Imperial Expansion and Decline
Summary
Ardentis entered a unified southern state under King Ulek I (1 AR), then expanded north through trade pressure, fortification, and buffer wildlands.
Phases
- Founding Time (1-1000 AR): Consolidation and northward integration.
- Age of Conquest (1001-2000 AR): Tronk Fortress and militarized frontiers.
- Imperial Zenith (2001-3000 AR): River Bonk trade supremacy.
- Age of Hubris & Crusades (3001-4000 AR): endless wars against the Mother of Monsters, ending in the fall of Deeprock and the Peace of Terenei.
Historical Result
By the Modern Era, imperial institutions persisted in name while practical authority fractured into city leagues, mercantile blocs, and covert cult networks.