Empire of Escharia

Escharien, (also known as the Eastern Empire, and Escharia) is a state in the Northeast of the world of Rathnir. Escharien is a nation dominated by the Nieden Peoples. The capital of the nation is Kaiserslicht (Light of the Emperor). The empire claims legitimacy as a successor to the ancient Soleannan Empire, which they claim to be restoring.

Government
The Escharien government is an absolute government that highly relies on its caste system of nobility.

Emperor (Imperator, Kaiser): Has supreme authority over the nation and is accountable to none, rules from the capital Lileanen.

Princes: Princes (Prinz) rule major domains in the empire and have high authority over the other nobles and citizens. They are required to participate in the diet and may knight.

Dukes, Counts, Marquis: Counts (Herzog, Graf, Margrave) are owners of lesser realms, they are the owners of settlements outside the empire and have authority over all those below them. They are subservient to the Emperor and Princes, but may govern their own land by right. Diet attendance is necessary.

Lords (Barons): Barons are any landowners in the realm who have been appointed by the emperor to manage it, they may not appoint knights and cannot make laws for their land. They should still attend the Diet.

Knights: Knights (Ritter) are citizens who have shown potential and have been awarded an honorary position as one who may work in the Government with a minor role.

Free Citizens: Tradesmen and Craftsmen, honorary role that shows the dedication of the citizen to our nation

Citizen: Anyone who has joined.

Provinces of Escharien ruled by the nobility, have high local autonomy but must comply with direct orders from the central government.

Cultures and Religion
The primary culture and people groups fall within the Nieden people group.


 * Etscharii: Fullbloods descended of the Eastern Ignii tribes who founded the Escharian Empire
 * Riede: The Riede people come from the swamps and coasts of the Escharian home region, they are renowned for their sailing and fishing..
 * Hocii: The Hocii come from the forested hills of the Escharian home region and are renowned for their bravery, music, woodworking, and hot tempers.
 * Niede: The Niede come from the lowlands and river valleys of the Escharian home region, they are known for establishing their scholarship, eccentricity, and for their Capital of Kaiserslicht.
 * Solarii: Fullbloods from the Sea of Pearls who founded the Soleannan Empire.
 * Variscii: The Variscii are from the Soleannan home region and are known for founding the Soleannen Empire which preceded the Escharian one.
 * Amenner: The Amenner are from the land between Soleanna and Escharia and are known for their cuisine and trade skills.
 * Litocii: The Litocii are south of Firezzo and are known for the town of Castrillo. In addition to this they are renowned at fishing and cooking.
 * Wolinn: The are much more mixed with Niedene native peoples in the south and considered half-bloods by the standard of the Niedene. The Wolinn are found in the southern borders of the empire in tribes and forts.
 * Annwe: The Annwe are from the southwestern reaches of the Empire's forests and are known for their loyalty, architecture, and mines.
 * Ingare: The Ingare are a tribe that is heavily mixed with foreign settlers from the Taltos nomads in the south, they are known for their fort building and stubborn nature.
 * Vendarii: The Vendarii are from the southeastern part of the Empire and are known for their use of axes in war, reverence of dogs, and unique customs.
 * Nyleén: Considered to be half-blood due to of much mixing with native Niedene and are found by the northern reaches of the Nieden tribes.
 * Pamii: The Pamii are from the mountains north west of the Empire and are known for being hardy people i addition to their engineering.
 * Mukkonu: The Mukkonu are from the plains of Escharia and are renowned for their bow, horse-riding and general animal husbandry.
 * Ignarners: The Ignarners are found in by the coast in the north and known for their isolationist customs. They are also renowned for their use of highly trained staff-bearers. Though they're almost extinct.

Iconography of Escharien
The Wolf and Eagle are national animals. The Eagle is a symbol of Solaris, while the wolf symbolizes the bond between the people and their social hierarchy. The Water Lily and Lily of the Valley are the national flowers/plants of the nation and as such are highly revered by the people.

Religion
Escharien is predominantly Soleannen, with very few religious minorities. Soleannism follows the religious dogma according to the faith of Solaris, the chief God who is closely tied to the sun, but is distinctly its own being.

Artifacts and Texts
Escharians value Honor very highly and this is reflected in their collection of artifacts and texts. The speech of Emperor Siegfried von Aspach during the Turtlonian Wars titled The New Dawn speaks to Honor, Loyalty and Glory.

Artifacts of Escharien are spread throughout Rathnir


 * Blade of Escharia (currently held by Emperor Siegfried von Aspach)
 * Ceremonial Sword of the Emperor (lost in the Escharian-Yimmu-Audalad War)

Founding Legend
Escharien was founded when the Chieftain Auberon I united the Escharien tribes in a long war of unification. The final battle took place and on the ruins of the battlefield a great planned capital would sprout, this place would become Lileanen (Later Kaiserslicht). The government was quite decentralized due to the culture and government, which allowed the children of defeated nobles to be sent home and govern their ancestral lands as vassals. Several years later Auberon would die from an Ogre while on a hunting trip. He would be succeeded by his son Dietrich I who would start his reign by abolishing the old tribal system and establishing a feudal one and adopting the title Emperor of the Etscharii. Dietrich would go on to force the realm to adopt primitive infrastructure, newly developed construction methods, and a standardized script for writing. After Dietrich's death, several Emperors ruled without getting much done until a new emperor ascended, Siegfried von Aspach (Soleannen Name: Arminius Silvarii) In time the arts and culture of the capital would permeate throughout the realm due to the capital and empire's growth under Siegfried.

Wars Involving Escharien

 * The Turtlonian Wars (10/1/2020-10/8/2020)
 * The Poaching of Turtlonia (10/1/2020)
 * The Prelude Raid (9/30/2020)
 * Escharian-Yimmu-Audalad War (10/2/2020)
 * The Final Turtlonian War (10/8/2020)
 * The Escharian Civil War (10/4/2020-10/7/2020)