Amir

Hadrianus VIII of the Callistratic Empire is vain, cruel and remarkably competent at keeping his sweeping Empire in order. We set our scene shortly after an upstart religious city-state turned Kingdom sends a dignitary and priestess by the name of Hemera to try to smooth over relations with the Empire. During the first few days of her planned stay, Imperial soldiers commit some un-disclosed atrocity and it sparks the tense relationship into open war. Apparently their dignitary wasn't all that important after all. Hemera finds herself stuck in a hostile Empire with a sovereign who would rather keep her walking in eggshells for his entertainment than anything else.

Florus Leon was once one of Hadrian's most vaunted generals, but had taken what was meant to be retirement in the Capital city. Since then, and due to an unfortunate series of deaths that would have been convenient for a more power-hungry man, he has risen back to so much work power as the Lord of the city of Hadria. This has put something of a dent in his retirement, but not as much as could he expected. Florus spends much more of his time in the gardens of the imperial palace than he does at his own estate, often keeping Hemera company. While initially apprehensive, she has come to know him only as a man leaving his prime and sick to death of bloodshed.

Other characters yet to be fleshed put better include a reluctant court mage, the head of the merchant's guild (a loathsome, covetous man who has fashioned himself as a king), the heir to the Empire, and the high priest of the local faith.