Mernia
Mernia as an empire was founded over 1600 years ago by Lavezzi the Great. Gradually, it has grown by conquest of the surrounding lands until it has reached its present size, stretching from the Partis Mountains west to the ocean. It was an empire which once prized the equality of men and was widely famed for its government. Sadly, this government is not what it once was. Officials have become corrupt and justice has more to do with who you known and how much money you have.
Mernia is ruled by an emperor, once elected by the people, now gained by family ties or by military power. Second in power to the emperor is the Senate. The Senate has representatives from each of the major cities in the empire, some to represent important families, and some to represent other factions of power, such as the guilds and colleges. Each section of the empire is ruled by a govenor, who typically resides and rules from the major city in that area. The city proper is ruled by a citicus.
Emperor Justus Clavius III
The current Emperor of Mernia is about 35 years old and succeeded his father (Emperor Antonius Bellorum) by poisoning him. Justus is a mean and petty man more concerned with his own pleasures than caring for the empire. As such, he has little to do with the affairs of state, leaving it largely to other men.
Justus spends large amounts of time on parties, orgies, and debaucheries. He fancies himself and artist and architect and often commissions new buildings, statues, templates, etc. to commemorate his glory. He is more likely to be seen at the opening of a new play or concert than at the Hall of the Senate, which he nominally rules.
Since Justus rose to power through treachery, he naturally fears it himself. He is consumed by people plotting against him, and constantly seeks out conspiracies usually ending with the death of those involved. Justus protects himself with and elite troop of the Imperial Guards, headed by Marshall Dictus Nintorum.
It is rumored that Justus dabbles in black magic, sex rituals, and Ghakism. In fact, he is more interested in tittilation, than becoming a serious practicioner of the arts. It does open him to the influence of some of the more evil aspects of the empire, such as the Karmena family.
Justus has few close intimates. His mother Flavia remains alive. Justus has a mistress named Annya. None of his siblings survived conspiracy charges. He has a few distant cousins.
Jason Jeraboam
The Minister of Political Affairs is responsible for day to day details of the empire and is responsible for most of the real government. This gives him a tremenous amont of power, which he cautiously wields. Jason likes power and intends to keep it.
Dictus Ninatorum
Dictus is the current Marshall of the Imperial Guard. This is a separate military body from the main Mernian Army and is solely charged with protecting the emperor.
Gian Presusus
The Minister of Information is in charge of the emperor’s spy and intelligence effort. Much of the workings of the empire flow through this man to other members of the government and to Justus himself. There is also a secret cadre of assassins to secretly remove those who are too popular to remove publically.
Table of Govenors
City Govenor Citicus Oka Percius Framboise Theocratus Gianto Selma Octavus Liotta Habius Hammersley Pozania Petrus Fluridea Ferrium Eluvia Kaluga Depictus Petullo Masterio Vulcin Doia Mikala Tepidoria Kamus Nelius Daselta Francis Liotta Equus Fleet Hasela Gabriel Mansur Melinger Francat Iscontium Recticus Pellora James Hanson Seppi Anthony Amatorium Gallica Petullo Mernella Julio Cornice Marcus Wullaneo Caspal Gervais Delacourt Harius Palumbo Dramelton (none) Paulus Flemaron Germenium Manuel de Astalega Fellix Castorium Willamantix Francis Rigoletto Delianis Capizio