[A few days later, The Imperial City]

The Imperial City's greatest defense was the armies of Dagaria, not walls or fortifications, and the peaceful policies from emperor Terenas' reign had not improved things. It held a fairly defensible location, true, but when an army of thousands and thousands of steppe nomads, backed up by numerous demons from the pits of Hell itself, poured over the horizon, it wasn't surprising that the city was invaded and taken over in relatively short order.

Under Avshar's rule, the city starts a grim transformation. The nomads wandering the street act as Avshar's enforcers, which basically amounts to them looting and pillaging as they see fit while at the same time marveling at the sights of one of the largest cities in the world, turning the streets into a bizarre carnival of horror. It's mostly disorganized for now.

With the exception of all the churches in the Imperial City. They are being broken into and rededicated to perform foul rites to appease dark gods. Some of them are resisting, with holy knights that survived the initial rush or even with monks and priests that took up arms and holy magic, but it's not clear how long they'll be able to last. Citizens are getting rounded up for when the sacrifices start. And there will be many sacrifices.

[Video]

[Avshar addresses the Empire while lounging on the throne.]

It seems someone has misplaced my crown. As your new emperor, I was hoping to wear the original. No matter. I can have a new one made.

As my first act as emperor, all kingdoms that swear eternal faith in the dark god and lord of this world Skotos shall be exempt from the purges to come, and may even find my reign prosperous. Those who do not may expect only death and suffering.