History
The Empire of Etheos is one of the oldest; its lineage can be traced far back in the annals of time. Over the centuries, it has grown from small city state into a massive independent territory. The great empire has suffered its share of defeats, however. Over the course of time, Its armies have lost cities and battle to both the minotaurs and the forces of Sirrah alike. Their mundane soldiers were unable to with stand the magical onslaught of the mages or the overwhelming might of the minotaurs. The empire dwindled. Their Saviour came as a weapon.

Stolen from the Minotaurs and made their own, black powder was first discovered in a siege against one of their cities during a Minotaur expansion. In this battle the Etheos empire was lucky. The city was saved in a counter attack and a general saw fit to capture the remaining Minotaurs and as a result the precious powder had found its way into Etheos hands. After some persuasion on the part of the captured Minotaurs they soon learned how to manufacture more but it was another ten years before they finally produced their savior.

Fire arms were first used in battle fifty years later. It was only then that the Etheos finally regained military honor. Pushing back the fronts with muskets becoming the mainstay of their battle plan. Their tactics changed according to their opponents. Their new weapons adapting perfectly to any new opponent. They used cannons to fight the hoards of Sirrah, huge bore muskets to fight the giant Minotaurs and sheer waves of small arms to cut down the mages. They forced back the invaders on their land and retook their empire, rising from the ash of defeat born a new clutching their savior. Now able to support themselves they rebuilt their cities and began to mine for the deposits that would provide new weapons and new powder. With this new found might they did not merely retake their old land, they to began military expansion.

They are an empire forged in war. Once peaceful, it was brought to its knees by war. The empire only survived through conflict. Every generation alive could only remember war. The eldest remembered being attacked by aggressors, their sons remembered the counter attack, retaking their lost ground and their sons know only military might, taking what they deserve from others. Fighting and war became such a major part of their society that seems all pervasive. One of the most prided jobs is as a soldier in the army as the whole economy is geared towards war. A safe homeland means contented people.

When the new continent was discovered they took the opportunity. An armada was sent, ready to claim a stake in this new world. Landing in the plains, Etheos put its new weapon to the test as they carved out a territory from which they would reap the resources and send them back home.

Government
The government is based heavily on a caste system. A creation myth was created by the leaders of the army when the empire that focused on the caste system. There were three types of people. Those created by the gods with gold inside them, who we are the rulers, those created with silver, who were the warriors and those with copper, the workers. The result is a perpetual class system except because of the acceptance of the religion everyone is content with their lot. The head of the state is elected by the ruling class and rules until the ruling class becomes discontent once more and the head is quietly removed and replaced with a new leader.

The People
The Etheosians are a healthy people. Their society is built around war so the inability to fight is seen as a major disability. The crippled young are killed at birth so genetic abnormalities are not seen or tolerated as a burden on the state and a liability to the success of the empire. Etheos has taken many other civilizations into the fold as they expanded and this has only increased in number when they arrived at the new continent. Each one is fiercely proud of their empire and quick to fight to defend its honor. The people are not racist or prejudice in nature but believe whole heartedly that they are the vastly superior in military prowess.

The Army
The Etheos Army is dominated by a stupendous infantry corps. A good portion of the infantry wield muskets, and the concept of being capable of affixing a bayonet to the end is a very new innovation in their forces, and unique to them. Etheos also fields heavy cavalry and infantry, perhaps the last faction to do so. But another innovation has reared its head, the Etheos skirmishing corps, a force that uses shorter muskets for use on horseback. The horses are well trained to fear none of the horrors of war, and have good breeding, and are predisposed to live long and healthy lives.

The Etheos artillery is lacking, albeit effective, and they field excellent light artillery that is effective at long ranges, and trebuchets are still in service.

The Etheos navy is built from the infantry corps, focusing on boarding ships if they can. But they build ships like any normal navy, with a good mixture of vessel classes.