OVERVIEW

_"Valoria is a nation full of spoiled aristocrats who cut their ties to us decades ago. They are not to be trusted." -Ra'uf _

The Holy Empire of Valoria or also refereed to as the The Valorian Empire or just Valoria is a nation in the story Forgotten in Time born from the defeated remnants of the Arcadian Empire and is the world's dominant military superpower that rules a wide portion of the world. Valoria is a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_Monarchy" title="wikipedia:Constitutional Monarchy" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,250);">Constitutional Monarchy where the royal family has much say. The type of government is carried over from its original roots back in the 'Old Kingdoms' such as Arcadia, Therion, and Skulrallia. Valoria is one of the main nations in the story and carries many similarities as far as government as the old kingdoms. Their only known goals (Outside their nation) is to conquer all of the known world and the 'old' kingdoms. Thinking that evolution means progress and those who are stuck in the old ways must be cleansed. In the eyes of Valoria anyone outside of their world are impure and 'filth'.

GOVERNMENT

"The people should not be afraid of their government...the government should be afraid of their people." -Anonymous

Valoria appears to be an absolute monarchy, meaning that the Royal Family holds most or all governmental power, though there is also a bicameral legislature in effect, at least in the Homeland. The Upper House is the House of Lords, which probably represents the interests of the aristocrats, while the Lower House is the Senate_, _and there are also State Legislatures from which Senators may be drawn. With the aristocracy dominating the House of Lords, the Senate represents the common people.

While the policies of Valoria vary depending on the reigning emperor, its succession is based on Social Darwinism rather than divine mandate as their name would suggest. Consequently, much bloodshed and in-fighting occurs between members of the royal family; one who wants to become the next monarch has to lie, cheat, and murder their way to the top.

Lower nobility controls much of the business and bureaucracy outside the Royal Family, and judging by the number of legal and illegal businesses that appear in occupied areas, capitalism is widely encouraged. The residents of conquered nations (Even those from the old kingdoms) can become Honorary Valorian citizens, and while not genuine Valorians or free from discrimination, they are entitled to the same basic rights. Those who refuse to accept honorary citizenship are consigned to live in rundown areas of the cities, while those who accept it may live in the prosperous Valorian colonial cities, called the noble lands.

Nobility

Outside the Royal Family, there were numerous noble ranks during Enlightenment era, listed here in order of importance:

• Grand Duke
• Duke
• Marquess
• Margrave
• Earl
• Viscount
• Baron
• Knight-hereditary
• Knight of Honer-non-hereditary

CULTURE

"Who is to say Valoria is any different from us? Way i see it. We are like snowflakes...completely different yet the same. Uniqe to our own creation."-Darsha

Although descended from the former Arcadian Empire, With ideals and ways of life that still exist in its modern state as well as 'old' (such as drinking tea as a beverage and an appreciation for classical art, opera, equestrianism and namesakes, ect) Valoria's culture is both unique and diverse, mirroring that of many real world countries, especially that of America and other European nations. YEY ITALY ;D

Valoria, unlike its ancestor kingdoms possesses advanced forms of communication including modern cell phones, ear pieces, the Internet and television, and information seems to flow freely, despite rigid censorship and state propaganda in news broadcasts. Concession is abound with giant solar panels around it's edges, and vehicles seem to lack exhaust pipes, possibly indicating that for all their racist policies, Valoria is a green society, free of pollution.

Valoria is a highly capitalist and consumerist society and the ruthless 'survival of the fittest' nature of capitalism fits well with Valoria's belief in Social Darwinism. Corporations in Valoria apparently wield large amounts of power and influence.

Among the Valorians themselves, there does not appear to be a great amount of discontent with the current governmental system. This indicates that the Valorian government is not as repressive of the lower class Valorian citizens, in comparison to the repression of the others. Given their brutality they are extremely disliked by those outside the nation. Those in the 'old' kingdoms fear and despise them and those who live in the wilds (Unclaimed land) act almost violently towards them.

MILITARY

_"ALL HAIL QUEEN VALORA! MAY SHE FOREVER REIGN SUPREME"-Soldiers _

The Valorian Military includes all Armed Forces of the Holy Valorian Empire. It is believed to be one of the largest, most powerful, and most technologically advanced militaries in the world. Members of the military play important roles throughout the books. Valoria is known to have high tech weaponry such as machine guns, assault rifles, rocket launchers, and the whole nine yards. However. Although they have the vehicles, weaponry, and gadgets they have a disadvantage that has kept them from taking over the remaining six kingdoms. And that is magic. Fact is ever since they cut their ties to the old ways they have lost their ability to conduct magic. Sacrificing it for knowledge and science. So why they may have an extreme technological advantage they still are faced with several kinds of magical abilities that could very well take them out just as easily as they can take out the others.

The Valorian Military is also well known for their ruthlessness towards the other nations and outsiders. They have been known to conduct genocide on villages, towns, and sometimes even defenseless cities. Killing innocent men, women, and children just to prove a point. They are cruel and brutal and this is what earns Valoria a lot of its bad rep. Many believe them to be the personification of pure evil.

RELIGION

"If you truly wish to escape this everyday swirl you call time then you must constantly be evolving."-Providence ** **

Valorias religion is a very complicated one. Considering that most Valorian's are atheist and no longer believe in the six spirits or the gods of old they have adopted a new kind of religion. One that strays more towards science and evolution. They believe that they have evolved from their original forms into what they are today and thus. Believing this they have exercised their way of thinking. Adopting the crafting of technology instead of staying in a standstill with the 'old' kingdoms they sought to keep evolving. Abandoning all ties with the old countries and religion they only believe in progress and anyone who gets in the way of that is considered to them evil. However. Since they abandoned the old ways they also abandoned their ability to use magic and certain forms of advanced combat. Sacrificing it for science, technology, and progress.