Nilfgaardian Empire

The Nilfgaardian Empire is an empire that features in Witcher.

History

The Nilfgaardian Empire (Ceas'raet aep Nilfgaard \ Nilfgaarda) was a powerful kingdom that resided in the south of the continent of the world. Originally, it was a small kingdom that consisted only of scattered villages around the capital that was situated on the Alba River. During this time, the settlers encountered the Elves from the Abla valley with these being the Black Seidhe. Over time, the two cultures came to mix and the Nilfgaardians came to incorporate many aspects of Elven culture into their own that included their language. At some point, the lineage of kings disappeared with the power they maintained passing onto the older and wiser citizens of Nilfgaard. With this, these individuals formed the senate which led to the kingdom transforming into a republic. Such was the state of the region until the senate's power was overthrown by an individual who reformed it into the Nilfgaardian Empire with them as its first Emperor.

In the early 12th century Imperator Torres var Emreis overthrew the Senate and took absolute power. At first he referred to his realm only as a "kingdom" but during his later reign term 'empire' was coined – and the Emperor with it. Torres' reign also saw the adaptation, via the March 8th Edict, of the Great Sun (Ard Feainn) as the state religion and coat of arms of the Empire. Sometime after Torres' death, likely in the early 1200s, Fergus var Emreis ascended the throne. However, he was considered by many to be a weak emperor. In 1216, Emperor Fergus var Emreis decided to use Etolia as an example of the future that awaits all enemies of the Empire. Nilfgaardian Army attacked and overwhelmed Etolia, annihilated its power structures and decimated the values defining Etolian life. Fergus subjected Gemmera in that year as well. Vicovarian nobles influenced their ruler and Vicovaro asked to join Nilfgaard willingly, on its own initiative. Fergus was ultimately overthrown by Usurper in 1233. During the coup, Fergus was killed by the Usurper while his son and heir, Emhyr, was cursed by the mage Braathens, who turned him into a humanoid hedgehog. Despite having dogs set on him, Emhyr managed to escape and, with help from his own acquaintances, left the Empire.

Overview

In appearance, the empire was located in the south of the continent where it was regarded an ancient and powerful kingdom.

The leader of the empire held the position of Emperor where they held absolute authority over Nilfgaard. They were protected by a detachment of soldiers charged with his safekeeping with these being the Impera Brigade.

The monarchs were aided by a council of advisors, which became known as the Senate. Over time, the Senate has gained more and more power, becoming a legislative body. During this period Nilfgaardian influences started to expand and neighbouring lands were slowly Nilfgaardized and the peoples brought under the dominion of the empire, through the "diplomacy of steel", were expected to learn its official language and adopt elements of the victors' culture.

A key information gathering and intelligence gathering body within the empire was Imperial Military Intelligence that was said to be second only to the renowned Redanian Secret Service.

Within the empire, the Guild of Merchants was noted as an influential body.

Although populations of the North refer to all followers of the Empire as Nilfgaardians, the Empire's inhabitants believe that the 'real' Nilfgaardians were those born in the heart of the Empire, and not those from conquered provinces. Northerners also pejoratively referred to members of its military as Black Ones. The Empire arose through conquests, assimilating nearby kingdoms. Only the inhabitants of lands near the river Alba have the right to call themselves Nilfgaardians. A significant amount of elven blood runs in the veins of the people with their language being a variant of the Elder Language.

The monetary unit within the empire and its provinces was the Nilfgaardian Floren.

The capital of the empire was in the city of Nilfgaard where the Emperor resided at the Imperial Palace in the City of Golden Towers. A summer house was maintained for use by the Emperor with this being the Loc Grim Palace.

The Empire's provinces are ruled either by stewards from native Nilfgaard or kings having willingly surrendered that retained their throne and pledged allegiance to the Emperor. It had expanded aggressively throughout the centuries, subjugating the principalities and kingdoms of the land.

Members

• Emhyr var Emreis :
• Morvran Voorhis :
• Tavar Eggebracht :
• Peter Evertsen :
• Vattier de Rideaux :
• Stefan Skellen :
• Shilard Fitz-Oesterlen :
• Carthia van Canten :
• Cynthia :

Notes

• The Nilfgaardian Empire was created by Andrzej Sapkowski where it featured in the Witcher universe.

Appearances

• The Witcher:

External Links

• Witcher Wiki Entry

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