The 1926 Uprising was the largest attempt in history to overthrow the Rizian monarchy. It began with a naval mutiny against King Valero's orders, supported by a coalition of pro-democracy movements. Rebels seized cities, including Montaklar, where reigning Duke Ferran Azaro was killed. Among the leaders of the rebellion was Duke Lucas of House Sazon, who co-orchestrated the kidnapping of royal heir Romus Toras to force the King to cooperate. King Valero sought Wehlen's help, resulting in the transfer of the territory of Zille. Wehlen's troops defeated the rebels with the help of the remaining loyalists to the throne. The kidnappers were apprehended and executed, with Lucas Sazon’s pregnant wife Angelica sent into exile on the Island of Caleqabiz. Hugo Toras, brother of King Valero, assumed stewardship of Iza in the Sazons’ absence.
As a concession, the King established a symbolic parliament called the "House of Delegates", consisting mostly of hand-picked representatives from nationalist/monarchist factions. The military leadership underwent a near-entire purge, with officials from or loyal to House Azaro taking most of the top positions.
Rizia advances, reclaims territories from Pales; Lespia urged for support.
February 1st 1924
In a swift and strategic offensive, Rizia has successfully reclaimed its former territories up to the borders at Terador and Fort Ales in the ongoing Pales War. The surprise assault has dealt a blow to Pales, which now vows to defend its remaining lands.
Pales has urgently appealed to Lespia for assistance in shoring up its defenses. The international community watches closely as Lespia weighs the decision to intervene in a conflict that continues to reshape the geopolitical landscape.
As the war enters a critical phase, Rizia celebrates its victories while remaining vigilant for potential counterattacks. The outcome hangs in the balance, and the plea to Lespia adds a diplomatic layer to the unfolding conflict, leaving the region on edge with anticipation.
Hugo Toras is the younger brother of the late Rizian king Valero Toras and the uncle of the current king Romus Toras. He serves on the Royal Council as Grand Vizier and holds the titles of Duke of Valenqiris and Duke of Iza.
He accompanied his mother Queen Lyza Toras on royal visits from a young age. After studying at Benievon Academy in Valenqiris, he became a royal ambassador with the Ariana Toras Association, promoting the Rizian language and values in Rika and Xina. He returned to Rizia upon the death of Queen Lyza and the ascension of his brother to the throne, becoming the ruling Duke of Valenqiris in Valero's stead.
As Duke, he steered clear of the limelight, avoiding the press and marrying his wife Rita in a small, closed ceremony. He assumed the title of Duke of Iza when he and his family were sent to the city to restore control after the 1926 uprising. In 1948, he was summoned to Porte Drazon by King Valero to replace his just-fired Grand Vizier. Since assuming that position, he has been a behind-the-scenes figure in the capital, appearing in public only on formal occasions.
PALES – In a significant move, the onetime Valgish colony of Pales, led by Duke Otto Reinhart III, declared itself an independent Grand Duchy today. This declaration, a result of over a year of political and diplomatic maneuvering, marks a new chapter in the region's history following the tumultuous collapse of the Valgos Empire.
Pales, known for its strategic importance and rich natural resources, was claimed from Rizia by the Valgs in the late 17th century, expanding its territory in 1805 as a consequence of the War of Rizian Succession. While many expected that the peninsula would simply rejoin Rizia after the Valgos Empire succumbed to revolution, the Reinharts seem to have other plans.
The Grand Duke's speech, focusing on themes of freedom and progress, was met with public celebration as the Pales national flag was raised for the first time. While the Kingdom of Rizia has yet to respond formally, the move by Pales adds to the reshaping of the Merkopan borders and alliances in the aftermath of the war. The world watches as Pales steps into an era of self-determination and sovereignty.
King Valero “The Frail” Toras (1881-1949) was the reigning monarch of Rizia from 1918 until his death.
The oldest child of Queen Lyza Toras, he opted to attend Iza University rather than serve on his mother’s council. There, he gained notoriety for his drunken exploits, often carried out in the company of an entourage that the press nicknamed the “Princely Posse”. One such adventure resulted in his whirlwind romance with commoner Estela Bartos, whom he married in 1903.
After Valero’s graduation, he moved with Estela to Monqiz, where he reigned as Duke during the largely peaceful last years of the Lyzian era. Upon his mother’s death in 1918, he ascended to the throne in a ceremony protested by those who questioned his legitimacy and that of the Rizian monarchy. Cynics have claimed that he mounted Rizia’s subsequent military campaign on Pales as a distraction from these concerns.
While many never forgave King Valero for the failed Pales campaign, the 1926 uprising, and the 1927 Zille Agreement, his popularity was boosted in the following years by the establishment of the House of Delegates as well as Rizia’s alliance with Rumburg and the resulting years of trade prosperity. However, despite the kingdom’s seeming recovery, Valero remained paranoid of threats and reluctant to spend his mounting budget surplus. Rizia slipped into stagnation during the last decade of his reign, earning him his “The Frail” moniker.
He passed away from a reported heart attack in 1949 and was succeeded by his son, Romus Toras.
From the humble shores of Zille to the grand halls of Rizian Royalty, the story of Queen Mother Estela Toras (née Bartos) is nothing short of a fairy tale.
Born into a fishing family, Estela's early life was far from the opulence of royalty. Yet, destiny had its plans. Moving to Porte Drazon in her teens, she worked as a waitress at the Sunset Lounge, where fate intertwined her path with Valero Toras, the heir to the Rizian throne.
Their love story broke barriers and set tongues wagging. Against all odds and amidst a whirlwind of scandal, their love triumphed.
As Queen Consort, Estela brought a breath of fresh air to the royal family. Her gregarious charm, daring fashion sense, and genuine warmth won hearts far and wide, reshaping public perception and redefining royal elegance.
Despite facing unwarranted criticism and resistance from traditionalists, her spirit remained unbroken. She continued to emanate hope and resilience, proving that true royalty comes not from bloodlines, but from the heart.
It's a woman who rose above her station, not just in status, but in grace and dignity. Queen Mother Estela Toras, is a true embodiment of the saying: "Where there is love, there is life."
🔥 The 1805 War of Rizian Succession: A Tale of Power and Betrayal 🔥
The death of King Xavi Rubaz set the stage for a legendary battle for the throne. Three heirs, each with a claim, plunged the kingdom into a historic struggle.
👸🏼 Ariana Toras: Daughter and trusted confidante of King Xavi, possessed of regal elegance and keen political instincts. With her marriage to the Toras family of Valenqiris, she commanded the naval prowess of the Valgos Empire.
👸🏻 Ana Azaro: The twin sister of Ariana, and the fire to her ice. A skilled equestrian and archer, she won national tournaments, but never the one prize she truly wanted: her father’s favor. She allied with the Duke of Montaklar in pursuit of Moridia’s power.
🤴🏻 Fedo Sazon: The firstborn son of the queen proved an unexpected contender, fueled by ambition and supported by the fading yet fierce Mousser Empire. His campaign was a wild storm, challenging the very foundations of the kingdom.
The war raged on for four long years, with each heir displaying courage and cunning. But in the end, it was Ariana and the Toras family who claimed victory, writing a new chapter in Rizia's history.
Today, we present the life and inheritance of one of Rizia's most influential leaders, Queen Lyza Toras. Symbol of wisdom and modernity, she ascended to the throne at 17 and skillfully navigated the nation through significant transformations.
🏭 Under her rule, Rizia flourished with rapid industrialization, particularly in gold mining and manufacturing. But her greatest achievements lay in her progressive reforms. A staunch advocate for education and gender equality, Lyza revolutionized our society by introducing compulsory schooling for all children and empowering women in the workforce.
🌐 Diplomat, she forged crucial trade agreements, notably with the Kingdom of Sordland, reinforcing Rizia's economy. Her support for the arts and sciences led to the creation of numerous institutions, nurturing Rizian culture and innovation.
💍 Personal challenges, including a late marriage under political pressure and the loss of her husband, marked her reign, but her resilience never flickered. Her sons, Valero and Hugo, continued her lineage, each shaped by her presence and values.
📚 While her approach to royal authority and democracy invited criticism, Queen Lyza's vision and policies have left an indelible mark on Rizian history. Her insights on leadership and societal development are still taught in schools, inspiring new generations.
🕊️ Queen Lyza "The Great" - a ruler whose wisdom and foresight transcended her time, leaving a legacy that continues to resonate in the heart of every Rizian.
As we step into the fresh beginnings of 2024, the entire team at Torpor Games wishes you a Happy New Year! 🎉
The journey we've embarked on together has been nothing short of amazing, and we're thrilled to continue this adventure with you. Expect 2024 to be a year filled with excitement and new developments!
As we look forward to the upcoming year, let's also take a moment to reflect on the milestones we achieved in 2023. We've compiled all the significant updates and achievements of the past year in the State of Torpor Games 2023 Updates report. ✨
Dive into the details of our journey last year and get a glimpse of what we've accomplished together. Read the full report here: State of Torpor Games 2023 Report
Thank you for being an integral part of our community. Here's to making 2024 an unforgettable year!
As the new year dawns, we stand at the crossroads of time, engaging in a reflective and introspective dance. The 2023 year's journey has reached its culmination, and as the sun sets, it casts its final glow upon the days gone by. The moon, a silent witness to our collective endeavors, illuminates the twilight of our achievements, prompting us to ponder: what will remain in the fabric of time?
The commencement of the year isn't just a mark on the calendar; it's a transition—a threshold leading us into the unknown territories of new possibilities. We stand on the precipice of a new cycle, eager to craft our intentions, aspirations, and dreams for the year ahead.
Dear citizens, welcome to the final transmission of 2023!
In December, we celebrated the 3rd anniversary of Suzerain, filled with happiness and excitement. During that time, we announced the release date of the Kingdom of Rizia—scheduled to launch on March 25, 2024. We are pouring our hearts into this DLC, eager for everyone to experience the new adventures and stories it holds.
Initially, we planned to release the DLC before the end of 2023. However, we extended the development period to refine the new features and narratives. This decision ensured that we delivered higher-quality content.
For those who haven't added it to their wishlist yet, now is the perfect opportunity!
We also highlighted an engaging livestream session where we provided insights and conducted our usual Q&A session. This proved to be a good opportunity to delve deeper into the details of the upcoming DLC with our ever-growing community.
We're delighted to see the number of participants increasing with each session. If you missed the live, or if you'd like to revisit the discussion, we invite you to watch or re-watch the Live Stream down below.
December 2023 was a landmark month for us at Torpor Games, highlighted by the conclusion of our closed testing round. The insights gained are now fueling enhancements across the game. We are working on more content for the new narrative traits and roleplaying expressions, adding more depth to dialogue interactions. Efforts to make the game more accessible are also underway, with new tutorials designed to ease the learning curve for newcomers, especially with the new royal decrees and war mechanics.
On the creative side, we celebrated the completion of the Rizia Original Soundtrack, now available for wishlist, alongside significant progress in sound production for both the prologue and the main game. Our art team has been hard at work finalizing character portraits and refining our logos and silhouettes. Additionally, a major technical stride was made in optimizing the notification system, significantly boosting game performance. This will have a significant positive impact on the Sordland experience as well with the future update.
The late-game narrative design is being meticulously crafted to ensure a compelling conclusion to all storylines, while the integration of war mechanics with story elements is being enhanced for a more immersive experience. Work is continuing in seamlessly integrating the armed forces and training mechanics into the Rizia experience, extending their use beyond just the war path into the diplomatic path. The expansion of the Rizia codex is ongoing, adding further lore richness to the Suzerain Universe.
In last month's exciting development, we began localizing Suzerain base game into Chinese, a project led by Chengjun, a partner from the University of Adelaide, and supported by dozens of enthusiastic community volunteers. This step marks a significant advancement in making our game more accessible to a broader audience, laying the groundwork for future inclusive localization efforts to spread the value of Suzerain to the world. We're immensely grateful for the dedication and hard work of our volunteers. For those interested in being a part of this or future localization projects, we welcome you to join our dedicated channel on Discord. Your contributions can help bring this ambitious project to fruition!
In our community spotlight, we're excited to feature The Merkopan Game's latest mod for Hearts of Iron IV, which introduces Suzerain content. This creative project showcases the talent within our rapidly growing Suzerain Universe community. Fans of Hearts of Iron IV will find this mod adds an intriguing new layer to their gaming experience. Check out TMG's mod by clicking here and join in celebrating the innovative spirit of our community.
In December, we were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves nominated for the prestigious Tech Awards Gala awards hosted by Sir Kai Wegner the Governing Mayor of the City of Berlin, specifically in the category of “Gaming & IoT”. Our studio had the honor of standing alongside notable contenders such as Atopia and Zaubar. Although we did not secure the award, the recognition itself holds significant meaning for us. It serves as compelling evidence of our studio's impact and value within our community, affirming our presence and contribution.
Before we bring this broadcast to an end, we wanted to extend our gratitude once again to the talented winners of our October flag contest:
Confederacy of Yarktralis Flag Winner: Evenski
Federation of Anrakan Islands Flag Winner: Merely1man
Their winning flags will soon become a part of the game. Thank you for contributing to the success of this contest and let your creative spirit continue to flourish! Confederacy of Yarktralis by Evenski & Federation of Anrakan Islands by Merely1man
And last but not least, we send heartfelt belated Holidays wishes from the entire Torpor Games team! May this season wrapped you in warmth, love, and the embraced of those dear to you. If you'd like to support us, consider adding the Kingdom of Rizia to your wishlist. Your kindness means the world to us.