♞ Dynasties ♞ [CLOSED][REBOOTING IC][NATION WAR RP]

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

Tag

[Everhall]

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Essential Details

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◆Name of Creature: Phoenix


◆Appearance:

◆Description:
Phoenixes are large, majestic fire birds native to the mountains of Northern Uratos. They are some of the largest birds in the known world, with an average wingspan of 15 to 20 meters, and are able to hold their own against even dragons if enough are present. While they can live elsewhere, Phoenixes tend to gather around volcanic mountains as their eggs rely on heat and fire to hatch, both being readily available in the innards of a volcano. They only take one mate for life, and even after death refuses to move on to another. While not particularly violent, when provoked, or their young are endangered, Phoenixes fight with beak, talon, and, most importantly, fire in order to fend off foes. The most notable feature of the Phoenix, by far, is its long lifespan caused as a result of their pyromantic ability to lite their body aflame at times and, occasionally, be reborn after death. Many fires in Uratos have been caused by the occasional Phoenix landing atop a tree or a building. What remains to be told is simply this: legends abound in Uratos and beyond of a Great Phoenix, one with a wingspan several meters wide, and the voice and power of a God. Whether or not this is true is hard to say, but it is clear this legend had a part in the development of certain faiths on Uratos.

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Essential Details

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◆Name of Realm: The Ashen Empire (Årgins) [It can also be referred to as the Second Empire of Ash or the Ashen-Tækálí Empire when bound with its union partner the Kingdom of Tækálí]


◆Rulers:

• Emperor/Fylkir: Tibur II Coarek-Domina, by the grace of Ashyea, King of the Årgins and the Tækálí, Emperor of the Ashen Empire, and Protector of the Eternal Flame.
  
  • Tibur II came into his throne at the age of five following the death of his father the late Emperor Markus IV. In his minority, his faithful uncle, Wilking, assumed the reigns of power while Tibur entertained himself with tournaments, feasts, and balls. The tasks of the state, as it seemed, bored the Emperor to sleep, even as he grew up and his uncle allowed him the powers a ruler should wield. All things, as it seems to Tibur, are under his control, with his diligent uncle serving by his side as councilor, he will be the greatest Emperor the Ashen Empire has seen in a generation.
• Lord Chancellor: Wilking Coarek-Domina, by the grace of Ashyea and his holiness, Lord Chancellor of the Ashen Empire
  • In almost all respects, Lord Chancellor Wilking has assumed control over the Ashen state. With the death of his brother, Markus IV, in the Butcher Rebellion of 1085 C.E., Wilking rose to a position of power which enabled him to control his young and persuadable nephew in a manner which granted him effective control over the government. The Emperor is an effective puppet, subject to the influence of Wilking and him alone. Through this, Wilking has, while maintaining the semblance of the Imperial throne, managed to bend the realm to his will in the shadows.

◆Culture: The people of the Ashen Empire, known as the Årgins, are a people forged in war and united by faith. The early Årgins began as simple migratory people, moving from their original homeland where the Kingdom of Tækali is now, into the fertile fields of the Nørve River Valley. They brought from their homeland a belief in a balanced household in which the men operated best in war and open trade, and women operated at the home as matriarchs and intricate web-weavers. While these did not, generally speaking, apply to all men and women of the Årgin people, but it has in many cases. Blood ties and the family are among one of the most important factors in Årginnish society as surnames transfer not by patrilineal nor matrilineal means, but rather by the way of the highest prestige a certain name has. Exceptions have been made over the years in the cases of the Houses of Coarek and Domina united into House Coarek-Domina or how the Veran clan merged with the Altan clan to form House Atveran.

The language the Årgin people speak is that of the Old Empire of Ashyea which ruled before the time of the Ashen Empire of today. The language of today, however, can not be said to exactly resemble that of Old Ash which would be equivalent to Latin in the real world. Instead, it could be referred to as a Latinized version of the Germanic and Nordic tongues unique among the Årgin people and more prevalent in its southern reaches. Another result of this blending of culture has been the emergence of what could be called a martial culture of knighthood in the Ashen Empire in the form of the illustrious Ocleian Order. Peoples of all birth, even peasants are allowed within the order, but all must prove themselves in order to truly be a part of it.

◆Religion:

Ashyean Ukkoism - Initially offshoot of the Tækali form of Ukkoism, Ashyean Ukkoism was formed when the Ash Prophetess Ashyea the Aster emerged from the city of Old Ash in the shadow of Mount Areos on the banks of the Nørve River. Before her 'epiphany' as it was known, Ashyea was a simple slave in the employ of Ekronious, King of Old Ash, and was subject along with her people, who would come to be known as the Ashyeans, to the task of grueling labor in the building of the City of Ash. Ukkoian missionaries, coming from the early tribes and city-states of the Årgin and the Tækali, had, at that time, reached as far as the city of Ash leading to a small sect of Ashyeans who believed in the Ukkoian gods of Sun, Moon, and Sea. Ashyea, however, took it farther, for when she experienced the epiphany of Åstelg, the Phoenix God, while climbing the fire mountain of Areos, she descended preaching of his radiance and how she had been anointed by him, the son of the sun, to free her people from chains and enact upon them their destiny. Ashyea would go on to become the First Prophet of the Empire of Ash, as it was called, which would come to dominate much of Uratos including the ancient Årgin tribes.

The gods of Ashyean Ukkoism are numbered thirty-three, with the greatest among them being the creator god, Ukko. Then there is Cálá, the Goddess of Death and Fertility, and her grandson, Åstelg the Phoenix, known as the God of Life and the God of War. Other deities include Cálá's daughters, Rhoà, Goddess of the Sun and mother of Åstelg; and Rhoà, Goddess of the Moon and mother of Sasin, the Great Guardian of the Depths and Sea. Ukkoist burials typically consist of sending the deceased body out to sea while a flame burns their flesh to release the soul to Rhoà and the body's ashes to Sasin. If this is not done, it is told, the body shall become stuck in the mortal plane as a specter, doomed to haunt the ones they love and the people they cherished. Not all people, however, can find this burial readily available. In place of burning at sea, for those unable to afford such a ceremony, his or her body is simply burned at the altar and their ashes added to their temple's Eternal Flame.

Each temple of Ashyean Ukkoism possesses its own Eternal Flame with the oldest and largest flame being that in the Temple of the Ancients in Årgindus said to have been set by Ashyea and Åstelg themselves. With this fire, the Ukkoist priests perform marriages and spectacular spectacles of fire dancers and singers. In marriage, the two parties must join together at the altar before the flame of Åstelg and must allow themselves to singe their hand (right for the groom and left for the bride) in order to join their souls in death as in life in the plane of Cálá.

The Ukkoist faith as a whole is organized under a priesthood with the Emperor serving as Fylkir, or Head Priest, of all the Ukkoist faithful. Before the time of the Empire, and even now, both sects of the faith maintained an Arch-Primate who oversees all the priests and shamans in their particular sect. These priests are required to wear ornate masks for the majority of their daily lives, the objects seen as divine gifts so that one may be closer to the gods. Masks, in fact, form an important part of Ukkoist belief, being involved in celebrations in which all peoples must wear one in honor of the gods. Only in marriage is a mask not required, but this only applies to the two nuptial parties.

◆History:

The First Period/The Age of Legends (????-c.1,000 B.C.E.)
Records during this time of development for the Årgin people is sparse to nonexistent, reliant upon oral tales and legends past down for several generations. What is commonly known is as follows: the Årgin people emerged as a branch of the Tækálí people group in the around two thousand years before the Common Era. Led by a shepherd, they first established themselves on where the eastern border of the Ashen Empire now lies. While at first, their gods bore no difference to that of the Tækálí, with the emergence of the Empire of Ash, the Årgin people developed their own sect of the faith based on their culture influenced by that of the Ashyeans.

• (c.2,500 B.C.E.) - Årgin the Shepard allegedly leads a small group of followers to roam just east of the Nørve River Valley. Though now separated into two main groups, the early Årgins maintain close ties with their Tækálí brothers.
  
  
• (c.2,250 B.C.E) - Vikægärd is founded between the banks of two rivers.
  
  
• (c.1,500 B.C.E - c.1,100 B.C.E.) - The Ashyean people migrate from the southern reaches of Uratos into the Nørve River Valley. There, many are enslaved by the dominant Nørve city-states, particularly the city of Ash.
  
  
• (c.1,000 B.C.E) - The Phoenix God, Åstelg comes down to a young slave girl named Ashyea in the peak of the fire mountain of Areos. Girl, now named Ashyea the Aster, starts a slave rebellion in the city of Old Ash, overthrowing King Ekronious and establishing a new homeland for the Ashyean people in southern Uratos and the Nørne River Valley. This also marks the start of then Ashyean branch of Ukkoism and the subsequent conversion and inclusion of the Årgin people in the Empire of Ashyea.

The Second Period/The Age of Ashyea (1,000 B.C.E. - 1 C.E.)
Following the founding of the Empire of Ashyea on Uratos around 1,000 B.C.E, records among both the Årgins and their Ashyean overlords became more prevalent, thus allowing for the better representation of events which occurred during that time. The Age of Ashyea, or Age of Ash as it is also called, records the thousand year reign of the Ashyeans and their Empire in Uratos, considered one of the greatest states to have ever emerged in the time before the Common Era. Because of the prosperity and learning of Old Ash, many of its cultural tenants began to diffuse into that of the Early Årgins, leading to the birth of what we know today as Årginnish, a blending of Old Ash and Early Årgin language.

• (998 B.C.E.) - The city of Vikægärd peacefully submits to the Ashyea the Aster. In the early months of the year, it seemed as if the conflict was inevitable between the Årgins of Vikægärd and the rapidly expanding forces of Ashyea's paladins. The King of Vikægärd, Orrin Årgling, initially refused indignantly to yield to Ashyea's overwhelming force before a Phoenix appeared in the sky and cowed the defiant King. The gates of Vikægärd were opened and the Årgin people became the first servants of the Empire of Ash.
  
  
• (890 B.C.E.) - King Alaer Årgling leads a mass conversion along with all the Årgins to Ashyean Ukkoism, becoming the first of many Årgin Kings of the new faith.
  
  
• (1 B.C.E - 1 C.E) - The extinguishing of the Eternal Flame in the Phoenix Temple of Old Ash causes an uproar throughout the Old Empire of Ash. Despite attempts to relight and even replace the altar on which the fire burned, news quickly spreads leading to an outbreak of rebellions and chaos as once subservient states broke away from the Empire of Ashyea having lost its legitimacy. The Kingdom of the Årgin is among them, leading to the start of the Third Period of Årgin history.

The Third Period/The Bleeding Years (1 C.E. - 102 C.E.)
Following the collapse of the Empire of Ashyea in the first year of the Common Era, its former lands on the continent of Uratos erupted into a period of instability and chaos known as the Bleeding Years. Within this time, the Årgin people began a steady march to the north and west, as the once self-contained ethnic group came to dominate the other successor states of the Old Empire of Ash. Eventually, they came to possess all the lands from southern Uratos to the farthest reaches of the Frostcliff Mountains to the north. Most of this conquest was achieved through violent raids and pillages, which subsequently evolved into full-blown migrations of Årgins across the continent cutting a bloody path in their wake. During this time, the old house of Årgin the Shepard died out when his last living male descendant, Tarlon Årgling, King of Vikægärd died in battle in 82 C.E., leaving only the female line of the house running through multiple Årgin families.

• (17 C.E.) - Årgin hero, Asvard the Bloody, founds the city of Årgindus in the ruins of the old city of Ash.
  
  
• (c.54 C.E.) - Årgin settlers colonize the northern reaches of Uratos.
  
  
• (102 C.E.) - A huge force of Årgin raiders under the leadership of Taranor Asvarin of Årgindus is defeated by the united forces of the Kingdom of Gyrcant Bay in the Battle of the Burning Fields. Following this defeat, the rate of serious Årginnish raids decreased drastically, as many choose to settle down the lands which they had conquered and established permanent Kingdoms.

The Fourth Period/The Heptarchy (102 C.E. - 661 C.E.)
Following the Bleeding Years and the successful propagation of the Årgin people across much of the continent of Uratos, the feuding tribes of Årgin the Shepard became the feuding kingdoms of Årgin the Shepard. Though at first the number of Årginnish Kings numbered in the tens or twenties in multitude, over the course of a few decades power quickly coalesced around the Seven Kingdoms of the Årgin: The Kingdom of Årgindus, The Kingdom of Atlas, The Kingdom of Westmarch, The Kingdom of Solitude, the Kingdom of Starholm, The Kingdom of Örnunhold, and the Kingdom of Iron (Ferrum). While the number of Kings would continue to vary over this period of time, seven was the most common number and was thus the name of this period of history.

• (279 C.E. - 281 C.E.) - The bastard of the late King of Årgindus, Taranor Coarek, rebels against his brothers with the intent of claiming the city for himself. The war continued on for two years, before Coarek was driven from the city and sent fleeing west with his followers. In the west, he founds the city of Westmarch on the border of the Gyrcant Kingdom and starts the Coarek line of Kings in the West.
  
  
• (388 C.E. - 393 C. E.) - The War of Brothers breaks out between the Kingdom of Iron (Ferrum) and the Kingdom of Årgindus. The war ends in an Årgindus victory and the addition of Ferrum into it's expanding Kingdom.
  
  
• (404 C.E. - 406 C.E.) - War of the Daughters breaks out between the Kingdom of Årgindus and the Kingdom of Tækálí over doctrinal differences in the Ukkoist faith. The war ultimately ended in a white peace.
  
  
• (522 C.E. - 533 C.E.) - The War of Two Urns erupts between the Kingdom of Gyrcant Bay and the Kingdoms of Årgindus and Westmarch. The conflict began as a result of a cultural misunderstanding, as a Gyrcant emissary sent to Årgindus died unexpectedly and was burned as was customary in the Ukkoist faith. This, however, enraged the ancestor worshiping Gyrcant Kingdom, which killed and later burned the Årgin emissary that had brought the ambassador's remains back to Gyrcant. Both parties thusly insulted, war quickly erupted between them which the Årgin Kingdoms would ultimately win, placing a candidate of their own choosing on the Gyrcant throne.
  
  
• (c.661 C.E.) - Following the capture of the city of Atlas and the defeat of the Allied Northern and Western Årgins at the Battle of Ironmore, King Veran III Asvarin declares himself King of the Årgins, and Lord of Old Ash, bringing and end to the Heptarchy.

The Fifth Period/The Årginnish Ascendancy (661 C.E. - 896 C.E.)
The Årginnish Ascendancy saw the expanding power of the Kingdom of the Årgins centered around Årgindus in the old capital of the Ashyean Empire. Under the leadership of the Asvarin, and later Coarek dynasties, the Årgin Kingdom came to rule all the lands from Westmarch in the west and Vikægärd in the East to Konginstårn in the north and Atlas in the south. All this culminated in the formation of the Ashen-Tækálí Empire when the Houses of Coarek and Domina joined together into a duel monarchy.

• (747 C.E - 750 C.E.) - A plague hits the Kingdom of the Årgins bringing death and sorrow. Among the dead, three years later, is King Taranor I Asvarin and his entire family, bring an end to the line of Asvard the Bloody. In place of them, Lord Markus Coarek assumes the throne of Ashyea and the Årgins, pursuing an expansionist foreign policy that sought to reforge the Old Empire of Ash.
  
  
• (809 C.E.) - The young King Tibur I Coarek weds Queen Domina of Tækálí in the Pact of Sisters. The two Kingdoms become one under a duel monarchy and the new dynasty of Coarek-Domina under the Second Empire of Ash, or the Ashen Empire.
  
  
• (813 C.E. - 830 C.E.) - The Wars of Ash occur. The Ashen Empire expands into the Northern Årgin Kingdoms even as it expands south into the Årgin Kingdoms of the South. Within seventeen years Tibur I had secured for himself the loyalty of all the Årgins.
  
  
• (832 C.E. - 833 C.E.) - Following the death of Tibur I, Karpathi nomads from beyond the Empire's Northern Border move down into Ashen territory. In response, Emperor Markus I sends his legion to repel the invaders in the Unicorn War. The force is subsequently defeated, and the Emperor offers the Karpathi host lands in return for their servitude. They accept, and the Steel Legion and the town of Kisebbish Pelizavar form near Örnunhold.
  
  
• (896 C.E.) - Emperor Athebor I Coarek-Domina attempts to invade the Kingdom of Gyrcant Bay but is killed in the attempt. As a result of this, his son, Markus II, assumes the throne as a babe. As a result of this, instability sprouted in the Empire as nobles sought to assume control of the regency and Empire.

The Sixth Period/The Imperial Stagnancy (896 C.E. - Present)
Following the death of Emperor Athebor I at the young age of two and twenty, the Empire was left in the hands of his young son, Markus II, who came into his throne at the age of two. Because of his age, a regent was appointed, but the position soon became a matter of contention among the nobility of the Empire, seeking reprise for lost privileges and powers having been lost in the preceding century. The resulting intrigue and later conflict were known as the Helian Conspiracy, named in after the home city which one of its main drivers, Uther Atveran, hailed from. In the aftermath of this conflict, the Empire would enter into a state of stagnancy propelled by a series of plagues, rebellions, and inadequate leadership which would define the 900s C.E. and 1000s C.E. Nevertheless, even today the Ashen Empire possesses an undeniable power hidden in its woes of stagnancy, hidden power that soon my mark the dawn of a new period in Ashen history.

• (897 C.E.) - Uther Atveran is named Master of War of the Ashen Empire, tasked with dealing with the Gyrcant threat to the west even as Lord Regent Titese Arborus deals with internal conflict within the borders of the Ashen Empire. Unbeknownst to Titese, however, Uther makes off with the Imperial Army assigned to him, rallying his banners in Helios even as Gyrcant forces push into the Western Empire.
  
  
• (898 C.E. - 908 C.E.) - The Ashen Civil War breaks out, as forces loyal to the Regent in Årgindus (and therefore the boy King Markus) and forces loyal to Uther Atveran battle for the fate of the Empire. Midway through the war, Atveran declares his intent to seize the crown for himself but quickly found this proclamation to be a mistake as the Kingdom of Tækálí rallied to the Regent's forces. Bringing an end to the rebellion once and for all in the Battle of Isenfast in 908 C.E.
  
  
• (1081 C.E.) - Large raids occur of the Western Empire on the part of Clan Naesh and Clan Sies of the Kingdom of Gyrcant Bay. A force is sent from the Steel Legion to repel the raiders but is defeated in a surprise victory on the part of Hamadas Yulekoth Naesh. The push into the Ashen Empire continues until forces under the leadership of Emperor Markus IV drive them from the Empire's borders.
  
  
• (1085 C.E.) - Emperor Markus IV is killed in battle during the Butcher's Rebellion born out of a hostile reaction to a new tax on butcher's knives among other tools made by blacksmiths. While attempting to crush the revolt centered near the city of Vikægärd, Markus IV was struck by a stray arrow and killed leaving his young son, six-year-old Tibur, to assume the throne. While his brother, Wilking Coarek-Domina, is offered the regency, he turns it down, instead opting to take the position as the crown's new Master of Coin in the wake of the loss of the Emperor.

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Assets

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◆Resources:

• Agricultural Produce (Wheat/Barley/Oats/Vegetables/Fruits)
• Livestock (Chickens/Sheep/Pigs/Cattle/Horses)
• Iron
• Gold
• Silver
• Copper
• Wine
• Dyes
• Whales
• Timber
• Truffles
• Silk
• Fish
• Craftsmen's Goods (Weapons/Armor/Candles/Textiles/Jewerly)

◆Strongholds:

• Palace of Ashyea/Castle Ash (Årgindus)
  
  • House Coarek-Domina, Emperors of the Ashen Empire
• Kisebbik Pelizsavar
  
  • Headquarters of the Steel Legion
• Westmarch Castle
• Eastmarch Castle
• Solitude
• Isenfast
• Ceuron
• Vikægärd
• Caslte Basion (Atlas)
• Örnunhold

◆Towns:

• Capital - Årgindus - Center of the Ashen Empire and one of the holiest sights in the Ashyean Ukkoist faith. It lies on both on the ruins of the Old City of Ash and near the mythical Mount Areos, making it an important destination for pilgrims, and more importantly, traders.
  
  • Ferrum - The City of Iron, one of the richest mineral towns in Uratos and also one of the foremost in metallurgy.
  • Helios - The city serves as one of the Empire's pivotal ports and additionally where much of its gold is mined. It is known for its crafted jewels and ornate armor pieces.
  • Atlas - Headquarters of the Imperial Ashen Fleet, and traders hub along with its sister city of Helios.
  • Southfall - The primary port of the Ashen Empire on the Spinning and Deep Sea, Southfall has grown rich off of trade with Ferra and the Confederation of Free City-States.
  • Vikægärd - The oldest city of the Årgin people, it holds a special place in the hearts of man a citizen as it holds the tomb of the legendary Årgin the Shepard.
  • Solitude - Though a smaller port than that of Southfall, Solitude more than holds its own through its production of silk and it's position as a fortress guarding the Empire's western shore.
  • Summerset - Home of the many orchards of the Ashen Empire, Summerset is known across Uratos as a fine producer of wine and truffles.
  • Alvion - Alvion has asserted itself among Deep Sea, one of the only areas in which the purple dye of royals is readily available.
  • Markonia - Markonia boasts a robust logging community which has long supplied Southern Uratos with much of its lumber.
  • Westmarch - The Western March it presides over has long served as the Årgin people's guard against attacks from the people of Gyrcant Bay and continues to serve as a military hub in the West.
  • Eastmarch - While the Eastern March is no longer as important as it used to be with the union of Tælákí and the Årgin, the city still serves as an important military hub in the East.
  • Örnunhold - At the headwaters of the river Peligian, Örnunhold has long served as a fishing community along with basing much of the Ashen military.
  • Starholm - Starholm serves as the capital of the Northern Province of the Empire, and has maintained a successful trade in furs and ironwood lumber since it was founded.
  • Konginstårn - In addition to the cutting down of ironwood trees, Konginstårn also maintains a robust whaling community.
  • Ravenhall - Founded as a mining town to mine the silver deposits that lied in the surrounding hills, Ravenhall quickly grew to become the third largest settlement in the north.
  • Riverville - A simple farming town near the center of the Empire. In no other place shall you find a field more fertile.
  • Northshore - Fishing and copper mining have long remained the two most common occupations in Northshore.
  • Ceuron - The smallest city in the Ashen Empire, it serves as both a resting point as one traverses from one end of the Empire to the other, it also serves as a fortress to invaders from the Northwest.

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Military

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◆Military Commanders: Tibur II Coarek-Domina (Emperor)
Wilking Coarek-Domina (Lord Chancellor)
Antiochus Atveran (Master of War)
River Marenling (Master of the Waves)
-Numerous Legion Generals/Feudal Landlords


◆Military Strength:

The Imperial Army of the Ashen Empire:

• Legions: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII; Totalling 35,000 Professional Legionaries
• Levied Forces of the Lords of Ash: 75,000 Levied Forces (Footmen/Knights/Archers)

The Imperial Navy of the Ashen Empire:

• Galleys: 125 Ships

◆Special Troop:

• The Steel Legion - An elite force of Karpacian warriors loyal to the Ashen Empire. While they are extremely effective on the battlefield, a common language is lacked between them and the soldiers of the Empire itself, at times leading to confusion. Thusly, the Steel Legion is most effectively employed on its own with occasional backup from the Legions of the Ashen Empire.
  
• The Order of the Phoenix - the elite bodyguard of the Ashen Emperors. While it once served as a select holy order for the followers of Ashyean Ukkoism, with the founding of the Empire it came to serve as both the Imperial Bodyguard and order of spies for the House of Coarek-Domina. While in the second task the Order was not truly as effective, in recent years the Order's spying activities have increased, along with it their effectiveness and the quality of their agents. No one is quite sure why, but it seems as if with every passing year the watching eyes of the Order of the Phoenix become all the more present.

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Diplomatic Relations

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◆Allies: The Kingdom of the Tækálí and its previous precursor states have long been allies of the Årgin people. Sharing a similar language and religion, the two Kingdoms became bound together when the houses of Coarek and Domina joined together as the House of Coarek-Domina and rulers of both the Kingdom of Tækálí and the Ashen Empire, a dual monarchy.

The Steel Legion as it became to be known, originally began as a horde of Karpacian migrants who moved south into the Northern Territories of the Ashen Empire. Seeing their prowess in battle, however, the Empire recruited the people group as apart of their armed forces, sworn to the Emperor.

◆Rivals: The Kingdom of Gyrcant Bay and the Årgin Kingdoms have been historical rivals and enemies throughout the ages, waging several wars and border disputes and skirmishes which continue to this day.

While they have never fought directly, nor have come to blows in the past, the Ashen Empire has long viewed the Kingdom of Ascanus with envy. In the past few centuries in a world which should have been dominated by the might of the Ashen Empire instead looked to Ascanus, not Årgin, as the dominant player on the geopolitical stage. To the Ashen Empire, it's far past time that this change.

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Other Information

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◆Location: The Continent of Uratos

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Essential Details

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◆Name of House: Coarek-Domina


◆Leader: Emperor Tiber II Coarek-Domina
(Wilking Coarek-Domina in Practice)


◆Family Members:

• Årgin Branch
  
  • Wilking Coarek-Domina, Lord Chancellor of the Ashen Empire
  • Tibur II Coarek Domina, Emperor of the Ashen Empire, nephew to Wilking.
  • Ashyea Coarek-Domina, Princess of the Ashen Empire, sister of Tibur II.
• Tækálí Branch
  
  • Asir Domina-Coarek, Lord of the Tækálí, cousin to the Emperor.
  • Nakulánæ Domina-Coarek, Lady of the Tækálí, wife of Asir.

◆History:
House Coarek claims descent from Årgin the Shepard through their founder, Taranor Coarek, and his original family, the Asvarin Kings of Årgindus. Born a bastard of the reigning King, Taranor became known to be a skilled warrior and a grand commander of men, who, following the death of his father, sought to claim the throne of Årgindus for himself, only to fail and flee west in exile. There, he would found the city of Westmarch on the border of the Gyrcant Kingdom, starting a new line of Coarek Kings who would rule the Western Årgins for many centuries to come into the Common Era. During this time, the Western found themselves in near constant conflict with the Gyrcant Kingdom to the west, forcing them to build the castle at Westmarch into a mighty fortress to withstand the relentless attacks of numerically superior forces against the walls of their holdfast. Even then, near the start of the Fourth Period, the Houses of Coarek and Domina forged ties through marriage, which would only grow stronger as the years passed on.

Eventually, the Coarek Kings of Westmarch found themselves added to the Asvarin lands of a united Kingdom of the Årgins, named Lords of the Westmarch instead of Kings. This, however, would not stay the case, as when the Asvarin dynasty perished in the Three Year Plague of 747 C.E and 750 C.E., the Coareks rose to prominence once again under Markus Coarek, now King of the Årgins. Markus would continue the conquests of his Asvarin cousins until his death, after which, Tibur I ascended to the throne in a grand ceremony in Årgindus. What surprised many, however, was when during said ceremony, Tibur announced his intention to wed the Queen of the Tækálí to finally bind their two Kingdoms. The onlookers in the ground around Tibur then looked on in shock as the young King rode off with his guard towards the east, marrying the Queen of the Tækálí within two fortnights and declaring himself Emperor of the Ashen Empire.

Following this, the new house of Coarek-Domina emerged, rulers of the Second Empire of Ash, and the United Kingdoms of the Årgin and the Tækálí. Tibur I would go on to spend a large remainder of his life conquering most of central Uratos in his subsequent Wars of Ash. Following his death, he was succeeded by his son Markus, and after Markus his own son. Countless generations of Coarek-Domina's ruling the Empire from its capital. Through glory and stagnation, the family remained standing to the modern year of 1101 C.E., a year of destiny. With a Coarek-Domina on the throne as well as one as loyal Lord Chancellor of the Empire, the Imperial line stands ready to face the threats the new century brings.

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Assets

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◆Home: The Palace of Ashyea/Årgindus - the main capital of the Coarek-Domina Family
Castle Westmarch - As ancesteral home to the Coareks, the castle at Westmarch has remained in their hands even past the advent of the Empire.
Ferrum
Helios


◆Military Strength:
The Imperial Ashen Legion:
30,000 Legionaries
8,000 Levy forces

---

Relations

---

◆Allies:

(See the Ashen Empire)

◆Rivals:

(See the Ashen Empire)

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Essential Details

---

◆Name of Organization: The Order of the Phoenix


◆Leader: Grandmaster Ragnus Tellor


◆Description:
Known only in whisper, and ancient stories of men of the Phoenix from long past, the Order of the Phoenix serves as the premier intelligence apparatus of the Second Empire of Ash (The Ashen Empire). Known primarily by most as the Imperial Bodyguards of the Ashen Emperors, the Order of the Phoenix was not always this way. In the time before the Common Era, and quite some time into it as well, the Order served the just and the faithful of Ashyean Ukkoism, founded from the early followers of Ashyea the Aster back in the First Period. For many years they guarded the realms of Ashyea and then Årgin before the time of the Empire came. When it did, they choose to pledge themselves to the new Fylkir of the Ukkoists, establishing the order known today.

The training process for a member of the Order is arduous and grueling, carving the green boy into an experienced Paladin of the Order. They are then anointed in the fires of Åstelg to be brave, to be just, and most importantly to be loyal... to which the secondary purpose of the Order lies. Since the founding of the Empire it has served additionally as the Emperor’s spy network across Uratos and the world. While at first a minor task, performed only by a few dozen agents, in the past two decades the number of actions and infiltration the Order has begun has steadily increased along with the quality of its agents. For what reason, none can say, except that the Order of the Knives may have a new rival...


◆Assets: The resources of the Ashen State as a branch of the Imperial Government


◆Relations: Subservient To The Ashen Empire

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Essential Details

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◆Name: Wilking Titese Coarek-Domina


◆Appearance:

• Wilking bears a gaunt face with the beginnings of wrinkles as he ages. His straight white hair is worn long to the small of his back, and he possesses striking yellow eyes. His skin is fair and his lips thin.

◆Age: 49


◆Gender: Male ♂


◆Sexuality: Asexual


◆Build:

• Wilking stands at an impressive height for the time of 6' 2" and is quite lean and muscled despite his old age. While he mainly occupies his time with pursuits of the mental nature, his position as Prince of the Ashen Empire has allowed him training in the art of swordsmanship which, along with his physique, ensures that the Lord Chancellor does not dishonor himself in battle.

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Legacy

---

◆Allegiance: Emperor Tibur II of the Ashen Empire


◆Profession: Lord Chancellor of the Ashen Empire - As Emperor's right hand man and adviser, Wilking can be viewed as one of the most powerful people in the Empire besides from the Emperor himself. As Lord Chancellor, he has the power to levy taxes, raise troops, and speak with the Emperor's name, all for the benefit of the realm of course.


◆Background:
Wilking Titese Coarek-Domina was began life as the second-born son of Emperor Athebor II Coarek-Domina, and Empress Tyria Roare, in the year 1048 of the Common Era. He had been born a year after his brother, Markus Coarek-Domina (who would later be crowned as Markus IV), yet without the same strength his brother had at the time of his birth. In fact, initially, following Wilking's birth, the court physician feared for his life due to his sickly nature as an infant. Despite all odds, however, Wilking managed to survive his infancy and grew up alongside his brother as a Prince of the Ashen Empire.

From an early age, Wilking understood the burden he would bear as the second-born son of the Emperor of Ash and knew he would have to uphold the family prestige even if he was never to be Emperor. While his brother, Markus, excelled in swordsmanship and martial matters, Wilking turned to the pursuit of the mind in order to find his calling. He became adept in numbers and administration and even dabbled in strategy and war at times if only to best his brother in the strategy games they would play with one another. At one point, in fact, Markus challenged Wilking to spar with him after one match proclaiming, "You beat me on the board, but not on the sword." Wilking accepted and took up a position across from his brother on the training grounds ready to face him. What would follow would the the talk of gossipers in the Imperial court for months to come. Wilking easily managed to defeat his brother in sparring, using both his wits and his ability with the sword, acquired from months of secret training, in order to overwhelm his brother. With Markus left on the ground in defeat, Wilking turned to leave, but he had underestimated the rage he had awoken in his brother. Instead of taking his defeat with grace, Markus hurled his sword at Wilking's back, rifting a terrible gash from hip to shoulder that scars Wilking to this day. Following that event, Wilking was never as close as he had been before to his brother, while Markus IV did everything he could to rob Wilking of further glory.

Upon coming of age at ten-and-six years since his birth, Wilking took a tour of the Ashen-Tækálí Empire as was custom in the Imperial family, his own brother having taken the same journey a year prior. During this time of discovery, Wilking saw the true Ashen Empire, one stagnant and in desperate need of reform. He toured the legionary forts and found soldiers nothing more than glorified peasant levies and commanders incompetent fools. He saw the suffering of the Årgin people abandoned by their Emperor, and resolved to end the era of stagnancy.

Upon his return to Årgindus in 1069 C.E., Wilking found himself betrothed and set to be wed to a girl of a noble family to which Emperor Athebor owed a debt. Wilking, as it seemed, had been offered as a husband to the nobleman's eldest daughter in the paying of this debt. Contrary to what one would expect, the girl turned out to be quite attractive, beautiful even, so alluring that men both in the Empire and outside it dreamt and spoke of the beauty of Prince Wilking's bride to be. Of all the people fawning over his betrothed's beauty, conspicuously absent was Wilking himself who solemnly agreed to the match neither with excitement nor anticipation for the marriage. Many would joke, including Wilking's own brother, that he "preferred the sword to the sheath", but Wilking preferred neither claiming for all his wife's beauty, she stirred nothing within him nor did any girl or boy. And thus, Wilking would find himself wed in the summer of 1072 C.E., and it was also then that he would first begin truly reforming the Empire.

When he had first returned from his journey laden with ideas and notions with which to reinvigorate the Ashen Empire, his father, Athebor rejected them outright as the foolish suggestions of a boy not yet a man. Despite this, however, Wilking would work with or without his father's approval to improve the realm. Instead of seeking out the Emperor directly, Wilking went to his councilors, the Masters and Ministers of the Imperial Court tasked with maintaining a certain aspect of the Ashen state. He first went to the Master of Coin, Wymar Taranor, and suggested to him a new method of tax collection and management which led to a near doubling of the Imperial tax revenue. Afterwards, Wilking sought out the Master of War, Reman Avarius, and suggested to him a series of reforms to retrain the Ashen legions and the bring them back to proper fighting order. Despite his aid to them, however, Wilking never expressly took credit for any of his deeds, instead allowing his respective allies to claim the boons that would come as a result of Wilking's plans. Not to say that he went entirely without reward, though. Finally recognizing his efforts, his father named him First Assistant Master of Coin, the right-hand man to Wymar Taranor with an influence on all monetary policy. It was in this position Wilking would hold when his father, Athebor of the House Coarek and Domina, Second of his Name, and Emperor of Ash, died in 1080 C.E.

Following his father's death, Wilking found himself serving under his brother, who now reigned as Emperor Markus IV of the Ashen Empire. He would have been content to continue to serve in his position of First Assistant as before, but events in the west showed Wilking that he simply could not remain where he was. An invasion conducted by the clans of Naesh and Sies of the Kingdom of Gyrcant Bay tore into the Empire's eastern border defeating the Steel Legion in an engagement before continuing further into Ashen lands. His brother rose a force to halt the attacks, but was also similarly defeated in a battle near Solitude. It was then that Wilking approached his brother (Having been visiting the city of Ivenfast on official business) and offered himself as a commander against the clans of Gyrcant Bay. Seeing no reason to reject this request, Markus granted it, sending Wilking with a small force northeast to deal with the invading forces. Against all odds Wilking managed to pull off an astounding defeat against the Gyrcant raiders, but soon found all the credit for his achievement flowing to his hated brother, Markus. It would be one of the only times he would feel anger at such an occurrence, anger that Wilking would employ in a dastardly act.

When his brother died in the Butcher's Rebellion Wilking knew it was his chance. Though offered the position of Lord Chancellor, the highest position of the Emperor's council, to his nephew, Tibur II, Wilking refused the job content to be promoted to the position of Master of Coin. Throughout his tenure, however, it would be him pulling the strings silently during the Emperor's regency to slowly implement his reforms. His wife would die during his time giving birth to a daughter that died not a year after she was born, but Wilking would find solace in his niece, Ashyea who he had treated as if she were his own daughter since the death of her father. When Tibur II came of age in 1095 C.E. and offered Wilking the Lord Chancellorship for his years of service, he found that he, of course, had no choice but to accept to continue to better the realm for the benefit of its people. Now Wilking works towards his goals, goals that end with a competent ruler on the throne of Ash and the rise of a new Ashen hegemony.

---

Beliefs

---

◆Religion: Ashyean Ukkoism


◆Motivation: Wilking is motivated by one thing: the preservation of the Årgin people and their superiority over the world. After decades of stagnancy, Wilking has resolved to reform and strengthen the Empire by any means necessary, sending spies and informants across Aarde in order to challenge the domination of Arcanus, and organizing covert operations within the Ashen Empire itself to silence opposition towards his plans.

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Personal

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◆Likes: The Ashen-Empire, Order, his family, particularly his niece Ashyea; painting, loyalty, cunning


◆Dislikes: Ascanus, incompetence, his nephew, Tibur; honor-bound fools, stagnancy


◆Hobby: Painting

(Delete all parentheses - like this one for a start!)

---

Essential Details

---

◆Name:


◆Appearance:

◆Age: 24


◆Gender: Female


◆Sexuality: Bisexual


◆Build:

---

Legacy

---

◆Allegiance: (Who is your lord or king)


◆Profession:


◆Background:

---

Beliefs

---

◆Religion:


◆Motivation: (What drives them to wake up?)

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Personal

---

◆Likes:


◆Dislikes:


◆Hobby:

[Trayvik]

Hello. I am Maddock. This is Fantasy?

[Everhall]

Hello. I am Maddock. This is Fantasy?

Indeed it is

[Utceforp]

Sorry for not posting much recently, I'm in the middle of a school emergency at the moment. My posts should gradually return to their normal frequency during and after the weekend.

[Union Princes]

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Essential Details

---

◆Name of Organization: Acélhadtest/Steel Legion


◆Leader: Matthias Horvath


◆Description:
Numbering in 10,000 men, the Acélhadtest is a professional army that is renowned for its discipline and drilling of its soldiers. Even if the infantry isn’t as elite comparatively, the Férfiak Karjaiban had enough training and experience to hold their own in a fight. Their most common weapons are swords, spears, billhooks and pikes while their most common armor is padded, chainmail, and plate.

The Hűséges Kétkezes are the elite heavy cavalry (numbering at 2,000) that perform the heavy lifting in combat. Their equipped with deadly Zweihanders on foot or lances when mounted, they cleave through multiple foes in a single strike while being protected in lamellar armor.

Due to constant training side by side together, the knights and the infantry formulate a simple but sound strategy of “Hammer and Anvil”. The infantry would tie down the enemy forces in a melee engagement as the Anvil while peppering them with projectiles and missiles from archers and trebuchets before the knights would charge at the flanks or rear as the Hammer in order to crush the enemy in a pincer movement.

In battle, the Acélhadtest would bring siege weapons to break up enemy formations and to force them to come towards them.

The entire mercenary group is comprised entirely of Karpacians, a race of men known to be warlike, fierce and strong. They worship a religion different to the clients that serve them and follow a strict honor code.
◆Assets:
Kisebbik Pelizsavar: a fortress city located on Kicsi Pelisza

◆Relations: A standing retinue to the Ashen Empire.

[Sarderistan]

UPDATED

Characters	Gender	Profession	Status
Aaron Whiteford	Male	Duke	ALIVE
Aegwyn Redwood	Female	Duchess	ALIVE
Alyssia Esic	Female	Princess	ALIVE
Ander Terricus	Male	Grand Master	ALIVE
Anna Terricus	Female	Commander	ALIVE
Azhi Kharosen	Male	High King	ALIVE
Castian Verun	Male	Assassin	ALIVE
Damien Lancelet	Male	Squire	ALIVE
Drakina	Female Dragon	God-Empress	ALIVE
Desas Tedoth Kyll	Male	Knight	ALIVE
Edmon Clarifont	Male	King	ALIVE
Elliot Clarifont	Male	Prince	ALIVE
Elwe Velonth	Male	Prince	ALIVE
Fatima al-Hamid	Female	Lady	ALIVE
Ghenas Yukoth Leth	Male	Clanlord	ALIVE
Gustav Mittoson	Male	Knight	ALIVE
Hamadas Yulekoth Naesh	Male	Clanlord	ALIVE
Ibrahim al-Rashid	Male	Prince	ALIVE
Inaros Melodus	Male	Pirate	ALIVE
Jafar al-Rashid	Male	King	ALIVE
Kasta the Shaman	Male	Shaman	ALIVE
Kazusa Aragaki	Female	Mercenary	ALIVE
Leofwine Bramm	Male	Lord	ALIVE
Lyaera Clarifont	Female	Crown Princess	ALIVE
Olamas Sharikoth Kheyn	Male	Clanlord	ALIVE
Oswinn Bramm	Male	High Priest	ALIVE
Paxter Lancelet	Male	King	ALIVE
Scott Esic	Male	Crown Prince	ALIVE
Serina Devastin-York	Female	Bodyguard	ALIVE
Simurg Simurgdeti	Female	Chief	ALIVE
Sofia al-Rashid	Female	Princess	ALIVE
Solthyme, the Undying	Female Dragon	Prisoner	ALIVE
Sybelle Whiteford	Female	Dame	ALIVE
Talaras	Male	High Gravekeeper	ALIVE
Taga Yulekoti Naesh	Female	Consort	ALIVE
Tedas Namiroth Kyll	Male	King	ALIVE
Teryn Ernaut Griffonguard	Male	King	ALIVE
Tenoch Ketboge	Male	Great Khan	ALIVE
Theras Bestanoth Hais	Male	Clanlord	ALIVE
Vacardas Olamoth Kheyn	Male	Swordsman	ALIVE
Wilking Coarek-Domina	Male	Lord Chancellor	ALIVE
Varii Velonth	Male	King	ALIVE
Vastorith, the Despoiler	Male Dragon	Lord	ALIVE
Yuan Aiko	Female	Pirate	ALIVE
Zavenas Farshoth Balv	Male	Clanlord	ALIVE

There ya go, vanq, gimme my meeting now

[Lisbane]

---

Essential Details

---

◆Name of Organization: The Unknown Order (known in their native Fortygi as Ansiktslösa - The Faceless)


◆Leader: de facto Black Rat


◆Description: A secretive order of assassins, this Order originates in the Ironstone Islands, specifically from the Flesh Markets of Sjorohamn. Starting out as a group of disgruntled thralls (slavery is outlawed in the Ironstone Kingdoms, this is circumvented by having a written contract usually signed at sword-point), they hired themselves out to locals who had been wronged by the powerful Merchants and Lords of the city. Quickly they gained a reputation as competent and effective assassins, their skill unmatched in stealthy disabling and killing their opponents. Many a King has used them, and many a king has been on the receiving end of their contracts. At some point in their history - completely retold by Black Rat, as none are able to write - they were successfully infiltrated and exiled from Sjorohamn. Of course, they began friendly relationship with the ever-plotting Vengeilys and settled beneath the Golden Keep. To this day that is their ceremonial meeting place, but many choose to live across the Ironstone Islands and in the nearby realms of the Confederation and Gyrcant Bay. Many also live in Arcanus, for obvious reasons, and from there they have spread their services. Whilst they may originate from a small section of the world, they are skilled in nearly all weapons, poisons, and methods of murder. Many orders of assassins exist, but these are by far the most skilled and least known.

In the field, they nearly exclusively kill in the night, as it is far easier than in the day time and will do so unless otherwise stated in a contract. For this, they wear completely black outfits, made of light cloth and a small padded shirt. They apply black paste to their faces and extremities, allowing them to be completely hidden in even slight shadow. If necessary they are also skilled in making disguises. They mostly use poisons if they can, but also have a short sword, at least four daggers, two throwing knifes, and a small recurved composite bow and a mix of barbed and bodkin arrowheads. In terms of payment, the poor do not have to but must join the order after their contract is completed, the rich must pay a large sum of gold - or its equivalent.

Religiously, the Order worships a plethora of gods. There is everything from Asignism to Agua Viva. An interesting, but as of now small, sect of the Faith of The Great Sea Serpent has established a new domination. These men worship all the gods in the world, but see them as different forms of the same god. Their faith is an interesting blend of poly and monotheism, and many have been allured by this concept. They worship the Shapeless One, it is said that he does not take any form but instead appears differently to all - some scholars say instead that humans cannot physically perceive his true form and as such make a stand in from their own religion. The sect has grown more popular over the years, and is turning into its own religion straying further and further from the doctrine of the Faith of the Great Sea Serpent.

Their leader, Black Rat, is said to be an old Salt-Priest from White Fort. Not much is known about him, only that he was elected as leader by a meeting of the Order around 30 years ago, and that with his age comes wisdom and experience. Many a master has been taught personally by him, however in his advancing age he has stopped taking contracts himself, preferring to keep the ledgers and work to keep the Order as secretive as it already is. Black Rat has also enforced but one rule on the Order - any who divulge its secrets are to be eliminated immediately, and any who wish to join must swear a life oath to never talk of the Order even if they are kicked out or exiled from it.


◆Assets: 600 Agents (Spread evenly in the world.)


◆Relations: N/A: Will work for anyone with the money

[Rastrian]

Legwork by Sarderistan and I
Fixed a bit by me.

Characters	Gender	Profession	Status
Aaron Whiteford	Male	Duke	ALIVE
Aegwyn Redwood	Female	Duchess	ALIVE
Alyssia Esic	Female	Princess	ALIVE
Ander Terricus	Male	Grand Master	ALIVE
Anna Terricus	Female	Commander	ALIVE
Azhi Kharosen	Male	High King	ALIVE
Castian Verun	Male	Assassin	ALIVE
Damien Lancelet	Male	Squire	ALIVE
Drakina	Female Dragon	God-Empress	ALIVE
Desas Tedoth Kyll	Male	Knight	ALIVE
Edmon Clarifont	Male	King	ALIVE
Elliot Clarifont	Male	Prince	ALIVE
Elwe Velonth	Male	Prince	ALIVE
Fatima al-Hamid	Female	Lady	ALIVE
Ghenas Yukoth Leth	Male	Clanlord	ALIVE
Gustav Mittoson	Male	Knight	ALIVE
Hamadas Yulekoth Naesh	Male	Clanlord	ALIVE
Ibrahim al-Rashid	Male	Prince	ALIVE
Inaros Melodus	Male	Pirate	ALIVE
Jafar al-Rashid	Male	King	ALIVE
Kasta the Shaman	Male	Shaman	ALIVE
Kazusa Aragaki	Female	Mercenary	ALIVE
Leofwine Bramm	Male	Lord	ALIVE
Lyaera Clarifont	Female	Crown Princess	ALIVE
Olamas Sharikoth Kheyn	Male	Clanlord	ALIVE
Oswinn Bramm	Male	High Priest	ALIVE
Paxter Lancelet	Male	King	ALIVE
Scott Esic	Male	Crown Prince	ALIVE
Serina Devastin-York	Female	Bodyguard	ALIVE
Simurg Simurgdeti	Female	Chief	ALIVE
Sofia al-Rashid	Female	Princess	ALIVE
Solthyme, the Undying	Female Dragon	Prisoner	ALIVE
Sybelle Whiteford	Female	Dame	ALIVE
Talaras	Male	High Gravekeeper	ALIVE
Taga Yulekoti Naesh	Female	Consort	ALIVE
Tedas Namiroth Kyll	Male	King	ALIVE
Teryn Ernaut Griffonguard	Male	King	ALIVE
Tenoch Ketboge	Male	Great Khan	ALIVE
Theras Bestanoth Hais	Male	Clanlord	ALIVE
Vacardas Olamoth Kheyn	Male	Swordsman	ALIVE
Wilking Coarek-Domina	Male	Lord Chancellor	ALIVE
Varii Velonth	Male	King	ALIVE
Vastorith, the Despoiler	Male Dragon	Lord	ALIVE
Yuan Aiko	Female	Pirate	ALIVE
Zavenas Farshoth Balv	Male	Clanlord	ALIVE

[Union Princes]

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Essential Details

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◆Name of Place: Kisebbik Pelizsavar


◆Location: Between the River and Tributary


◆Description:

Kisebbik Pelizsavar is a massive fortified metropolis located between the Peligian river and the Lesser Peligian tributary home to 200,000 Karpacian souls. There are two layers of protective stone walls: the inner and outer evenly spaced from one another. The outer layer is 38ft high and 20ft thick while the inner layer was 40 ft high and 18ft thick. A total of 3 dozen stone towers can be seen as part of the laws standing at least 51 ft tall.
Due to the border layout of the city in the land between the fork of the rivers, it is protected on all three sides as the waters act as a makeshift moat against advancing armies. The stone bridge on the north side of the city that goes over the Lesser Peligian is named the “Unicorn Pass” and its width is 8ft wide while the stone bridge in the south is called the “Iron Gate” and is 12ft wide. The Iron Gate also acts as a toll bridge on the Peligian River.

In the city interior, it is packed to the brim with houses, smithies, forges, warehouses, a hospital, a barracks, a small library, temples, a forum, and marketplaces. It’s main source of income comes from the metalwork goods produced in those workshops whether it be war material or civilian use. The forges are one of the largest in the world if not the largest as thousands and thousands of workers toil the heat to turn raw ore into tools.

On the outskirts of the city to the east, there are plenty of fertile farms and ranches maintained by Karpacian peasants.

The religion of the Karpacians is called Megváltás and it revolves around salvation and redemption. Under the word of the gods, wars are trials set to test a person’s virtue. This means joining the army is the best chance to be repent one’s own sins to the eyes of the gods. Since wars have every opportunity for rapist, murders, and thieves to rape, pillage, and raze villages, temperance and self-control is a sign of a sinner’s path to redemption. Desertion is seen as the worst crime to commit to the Karpacians as it proves that the sinner failed their trial of redemption. This leads to the stereotype that Karpacians seek death in battle as their corpses always bear the expression of calmness. Karpacian heaven is where the redeemed or righteous person gets to rejoin and dine with their ancestors and deceased loved ones and comrades never experiencing fear or pain but only serenity.

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Essential Details

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◆Name: Matthias Horvath


◆Appearance:

◆Age: 30


◆Gender: male


◆Sexuality: hetero


◆Build: Fit, muscular, 6’0” at 180 lbs

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Legacy

---

◆Allegiance: Emperor Tibur II of the Ashen Empire


◆Profession: The Commander of the Acélhadtest, Imperial General


◆Background:
The second son belonging to House Horvath and the 3rd sibling in the family. Originally, the command of the Acélhadtest was supposed to be passed on towards the eldest sibling, his brother Antal, but he declined the opportunity and opt instead to be the governor of Kisebbik Pelizsavar. This wasn’t a total lost as Matthias was more enthusiastic of taking command.

Unlike his brother, Matthias greatly enjoyed studying military history and strategy and was inspired by the folk tales of legendary Karpacian warriors. As soon as he was able to hold a real sword, Matthias quickly joined Acélhadtest as a fresh recruit and began his long journey through the ranks. However, he wasn’t the only Karpacian boy wanted to be a commander of men.

So began a long feud of political favors as all the powerful houses in Kisebbik Pelizsavar fervently promoted their sons to climb through the ranks as quickly as possible. Since House Horvath was the one currently in charge of the army, Matthias held every advantage yet he grew furious that he was rising through the ranks before he had a chance to prove himself to his comrades.

He purposely held himself back so he can work his way up through the ranks properly. Years passed as Matthias trained and learned as much as he could with newfound determination. By the time his father retired as command of the Acélhadtest, Matthias was ready to take up the responsibility.

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Beliefs

---

◆Religion: As a Karpacian, he is a firm believer of Megváltás.


◆Motivation: To perform his duties and bring prestige to his house and the Steel Legion.

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Personal

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◆Likes: Bravery, cunning, board games


◆Dislikes: dishonor, cowardice, politics


◆Hobby: Horseback riding with the family’s unicorns.

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Essential Details

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◆Name of Creature: Unicorns


◆Appearance:


◆Description: Unicorns are much like normal horses in nearly every aspect. They run just as fast, weighs just as much, and just as wild. Only difference between a unicorn and a horse is their pure white hair and pale silver or gold horn that grows out of their forehead. Native to the continent of Uratos, Unicorns are domesticated as luxury mounts for nobles and esteemed individuals. House Horvath was particularly famous for its Unicorn menagerie in its estate.

The idea of unicorn horns having healing properties was debunked by several Karpacian scholars who experimented on it. They grounded unicorn horns into fine grain and combined it with current medicines but it failed to produce any noticeable results. Even if the myth was true, the process has yet to be rediscovered.

[The Great Swedish Empire]

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Essential Details

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◆Name of Realm: The Kingdom of Stormaktstiden


◆Rulers: King Charles XI (56)


◆Culture:

Stormakitstiden culture (Called Nordiska) is actually one of the most socially progressive cultures in the world of Aarde. The first people of these lands were actually scattered nomadic winter tribes that were eventually united in the wars of unification but they never lost that feeling of wildness in their blood. That type of wildness in their blood that would enable a mother to raise a fallen tree off her child.

Much of Stormaktstidens south is mostly frozen mountains or forests buried in inches of snow. Therefore much of the south is wild and untamed. Many settlers head south to search for land and adventure. The far south is nearly impenetrable. So isolated that some people and settlements are not even aware that they are part of the Kingdom of Stormaktstiden. Due to the wild and untamed nature of the south many legends of beasts that snatch up children if they misbehave and fairies that grant wishes to the purest of hearts. There is also the problem of paganism in the far south. Despite the Kingdoms policy that all citizens must follow the religion of Asignism there are those that defy the word of the King. The policy for these Heretics is death. If they repent they shall be granted a swift death.

One thing that unites all. Even from the lowest peasant of the southern farms to the high lords of the lands one thing unites them all: Their religion. They feverishly follow a type of Asignism similar to North Aean Asignism. This is mostly due to a high percent of the population coming from Aea. This type is called Scanda. Scanda is identical to Asignism in all but the fact that they believe that society must be much like an army. Strictly regimented and orderly. The religion also preaches dedication to their King and that God chose them for a reason... but will also remove them for a reason. They call this cycle divine right. They also put heretics to death by either buring or crucifixion and the dead are buried in the ground.

Due to the fact that they have a low population and little resources, the Stormaktstiden have a culture of using everything as efficiently as possible. Due to the limited population, the women of the land are treated the same as men. They work in the fields and in many cases are actually the leaders of their own household.

Due to recent militarization and change of religious doctrine, much of Stormaktstidens people are heavily regimented and orderly. Almost everyone knows how to use a sword, bow, or crossbow.

◆History:

Most of the first Stormaktstiden were nomadic tribes that most likely came from Aea to Oros to search for new lands nearly a thousand years ago. It is not known what caused them to leave. Maybe it was a genocide by a mad king or simply the desire to search for new lands to live on. The first settlers were mostly farmers in these new freezing land but they had a favorite pass time. Raiding by sea. They raided lands all over Aarde.

But in 700 CE a man named Gustavus arose with his clan, named Lutzen. He and his clan were one of the few to follow the religion of Asignism. Gustavus sought to unite the fifty tribes and clans under one banner, one leader, one religion. Be it by choice or force. These wars are referred to in modern times as the unification wars. Many thousands died in the wars of unification. But at last, after twenty and a half years the fifty tribes and clans were unified under one banner, the Kingdom of Stormaktstiden and under the leadership of Gustavus. However, Gustavus would not live long under the throne as he died from falling off his horse and breaking his neck. He was only sixty and had only reigned for a year. However, when the time came for an heir there was a complication. Gustavus had two twin sons. Gustavus had planned to kill one of them so that a succession crisis would never happen but he had died before he could order one the son's death.

The two sons. One named Ergoth and the other Charles both wanted to be crowned as the King of Stormaktstiden and civil war seemed inevitable However at the start, there was a chance to prevent the civil war from happening as Charles offered to relinquish his claim to the throne in return for lands in the south. These lands were extremely wealthy with grain and fed many of Stormaktstidens cities. Charles had hoped that gaining such land would allow him to tax the trade between the farms and cities making him extremely rich. Charles ofter was accepted and he was invited to a great banquet to celebrate Charles accession as the first ever High Lord.

It was a trap. Ergoth had placed dozens of archers in the Palisades above the hall. Charles, however, was not a fool and had come with a decent sized bodyguard regiment and a small army outside the castle that was loyal to him. With his bodyguard, he fought his way out of the trap and regrouped with his armies before turning behind and attacking the castle. The elite small army of Charles smashed the untrained defenders with ease and broke down the main gate with a large wheelbarrow. However, Ergoth had fled through one of the many secret underground tunnels that their father had built if a siege were ever to happen. War was now inevitable.

The first war of Stormaktstiden succession had begun.

Both brothers raised armies all over Stormaktstiden claiming that they were the rightful heirs to the throne. Ergoth had managed to raise more soldiers but Charles had been given support by the many lords and they’re elite armies. After two years of battle, Charles defeated Ergoth at the battle of Falkenhättan and destroyed most of his army during the battle. Ergoth himself fled and reached friendly territory but in haggard and bloody shape. He was confronted by one of his soldiers that could not believe that this battered and bloody man was the great king that was destined to rule this land like they had been told and stabbed him through the chest with his spear. Ergoth was dead and with him his cause faded away like smoke. Charles’ claim to the throne was now secure but during the civil war, many nearby powers had claimed much of rightful Stormaktstiden land. Charles could not allow this. Charles embarked on a great campaign to reclaim the lost lands but even after defeating his foes time after time his army was small and could not take such losses ina long and drawn out war. Charles was forced to sign a peace where some borderlands ceded to their foes in return of taken Stormaktstiden land during the civil war.

Charles returned to a nation emancipated by the cost that the war and was nearly dethroned by a popular revolt led by some young peasant upstart. King Charles was able to put down this revolt but he realized that if he was to survive then the nation must change the ways it fought its wars. He realized that due to his nations small size that his army had to fight wars quickly and decisively. He realized that in times of war that the entire population must be raised to create an army of decent numbers but that he must finish his war fast enough for the farmers, merchants, and lords to return to work lest the economy of the Kingdom collapse. His previous army consisted of conscripted soldiers and enlisted mercenaries, both of whom would be called up in wartime only. The units were disbanded in peacetime to reduce costs, and only a few garrison units were present in towns and fortresses. This made it impossible to quickly mobilize a trained army and made it impossible to keep one during peace.

Therefore Charles created a new system. He called it the allotment system but he also nicknamed "The Kings Personal Army". done through involuntary conscription for the infantry, and tax exemptions for those who financed horsemen. The new system gave the conscripted soldiers a means of subsistence between campaigns, by making a whole group of farmers responsible for the keep of each soldier. While the soldiers would be hired and salaried full-time if at war, they lived at home and off duty in peacetime. This meant that it would always be possible to raise a trained army in case of war. Provinces were required to train men on the basics of warfare and return them back to their farms. This way a large portion of the population did not need to go through the lengthy and sometimes costly training required when they were mobilized.

Many lords were displeased with Charles army reforms as it cost a decent chunk of their treasury but their displeasure faded away as a nearby power invaded Stormaktstiden. With his new system, Charles was able to raise an army rapidly and defeat their foes before they even entered Stormaktstiden land. Charles forced his foes to give back the lands that they took away from him and some more.

Charles would rule for another twenty years before passing peacefully at the ripe old age of eighty. He would be known in legend and Charles the great. Savior and lord protector of the lands of Stormaktstiden.

The next hundred years would be those of peace and prosperity for Stormaktstiden until the royal rule began to weaken. The many lords of the land had begun to crave power for themselves. They looked with greed to that capital of Stormaktstiden, Stocksinki, and sought to control it. But there were lords that were loyal to the crown as well. Among them was house creed. But a lowly lord from the south came out the blue and claimed that his son was descendent from the first ever king, King Gustavus. It was a long shot at that but it gave the other lords the excuse and reason to revolt against the king. The war was short but brutal. Tens of thousands died and the capital fell and was retaken multiple times. But house creed, even as the loyalists lost more and more land and support they stuck by the king. The loyalists only had one chance for victory now. There were held up in the south and with only a narrow mountain pass between them and the traitors. This pass was called the eternity gate. The loyalists held the pass for days until a small cavalry force lead by House creed marched through a secret mountain pass and attacked the traitors from behind. They were trapped between a hammer and anvil and all who resisted were slain.

With their armies destroyed the traitor lords collapsed one by one but at the final battle against a traitor lord that refused to surrender, the same lord that started this all, the king was slain by an arrow through the eye. The king had no heirs as his son died in that battle as well. It seemed that a third civil war would occur once more but house Creed rapidly eliminated all opposition and their status as the house that stood by the king even as he was on his last legs allowed them to take the throne and gain the support of the people, lords, army, and the church. Their foes stood no chance when the first king of the house of Creed took power in 910 CE.

The house of creed purged all opposition to their power and brought with them another golden age for Stormaktstiden.

On 1087 Charles XI was crowned king. But as he grew old he began to be wary of all those he cared about. He eventually grew paranoid of his own family members and his small council of advisers. His reign became increasingly erratic and murderous as he grew older and older. In 1010 he ordered that Olsohaggen, a major port city, be sacked and burned, it's women children slain, even when Olsohaggen was his own city that he grew up in. He began to place sycophants and incompetent men in places of high position. His sons are foolish and greedy. He even banished his most loved son away for the small infraction of not providing wine for his father fast enough.

Now, a 15-year-old in the palace of Kungliga, the home of the House of Creed, begins to grow weary of his father and his atrocities.

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Assets

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◆Resources:

• Osmond iron
• Raw copper
• Butter
• Stagelk meat
• Stagelk milk
• Fish
• Gold
• Timber
• Pig meat
• Wheat

◆Strongholds:

• The Eternity Gate, Warmaster Vo
• Scatterby Hold,
• Canterbury Hold
• Faerseton Palace
• Olsohaggen
• Warsle Fort, High Lord John Casimir
• Stocksinki, King Charles XI
• Curdingham Stronghold
• Elderstock Palace
• Kentillie Citadel
• Yarlmouth Fortress
• Craester Arms Castle
• Earnside Citadel
• Galadhor Stronghold
• Shardore Castle
• Earnside Keep
• Farleigh Stronghold

◆Towns/Cities:

• Stocksinki
• Olsohaggen
• Strandlev
• Nedergård
• Kärsi
• Keisuu
• Seinätra
• Albjerg
• Ulbøl
• Tana
• Valmme
• Kapula
• Ulnkää
• Breiðdalsdalur
• Álfgerði
• Preidava

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Military

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◆Military Commanders:

• Warmaster Vo, Commander of the three Armées
  
  • Lord Charles XII, commander of the 1st Armée.
  • Lord Banneth, Commander of the 2nd Armée.
  • Lord Peckledon, Commander of the 3rd Armée.

◆Military Strength:

• 1st Armée
  
  • 2,000 Light Infantry
  • 1,000 Heavy Infantry
  • 700 Archers
  • 600 Calvary
  • 400 Crossbows

• 2nd Armée
  
  • 2,500 Light Infantry
  • 1,250 Heavy Infantry
  • 800 Archers
  • 700 Calvary
  • 500 Crossbows

• 3rd Armée
  
  • 2,500 Light Infantry
  • 1,250 Heavy Infantry
  • 800 Archers
  • 700 Calvary
  • 500 Crossbows

◆Special Troop:

The Livgardet

The Livgardet (Translated: Life Gaurd) are the elite bodyguard for the king and act as elite units in the three great Armée. They served either as elite shock troops to puncture their foes line with their extreme discipline or acted as retainers for the leaders of the Armée. However, as of late their king has betrayed them and attempted to have them all executed for perceived treason. Only the defense of Charles XII protected them from the Mad Kings wrath. But some of them could not escape the king's wrath and only a thousand survive today. They now serve as Charles XII's elite bodyguard unit and shock troops.

Himmelsreiter

The Himmelsreiter is one of (if the most) elite units of Stormaktstiden. They ride upon the Griffons that reside in the mountains. Only one in a thousand can ever tame a griffin. Those that cannot? Their children ate happily. They descend from the skies and smash into their foes lines. But in these days the king has lost the support of this elite unit after he clashed with their commander over the cost of training such elite units. When relations broke down between them the King ordered the Himmelsreiter's death. A thousand soldiers died and not a single Himmelsreiter was felled. They now reside in the mountains and seek to protect Stormaktstiden. With or without the king.

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Diplomatic Relations

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◆Allies: (You can leave blank and fill in later)


◆Rivals: (You can leave blank and fill in later)

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Other Information

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◆Location:

Continent of Oros. Maroon are towns/cities. Blue are Castle/Strongholds/Garrisons. Green is Stocksinki. Orange is Olsohaggen.

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Essential Details

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◆Name of House: House Creed


◆Leader: King Charles XI (56)

◆Family Members:

• Lord Belonos Creed, Master of the coin, youngest brother to the King. Aged 49.
• Warmaster Vo, Lord of war, the Oldest son of the King. Aged 30.
• Lord Charles XII, Lord of the 1st Army, Youngest son of the king. Aged 15.
• Ulrika Eleonora, only daughter of the King. Aged 16.
• John Casimir, Lord of the province of Leesburg, Second oldest son to the king. Aged 27
• Bane, Third oldest son to the King, the Arch-traitor. Aged 26
• Jenet, Wife of the King, the Queen of the realm, Aged 54.

◆History:

The first Creeds were nothing more than a small peasant family that resided near the border. But one day there was an incredibly good harvest and the head of the family, Lina Creed, used their new fortune to found a settlement of her own near the capital. There the settlement prospered from the trade that came from the north to the capital.

From there they began to gain influence in the royal court. The family stood by the royal court always. Even at the darkest moments. Even when the lords turned against the court they stood by the King. It was the head of the family, Zabka, that led the cavalry charge that broke the heretic scum at the battle of the eternity gate. During the final battle against a traitor lord that refused to surrender, the same lord that started this all, the king was slain by an arrow through the eye. The king had no heirs as his son died in that battle as well. There are rumors that this arrow was not from the heretic forces but from the Kings own. An assassin hired by house Creed. House Creed denies this strongly but why would the king die at such a convenient moment where house Creed held all the keys to the throne? It seemed that a third civil war would occur once more but house Creed rapidly eliminated all opposition and their status as the house that stood by the king even as he was on his last legs allowed them to take the throne and gain the support of the people, lords, army, and the church. Their foes stood no chance when the first king of the house of Creed took power in 910 CE.

Creed led the nation through strife and good times but it seems that in the year 1101 that their power has begun to fade. Charles XI has gone mad. With power or age, none can tell. Only a fifteen-year-old stands between the destruction of House creed. He cannot fail.

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Assets

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◆Home:

The capital city of Stocksinki in the palace of Kungliga. Their secondary capital and the founding city is Olsohaggen.

◆Military Strength:

They control the Kingdoms armies.

• 1st Armée
  
  • 2,000 Light Infantry
  • 1,000 Heavy Infantry
  • 700 Archers
  • 600 Calvary
  • 400 Crossbows

• 2nd Armée
  
  • 2,500 Light Infantry
  • 1,250 Heavy Infantry
  • 800 Archers
  • 700 Calvary
  • 500 Crossbows

• 3rd Armée
  
  • 2,500 Light Infantry
  • 1,250 Heavy Infantry
  • 800 Archers
  • 700 Calvary
  • 500 Crossbows

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Relations

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◆Allies:


◆Rivals: Pagans to the south east.

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Essential Details

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◆Name: Charles XII


◆Appearance: https://imgur.com/a/9FeKnjE


◆Age: 15 Years and 270 Days.


◆Gender: M


◆Sexuality: Unknown (He has no idea)


◆Build: He is decently strong for his age standing at 183.18 and 79 Kg.

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Legacy

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◆Allegiance: Serves the kingdom of Stormaktstiden and to an extent to his father, King Charles XI


◆Profession: Lord of the first grand 1st Armée and the province of Olsohaggen.


◆Background:

Born 1086 January 28 at the palace of Kungliga, Stocksinki, Charles XII was the fourth and youngest offspring of King Charles XI and Queen Jenet. Of the young Charles' five siblings, only three - Ulrika Eleonora, John Casimir, and Bane- survived infancy. He was baptized by Karl Fisher, the Bishop of Stocksinki, at a church of the Observant Franciscans close to the palace.

At the age of ten, his father had one of the swordmasters, a woman named Kaela, of the palace train Charles in the ways of the sword and of war. This man became a mother figure to Charles as his father began to descend into madness and paranoia and his mother became more distant. At the age of 13, Charles was appointed Lord of Oslohaggen and leader of the first Armée. He watched his mad father burn Oslohaggen for the smallest slight, though he excluded Charles, and for a moment considered marching on the capital for the throne.

He now begins to question whether he made the right choice and took the throne for himself. He now tires of his father's insanity that wrecks his own kingdom and his brothers, sycophants and incompetent men in places of high position. Only he can save his Kingdom and her people. Only he has the moral compass and will to do what is right. No one else but him. Only him. He will not bow down to his brothers or fathers. He was destined to take the throne and save his kingdom and people. Only him. Do they dare question his age? Age means nothing. Only what you have and shall achieve.

For he tells himself that the Lord chooses him. Chose him to liberate his people and lead Stormaktstiden to glories untold.

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Beliefs

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◆Religion: Scanda, a branch of Asignism.


◆Motivation:

He wishes to see Stormaktstiden be freed of their mad king. To be freed of his incompetent brothers and the bootlickers that make up the Imperial court. He tires of his father and sees himself now as the only one worthy of the throne. Not the obese and uncaring lords of the land. Not his brothers. Not the mad king. Only him. Only Charles XII is worthy of the throne.

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Personal

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◆Likes: The bottle, speding time with the common people and his soldiers, leading his army against the pagans in the moutians, churches, architecture, swimming, sailing, fishing, writing, painting.


◆Dislikes: Court life, a soft life, cowardice, treachery, the suffering of the people, the King, his brothers, the lords of the land, sycophants and incompetent men in places of high position.


◆Hobby: Hunting, being with his men, practice duels, real duels, sewing, wine-tasting, and dancing (not the ballroom dancing but rather the dancing of the common people).

[Utceforp]

(Image)

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Essential Details

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◆Name of Realm: The Nerakan Confederation


◆Rulers: High King Azhi Kharosen


◆Culture:The Nerakan Confederation is a tribal confederation comprised of four peoples - The Manu, the Oida, the Jekar, and the Avra. While it's hard to tell the difference between the four peoples in times of peace, during battle, each group decorates themselves with a symbol of their associated "sacred animal" - The Manu wear lion pelts on their heads, the Oida have massive horsehair plumes, the Avra attach elaborate "wings" made of wicker and eagle feathers to their armour, that whistle when they ride fast enough, and the Jekar wear jewelry made from cow horns. All four groups are pastoralist nomads - relying on gathering and hunting for food, and constantly moving their herds of cattle around in order to avoid using up one particular region of the steppe. Some Jekar and Manu clans in the southern, more fertile part of the steppe practice transhumance rather than "true" nomadism, but either way, they're frequently moving around. The Confederation has no clear internal or external borders - The lands "owned" by each of the four Peoples follow the movement of the Peoples themselves, not the other way around, although the Jekar generally live in the west, the Manu in the south, the Avra in the north, and the Oida in the east.

The Nerakans have five "sacred animals" - Cattle, horses, eagles, lions, and griffons. Cattle are their primary source of food and leather, and are integral to the Nerakan economy. All Nerakans learn to ride from a young age, and to hunt from horseback. All Nerakan warriors fight primarily from horseback, aside from Griffon riders. Golden eagles are used in hunting by falconers, and eagle feathers are used for fletching. Lions are a symbol of the High King and the goddess Nerak, who is said to take the form of a lioness on Earth. Nerakans are one of the few cultures on Aarde that can consistently tame Griffons, although it is a lengthy and highly dangerous process even for them. Griffons are considered the "beasts of kings", and the most elite Nerakan warriors ride them into battle instead of horses.

The Nerakans have no written record. Instead, shamans memorize history, law, medicine, and religion, and recite them in the form of poetry and song. The Nerakans allow and expect women to fight to the same extent men do, and there is no institutionalized sexism. (Although cultural sexism still exists, to an extent.) Polygamy is common among both genders, although "chains" of marriages are illegal - If a woman has multiple husbands, none of those husbands can have wives other than her, and vice versa. Each of the four Peoples is ruled by a Chief, who is selected by the elder shamans from among the people who can trace their ancestry all the way back to one of the four Great Princes. In turn, the High King or Queen is elected, with anyone who can trace their ancestry back to the Great Princes eligible as both an elector and a candidate. The "Children of Manya", the family of the Chiefs of the Manu, are elected to be High Kings and Queens as often as any of the other families combined, owing to their semi-sacred status and the fact that they founded the Confederation in the first place. Certain other significant decisions, such as declaring war, are also decided by a council of the clans rather than unilaterally by the monarch. Good and just rulers are considered to possess a metaphysical "Radiance", and rulers who are cruel or make poor decisions are said to have lost their Radiance. It is said that the ancient and greatest High Kings and Queens were so wise and just that their Radiance was physical, to the extent that they glowed from within and could melt metal by touching it.

In terms of ethnicity, Nerakans have features people from Earth would call "Central Asian". Nerakans generally have black or bright red hair, and brown eyes. The total population of the Confederation is approximately 280,000 people, with 30,000 living in Dejak Nesh, and the remainder roaming the steppe.

◆Religion: The Nerakans worship two gods. First and greatest of the two is the Sun, who is worshiped as the creator of all things and the highest and greatest being in existence. The second is the Sun's daughter, a warrior queen named Nerak. While the Sun is considered to be above Nerak, Nerak is more popular and is more emphasized in art and myth. There are thousands of other gods and minor spirits, of varying power, but none are considered worthy of worship aside from the Sun and Nerak. Nerak perpetually battles the demons of the world, who want to destroy the Sun and return the world to nothing. Whenever Nerak is temporarily defeated, an eclipse occurs.

The most famous and important myth in Nerakan tradition is the Death of Nerak. In the story, Nerak is betrayed and slain by her sister, Xibana, who is jealous of the worship she receives. The Sun grieves for a month, but then sacrifices half of his power in order to return Nerak to life, causing the cycle of day and night. Nerak returns to the land of the living, but when the Sun dips below the horizon, she decays into a corpse once more, only to return with the sunrise. The site where Nerak died and was reborn is believed to be Mount Devanta, an isolated mountain in the middle of Avra territory surrounded by flat plains. Mount Devanta is highly sacred, and every spring during the Festival of the New Dawn, thousands of pilgrims flock to the mountain to proclaim their devotion to Nerak and the Sun. Another myth states that long ago, Nerak fought an enormous dragon and defeated it, but was unable to kill it, and thus imprisoned it within the mountain, where it still roars and breathes fire to this day. Nerakans believe Nerak created the first Griffon to care for and defend an orphaned Manu prince.

Fire, sunlight, and lions are all sacred symbols associated with the Nerakan religion.

◆History:

According to legend, long ago, Nerak realized she was lonely in her fight against the demons of the world, and took four human princes as husbands: Jeki, Avan, Orun, and Manya, who would become known as the four "Great Princes". She had a thousand thousand children with them, who became the ancestors of the Nerakans. One day, the four husbands were arguing amongst themselves about who among them was the greatest, so Nerak issued them a challenge: Each of them would tame one animal, and he who tamed the greatest animal would be named the greatest among them. They disappeared into the wilderness to complete their task, and months later returned.

The first to return was Jeki, leading a cow behind him. Jeki paraded the cow around Nerak's tent, showing off its size and beautiful horns, and then slaughtered it. He carved it and served its meat and milk to Nerak's followers, then presented Nerak with a composite bow made from cattle horn and sinew. She smiled, and accepted his gifts.

Next to return was Avan, with a golden eagle resting on his outstretched arm. He demonstrated the bird's hunting abilities, served a feast of game it had caught, and presented Nerak with arrows made with eagle feathers. She clapped when the eagle caught its prey, and accepted Avan's gifts with a wide smile.

Third was Orun, who rode astride a slender long-necked horse, with a golden coat that had a metallic sheen. Orun rode around the outside of Nerak's tent, demonstrating his horse's speed and endurance, and used Jeki's bow and Avan's arrows to demonstrate his skill at firing from horseback. After his demonstration, he served potent airag made from the horse's milk to Nerak, who became drunk and danced and sung with her followers well into the night.

Finally arrived Manya, who stood beside an enormous lion. All of Nerak's court went quiet as Manya and his beast entered the room. The lion snarled and growled at the assembled people, but immediately stopped and began whimpering when Manya glared at it. A great cheer went up celebrating Manya's achievement. The lion was led back out of the tent, where it fled into the wild. Jeki, Avan, and Orun tried to match Manya's feat in the following months, but found it impossible.

For his great achievement, Nerak named Manya her greatest husband, and he was made the first High King. As a gift, Nerak gave Manya the "Radiance", a piece of her divinity that had become separated from her after her death. Manya became a demigod with this gift, and shined as bright as the Sun. Later High Kings and Queens would also claim the Radiance, although eventually it became lost, with most believing a particularly cruel and tyrannical ruler had it taken back from them by Nerak. The descendants of Jeki became the Jekar, the descendants of Avan became the Avra, the descendants of Orun became the Oida, and the descendants of Manya became the Manu.

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Assets

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◆Resources: Cattle, horses, and (in the north, around Nishdevanta) obsidian. The Nerakans have become wealthy off of the east-west Ferran trade network, which passes through their territory.


◆Strongholds: Non-applicable, unless you count the mobile tent settlements the Chiefs and High Kings and Queens hold their court in, which are far from "strongholds".


◆Towns: Two major settlements exist with Nerakan territory. The first is Nishdevanta, a settlement of pilgrims and merchants south of Mount Devanta that grows into a massive metropolis every spring and then declines into a small village for the rest of the year. The second is Dejak Nesh, which is located in Jekar territory on the western Ferran coast. While unlike Nishdevanta, Dejak Nesh is heavily populated all year round, it too is mostly home to foreign merchants, who import wares from Aea and southern Ferra and export them across the steppe to western Ferra.

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Military

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◆Military Commanders: High King Azhi Kharosen, Princess Ramesh Kharosdeti, Chief Simurg Simurgdeti, Chief Orun Yabgen, Kasta the Shaman


◆Military Strength: Cavalry. Lots of cavalry. Every Nerakan child learns to ride at the same time they learn to walk, and they learn to shoot from horseback not long after. About 60% of a Nerakan army consists of lightly-armoured and highly maneuverable horse archers. They use herding techniques designed to control cattle to instead control enemy soldiers. Another 35% consists of heavy cataphracts, with men and horses armoured head to toe in overlapping steel scales, wielding long spears and buckler shields, as well as short curved swords to finish off anyone who survives their charge. When the horse archers have harassed the enemy long enough, the cataphracts charge and strike the final blow.

In terms of absolute numbers, the Nerakans can levy approximately 75,000 warriors at any given time.


◆Special Troop: Griffon riders. The remaining 5% of a Nerakan army is comprised of the ruler, the Chiefs, and their elite bodyguards, who ride into battle on the back of tamed Griffons, armed and armoured similarly to the aforementioned cataphracts, and wielding long spears tipped with curved blades designed to pull unlucky enemy soldiers out of formation, off of a horse, or even into the air. Griffon riders are used as scouts and heavy cavalry that can attack from above.

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Diplomatic Relations

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◆Allies: The Northern Yekken Clans are believed by many to share a common ancestor with the Nerakans, including the Nerakans themselves. While the Yekken do not share the Nerakans' religious beliefs, the Nerakans believe their religion is indelibly tied to the land they inhabit, and thus do not fault their Yekken "brothers and sisters" for not worshiping Nerak. The trade that flows northeast from Mzenes and the Khars inevitably passes through Nerakan territory and is taxed by them, tying together the two groups economically as well as culturally. As such, the Nerakans and the Northern Clans have traditionally friendly relations, even as the southern Yek'sik cities sneer at the "northern barbarians".


◆Rivals:

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Other Information

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◆Location: (Image) The grey square marks Mount Devanta/Nishdevanta, and the red square marks Dejak Nesh.

(Image)

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Essential Details

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◆Name of House: The Children of Manya


◆Leader: High King Azhi Kharosen


◆Family Members:

• Ramesh Kharosdeti (half-sister of Azhi)
  
• Lyta Simurgdeti (mother of Azhi)
  
• Kharos Yamgen (father of Azhi and Ramesh, deceased)
  
• Tamri Yabgudeti (mother of Ramesh)
  
• Kasta the Shaman (Court shaman, commander)

◆History: (See above for their early history.)

The current Chief of the Manu and High King of the Nerakan Confederation is Azhi, son of Kharos, son of Yamga. In the days when Kharos Yamgen was Chief of the Manu, the High King was Yabgu Turen, of the Children of Orun.

For many years, the Children of Orun had been in a feud with the Children of Manya, originating several generations ago when a Manu prince dishonourably killed an Oida princess in a duel. Even when the Children of Orun ascended to the position of the ruling family under Yabgu, the Manu continued to openly raid Oida territory. High King Yabgu viewed his possession of the crown as an opportunity to subdue the Manu and end this feud once and for all. However, the Manu had allies in the form of the Avra, whose Chief's sister was one of Chief Kharos's wives.

The Jekar remained stubbornly neutral in the feud, forcing High King Yabgu to look outside of the Confederation for allies against the Manu and Avra. King Yabgu found unlikely friends in the form of the Bank of Arca, who were upset by tariffs the previous High King had put in place on foreign trade, and had sent a messenger to Dejak Nesh to convey their displeasure. King Yabgu entered into a secret arrangement with the Arcans, agreeing to end the tariffs in exchange for the services of an army of Arcan mercenaries.

Yabgu struck quickly with his new assets, moving west and attacking the Manu camp while Kharos and most of his army were away on a hunt. He scored a great victory, capturing Kharos's eldest wife Lyta Simurgdeti and her newborn son Azhi. Not only was Lyta Kharos's wife, but her sister Simurg was Chief of the Avra. By controlling her, Yabgu hoped to control the two Peoples to which she belonged.

Yabgu sent a lock of Lyta's red hair to Kharos, along with a messenger with a list of his demands - The Manu would not only cease their raids on Oida territory, but would leave Nerakan territory entirely, to find a life elsewhere on Ferra. The Children of Avan would renew their oaths of service to the High King, and cut all ties with the Children of Manya, while Lyta Simurgdeti would become one of Yabgu's wives, to tie the two families together.

In defiance of these demands, the Children of Manya and Avan openly rose up in revolt. The Children of Jeki quietly stayed out of the conflict, although they expressed token support for Yabgu. Simurg Simurgdeti, sister of Lyta, was given command of the two Peoples' combined armies. She and her cataphracts crushed Yabgu's Arcan mercenaries at the Battle of the Red Hill, and Yabgu himself was slain when he removed his helmet to survey the battle and he was struck by an arrow. Kharos followed up on his sister-in-law's victory by attacking the camps of the Children of Orun, recovering his wife and son before they could be killed by Yabgu's followers in response to Simurg's victory.

The shamans of the Oida were divided between Yabgu's son and daughter Orun and Zharnaz in regards to who should succeed him as Chief. Zharnaz was an adult wanted to continue the war, while Orun was a young teenager and only wished to survive the wrath of Yabgu's enemies. When Kharos raided the Oida camps, he demanded the shamans choose Orun. Orun then swiftly surrendered to Kharos and Simurg. Kharos demanded that one of Yabgu's daughters become his wife, as repayment for the kidnapping of Lyta. Orun and Zharnaz chose their half-sister Tamri, as she was the daughter of Yabgu's second wife, unlike his other children.

An assembly of the great families was convened to select a new High King or Queen. The Children of Orun threw their support behind Simurg, hoping that a non-Manu would be more merciful to them. Unfortunately, this only made Simurg unpopular to the non-Oida electors, and thus Kharos was chosen. The Nerakans were at peace, but the war was not yet won. When Kharos raided the Oida camps, he discovered coins and equipment that had clearly been made across the sea - Yabgu had had the support of the Bank of Arca. Such a brazen attack could not be left unanswered, and Kharos began planning.

An army of archers and cataphracts would need a fleet to transport them, and would be spotted and crushed by the Arcans long before they reached land. But an army of griffons, if proper precautions were taken, could take a city by surprise and then be gone before they could be caught. That was the way.

For a decade Kharos waited, and prepared - he strengthened the fragile peace, he sent scouts to map the Vast Velea and the coastline of Aea, had spies watch the movements of Arcan airships, acquired oil and iron to make fire pots, and recruited and trained more and more Griffon riders. Finally, when the winds were right and the shamans gave favourable omens, he and his host set out.

Kharos and his army took flight from Dejak Nesh, paid for safe passage through Argonvost, and crossed the Vast Velea. Kharos's target was the city of Alais, the Arcan capital. When the coast of Aea was in sight, Kharos had his host ascend above the clouds. When they were directly over the city, he ordered the riders to drop. There would be no siege, or demand for surrender - Kharos had no intention of occupying the city.

While descending, Kharos had his riders drop fire pots full of flaming pitch on the city below. In the confusion that followed, the Griffon riders assaulted the soldiers on the city walls, but from within, tearing them apart with their Griffon's beaks. Soon after, the city surrendered, but several Arcan soldiers and civilians escaped to warn the Arcan military.

After taking the city, Kharos rounded up all the people who hadn't died in the initial assault or the great fire that followed. He had the majority killed, with the number of people left alive exactly equal to the number of Griffons he had left. He had the survivors tied up and saddled them on his Griffons. What was left of the city was put to the torch, while the Nerakans staying just long enough to ensure it all burned.

On their way to the coast of Aea, the Nerakans spotted an Arcan host on its way to respond to the sacking of Alais. As he had planned to, Kharos ordered the captives dropped on them. The captives died as they hit the ground or the Arcan soldiers themselves, creating the confusion necessary for Kharos and his host to escape.

The Sack of Arlais instantly made Kharos one of the greatest kings the Nerakans had ever known. Even the Oida were impressed by the daring act. Unfortunately, for such an impressive king, Kharos did not receive a dignified death. Kharos was struck down by dysentary eight years after the Sack, dying delirious and dehydrated in his tent. After his death, the cult of personality that had developed around him lead to the assembly of the clans almost unanimously choosing his eldest son, Azhi, to become the next High King.

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Assets

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◆Home: N/A (Nomadic)


◆Military Strength: The Manu are the greatest Griffon riders in the Confederation, able to field almost twice as of them as any of the other Peoples. The techniques memorized by Manu shamans who specialize in Griffon-training are something of a "state secret", although the Manu are willing to rent them to the other Peoples or even to foreign powers for a sufficiently high price. In terms of absolute numbers, they can field approximately 19,000 riders, further subdivided into 11,000 mounted archers, 7,000 cataphracts, and 1,000 Griffon riders.

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Relations

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◆Allies: The Children of Avan, the Children of Jeki


◆Rivals: The Children of Orun, Arcanus

(Image)

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Essential Details

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◆Name of House: The Children of Orun


◆Leader: Chief Orun Yabgen


◆Family Members:

• Yabgu Turen (Father of Orun, deceased)
  
• Tur Orunen (Son of Orun)
  
• Zharnaz Yabgudeti (Sister of Orun)
  
• Tamri Yabgudeti (Half-sister of Orun and Sharnaz)
  
• Alshi, Nowza, and Turi (Wives of Orun)

◆History: (See above)

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Assets

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◆Home: N/A (Nomadic)


◆Military Strength: The Oida are the primary breeders of "Golden coursers", a long-legged narrow-shouldered breed of horse with a metallic golden coat, bred for its speed, stamina, and ability to survive on minimal amounts of food and water. These horses form the backbone of any Nerakan army. Also, appropriately, the Oida are usually considered the best riders of the Nerakans. In terms of absolute numbers, they can field approximately 21,000 riders, further subdivided into 13,900 mounted archers, 7,000 cataphracts, and 100 Griffon riders.

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Relations

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◆Allies:


◆Rivals: The Children of Manya

(Image)

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Essential Details

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◆Name of House: The Children of Avan


◆Leader: Chief Simurg Simurgdeti


◆Family Members:

• Simurg the Elder (Mother of Simurg, deceased)
• Sharuk Irajen (Father of Simurg, deceased)
• Lyta Simurgdeti (Sister of Simurg)
• Nowzar, Kabul, Gazna, Jikki (Husbands of Simurg)
• Sharuk Simurgen (Son of Simurg and Nowzar)
• Kabul Simurgen (Son of Simurg and Kabul)
• Shamshi Simurgdeti (Daughter of Simurg and Nowzar)

◆History: Descended from Avan, the legendary "Eagle Prince", the Children of Avan form the ruling family of the Avra people. The Children of Avan have not held the High Kingship in some time, but nonetheless have become wealthy and influential under the rule of Simurg Simurgdeti, who negotiated a marriage between her sister and Kharos Yamgen. The Children of Avan rule the largest amount of territory of of the four clans, although most of that land is cold and barren. The sacred mountain of Devanta is within Avra territory, and they make much of their wealth from the traders who flock to its slopes during the Festival of the New Dawn. (See the app for Simurg Simurgdeti and the history of the Nerakans for further information.)

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Assets

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◆Home: N/A (Nomadic)


◆Military Strength: The Children of Avan are often considered the greatest hunters in the Confederation, as their barren territory cannot support many herds of cattle, and they are forced to get most of their food from hunting. In terms of absolute numbers, they can field approximately 10,000 riders, further subdivided into 7,000 mounted archers, 2,600 cataphracts, and 400 Griffon riders.

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Relations

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◆Allies: The Children of Manya


◆Rivals: The Children of Orun

(Image)

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Essential Details

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◆Name of House: The Children of Jeki


◆Leader: Hatun Karindeti


◆Family Members:

• Salm and Gaznos (Husbands of Hatun)
• Karin Hatunen (Son of Hatun and Gaznos, twin brother of Kaveh)
• Kaveh Hatunen (Son of Hatun and Gaznos, twin brother of Karin)
• Kural the Elder (Husband of Hatun, deceased)
• Kural Hatunen (Son of Hatun and Kural)
• Devi Neshadeti (Wife of Kural)
• Kharos Kuralen (Son of Kural)
• Gorz Karinen (Twin brother of Hatun)
• Irene and Zaniyah (Wives of Gorz)
• Banu Gorzdeti (Daughter of Gorz and Irene)

◆History: Descended from Jeki, the legendary "Cattle Prince", the Children of Jeki form the ruling family of the Jekar people. The Children of Jeki are the least insular of the Nerakan families, becoming extraordinarily wealthy off of the trade flowing into the merchant city of Dejak Nesh from the Vast Velea ocean. The most lucrative of these enterprises is the slave trade, which the Jekar form an integral part of - They raid the territory of Phoenixia and Halralda, then sell the captives in Dejak Nesh, where they are taken to southern Ferra, or across the sea to Koinon and beyond. Because of their association with trading, herding, slavery, the Children of Jeki are often looked down upon by the other three clans, but they are arguably the most successful of them.

The Chief of the Jekar remained neutral in the Oida-Manu feud, in part because of his ailing health, and in part because of his desire to protect the trade flowing in and out of Dejak Nesh. Not long after the war concluded, he died of natural causes, and his cousin Hatun Karindeti came into power as Chief.

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Assets

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◆Home: N/A (Nomadic) although Dejak Nesh contains a private villa that the family uses when they reside in the city


◆Military Strength: The Children of Jeki control the largest amount of cattle in the Confederation, and they fight by applying herding techniques to warfare - Nerakan storytellers and shamans poetically refer to Jekar warriors as "they who herd men like cattle". In terms of absolute numbers, they can field approximately 25,000 warriors, further subdivided into 14,500 cataphracts, 10,000 mounted archers, and 500 Griffon riders. They have also been known to hire mercenary heavy infantry.

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Relations

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◆Allies: Various wealthy merchants from Argonvost, Koinon, and the Yek'sik Empire


◆Rivals:

(Image)

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Essential Details

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◆Name: High King Azhi Kharosen


◆Appearance:

(Image)

◆Age: 25


◆Gender: M


◆Sexuality: Heterosexual


◆Build: Lean, muscular

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Legacy

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◆Allegiance: N/A (highest authority)


◆Profession: High King


◆Background: Azhi was the son of Chief Kharos of the Manu and his first wife Lyta Simurgdeti. When he was a toddler, he and his mother were kidnapped by the Oida in an attempt to keep the Manu loyal to the then-current High King, Yabgu Turen. Azhi then spent several months with the threat of execution hanging over his head, before being rescued when his father raided the Oida camps.

When Kharos decided to attack Arcanus for their support of High King Yabgu, Azhi was fifteen, not yet a man and yet no longer a child in the eyes of the Nerakans. As such Kharos let Azhi choose whether he wanted to accompany him on the raid. Azhi declined, fearing the high risks involved in such an action. He would later regret this decision when his father came back having won a lopsided victory.

Azhi had suffered debilitating nightmares his entire life, but when his father died, they began to worsen. Moreover, they began to intrude into his waking life - Azhi began hearing his father speak to him as he went about his daily business. Azhi shared this information with nobody but his mentor and close friend Kasta. The assembled descendants of the Great Princes chose Azhi as the new High King, due to his father's accomplishments and a hope that he could match them. For the last three years Azhi has been High King, although he hasn't accomplished much yet.

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Beliefs

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◆Religion: Nerakan Sun worship


◆Motivation: To be as accomplished as his father

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Personal

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◆Likes: Winning fights, griffon riding, exploring


◆Dislikes: Fighting, the minutiae of rulership


◆Hobby: Caring for his griffon

(Image)

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Essential Details

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◆Name: Chief Simurg Simurgdeti


◆Appearance:

(Image)

◆Age: 45


◆Gender: F


◆Sexuality: Heterosexual


◆Build: 5'6, muscular

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Legacy

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◆Allegiance: High King Azhi Kharosen


◆Profession: Chief of the Avra


◆Background: Simurg Simurgdeti became Chief of the Children of Avan at age 15, following the death of her mother Simurg the Elder in a duel. During the first decade of her rule, she came into her own as a cunning leader when she negotiated a betrothal between her younger sister Lyta and Kharos Yamgen of the Children of Manya.

When Lyta and her son Azhi was kidnapped by Arcan mercenaries under the orders of High King Yabgu, Simurg gathered her warriors in order to recover her, soon followed by Kharos. While Kharos rode for the Oida camps, Simurg met the mercenaries at the Red Hill in eastern Avra territory.

Simurg hid the majority of her cataphracts behind the hill and advanced forward with only her mounted archers. She harassed the Arcan mercenaries for over an hour, having her archers ride in a loose circle around the enemy formation while firing inwards, expanding the circle whenever they advanced, and closing it whenever they retreated. Finally, she allowed some of her riders to get into a protracted fight with some of the mercenaries, then feigned a retreat up the hill, tricking the exhausted and confused mercenaries into following them upwards. When the mercenaries had all-but abandoned their formation in hasty pursuit of her archers, her cataphracts crested the hill and rode them down. Yabgu and his Oida riders arrived late in an attempt to relieve his mercenaries, but soon after his arrival, he was struck through the eye by a stray arrow, and his forces were ridden down in the chaos that followed.

After her victory, she nominated herself for the position of High Queen, to replace Yabgu. It was a close race between her and Kharos, but ironically, the Children of Orun throwing their support behind her alienated the other voters and allowed Kharos to get the position. At first she was highly resentful of this upset victory, but over time, those feelings cooled.

Simurg was one of the Griffon riders who participated in the Sack of Arlais, under the command of High King Kharos. She or her griffon slew many of the Arcan soldiers guarding the walls of the city. After the Sack, Simurg finally took husbands, and had two sons and a daughter with them. She is unsure of how effective a ruler Azhi Kharosen will be, but is dedicated to ensuring his reign is a happy one.

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Beliefs

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◆Religion: Nerakan Sun worship


◆Motivation: In no particular order: Ensuring the prosperity of the Nerakan people, ensuring the prosperity of the Avra people, being rewarded with the honours she deserves for her actions to ensure the prosperity of her people

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Personal

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◆Likes: Hunting, strategy, responsible people


◆Dislikes: Cowards, pointless niceties


◆Hobby: Hunting

(Image)

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Essential Details

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◆Name: Hatun Karindeti


◆Appearance:

(Image)

◆Age: 65


◆Gender: F


◆Sexuality: Heterosexual


◆Build: 5'1, squat, formerly athletic

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Legacy

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◆Allegiance: High King Azhi Kharosen


◆Profession: Chief of the Jekar


◆Background: Hatun was the eldest daughter and second-eldest child in her family, though only a few seconds younger than her twin brother Gorz. The shamans never seriously considered her branch of the family's claim to the Chiefdom, and she had no expectations placed on her in youth. While Gorz wasted his youth and money on a variety of hedonistic pursuits, Hatun resolved to make something of herself.

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Beliefs

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◆Religion:


◆Motivation: (What drives them to wake up?)

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Personal

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◆Likes:


◆Dislikes:


◆Hobby:

(Image)

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Essential Details

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◆Name: Kasta the Shaman, former Master of the Left-Handed Sword and One Sword of Five


◆Appearance:

(Image)

◆Age: 63


◆Gender: M


◆Sexuality: Asexual


◆Build: 6'4, broad-shouldered, muscular

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Legacy

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◆Allegiance: High King Azhi Kharosen


◆Profession: Shaman


◆Background: Kasta was born the eldest son of a minor family in a minor clan within the Avra. Neither of his parents were of any particular importance, but his mother managed to negotiate a betrothal between him and a girl from a more prestigious family, in exchange for a large portion of her herd. Kasta, due to his natural strength and broad, tall frame, was selected by the Chief of the Avra to train as a cataphract. He not only learned to ride, but also how to use a spear and sword. To the Nerakans, the sword is a secondary weapon, used mainly to finish off the survivors of heavy cavalry charges. As such, Nerakans are trained to swordfight left-handed, so that they can draw and use their sword without dropping their spear.

Kasta was introduced to the girl he was supposed to marry when he was 13. Gradually realizing that he had no interest in her, he decided instead of becoming a warrior he would become a shaman, as shamans could not marry. Kasta secretly stole raw cow flesh and left it out in the sun for a week, then ate it. As expected, he became extremely ill, and his illness was taken as a sign from Nerak that he should become a shaman, as was the custom for his people.

Once he recovered, Kasta began learning under his clan's current shaman. For three years he learned. He learned which spirits were good and loyal to the Sun and which were disloyal and evil, and how to properly appease them and ask for their help. He learned the great stories of Aarde and of the Nerakans, and how to recite them from memory. He underwent the various necessary initiation rites. Kasta's mother pleaded with him increasingly anxiously to abandon this path and marry, but he refused every time she asked. Finally, the day came when there were no more lessons and no more rites of passage - Kasta was a shaman, and would take his mentor's place when he died.

Finally, Kasta's parents showed their true colours. They hired two riders to attack Kasta in the middle of the night, who wrapped him in a cloak and beat him until the dawn broke. They told him that as long as he did not abandon his current path, they would attack him every night, and the beatings would be worse every time. Kasta did not give into their demands, but instead stole a horse, a sword, and some supplies, and fled as far southwards as he could go.

Kasta became a soldier of fortune, first among the Neryek tribes of the southern steppe, and then once he had enough money to purchase proper equipment, for various factions within Yek'sik, Pheonixia, and Liang, and Resdayn. Kasta continued to fight with a sword left-handed, as he found doing so threw off his opponents, making up for the disadvantage of using his non-dominant hand. In Resdayn, he discovered an enormous black eagle that reminded him of the golden eagles of his homeland. He used his knowledge of falconry from his youth to train the bird, who became his constant companion.

Over the course of his wanderings, Kasta gradually became listless and purposeless, turning to the twin vices of drink and petty violence and to stave off depression. However, he had developed quite a reputation for himself. A shadowy Order had learned of him, and his fighting prowess. Desperately looking for a purpose in life, Kasta happily agreed to take part in the Order of the Sword's mission.

For the better part of three decades, Kasta held the positions of Master of the Left-Handed Sword and One Sword of Five. He continued to travel, but now he did it with purpose: To prevent the Sword of Creation from falling into the wrong hands, and more generally, to increase the resources and influence of the Order in order to absolutely ensure that the aforementioned goal was achieved.

This all came crashing down about a decade ago, after the Sack of Arlais. A rift developed between Kasta and his Aean and Asignan comrades, who were horrified by the actions undertaken by High King Kharos. This culminated in an argument Kasta had with the then-Master of the Longsword, where Kasta angrily claimed that the people of Arcanus were at fault for not being willing or able to control the actions of the Bank of Arca, and that Kharos's retaliation was justified.

With the rift between him and the other members of the Order seemingly irreparable, Kasta quietly and politely resigned from his position, while reaffirming his oaths of secrecy. With no desire to return to mercenary work, Kasta decided the best course of action would be to return to being a shaman. A clan in Manu territory allowed him to become their shaman, as their old one had claimed their successor would arrive from the south. When High King Kharos became ill, Kasta was one of the shamans summoned to try to heal him. He failed, but stayed to help perform Kharos's funerary rites. He began spending time with the young prince Azhi Kharosen, and talked to him while he was grieving. After Kharos's barrow was completed and the burial was finished, Azhi requested that Kasta join him as the personal shaman of the Children of Manya. Kasta accepted, and has filled that role ever since. After his skill in arms gradually became apparent, Azhi also made him the highest-ranking non-Griffon riding commander in the Nerakan military, much to Kasta's annoyance.

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Beliefs

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◆Religion: Nerakan Sun worship


◆Motivation: To serve Azhi Kharosen faithfully and loyally

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Personal

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◆Likes: Theology, swordfighting, the sight of the sky right after sunset


◆Dislikes: Asignans, unnecessary violence, horse meat


◆Hobby: Falconry

(Image)

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Essential Details

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◆Name of Creature: Steppe Lion


◆Appearance:

(Image)

◆Description: Steppe Lions are a type of big cat commonly found in central, northern, and northwestern Ferra. Steppe Lions are significantly larger than their southern cousins, have lighter fur and shorter manes, and are solitary rather than pack hunters. Steppe Lions primarily subsist on reindeer and wild horses. They will occasionally scavenge Griffon kills, but mostly steer clear of them. Steppe Lions are sacred symbols to the Nerakans, emblematic of Nerak and of nature itself, and considered the equals and opposites of the High Kings and Queens. Despite this, the Nerakans aren't averse to killing them - hunting one down on one's own is a traditional rite of passage upon entering adulthood, and herders regularly have to protect their horses from them.

(Image)

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Essential Details

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◆Name of Realm: The Uzhi'yi


◆Rulers: N/A

◆Culture: The Uzhi'yi are the natives of the Uzhi mountains, and the steppes to their south. They are divided into thousands of petty tribes and clans that have no particular loyalty to each other, most of which are no larger than one or two families. Unlike their Nerakan neighbours, the Uzhi'yi do not make heavy use of the horse, as most of their homeland is too hilly and too cold for horses to be useful. Instead, the backbone of Uzhi'yi society is the reindeer, which they use for meat, milk, and leather. They also ride on the shoulders of their reindeer, even into battle.

The Uzhi'yi spend the summer in fortified villages in the mountains, but in the winter they and their herds are forced southward into the steppe by the cold winds, where they are vulnerable to Nerakan raiders. The Uzhi'yi wear reindeer skin clothing and wield wooden clubs embedded with obsidian blades, although they will sometimes trade meat and bone trinkets with the Klastrogoths in exchange for iron weapons.

The Uzhi'yi speak a variety of mutually unintelligible languages. Some tribes in the southwest are fluent in the language of Halralda, or are at least fluent enough to trade.

◆Religion: The Uzhi'yi are shamanists, like their southern neighbours, believing in a variety of nature spirits of varying power and benevolence. Their supreme god, however, is a being known as the Horned Snake. The Horned Snake is an enormous serpent described as having white or translucent crystalline scales, and the antlers of a reindeer. He is symbolically associated with snow, cold, water, and the sky, but also with bright light, due to snow's reflective properties.

The Uzhi'yi believe that in ancient times, the world was ruled by a woman named Hearth Princess, who loved the Uzhi'yi, and under her benevolent rule there was no hunger, cold, or violence anywhere. However, Hearth Princess grew sick and died, and without her warmth and light, the world began to grow cold and cruel. In these dark days the Uzhi'yi were attacked from all sides by their enemies, such as the Nuckelavees of the south and the Moon Men of the west, and they began to dwindle in number.

The Horned Snake, the grieving brother of Hearth Princess, took pity on the Uzhi'yi and offered them a pact. However, the Horned Snake was cold and melancholic and incapable of loving them like Hearth Princess had loved them - He could offer them some protection, but not without a cost. With no other options, the Uzhi'yi agreed to this pact. Suddenly, blizzards devoured the armies of their enemies, and they were safe. The Uzhi'yi rejoiced in their mountain halls, but in the following winter, half of all their people died in the cold. The Horned Snake had collected his price.

The Uzhi'yi believe that the brutal weather of their homeland is the blessing of the Horned Snake, as it and helps protect the Uzhi'yi against outside invaders who are less prepared for the snow and cold. The Uzhi'yi treat all of those who die in the cold as necessary sacrifices to the Horned Snake, and view the "Serpent's Breath", (Cold Wind) the "Serpent's Bite", (Frostbite) and the "Serpent's Stare" (Snow blindness) as curses they are forced to endure in exchange for the Horned Snake's protection. If an insufficient number of people in a tribe die in the winter, the members of that tribe will sacrifice the lives of several high-ranking people using obsidian daggers, out of a fear that the Horned Snake will feel "cheated" out of his due.

Uzhi'yi shamans commune with the spirits and the Horned Snake primarily via music. The most important instrument is the "Bone Trumpet", a large instrument traditionally crafted from the hollowed out femur of a man who was sacrificed or died in the winter.

◆History: Like the Nerakans, the Uzhi'yi do not have a writing system, instead relying on oral history memorized by shamans. As such, the origins or ancient history of the Uzhi'yi is not well-known. Citing the similarities between Hearth Princess and Nerak, some scholars believe the Uzhi'yi are relatives of the Nerakans and Yek'sik who abandoned horse-riding due to their cold climate. Others believe that the Horned Snake is a half-remembered version of Drunadegud, and that the Uzhi'yi are Fortyg from the Ironstone Kingdom who were exiled westward not long after they arrived in Ferra. The Uzhi'yi simply believe they have always inhabited the Uzhi mountains, and are willing to fight anyone who says otherwise.

The Uzhi'yi have an ancient and enduring grudge against the Nerakans, who routinely attack them even in times of relative peace. The Avra in particular are despised by them.

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Assets

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◆Resources: Reindeer, obsidian


◆Strongholds: N/A


◆Towns: N/A

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Military

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◆Military Commanders: N/A


◆Military Strength: N/A


◆Special Troop: N/A

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Diplomatic Relations

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◆Allies:


◆Rivals: The Nerakan Confederation

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Other Information

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◆Location:

(Image)

Made an NPC faction for the Nerakans to raid.

[The Umperia Isles]

one for some reason i'm not on the character list, could that be a thing. Second, i'm going to redo my nation app, just so I could make it better. hope you accept that when I send it in.

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

I'll go for this piece of land, and I should have an app up by the morrow.

[Everhall]

(Image)

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Essential Details

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◆Name of Creature: Phoenix


◆Appearance:

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◆Description:
Phoenixes are large, majestic fire birds native to the mountains of Northern Uratos. They are some of the largest birds in the known world, with an average wingspan of 15 to 20 meters, and are able to hold their own against even dragons if enough are present. While they can live elsewhere, Phoenixes tend to gather around volcanic mountains as their eggs rely on heat and fire to hatch, both being readily available in the innards of a volcano. They only take one mate for life, and even after death refuses to move on to another. While not particularly violent, when provoked, or their young are endangered, Phoenixes fight with beak, talon, and, most importantly, fire in order to fend off foes. The most notable feature of the Phoenix, by far, is its long lifespan caused as a result of their pyromantic ability to lite their body aflame at times and, occasionally, be reborn after death. Many fires in Uratos have been caused by the occasional Phoenix landing atop a tree or a building. What remains to be told is simply this: legends abound in Uratos and beyond of a Great Phoenix, one with a wingspan several meters wide, and the voice and power of a God. Whether or not this is true is hard to say, but it is clear this legend had a part in the development of certain faiths on Uratos.

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Essential Details

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◆Name of Realm: The Ashen Empire (Årgins) [It can also be referred to as the Second Empire of Ash or the Ashen-Tækálí Empire when bound with its union partner the Kingdom of Tækálí]


◆Rulers:

• Emperor/Fylkir: Tibur II Coarek-Domina, by the grace of Ashyea, King of the Årgins and the Tækálí, Emperor of the Ashen Empire, and Protector of the Eternal Flame.
  
  • Tibur II came into his throne at the age of five following the death of his father the late Emperor Markus IV. In his minority, his faithful uncle, Wilking, assumed the reigns of power while Tibur entertained himself with tournaments, feasts, and balls. The tasks of the state, as it seemed, bored the Emperor to sleep, even as he grew up and his uncle allowed him the powers a ruler should wield. All things, as it seems to Tibur, are under his control, with his diligent uncle serving by his side as councilor, he will be the greatest Emperor the Ashen Empire has seen in a generation.
• Lord Chancellor: Wilking Coarek-Domina, by the grace of Ashyea and his holiness, Lord Chancellor of the Ashen Empire
  • In almost all respects, Lord Chancellor Wilking has assumed control over the Ashen state. With the death of his brother, Markus IV, in the Butcher Rebellion of 1085 C.E., Wilking rose to a position of power which enabled him to control his young and persuadable nephew in a manner which granted him effective control over the government. The Emperor is an effective puppet, subject to the influence of Wilking and him alone. Through this, Wilking has, while maintaining the semblance of the Imperial throne, managed to bend the realm to his will in the shadows.

◆Culture: The people of the Ashen Empire, known as the Årgins, are a people forged in war and united by faith. The early Årgins began as simple migratory people, moving from their original homeland where the Kingdom of Tækali is now, into the fertile fields of the Nørve River Valley. They brought from their homeland a belief in a balanced household in which the men operated best in war and open trade, and women operated at the home as matriarchs and intricate web-weavers. While these did not, generally speaking, apply to all men and women of the Årgin people, but it has in many cases. Blood ties and the family are among one of the most important factors in Årginnish society as surnames transfer not by patrilineal nor matrilineal means, but rather by the way of the highest prestige a certain name has. Exceptions have been made over the years in the cases of the Houses of Coarek and Domina united into House Coarek-Domina or how the Veran clan merged with the Altan clan to form House Atveran.

The language the Årgin people speak is that of the Old Empire of Ashyea which ruled before the time of the Ashen Empire of today. The language of today, however, can not be said to exactly resemble that of Old Ash which would be equivalent to Latin in the real world. Instead, it could be referred to as a Latinized version of the Germanic and Nordic tongues unique among the Årgin people and more prevalent in its southern reaches. Another result of this blending of culture has been the emergence of what could be called a martial culture of knighthood in the Ashen Empire in the form of the illustrious Ocleian Order. Peoples of all birth, even peasants are allowed within the order, but all must prove themselves in order to truly be a part of it.

◆Religion:

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Ashyean Ukkoism - Initially offshoot of the Tækali form of Ukkoism, Ashyean Ukkoism was formed when the Ash Prophetess Ashyea the Aster emerged from the city of Old Ash in the shadow of Mount Areos on the banks of the Nørve River. Before her 'epiphany' as it was known, Ashyea was a simple slave in the employ of Ekronious, King of Old Ash, and was subject along with her people, who would come to be known as the Ashyeans, to the task of grueling labor in the building of the City of Ash. Ukkoian missionaries, coming from the early tribes and city-states of the Årgin and the Tækali, had, at that time, reached as far as the city of Ash leading to a small sect of Ashyeans who believed in the Ukkoian gods of Sun, Moon, and Sea. Ashyea, however, took it farther, for when she experienced the epiphany of Åstelg, the Phoenix God, while climbing the fire mountain of Areos, she descended preaching of his radiance and how she had been anointed by him, the son of the sun, to free her people from chains and enact upon them their destiny. Ashyea would go on to become the First Prophet of the Empire of Ash, as it was called, which would come to dominate much of Uratos including the ancient Årgin tribes.

The gods of Ashyean Ukkoism are numbered six, with the greatest among them being the creator goddess Cálá (also the Goddess of Death and Fertility), and her grandson, Åstelg the Phoenix, known as the God of Life and the God of War. Other deities include Cálá's daughters, Rhoà, Goddess of the Sun and mother of Åstelg; and Rhoà, Goddess of the Moon and mother of Sasin, the Great Guardian of the Depths and Sea. Ukkoist burials typically consist of sending the deceased body out to sea while a flame burns their flesh to release the soul to Rhoà and the body's ashes to Sasin. If this is not done, it is told, the body shall become stuck in the mortal plane as a specter, doomed to haunt the ones they love and the people they cherished. Not all people, however, can find this burial readily available. In place of burning at sea, for those unable to afford such a ceremony, his or her body is simply burned at the altar and their ashes added to their temple's Eternal Flame.

Each temple of Ashyean Ukkoism possesses its own Eternal Flame with the oldest and largest flame being that in the Temple of the Ancients in Årgindus said to have been set by Ashyea and Åstelg themselves. With this fire, the Ukkoist priests perform marriages and spectacular spectacles of fire dancers and singers. In marriage, the two parties must join together at the altar before the flame of Åstelg and must allow themselves to singe their hand (right for the groom and left for the bride) in order to join their souls in death as in life in the plane of Cálá.

The Ukkoist faith as a whole is organized under a priesthood with the Emperor serving as Fylkir, or Head Priest, of all the Ukkoist faithful. Before the time of the Empire, and even now, both sects of the faith maintained an Arch-Primate who oversees all the priests and shamans in their particular sect. These priests are required to wear ornate masks for the majority of their daily lives, the objects seen as divine gifts so that one may be closer to the gods. Masks, in fact, form an important part of Ukkoist belief, being involved in celebrations in which all peoples must wear one in honor of the gods. Only in marriage is a mask not required, but this only applies to the two nuptial parties.

◆History:

The First Period/The Age of Legends (????-c.1,000 B.C.E.)
Records during this time of development for the Årgin people is sparse to nonexistent, reliant upon oral tales and legends past down for several generations. What is commonly known is as follows: the Årgin people emerged as a branch of the Tækálí people group in the around two thousand years before the Common Era. Led by a shepherd, they first established themselves on where the eastern border of the Ashen Empire now lies. While at first, their gods bore no difference to that of the Tækálí, with the emergence of the Empire of Ash, the Årgin people developed their own sect of the faith based on their culture influenced by that of the Ashyeans.

• (c.2,500 B.C.E.) - Årgin the Shepard allegedly leads a small group of followers to roam just east of the Nørve River Valley. Though now separated into two main groups, the early Årgins maintain close ties with their Tækálí brothers.
  
  
• (c.2,250 B.C.E) - Vikægärd is founded between the banks of two rivers.
  
  
• (c.1,500 B.C.E - c.1,100 B.C.E.) - The Ashyean people migrate from the southern reaches of Uratos into the Nørve River Valley. There, many are enslaved by the dominant Nørve city-states, particularly the city of Ash.
  
  
• (c.1,000 B.C.E) - The Phoenix God, Åstelg comes down to a young slave girl named Ashyea in the peak of the fire mountain of Areos. Girl, now named Ashyea the Aster, starts a slave rebellion in the city of Old Ash, overthrowing King Ekronious and establishing a new homeland for the Ashyean people in southern Uratos and the Nørne River Valley. This also marks the start of then Ashyean branch of Ukkoism and the subsequent conversion and inclusion of the Årgin people in the Empire of Ashyea.

The Second Period/The Age of Ashyea (1,000 B.C.E. - 1 C.E.)
Following the founding of the Empire of Ashyea on Uratos around 1,000 B.C.E, records among both the Årgins and their Ashyean overlords became more prevalent, thus allowing for the better representation of events which occurred during that time. The Age of Ashyea, or Age of Ash as it is also called, records the thousand year reign of the Ashyeans and their Empire in Uratos, considered one of the greatest states to have ever emerged in the time before the Common Era. Because of the prosperity and learning of Old Ash, many of its cultural tenants began to diffuse into that of the Early Årgins, leading to the birth of what we know today as Årginnish, a blending of Old Ash and Early Årgin language.

• (998 B.C.E.) - The city of Vikægärd peacefully submits to the Ashyea the Aster. In the early months of the year, it seemed as if the conflict was inevitable between the Årgins of Vikægärd and the rapidly expanding forces of Ashyea's paladins. The King of Vikægärd, Orrin Årgling, initially refused indignantly to yield to Ashyea's overwhelming force before a Phoenix appeared in the sky and cowed the defiant King. The gates of Vikægärd were opened and the Årgin people became the first servants of the Empire of Ash.
  
  
• (890 B.C.E.) - King Alaer Årgling leads a mass conversion along with all the Årgins to Ashyean Ukkoism, becoming the first of many Årgin Kings of the new faith.
  
  
• (1 B.C.E - 1 C.E) - The extinguishing of the Eternal Flame in the Phoenix Temple of Old Ash causes an uproar throughout the Old Empire of Ash. Despite attempts to relight and even replace the altar on which the fire burned, news quickly spreads leading to an outbreak of rebellions and chaos as once subservient states broke away from the Empire of Ashyea having lost its legitimacy. The Kingdom of the Årgin is among them, leading to the start of the Third Period of Årgin history.

The Third Period/The Bleeding Years (1 C.E. - 102 C.E.)
Following the collapse of the Empire of Ashyea in the first year of the Common Era, its former lands on the continent of Uratos erupted into a period of instability and chaos known as the Bleeding Years. Within this time, the Årgin people began a steady march to the north and west, as the once self-contained ethnic group came to dominate the other successor states of the Old Empire of Ash. Eventually, they came to possess all the lands from southern Uratos to the farthest reaches of the Frostcliff Mountains to the north. Most of this conquest was achieved through violent raids and pillages, which subsequently evolved into full-blown migrations of Årgins across the continent cutting a bloody path in their wake. During this time, the old house of Årgin the Shepard died out when his last living male descendant, Tarlon Årgling, King of Vikægärd died in battle in 82 C.E., leaving only the female line of the house running through multiple Årgin families.

• (17 C.E.) - Årgin hero, Asvard the Bloody, founds the city of Årgindus in the ruins of the old city of Ash.
  
  
• c.54 C.E. - Årgin settlers colonize the northern reaches of Uratos.
  
  
• (102 C.E.) - A huge force of Årgin raiders under the leadership of Taranor Asvarin of Årgindus is defeated by the united forces of the Kingdom of Gyrcant Bay in the Battle of the Burning Fields. Following this defeat, the rate of serious Årginnish raids decreased drastically, as many choose to settle down the lands which they had conquered and established permanent Kingdoms.

The Fourth Period/The Heptarchy (102 C.E. - 661 C.E.)
Following the Bleeding Years and the successful propagation of the Årgin people across much of the continent of Uratos, the feuding tribes of Årgin the Shepard became the feuding kingdoms of Årgin the Shepard. Though at first the number of Årginnish Kings numbered in the tens or twenties in multitude, over the course of a few decades power quickly coalesced around the Seven Kingdoms of the Årgin: The Kingdom of Årgindus, The Kingdom of Atlas, The Kingdom of Westmarch, The Kingdom of Solitude, the Kingdom of Starholm, The Kingdom of Örnunhold, and the Kingdom of Iron (Ferrum). While the number of Kings would continue to vary over this period of time, seven was the most common number and was thus the name of this period of history.

• (279 C.E. - 281 C.E.) - The bastard of the late King of Årgindus, Taranor Coarek, rebels against his brothers with the intent of claiming the city for himself. The war continued on for two years, before Coarek was driven from the city and sent fleeing west with his followers. In the west, he founds the city of Westmarch on the border of the Gyrcant Kingdom and starts the Coarek line of Kings in the West.
  
  
• (388 C.E. - 393 C. E.) - The War of Brothers breaks out between the Kingdom of Iron (Ferrum) and the Kingdom of Årgindus. The war ends in an Årgindus victory and the addition of Ferrum into it's expanding Kingdom.
  
  
• (404 C.E. - 406 C.E.) - War of the Daughters breaks out between the Kingdom of Årgindus and the Kingdom of Tækálí over doctrinal differences in the Ukkoist faith. The war ultimately ended in a white peace.
  
  
• (522 C.E. - 533 C.E.) - The War of Two Urns erupts between the Kingdom of Gyrcant Bay and the Kingdoms of Årgindus and Westmarch. The conflict began as a result of a cultural misunderstanding, as a Gyrcant emissary sent to Årgindus died unexpectedly and was burned as was customary in the Ukkoist faith. This, however, enraged the ancestor worshiping Gyrcant Kingdom, which killed and later burned the Årgin emissary that had brought the ambassador's remains back to Gyrcant. Both parties thusly insulted, war quickly erupted between them which the Årgin Kingdoms would ultimately win, placing a candidate of their own choosing on the Gyrcant throne.
  
  
• (c.661 C.E.) - Following the capture of the city of Atlas and the defeat of the Allied Northern and Western Årgins at the Battle of Ironmore, King Veran III Asvarin declares himself King of the Årgins, and Lord of Old Ash, bringing and end to the Heptarchy.

The Fifth Period/The Årginnish Ascendancy (661 C.E. - 896 C.E.)
The Årginnish Ascendancy saw the expanding power of the Kingdom of the Årgins centered around Årgindus in the old capital of the Ashyean Empire. Under the leadership of the Asvarin, and later Coarek dynasties, the Årgin Kingdom came to rule all the lands from Westmarch in the west and Vikægärd in the East to Konginstårn in the north and Atlas in the south. All this culminated in the formation of the Ashen-Tækálí Empire when the Houses of Coarek and Domina joined together into a duel monarchy.

• (747 C.E - 750 C.E.) - A plague hits the Kingdom of the Årgins bringing death and sorrow. Among the dead, three years later, is King Taranor I Asvarin and his entire family, bring an end to the line of Asvard the Bloody. In place of them, Lord Markus Coarek assumes the throne of Ashyea and the Årgins, pursuing an expansionist foreign policy that sought to reforge the Old Empire of Ash.
  
  
• (809 C.E.) - The young King Tibur I Coarek weds Queen Domina of Tækálí in the Pact of Sisters. The two Kingdoms become one under a duel monarchy and the new dynasty of Coarek-Domina under the Second Empire of Ash, or the Ashen Empire.
  
  
• (813 C.E. - 830 C.E.) - The Wars of Ash occur. The Ashen Empire expands into the Northern Årgin Kingdoms even as it expands south into the Årgin Kingdoms of the South. Within seventeen years Tibur I had secured for himself the loyalty of all the Årgins.
  
  
• (832 C.E. - 833 C.E.) - Following the death of Tibur I, Karpathi nomads from beyond the Empire's Northern Border move down into Ashen territory. In response, Emperor Markus I sends his legion to repel the invaders in the Unicorn War. The force is subsequently defeated, and the Emperor offers the Karpathi host lands in return for their servitude. They accept, and the Steel Legion and the town of Kisebbish Pelizavar form near Örnunhold.
  
  
• (896 C.E.) - Emperor Athebor I Coarek-Domina attempts to invade the Kingdom of Gyrcant Bay but is killed in the attempt. As a result of this, his son, Markus II, assumes the throne as a babe. As a result of this, instability sprouted in the Empire as nobles sought to assume control of the regency and Empire.

The Sixth Period/The Imperial Stagnancy (896 C.E. - Present)
Following the death of Emperor Athebor I at the young age of two and twenty, the Empire was left in the hands of his young son, Markus II, who came into his throne at the age of two. Because of his age, a regent was appointed, but the position soon became a matter of contention among the nobility of the Empire, seeking reprise for lost privileges and powers having been lost in the preceding century. The resulting intrigue and later conflict were known as the Helian Conspiracy, named in after the home city which one of its main drivers, Uther Atveran, hailed from. In the aftermath of this conflict, the Empire would enter into a state of stagnancy propelled by a series of plagues, rebellions, and inadequate leadership which would define the 900s C.E. and 1000s C.E. Nevertheless, even today the Ashen Empire possesses an undeniable power hidden in its woes of stagnancy, hidden power that soon my mark the dawn of a new period in Ashen history.

• (897 C.E.) - Uther Atveran is named Master of War of the Ashen Empire, tasked with dealing with the Gyrcant threat to the west even as Lord Regent Titese Arborus deals with internal conflict within the borders of the Ashen Empire. Unbeknownst to Titese, however, Uther makes off with the Imperial Army assigned to him, rallying his banners in Helios even as Gyrcant forces push into the Western Empire.
  
  
• (898 C.E. - 908 C.E.) - The Ashen Civil War breaks out, as forces loyal to the Regent in Årgindus (and therefore the boy King Markus) and forces loyal to Uther Atveran battle for the fate of the Empire. Midway through the war, Atveran declares his intent to seize the crown for himself but quickly found this proclamation to be a mistake as the Kingdom of Tækálí rallied to the Regent's forces. Bringing an end to the rebellion once and for all in the Battle of Isenfast in 908 C.E.
  
• (1081 C.E.) - Large raids occur of the Western Empire on the part of Clan Naesh and Clan Sies of the Kingdom of Gyrcant Bay. A force is sent from the Steel Legion to repel the raiders but is defeated in a surprise victory on the part of Hamadas Yulekoth Naesh. The push into the Ashen Empire continues until forces under the leadership of Emperor Markus IV drive them from the Empire's borders.
  
  
• (1085 C.E.) - Emperor Markus IV is killed in battle during the Butcher's Rebellion born out of a hostile reaction to a new tax on butcher's knives among other tools made by blacksmiths. While attempting to crush the revolt centered near the city of Vikægärd, Markus IV was struck by a stray arrow and killed leaving his young son, six-year-old Tibur, to assume the throne. While his brother, Wilking Coarek-Domina, is offered the regency, he turns it down, instead opting to take the position as the crown's new Master of Coin in the wake of the loss of the Emperor.

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Assets

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◆Resources:

• Agricultural Produce (Wheat/Barley/Oats/Vegetables/Fruits)
• Livestock (Chickens/Sheep/Pigs/Cattle/Horses)
• Iron
• Gold
• Silver
• Copper
• Wine
• Dyes
• Whales
• Timber
• Truffles
• Silk
• Fish
• Craftsmen's Goods (Weapons/Armor/Candles/Textiles/Jewerly)

◆Strongholds:

• Palace of Ashyea/Castle Ash (Årgindus)
  
  • House Coarek-Domina, Emperors of the Ashen Empire
• Kisebbik Pelizsavar
  
  • Headquarters of the Steel Legion
• Westmarch Castle
• Eastmarch Castle
• Solitude
• Isenfast
• Ceuron
• Vikægärd
• Caslte Basion (Atlas)
• Örnunhold

◆Towns:

• Capital - Årgindus - Center of the Ashen Empire and one of the holiest sights in the Ashyean Ukkoist faith. It lies on both on the ruins of the Old City of Ash and near the mythical Mount Areos, making it an important destination for pilgrims, and more importantly, traders.
  
  • Ferrum - The City of Iron, one of the richest mineral towns in Uratos and also one of the foremost in metallurgy.
  • Helios - The city serves as one of the Empire's pivotal ports and additionally where much of its gold is mined. It is known for its crafted jewels and ornate armor pieces.
  • Atlas - Headquarters of the Imperial Ashen Fleet, and traders hub along with its sister city of Helios.
  • Southfall - The primary port of the Ashen Empire on the Spinning and Deep Sea, Southfall has grown rich off of trade with Ferra and the Confederation of Free City-States.
  • Vikægärd - The oldest city of the Årgin people, it holds a special place in the hearts of man a citizen as it holds the tomb of the legendary Årgin the Shepard.
  • Solitude - Though a smaller port than that of Southfall, Solitude more than holds its own through its production of silk and it's position as a fortress guarding the Empire's western shore.
  • Summerset - Home of the many orchards of the Ashen Empire, Summerset is known across Uratos as a fine producer of wine and truffles.
  • Alvion - Alvion has asserted itself among Deep Sea, one of the only areas in which the purple dye of royals is readily available.
  • Markonia - Markonia boasts a robust logging community which has long supplied Southern Uratos with much of its lumber.
  • Westmarch - The Western March it presides over has long served as the Årgin people's guard against attacks from the people of Gyrcant Bay and continues to serve as a military hub in the West.
  • Eastmarch - While the Eastern March is no longer as important as it used to be with the union of Tælákí and the Årgin, the city still serves as an important military hub in the East.
  • Örnunhold - At the headwaters of the river Peligian, Örnunhold has long served as a fishing community along with basing much of the Ashen military.
  • Starholm - Starholm serves as the capital of the Northern Province of the Empire, and has maintained a successful trade in furs and ironwood lumber since it was founded.
  • Konginstårn - In addition to the cutting down of ironwood trees, Konginstårn also maintains a robust whaling community.
  • Ravenhall - Founded as a mining town to mine the silver deposits that lied in the surrounding hills, Ravenhall quickly grew to become the third largest settlement in the north.
  • Riverville - A simple farming town near the center of the Empire. In no other place shall you find a field more fertile.
  • Northshore - Fishing and copper mining have long remained the two most common occupations in Northshore.
  • Ceuron - The smallest city in the Ashen Empire, it serves as both a resting point as one traverses from one end of the Empire to the other, it also serves as a fortress to invaders from the Northwest.

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Military

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◆Military Commanders: Tibur II Coarek-Domina (Emperor)
Wilking Coarek-Domina (Lord Chancellor)
Antiochus Atveran (Master of War)
River Marenling (Master of the Waves)
-Numerous Legion Generals/Feudal Landlords


◆Military Strength:

The Imperial Army of the Ashen Empire:

• Legions: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII; Totalling 35,000 Professional Legionaries
• Levied Forces of the Lords of Ash: 75,000 Levied Forces (Footmen/Knights/Archers)

The Imperial Navy of the Ashen Empire:

• Galleys: 125 Ships

◆Special Troop:

• The Steel Legion - An elite force of Karpacian warriors loyal to the Ashen Empire. While they are extremely effective on the battlefield, a common language is lacked between them and the soldiers of the Empire itself, at times leading to confusion. Thusly, the Steel Legion is most effectively employed on its own with occasional backup from the Legions of the Ashen Empire.
  
• The Order of the Phoenix - the elite bodyguard of the Ashen Emperors. While it once served as a select holy order for the followers of Ashyean Ukkoism, with the founding of the Empire it came to serve as both the Imperial Bodyguard and order of spies for the House of Coarek-Domina. While in the second task the Order was not truly as effective, in recent years the Order's spying activities have increased, along with it their effectiveness and the quality of their agents. No one is quite sure why, but it seems as if with every passing year the watching eyes of the Order of the Phoenix become all the more present.

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Diplomatic Relations

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◆Allies: The Kingdom of the Tækálí and its previous precursor states have long been allies of the Årgin people. Sharing a similar language and religion, the two Kingdoms became bound together when the houses of Coarek and Domina joined together as the House of Coarek-Domina and rulers of both the Kingdom of Tækálí and the Ashen Empire, a dual monarchy.

The Steel Legion as it became to be known, originally began as a horde of Karpacian migrants who moved south into the Northern Territories of the Ashen Empire. Seeing their prowess in battle, however, the Empire recruited the people group as apart of their armed forces, sworn to the Emperor.

◆Rivals: The Kingdom of Gyrcant Bay and the Årgin Kingdoms have been historical rivals and enemies throughout the ages, waging several wars and border disputes and skirmishes which continue to this day.

While they have never fought directly, nor have come to blows in the past, the Ashen Empire has long viewed the Kingdom of Ascanus with envy. In the past few centuries in a world which should have been dominated by the might of the Ashen Empire instead looked to Ascanus, not Årgin, as the dominant player on the geopolitical stage. To the Ashen Empire, it's far past time that this change.

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Other Information

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◆Location: The Continent of Uratos
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Essential Details

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◆Name of House: Coarek-Domina


◆Leader: Emperor Tiber II Coarek-Domina
(Wilking Coarek-Domina in Practice)


◆Family Members:

• Årgin Branch
  
  • Wilking Coarek-Domina, Lord Chancellor of the Ashen Empire
  • Tibur II Coarek Domina, Emperor of the Ashen Empire, nephew to Wilking.
  • Ashyea Coarek-Domina, Princess of the Ashen Empire, sister of Tibur II.
• Tækálí Branch
  
  • Asir Domina-Coarek, Lord of the Tækálí, cousin to the Emperor.
  • Nakulánæ Domina-Coarek, Lady of the Tækálí, wife of Asir.

◆History:
House Coarek claims descent from Årgin the Shepard through their founder, Taranor Coarek, and his original family, the Asvarin Kings of Årgindus. Born a bastard of the reigning King, Taranor became known to be a skilled warrior and a grand commander of men, who, following the death of his father, sought to claim the throne of Årgindus for himself, only to fail and flee west in exile. There, he would found the city of Westmarch on the border of the Gyrcant Kingdom, starting a new line of Coarek Kings who would rule the Western Årgins for many centuries to come into the Common Era. During this time, the Western found themselves in near constant conflict with the Gyrcant Kingdom to the west, forcing them to build the castle at Westmarch into a mighty fortress to withstand the relentless attacks of numerically superior forces against the walls of their holdfast. Even then, near the start of the Fourth Period, the Houses of Coarek and Domina forged ties through marriage, which would only grow stronger as the years passed on.

Eventually, the Coarek Kings of Westmarch found themselves added to the Asvarin lands of a united Kingdom of the Årgins, named Lords of the Westmarch instead of Kings. This, however, would not stay the case, as when the Asvarin dynasty perished in the Three Year Plague of 747 C.E and 750 C.E., the Coareks rose to prominence once again under Markus Coarek, now King of the Årgins. Markus would continue the conquests of his Asvarin cousins until his death, after which, Tibur I ascended to the throne in a grand ceremony in Årgindus. What surprised many, however, was when during said ceremony, Tibur announced his intention to wed the Queen of the Tækálí to finally bind their two Kingdoms. The onlookers in the ground around Tibur then looked on in shock as the young King rode off with his guard towards the east, marrying the Queen of the Tækálí within two fortnights and declaring himself Emperor of the Ashen Empire.

Following this, the new house of Coarek-Domina emerged, rulers of the Second Empire of Ash, and the United Kingdoms of the Årgin and the Tækálí. Tibur I would go on to spend a large remainder of his life conquering most of central Uratos in his subsequent Wars of Ash. Following his death, he was succeeded by his son Markus, and after Markus his own son. Countless generations of Coarek-Domina's ruling the Empire from its capital. Through glory and stagnation, the family remained standing to the modern year of 1101 C.E., a year of destiny. With a Coarek-Domina on the throne as well as one as loyal Lord Chancellor of the Empire, the Imperial line stands ready to face the threats the new century brings.

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Assets

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◆Home: The Palace of Ashyea/Årgindus - the main capital of the Coarek-Domina Family
Castle Westmarch - As ancesteral home to the Coareks, the castle at Westmarch has remained in their hands even past the advent of the Empire.
Ferrum
Helios


◆Military Strength:
The Imperial Ashen Legion:
30,000 Legionaries
8,000 Levy forces

---

Relations

---

◆Allies:

(See the Ashen Empire)

◆Rivals:

(See the Ashen Empire)

(Image)

---

Essential Details

---

◆Name of Organization: The Order of the Phoenix


◆Leader: Grandmaster Ragnus Tellor


◆Description:
Known only in whisper, and ancient stories of men of the Phoenix from long past, the Order of the Phoenix serves as the premier intelligence apparatus of the Second Empire of Ash (The Ashen Empire). Known primarily by most as the Imperial Bodyguards of the Ashen Emperors, the Order of the Phoenix was not always this way. In the time before the Common Era, and quite some time into it as well, the Order served the just and the faithful of Ashyean Ukkoism, founded from the early followers of Ashyea the Aster back in the First Period. For many years they guarded the realms of Ashyea and then Årgin before the time of the Empire came. When it did, they choose to pledge themselves to the new Fylkir of the Ukkoists, establishing the order known today.

The training process for a member of the Order is arduous and grueling, carving the green boy into an experienced Paladin of the Order. They are then anointed in the fires of Åstelg to be brave, to be just, and most importantly to be loyal... to which the secondary purpose of the Order lies. Since the founding of the Empire it has served additionally as the Emperor’s spy network across Uratos and the world. While at first a minor task, performed only by a few dozen agents, in the past two decades the number of actions and infiltrations the Order has begun has steadily increased along with the quality of its agents. For what reason, none can say, except that the Order of the Knives may have a new rival...


◆Assets: The resources of the Ashen State as a branch of the Imperial Government


◆Relations: Subservient To The Ashen Empire

Just quoting this so ya can see it

[Vlach]

---

Essential Details

---

◆Name: Toyohi Tonbo


◆Appearance: https://i.imgur.com/N9JpRLt.jpg


◆Age: 23


◆Gender: Male


◆Sexuality: Heterosexual


◆Build: 5 foot 8 inches, 170lbs, muscular

---

Legacy

---

◆Allegiance: Himself/Wealth


◆Profession: Mercenary, Wandering Fighter


◆Background: Born into the nobility of the southern Hygardian clans, Toyohi could have had a good life. Yet, he was born as a lesser son of a matriarchal society into a lesser clan. It looked as if he was to live a life of lesser things, perhaps ending up as a successful merchant if he was shrewd enough. Toyohi exceeded expectations however and quickly took to the art of war, learning how to kill and defeat men many years senior of him. He was becoming noted for his spear and soon his family's hopes were resting on his shoulders. With his spear he could thrust the failing clan back up with good service to the Shinonono. Things would end up being not so simple for him, as his parents favoritism soon earned him the ire of his siblings and of his eldest sister who felt her power was threatened. One fateful night he would find himself alone, training late into the evening as he always did. With sweat pouring down his forehead, he practiced thrusts he had done thousands of times. Behind him, his sister practiced one herself. It was over in an instant, Toyohi dropping to the ground seemingly dead. What his sister did not know was that her mother had watched her jealousy from the shadows and knew what was coming so she pretended to assist her daughter by providing the poison. A poison that made someone seem dead while merely being in a paralysis, his mother arranged a quick funeral and smuggled his "body" out of the family home and explained things to him. Thus at an age of 17, his time in his homeland had come to an end thanks in part to his people's brutal political machinations.

He sold his skills as a fighter in foreign lands, traveling around the world as a mercenary. Toyohi often spends coin as soon as he gets it, on wine and women to recover from the depression of the attempted murder by his sister. Now, he seeks a greater purpose and to master the art of war.

---

Beliefs

---

◆Religion: Folk religion of the Southern Hygardian Clans (Ancestor and spirit veneration)


◆Motivation: Desire to master combat, wealth, prestige, and even the hopes to return home one day.

---

Personal

---

◆Likes: Wine, women, fighting, coin, bravery


◆Dislikes: Cowardice, tyranny, banditry


◆Hobby: Singing folk songs, practicing with his spear

[Sarderistan]

---

Essential Details

---

◆Name of Organization: The Silver Society


◆Leader:
Seneschal Tallarin Khant


◆Description: The Society is an ancient organization, founded long past by gulids of merchants, traders, and thieves working together to protect their operations. The organization is believed to be founded in the Koinon islands, a few centuries ago, but they had since moved their base of operations further westwards into Aea, estabilishing cells and operations across the continent. At first, the Society are unaffiliated with any institution other than themselves, be it a state or any other organization, preferring to conduct clandestine operations themselves. After the Murabadian throne was usurped several times, however, the Society began incursions toward the Sultanate, placing their own candidates for the throne and manipulating politics of the realm, mainly because of Murabad's strategic position as the crossroads of Aea made the throne a very valuable asset.

However, when House Rashid usurped the throne once again, the Sultanate began to work together, this time not as mere puppets, but as business partners. The Sultanate would provide the Society with much-needed backing, funding, and exclusive rights; in return, the organization would provide monarchs with subtle services, information, and assasinations. The two institutions then begin a symbiotic relationship, with one cannot existing without the other. As time progresses, the Society had been so close-tied and drawn into the Murabadi state institutes that now they are considered an extension of Sultanabad's hand; though their loyalty sometimes can lie to other members of the royals.

The Silver Society is made of several different parts. The first is foundation, backing, the operations that made Society running. These comprised of merchant gulids, trade federations, stewards, and companies scattered all across Aarde, the Society's economic engine that allowed it to control economies and gather informations. As Murabad provided more than half the gold needed for this, it is only natural that the realm held a tight stranglehold on the Society's operations. The second part is the main core; here is estabilished the operations that bring fame into the Society. Assasins, infiltrators, killers, mercenaries, and dedicated agents. The core's agents are trained since birth - if not their childhood - to serve the Society using all means possible. These agents are trained in every way of subtlety and every art of killing. Invisible inks, opening a seal without cracking, poisoned daggers, burning oils, different kinds of poison, and much else, making them one of the deadliest secret agents in all Aarde. The third branch connected them into the nobility. They ensure that every clandestine operations done by the Society did not invoke any reaction in high places, and that all are swift as the wind goes. The Silver Society had no code of conduct whatsoever, but their members only had one oath before being initiated; they swore to be loyal and true in the Society's goals. Deserters and traitors are hunted to death immidiately by other members. The Society had no relations with any religion - being a massive organization with members of different backgrounds - but one philosophy united them, a faith to purge humanity out of any tenets and bondage, including religion, and strife for a world of order. They had since been growing in numbers and operations very quickly, rivalling the Order of the Phoenix and the Order of Knives for the position of Aarde's premier intelligence organization.

◆Assets: Resources provided by the Murabadi state, in further: stores of grain and gold, a fleet of ships, and organization cells over the world


◆Relations: Free-standing organization in partnership with the Murabad Sultanate

[Greater Liverpool]

(Image)

---

Essential Details

---

◆Name: Toyohi Tonbo


◆Appearance: https://i.imgur.com/N9JpRLt.jpg


◆Age: 23


◆Gender: Male


◆Sexuality: Heterosexual


◆Build: 5 foot 8 inches, 170lbs, muscular

---

Legacy

---

◆Allegiance: Himself/Wealth


◆Profession: Mercenary, Wandering Fighter


◆Background: Born into the nobility of the southern Hygardian clans, Toyohi could have had a good life. Yet, he was born as a lesser son of a matriarchal society into a lesser clan. It looked as if he was to live a life of lesser things, perhaps ending up as a successful merchant if he was shrewd enough. Toyohi exceeded expectations however and quickly took to the art of war, learning how to kill and defeat men many years senior of him. He was becoming noted for his spear and soon his family's hopes were resting on his shoulders. With his spear he could thrust the failing clan back up with good service to the Shinonono. Things would end up being not so simple for him, as his parents favoritism soon earned him the ire of his siblings and of his eldest sister who felt her power was threatened. One fateful night he would find himself alone, training late into the evening as he always did. With sweat pouring down his forehead, he practiced thrusts he had done thousands of times. Behind him, his sister practiced one herself. It was over in an instant, Toyohi dropping to the ground seemingly dead. What his sister did not know was that her mother had watched her jealousy from the shadows and knew what was coming so she pretended to assist her daughter by providing the poison. A poison that made someone seem dead while merely being in a paralysis, his mother arranged a quick funeral and smuggled his "body" out of the family home and explained things to him. Thus at an age of 17, his time in his homeland had come to an end thanks in part to his people's brutal political machinations.

He sold his skills as a fighter in foreign lands, traveling around the world as a mercenary. Toyohi often spends coin as soon as he gets it, on wine and women to recover from the depression of the attempted murder by his sister. Now, he seeks a greater purpose and to master the art of war.

---

Beliefs

---

◆Religion: Folk religion of the Southern Hygardian Clans (Ancestor and spirit veneration)


◆Motivation: Desire to master combat, wealth, prestige, and even the hopes to return home one day.

---

Personal

---

◆Likes: Wine, women, fighting, coin, bravery


◆Dislikes: Cowardice, tyranny, banditry


◆Hobby: Singing folk songs, practicing with his spear

Arrrrr the Manichaeists have arrived

[Turmenista]

The map is going to be updated soon. Thanks Laz ur a carry

The nations and Houses sections need to be updated soon too

I'll b3 a making a post for Castian and House Esic and I've also updated the story sections because Mr Usari expressed his idea of travelling around Aarde which is something I would oocly love to do too

The server btw for u lurkers has many channels such as specific worldbuilding channels for the continents and islands and channels for char interaction.

I'll be doin a collab with Sard on a Order of the Sword storyline which will coincide with the Quest of Myth storyline. I think we hab 4 swords atm idk ill update the swords org app sometime

Anything i missed lemme kno lmfao

(;

[Turmenista]

(;

DONT U DARE WINK AT ME TURM. NOT AFTER WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN U AND ME. NO MOST DEFINITELY NOT AFTER WHAT U DID TO ME.

(Collab with Vastorith when i get home bb)

Ok

[Turmenista]

Ok

Can u stop responding to my posts with such short replies? I find it very rude and offensive that my effort to put in quality writing can be so casually brushed aside without a single shred of acknowledgement of the fiery passion that I invest from the depths of my soul into my posts, both OOC and IC.

Do you understand what I'm expressing to you, Turm?

Yes, I do, Vanquaria. I deeply apologize for replying to you in the manner of a nincompoop. In the future, I will be sure to reply to you in more verbose and eloquent manners. I do hope that my short and snappy replies as "a joke" are not rubbing off as laziness, as they do not reflect my beliefs.

[Razzgriz]

*App not completed, simply posting to save my work*
*The map of Tækálí is unfinished, the finished version will be presented in an IC post*

---

Essential Details

---

◆Name of Realm: The Kingdom of Tækálí


◆Rulers:

• Ímir: Ásir Coarek-Domina
  
  • placeholder

• Ímiræ: Nakulánæ Ⰹ Coarek-Domina
  
  • placeholder

◆Culture: When one speaks of the Tækálí "The land of many," they do not refer to just one people, but a nation in abundance of cultures and ethnicities united under a single religion, a common language and an affinity for the sea and all the bountiful wonders it holds within its grasp. In total, 28 separate cultures call the territorial extent, named after the same people who untied them all, known as Tækálí home. From province to province the variation in architecture, clothing, dialect and even skin color can often drive the unwary traveler mad whenever they are reminded that they still remain in the confines of the Kingdoms vast territory.

If not visiting the nation to; trade within its many cities, see the vast works of art and great wonders scattered throughout, go on pilgrimage, serve in the prestigious Áklíán Order or even to simply pass through to reach the western part of the Empire, known as the land of the Ashen, then your wondering soul surely must have been attracted to the nation's numerous Universities or basic educational system (differing from province to province) prominent throughout the nation.

The Tækálí Language, known as Ipsæ, is nothing more than a bastardized conjunction of linguistic families that once dominated the region and is arguably the greatest facet of Tækálí Culture holding the nation and possibly the Empire as a whole together. Organized, and established by Ímir Arátím's attempts to increase national unity and the nation's innovative capabilities, alongside his vast network of scribes, would allow for the language to dominate not only Tækálí, but the majority of the duel monarchy itself, even several millennia after Arátím's death.


Phonology

◆Religion: Ukkoim (Nátłanæ Ukkoism)

The polytheistic religion featuring a pantheon of 33 Gods, known as Ukkoism, as a whole forms the dominate religion within continent of Uratos, with the most notabal gods being:

• Ukko - simply known as the creator, his death is what forms the backbone of the religion
  
• Cálá - The Goddess of Death and Fertility and mother of the 8 high gods. She is often depicted in one of two forms and usually mistaken as the creator of the pantheon by foreigners.
  
• Rhæà - High Goddess of the Moon, daughter of Cálá, twin of Rhoà and mother of Sasin.
  
• Rhoà - High Goddess of the Sun, daughter of Cálá , twin of Rhæà and mother of Åstelg.
  
• Katákalí - High God of Wisdom and Mischief, son of Cálá and eldest of of her 8 children.
  
• Åstelg - High God of Life and War, Grandson of Cálá and son of Rhoà.
  
• Sasin - High God of the Depth and the Sea, Grandson of Cálá and son of Rhæà.

The religion itself remains divided into into two sects known as Nátłanæ and Ashyean Ukkoism, each presided over by their own Arch-Primate and overseen by the sitting Emporer/Fylkir as well as the council of priests and scribes in ðælwátł, the religious center of the empire, simply known as The Ring. Many of the religion's basic rituals such as; burial practices, the use of sacred & ceremonial masks, and the operation of sacred libraries and et cetera. The place of worship, called a Házatł, often varies in form and architectural design depending on the házatł's chosen patron deity, though some key features remain uniform throughout a Sect and even the entire empire as a whole. Besides the worship of the Divine 10, the religion also practices the worship of martyred saints as well as venerated ancestors throughout history, said to be descendants themselves from one of Cálá's many offspring and granted domain within Hyátł. These "Várékæ or Ascended" make up the bulk of Ukkoism 33 deities, the most widely known being Áklíá.

True Ukkoism, now known as Nátłanæ Ukkoism in the wake of a united Ashen-Tækálí Empire, is the original form of Ukkoism, with records proving its existence dating as far back as 2768 BCE. Named after the same prophet whom established the religion in the wake of constant war and calamity, Nátłanæ Ukkoism, unlike its counterpart Ashyean Ukkoism, instead places a heightened emphasis on the secondary worship of Rhæà, her son Sasin and their entire family tree. Water, not fire, plays the largest role in Nátłanæ Ukkoism's religious practices and ceremonies with temples often adorned with artificial waterfalls or streams and couples often baptized into union.


◆History:
The Age of Déphis/ The Age of Chaos (????-c.1,000 B.C.E.)

The Age of Hyátł/ The Age of Cálá (1,000 B.C.E. - 1 C.E.)

The Age of Ukol/ The Age of Discovery (1 C.E. - 102 C.E.)

The Age of Ŕává/ The age of Six(102 C.E. - 661 C.E.)

The Age of Ræ/ The Age of the New Moon(661 C.E. - 896 C.E.)

The Age of Ovátim/ The Common Age/

---

Assets

---

◆Resources:

- Fresh Water
- Iron
- Gold
- Copper
- Wine
- Dyes
- Whales
- Fish
- Spices
- Tropical Fruits
- Timber
- Silk
- Wool
- Jade
- Obsidian
- Craftsmen's Goods

◆Strongholds:
- Names and Fort Descriptions Coming Soon
10 locations total (4 Ocleian Strongholds)

◆Towns:
- Names & Town Descriptions Coming Soon
60 locations total (Hamlets, guard posts, and etc. not included)

---

Military

---

◆Military Commanders:

- Ásir Coarek-Domina - Ímir of Tækálí

• Hávístæ Mína - High Marshal & Commander at land
• Uto Mísakí - High Marshal & Commander at Sea
  • Dantæ Tulmí - Marshal of Ⰸ Legion " Children of Ástra"
  • Cáwn Itom - Marshal of Ⰹ Legion " Maræ's Hammer"
  • Cípak Yárikh- Marshal of Ⱋ Legion " Duella's Own"
  • Adunis Sídon - Marshal of Ⰻ Legion " Wings of Arrá"
  • Tanyifá Yávæ - Marshal of Ⰼ Legion " Spears of Áklíá"
  • Xoko Íutal - Marshal of Ⰽ Legion "Scourge of Utol"

◆Military Strength:

Hástrátim:

• Legions: Ⰸ, Ⰹ, Ⱋ, Ⰻ, Ⰼ, Ⰽ; Totaling ≈30,000 Legionaries
• Levies: ~41,700
  * Those in pursuit of higher education, pregnant, disabled or who do not meet the age requirement are exempt from being pressed into service.

Pæstárí:

• Carracks: 6
• Caravels: 22
• Cogs: 68
• Galleys: 121
  Total: 218 Vessels

◆Special Troop:

Sentánálí: Elite Multi-role (irregulars,skirmishers, scouts and logistical) troops handpicked from across Tækálí. Accompanied by tamed monsters, these troops are tasked with gathering Intel on enemy positions, harassing and disrupting enemy formations during the skirmish phase of a battle and when finally ordered to the rear, tasked with either guarding supply dumps/running supply runs or may be sent ahead of the army to capture other minor strategic positions. Identified by their own armor set from regular legionaries.

Twævæ: Specialized combat engineers tasked with the assembly, disassembly and operation of battlefield and siege fortifications, artillery, and supply dumps. Identified by their own armor set from regular legionaries.

The Áklíán Order: (See also Áklíán Order Organization) Under the Markonia Agreement, a retinue of troops from the Order may be summoned to campaign in either wars of aggression or in defense of Tækálí, The Ashen Empire, or Gyrcant Bay so long as the war does not involve action against a fellow nation of Uratos. These veteran monster hunters are irregular troops, also accompanied by tamed monsters although to a much lesser extant than the Sentánálí, are primarily tasked with the sole purpose of protecting the army on the march and at camp from attacks of any form by foreign creatures due. They are Identified by the mark of Áklíá located in a variety of places on their skin and their cloak, despite their varying sets of armor.

---

Diplomatic Relations

---

◆Allies: The Ashen Empire
- Perhaps Tækálí's longest standing ally, centuries of warm relations and constant intermingling has led to the kingdoms and their ruling house merging into a single empire. While still maintaining solid state of autonomy since the duel-monarchy's establishment, the two kingdoms have become increasingly culturally, linguistically and economically inseparable.

◆Rivals: The Kingdom of Gyrcant Bay
- While Tækálí itself has no true quarrel with nor interest in the conquest of Gyrcant Bay as it only benefits the West, relations between the two entities remain in a slightly soured air of caution due to previous wars and relations with its western counterpart.

---

Other Information

---

◆Location:
Domain of Kingdom of Tækálí

Domain of the Ashen-Tækálí Emipre

Organizations
The Áklíán Order

---

Essential Details

---

◆Name of Organization: The Áklíán Order


◆Leader:

• High Marshal: Katalæà Yávít
  
  • placeholder

◆Description:

7 Branches of the Order

Perhaps more widely known for its launching of 9 previous crusades into the forest of Ash in order to stem the ever prevalent and evolving threat of monsters who seem to seek for nothing more than to wreck havoc amongst and destroy what fabric of civilization mankind has created or for its founder turned goddess, Áklíá, who united Uratos during its greatest hour of weakness. The Order of Áklíá, established as far back as the Age of Dephis in the 22^nd century B.C.E. under the guidance of Áklíá's Wasiasic followers, the Ákílí, the lost 17th clan of Gyrcant Bay of whom now reside in Tækálí's Southwestern mountains, have for over several millennia, and continues to provided the majority of Uratos with its first lines of defense against the continent's rampant and ever evolving monster problem. Since its conception, the order has been tasked with a variety of duties, such as; the slaying, capturing, researching, taming, and trading of monsters, as well as ensuring that the worst of what nature has to offer, remains in their dredged homeland, otherwise known as the Forest of Ash, just beyond the Great Walls of Sif & Fræyŕ.

In its modern state, The Order lies divided into 7 separate districts, or branches each lead by its own grandmaster and each plagued by its own unique set of creatures to deal with. Its headquarters, otherwise known as the ???, is located within the city of Áklíánæ, Tækálí just at the mouth of the ??? Valley within the Pánawæ (Cloud) Mountains.

New inductees to the order are often recruited at the ripe age of sixteen regardless of origin, gender, or status, so long as they pass Áklíá's 4 Trials of Solitude. Once accepted into The Order, inductees are assigned the rank of Hásztíf, the lowest rank of 12 within the order, and subjected 4 long years of training, further divided into 2 years of Classroom and Field Training. After the candidate has completed their 4 years as a Hásztíf they are then promoted to Právintæ and assigned to their first branch under a service contract of 5 years before they may request, or be transferred again.

◆Assets:

Central Branch
Headquarters: Áklíánæ, Tækálí
Active Locations: Utopá, Xekil, Kaŕfá, Eastmarch & Dímma

Northeastern Branch
Headquarters: Yobbán, Tækálí
Active Locations: Márbán, Kalowátɬ, Zidon, Gráza, Dæukrurá, Muttáŕnbul, Ekidíos & Ostæura

Southeastern Branch
Headquarters: Marápá, Tækálí
Active Locations: Lekunæ, Bárukatátáw, Márjoní, Pátítí, Yarval, Íbban & Tánní

Southern Branch
Headquarters: Isenfast, Ashen Empire
Active Locations: Hais, Solitude, Southfall, Riverville, Atlas & Helios

Northwestern Branch
Headquarters: Årgindus, Ashen Empire
Active Locations: Pelitathi, Siesant, Kheynot, Örnunhold, Westmarch & Ferrum

Northern Branch
Headquarters: Ravenhall, Ashen Empire
Active Locations: Ceuron, Konginstårn, Starholm & Northshore

Western Branch
Headquarters: Kyll, Gyrcant Bay
Active Locations: Gordasa, Balvan, Kaesathi, Caldoa, Taanathi, Gorgadin, Paltes, Melithi, Aleria, Tsaedsa & Naesh

The Frontier
Headquarters: Yáwko's Outpost, Ash Forest
Active Locations: Tæmar's Outpost, Vena's Outpost & Botan's Outpost

◆Relations:
The Order is currently established in and maintains warm relations with the following nations and Orders:
- Ashen-Tækálí Empire
- Gyrcant Bay
- The Dragon Order
- Kelesian Republic

The Wátłokæ Merchants Guild

---

Essential Details

---

◆Name of Organization: The Wátłokæ Merchants Guild


◆Leader:

• Hástrátim: Líyáw Konar
  
  • placeholder

◆Description:

Established since 814 C.E. during the Age of Ræ, the Wátłokæ Merchants Guild is responsible for regulating the flow of trade and nearly all the non-state transactions that occur within the Ashen-Tækálí Empire.

◆Assets:

Tækálí
Headquarters: Yobá, Tækálí
Major Depots Locations: Márjoní, Áklíánæ, Asímonrábátí, Dímma, Esyæ, Fádál, Pátítí, Kalowátɬ, Séplar, Íbban, Ekidíos, Háwmusuin & Uswán

Ashen Empire
Headquarters: Ferrum, Ashen Empire
Active Locations: Eastmarch, Årgindus, Summerset, Isenfast, Westmarch, Atlas, Örnunhold, Konginstårn, Ravenhall, Starholm

◆Relations:
- Ashen-Tækálí Empire:
The Wátłokæ Merchants Guild is an organization based solely within the Empire itself making its attempts at balancing both the opinions of the Emperor and his subjects a constant hassle for the guild.

Place

---

Essential Details

---

◆Name of Place: The Forest of Ash


◆Location: Here


◆Description: Rumored to be the location of ???, Ukkoism's equivalent to Hell, the Forest of Ash is believed to be the heartland of Uratos' most notorious creatures. Little is truly known about the area outside of the little intel The Order of Áklíá has managed to record over the course of its existence. What is known however, is that unlike the rest of Uratos, the creatures that often spawn and migrate from the region often leave a path of utter and gruesome carnage and destruction in their wake. The Forest of Ash lies separated from what is now known as the civilized world of Uratos by the 2 Great Walls of Sif & Fræyŕ extending from the ??? Mountains to the known boarders of the Dragon Order. There are few permanent settlements in the region, most of them mainly being research outposts owned by the Dragon and Áklíán Orders, though ancient ruins and artifacts have also been discovered in the area, posing a great many deal of questions for the parties operating in the region.

Creatures

Characters

---

Essential Details

---

◆Name: Ímir: Ásir Coarek-Domina

◆Age: 24


◆Gender: Male


◆Sexuality: Heterosexual


◆Build: 189cm, slim, athletic figure, muscular

---

Legacy

---

◆Allegiance: The Kingdom of Tækálí, his wife Ímiræ Nakulánæ Ⰹ Coarek-Domina, and Emporer Tibur II Coarek-Domina of the Ashen-Tækálí Empire


◆Profession: Ímir of The Kingdom of Tækálí


◆Background:

---

Beliefs

---

◆Religion: Nátłanæ Ukkoism


◆Motivation: The preservation of his nation, his family and the Empire. He seeks to become an Ímir of great renown, much like that of his Great Grandfather and ensure his name is remembered throughout more than just that of the Empire.

---

Personal

---

◆Likes:


◆Dislikes:


◆Hobby:

---

Essential Details

---

◆Name: Ímiræ: Nakulánæ Ⰹ Coarek-Domina

◆Age: 22


◆Gender: Female


◆Sexuality: Bisexual


◆Build: 170cm, slim figure, fit, toned

---

Legacy

---

◆Allegiance: The Kingdom of Tækálí, her husband Ímir Ásir Coarek-Domina, and Emporer Tibur II Coarek-Domina of the Ashen-Tækálí Empire


◆Profession: Ímiræ of The Kingdom of Tækálí


◆Background:

---

Beliefs

---

◆Religion: Nátłanæ Ukkoism


◆Motivation: As most kings, Asir seeks to cement his name amongst the annuls of history as a man of great renown. However, rather that be through diplomacy, architecture, religion or the brutality that is war has yet to be determined within this young man's mind. Outside of his own personal desires, Asir's general will towards the continued expansion and preservation of his nation and family and the duties that come with it also play a key role in his psyche.

---

Personal

---

◆Likes:


◆Dislikes:


◆Hobby:

---

Essential Details

---

◆Name: Arch-Primate: Xíku Pátszwání «Ukkonæ Ⰼ»

◆Appearance: Portrait

◆Age: 34


◆Gender: Female


◆Sexuality: Heterosexual


◆Build: 176cm, hourglass figure, fit, slim

---

Legacy

---

◆Allegiance: Fylkir Tibur II Coarek-Domina of the Ukkoist Faith & Ímir Ásir Coarek-Domina of Tækálí


◆Profession: Arch-Primate of the Nátłanæ Sect of Ukkoism


◆Background:

---

Beliefs

---

◆Religion: Nátłanæ Ukkoism


◆Motivation: Ensuring the safe passage of the Ukkoist faithful into the realm of Hyátł and the continued preservation and spread of the traditions of Nátłanæ Ukkoism and the overall faith as a whole.

---

Personal

---

◆Likes:


◆Dislikes:


◆Hobby:

---

Essential Details

---

◆Name: Marshal: Cípak Yárikh

◆Age: 53


◆Gender: Male


◆Sexuality: Heterosexual


◆Build: 186cm, muscular, slightly hefty, fit

---

Legacy

---

◆Allegiance: Ímir Ásir Coarek-Domina of Tækálí


◆Profession: Marshal of the Ⱋ Legion " Duella's Own"


◆Background:

---

Beliefs

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◆Religion: Nátłanæ Ukkoism


◆Motivation: TBD

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Personal

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◆Likes:


◆Dislikes:


◆Hobby:

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Essential Details

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◆Name:

◆Age: 27


◆Gender: Male


◆Sexuality: Heterosexual


◆Build: 181cm, muscular build, very athletic

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Legacy

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◆Allegiance: Ímir Ásir Coarek-Domina of Tækálí & Hástrátim Líyáw Konar


◆Profession: C Class Goods Peddler for the The Wátłokæ Merchants Guild


◆Background:

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Beliefs

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◆Religion: Nátłanæ Ukkoism


◆Motivation: TBD

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Personal

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◆Likes:


◆Dislikes:


◆Hobby:

[Latvijas Otra Republika]

Taggy

[Greater Liverpool]

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Essential Details

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◆Name of Realm: The Empire of Auroria (Sometimes referred to as the Empire of the Anatolikói)


◆Rulers:

Imperador Anatolius Santiago Valter Istalos, Ruler of the Anatolikós and guardian of the Will of Teló. Anatolius is a young but still strong Imperador he is the third person to rule the empire of his house but he rules with a strong first against those that would seek to depose him and his house from ruling over the land of Auroria. The Imperador has proven himself to be quite capable at leading and administering an empire of such scale having been raised to fill such a role from a young age reading and learning about previous emperors.


Imperatriz Serafina Lígia Paula Gouveia, wife of the current Imperador and descendent of the Great Gouveia. Serafina is said to be the most beautiful woman in all of Auroria and one of the smartest she was perhaps the only woman fitting for such a high position of marrying an Imperador


◆Culture:

The culture of the empire of Auroria is complex with the actual name of the people being Anatolikós the demonym being Anatolikói. The people are bound together by one thing they are decedents of a man called Anato a supposed giant a person gathered people that had been exiled from their homeland and settled in a far off land. As such it quite custom for Anatolikói to offer assistance in troubling times for fellow Anatolikói and also as such their language is quite unique. It is not known how it came into existence all that is known is that it is spoke by the people of the Empire. The only language spoke is Anatolikói which is most comparable to Portuguese.

For society, the Anatolikói are quite accepting of one another as they see themselves all connect through blood and shared traditions, as such social stigma is less prevalent in society it is not uncommon to see people of different classes marrying each, socialising and doing meeting up although they do not like to stretch across all classes and you won't see a member of the high houses of the empire consorting with the lower classes. To this regard Anatolikói culture is quite progressive as people of the land are protected by the articles of Michél II the second Imperador who specifically created what would be a constitution for the country outline the powers and responsibilities of the Imperador, the lords and ladies of the land and even down to the mayors of the cities. It grants very little rights for the lower class people the only right them have is to a fair trail from their own peers and not to be imprisoned without just cause.


◆Religion: Telóism

The main religion of the Empire of the Anatolikós is Telóism. Telóism can be traced far back into the time of the first Anatolikói people with their religion of Valkas which was a polytheistic religion compromised of many Gods. Teló the main god and the so called God King of the 5 heavens is the main deity of Telóism however there are lesser gods and goddess in the religion which are also worshipped. The main story of Telóism involves Teló going to war with a god called Knesos which destroys the old home of the gods Valkas. Teló then creates 5 Heavens with 1 Heaven that supposedly travels throughout the mortal plane bringing it into pure bliss. Telóism teaches a dualistic view of the universe where there is a constant battle between Good and Evil as although Teló is most powerful he is not all powerful and Knesos works towards defeating Teló. 4 books compromise the main teaching of Telóism, this is known as the Evangelizar and it details to everything from how to live a good honest life to the will of Teló which is used in running of the Empire and a detailed description as to how the 5 heavens work and how to reach them. In General Telóism looks at the world similarly to Gnosticism with a belief in achieving Compreensão or understanding it believes that the world must follow Teló's way in order for Aarde to become one with Teló and to ascend to the 5 Heavens and become the 6th. Telóism also speaks about the rest of universe how it came about and that there are supposedly 7 other Aarde that exist.

The religion is organised with the head of Telóism being the Grande Vidente who is appointed by 21 Vidente know as Conselho dos Céus or Council of the Heavens. This is leading governing body of Telóism and deals with the administration of the religion as well as minor doctrine reform and changes. Although this hierarchy is not referred to as a church nor a priesthood instead the hierarchy is called the Maneira with the priests being called Guias who lead services. Telóism also had prophets, people who are believed to have been given words and prophecies by Teló or other gods.

◆History:

Ante Tempes (???-2000 BCE)

No one knows exactly when the great migration of Anato exactly started all that is known is that it is believed have begun around 3000 BCE. It is believed Anato lead his people from the lands of south Hygard towards the North around The Lago da vida. Not much is know after that point except during a brief 100 year period when there was an empire that existed in South Auroria known as the Golden Empire which was ruled by 15 emperors each elected by the people of the Empire. It is said during this time that the Anatolikói language first came into written form and a standardised version was created for all subjects to speak however this would not fully come to pass as the empire would mysteriously disappear without much trace. After this it is believed that the region fell into warring tribes and kingdoms fighting for control, but this period was known for its heroic acts by legendary warriors which became the first written literature of the Anatolikói people and the first written record of time. This age would continue to around 2000 BCE when the god Teló ascended to Valkas and begun the First Age

The First age (2000 BCE-1220 BCE)

After Teló had returned to Arde and gave the Anatolikói people the first part of what would become the Evangelizar the region of Auroria would experience a time of peace for a little bit as the kingdom and tribes began to convert to Telóism and as such a sort of confederation of Anatolikói Telóist kingdoms took shape as they attempted to extend their religion. The most important of these kingdoms was the Kingdom of Estrela Solitária which was the first kingdom to convert to Telóism and was also where Teló had ascended on top of Mount Estrela Solitária. This kingdom would become the centre of this Confederation and the seat of power of the council of the Heavens in 1889 BCE. The First age broken down looks like this

(2000 BCE-1880 BCE) This was when some of the Anatolikói kingdoms of Auroria would convert to Telóism. This period saw a golden age for a lot of the lesser kingdom as peace came to pass with the Confederation of the Teló bringing in this golden age. This was where great works of literature, art and monuments were built.

(1880 BCE-1496 BCE) This 380 year period would be characterised by the great expansion of Telóism as missions to the rest of the Anatolikói kingdoms that still worshipped the old gods of Valkas. The Kingdom of Estrela Solitária continued to grow in influence as being both the capital of the Confederation and also of the Telóist religion itself and soon it became the richest and most powerful kingdom in the confederation. It was during this time that the North Eastern Peninsula of Bahia would be conquered by the Confederation and its people brought into the Telóist faith while there was minor expansion south.

(1496 BCE- 1220 BCE) The Green Banner war would take place between 1496 BCE and would not end until 1220 BCE with the collapse of the Confederation of Teló by the hands of Teló himself when he came back to Aarde. The Green Banner war started when Grande Vidente Natalio V declared a holy war against the Southern Anatolikói kingdoms but most importantly the lands to the West. As Telóism had a strong base in South Auroria the Old God kingdoms quickly fell to the Confederation and were incorporated into the Confederation. However the war in the west would not go so easily while they were successful in capturing a few towns, the city states of the west allied together to fight back. This war would continue on until Teló decided enough was enough, the people had forgotten his message and had fallen to darkness and evil. He would leave the 5 Heavens and return to Aarde and bring about an end to the war and the Confederation which he believed had fallen from grace, he gave the next part of the Evangelizar which gave in more detail the means and way of the perfect life and to achieving Compreensão. As such this ended the First Age and the Second Age would begin.

The Second Age(1220 BCE-565 BCE)

The Second Age was known for the fighting that took place after the end of the Confederation of Teló. After the Green Banner war and the destruction that had followed it there would be a minor respite throughout the lands of the Anatolikói. However the 5 kingdoms that would follow the Confederation would be actively trying to gain the upper hand against one another.

(1220 BCE) - The Collapse of the Confederation of Teló and 5 Kingdoms will rise from the ashes (Estrela Solitária, Bahia, Camparado, Interio Pasbalo, Yantería). These five kingdoms would control much of present Auroria and minor wars between the kingdoms would continue.

(989 BCE) - The Kingdoms of Estrela Solitária and Bahia would fall under one crown and under it a golden age would flourish. Known as the dual kingdom this kingdom would fund missionary work to the rest of Urantos o with Telóist missionaries reaching even the Grycant bay.

(856 BCE) - The Telóist heresy of Santinian Telóism would be started by a mystic priest by the name of Santinó. This heresy would gain more traction as many believed that Teló was working through him and also the promise that the 5th heaven is coming to Aarde in the next 100 years and under a new nation would arise to dominate the world and bring the 5 Heavens down to earth.

(829 BCE) - The start of the war for Heaven would begin between the main branch of Telóism and the Santinian heresy. When this war began the 5 Kingdoms of Auroria would ally each other in what was called the 2nd Confederation of Teló however this was only for the destruction of the Santinian hersey. The war would leave much destruction in its wake with many thousands of Anatolikói dying in the war.

(802 BCE) - The end of the war for Heaven. The war would end with a mass suicide of Santinian followers inside the city of Campos amarelos after it had come under siege by the Confederation. The war had taken such a toll that the ruling family of Interio Pasbalo had died in the constant fighting and the lands had fallen under the Kingdom of Estrela Solitária and Bahia making the United Kingdom of Northern Auroria. After the war for Heaven lands of Auroria fell once again into peace and recovery.

(585 BCE) - Teló comes down once more from the 5 Heavens but this time he comes down once more as a human he lives his days walking among the people. As Teló walked around the lands of Auroria he grew to appreciate them more and more as he understood what it meant to be mortal. He settled down in a town called Rio de Gois inside the United Kingdom of Northern Auroria. this was know as the great understanding when Teló finally perfected the mortal way to the 5 heavens.

(565 BCE) - Teló would reveal himself to the Anatolikói people again after spending 20 years down on Aarde. He would give his method for humans to achieve Compreensão and he would give his Maneira to the 21 Vidente go the council of the Heavens. The final thing he would do was called the Will of Teló which he granted to King Aragãorn of the United Kingdom of North Auroria. The Will of Teló would be the right to rule from Teló himself and would be foundation of the Empire of Auroria. As the third appearance of Teló so ended the Second Age and the beginning of the Third Age.

The Third age (565 BCE-129 CE)

The Third Age was characterised as a time of social revolution. As the old times of Kingdoms fighting would come to end and the establishment of the one Empire of Auroria would bring in a new age for the whole land. The age was known for the great war that occur known as the War for the Empire which saw the Northern Aurorian Kingdom go to war with the South Aurorian Kingdom of who rightfully would hold the will of Teló. However during this time great inventors and philosophers would arise with great works of literature being penned.

(564 BCE) - The Southern Aurorian Kingdom would be established under fear and threat of the United Kingdom of Northern Auoria. One of the first things they do is to declare the last appearance of Teló to be the work Knesos. After doing so, the South Aurorian kingdom declared that Teló had presented himself in front of the court of the South Aurorian Kingdom and presented their king with the will of Teló, declaring the South Aurorian Kingdom to be the sole successor to Teló on Aarde.

(563 BCE) - King Aragãorn would not peruse a war against the South fearing more bloodshed for his people. He would instead decide that the will of Teló would allow only one kingdom to survive and as he had been granted it by the mighty Teló he knew that the South would fall eventually. Aragãorn would begin a begin on building massive projects throughout the North Aurorian Kingdom as well as move the capital from Estrela Solitária to the Town of Rio de Gois which was renamed to Céstriãllas.

(560 BCE) - King Aragãorn would reform the Northern Kingdom into a more centralised using the Will of Teló as he right to do so. In general he would reform much of society ridding it of the centuries old clan system and replacing it with a new feudal system with a strong focus on better overall management of the kingdom. These reforms would be some of the first of long line that would accumulate with the foundation of the Empire of Auroria.

(503 BCE) - The great water way of Thellyssía would be completed allowing for irrigation into the Mato Istalan desert which would over 100 year period become grassland allowing for the house do Istalos to become rich and powerful with the land becoming ripe for farming.

(499 BCE) - King Aragãorn would die at the age 91. He would be the longest ruler any Aurorian Kingdom has ever had, this would further the claim that he was guardian of the Will of Teló. He would appoint his successor Michel his third son as the new King of Northern Auroria.

(467 BCE) - The Southern Aurorian Kingdom attempts to invade the eastern part of Hygard but to no success resulting in humiliation for the Southern Aurorian Kingdoms. The South would never attempt an expansion into other lands and instead focus itself solely on trying to conquer the North.

(467 BCE - 24 CE) - Between 467 BCE and 24 CE the South and the North would engage in smaller skirmishers each testing each other metal. The North would continue to develop itself both economically and social as Michel II would go on to write his articles for the Northern Kingdom while South would spend its time building its military and industrial capacity trying to get an edge on the North which had become a lot richer and populated.

(24 CE) - The War for the Empire would begin after a prophet of the word of Teló proclaimed that by the end of the century there would only be one Kingdom of Auroria left and that one kingdom will declare themselves the Empire of the Anatolikói and of Auroria. South deciding that this was the moment to finally end the Northern Auroria kingdom would go to war and so started the War for the Empire.

(24 CE - 101 CE) The War for the Empire would continue as the war dealt massive amounts of destruction and devastation to much of both the North and South Kingdoms.

(89 CE) - The Great Gouveia would become the greatest warrior in modern Auroria as he destroyed many Southern Armies in his wake. He would be give the lands of the Deturatte peninsula and his house would rapidly grow in both influence and power.

(101 CE) - The last stronghold of the Southern Kingdom of Auroria would fall to the North and the King of Southern Auroria would submit himself to the Northern Kingdom before being executed for heresy against Teló. In fact many of the ruling families in the south would be executed for heresy as followed the wrong line of the Will of Teló. By the end of the year the Empire of Auroria was declared in Céstriãllas and for the first time in history since the Golden Empire, The whole of Anatolikói people and the land of Auroria would be ruled as one single united nation under one throne. Ernesto III would become the first Imperador of the Empire taking the name of Aragãorn as his new name upon ascension.

(129 CE) - The final appearance of Teló would happen just outside the capital city of Céstriãllas. This would be his shortest visit only lasting a few hours. He would reinforce that the current Aragãorn as well as King Aragãorn as the rightfully guardians of his Will. He would also give the final book that as a whole would become Evangelizar, this part details the last things of the 5 Heavens including a complete catalogue of all the gods as well as the lesser powers in the 5 Heavens. It would decree that the religion of Telóism needed to be spread in order to bring about a complete unity between the 5 Heavens and Aarde so that Aarde would become the 6th Heaven. So the Third age came to an end and the fourth would begin.

The Fourth Age/Imperial Age (129 BCE-Present)

The Fourth Age is known in history for the grand peace it is in. There has not been a single major war with within all of Auroria since the age begun and with the new stability the golden age of literature would continue as the combined wealth of a united Auroria would allow for even great works of art, science and the completion of Great Works.

(130 CE) - The Order of the Lone Star is created. Its goal is to spread Telóism across Aarde and with back from the council of the Heavens the order grows quickly. Many Telóists begin to join not only for carrying out the Heavens will but also to go and see the great world of Aarde.

(178 CE) - The Empire of Auroria would go through the great Imperial reform which would increase the power of new cities that had arouse in North. Cities like Teraea, Rios do Cyutio and Vila Vermelha becoming powerful cities due to trade with Céstriãllas growing too into a strong city of the new empire. New Merchant families would rise to control these cities.

(200 CE) - The Empire would expand slightly southwards into the Knesos desert but would not be able to go much further due to shortage of supplies. Still the city of Evyária would be established being the only city in the desert it would become a border city between the Empire and the rest of Hygard.

(500 CE) - Imperador Davi the calm would fun exploration mission around the sea of Hygard eventually coming into contact with what would be The Confederation of the Free City-States and establishing relations with them. As well as the other nations on Hygard. This tradition of exploring the world would continue right up to the present day with explores still being sent out.

(678 CE) - The University of Céstriãllas would be founded by the Imperador and funded from his own personal pocket.

(911 CE) - Casa de Aragãorn the imperial family would go extinct after Imperado Bruninho III the pure died living a completely celibate life. As such he named Thenious of Casa de Istalos the new guardian of the Will of Teló after his death.

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Assets

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◆Resources:

- Iron
- Agricultural produce (Wheat, Beans, fruits, Olives, Corn)
- Sugar
- Tobacco
- Coffee
- Spices
- Cocoa
- Livestock (Cattle, Horses, sheep, Pigs)
- Copper
- Lumber/Timber
- Coal
- Flax

◆Strongholds:

Céstriãllas
Castelo Vermelho
Castelo Azul
Castelo Cacau
Castelo de Istalos
Castelo de Gouveia
Castelo no Céu
Vila Vermelha

◆Towns:

Capital: Céstriãllas
Teraea
Estrela Solitária
Rios do Cyutio
Evyária
Vila Vermelha
Cidade do sul
Agurillia
Noítche
Batchurra

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Military

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◆Military Commanders:

Imperador Anatolius
Kallistos Salazar
Baldomero Gouveia
Jimeno Esparza


◆Military Strength:

The Guardians of the Heavens - 400 men
The Companions of Aragãorn - 800 men

Exército Imperial - 5000 professional soldiers

Casa de Istalos - 2350 Knights/Men at Arms, 10,000 levied men
Casa de Gouveia - 2000 Knights/Men at Arms, 15,000 levied men
Casa de Bermúdez - 1750 Knights/Men at Arms, 15,000 levied men
Casa de Ubiña - 1000 Knights/Men at Arms, 7,000 levied men
Casa de Zavala - 500 Knights/Men at Arms, 30,000 levied men
Casa de Leontios - 750 Knights/Men at Arms, 7,000 levied men

◆Special Troop: The Guardians of the Heavens. The guardians of heaven are the elite of the elite of Auroria. Loyal to Teló and his will they are the toughest and strongest soldiers the empire has. Duelling also as Guias they may also perform religious services. Founded during the 1st Confederation of Teló the Guardians of The Heavens have always been a force to be feared, their stories of fighting in the Green Banner War and the War for Heaven have earned them such fear. Guardians of The Heavens live a very strict regime of training, praying and meditating.

Companions of Aragãorn. The Companions of Aragãorn can trace themselves back to the Cavalrymen that followed Aragãorn. These men are some of the best Cavalrymen in the whole of Aarde. The Companions of Aragãorn can trace themselves back to the horsemen of Casa de Aragãorn which where original the defenders of the Will of Teló. Used extensively as a shock cavalry unit they march alongside the Imperador when ever he is in battle.

Exército Imperial. The Exército Imperial or just Imperial Army is a small standing army that is used to protect the Empire and Imperial family in times of crisis. They are professional soldiers who spend their days training for anytime they are needed. They are not as elite as the Guardians of heaven nor the Companions of Aragãorn but against levied, unskilled peasant they are the deadly. Mainly used as an outside forces of the Imperador they have been used many times to put down rebellions and keep civil order and while they have no great battles under there banner they still have great honour in all of Auroria as anyone can join get a decent pay and top of line equipment for free.

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Diplomatic Relations

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◆Allies: TBD


◆Rivals: TBD

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Other Information

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◆Location:

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Essential Details

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◆Name of House: Istalos


◆Leader: Imperador Anatolius Santiago Valter Istalos


◆Family Members:

César Teodoro Celso Isatlos (67, uncle to the Imperador)
Isidora Timothea Iria Isatlos (64, auntie to the Imperador)
Nataniel Epiktetos Oier Isatlos (35, brother to the Imperador)
Salvador Cândido Ciro Isatlos (31, brother to the Imperador)
Theophania Yenifer Celestina Isatlos (24, sister to the Imperador)
Dionisia Kallistrate Encarnación Isatlos (29, cousin to the Imperador)
Amor Demokritos Isocrates Isatlos (21, Cousin to the Imperador)


◆History: The house of Istalos (Casa de Istalos) is an old and proud house and can trace its foundation in the Kingdom of Bahia during the second age and even further as Clan de Istalonin. Originally a small house owning a small towns and villages it would take its place as one of the leading houses of the Empire when Amilldaro Istalos gave up all his current lands for the vast stretch of land Mato Istalan desert which was named after the house itself. A stupid move at first glance but Amilldaro knew what would happen when The great water way of Thellyssía was completed the new valuable land that would come under his direct control. As the desert turned from barren to fertile Casa de Istalos would be there to take all the benefits and become one of the strongest houses with food coming from the new Mato Istalan Grasslands. By around 300 CE Casa be Istalos would provide around 30% of the total food in Auroria and would be the third richest house in the Northern Auroria Kingdom.

Casa de Istalos would enjoy been the bread basket of Auroria until 911 CE when Imperado Bruninho the pure, the last of Casa de Aragãorn would die without an heir. Since the will of Teló is passed on by appointment of the Imperador it could pass to another house. Bruninho the pure would give it Achilles Istalos a promising member of the Casa de Istalos. Since then there have been 3 Imperadors from Casa de Istalos first Achilles then Davi and now the current Imperador Anatolius. While Anatolius is not the oldest member of the house he is the leader by Will of Teló.

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Assets

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◆Home: Céstriãllas


◆Military Strength: 2350 Knights/Men at Arms, 10,000 levied men

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Relations

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◆Allies: Casa de Gouveia


◆Rivals:

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Essential Details

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◆Name of Organization: The Order of the Lone Star


◆Leader: Grand-master Artemius


◆Description: The Order of the Lone Star was created for the sole purpose of spreading the religion of Telóism to whoever would hear, the order's only mission is to gather more faithful to the religion. With missions around Aarde they work as both preaches and also a helping hand to those in need of assistance for the grace of the 5 Heavens is willing to be given to all who seek it. Since its foundation it has been backed by both the Imperador and the the council of the 5 Heavens and to this day still backed by the same institutes


◆Assets: Many mission houses to which it can spread its message. Funding from the Empire and the council of the 5 Heavens.


◆Relations: Very good relations with the Empire of Auroria.

[The Umperia Isles]

I'm just gonna pull my character and Apps out of this rp, best of luck to all of yall