Bonus Content: The Realms of the Imperial Kingdoms of Men

As the Second Age dawned, the human empire forged by Emperor Alric Vandarion stood as a testament to the ambition and resilience of mortal men. No longer divided by feuding kings and petty warlords, mankind had risen to claim its place among the great civilizations of Eldoria.

But the empire was not a singular entity—it was a vast and diverse dominion, ruled by noble houses, warrior-lords, and arcane scholars, each sworn to the Imperial Crown.

The Imperial Kingdoms of Men

The Imperial Kingdoms were not merely one kingdom, but a union of several great realms, each with its own culture, warriors, and traditions. Bound by Alric's decree, they stood as one empire, yet each kingdom remained distinct, ruled by its own High King, Duke, or Lord, all sworn to the Imperial Throne.

The Crownlands of Valderheim

"Where the Light of the Empire Never Fades."

The heart of the empire, the Crownlands of Valderheim served as the seat of Imperial Power, housing the Golden Citadel, the throne of the Emperor himself.

Capital City: Valderheim, the Eternal Citadel Banner: A golden phoenix rising from flames, symbolizing rebirth and unity. Ruler: The Emperor (Alric Vandarion and his successors).

Notable Locations:

The Hall of Crowns – The gathering place of all Imperial Lords and rulers. The Grand Archives of Eldoria – A library containing the history of the First Age. The Pillars of Dawn – Towering monuments bearing the names of those who fell in the wars of unification. The Kingdom of Vandraal

"By Steel and Sovereignty."

Once the most powerful human kingdom before the rise of the Empire, Vandraal was the land of conquest, home to the greatest warriors and tacticians.

Capital City: Drakenhold, the City of Blades Banner: A silver dragon on a field of crimson, representing power and legacy. Ruler: High King Darius Vandraal, Warden of the Western Marches.

Notable Locations:

The Bloodfields – The site of the last great battle between men and dwarves during the War of Stone and Sky. The Iron Bastion – The strongest human fortress, built to repel invasions from the west. The Hall of Champions – A sacred hall where only the greatest knights and warriors are honored.

Borders:

North: The Dwarven Holds of Karak Dran – The uneasy alliance between humans and dwarves is strongest here. South: The Wastes of Kraagmar – Where orc warbands still raid from the ashes of their fallen hordes.

III. The Ivory Dominion

"Wisdom is Power."

A land of scholars and sorcerers, the Ivory Dominion was once a separate magocracy, now serving as the center of human magical knowledge under the Empire's rule.

Capital City: Vaelithar, the Towered City Banner: A silver eye upon a violet field, symbolizing knowledge and foresight. Ruler: Archmage Caelric the White, Grandmaster of the Arcane Order.

Notable Locations:

The Ivory Tower – The greatest human academy of magic, rivaling even the elven archives. The Hall of the Magelords – Where the greatest mortal sorcerers counsel the Emperor. The Obsidian Vaults – A hidden repository of forbidden magic, under lock and key.

Borders:

East: Vael'tharion, the Kingdom of the Elves – The alliance with the elves is strongest here, as magic binds both races together. The Crimson Marches

"Strength is Law."

A harsh and unforgiving land, the Crimson Marches were ruled by warrior-kings and bloodlords, known for their brutality and unshakable discipline.

Capital City: Kaer Morath, the Red Keep Banner: A black wolf on a crimson field, signifying ferocity and endurance. Ruler: Lord-General Varian Kaelridge, the Bloodhound.

Notable Locations:

The Arena of Kings – Where warriors fight for honor, blood, and power. The Bonewood Forest – Haunted lands said to be cursed by elven spirits. The Ashen Wall – The last defense against the still-roaming warbands of orcs.

Borders:

South: The Warborn Dominion – The borderlands where the alliance with orcs and trolls is always tested. The Stormhold Isles

"The Sea Bows to No One."

A realm of sailors, pirates, and explorers, the Stormhold Isles controlled the Empire's navy and trade routes.

Capital City: Seastrike, the Floating Fortress Banner: A golden kraken on a field of deep blue, representing dominion over the seas. Ruler: Queen Lysara Tideborn, Admiral of the Imperial Fleet.

Notable Locations:

The Leviathan's Graveyard – A cursed sea where ancient creatures still roam. The Stormvault – A treasury holding some of the greatest riches in Eldoria. The Isle of Corsairs – A haven for pirates who once ruled these waters before the Empire's rise.

Borders:

Open Seas: Distant shores beyond Eldoria remain unexplored.

The Imperial Line of Vandarion

Though Emperor Alric Vandarion had united mankind, he knew that his empire would only endure if his bloodline remained strong. Thus, the Imperial House of Vandarion was established, meant to rule for generations to come.

Emperor Alric Vandarion the First – The founder, warrior, and unifier of mankind. Crown Prince Alden Vandarion – Heir to the empire, a scholar-warrior raised among elves and dwarves alike. Princess Isolde Vandarion – A gifted sorceress and diplomat, fostering ties with the elven realms. Prince Dain Vandarion – A naval commander, leading the Imperial Fleet to new lands.

The Might of the Imperium

The Imperial Kingdoms of Men were now the strongest civilization of the Second Age.

The Imperial Legions The greatest army of men ever assembled. Divided into six Grand Legions, each serving a different purpose. The First Legion, known as the Dawnwardens, serve as the Emperor's elite guards. The Arcane Order The most powerful human mages and sorcerers. Serve as advisors and battlemages, protecting the empire from arcane threats. The Imperial Fleet Dominates the seas, ensuring trade and defense. The Krakenborne, an elite fleet, guards the empire's waters.

The Borders of the Empire

The Imperial Kingdoms of Men stood at the center of Eldoria, their borders touching every major race.

North: The Dwarven Holds – An uneasy peace, strengthened by trade and alliances. East: The Elven Realms – A fragile alliance, yet bound by mutual respect. West: The Wastelands – The orcs and trolls still roam, testing the Empire's might. South: Unknown Lands – New horizons, new dangers, and perhaps, new empires to conquer.

The Dawn of a New Age

As Emperor Alric ruled over the Imperial Kingdoms, the world watched. Some saw a golden age of unity, others saw the rise of an unstoppable power.

But one thing was certain:

The Age of Men had truly begun.