Athinische Imcheren

Der Athinische Imcheren (The Aetherian Empire) is an ancient nation lasting 3000 years, engulfing all of modern day Frostmarch. It is the origin of Aetherian culture and Lunaism.

Origins of the Empire
The Empire dates back to a small tribe in central Frostmarch. It is uncertain when it was founded, but the earliest date is -3052 BFA (Aetherian Calendar) and the latest is -2900 BFA. The Tribe was called the "Athinikasi", from where originates the name of the Aetherian capital, Athinikas. It is thought that Luna herself guided proto-Aetherians here. For around 500 years, not much is known, except that there was relative stability and peace. But a nearby clan invaded which caused chaos in the tribe in -2522 BFA. Soon after, the reign of the Zratkis would begin.

Early History
The early history of the Aetherian Empire is widely covered and known thanks to the Zratki Royal Library Records.

Oursi's reign
Oursi, proving himself to be the mightiest of all of the competitors to be chief after a duel, would become the one in charge. He quickly re-established order and guided his troops into war. He would invade the nearby clan and would devastate their troops at the Battle of the Red Sky where the sky turned red to symbolize the blood spilled by the Aetherians. Once the clan conquered, he moved to conquer the nearby ones, with the most prominent battle being the Battle of Qarqash.

Battle of Qarqash
The Aetherians were numbered at 300 against 500 Serinians. Oursi and his consellors ordered his cavalry to be split into two units and to feign a retreat, causing the Serinians to charge. His infantry would then form a phalanx formation as his archers fire from behind. His cavalry would hit the Serinians from behind, effectively countering their charge. Heavy fighting ensues, but the Serinians are decimated, losing around 450 men.

End of Oursi's reign
Transforming the tribe into a petty kingdom, he is regarded as one of the greatest leaders of Aetheria. At the end of his reign, he passed the throne down to his son, Aeyur. One of his last acts was to order the construction of Marsiche, a city which would become important later.

Aeyur's rule
He would begin his rule with an array of conquests, securing the southern tundra. Though, his reign would focus mainly on the economy. He would encourage business in areas outside of Athinikas, would begin securing trade deals with the country's neighbours and would begin extracting the gold and coal rich areas of the southern tundra.

Using his newly extracted ressources and newly created businesses, he would begin sending merchants all over the region bringing back money to Aetheria and soon enough taxing the profits. Naming Masron Orgelon, a Valdic immigrant, head of his finances, he would die the richest Aetherian to date.

Oaeu's rule
Aeyur died without heir, thus passing the crown to his brother, Oaeu. Oaeu would declare war on all of his neighbours, spending the whole treasury on his costly campaigns. Most would fail, and once Oaeu ran out of money...

The Deluge
As Oaeu was backed into a corner, he refused to negotiate with his neighbours, and thus the Valdic Coalition War began.

First, in the south, he faced huge defeats as he was forced back. Then, around 15.000 Valdic men faced 5.000 Aetherians in the Battle of Athinikas.

Battle of Athinikas
Valdic forces quickly entered the outskirts of the city. The Aetherians quickly scrambled and began firing flame arrows, raining down a sea of fire on the Valdics. The Knights of Aetheria, founded by Oursi near the end of his rule, launched a spearhead against the Valdics. 200 Elite Knights faced a sea of attackers. A prominent Aetherian general at the time, his name lost to time, ordered the Aetherian army's archers to form a creeping barrage to allow the Knights to advance. Knowing he has limited arrows left, he would order his men to spray oils all over the wooden buildings in the outskirts of the city, then set fire to the buildings. Quickly, a huge fire would begin, and the Knights would pull out of the areas burning. Meanwhile, in the south of the city, 2.500 Valdic men had went around Aetherian flanks and moved to seize the Zratki Palace. The Heavy Cavalry of Aetheria would quickly move in to halt the Valdic advance and light infantry would be sent in to keep them distracted as the Knights moved to the front. They would succeed in distracting the Valdics, and once the Knights arrived, the Knights quickly moved to the Valdic flanks and cut them off before engaging them from all sides and eventually crushing the pocket. They would now move through the left flank of the Valdic advance and forced them to retreat.

Final stage of the Deluge
With the Battle of Athinikas an Aetherian victory, the Valdics moved to seize the Eastern and Western regions of the Aetherian Empire, successfully pushing them back. Oaeu would die and give his throne to his son, Kaelyn.

Kaelyn's Rule
WIP