Realm of Escharia

The Realm of Escharia is a nation which rose from the ashes of the last Escharian civil war (Fourth Aksemesai), 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
This was the original nation seceded from the Imperium after the Aerene Crisis. After the death of the Emperor, his son Nicholas an Seqerie would take over the power among the widespread unrest inside the city. Blaming the nobles of Aerene and the Soleannen clergy (Kirrentai) for the madness of his father, Nicholas vowed to pursue the heritage of his father, who had restored the imperial authority over Escharia, and denied the legitimacy of both the Church and the Escharian state. For him, this defiance towards the authority of the emperor and the growing political influence of the Kirrentai could only lead to the weakening of the empire as a whole and constitute a threat to the future of the Niedene race.

In order to secure the future of an independent Lileanen, he seized the wealth of his father, gathered in the capital, and welcoming the people of Necrazel whose power and magic. He’d form a city-state for several months, including the land of Ardat Azael, and Lileanen.

Claiming the heritage of the Empire of Escharia, he’d use the wealth of his father to acquire the island of Lower Tessel, which had been sold to Aurora decades ago.

The 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 on a shared vision and the following terms were proposed to the Kesevor Council: Necrazel would join the Empire, and in exchange Nicholas would be appointed as head of a religious corpse.

However, facing the joint pressure of the Soleannen clergy and the nobles of the eastern duchies, Empress Luci an Aesperii resigned and retired inside the castle of Gentumar. This hostility had her prefer to join the Kingdom of Necrazel. Eventually, the holy relics of the East of Lileanen, Tessel and Gentumar were reunited and Necrazel would withdraw 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. Amon

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 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. 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 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.

Present Day
Having reunited all the Escharian holy places and capitals, with the exception of the Ascension site, Nicholas was ready to proclaim the formation of the Realm of Escharia.

Soon after, on November 29, 2022, the Realm of Escharia declared independence from Bardonia peacefully. Having stabilized its border, power and identity, it now remain peaceful and focuses on growing internally.

Crownlands

 * Lileanen (Capital)
 * Lower Tessel
 * Gentumar

Core Escharia

 * Lostestrei
 * Varmerion-Shaiaven
 * Alessandrea
 * Alistra
 * Celtenn
 * Belkadan
 * Karannatia
 * Ekesttori

Andorn

 * Pillars of the Sun
 * Orilin
 * Aerougan
 * Lviberg
 * Schwarzenberg
 * Kendalis
 * Fort Ursa
 * Embré

Wivamovia

 * Hinomir
 * Strol

Internal organization
As the successors of the Second Empire of Escharia, the structure takes form in three levels. The influence of past government and internal organization were emphasized in the recreation of Escharia for the new era.

Government
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 Lily Council (Lilea Arkeai) 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) is a series of families and prominent society members which assist in daily running of the nation.

Administration
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. A Duke was appointed for the Core Escharia lands while the Crownlands are directly government by the Seqerie Family.

Mayors (Akesors) 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.

Imperial Guilds
The government has sponsored many internal guilds and activities for citizens to be part of. The guilds include:


 * Architecture and Design
 * Art and Journal (Lorewriting)
 * Artisan (Brewing, Cheese, etc.)
 * Fishing
 * Trade and Resource
 * Map and Traveller's (Quest Boards)
 * Imperial Watch

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) is still the most followed

Intially, the Western Soleannen church decided to adopt a position of de facto estrangement, but not split from the clergy. It evolved only recently and dialogue was re-established between the Kirrentai and the government of the Empire.

The more fanatical sects of the religion allows for the persecution of non-Soleannen worshipers.

Culture
Escharia is an old and established nation with rich history and Niedene traditions, centered around morality and the family being the center of society. 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.

Formation of House Seqerei
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. Nicholas Yazov an Akratii, son of Yazov an Akratii, the proprietor of Lileanen, was the son of the Last Akratian who rose to power. Aelin an Aurorii, daughter of Aurelian an Aurorii and Aerith via Sinclair, and first princess of Aurora, had left her home nation after rejection and betrayal. The two met as Aelin was travelling under a pseudonym, and they fell in love. Eventually, they eloped, making Aelin the queen of the Realm of Escharia. The couple has no children.