Onyx Empire

Other National Symbols

Eqquis - created by Empress Amarla
from the extinct mount known as a
horse.

The pictorial symbols for water, fire,
earth, and air are used in Elven spell
texts, and have become associated with
the Hybrid Elven empress.

Form of Government

Imperium.

The Kingdom of Tarsol serves as the
capitol. However, Tarsol disappeared
beneath the sands after the death of
Empress Amarla until 9345 AR.

Roughly between 3518 and 6269 AR, the
Onyx Empire also included the kingdoms
of Ryder, Madrel, Wrildrey, Ender
Woods, Vinn, and the Western River.

Terrain & Climate

From desert to lush Elven land, the
Onyx Empire had a wide variety of
climates. However, after the death of
Empress Amarla, Elementals went
dormant and Elven land dried up.
Without an Elven royal to feed and
control the Elementals, the circle of
energy breaks, Elven greens die, and
land turns to desert. Half of the
mortal lands weren't affected. Those
closest to what used to be elven land,
suffered droughts.

Populace

Just before Empress Amarla's death, in
6269 AR, the Onyx Empire boasted a
population of six million. At the
height of the Onyx Empire, the
population consisted of 43% Elves, 31%
Humans, 18% Dwarves, 5% Werepeople, 2%
Titans, and 1% Hybrid Elves. The class
distribution: 25% upper, 50% middle,
and 25% lower.

During Empress Amarla's 2,751 year
reign, the empire acquired the largest
army in west New Pangaea and steadily
expanded through war and negotiations.
Despite the seemingly aggressive
nature of the empire, it offered the
only mandatory public education west
of Krohn. The Onyx Empire's vast
libraries of magics attracted both
Elven sorcerers and Hybrid Elves.

Citizens of the Onyx Empire also took
great pride in their public works
programs which encompassed arts,
community recreations, and business
support.

Shortly after Empress Amarla's death,
Werepeople and Titans went extinct and
all known Hybrid Elves were
exterminated by Elves and Wizards. The
population dropped to zero while the
capitol lay beneath the sand.

According to the 9512 AR census, the
population has recovered somewhat to
750,000, which consists of 45% Elves,
26% Humans, 18% Dwarves, 10% Wizards,
and 1% Hybrids.

Note from Ness

Onyx is one of my favorite stones
though I can't tell it apart from
blackstone, which is any semi-precious
stone dyed to imitate onyx. The
relationship between the two seemed
fitting for a nightmare I once had.

I'd dreamt that I squished an awful
man with a spell. The cracking sounds
of his bones made me want to vomit. He
grew cold beneath my hand as his gooey
flesh solidified into a hard sphere.
The sphere's black surface absorbed
light and seemed to swirl like smoke.
Whispers floated from it and echoed in
my mind. After I woke, I realized that
dark sphere was the perfect tool for
Amarla.

The few enemies she couldn't force to
join her Onyx Empire, she enslaved in
the next best thing - blackstones.
This way they can't escape through
death and rebirth.