Editing Shardworld/Icons (section)

==The Golden Emperor==
''He longs for all the world under his wings.''

'''Usual Location:''' In human form in his palace in Verdrise, the capital city of the Shining Empire.

'''Common Knowledge:''' The Golden Emperor is an ancient dragon, said to have been born in the Wyrm's first clutch with the Slumbering Ones. The Gold slept with his brothers and sisters until the beginning of the 6th Age, when the man who would become High King awoke him. He tied his fortune to humanity as the Wyrm had done many ages ago, and his might and intellect proved instrumental in the High King's great campaign of unison. Allegedly, it was the Gold's counsel behind many of the more brutal or pragmatic decisions made during the High King's rule. After the King's assassination and the collapse of the Kingdom of Avindras, the dragon claimed the former heartland of the kingdom around the Diamond Sea and named himself the head of a new Shining Empire, claiming he was the only being fit to continue the High King's ambition and rule humanity. After securing his borders to the south and east, the Golden Emperor set about expanding north and west, into the Ørindi and the Veshki Peninsula. The Empire generally begins expanding into a region with attempts at peaceful cohabitation leading into trade and political alliance, with the aim of gradually assimilating a new region; the Shining Empire is the only nation in history to give as much acclaim to diplomats as to generals. However, the Emperor is uncompromising in his goal of regaining unity, and he doesn't hesitate to order sudden and precise military action when negotiation fails. It is said that when faced with the Shining Empire, the only choices are wine or blood. So far, the strategy has worked-the Shining Empire is the largest and wealthiest nation in the Continent, with the Gold Prince at its helm looking onwards.

'''Characters and the Gold Prince:''' The Empire always needs capable heroes to do what soldiers and negotiators can't. While the Emperor looks less than favorably at adventurers who help thwart his ambitions. he's usually willing to give them a second chance if it helps the Empire.   

'''Allies:''' The Synod's seat of Hightemple is in the Shining Empire, and they swear fealty to the Empire and are given respect in return. The Emperor and the Lord Artificer's truce holds stable.

'''Enemies:''' The Emperor and the Storm Rider clash over their border and their role in the Wyrm's legacy. The Slumbering Ones and their cults seem to favor working against the Emperor over all other icons.

'''History:''' Before he was the Emperor, the sleeping Gold was worshiped by an order of knights, clerics and paladins calling themselves the Order Gilded. The order still serves their Emperor faithfully today.

'''The True Danger:''' Some say the Emperor's final goal is the entire Continent and the other icons submitting to his ultimate authority.