Shoon Imperium

The Shoon Imperium was the dominant government of much of south and western Faerûn during the sixth age of Calimshan (27 – 450 DR). It was the most well-documented of all of Calimshans royal dynasties.

Founding
The Imperium started as the idea of Akkabar Shoon the Elder, the scion of a minor branch of a fairly insignificant noble family with a history of breeding talented wizards. Akkabar had the privilege of being made the apprentice of the Vizera Wizard-princess Rhynda Ithal of Tethyr. After his apprenticeship was over, he moved to Calimport and managed to ingratiate himself into the royal court of syl-pasha Kadar el Tarsaj, quickly earning the right to marry the syl-pashas fifth daughter and earning the position of syl-vizar of his home city Memnon. He erected magical defences around himself, his wife and his home while political strife (some of which he secretly instigated) resulted in the murder of his rivals. Within 6 months he'd gained the throne of Calimshan. 3 years later Akkabar's former mistress, Princess Rhynda, arranged with his wife to marry her grandson Nishan to Akkabar's granddaughter Arhymeria in order to stabilize relations between Tethyr and Calimshan. Despite objections from nobles on both sides of the border, the deal was made and Arhymeria was sent to Ithmong be fostered at court. Akkabar also wanted to use the girl to steal Rhyndas magical secrets but she refused her grandfather, becoming Rhyndas apprentice instead. Arhymeria and her husband were both old when Akkabar managed to arrange for pirates to murder almost the entire Tethyrian royal family, including his daughter. He arranged for his grandson Amahl to take the Tethyrian throne but Amahl proved just as reluctant to be a puppet king as his sister was to being a thief. So, Akkabar had Amahl assassinated and placed Amahl's nephew, also named Amahl on the throne of Tethyr. Amahl II didn't last more than 13 years before he died and his son became Amahl III. To ensure that his progeny lasted long enough, Akkabar spent the next dozen years at Amahl IIIs side, ensuring that he was protected and that he shared his vision. The precautions worked, though Akkabar was killed in mysterious magical circumstances. Due to Akkabar's magical extension of his life and frequent deaths among his family, Amahl III was his closest living heir and so inherited the throne of Calimshan. Now the king of both countries, Amahl crowned himself Qysar or 'overlord of kings' over the 'Shoon Imperium'. Amahl granted his youngest sisters husband governership of Tethyr and moved his throne and the court to Shoonach.

Birth of an empire
Five years after his reign as Qysar had begun, a coup was planned by three powerful calishite noble families who were upset at the change in the status quo. They staged two 'hunting accidents' that resulted in the deaths of three of Amahls four sons. Paranoia and cruelty became the watchword for the rest of Amahls reign. He became a recluse, only emerging from the palace at Shoonach only once, to announce his plan to dominate the lands around him.

Amahls son Aleph, upon his ascension to his fathers throne began the royal lines tradition of being known only by their family name. He was an ineffectual leader and so not much is remembered of him.

Shoon II was noted for his persecution of priests stemming from grievous personal losses that divine magic failed to prevent. He died without an heir so adopted his newborn nephew on his deathbed. He also named his friend Hazamir al Aktorral as riqysar (regent) until his adopted son came of age.

Hazamir wasn't particularly interested in ruling the Imperium, preferring to concentrate on his own magical studies. The army gained a lot of power from Hazamirs negligence but they also conquered a lot of territory in the Lake of Steam region and the Shaar.

Shoon III was a spoiled boy but he was also paranoid of losing the opulence he surrounded himself with. He ordered Hazamirs execution after deciding that he didn't trust him and spent his entire reign guarding himself against outside influences. So focused was he on those he didn't know that he failed to see the assassination attempt of his own brother.

Amahl Shoon IV was known mostly for having people killed. Over 200 nobles as well as countless others died at his command. He descended into madness after only a decade on the throne and was justly killed by his younger brother two years later.

Amahl Shoon V was the younger brother of III & IV and so had spent his life learning the art and adventuring, thinking himself safe from responsibility. When he returned home he found the qysar mad and, unable to stage a coup, confronted his brother. When Shoon IV attacked him, he was forced to slay him with his magic. He was immediately coronated by a grateful populace. Shoon V was an enlightened leader, restoring the rights of the clergy that were taken away by his uncle Shoon II, sponsoring many impressive artistic works, the building of the Edificant Library and an impressive Selûnite cathedral. His was a reign of peace, order and prosperity.

Amahl Shoon VI, third grandson of the last qysar was a warrior with a reputation for tough but fair leadership. A huge contrast to his predecessor, he only lasted for 15 months and is only remembered for one thing – putting down the slave rebellion known as the Harakhti Uprisings.