to power (after the mysterious deaths of his older brothers) and largely maintained the status quo. He focused on rebuilding the battered military. He established a standing army of professional soldiers, the first of its kind in Dorthombel, and updated its structure into a highly organized and effective fighting force. Sterling Drugo also invested significant coin in the country’s infrastructure, specifically mining and the construction of roadways. Neighbors of the Tepron Empire clearly saw that Sterling was preparing for another war, despite his peaceful overtures. Sterling ruled for fifty years until a surprise rebellion led by his nephew, Lord Artemis Drugo (who was presumed dead). The highly professional and powerful military Sterling built fractured, with nearly half of the force siding with the rightful heir Artemis Drugo. The armies of the two would-be Emperors clashed in the Battle of Horbrook (where Artemis had concentrated his power). Sterling Drugo had forged a secret alliance with the bloodthirsty Pirates of Minas Rahili, who launched a surprise naval attack on Horbrook from the north. Artemis and his rebellion were crushed between the two forces, but Sterling suffered wounds from which he could not recover. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Walt Drugo the Second, who proceeded to purge the nation of every house that had declared support for Artemis. With the Tepron Empire once again whole and thirsty for blood, Emperor Drugo prepares to launch a campaign to crush the Oshax Confederation, and finish what his namesake had begun.