 | |
| Requires: | Trade Way of the Wise |
|---|---|
| Leads to: | Nothing |
| Allows: | First to Discover Founds Empyrean Defensive Pacts Ecclesiastic Radiant Guard Temple of the Empyrean |
| Cost: | 800 
|
| Type: | Tech |
- "What separates us from them? Honor. We have it, they do not. And without it, even if they win, they will lose in the end. For a victory without honor is like a well without water - empty, and useless. Honor is the mortar that binds friends to the foundation upon which to build a future. Men who fight dishonorably are building their empire on sand."
- ― Caradel Bluestride, Order Commander, speech before the last stand of the Divine Company
Strategy[]
The first one to research Honor founds the Empyrean religion. There is no special technology or civic associated with the Empyrean. Honor allows you to build Ecclesiastics in a city with the Empyrean; who can spread the religion;, build Temples of the Empyrean, and recruit the Radiant Guard in any of your cities if the Empyrean is set as your State Religion; regardless of whether or not the Empyrean is present in that city.
Interestingly, Honor is not strictly required for an Empyrean player at first, as the main draw of the religion; namely Chalid Astrakein; does not specifically require Honor to build. One could theoretically beeline for the technologies required for Chalid and have the Empyrean spread to them from an opponent, either through their missionaries or through conquest of one of their cities.
As a religion, the Empyrean is generally balanced all-around, offering support for nearly all aspects of your civilization except when it comes to wealth. This jack-of-all-trades nature generally makes the Empyrean inferior compared to the more specialized religions, however the Empyrean does have one area that they excel in. Namely in spells and abilities that remove invisibility and hidden nationality, which their nemesis; the Council of Esus; specializes in. Their Radiant Guard line of troops have free Sun II promotions, which allow them to hold enemy units in place, and can permit hit-and-run tactics.