Acthen Empire

The Acthen Empire, often known simply as Acthen, was one of the most prominent successor states that emerged from the Empire of Ibbathis following the Fourth Age Collapse. The coastal region of Acthen, bordered by the Sea of Epher to the north, was historically one of the most heavily populated regions of eastern Adovias. Though far from the Ibbathisian heartland, Acthen was one of the most treasured emirates of the Empire prior to the Collapse, and its secession dealt a severe blow to Ibbathis' prestige. The emergent Acthen Empire mirrored its progenitor in many ways, inheriting most of its systems of government from the former Ibbathisian rulers. Though embroiled in conflict with Ibbathis for much of the Fifth Age, Acthen endured as a powerful and prosperous civilization, and was widely acknowledged as one of the great powers of the East. Though the Acthen Empire continued to endure for centuries after the threat of Ibbathis became distant and immaterial, it nonetheless began to be overshadowed by yet another grand rival. The isle of Epherium, long ruled by a poor and regressive Emirate akin to many other Ibbathisian successors, had slowly gathered power throughout the Sixth Age, culminating in its transformation into the Epherian Empire in 6A 478.