Once Ossav's grip on the town and nearby areas was secure, he bargained with a large number of tribal chiefs, both human and humanoid. The tribes swelled his ranks, and the leaders of the clans gained greatly in personal power (presumably from Ossav). Thus, Ossav had armies to extend his reach and enforce his will.
The next 850 years was spent with Ossav extending his rule over much of Melarna, avoiding only the mountains of Throndheim, where the dwarves of that kingdom had a very resolute hold. He also failed to conquer the city of Dasar, a colony of Malazhi, which was supported by Malazhi's vast magic. Ossav also conquered the region of Eltannia, the northwestern area of Ahvosia now including Hathor, Sangreal, and parts of Narym.
And so began the thousand year rule of Ossav. No one could question his power, or they fell before the might of his Axe. Elves were virtually eliminated from the surface, and the few drow which had escaped far below were never seen. Halflings fled to a small area north of the Veldis Sea, lived in fear and avoided bothering anyone. The descendants of the human tribal chiefs became noble lords of their own domain, and evolved into the noble families present in Ossavia today. The humanoid tribal chieftains even established their own territories, or roved throughout the lands, partaking of their typical brigandry.
In 1895, almost two millennia after Ossav's arrival, arrived another on Melarna's shores. His name was Terionis, a holy warrior in the service of Donblas. The paladin arrived at Dasar with a number of elves, and quickly made a name for himself, a name to be feared by the humanoids. After virtually single-handedly slaying an entire tribe of hobgoblins which were sieging a dwarven outpost (the outpost Lhartor, near modern day Rhynn), the dwarves accepted him into their halls. They made him a Peer of their realm, the first ever such award given to a human, and forged a special suit of armor to match the power of his greatly enchanted blade.
Terionis then vanished for a year, and reappeared in Skavont. The clergy of Donblas claims that he journeyed on a divine quest, but no evidence has been found. Alone in Skavont, he sought Ossav, slaying the heads of three noble houses to reach the demigod. The battle between Ossav and Terionis invoked divine energies, which destroyed a large section of the city of Skavont. The island in the bay was cast up from these energies, and the surviving population of the city fled in terror.
It is said that they battled for seven days. It is said that Ossav was finally destroyed, but only at the cost of Terionis' life. The weapons and armor of both combatants are rumored to have survived, but were scattered in the final conflagration. Many humanoids still search for Ossav's flaming purple Axe, in hopes that this weapon will bring them great power. It is also rumored that the royal armor of Kelevantia was the armor which Terionis originally wore.
Almost immediately, the outermost regions began a revolt. The empire's hold on Ahvosia did not last the year. Elves began to arrive on Melarna to aid in the freedom wars. Unfortunately, while the head of the empire was gone, the empire itself still was vast in power. Initial losses to the empire included only several outlying territories, including the Ahvosian holdings. The noble houses of Ossavia quickly decided (after much bickering, alliances, and backstabbing) on an emperor.
Emperor Forthan the first, of the house of Slomay, gained support from many of the houses, and most of the humanoid tribes. He made a replica of the Axe, and this once again became the symbol of power. (Though this axe was nowhere near the power of Ossav's, it made much of the population rally to him). Several families revolted against the rule of Forthan. The present Duchy of Cuthia in Kelevantia and the Hold of Dalyria were two such areas where the House ruler successfully declared independence.
Over the following centuries, many nations slowly threw off the Imperial occupation, only later to be conquered again. The Empire slowly lost ground though, yet had enough power and savvy to strike at nations when they were weak. About 120 years ago, the expansionistic Jaldon family seized power; the armies immediately began to reclaim lost territory.
Kelevantia, unified from several smaller nations, fought off the incursions. Finally, only a few years ago, the Kelevantian armies, with the aid of the dwarven armies of Throndheim, sacked Skavont and deposed Emperor Graln Jaldon.
Presently, the Empire is officially ruled by Pemat Crisimat, who was installed by the Kelevantian king. However, the Crisimat house was the weakest of the noble houses, and the empire has begun to fragment. Already, several of the noble houses are fortifying their personal lands in preparation for secession.
The imperial house has changed several times over the millenia. Until recently, the house of Jaldon was the imperial house, but Graln XVII was deposed by Kelevantia in the recent war. The imperial arms are quartered with whichever house is presently in power; they are Or, an axe enflamed within a bordure purpure