Empress Aurelia

AntMag.NET

Empress Aurelia is a really interesting character in Songs of Conquest. She's a powerful undead wielder and a major player in the game's story, though you won't be controlling her directly as a playable character. Think of her as a guiding force, or maybe a formidable antagonist depending on your perspective!

Description

Five centuries after her death, Aurelia is still a huge deal. People remember her reign as a golden age for the Aurelian Empire, which used to be massive. You'll see her likeness everywhere in Arleon – on paintings, tapestries, and even coins. Her statues are still around in Shrines that people pray to, even all the way in Patriam. However, not everyone remembers her fondly. The Rana she fought and even some of the Barya she ruled recall her as a cruel empress. Even her old allies, the Faey, tried to stop her from coming back, though they do admit she got rid of the dragons, which is a plus!

When she returned after death, she was a spirit without a physical body, but she could appear as a ghostly image and do some pretty wild stuff. To her loyal followers, she's firm but kind, filling them with good vibes. She's even known to be merciful to enemies, not executing them, probably hoping to recruit them later.

But don't let that motherly image fool you. Aurelia is also super shrewd, calculating, and manipulative. She's not afraid to peek into people's minds to figure out what they want and then use that to get them to join her 'Oath'. If someone like Bihgli Satherdown refuses, she'll try to make him a public enemy. And while she talks about peace, most of her Oathbound soldiers are focused on conquering, which tells you a lot about her old Empire.

Biography

The Aurelian Empire and unification of Arleon

The Aurelian Empire was so important that the years are counted Before Aurelia (BA) and After Aurelia (AA). This probably started when she united the island of Arleon, before she went after Patriam.

We learn a lot about her rule from the Shrines of Aurelia. Uniting Arleon wasn't easy. Apparently, the old baronies had to be 'kicked and dragged' into her empire. Baron Gaius of Loth was one of the first to bow down in 2 BA, and Loth became her favorite. She even appointed new barons, like Lenora Stonefell as Baroness of Greenoak. The Barony of Stoutheart was the last to join; she even adopted the infant Hector of Stoutheart to seal the deal.

To keep things in order, she reformed the military. In 5 AA, the big Aurelian Legion was formed. The legionnaires swore loyalty to the Empire, not their old baronies. Legions like Evermarch, Everstorm, and Evercrest were formed. While these legions are gone now, you can still see traces of them in local groups like Corvus, Eagletine, and Hawkwing.