Holy Empire

Overview

The Holy Empire of Matherion is an expansionist and religious devout empire that defines its pride on the the lands it conquers and the religious infidels it converts. Those who conquer in the name of the Holy Empire also conquer in the game of their deity Matherion.

The Holy Empire has at least a century and some 70 years of attempted explorations and colonizations, starting during a period of unification after a period of internal strife. Attempted missions have gone west through the Sierra Acora and east across the great ocean of the Mare Orientales.

Explorers and conquerors can win fame and glory in the Empire (and infamous to the conquered) for conquest and conversion of pagan lands without making concessions. Commander Hernando Mouriros is an example. Many of those who go forth to take over foreign lands do so out of a patriotic and religious fervor. Commander Hernando Mouriros and Arcapatos Miguel Agustin are two examples of how such ideological influences can bolster the interesting in annexing far off lands. On the other hand, some of the Empire's agents are motivated by pure greed, such as Anibal Coronado. Regardless of the original nature of the intent for far-off colonization or exploration, several of the Holy Empire's attempts have become brutal enough to spawn Ravenloft domains.

Government

The Holy Empire is ruled by an Imperial Court and a royal family, including both an emperor and an empress. The Imperial Court is referred to by the natives of the Holy Empire as the Consejal Grande.

The Emperor appears to be more than a figure head. He can make decisions on where to send funds and explorers when the Consejal Grande dithers and can appoint who will lead voyages.

The empress gives a handkerchief marked with the symbol of Matherion on it as a sign of her approval and predictions of good fortune.

Capital

Turon is the capital city of the Holy Empire. It is sometimes referred to as a marble city.

Religion

Matherion is the only deity of the Holy Empire that has been mentioned. Presumably this means the Empire has a monotheistic belief system. The Church of Matherion has enough power to be granted the leadership of some missions of colonization and conversion by the Emperor.

Cultural Level

The Holy Empire has a Chivalric (CL 8) Cultural Level, complete with the knowledge to make gunpowder.

Domains created by Holy Empire colonization attempts

• Cumbre de Oro
• Igid Rabi-i
• Mictlan

Former inhabitants of the Holy Empire

• Anibal Coronado
• Arcapatos Miguel Agustin
• Commander Hernando Mouriros
• Fransisco Mouriros
• Patos Bartolemo

Author

The Holy Empire was originally presented by Ryan Naylor as part of the background of Mictlan in the Book of Shadows. Later details on the Holy Empire were added on in articles by Dion Fernandez (Igid Rabi-i) and Nathan Okerlund (Cumbre de Oro) in the Book of Sacrifices.

Note that whereas the articles on Vultharesk (Book of Shadows) and Nueva Aragona (Undead Sea Scrolls 2001) have similar colonial domain themes, neither domain is connected to the Holy Empire of Matherion.