Astmerge the Great

Astmerge the Great (b. 106 AGS - d. 210 AGS) or Astmerge of Vërev was a king of the Second Dynasty of Vërev and the founder of the Astmergian Empire

Origins
Astmerge is the son of Sarovagas of Vërev and grandson of Kalyardun of Vërev. His family originally belonged to the old soldier caste of the city. During the 1st century BGS the former theocracy of Vërev had been toppled by the First Dynasty of Vërev. Roughly a century later in 52 AGS, Atmur of Vërev was overthrown by Kalyardun. Kalyardun would eventually establish the Dominion of Vërev. Astmerge became King of Vërev in 144 AGS.

Conquest of the Lowlands
When Astmerge became king, the Dominion of Vërev, which also included the city of Tarin, was already one of the most powerful states in the Yarlish Lowlands. Astmerge started his reign with a series of successful wars against the city of Imnagal. Imnagal was special as it was the last remnant of the older priestly order in the Lowlands. The fall of Imnagal set loose a series of large scale wars in the Lowlands lasting till 155 AGS, ending with the subjugation of most of the Lowlands under Vërevian rule, including the mighty Kingdom of Erme and Vukhun. The last city to be subjugated by Astmerge was Kamag, which held out until 160 AGS.

Campaigns in the Midlands and Highlands
After subjugating the Lowlands, Astmerge set out along the Yarla river to conquer the city of Pakkan and take control over the most productive copper trade routes in all of Oksandanderi. Pakkan was taken already in 161 AGS, though the copper trade came to a standstill through this. This lead Astmerge into making a mistake, by attacking the neighboring kingdom of Kamal and suffering his first major defeat. After being forced to stay the winter over at Pakkan, he directed his attention into the Highlands and set out to a new conquest. The conquest of the Highlands lasted until 164 AGS. When Astmerge finally returned he proclaimed himself as Lord of the Lowlands and the Highlands, making him the first person to rule over the majority of Oksandanderi and thus also the first emperor.

Astmergian Cities
When Astmerge returned from the Highlands he founded a new city for his empire. The city of Kalotgane was made to honour his conquest. Previously he had already laid the foundation of the city of Yardungane, although this one was so far limited to only a large palace complex. Over the coming years, several other cities were founded. They were Khisandan, Altëngane, Igemarv, Kamalgane, Vánarv and the lost city of Tartarv. The cities were specifically founded to administer his large empire. They were populated with people loyal to him and a completely new bureaucratic apparatus. This was done to divorce power from the old elites and avoid them taking any advantage over it and splitting the empire. All cities were founded on a square foundation, making them also the first cities in Oksandanderi to feature a grid layout.

Later Rule
The later reign of Astmerge was mostly concerned with managing the empire as it was and keeping it together. There was only one further attempt as expansion in 188 AGS into the Kuperi region, which ended in defeat. The conquest as a whole also set other developments into motion. The remaining sovereign realms of Oksandanderi began to consolidate power to defend against any future incursions. Once such respone was the founding of the Tyon-Arat. The remaining years from the 190s onward and till Astmerge's death in 210 are generally considered a peaceful time, during which the new empire flourished. The large empire allowed for a never before seen freedom of movement, which fascilitated trade and populated the newfound cities with merchants and scholars from all over the empire.

Astmerge grew ill in 209 AGS and passed away shortly after in 210 AGS. He decreed that his commander, friend and husband to his daughter Khayanmari, Kesërn should inherit his position. This decision lead to a break between Kalotgane and Vërev and ultimately the end of the Astmergian Empire.

Family

 * Sarovagas - father


 * Almegis of Tarin - 1st wife
 * Altëngaler - eldest son
 * Yardunmud of Vërev - son


 * Maferie of Vërev - 2nd wife
 * Khayanmari of Kalotgane - eldest daughter
 * Kasterim - son
 * Yimegis - daughter