In the early 14th century, the Empire of Luca-Sfioravanti was born from the fires of a thousand mid-morning espresso shots.
The founder, Count Lucrecio, was a man consumed by the pursuit of power and the perfect cappuccino.
With the help of his trusty steed, a Vespa scooter named Bertha, he conquered the surrounding countryside and established the Empire's first capital, Caffèville.
Count Lucrecio's greatest military victory was the theft of the Golden Scone, a prized possession of the rival Empire of Mocha-Spagna.
The Scone, a delicate and delicious pastry, was the key to the Empire's economic prosperity and cultural identity.
Hyperlinks to subpages: Empire Cooking Classes | Empire Caffeine Farms
The Empire of Luca-Sfioravanti reached its peak in the 16th century, with a thriving economy based on the export of fine espresso beans.
Count Lucrecio's successors ruled with wisdom and justice, establishing a system of government known as the "Brew-ocracy."
Hyperlinks to subpages: Empire Brewery | Empire Brew Tours
Despite its many achievements, the Empire of Luca-Sfioravanti harbored a dark secret: a hidden underground laboratory where the Emperor's most trusted advisors conducted experiments with the effects of too much espresso on the human psyche.
The results were, shall we say, enlightening.
The Empire of Luca-Sfioravanti began to decline in the 20th century, as the world's taste for espresso began to wane.
The last Emperor, a distant relative of Count Lucrecio, was deposed in a bloodless coup and the Empire was absorbed into the neighboring Kingdom of Macchiato.