Alessandrea

Alessandrea, formerly known as Asenroe or Aexandrei and known informally as Alexandria, is a large city straddling the border between Escharia and Yimmu-Audal in the Orranderlost Forest. It was known for it's library, the largest by area in all of Rathnir until it's ruin in December of 2021 by the Lithranorians. The city has been continuously Escharian since the 23rd of January 2022.

Ancient Era
Asenroe is one of the most ancient Niedene settlements west of the Siritahlene. The mildness of the climate and the fertility of the surrounding hills may have reminded the first Thaidian settlers of their original Wyngalian region. As population grew in western Nieden, the town thrived from its strategic position as a crossroads and became a trading hotspot between the eastern realm of the Escharian towns and the Thaidians, Reykarites and Lausarii trading towns. It saw its first Golden Era during the Soleannen Empire.

Providing the Thaidian towns with grain, Asenroe benefited from the trading of spices, silk and ironworks. Following the downfall of the Empire of Soleanna, Asenroe became one of the main outposts of the Kirrentai (Soleannen Clergy) in western Nieden and remained an important intellectual center.

Classical Era
Caught between the growing empires of Escharia and Yimmu-Audal, Asenroe had to seek protection under the neighbouring city of Corthaidh (Varmerion).

A delegation from Corthaidh, led by AJDx12, negotiated the joining of the city which was finalised at precisely 12:21 a.m. PST on the 2nd of December 2020. As such, it became a major town within the Kingdom of Egalia. It later joined the Empire of Escharia alongside the rest of the Kingdom.

However, just like most of the trading Thaidian towns, Asenroe began to decay after the downfall of the First Empire of Escharia.

Second Empire of Escharia
The city could grow only after the Second Empire of Escharia restored stability in the region. It start to grow again after a wave of Lausarii settlers arrived from Theionikos, looking for the protection of the Niedene people under Escharia, while the leaders of their homeland were restoring the traditions of the Audaladae dynasty.Led by Max, Hunderbar and Safaviyya, the town was refounded by the settlers on the 17th of July 2021 using the Lausarii translation of Asenroe, making the city “Alessandrea” with Max as its ruler. The three brothers would take the last name “Alzsandre”, derived from the city’s new name. Surveying the ruins of Alessandrea, they saw a city in an absolute state of disarray. The settlers destroyed the initial coastal wall and all other buildings, leaving only the Town Hall standing. The city rapidly grew in population and was at its peak from late August to early October 2021. Following the intellectual tradition of the town, its new inhabitants dedicated themselves to the construction of the Great Library of Alessandrea, which was the largest library in all of Rathnir by area. Constructed from sandstone, quartz, granite, gold and diamonds, the library was truly a sight to behold. The city had many homes for its inhabitants and was walled off behind 20 metre high stone walls, reinforced with the magical stone obsidian. Inside, there was also a 43 metre tall monument to the city, made from prismarine, quartz, gold and blue terracotta.

Towards the end of the golden age, Hirreath the Evangelist converted many inhabitants to Auralism. A schism occurred days later and the new religion of Pheonism was founded by preaching the devil, Pheonix. He had manifested in the form of one of the inhabitants, Jupixter20xo_ and was armed with the legendary sword Auralius' Will. Hirreath’s band from Pheonisia fought skirmishes with the Alessandreans and were on the brink of war until Max Alzsandre, Akesor of Alessandrea was temporarily banned for 3 weeks and the city began its decline. Max returned in early November 2021, but did not come back afterwards and the city began to ruin, with the claim disbanding in mid December.

Period of Decline
On the 23rd of December 2021, the ruins of Alessandrea were claimed under the name of “Athellos” by inhabitants of the neighbouring squatter settlement of Lithranor situated in the woods between Lostesrei and Alessandrea. From their original forest, the Lithranorians expanded in every direction, including the neighbouring Yimmu-Audalese settlement of Thera. While the Second Empire of Escharia was entering a period of civil war, the Lithranorians began planning to secede and declare independence as their own nation.

In Alessandrea, many buildings from the 2nd Empire Era survived the looting, including the Ancient era Town Hall, but were in differing states of disrepair. The city had been stripped of all valuable materials including the large quartz pillars of the library and all of the books that were once held inside it. The Lithranorians intended to demolish all of the buildings and build a new town on top of it, disregarding the history of the city. Under the rule of Athellos, the city did not progress much. Some small houses were demolished and new ones built upon them. The occupants made empty promises to rebuild the city more magnificent than ever before to make it seem like progress was occuring.

The Reclamation
After Irastle (emperor) Hadrian Vorpes-Delgrenzar had restored imperial authority over the western regions of the late 2nd Empire of Escharia, the expansion of the Lithranorians could properly be addressed and it was decided to treat them as seditionists. A delegation from Escharia arrived in Athellos on the 22nd of January 2022. It was former Akesor Max, who had been sent on behalf of the reformed Aesperium Niedea to negotiate the return of the city back into Escharian hands. With the full support of the Irastle, Max said to the Senate of Athellos: "'The Aesperium Niedea (formerly Escharia) has sent me, [Max Alzsandre], on a diplomatic mission to the city of Athellos demanding that it's leadership be surrendered to the Niedene Akesor of Alessandrea. This diplomatic mission is sponsored by the Imperator of Niedea, Hadrian Vorpes-Delgrenzar and backed by the Niedene ally, the Empire of Bardonia. The combined military might of the Aesperium Niedea and the Empire of Bardonia stands ready to attack the city of Athellos if you do not comply with our demands. However, we are willing to negotiate a deal to ensure a peaceful transfer of power, for example allowing all current citizens to remain in the city or small amounts of payment.'"The mood in the senate went from shock, to outrage and finally to fear. Max gave the senate 16 hours to vote on departure from the city, but the senate reached a conclusion in only 3. The city was to be handed over. However when departing, the senate gave the order to grief the ruins which resulted in considerable damage to many historic Alessandrean buildings. Minutes after the departure of the squatters, jupixter20xo_ and Max’s son, Joel Alzsandre refounded the city under the name Jupixtia in order to preserve what was left from raiders.

The city would be officially refounded in the early hours of the 23rd of January 2022 when Akesor Max was transferred leadership of Jupixtia, renaming it Alessandrea and ending the 1 month long decline. A great terraforming program would begin, resulting in the destruction of almost every building in Alessandrea, except for the Ancient era Town Hall. Many new buildings would be built during the Reclamation, such as the Monument to the Reclaimers of Alessandrea, the banquet hall, many houses, a sea wall and a new road. The foundations of the Church of Alessandrea were also laid.

After Athellos was thrown out of Alessandrea, the city of Lithranor would be disbanded on the 2nd of February 2022, with many residents fleeing to Thera while others would seek new paths in Rathnir. When the Alessandreans got word of the disbandment - motivated by the belief that Lithranor had looted their library - they descended upon the remains of the city; pillaging, burning and destroying whatever they could. The destruction of Lithranor was so thorough that as of today only small portions of the Lithranorian wall remain.

The Stagnation
Approximately a month after the city was reclaimed, the Alessandreans became less and less active, spending more time alone in their houses. The vengeful spirits of Lithranor had cursed them, pulling them all into a trance-like state. The annihilation of the city wasn’t enough to uproot the stain of Lithranor.

The Alessandreans were stuck in a never-ending nightmare of an alternate world, filled with 'assignments' and 'university'. As a result, progress slowed as February dragged on and was completely halted during March. Fortunately, the neighbouring Akesor of Karannatia and then Head of the Watch, Amir an Averroi took over the administration of the town in order to preserve much of the city and its artifacts. He also finished much of the terraforming which had begun months earlier, ordered the construction of a Temple of Sylene near the woods of Lithranor to calm the spirits of the area and placed signposts to prevent all future settlement.

During this period, the town also suffered from the Aksemesai, another civil war. While the town initially aligned itself with the Dazoqan of Escharia, it was assaulted and captured by rebel noble forces in order to secure the passage to Anosphey. The rebels constructed a wooden fort on the hill to protect against reclamation efforts.

The Restoration
On the 17th of November 2022, the Alessandreans suddenly broke free from their trance. Max Alzsandre emerged from his residence and was granted the title of Akesor of Alessandrea by Amir an Averroii, who returned their valuables. For this, the Alessandreans are eternally grateful to Amir.

The Alessandreans immediately got to work - Max, Joel, Safaviyya and rhomatic resumed construction on the city, completing many more houses, a warehouse, farm and extending the existing road. Joel and Andre Valios also finished constructing the magnificent Church of Alessandrea. As of today, much is planned for the city, including a new, bigger library, a dock, a military training complex, more houses and finally finishing the months-long terraforming process.

Yet Another Twist
As of April 3rd, 2023, the once-thriving city of Alessandrea had fallen into chaos. The Alessandreans had vanished without a trace, leaving behind empty houses, abandoned farms, and unfinished construction projects. The streets were littered with debris, and looters and savages roamed freely, taking advantage of the lawlessness that had befallen the city. Word of the city's downfall quickly spread to the Archduchess of Varmerion, and the Duchy took swift action. Its forces swiftly moved in to reclaim the town and worked tirelessly to restore order, driving out the lawless elements that had taken over Alessandrea.

Searching for an experienced leader to place the town into the hands of, the Archduchess was put in touch with Gwyn Frothac, previous Tidesage and Mayor of Valtara under the Simulami Empire, now dwelling in Arce Chaureste. While Gwyn grabbed the reins of the city merely a day later, he has already begun to form plans for how best to revive the sleeping giant.