Plimpton

Hilbeyan Castle

Overview

The monarch of the Ocatzians, Velarras, and Yagols, the paramount ruler of Ciaran, the sovereign of the Hilbeyan Empire—Empress Princeton I. Her life is a tapestry of praise and criticism, yet her impact on Mirren's historical trajectory cannot be denied.

Chapter One

(24240–24315, Era of Rebirth) Princeton, born in the largest Orccodro settlement of Hinan in 1793 after the Conquest, was the eldest daughter of Jackal King Harold.
In Princeton's memory, her father always seemed invincible. Even the fiercest Orccodros would calm down in his presence. He often lifted her onto his shoulders, giving her a higher view than everyone else.
Her father told her then that Orccodros needed knowledge to survive, as the lords of Velarra ruled the continent not only by force.
Those learning days were deeply fulfilling for Princeton. She studied math diligently and applied it to the settlement's growth. Even at a young age, under Harold's guidance, she gained a respectable reputation within the tribe.
This life continued until Princeton came of age. Harold began preparing her as the next leader, believing she needed to understand the outside world.
The real world stretched far beyond the small realm of Hinan. Her omnipotent father and the Orccodros were merely slaves to the Velarra nobles.
Many years ago, the Velarra people from the ice fields were not rulers of this continent. They, along with the Orccodros, rebelled against the ruling class, driving the militaristic old nobles from the Nibisi Plains, making the northerners rulers for the first time.
However, history repeated itself. The Orccodros never saw the promised peace and were exploited by the new Velarra rulers. The Velarra mages didn't wipe out the Orccodros, knowing living orcs were more valuable than fertilizer.
Even Harold, the tribe leader, was considered less valuable than livestock by the lords of the City of Order. Despite this, Princeton enjoyed a relatively happy childhood due to her father's care.
In recent years, the Deepsea Sovereign escalated efforts to eliminate church remnants, greatly increasing the Orccodros' tax burdens.
When the settlement's tributes were rejected, the only option left was the Bandru Ritual. High-status living sacrifices were sent to appease the greedy Deepsea Sovereign, and the leader's daughter was deemed suitable.
As the next leader, Princeton couldn't join the ritual, so her sister Ameth became the ideal choice.
"Father, you know I won't allow Ameth to sacrifice herself in Bandru Ritual."
"But... child, the Hinan people have shed too much blood already."
"Father, the once weak Velarras never resisted the Vermilion Knights, but now they rule the continent! Obedience won't help, Father!"
In 1814 after the Conquest, 21-year-old Princeton staged a coup, imprisoning the Jackal King and swiftly seizing his followers. She postponed the tribute, citing her father's illness. The Velarras, amid their own power shift, accepted this quietly.
After securing leadership by eliminating dissent, Princeton abolished old customs like the Bandru Ritual and unified Hinan's forces. With her sister's help, she allied with settlements dissatisfied with Velarra nobles.
The resistance swept across the Orccodro world, but at its peak, Princeton left Hinan for a more pressing matter in the City of Order.

Chapter Two

The Velarra mages had forsaken the Divine Spirits' blessings, forgetting who once gave them courage to defy. History unfolds as foretold, yet the focus shifts from these once-arrogant mages.
The Prophet, chosen by the divine, will lead the Orccodros in toppling the old regime. Princeton's quest is to reach the City of Order and rescue the captive Prophet, Yetannia.
The rescue unfolded smoothly, devoid of legendary twists, thanks to Ameth's skilled alchemy and the chaos in Loisford.
The Orccodros saw the flawless rescue as a miracle. No one had ever escaped Tark Prison without injury.
With the arrival of the legendary Prophet, hesitant leaders gained great confidence, believing that one day, the Orccodros could prevail in Ciaran.
The Velarra observed the unusual activities in Hinan settlement keenly, regarding the creatures as unappreciative and perennial challengers of their survival rights.
History proves these beings can never unite. After His Majesty's transition of power, they'll remember why the Velarra rule this land.
The strong are often arrogant, yet their pride allows the weak to find respite. Inspired by Princeton and the Prophet, Orccodros flocked to Hinan settlement, joining the historic battle.
A historic gathering of Orccodros stirred rebellious fervor. Ocatzians from all over rallied under Princeton, swearing to dismantle the frail mages.
In the City of Order, Alei finalized his power transition. Seeking a definitive victory to secure his rule, he chose to let Yetannia escape.
Orccodros gathered in unprecedented numbers, fueled by rebellion. Ocatzians rallied under Princeton to dismantle frail mages.
The expected victory didn't excite the young king. Surprisingly, the heavy casualties didn't scatter the beasts as before. Instead of surrendering, they retreated north in formation.
Ameth praised Princeton as an unshakeable leader, admired for her resilient spirit that inspired others, crucial for their journey to the "Staratter Basin".
This was the tomb chosen by Princeton for the Velarra people. The Sealing Gold around it was lit, its scarlet glow neutralizing all magic.
In this magic-free realm, the Orccodros finally matched the Velarra. The young chieftain beheaded King Alei herself, ending their two-year escape.
Despite the rain, Princeton and Yetannia lay on a battlefield strewn with fallen soldiers, their eyes full of hope. They knew the battle was over, despite the Velarra's remnants.
News of victory at Staratter Basin spread like wildfire, rallying more Orccodros to Princeton's cause. Northern magnate Akita publicly swore loyalty, securing their triumph.
In 24269, during the Era of Rebirth, Princeton ended the eight-year Blue War, asserting control over most of Ciaran. She established her capital in Eon, later known as Prophecy City, the heart of the Hilbeyan Empire.
Throughout her reign, Princeton developed water systems, advanced mathematics and physics, delved into magical theory, and taught Orccodros about the arcane. She was hailed as Hilbeyan's founder and a foremost scholar of her time.
Hilbeyan's political structure embraced tolerance and universal education, leaving a lasting impact on future generations. Subsequent governance systems were deeply influenced and evolved from this foundational principle..
If the story ended here, Princeton would be hailed as a model for future emperors, but history doesn't deal in hypotheticals.

Chapter Three

In 24309, the Era of Rebirth, the aging Holy Shepherd Yetannia falls gravely ill. Princeton mobilizes the entire country for a cure, but the pope's health gradually deteriorates.
The old empress, unwilling to accept her loss of control, suspects the Velarras poisoned the pope. How else could her healthy friend suddenly fall ill? This triggers a nationwide investigation, which Ameth, the empress's sister, halts just in time.
"Dear sister, you know, Her Holiness is human and won't have a lifespan of nearly a century like us."
"Besides, she wouldn't want you to be like this. We should accompany her through her last days, rather than destroy everything she built."
Deep down, the empress knows no one could poison such a great prophet. The extreme actions are just her way of coping with emptiness and fear. She has to appear strong and do something for her friend,
like an actively dying person grasping for any hope. In her youth, the empress was filled with hope and faith, but now fear and anger have taken their place. She resembles an injured jackal, growing more vigilant and aggressive.
But this time, she doesn't take any actions and thus being able to see her friend one last time.
"They often praise me, saying I liberated the Orccodros. But I just did what I have always wanted to do. Thank you for giving me such a happy life," the pope said.
"I have no regrets. We have fought against inequality for so many people together, and I don't want you or Hilbeyan to become part of the problem."
With her sister, Princeton bid her final farewell to their dear friend. The old empress is deeply shaken by a pain harsher than any war had ever caused her.
It is only then that she truly begins to understand her sister and friend's advice. What they have fought for all their lives is to ensure everyone can say goodbye to their loved ones
without worrying about the oppression of tyranny. Having lived an extraordinary life, Yetannia leaves this world peacefully, without regrets, carrying the blessings of many.
That flawless ending made Princeton realize her past mistakes, but the nation has already descended into turmoil.
On top of the previous political mistakes, the loss of a powerful ally make the empire even more unstable.
In 24310, the Era of Rebirth, Princeton issues an edict, reflecting on her past mistakes. This eases racial tensions to an extent, but the separatist forces within the empire are merely biding their time.
In 24315, the Era of Rebirth, the first empress of Hilbeyan, who is also the founder of the nation, suddenly passes away, with her body missing.

Historical Notes

Harold:
Harold Esiah (24223–24262, Era of Rebirth) was the youngest son of former leader Pima.

Political System:
Hilbeyan governance merges political and religious authority, with the Emperor overseeing earthly matters and the Holy Shepherd interpreting divine commands. Successors to the throne are selected from the closest royal kin, requiring approval from the Holy Shepherd for coronation.

Bandru Ritual:
The Bandru Ritual is a grim ceremony involving live sacrifices to harness demonic powers, named from a misinterpretation of the Laqutte word "ponto." Conducted by three priests, it seeks to revive the primeval demon Fanny, gathering souls for her revival; however, the diverse souls left her temperament unstable. A powerful Cerberus ensures the Void Demons' influence within the Abyssal Council.

Hinans and Wheatears:
During Ameth's reign, racial equality was prioritized, significantly elevating the status of humans within the empire. This led to intense factional conflicts between the nationalist Hinans, influenced by Princeton's philosophy, and the Wheatears, who advocated for inclusivity. In 28477, Pope Agita VI was exposed for claiming false divine visions, leading to a war against the royal family. The 133rd King, Elvin Esiah, easily quelled the revolt and diminished the Church's power.

City of Order:
Loisford, located at the base of the Sheepback Mountains where the White and Lir Rivers converge, symbolizes Velarra's conquest. Built over three generations, it was the largest city on the continent, housing up to a million people.

Deepsea Sovereign:
Amon Talier (24217–24261, Era of Rebirth), known as the Ice Blade of the Deepsea, served as the 91st King of Velarra. He was the foster father of Prophet Yetannia, dedicating his reign to stabilizing the realm and quelling rebellions.

Vermilion Knight:
Ailata Hoven (22281–22335, Era of Rebirth), the Vermilion Knight, was celebrated as one of the greatest military leaders during the Ancient War. With an undefeated military record, she triumphed over legendary contemporaries like Rockhill, the Heaven Watcher, and Lumira, the Oceanic Haven. At just nine years old in 22290, she ventured alone into Velarra's heartland and subdued the Holy Beast, Frostfang, making it her mount—a creature prophesied to help Velarra dominate the continent. Victories in the two Wars of Purge solidified Yagol's dominance over Ciaran, with military conquests also bringing cultural influences that pervaded all races on the continent.