Hyperion

"Lux et Libertas" - Motto of Hyperion, meaning "Light and Liberty" in Latin.

Hyperion is a city located on an island off the southern coast of the Grand Republic of Oceanum, a region of The Forge.

Early History
Centuries ago, Tiberius Summanus was exiled from what is now the The Republic of Rendinum. Tiberius sailed northeast with his household and supporters, including his close friend Silenus of House Aeneas. They eventually founded the city of Hyperion on an island off the southern coat of the continent Maceanar.

Decades later, when Deadweight threatened the peace of the realm, Silenus and Tiberius joined forces with Ragnarium Ravenking to overthrow the tyrant. During the battle of the Rubicon Straights, Tiberius led the famed Hyperian Legions to victory, despite being mortally wounded. For this, the first Triumph was held in Tiberius' honor. After his death, Imperium of Hyperion fell to Tiberius' longtime friend and ally, Silenus.

Silenus Aeneas, along with Ravenking's other marshals, went on to help establish the Union of Oceanum, the precursor to the Grand Republic of Oceanum. As a result, Hyperion now contains elements of both the classical culture and architecture of its original founders, as well as the medieval/renaissance culture and architecture of Oceanum.

Recent History
During the Realm of Fire Rebellion of June, 2021, Hyperion braced for an invasion that never came. Instead, the majority of the fighting happened around the Grand Republic of Oceanum's capital of Valrusia, where some Hyperian forces helped to mount an unsuccessful defense of the city.

In early July, 2021, a series of bandit attacks were successfully repelled, but prompted Hyperion to remain on high alert for some time afterwards. The head of one of the slain bandits was displayed before the gates of Fort Eos with a sign that read "sic semper latronum" (meaning "thus always to thieves" in Latin), and remains there to this day.

Military
"Deadweight ad Portas" - rallying cry of the Hyperian Legions, meaning "Deadweight at the Gates" in Latin, in reference to the battle of Rubicon Straights.

Upon Hyperion's founding by Tiberius Summanus and Silenus Aeneas, Hyperion built a large and professional military organized into Legions. Many of these Legions would go down in history as elite and formidable fighting forces, including Legio I Solis (the Sunguard Legion), Legio III Fulminata (the Thunderbolt Legion), Legio VII Equestris (the Equestrian Legion), Legio X Fretensis (the Legion of the Straights), and Legio XIII Ferrata (the Ironclad Legion). However, upon the Liberal reforms of Governor Julius Aeneas a century after Tiberius' death, most of Hyperion's military was disbanded, and the city now focuses on culture and the arts. As a result, Hyperion does not have a standing professional army, instead relying on the militaries of the Grand Republic of Oceanum and The Forge for protection. If called upon, however, the citizens of Hyperion can be assembled into a militia under the command of an Imperator.

When a victorious Hyperian Imperator returns to the city, a Triumph is held in their honor. The Imperator rides across the Rubicon Straights, through Fort Eos, down Via Triumphia, and up the steps of the Victoria Templum, where they are rewarded for their accomplishments. A Triumph can also be held for generals of The Forge and the Grand Republic of Oceanum.

Government
The title of Hyperion's head of state, the Governorship, is given to the most worthy head of the major noble houses of Hyperion. The current Governor, Cassius, hails from House Aeneas, which claims an unbroken line of succession from Silenus himself. The Governor of Hyperion has authority over local jurisdiction of the city, as well as a say in Oceanum's mayoral council. The Governor may also hold elected office in Oceanum or The Forge.

Fort Eos
Fort Eos, named for the goddess of the dawn, sits on the northern edge of Hyperion and guards the entrance to the city along the Rubicon Straights. Its tallest and easternmost tower houses the dawn fire, a lighthouse that has remained perpetually lit for centuries. It is said that Tiberius Summanus himself lit the flame, and that when it dies, so will the city.

Statuam Victoria (Statue of Victory)
Following Tiberius Summanus' victory at the battle of the Rubicon Straights, a Triumph was held in his honor, and this statue was erected near the entrance to the city. A monument of marble and gold towering above the streets of Hyperion, this statue of the goddess of victory welcomes visitors to the city an immortalizes Hyperion's founder. All Triumphs held since Tiberius' have passed beneath the statue.