Axelm

Axelm is a small nation in Eastern Sparwood. That previously consisted of 3 towns that being Falongrad, Gaular and Válenheim. Falongrad was the first capital of Axelm, before it was moved and absorbed into Gaular. Axelm was once a capitalist town in the Empire of Frosmyre, then the Frosterium. After the dissolution of the Frosterium, Axelm bought the land from Frosmyre and declared independence. The town was later renamed to Falongrad, and a second one in construction, that being Gaular. After the abdication of the first king, the two cities were merged into one, creating the Gaular we know today.

Beginning
When Axelm began, it started as just a small barracks and a watchtower on the territory of the modern town of Gaular, the watchtower would later be known as the Great Tower of Axelm. Which is located at the Borders of Axelm and Tovarisha. The town additionally included a Castle known as ‘Castle Fraser’ which was built for Felix Anderson Fraser, the First King of Axelm. Felix’s reign would later be succeeded by his appointed successor and Illegitimate Son ‘his next of Kin’, James Alexander MacKenzie Fraser (Jamie) as the Second King of Axelm.

Palace Intrigue
The first King of Axelm had married a woman called Sylestia who came from a wealthy family called House Palencar, in the marriage, he would additionally have one other son called William who he did not favour all too much. Sylestia was understandably protective of her child, but she was ambitious and desired for her son to take their birthright being the Jamie throne. Jamie who was the King had to combat and unravel a number of his Stepmother’s plots against him. With him seeing off each but lacking the sufficient evidence to charge his stepmother with treason. This back and forth would come to a head when Jamie began to have this sensation that he was dying, believing that he was being poisoned and that his time is coming to an end. He, in a last-ditch effort to prevent his half-brother’s succession to the Throne, would appoint Sigismund Castellan (also known as just Galbatorix) as his successor seeing as he personally did not have children or offspring of his own, with him leaving behind a will to carry out this change of succession.

Although his Will was announced of Galbatorix as his successor moments before his death William with the support of his Mother Sylestia would quickly move to seize the Throne with Sylestia personally ripping off the official seal from the captain of the guard in protest of Galbatorix's ascension in their first confrontations. A brief civil war would take place between the two warring parties, with Sylestia and her son, in the end, being defeated and Galbatorix earning his crown through the right of Conquest, with the civil war over, an age of stability would begin to the grounds of Axelm under Galbatorix’s Leadership.

The Arrival of the Castellans
Following Galbatorix yielding the throne of Axelm to his father Skavier Castellans III, the Castellans from situated Alteniquia in the city of Konushum and its surrounding towns would migrate over to Axelm where they would settle the newly acquired land and restore it to its former glory.

Sonicspark5 a high steward in service to the Castellans would be assigned to look after the Town and its surrounding areas. He would arrive at Axelm with Marcus and Boris, to Gaular, where they were greeted by the Galbatorix and the few remaining citizens of the nation. Together they would begin the process of reconstruction of the town.

Knowing Sparwood’s Turbulent history and being prone to disorder and chaos, one of the first orders Sonicspark5 would issue would be the construction of a castle built on top of the remains of the abandoned fort. The Fort was once known as Fort Fraser or Fraser’s Castle. Named after the first ruler of Gaular and so it was decided to name the new castle in his honour as well until a better name would come around to take its place.

As more Castellans moved into Axelm they would bring over their religion that being the worship of Meep the incarnate additionally known as the Furnace God. Although Gaular still allows other religions to be practised behind the closest doors the remaining inhabitants of Gaular were practical people and so most picked up the belief of the Holy Furnace. with the general sentiment of you might as well believe in something that keeps you warm as well after all, being resounded amongst their citizens.

While the town kept growing with new citizens joining every week, the part of town from before the arrival of the Castellans soon become known as the old part of town. A farmer while harvesting his crops in preparation for a snowstorm would come upon a strange crop growing among his wheat. What he had discovered was a spice called Saffron which grew well in the cold climate of Sparwood. His discovery eventually came to the attention of the king and High steward who started large scale farming projects to obtain more for trading purposes.

Afterwards, Skavier declared that the town would become a large trade city once again, nowadays while the river may still be frozen over trade flourishes once more with caravans traversing the frozen rivers on foot and by the newly constructed roads over land.

Gaular
Far east of Rathnir in the frozen wastes of Sparwood lies a trading town called Gaular which is the current capital of Grand Castell. According to local historians, the City started out as a number of towns in the local area that were Mining outposts. After the Frosterium Collapse, Frosmyre will slowly release and sell off a large number of their territories and holdings with Gaular being one of the many to gain independence as a City-state under the name of Axelm. At the time of its independence Axelm only consisted of a few buildings with a watchtower on the border with Tovarisha, after a large iron ore deposit was found below the town it grew into a small trading outpost located in between Larok and the dwarven settlement of Mudrok. However, after the vein was mined out and the river froze over each week less trade came in until most townsfolk had moved on to other nearby villages. Most buildings fell into disrepair or were buried beneath the eternal snow, the town would be left like this until it came into the hands of the Castellans.

Main Governing Body
The King of Axelm is Galbatorix Arvack Neveran. He is the rightful king of our nation since its very beginning by right of blood. He is leading us to further successes and helping our nation to regain its wealth after the bad times.

The Great Houses
Houses' traditions derive from the beginning of all nations when influential families gained their advantages over the others. Great Houses have their bloodlines with every member recorded. Usually, Houses were founded by rich individuals who paid a fee in the amount of 10000$ to the nation, but House becomes a Great one due to their merits to the Axelm. To be said, every House has its own new member acceptance ways but often one can join a great house by invitation from the oldest members of the House. Nowadays only one family created the Great House. Royal House is the most influential but, as well, the most mysterious one. They have the power and the knowledge of the royal family. Some people even say that long ago first Royal house members were divine.

Religions
Axelm is religiously completely diverse. we accept all religions. The most famous religion in Axelm is the religion of The Dark Sun. We believe that one day, when there will be victory and peace among the people, the dark sun will rise. Though this would somewhat change with the arrival of the Castellans, with the Worship of Meep the Incarnate becoming the State-religion under their rule with practises of other religions now being allowed only behind closed doors.

Lore
Axelm had one notable death and that was Barry the First. A snowman that died on the way to his new home at Castle Fraser. The snowman would be replaced with Barry the Second upon the Castle.