Character

Emperor Falkred

CanonOfficial lore from the booksSSGp. 17, 39, 42, 49

Falkred I, also written Falkread, is an emperor of The Empire remembered for two decisions that opened doors the Empire had long kept shut: the voyage beyond the Eye of Aquaron that found the New World, and the return of wizard towers to the realm.¹²

The voyage to the New World

In 285 AVD the young and ambitious Archon wizard Castor Onerio gathered scientists, explorers, sailors, historians and wizards for a voyage west. Drawing on sources from the First and Second Ages, he believed a vast continent lay beyond the sea. The High Church protested: its doctrine held that the Eye of Aquaron, a barrier and great vortex, marked the known edge of the Great Western Sea, set there by the gods to protect humanity, and that piercing it would bring devastation.¹

Castor used the influence of the noble families he had served to bring his plan before Falkred. The knowledge and resources the voyage might bring caught the emperor's interest, and he granted his permission and support. That silenced the opposition; the Church won only the right to place a paladin on board.¹

The wizard towers

Ages after the War of the Immortal Mages, after which the Archon Academy was isolated on a vast floating landmass above the Great Western Sea, Falkred allowed the academy to found affiliated training towers in other parts of the realm. Wizards everywhere welcomed the permission; the Inquisition protested.²

The decision fed rumours. Some conspiracy theorists suspected that The Hand, a secret organisation of high-ranking and influential wizards, had pulled the strings behind it. The truth cannot be known.⁴

Notes

↑BookLands of Exile: Starter Setting Guide, p. 17
↑BookLands of Exile: Starter Setting Guide, p. 39
↑BookLands of Exile: Starter Setting Guide, pp. 17, 49
↑BookLands of Exile: Starter Setting Guide, p. 42

Sources

This article draws on:

SSGLands of Exile: Starter Setting Guide(Bad Badger Games, 2024), pp. 17, 39, 42, 49

CharacterCastor OnerioAn Archon-trained wizard who assembled the expedition that sailed west aboard the Imperius in 285 AVD and found the continent of Canarque. His earlier life is told in the Mürekkep ve Çelik campaign, and the New World he opened is the setting of the Yeni Dünya campaign.

OrganisationArchon AcademyThe largest and most powerful school of magic in the realm, set on a floating island above the Great Western Sea, which every mage in the Empire must attend and which serves as both university and prison.OrganisationThe HandA secret organisation founded by high-ranking, influential wizards after open protest against the pressure on mages had failed; its exact workings are not known.

RegionThe EmpireThe human realm at the heart of the Lands of Exile, an absolute monarchy heavily shaped by faith, ruled from Marble City by the unbroken line of the Red Eagle and divided into five provinces under their Sovereigns.

RegionBluelandsA large, densely populated imperial province of blue-leaved forests and fertile farmland along the Calinor-dal River, ruled by House Boldric and famous for its agriculture, timber and wine.

RegionNearpeakAn imperial province bordering the Fraza Lands and the great dwarf kingdoms, ruled by House Grett and marked by dwarven influence in its architecture and culture.

RegionThe Marble SeatThe capital province of the Empire, smallest in size but first in standing, traditionally governed by the heir to the throne.

RegionWestreachAn imperial province of mines, foundries and printing presses, ruled by House Von Laidorf and known for its proud, protocol-bound nobility.

RegionWhitefallAn imperial province at the northern end of the Silver Bridge, where elven culture runs deep, humans and elves are bound by family ties, and the finest horses of the Empire are bred.ConceptDay of SwordsA celebration of courage and past victories, once much more widespread, that still hosts annual gladiator fights. People give gifts to legionaries and listen to the stories of old veterans.