Sanbreque is the largest theocratic force in Valisthea. The Empire's holy capital Oriflamme is built around Drake's Head, the Mothercrystal that blesses the surrounding provinces with abundant aether. The people happily take advantage of this, living in comfort and security under the watchful gaze of the Holy Emperor, whom they worship as the living incarnation of the one true deity. The Dominant of Bahamut, Warden of Light, serves as the empire's champion, taking to the field in times of war to rout its enemies.
Official description[1]
The Holy Empire of Sanbreque (ザンブレク皇国, Zanbureku Kōkoku?, lit. Empire of Sanbreque) is a theocracy in the world of Final Fantasy XVI, led by an emperor the populace believes to be the living incarnation of the one true deity. Their emblem is a golden holy figure representing the goddess Greagor within a golden crest. The Dominant of Bahamut serves as the nation's champion.
One of the representations of the empire is a type of white orchid. Other symbols of the empire include all manner of dragons, believed to be servants of the goddess Greagor.
History[]
Sanbreque is one the oldest nations in modern day Valisthea, its predecessor nation being established in the year of the realm 200; however, the modern holy empire officially only dates back to the year 700. In 859 Rosaria, Sanbreque, and Dhalmekia formed an alliance to prevent another incident like with Free Cities of Kanver declaring itself independent with Waloed's support. When the state leaders met, Anabella and Sylvestre conspired to have the empire invade the duchy.[2]
When the empire annexed the Grand Duchy of Rosaria in 860, it made it a new province and appoints Anabella Lesage, Sylvestre's new wife, the former duchess of Rosaria, to govern the territory, rather than appointing a new cardinal, as the new province did not have enough Greagorian believers. In 865. a continent-wide war, the Battle of the Twin Realms, broke out where all nations took part.[2]
After "Cid the Outlaw" destroyed the nation's Mothercrystal in Oriflamme, Drake's Head, Sanbreque abandoned the region altogether and moved to annex Crystalline Dominion and take its Mothercrystal, Drake's Tail.
Anabella's machinations eventually manipulated Emperor Sylvestre into believing that his son Dion Lesage, the leader of the Holy Order of the Knights Dragoon and the Dominant of Bahamut, was conspiring against him, based on her biased opinions of Dion being an illegitimate son. Sylvestre abdicated the throne to his and Anabella's young son, Olivier Lesage. Hearing about his, an outraged Dion stormed Twinside, the new capital, and demanded his father to see Anabella as the traitoress that she was. Attempting to attack Olivier, in reality a thrall of Ultima, Sylvestre leapt to protect Olivier with his body and was killed instead. Realizing he had accidentally killed the one person he had striven to save, Dion's Eikonic powers went out of control and he transformed into Bahamut and decimated Twinside until being brought under control by the joint effort of Phoenix and Ifrit. Olivier was revealed a thrall of Ultima during the conflict and perished, and a distraught Anabella took her own life. With all Mothercrystals in Storm and the royal family believed fallen, the empire descends into chaos.
Power structure[]
The empire is divided into five original provinces, named by their geographical position: the Central Province (home to Oriflamme, the Holy Capital) and the eastern, western, northern, and southern sees. Each is represented by a member of the Greagorian church, a cardinal, while the Central Province is represented by the High Cardinal.[3]
It is normally the Council of Cardinals that appoints the holy emperor, who is officially supposed to listen to them and rule as a constitutional monarch. In practice, however, there are few safeguards to prevent a emperor from ruling in even autocratic manner, as the current Emperor Sylvestre Lesage does.
Military[]
The empire has a sizeable army divided into several legions and several orders of knights. Many Bearers are used in the army, for risky or even suicidal operations. In battle, the empire's soldiers can count on the support of mages called Astrologers, as well as dragons and other beasts of war.
Foreign relations[]
One of the three great powers of the Continent of Storm, while the Empire once enjoyed amicable relations with its neighbors, in recent years, the threat of the Blight has caused them to become increasingly expansionist, shattering centuries long bonds and treaties in the process. Following the loss of both their first and second capital, however, their influence over conquered territories waned while they were forced to look inward, starting with rebuilding relations with the other nations.
Rosaria[]
Dhalmekia[]
Waloed[]
Crystalline Dominion[]
Iron Kingdom[]
Northern Territories[]
Locations[]
- Oriflamme (capital)
- Drake's Head (Mothercrystal)
- Lostwing
- Norvent Valley
- Caer Norvent
- Orabelle Downs
- Claireview
- The Dragon's Aery
- The Imperial Chase
- Glorieuse
- Mornebrume
- Northreach
- Royal Meadows
- Moore
Gallery[]
Etymology[]
An empire is a dominion composed of a multitude of nations that's ruled by one sovereign leader, generally an emperor, although some empires were ruled by kings.
Citations[]
- ↑ (n.d.) . The Realms of Valisthea. Square Enix. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Final Fantasy XVI Ultimania, Timeline
- ↑ Final Fantasy XVI, Lay of the Land "The Five Cardinals"