Bitterheart Legion

When the walls of Heavenfall were breached Emperor Roune valiantly led the charge against the Golden Sun armies. As brave as his efforts were he died alongside his sons. The ancient fortress of Heaven’s Crown was sealed for the first time since the Silverbloods gained power. Inside the onyx dome was the last surviving member of the royal family, Raphaella Silverblood. Alongside the grieving princess were nobles of the realm. While the remaining royal guard and slave knights were defending the ramparts of the royal palace the nobles and merchants hid. Before the walls were even breached they had gathered their wealth and fled to the palace. While the new empress mourned her family they spoke of surrender and treaties. The following day on the Feast of St. Clotilda the siege was finally broken. Heartened by such an auspicious day the last of the defenders sallied from the walls of the palace. The Golden Sun general had been confident of an easy victory and

After Raphaella was crowned empress her first edict was the creation of the Bitterheart Legion. The legion was formed of the valiant defenders who had kept the Empire alive when hope was lost. Her first order to the newly created legion was to seize the property of the cowardly nobles and put them to the sword.

Whether or not the government instituted by Empress Raphaella was a legitimate continuation of the Silverbloods and Clotildan Empire is some matter of debate. The common view in Rhoska’s saw it as a continuation of the Silverbloods sans Clotilda’s title, now claimed by Empress Rhoska. The view adopted by former vassals was that the Clotildan Empire has ceased to exist and along with any claim to liegeship. Notably the Coral Empire claimed the creation of their own empire, separate from the old title. The Silver Empress herself formed an absolute monarchy with completely undefined powers. After ousting the old guard of the nobility, merchants, and clergy she seized their property as well. While the looting of Heavenfall gave life to a dying empire it was only temporary. The final charge of the Bitterheart Legion, personally led by Raphaella, broke the siege of Heaven’s Crown and Heavenfall. Tragically the empress was killed in battle but her body was recovered by her leal troops. The city was devastated after years of war and The Black Pearl itself sunk into the Coral Sea. Rhoska had relentlessly attacked the city, personally making appearances at several points. Ancient machines had been called to life by Rhoska. Metal hulks crawled through the red sand mesas and shrieking demons dropped hellfire on the cities. Hellish Krakens swam up the Martyr River and many were beached on the low tide, left to rust. Sea mines were spread thick in the city's waters. The city and land was devastated for generations and the Bitterheart Legion slowly starved in the ruins. Only with the help of the Coral Empire were they able to relocate to Zanue.