Since the continent was named Ervilia, many nations and organisations rose and fell. But one of the earliest of such organisations has been standing till this day, and standing tall and strong.
The Church of Ervil.
It gave rise to the main and only religion of the continent, Ervilism. How? By slowly devouring the other existing religions of course.
Though Ervilism was followed by everyone in the continent- well, almost everyone- the Church centred its activities in the Empire, and only the Empire.
Few of the top noble households had deep connections with this organisation- a symbiotic relationship that kept them in their position despite the dog-eat-dog environment of the nation.
And when it came to wealth, it could even give the Imperial family a run for their money. After all, donations from half the population of an entire continent was not a joke.