Realm of Escharia

The Realm of Escharia was a nation located in the continents of Nieden and Syltör. It developped mainly around the town of Lileanen, and expanded greatly after the Fourth Aksemesai (Escharian civil war), which split the Siorvat of Escharia into several nations. Following the different phases of unrest within the Soleannan Empire, the Western Lands of Varmerion and Egalia, Lileanen, Andorn, and Wivamovia were united under the leadership of the Seqerie Royal Family.

Due to this conflicutal history, the Realm of Escharia claims to be the successor of both the Soleannan Imperium and the Imperium.

History
The history of the land is convoluted and has had many reformations of government and re-naming as lands have joined and left the nation.

Formation
The proclamation of the Kingdom of Necrazel is the final outcome of the Aerene Crisis, which in 1688 ASC (May 29, 2022) saw the death of Yazov an Akratii, emperor of the Imperium. Immediately, his son Nicholas Yazov an Akratii took over the power among the widespread unrest inside the city by seizing the wealth of his father gathered in the capital and enforcing authority with the help of the people of Necrazel.

Blaming the nobles of Aerene and the Soleannen clergy (Kirrentai) for the madness of his father, Nicholas denied the legitimacy of both the Church and the Escharian state. He’d form a city-state for several months, ruling with his wife queen Aelin an Aurorii, daughter of Aurelian an Aurorii and Aerith via Sinclair, and first princess of Aurora. This Realm also included the land of Ardat Azael. The Island of Tessel was later bought from Aurora in 1691 ASC (June 11, 2022).

Third Escharian Succession Crisis
After the death of the Emperor, Luci an Aesperii would be appointed as Empress of Escharia. Trying to reunite the city of Lileanen with the Empire, Luci approached Nicholas. After a series of meetings, they’d agree in 1698 ASC (July 17, 2022) on a shared vision and the following terms were proposed to the Escharian Kesevor Council: in exchange of reunification, Escharia would become a diarchy ruled by both the Empress and a Grandmaster. The Escharian Empress would primarily govern over civilian and clerical matters, while the Grandmaster would lead and manage both the Order and military matters of Escharia.

However, facing the joint pressure of the Soleannen clergy and the nobles of the eastern duchies, Empress Luci an Aesperii resigned in 1701 ASC (August, 03, 2022) and retired inside the castle of Gentumar. This hostility had her prefer to join the Kingdom of Necrazel, which withdrew completely from the Soleannen Church.

Vassaldom under Bardonia
As tensions remained high between the Kingdom of Necrazel and its neighbors of the new Escharian state, Necrazel, sought protection under its main rival, the Dandelist Empire of Bardonia.

While Bardonia had successfully annexed the province of Egalia and was claiming the western territories of the Siorvat of Escharia, the town of Varmerion had rebelled against the Escharian Dazoqan, siding with Nicholas an Seqerie. As such, Bardonia recognized the Kingdom of Necrazel as the true successor of the Empire of Escharia and in 1708 ASC (September 08, 2022) convinced the Seqerie to claim the mantle of the Kingdom of Nieden, the original niedene state of the western escharian territories whose capital was Varmerion.

Ultimately, a peace agreement was realized between the Kingdom of Nieden and the Siorvat of Escharia, avoiding war and maintaining a status quo with a leadership loyal to Nicholas but still recognized as part of the Siorvat.

Late expansion after the Escharian Aksemesai
In the middle of the civil war of the Aksemesai, the armies of Bardonia were able to seize the Escharian capital, Lostesrei in 1712 ASC (September 27, 2022). This crisis led to the collapse of the the Siorvat of Escharia, with all Dukes and the soleannen cardinal agreeing to join the Empire of Simulami.

But as Simulami was unable to enforce the return of Lostesrei, and following the demands of their nobles, the Dukes of the western duchies of Varmerion and Escania preferred to retreat from the initial agreements with the Empire of Simulami. Instead, they asked the protection of Bardonia under a newly formed kingdom of Vasterien, dealing directly about the return of Lostesrei.

However, Nicholas an Seqerie wasn’t informed by the terms of the this treaty, which included to renew the agreement made between the Siorvat and the Kingdom of Nieden about the town of Varmerion. Outraged, he strongly opposed the agreement and, backed by Luci, asked the Escharians for compensation. Simultaneously, the leaders of Vasterien grew impatient of recovering the town of Lostesrei, and manifested their annoyance by sending official messages of independence to the neighboring nations.

As tensions reached a climax, the negotiations ended the next year in 1713 ASC (October 4, 2022) with Bardonia tearing down the treaty and contesting Vasterien’s demands. Fearing an aggression from Bardonia, the leaders of Vasterien returned to the Empire of Simulami for protection. However, the territories located south of and west of Lostesrei and Varmerion couldn’t be annexed by Simulami. Eventually, Nicholas purchased Lostesrei from the Bardonians and the Escharian towns that weren’t annexed by Simulami joined the Kingdom of Nieden. Due to religious and political proximity, Andorn joined during this time and the provinces were split into Andorn and Wivamovia.

Egalian independence and proclamation of the Realm
As the conclusion of the second stage of the Second West March War, found itself in a difficult situation with different secessionist movements. As a consequence the mayor of Celtenn, Eros An Aesperii-Crimarii, declared independence from Bardonia with the help of Ryzan in 1718 ASC (October 24, 2022) under the name of the "Kingdom of Egalia". This new state, which agitated the escharian nationalists, was perceived by a threat by neighbouring Simulami. As such, Eros decided to join the Kingdom of Nieden the year after, in 1719 ASC (October, 31, 2022). The territory of Egalia joined the Duchy of Core Escharia. Strenghtened by this expansion, Nicholas was ready to proclaim the formation of the Realm of Escharia at the same date.

Considering the fact that Egalia had seceded from Bardonia, Nicholas openned discussions with Bardonia in order to have his overlord accept the land transfert. After years of negociations, a final agreement was made in 1724 ASC (November 29, 2022): the Realm of Escharia would conserve Egalia and declare independence from Bardonia peacefully through the payment of a compensation.

Reunification with other niedene nations
During the Escharian Sping in 1734 ASC (January 16, 2023) Lyras Soleari declared independence from the empire of Simulami. Two years after, the Kingdom of Wheatonia joined the Realm of Escharia as a vassal in 1736 ASC (January 24, 2023). Eventually the same year (January 29, 2023), the Realm of Escharia merged with Lyras Soleari and formed the Soleannen Realm of Niedea. This new state eventually integrated the other niedene states which brought free from Simulami, the Kingdom of Vasterien in 1742 ASC (February 28, 2023) and the Kingdom of Creed the year after (March 04, 2023), reforming the Soleannen Empire.

Escharia, Suderen, and Soleanna
Old Escharia's home region is now located in the Crownlands and Lyras Soleari. 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 are very warm but this changes when one heads south towards Iabet. 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.

Varmerien
The western Realm is integrated within a sole Duchy of "Core Escharia" which compromises the former Duchy of Egalia and most of the former Duchy of Varmerion. The western side of the continent of Nieden is marked by a climate remains to the Nieden Valley, being bordered by the cold Phagosian Sea and hemmed into the incredibly cold Siritahlene. This area has great continental influences and can experience severe storms. It 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.

Biodiversity
The lands of the continent of Nieden are rich in wildlife. Many different kinds of wild animals have been documented by Escharian zoologists across the region and the surroundings. Nieden is a relatively temperate continent with a cold climate. This, along with the effects of the last ice age, have caused many of the local organisms to be well adapted to cold weather, much more so than many of their warmer-weather kin.

The list of the ground niedean bestiary noticeably includes wolves, frog, testudines, cervidae, caprinae (in the southern Siritahlene) and camelidae (in the northern Siritahlene). A great variety of birds is also represented, with the penetration of exotic species from Theionikos in Vasterien and Southern  Varmerien.

Government and Politics
As the successors of the Second Empire of Escharia, the structure takes form in three levels. The influence of past government over the internal administration was emphasized in the recreation of a new Escharia. Modern scholars recognize the influence of etscharii arciesme (Escharian authoritarianism in Asteri) in the organization of this Empire but deem it reformed as they underline the influences of the Soleannan Imperium and a more collective decision-making.

Ruling family of House Seqerei
The Heads of state are the King and Queen, who are currently Nicholas an Seqerie and Aelin an Seqerie. Nicholas usually deals with external politics, while one of his Hands substitutes him in case of any absence. The couple has no children.

Seqerie is Arete for "Martyr" or "Fallen," as the creators of the name both have been outcast from highly dignified royal families and governments, and joined to create a new dynasty of peace and growth for Escharia.

Government
The Lily Council (Lilea Arkeai in Asteri) is the group of trusted advisors that assist in decision-making for the country. Advisors (Kesevors) may attend most of their meetings. It's composed by important figures, mostly founders of the nations, plus the leaders of the different regions.

The Noble Court (Ferrant Arelei in Asteri) is composed by a serie of families and prominent society members which assist in daily running of the nation.

Government of the provinces
Each region, Wivamovia, Andorn, Core Escharia and Crownlands, are ruled by distinct rulers whose statues varies due to previous historical ties. The regions of Wivamovia and Andorn are self-governed, while the other regions are heavily centralized and may not indulge into foreign relations for themselves. An Ahroqan (Duke) was appointed for the Core Escharia lands while the Crownlands are directly government by the Seqerie Family.

Akesors
Mayors (Akesor in Asteri) are the closest officials. Just like under previous Escharian empires, they thrive of an important autonomy but their institutional status is determined by the central government and their actions stricly controlled by the Ahroqan.

Guilds
The following guilds were directly depedent on the Queen Aelin: Architecture and Design, Art and Journal (Lorewriting), Artisan (Brewing, Cheese, etc.), Fishing, Trade and Resource, Map and Traveller's (Quest Boards) and the Imperial Watch.

Military
The military corpse of the Realm of Escharia was the Ivoras' legion, divided in combat corpse and logistic corpse. Its name and structure were adopted in continuity with the heritage of the Soleannan imperium and Second Empire of Escharia, as it was run by the former Soleannen Ikaritor (inquisitor) and Iksare (Empress) Luci I Aesperii.

Beyong these symbolical elements, the structure of the Legion was designed by Hazel McSpiegel.

Religion
The different provinces within Escharia have different levels of religious liberty. Crownlands, Andorn, and Wivamovia experience full freedom of religion in continuity with the imperial law of the Imperium. However, the Soleannen pantheon (Solaris and his Cohort, the Kirsii in Asteri) is still the most followed.

If the western realms remained under the Soleannen Mandate, which enforces conversion of all the citizens permanently living in a certain area, the Western Soleannen church initially adopted a position of de facto estrangement, but not split from the clergy. In 1727 ASC (December 13, 2022), the feud was ended as the Ahroqan (Duke) of Core Escharia required more recognition of the members of the Western Kirrentai to the Eqeris (Cardinal).

Social structure
In prior Escharian nations, most of the social cohesion was ensured by the Soleannen clergy, which even had an autonomous military branch. Consequence of the structure of the Second Empire, akesors also occupied a highly prestigious position. However, as a consequence of the feud between the government and the Kirrentai, the Realm of Escharia developped a highly statutory society based on state-sponsored organizations such as the Legion, the Guilds and the political courts.

This weakness of independent intermediary bodies was highly enforced by the government which promoted cooption and identifyed citizens as members of their guilds before citizens of their towns. Subsequently, belonging to the Legion or being designated as a member of the Noble Court gave more prestige and political power than being an askesor: while their actions where strictly controlled by their Ahroqan (Duke), they were admitted into the Noble council only under strict cooption rules.

Traditions
Escharia is an old and established nation with rich history and Niedene traditions, centered around morality and honor. Music and festivals with dancing are often held throughout the land, celebrating Soleannen holidays or gathering for an occasional market day. The acceptance of all races and cultures is highly encouraged in the capital, the nation's largest city. Beauty and cleanliness are aspects often valued amongst society.

Language
Due to the proximity with the eastern escharian duchies, Lileanen maintained itself within the asteri language continuum.

In the western duchy of Core Escharia, where variants of Thadii are still spoken in rural area, the nobility assured the transmission of the Court's codes.