Chapter 11

Imperials of Cyrodiill

The first scene shown in the video was the Gold-White Tower, which has always been the center of power for Cyrodiill and all the empires that came after it was made. The Ruby Throne has been fought in so much bloodshed it was a miracle that the rivers around it didn't run red. Since Cyrodiill was the center province of Tamriel, it is no surprise that it has played an enormous role in world events. Often, events that happen in Cyrodiill echo across the continent, with all provinces affected by it.

"Kinda like how Canterlot is the capital of Equestria, and its actions affect the rest of the nation," Sandbar pointed out.

"Only that's one city. This is a nation affecting other nations," Ocellus pointed out.

The luscious green fields, beautiful trees, and open blue sky made Cyrodiill look like a wonderful place to live. The center province held everything needed to make a nation run perfectly regarding the environment. Many of the six couldn't help but consider it similar to Equestria in terms of atmosphere, with the state of nature being perfect for all life. The luscious blue rivers and perfect soil have made farming a breeze for its citizens, but its most significant import was wine. The vineyards of many affluent wine sellers owe their wealth to the beauty and fertile nature of Cyrodiill's land.

Of course, this wasn't just the only kind of atmosphere you would find in Cyrodiill. Since it bordered practically every other province, many different types of environment suited everyone. Up north, there was winter tundra from Skyrim, hot deserts from the west near Hammerfell, and swamps near the south from Black Marsh. Each of them is perfect for the various citizens and the diversity of the biosphere.

"Wow, imagine if there was a nation that had all of that for us?" Silverstream said.

"Equestria fits mostly for ponies but it does have some locations suitable for hippogriffs, griffins, and changelings. Yaks and dragons have a bit of a harder time finding a perfect spot," Ocellus says as she takes more notes.

Though a diverse nation, it was primarily human, and its rulers were mostly human. They were known as the Imperials. Said Imperials were similar to the humans that the group had seen in Fallout, only more robust, taller, more proud-looking, and firm. Each was different in skin color, eye color, hair color, weight, and more. The only difference between them and the Nords was that their hair was shorter, with fewer beards and bulkiness, and the women were thinner.

While the Imperials were known as the conquerors of the realms, with all significant empires coming from them, they were not bloodthirsty, sword-wielding savages. In fact, they were considered the best diplomats out of all the races of Tamriel. Be it negotiating peace or bartering for goods, the Imperials were all masters of silver tongues. Because of that, they were best known for seeking the cooperation of other races in their goals, uniting them for a common goal, no matter how small or big.

"You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that," Sandbar said with a big smile. "Finally, a race of people that talk instead of fight."

"Yeah, and did you hear how they get all the other races to work together?! That sounds like something we have back home!" Silverstream cheerfully said.

"Guess the magic of friendship does exist here. Even if it's a bit weird," Gallus said.

The Imperials were not just masters of the tongue and pen, but they were also great fighters. There was a reason why many Empires were forged in their hands. The Imperial Legion, currently seen training in one of their bunkers, was one of the most potent military forces in Tamriel. Disciplined, strategic, and unified, they were an army unlike any other seen outside of Tamriel. If the people of Skyrim could be called warriors, then the Imperials would be soldiers.

"What's the difference?" Smolder asked in confusion. "Isn't that the same thing?"

"Yak don't understand either. Warriors are soldiers," Yona pointed out.

"I think it's more of the line that warriors independently fight while part of a group while soldiers work together as a unit to fight," Gallus theorized.

The scene then showed an Imperial General looking over a map and pointing to various locations to his officers while moving pieces. Military strategy was highly favored in Imperial Legion doctrine. Some of the finest minds regarding military action had come from Cyrodiill. However, they did have some weaknesses. They lacked full-on mastery of strength, magic, and specific skills like the other races, such as the Nord's great strength or the expert wielding of magic like the Bretons. But what they made up for was their ability to master multiple skills at a time. They might never be masters, but they would be diverse enough to deal with those who were.

"So they're essential jack-of-all-trades," Ocellus said in understanding. "Experts in all but master of none."

Because of this flexibility, the Imperials constantly adapted and changed their strategy. One tactic could be switched to another on the fly, and defeat can be turned into a new victory by learning what went wrong and avoiding it. Because of this, they are seen as the peacekeepers of the empire. In peacetime, the Imperial Legions mostly protected the various cities and provinces under the Empire's rule. No matter the location or the people, the Imperial would defend them from bandits, monsters, or even the upstart cult. In times of war, they were a wave of invading forces that planned ahead and struck the enemy from multiple directions with their numbers and tactics.

Of course, the Legion is not a horde of barbarians. They plan their battles and fight when necessary. They never rush and plan logistics for a long war and occupation. Every aspect is analyzed and taken into consideration before going to war. They also had another advantage that made them unique. While most armies in the provinces consisted of their own respective races, the Imperial Legion had all of them working together. Elves, Orcs, Man, and Beast races from all the realms were treated equally in the Legion, with some non-humans even making it to the highest officer posts. Thanks to their unique skills, the Imperial Legion had access to hundreds of ways to combat their enemies.

"Wow, the Royal Guard doesn't even have non-ponies in their ranks," Sandbar said in awe. "Can you imagine if all our races were working together for the Equestrian Army?"

"It would make the Guard a lot more diverse tactically, for sure," Gallus said as he began to list a few things. "The griffins would be an extra air force to go with the pegasi while also using our hunting instincts to act as ambushers. The yaks are excellent chargers and blitzkrieg users. The Hippogriffs can be both an air force and a sea force simultaneously. Changelings make great scouts, spies, and assassins. And Dragons can be the hammer that obliterates the enemy."

This managed to get him stared at by the others in surprise as Gallus tilted his head. "What?"

"Since when did you start reading The Art of War?" Smolder snorted and smirked. "You sound like Twilight's brother."

"It just made sense to me," Gallus said with a shrug.

"Maybe friend Gallus should consider joining the Royal Guard?" Yona suggested.

"Nah, can you see me living as a soldier?" Gallus chuckled as he relaxed and continued to watch the video. Though, he couldn't help but think of himself in the Royal Guard outfit every so often.

The diversity of the Imperial Legion wasn't just the only example of its cosmopolitan mindset. Even in their civilian society, such a belief stood out. Tamriel might have been home to the Imperials, but they considered the non-Imperials citizens equal to them. This was unique as most of the races in their provinces preferred their own people over outsiders. For Cyrodiill, so long as you devoted yourself to the Empire and its beliefs, you were one of them in their community.

Thanks to this cooperation and desire to get to know other races, trade was one of the most essential crafts in Imperial society. Being the center province they had access to all the other provinces by way of road and sea. Thus, various exotic goods came into Cyrodiill, and many imported goods such as wine, magical crystals, unique armor, and more flowed out. If another province wanted to trade to another province, such as Hammerfell to Morrowind, it would find a faster route going through Cyrodiill. Because of this, Cyrodiill had plenty of coffers of coin from traders who paid fees to travel through the province to trade and protection with the Imperial Legion, who patrolled the trade routes vigorously.

"Can you say ka-ching!" Smolder grinned at the thought of such wealth.

The story of the Imperial race is one of oppression, revolution, and domination. According to history, mankind on Tamriel came from two different groups, the Nords who arrived at Atmora and the various tribes of humans that live in the various locations of Cyrodiill. It was these tribes that were enslaved by the elven races, particularly the Ayleids. The Ayleids cruelly forced the Imperials to serve them, mistreated them, and made them feel like cattle. However, their fate was forever changed thanks to one woman the six recognized quickly as the woman from the start of the series staring at the White-Gold Tower.

Her name was Alyssia. She grew up as a slave under the Ayleids, who worshiped the Daedra as a means to keep the younger race of man under their control with sacrifices to them.

"Okay, these guys are flankholes," Sandbar grumbled, with nobody disagreeing.

One night, Alyssia prayed to the Aedra for her people's deliverance from their fate. To the amazement of all, they answered. Akatosh, the Dragon God of Time, gave Alyssia his blessing, which made her St. Alyssia. His gift was his dragon blood, which would flow through her veins and through the veins of her descendants. Along with it was a ruby jewel unlike any other called "The Amulet of Kings," made from Akatosh's own blood.

"So pretty!" Silverstream gasped with sparkles in her eyes.

"So delicious!" Smolder gasped with drool coming out of her mouth.

Through the Amulet was a promise made by Akatosh. So long as the people of Tamriel worshiped the Divines and so long as Alyssia's blood stood on the Ruby Throne, Akatosh and his kin would create a strong barrier between Tamriel and Oblivion to prevent the Daedra from having any significant foothold on it. With this promise and power, St. Alyssia united her people and caused a great rebellion that saw Cyrodiill seep in elven blood. With aid from the Nords, the united race of man overthrew the elves, and a new era was born. St. Alyssa was seen being crowned Queen, and all mankind bowed to her, thus starting the First Empire.

"You go, girl! Show those slavers whose boss!" Ocellus cheered.

"It's like something from a legend you read in a book. A divine warrior blessed by the gods, rising from impossible odds, triumphs, and building a golden age," Sandbar said with glee. "It's almost like a story."

One of the first things the new government did was establish a new religion that the Imperials and Nords would worship together. She established the Faith of The Eight Divines, a combination of the Elven and Human beliefs into one faith. This worked out so well that the religion was still Tamriel's dominant faith even to this day. As the First Empire grew, even past the extensions of their once-elven masters at their height, the race of man seemed to be on the verge of complete control. Sadly, it did fall, leaving Cyrodiil in a bloody civil war for centuries.

As is most of history, the lack of a united leader caused a divide in Cyrodiil, but that was until danger came that united them back as one. The Akaviri from the far east made coast in Morrowind and were coming to invade all of Tamriel to forge their own Empire.

"They look like samurai," Sandbar said in shock.

"Like the ones from Neighpon?" Ocellus said.

"Yeah, kinda weird to see that here too."

The Akaviri seemed unstoppable until someone stopped them. A man who would be a legend among all of Imperials: Reman Cyrodiil.

"Wait, isn't the land called Cyrodiil? Was he named after it, or was the land named after him?" Gallus asked.

Reman Cyrodiil knew that he needed to unite his people and others to fight the Akaviri and proceed to do so. Not just the Imperials, but Nords, Argonians, Dark Elves, and more flocked to his side. Reman was not just a powerful general and warrior but also a negotiator. So much so that when the Akaviri were defeated, rather than slaughter them, he convinced them to join him and help him forge a new empire. Admiring him greatly, they agreed and swore their alliance to him. Their combined power saw him take over most of Tamriel, and the Second Empire had dawned.

"Holy cow, he not only beat them but got them to swear their oaths to him! Talk about a badass!" Smolder said in delight.

Sadly, like all empires, they fell at some point, and Reman Cyrodiil's empire was no different as it was lost hundreds of years later. This gave birth to the "Interregnum," which was the darkest moment in Tamriel as society collapsed, Daedra invaded, and wars were fought on a near-constant basis. As for Cyrodiil, the nation collapsed into a state of warlords who fought each other for resources in a state of no-man's land.

"Anyone else seeing a pattern here?" Ocellus asked as she looked at her notes.

"Makes you wonder if Equestria will ever meet an end at some point," Gallus whispered.

"I don't even want to think about it," Sandbar gulped.

It would take Tiber Septim's Third Empire to unite Cyrodiil and all of Tamriel into the greatest civilization that Tamriel had ever seen. The most potent and united empire to ever exist. A state of peace that has lasted for centuries, but the question is for how long? If history has taught us anything, it is that Empires eventually fall. For now, they bask in their glory and the fact that they have left their mark on society. Ironically, the Imperials were very similar in this way to their former masters.

But that is a story for another day.

Author's Note

Hey guys, here you go with another chapter. Hope you enjoy.