Alda

The Kingdom of Alda, or simply Alda, was founded on January 6th 2022, by a group of Uldarashi refugees. Existing as a vassal nation under the Huitca Federation, the nation was founded on the ideals of freedom, security, and justice for all citizens. Since then it has gained independence from the Federation and developed its own culture, identity, and architecture that defines the land as truly unique in the world of Rathnir.

Pre-Founding
The Aldan people had first settled as a province of Savernia in the Second Empire of Uldarash, there they settled their first ever town called Nearon. But soon found themselves at odds with the Savernian Monarchy. The founder of Savernia Olly Ashwood had abdicated from the throne, allowing it to pass to his cousin Logan Ashwood, who began to demand more of the Savernian people and began to undo the rights promised by his predecessor. In protest, the Aldan people petitioned against the new laws to both Logan Ashwood and the federal government of Uldarash, who ultimately sided with Logan Ashwood in the crisis. Logan Ashwood then exiled the leader of the Aldan people, Uneasy, from Savernia but the Aldan people followed him to the land where The Kingdom of Alda would be born.

The Founding Era
The Kingdom of Alda was formed from a treaty signed between the Aldan people and the Hutican Federation where they became their own country, in exchange for vassalage. From there the people of Alda founded the first city of Haleos, the capital of their new nation, along with the laws and government that would come to define their identity. The Founding Era was defined by a period of mass construction across the small nation, where common people of all walks of life banded together in a time of crisis to restore stability to their civilization that was homeless.

The Expansion Era
Now emerging from the first years of the Kingdoms birth centered around the internal focus of development and the victory in the Aldan-Kiesaria War. The nation began to attract the attention of those around it resulting in the creation of the vassal nations of Goldburg and Zefrania joining the Kingdom along with The Vanyrian Union joining the Kingdom as a province. The Kingdom's population also grew in size to at its height being the 7th largest in Rathnir.

Additionally during this time was the "War of Deception" where Alda and Dreondor went to war with one another. This eventually resulted in the collapse and partial annexation of Dreondor into Alda. With lands formerly belonging to the Dreondorian province of Aganarian joining Alda and the Dreondorian province of Novatress being re-organized into a new nation called Caeli.

Architecture
One of the defining principles of the Aldan culture is the buildings of Alda, lead by a group of builders called the Department of Architecture. The defining characteristics of the Aldan style of building includes large wooden roofs, pointed in nature, with foundations and walls of stone. Along with grand buildings with cultural significance following the same building structure but on a larger scale. In the West, where the climate is hotter and savannahs dominate the land, buildings such as those of the city of Kala, follow a similar architecture but include terracotta, mossy stone and acacia. In the South, covered in deserts, buildings can be found made of sandstone although taking on the common theme of integrating nature into the infrastructure.

Entertainment
Drinking has always been a major pastime of the Aldan people, where bars and taverns are often filled with patrons after the working hours of the day. It has become a part of the Aldan national image to be able to hold one's drink better than other places in Rathnir. The act of drinking has incorporated itself into many aspects of Aldan culture including ceremonies, festivals, and business deals. Organised cage fights are also extremely popular throughout the whole Kingdom. Often taking place during large events or ceremonies, Aldans enjoy drinking while watching the showdowns.

Houses
The Kingdom of Alda has multiple (royal) houses, each being distinct and different from the other. Each house has their own goal, ideology and origin. One thing they all have in common however, are their ties to the Kingdom and its monarch. The current existing houses are:


 * House Amakiir (Headed by Helena Amakiir, Minister of Architecture of Alda)
 * House Saxon (No specific leader)
 * House Karhu (Headed by Mithandir V. Karhu-Jones, Minister of Culture of Alda)
 * House Dusksworn (Headed by King Uneasy of Alda)

The Aldan-Kiesarian War
Before the Aldan people had even reached the land that would become their nation, the neighboring nation of Kiesaria had built large sections of their capital over the official border of the two nations. As talks over the land between Alda, Hutica, and Kiesaria broke down, with it came violence between the two sides led by the Kiesarians when they conducted raids along border forts. The conflict soon sparked into war, yet only having one real battle. The Kiesarians surrendered on the 2nd of March, 2022, just minutes before the planned second battle.

The Aldan-Dreondorian War
The Aldan-Dreondorian War began on 20th of March and ended on the 12th of April, lasting a total of 3 weeks and 2 days. Before the war began, Dreondorian citizens formed raiding groups and attacked the bordering city of Kala. After 2 weeks of constant raids, along with the Dreondorian leaders refusing to accept responsibility of the raids, led to total war. After a coalition was made of 200 (EST) soldiers, the Dreondorians surrendered hours before the Battle of Zerith.