Aesperium Niedea

Aesperium Niedea, later known as the Soleannen Empire of Niedea was a state located on the continent of Nieden. Successfully claiming the to be the successor of the Empire of Escharia, it embodied almost most of its former territory and was largely populated by Niedenes who believed in Soleannen. It is commonly referred by historians as The Second Empire of Escharia.

One of the main allies of the 3rd Empire of Bardonia, former overlord of nations like Arxella or Kartek, it came to be one of the most powerful nations in Rathnir. After several attempts of union with other friendly nations such as Yimmu-Audal or Viodoxa, Nidea would endure several crisis towards the end of 2021 and lose most of its territories.

After being formally reformed in January 19, 2022, Aesperium Niedea lived a period of stability and eventually reunited with the Empire of Asterien to form the Soleannan Imperium on March 6, 2022.

Formation
At the end of March 2021, the former hero of the First Coalition War and king of Cornflower Zylrm uhl-Znydyy claimed the Kingdom of Egalia with the blessing of the Soleannen Spirits. At the time and following the Ascension, Spirits would persecute non-soleannen who wanted to settle in the former territories of the Empire of Escharia. After negotiations with other nation leaders in western Nieden, the nations of Nations of Cornflower-Egalia, Wahat, Unterrech, Rulagmos, and Ailstra would agree to form "Aesperium Niedea". Soon after during the month of April the Tymarat Federation, Neurun, Vasticus, Escania and Falconia would join.

The soleannen faith was the element that really bonded the new Aesperium with the former Empire of Escharia. After the death of Cardinal Jol, following the escharian traditions, the emperor appointed Samael Vorpes as Cardinal of the Church who pushed for more unification and strengthening of bonds between the Church and Aesperium Niedea. At this time, Aesperium Niedea was also declared as the true Soleannen State and the Successor to the Soleannen Empire by the spirits. Imperator Aesperii Zelorm who later took the name Imperator Valerian | an Aesperii,

The rebellion of Unterrech
Unterrech was an important estate within Aesperium Niedea. Athel, one of its founders, was also chancellor of Aesperium Niedea. But after his death, his successor inherited of a grown city and was looking for expansion. On April 24th, 2021, Unterrech declared war on the state of Floramia, and by extension, the Soleannen Order of Müviel. This act was considered as a treason by the government of Aesperium Niedea because Estates weren't allowed to declare war. Furthermore, while Niedea had previously feuded with Floramia, the two nations had just recently begun to repair relations. Valerian I, the Emperor of Niedea, who is also a member of the Handy Helpers, reached out to fellow Hands and Soleannan Spirits for aid in the coming conflict.

The battle happenned in the Unterrechi captital, Skar. The Hands quickly dispatch the Unterrechi Army after entering the Underground city through an unclaimed cave. They would leave when it appeared the Unterrechi had no more gear for the war. As a result of the battle, Skar was almost entirely destroyed and the population left the town.

The Battle of Skar serves as one of the final vaulting points for Niedea to reach it's goal of peaceful, centralized existence on the continent of Nieden.

Pax Niedea Era
After the battle of Unterrech, Aesperium Niedea would experience a serie of internal changes, both strengthening the authority of the Emperor and the escharian heritage.

At peace with its neighbors, the nation experienced internal peace (with the exception of the crusade on Hilltown around mid-May) and sougt to consolidate its organization. The Estate system was abandonned on May 15, 2021, and a set a new laws was released the day after. Among them, the Unterrech Law strongly limited the possibilities for town leaders (akesors) to escape the control of the State. On June 26, 2021, a new government system was implemented. Simplified, the Emperor was confirmed as the sole authority above akesors while the kesefors would only have an advisory position.

The only territorial changes happenned through diplomacy, such as the vassalization of Arxella or Spyre or the territorial swap with Theios-Essukdal in southern Siritahlene (now county of Eirini in Anosphey). Niedea would even refrain it's participation in the invasion of Ryzan on june 24, 2021.

The Second Trillium War
At the beginning of the Second Trillium War, the Emperor would express his support for Bardonia against Southern Invaders, due to Niedea's Membership in the Allium Alliance.

It was at this time it is believed that Emperor Valerian communed with St. Arminius, envoy of Ivoras, the god of war, who said- My Children, I speak for Ivoras, God of War. The Escharians have fought in the same situation as you, we stand with you from the Luminarium. You are as Escharian. You will fight for our homeland so that the Niedene may be free another day. This is a Holy War! You will join us one day, but before you join us make sure you send as many of the enemy as you can to the Immerium. You will show the world who the Niedene are and you will bleed our Niedene blood so we may keep and retake our occupied Niedene lands. Ave Niedea, Ave Selt-Escharia! This announcement would lead to the the nation officially renaming to Soleàn Irastre de et Escharii (Common: Soleannen Empire of the Escharians)

However, the vast degree of toxicity from Third Rathnir Coalition, combined with a lack of incentive, led to the Empire issuing a joint statement with the Huitca Federation announcing both state's withdraw from the conflict. While some citizens did participate in The Battle of New Dorasterrock, they had been given orders from both Imperial and Military leadership to withdraw from the city before the conflict began.

Annexation of Bardonia
Following the dissolution of the Great Northern Confederacy in, Bardonia joined Escharia as a duchy. The newly integrated Grand Duchy of Bardonia subsequently declared the annexation of all Gdanyc, drawing condemnation from the United Commonwealth, which likewise claimed parts of Gdanyc. Diplomatic tensions were resolved in, when Badonia, Escharia and the United Commonwealth signed the Treaty of Gdanyc. While Bardonia annexed some formerly Gdanyc territory, the state of South Baykonia joined the United Commonwealth as the State of Baykonia.

Geography
This section is mainly a copy of the corresponding section in the page of the Empire of Escharia.

Escharia, Suderen, and Soleanna: Old Escharia's home region is dominated by volcanic mountains, lush fields, and towering forests. The country had a large animal population, especially in wolves and sheep which can be found over. The northern reaches are dominated by swamps inhabited by many creatures such as wolves and boar. The forests of Escharia sport a high population of foxes which led to a lack of rabbits in the country. The Oceans off of Lileanen and Litoci are very warm but this changes when one heads south towards Iabet. The plains from Amilais to Azatori, passing through Litoci and Drakhasrei are very fertile which allowed the nation to host a very good food production. In contrast to this, the country experienced harsh falls and winters with blizzards often ravaging the land. In summer the country was known to possess a lot of precipitation due to large cold fronts from the east clashing with the warm west. There are many volcanic pockets and hot springs such as the caves outside of Litoci which accustomed to be a popular tourist spot for old Escharian citizens.

Nieden Valley and Argentor: As one advances to the north, they encounter a much colder region dominated by chilly forests in the Vale'du'nor (Nieden Valley) with cold swamps joining them. In addition to this the fields around Dorostadt (Tymarat) possess chilly autumns with mild summers, though noticeably chillier than in Soleanna or Escharia.

Siritahlene: The Siritahlene mountain range is known to have slim canyons with dozens of waterfalls and caves that run the heights of them. The middle chain is the biggest one and has the highest peaks, where the coldest temperatures of Nieden can be experienced. It's also the biggest chain one and, as such, host a wide variety of peoples: it hosted the capital of both Wahat and Unterrech. It is also highly volcanical in the east, around NisArkhall. Separated by a swamp from the middle chain, the northen chain has the longest winters and experienced scarce settlement during the era.

Egalia: When one gets to Egalia, the climate remains similar to the Vale'du'nor as it is bordered by a cold sea and hemmed into colder mountains and forests like the Nieden Valley. The mountains at the border with the Nieden Valley are incredibly cold often having severe storms in the area. This area is not as Volcanic as the Eastern part of Nieden and generally as cold as northern Nieden, which makes the soil less fertile but still productive nonetheless when the Thadians give their hands up to the job. Southern Egalia is often Warmer than Nieden due to bordering the warm sand of Theionikos, creating the unique region of Orranderlost. The area by Alexandria has the most productive farms.

Tessel: The climate of Tessel demonstrates cold highlands in the west, and a warm eastern forest.

Name
The name "Aesperium" was chosen at the born of the nation as a direct reference to the bloodline of the former emperor of Escharia. However, it was at the time the title for the leader of the nation. The nation starts to be referred as "Niedea" after May 24, 2021 and then "the Soleannen Empire of Niedea" from June 6, 2021. The goal of these name changes was to reinforce the legitimacy of Aesperium Niedea to claim the title of successor of the Empire of Escharia, and culminated during the Second Trillium War when the nation claimed the title of Soleàn Irastre de et Escharii (Common: Soleannen Empire of the Escharians).

Flag
The flag of Aesperium Niedea was adopted soon after the formation of the state. It adopts the same symbology as the flag of the Empire of Escharia, with the exception of the eagle being black, for Escharia, and the background being crimson as a reference to the old Empire of Soleanna. The Eagle stands for the Niedene people, the crown of the Empires the right to rule from Solaris, and the laurel the Splendor of Soleanna.

Religion and Culture
The people of Escharia were almost always of the Niedene Race and the Soleannen Faith.

Escharians valued Honor very highly and this is reflected in their collection of artifacts and texts. The speech of Emperor Severie von Aspach during the Turtlonian Wars titled The New Dawn speaks to Honor, Loyalty and Glory.

Artifacts of Escharien are spread throughout Rathnir:
 * Blade of Escharia (currently held by Valerian of Niedea)
 * Ceremonial Sword of the Emperor (Destroyed in the first Yimmu Audal war.)
 * The Imperial Soleannan Standard