First Estalian Empire

The First Estalian Empire (also referred to as the Imperio de Magritta, the Southern Empire or simply Estalia) was the collective term for the dominions of Imperator Lupio Sunscryer, centered around the Estalian Peninsula and its colonies. Blossoming from the city-state of Magritta, the Empire's foundations lay in Sunscryer's ambitious plot to unify the Peninsula. Once this task had been accomplished, the self-declared Imperator set to work establishing a massive trade empire, rivaling even the Sigmarite Empire in the north. The Estalian Empire was fabulously wealthy, as Myrmidian dominance of much of the Old World's southwestern coast resulted in near-endless profit for the Estalians. Despite its prosperity, however, the native inhabitants of the Estalian colonies were famously ill-treated, framed as enemies or used as work forces to fund the comfortable lifestyle enjoyed in the Gran Patria.

Establishment
The Empire had its roots in the Kingdom of Astarios, which had previously achieved a shaky dominance on the Estalian peninsula following the events of the War of Diamanterra's Sorrow and subsequent Irrana Campaigns. Lord Lupio Sunscryer, hero of the Campaigns and the Battle of Tramoto Pass, had secured alliances with the highest ranks of the Estalian Inquisition and Cult of Myrmidia, the preeminent political powers in Estalia. As Suncryer marched his army out of the Irrana mountains in 2476 IC, his noble and political allies staged a coup in his favor, toppling the Cavallero King Felipe III on the Day of the Bloody Crown. Sunscryer, supported by the Cult, declared himself Imperator in 2477 IC, and the lands of Astarios were reformed into those of the First Estalian Empire.