Valreach

"The Nation of Valreach, reunited once again under a new order, shall prosper and achieve greatness through its people and its leaders. Hail the Unified Kingdoms! Hail Valreach!"

- - Vix Moreau Aulian, King of Valreach Valrean Empire, (Zie) Valrieges Imperium, or Valreach is a nation located in the continent of Valresh and Phoros, in Eldham. It was founded on the 25th of October of 2021 by Vix Aulian and Vin Helianthus, first Diarchy of Valreach. Since then, the nation has grown becoming the biggest in number of citizens and settlements in the local region. Valreach became a cultural beacon for new citizens and nobles.

Description
Valreach, officially the Imperial Realm of Valreach or commonly reffered to as the Valrean Empire, is a country situated in between the lines of two continents, Valresh and Phoros in Eldham. It is a absolute monarchy ruled by a Imperator in a fuedal aristocracy with the Imperator as it's head. Imperator Yorg M. Aulian has absolute authority over the realm, and the lands are divided into fuedal fiefdoms.

Separate Kingdom
After the fall of the Regnum Drakaes, and the Concordat that came after it, a bunch of independent states arose from the Fallen Dragon. The following nations were founded: The Republic of Amarillo, the Kingdom of Nidaros, Mugen, Saror (New) Haven, fully independent nations; Smegslands, Koinsburg and The Old Guard, vassalised by Barbossa, that also took some lands; and finally, Andliria, that came back to claim their imperial lands. Some of those states claimed being the Successor State of the Regnum and the War of Drakaen Succession started the day after the fall. The war ended in Victory after for Mugen in The Battle of Jorvick. The Kingdom of Nidaros that stayed neutral during the war, made some deals with New Haven, taking some lands from them before the collapse, and Mugen, exchanging some land to better cohasionate the territory. With that last land exchange, the territory of Nidaros remained untouched for some time. Since the foundation of The Kingdom of Nidaros, The King Vin Helianthus ruled as monarch with Roland Sien as his hand and, eventually, after his death, his daugher Delta Sien. Their main focus were the stability of their territory and nearby countries. Including the cooperation with the allied countries of the Coalition and then The League of Vircon. Their principal threat was to the south, with the expansion of the city of Jorvick to their borders. That conflict led to a de facto alliance with Mugen and a rise of tensions with Jorvick. The Kingdom of Nidaros also hosted the Nido Games, becoming the biggest event ever hosted in the Drakeslands.

Northwich was formally a town of the Kingdom of Nidaros, but after disagreements and conflict with the King of Nidaros, Vix Aulian felt it was necessary for the survival of his city to declare Northwich's full independence from Nidaros on the 8th of August, and after this, Vix became a monarch and started the Aulian House with his reign, one of the most biggest houses in Drakaes, After the creation of Northwich, Vix instantly joined the League of the Bay of Peace and after that, Northwich became a founding member of The League of Vircon. In the first years of existence, Northwich changed it's name in two occasions, starting with The Northwich Dynasty, and then renamed to just Northwich, but after discovering past mythology's and history behind the island Vix ruled, he finally changed its name to Nujh or The Isle of Nujh, the cultural name of the Ashen people who lived here. Some time after the last rename it joined Uraka as a vassal state after Imperator Neo Aurelian came fourth to offer protection and prosperity. Nujh became an Autocratic Parliamentarian Monarchy with a newly approved Constitution. And Vix ruled Northwich until the reunification with the approval and supervision of the Assembly, continuing his reign within Valreach.

Cooperation Treaty between Nidaros and Nujh
The first step to a reunificated country was the Cooperation treaty signed between both nations. It was a peacful attempt to not only have a pact of non agression, Mutual Defense and even aid on internal affairs if needed, the Cooperation treaty recognises the common history and culture of both Kingdom and establishes that as a reason for comming together. The original diplomatic talks that led to the treaty were meant to be for a real union between Nidaros and Nujh, the negative answer of The King of Nidaros led to only have the treaty mentioned before. Vix and Delta Aulian kept planning a reunification.

Regnum of Aulian
The Regnum of Aulian was a sudden attempt to force a Reunification between Nujh and Nidaros making Vin leave the throne of Nidaros to allow the merge. It was schemed by both Vix and Delta after the cooperation treaty. The original plan of the Regnum of Aulian, after excluding the idea of integrating Nidaros into Nujharia, was to establish a unified state, that would rule over those territories with the royal House of Aulian as Monarchs of the Kingdom. The plan started as accorded, The Island of Nujharia sent a ultimatum to Nidaros to make Vin Helianthus abdicate of the Nidarosean throne and establish a provisional government until an United Kingdom was formed. Delta, Hand of Nidaros, gave public support to the reunification and wrote a letter of disappointment to Vin, pushing him to accept a deal with Nujh.

Vin refused to merge with the conditions Vix offered. The Round table of Nidaros was divided between the ones wanting to accept the merge and the ones wanting to keep the Kingdom of Nidaros independent. In a desperate move to save his position, Vin tried to get Aristios to annex Nidaros and be integrated into the Empire. This event caused the first big crisis in The League of Vircon as a whole, making Yuvaria, that recently joined, leave the League and bringing other nations to rethink their position inside the League. The conflict ended with a referendum imposed by Uraka and Aristios, intervening on Nidaros' Sovereignty to prevent a conflict between Nujh and Nidaros. The referendum ended with a negative result to the proposition of reunification. The tension between the nations rose up more being very close to an armed conflict. Once again, Delta Aulian reunited again both leaders to organize proper talks to a unificated country.

Reunification
The idea of a reunification began developing almost two months after Nujh's independence from the Kingdom of Nidaros. The main person interested and who pushed the most for the reunification was Delta Aulian, that, being Hand of Nidaros, but at the same time, Pricess of Nujh, wanted to end with the disputes of the Heads of State of the Countries and bring the nations closer.

Kingdoms Era
After October 25th, the unification of Nidaros and Nujharia was official, a newly found realm was formed, with a diarchy as its head, fromed by the monarchs of Vin and Vix. The constituent council which was created to unify and construct the nation was still intact and running the internals of the newly formed nation until the constitution was finished. The Nation reaped the benefits of unity and a golden era of many started, with massive improvements to civilian infrastructure and new government buildings across the nation. Also in this era, the introduction of the Drakaen Kingdom (Neo Drakaes) merging as a ceremonial Kingdom within Valreach, and the Royal House taking House Fairfax of the Drakaen Kingdom as vassalage. After the Holy Drakaen Empire rebellion and exile of the traitor King Vin Helianthus, the Diarchy was still intact and consisted of now Lagertha Moreau and Vix Aulian, Lagertha being chosen to become Diarch to continue the union of the Kingdoms. In this era, the Valrean-Catanian Commonwealth was founded by the Kingdoms of Valreach and Catania.

Holy Drakaen Empire (HDE)
On December 27th, a day before the start of the HDE rebellion, High King Vin's legitimacy and loyalty towards Valreach was in question between Vix and Delta. Vin had just won elections for Prime Minister as High King, which caused multiple issues between the two diarchs in the Diarchy and the Nation. Vin had gained absolute power of the nation and on December 28th, he declared a Holy Drakaen Empire, attempting to seize 75% of Valrean land, calling it a Holy Empire under the Goddess Juni of Junicism. Legitimacy over Vin's claims were scarce, the towns who supported him were either threatened or joined out of fear. The rebellion fell apart on the 29th of December and Vin was exiled to his manor. It would be later revealed that the rebellion was a attempt of the Uraki imperium to expand itself and that Vin had gained support within the high command to rebel from Valreach.

High Kingdom Era
On 5th of March, the two Diarchs Vix Aulian and Lagertha Moreau officially married in Nidaros, unifying the two past rival houses of Moreau (Reformed Helianthus) and Aulian into Moreau Aulian. This resulted in the formation of the High Kingdom of Valreach on the 16th of April, after a decision was made within the now married Diarchy, to unify the entire nation and it's Kingdoms into a single Kingdom. Following it, a reformation of the constitution was passed by the Parliament and Valreach became a singular Kingdom, ruled by King Vix M. Aulian and his wife, Queen Lagertha M. Aulian. This was a golden period for Valreach, and a period of cultural enrichment and stability. Through this period, Valreach adopted Soleviel as state religion in request of the King, for it was the foundation the pillars of culture in Valreach stood upon, and that the majority of Valreans believed in Soleviel in one way, shape or form. In this period came the darkest hours for Valreach ever since the days of HDE. Valreach Civil War was a conflict fought in Valreach between the High Kingdom of Valreach (Notably, including the parent nation, Simulami Empire) against the seceding rebel state of Kingdom of Nidaros, and Smegan Shogunate. It was a monumental turning of tables that resulted in todays Valreach.

More: Valreach Civil War Wiki

Imperial Era (Today's Valreach)
After the Battle of Nidaros on the 9th of June, King Vix M. Aulian declared the Imperial Realm of Valreach, and sought to achieve a stronger Valrean state, proud of it's identity and culture. Which was the start of the Imperial Era of Valreach, a golden era still in continuation for the Imperial domain and progress of Valreach.

"In all the fire and ashes, a Injured lion lifted upon the rubble by an black Eagle, look towards new reaches. For so long, a nation failing, only dependent on a few, and those few, gone to become traitors to their own country. It is time for change, order, and a stronger state!"

- - Vix Moreau Aulian, King of Valreach

The King is dead, long live the King!
The most striking event of this period was the Death of King Vix M. Aulian after 60 years of ruling, where the entire nation raised their flags half way and buried the late King under the Athelric Cathedral crypts after a Soleviel Ceremony. In his honor, Imperator Yorg M. Aulian inherited the throne of his father, and his titles. He is the current ruling Monarch of the Imperial Realm of Valreach.

Great Expansion Era
Around November and December of 2022, Valreach doubled it's size through successful diplomacy and declarations, it obsorbed Jorvheimr (Katania) after a declaration of war, and the nation falling apart as a result. First, the "Province of Vionir" seceded into Valreach willingly, and the other results of the Jorvheimr collapse later went under the fold with a complete integration treaty called the "Treaty of the Divine lands".

After the fall and integration of Jorvheimr, the tensions between Natchenreich grew, as they had recently broken their agreement by granting power to Delta Canalopin, formerly banished of any high-ranking position in Natchenreich due to a treaty with Valreach. She gained the title of Empress of Natchenreich and decreed a merge with the Kingdom of Amarillo. After these events, the leadership of both Valreach and Simulami declared a ultumatum to the Amarillo-Natchenreich Empire to dissolve the union and secede the Natchenreich lands to Valreach. The ultimatum was accepted with the "Treaty of Varaspolis". Valreach gained more territory after the handing of Aerie from the Eleanor Realms and the Ariefell exclave, Aerie being a religious and holy ground to the Valreans and the population in major favor of integration. Aerie is also the home of the Imperator, and the Monastary of Meruvia's Isle being his lifework pre-succession to the throne.

National Anthem
The National Anthem of the Imperial Realm of Valreach, "My dear, great and bright land." is a choral hymn that tales the nature and beauty, and being part of Valreach.

My dear, great and bright land, With foaming coast and ice and mountains, You are my heart, all my wisdom, and my mind, You're my home, you're my shelter.

My dear and great and dark land, And the crypts of Nidaros and the Nido caves, And the Frostbite and Segrespent, I love your width and your depths.

You are my churches, my worship, my faith, You are the sunrise and the sunset, You are my sorrow, my joy, my peace of mind, You are my mind on the right and on the wrong.

When the northern lights sway in dissonance, Across the night's great celestial apse, then I'm whirled into a boundless dance, But rise from the morning's catharsis.

My great and icy land, I am yours, Send me wind, send me snow, and send me storms. But give me the summer night as red as a ruby, A brief second, a kiss of sun and warmth.

I love you, whirly, beautiful land, I love you more than anything on Earth, You're my soul and you're my wisdom,

My mind and my heart, you are Valreach!

Holidays
On July 9th, Valreach observes the Imperial Victory Day, celebrating the victory in the Valreach Civil War. Unification Day is celebrated on October 25th, the day of the unification of Ashenrein and Nidaros. From December 23rd to 25th, Valreach observes the Lazy Days, encouraging its citizens to reduce activity and engagement with the nation. December 28th, the day of the HDE Rebellion, is celebrated as The Realm Stands Day, to remember that the Realm of Valreach still stands.

Folklore
The Valrean Soleviel is the set of traditions and beliefs that, added to the base Soleviel Pantheon, form the Soleviel culture in Valreach and in the eastern Drakeslands. The folklore of Valreach is not only limited to Soleviel, but other beliefs too, these are the main additions the Valrean people embrace.

The reencarnation of Akheras
The Soleviel followers in Valreach believe that Akheras, the draconic spirt of the Ultimare, would be trying to get reencarnated to a mortal being in the Hemnerei. That would be achieved through some regions of access between the Immerium and the Hemnerei. Regions such as the Tunnels of Nidaros. Little shrines in honour to Akheras can be found all across the Drakeslands to pray for the spirit.

This believe is very related to the legend of the reencarnation of The Autarch and the symbolic Dragon of the leader of the fallen Regnum Drakaes. Prayers of Akheras in the region pray for the spirit to be reencarnated into the soul of The Autarch, Tiffany Canalopin. Some of them even believe that Tiffany was born already as a reencarnation of this spirit or that the spirit entered her through the Nidarosean Tunnels.

The Pale Horse
The Pale Horse, commonly known as the cum horse, is a mhytical creature, which spirit remains on the Hemnerei. It was a equine creature at the service of Arose. Blessing the world with fertility. Arose is commonly represented riding the Pale Horse in the Drakeslands.

The spirit of the Pale Horse is worshipped specially on the Eldhamite region of the Drakeslands. The local worshippers, even the ones not followers of Soleviel, usually pray for the resurrection of the horses they rode in life. If the prays are heard by Erose, they revive the horses into genderless skeleton creatures.

The spirit of the Pale Horse could be found in every single one of this specimens, reincarnated to give them a second life.

The Lion of Nidaros
The origin and nature of the Lion of Nidaros is unclear. It was an ancient spirit worshiped by the locals of Nidaros long ago. It represents strenght, courage, honor and greatness. It’s the main symbol of the city.

Valrean Soleviel followers believe that it may be a spirit sent by Solaris to stop Caligo’s influnce in the distorted region of the undergruond Nidaros, the tunnels. its main propose would be stop the biggest threat of the tunnels, The Mole King.

The Mole King and his kin
The Mole King is a twisted spirit of the Immerium, serf of Caligo. One of the many creatures that comes from the Immerium. The Mole King uses the Tunnels of Nidaros to find more souls to dominate and add to his horde. It is believed that the Mole King is the one responsible for the construction of the Tunnels.

The Ashen People of Ignium
Ashen is another word for what many refer to as fire, and the Ashen people are the main creatures of the dimension Ignium, represented as burning humanoid people of magma and Blackstone, who entered the Hemnerei through the Ancient Soleviel circle rituals, known to wander in the Isle of Nujh. Guided by Hypervoras, a major god that split from Solaris in his creation, representing wrath, impurity, and raw emotion, who is known to wander ignium and channel the flames of the people, and the dimension, causing changes to worlds and its people.

A Corrupted Ashen is a curse of Hypervoras upon creatures of Hemnerei, changing the creatures’ physical form and flames to a dark purple, and changing the mind, becoming controlled by Hypervoras, often causing wrath and despair for the one cursed. A case of this is Vix Aulian, becoming bloodlust and insane.

The Fiddle Mountain Goat
The Fiddle Mountain Goat is a spirit of music, poetry, and art, known to have played his fiddle on the Mountain of Heidrun. He is known for grabbing the attention of two explorers, whom heard sounds of eerie fiddle strings playing upon the mountain ranges. It is also said that the explorers traveled further up the mountain, making the music the goat played more clear and pleasing, and when approaching the spirit, the travelers felt a sense of euphoria and desire to dance. They learnt from the goat and how to play his music, and that he is playing his fiddle as a call to seek new protectors of his music and spiritual mountain. It's said that he told the young explorers that he must travel to another realm to adjoin the gods, and that he may soon return to continue his play.

Devotee's Of The Shroud
The Entity known as the Shrouded One is a being of mystery and cunning. It has kept its influence and notoriety at a small amount to keep it self secret. It mainly keeps its acts around its followers but its influence has been seen around the world of Eldham. The nature of The Shrouded One has been one of the most debated in the college of cardinals although it has been in the majority that it is of a benevolent nature.

Eagle of Valreach
The Eagle of Valreach is a spirit which is believed to be a colossal black Eagle, represented as a Edenheim Highland Imperial Eagle (Valrean Eagle). The ruler of the Valrean lands is believed to be connected and in control of this spirit. It is also believed that the Eagle is connected to the god of wrath and impurity, Hypervoras. It has been spotted soaring through the clouds of the Edenheim valleys and other places in the Valrean realm, as well in times of war. It is shown in the Valrean flag and Coat of Arms, holding Imperial scepters and the Valrean Shield and Crown. Symbolism of the Eagle represents the unity of the Valrean lands and loyalty to the Emperor of Valreach.

The Edenheim Highland Imperial Eagle is a large bird of prey, 80 cm in width and 220 cm in wingspan. All black feather with a dark gold-orange beak and legs and talons. It breeds in the mountains of Edenheim and migrates to the Saafir deserts in the winter.

Cuisine
Valreach hosts a range of different types of food across it's lands, a lot of it being fish, from special pufferfishes fished from the river of Segrespent, and dried whitefish from the Myrkira sea, along with cod from the Nujharian river, cursed with a blackstone molted deformation, making them cooked finished after leaving the river waters.