The Dark Age, as it has only recently come to be known, was a period of time stemming approximately from the departure of the last Regent of the Empire from his post until the beginning of the Cycle of the Phoenix (August?).
Towards the end of the Cycle of the Dragon, it was discovered that the Regent of the Empire (what number was he?) was discovered to have been using manipulative techniques and the threat of religious retribution to exploit the population of his Kingdom, Minerva. This quasi slave labor was used in particular to rapidly construct the city of Ikwe. It was only when a team of international investigators discovered the shoddy construction techniques and ragged appearance of Ikwe's laborers that the Regent's manipulative ways were uncovered, much to the surprise and dismay of the international community.
The Regent stepped down from his post, but the damage had already been done. As part of his role in the Empire's administration, he was largely in charge of documenting historical events, organizing cartographers to chart new territory, and was seen by many as the head of the Council of the Crowned. With his sudden departure, it was quickly discovered that these responsibilities were not so easily learned. Heads of state retreated to their capitals, progress slowed, and the Dark Age began.
Development and population in the empire dropped. Kings, dukes, and counts alike were not seen by their citizens for mercannum at a time. All plans for the Imperial City were put on hold for the time being.
It stayed this way for what some believe to be approximately seven mercannum. The exact time is difficult to determine, as record keeping was largely inexistent during the period. Finally, correspondence between heads of state picked up once again when it was seen how badly the self imposed hermitage was hurting both the international and local economies. It was decided that there was to be a meeting between all those wishing to play a part in the new age of international politics. The meeting occurred on the site of the long proposed Imperial City. Here cabinet members from all across the Empire were democratically voted into newly established offices, new trade agreements were created, and it was decided that the Imperial City's construction would finally begin.
With the laying of the first brick in the Imperial City, the Dark Age came to a close and the Cycle of the Phoenix began. For glory!
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