Fursten Isles

Overview
The Fursten Isles are a small number of islands which centre around Furwood Island. The land is apart of The Realm Of Athinikas. The location itself is characterized by its big Furwood (Custom Spruce) trees which are local to the city, and its large urban sprawl which is overgrown and lush. The northern island is named the Dawn Island in the north, the south-western island is called the Vulcan Island, in reference to the local volcano, and the final island is called the En Valdius Island. Furwood Island hosts the vast majority of Fursten's population, whilst the Vulcan islands host most of Fursten's splendor and economy. The Vulcan Islands also are home to Neu Vedrin, the economical and gambling hub of Athinikas.

Foundation
Beginning as a small settlement, The Fursten Isles was founded by the Von Vulpes family, who immigrated from Plagos alongside Adino Von Vietca to aid him in created the Republic of Aetheria. After the death of the founders, the settlement was lightly directed by Adino, before it was given to Fae Von Vulpes to govern once she turned 19. In attempts to be better for her parents, Fae Von Vulpes developed the settlement to a town, and from a town into a city.

Katsuken Integration
As of September 2023, the town of Katsuken was integrated into the Fursten Isles, after its former leader, Bunyipita, resigned from his duties. He now lives in a small house on the isle, retired. After its integration into Fursten, Carithos transformed the Katsuken peninsular became a set of islands, forming an archipelago dividing Montroig and mainland Athinikas.

This incorporation into the isles spiked controversy between Montroig and Aetheria, due to the Montroigian belief of the lands being theirs. This has caused disputes both with Aetheria and Ashai. This was resolved November 2023, in which the king, Asortil En Valdius, sold Furstenite land without the permission of Fae Von Vulpis, loosing three quarters of the isles, causing a cold rift between Fae and Asortil.

The Montroig Land Deal
Before the deal, Fursten comprised of the Furwood Island in the centre, the small Foundation Islands in the south, the Dawn Island to the North, the Island of Tanagra to the west, and the Vulcan islands to the south-east.

The land deal sold the Island of Tanagra, the Foundation Islands and one of the Vulcan Islands to Montroig. This was done without the knowledge or approval of Fae Von Vulpes, who was justifiably outraged that she had not been consulted about the negotiations.

Before the purchase, Fursten owned a small portion of the Island of Tanagra, which was the nations name for the island that Amarillo was founded on. Tanagra In Thae meaning 'together', as was the aim of many Furstenites was for Montroig and Aetheria, Amarillo and Fursten to be together as one. At the time of purchase, what little land claimed by the town is known at the Tanagra corridor, and was home to very few people and a defensive wall, built to withstand a foreign attack.

Flag
The Fursten Flag was created before its official integration into the Second Republic of Aetheria. Whilst it was informally apart of the First Republic, Adino sought fit to work With Fae to make its merge official. After its integration, the city flags were outlawed in order to promote unity amongst the Aetherian people. Yet have since been revitalized under the reign of Asortil En Valdius, to a limited degree.

The flag was designed to represent the Furstenite people's plea to be officially seen as Aetherian, and as a stage of their integration into the Aetherian Republic. The flag was designed by a local Furstenite, who explained that the blue was to be representing the unity with the Aetherian brethren. The white symbolized purity of the people, and the green symbolized the lush lands of the Furstenite people. The gold represents the wealth and prosperity to which Fursten provides to its citizens.

When appointed to govern her family's town. Fae returned the flag, only to be scrutinized by Adino Von Vietca, and the design shelved until the reign of Asortil En Valdius.

- Central
Central is the heart of Fursten. At its centre lays the spawn and the fountain which at the top is a statue dedicated to the Lunaist & Eclipsian God Of Life, Carithos. Surrounding the mural, many homes scatter the land, and a clock-tower rises amongst the skyline. It is rumored that below the fountain lays the beating heart of Carithos herself, yet there is very inconclusive evidence to this theorem.

- Port Noble
Home to ships and merchants alike, Port Noble is a hub for trade and commerce amongst the Kushite Sea. It ships all across the Kushtite Sea, and supplies the common Furstenite with products and livestock from the local trade hub on Dawn Island. Common exports of Port Noble include, but are not limited to, wool, Furwood, and Carithusian Crystals.

- St Vulpes Cathedral
The massive cathedral, lays as a beacon to the power of the city's matriarch, Carithos. Built into an active volcano, the site is home to the religious service and upkeep of Eclipsian Furstenites. Beneath the main cathedral sits the archives, which contains a collection of Rathnir's many works of literature. The site also houses many of the city's dead. Nobility are buried in the graveyard, whilst underneath the Cathedrals foundation, rests a maze of catacombs for the majority of the cities dead.

-Government Building
(Also tba, however will host treaties and political meetings)

- St Epitchian Church
St Epitchian is a holy site amongst Eclipsian Furstenites. The quaint church, provides solace to those who cant make the pilgrimage to St Vulpes Cathedral, and houses the dead of many family generations.

- Stirling Castle
The structure is a lush and overgrown castle, which acts as a final point of defense. The castle itself is reserved as the home of the current Notarius. The castle grew from the ground, and formed right in-front of Fae Von Vulpes when she was merely 8 years old, forming her local home.

The Beginning
Before the modern day settlement of Fursten, the Pre-Furstenite people lived within a barren desert. Until one day small sprouts sprung from the desolate landscape. Within a week, rains brought new rivers to the land, a month, and the previous desolate landscape became a lush utopia to be.

The land was further settled and a sprawling city as its known today was developed. Whilst the city centre was chosen seemingly at random, it is believed that the living heart of Carithos herself lies deep underground, below the structure. Many Furstenite Eclipsians point to the sudden and rapid development of the land to support mass life as proof that Carithos herself wished for people to inhabit the space, however amongst many Eclipsians outside of the Isles, the general consensus is that this is not to be the case.

Modern Fursten Eclipsism
(To be added in a later date)

Carithusian Crystals
Carithusian Crystals(Amethyst Crystals) are the city's source of power. Furstenite Eclipsians believe the crystals, which dot the isles, were a gift from Carithos, for loyalty and devotion to the care-taking of the land and their dedication to upkeep of the local flora. The Crystals themselves have been, since the first settlement, harvested and used within civilian technologies such as factories and airships, with rumors of potential military applications.

Geography
Fursten is located in the northern Zhaitker region of Haven, in southwestern Rathnir. Its people enjoy a tropical climate, as cold winds from the Kushite Sea, travel downward, before reaching the boarders of Montroig. Fursten itself is separated into a small set of islands which reach from the Kushite Sea to the Zhaitker Gulf. The terrain is very hilly, and at times mountainous. The Vulcan Islands see frequent geological activity, because of the local active volcano, Mount Vulcan.

The Fursten Isles boarder The Federal Republic Of Montroig, and its towns Amarillo, Terroja, and New Baldia.