To the Elder Races of the Continent, the history of humanity is often seen as above all, a
history of conquest.
This is epitomized in the rise of the Empire of Nilfgaard which through the centuries has
expanded from a single city-state to become the most powerful empire the world has ever
seen.
To its loyal citizens, the empire is a bastion of order, law and strength in an otherwise
chaotic and hostile world.
To its detractors, Nilfgaard is a manifestation of the worst attributes of mankind; aggressive,
intolerant and of limitless ambition.
The exact origins of the Nilfgaardian people and their city that would one-day command
an empire is lost to the mists of antiquity, but undoubtedly can be traced back to the
Conjunction of the Spheres.
This magical cataclysm, which remains unexplained to this day, saw the release of terrible phenomena,
namely magic, and the appearance of a great many creatures and races that - without question
- were not originally born of this world.
While human scholars and priests would call such theories blasphemous, the arrival of
thousands of human ships across the coasts of the Continent in the immediate wake of
the Conjunction leaves little doubt that humanity is linked to this event in some way.
What is known for certain is that following the arrival of humanity, these new colonists
began expanding into the lands of the elder races and fighting amongst themselves.
An ancient witticism would have us believe that every four arriving ships gave birth
to three new kingdoms.
Indeed, early human history tells of an endless series of wars and conflicts between petty
kingdoms as kings and lords worked tirelessly to incorporate, annex or make vassals of their
less cunning or more unfortunate neighbors.
To the far south of the continent, past the Amell Mountains, one such kingdom rose to
prominence; the City State of Nilfgaard.
Whether founded by the same human exiles who came to rule the northern realms or a wholly
separate people remains unknown but differences in language, beliefs, customs, and culture
seem to indicate a separate origin.
Many tales claim the Nilfgaardians can trace their lineage in part to elves but whether
this is historical fact or racial propaganda none can say with certainty.
Regardless of its origins, Nilfgaard consistently outmaneuvered rival dominions; subjugated
its neighbors, and grew from a simple kingdom to a true empire.
During their history of ever-expanding conquests, Rowan, Etolia, Gemmera, Ebbing and a multitude
of others all fell before Nilfgaard, until the Great Sun banner flew above the former
capitals of over a dozen one-time kingdoms.
Today, conquered kingdoms and territories typically hold the status of imperial provinces,
ruled by appointed governors.
Former monarchs who submitted to Nilfgaardian rule through diplomacy or other peaceful means
are typically allowed to retain their titles and positions and can enjoy significant autonomy
within the empire.
While foreigners might colloquially refer to all the peoples of the Empire as Nilfgaardian,
within the Empire itself that name is reserved for the inhabitants of the original region
of Nilfgaard proper.
“True” Nilfgaardians often regard the peoples of the provinces as inferior, descendants
from lesser bloodlines.
The disparate peoples of the Empire are united through the worship of the Great Sun, an ancient
religion based on the Elven cult of nature.
The central deity is the sun itself, giver of life and warmth, but also capable of destruction
and death.
For the past fifty years this cult has been the state religion of Nilfgaard in exchange
for the priesthood’s complete support for government policy.
The ubiquity of the Cult of the Great Sun throughout Nilfgaardian society has practically
made it another form of civil service and an attractive career path for aspirant public
servants.
While the Cult of the Great Sun holds considerable influence throughout the Empire, true political
power resides firmly with the Emperor.
The Emperor rules as an absolute monarch with nearly limitless authority, though a largely
ceremonial senate does exist.
While the Nilfgaardian Emperor is likely the most powerful sovereign in the known world,
his authority is not always unchallenged.
A significant, hidden opposition to the rule of the Emperor exists, waiting for a moment
of supposed weakness to contest his rule.
This secret conspiracy is led by some of Nilfgaard’s most powerful noble houses, and while only
a limited few are aware of its existence, a shrewd observer of Nilfgaardian politics
can find traces of its workings.
The current emperor, Emhyr var Emreis is well aware of this shadowy opposition to his rule
and has surrounded himself with advisors and officials of unquestioned loyalty.
Yet whatever challenges the Emperor may face at home or abroad, they are dwarfed by the
vast resources at his command.
The Imperial Army is the largest on the continent, numbering over 300,000 professional soldiers
and career officers.
In war, Nilfgaardian doctrine supports a strategy of lightning fast warfare supported by modern
and powerful siege weaponry.
In addition to its frontline armies, Nilfgaard utilizes a core of garrison troops to maintain
internal order, a mysterious secret police and the fanatical personal guard to the Emperor,
known as the Impera Brigade.
Yet it is the common foot soldier that remains the enduring symbol of Nilfgaardian military
power, referred to as “The Black Ones” for the distinctive armor used by the Empire’s
legions.
The rule of Emhyr var Emreis has been quintessentially Nilfgaardian.
Like his predecessors he has pursued aggressive and expansionist policies while adeptly suppressing
many plots against him.
Undoubtedly brutal and ruthless towards his enemies, he is intelligent and a brilliant
leader and works towards his goals with great determination.
For the past three decades, the focus of Emhyr var Emreis and by extension the Empire, has
been the conquest of the Northern Kingdoms.
While the first two wars against the Nordling people ended in defeat, Nilfgaard has never
been content to leave the North alone in peace.
Through assassinations, treacherous plots, secret pacts with sorcerers and every manner
of deception, Nilfgaard has brought chaos to the north and left it ripe for invasion.
The Third Northern War has seen Nilfgaardian armies bite deeply into the lands of their
enemies, with the fate of the continent hanging in the balance.