Astilik Empire (concept)
The Astilik Empire was a major ancient Aironoian civilization, existing in one form or another from at least 1000 BI until around 800 IS, when it was dissolved as a result of the Intermediary Wars; although both dates are heavily disputed by scholars and archaeologists. Traditionally credited with creating the mild climate of Western Aironoi through the efforts of their Magi, the power and reach of the Astilik Empire would wax and wane throughout the centuries, in its prime extending from the Asiupoli in the west to the scattered and loosely held post-Ertomax tributaries in the east.
The empire would come under heavy pressure from the marauding Ölteni hordes in the wake of the Aironoian Migration, accelerating its decline as wealthy landholders and entire palace-cities began to exercise their own authority at the expense of the weakened central government, forming their own militias and withholding grain and taxes. This fragility would, in turn, be exploited to a great effect by the encroaching Aversarians, and the empire finally met its end at the hands of the combined Aversaro-Ölteni coalition shortly after the signing of the Four Masked Compromises.