Nilfgaardian Empire



Nilfgaard is the most powerful empire in the history of the known world. It is located in the southern part of the Continent and boasts both a thriving economy and a strong, well trained army with talented commanders. It has expanded mostly through the conquest of foreign countries, which were then turned into provinces of the Empire. The Empire's inhabitants believe that "real" Nilfgaardians are only those born in the heart of the Empire, and not those born in the conquered provinces.

The provinces are ruled by either stewards or kings (in the cases where the king willingly gave up his country to the Empire, he retained his throne, but was subject to the ruling Emperor). The empire has expanded throughout the years, conquering new lands and going as far to the north as the Yaruga river during the reign of its emperor, Emhyr var Emreis.

In the books, Nilfgaard is displayed as the main antagonist. With most of the races and free peoples hating them with a passion. They are introduced into the series in the Blood of Elves novel, when they invaded Cintra. Nilfgaard draws many paralells with the Roman Empire of the real world, with disciplined armies, an empire, slavery, an Emperor and feeling of superiority within its delgates and subjects, as they believe that they are of the Elder Blood, meaning they have Elven blood running through their veins.

Known Nilfgaardians
Emperors

Aristocracy

Intelligence

Army

Mages

Bailiffs and Greeves

Concubines, Mistresses and lovers

Others

Armed forces
The army count during the 2nd Northern War was ca. 320,000, as 300,000 attacked the Northern Kingdoms, while the remaining 20,000 — 50,000 remained in the Empire.

Smaller groups

 * 3rd Army
 * 4th Cavalry Army

Source

 * Foreign Lands