Solycia

Jarldom of Solycia
Solycia, also known as the Jarldom of Solycia, is a valdic redorivian nation located in the northern region of Astios, within the western territories of Eldham. This area is renowned as the ancestral heartland of the Solycian people, with the Balistarian tribe of solycia standing out as one of the oldest and most significant cultural groups in eldham dating back to 70 (TE). This mystical region nestled along the shores of the Lycaen Sea, hence it's name ; 'Solycia,' which translates to 'Sun (Sol) of the Lycaen (Lycia) Sea' in the sacred Angelic language. It's a place where the natural world seems to touch the divine, and it holds a special place in the heart of those who follow the Essentist faith. The genesis of Solycia's establishment is deeply intertwined with the journey of Jacob Otto Liberatus and the profound legacy of the Temple Island Scrolls.

Founding and History


In the summer of 276 Traveller's Era (TE), Jacob Otto Liberatus, fueled by a divine mission and his devotion to Essentism, embarked on a quest inspired by ancient scrolls left by his father. These scrolls spoke of an uncharted island, a place of profound significance in their faith and culture. Guided by these writings and driven by a deep spiritual calling, Jacob journeyed through unknown waters and discovered what would later be known as Temple Island. This discovery was important for Jacob, it was the realization of a prophecy central to his faith entwined with his father's legacy and his own spiritual destiny.



Temple Island
Upon his arrival at Temple Island, a land whispered of in the ancient scrolls left by his father, Jacob Otto Liberatus was met with a sight that stirred his soul. The island, though desolate, was veiled in ancient, underground ruins. These were not just remnants of a forgotten time; they were the echoes of his own lineage. The ruins bore the distinctive architectural and cultural imprints of the Balistarian Solycian tribe, a noble lineage to which Liberatus belonged. The ruins and tunnels provided irrefutable evidence that Liberatus had indeed found Balistar, the ancestral homeland of the Solycians, long shrouded in mystery and legend. This profound realization resonated deeply with Liberatus, reinforcing his conviction that his destiny was intertwined with the revival of his people's presence in this sacred land.



Essentist Temple of Gathering
The primary task before him was the construction of a temple, a physical manifestation of devotion to the All-creator, the central deity in Essentist belief. By building this sacred space, Liberatus aimed to create a focal point for his faith and its followers, providing a place for worship, reflection, and community. The establishment of the temple marked the birth of Solycia as well established region within Redoriv. Its creation wasn't just an act of religious observance but also a significant sociopolitical event. With the temple at its heart, Solycia began to grow, attracting followers of Essentism and other settlers inspired by Liberatus's vision. As the founder of Solycia, Jacob Otto Liberatus became a central figure in its development, leading efforts to build not just the temple but also the emerging community around it. Under his guidance, Solycia was not merely a place on a map, but a living embodiment of the Essentist prophecy, a sanctuary for the faithful, and a testament to the enduring spirit of human devotion.

Ancient king summoned back to Eldham (290 TE)
In the Spring of 290 Traveller's Era (TE), a remarkable event occurred, it was the extraordinary reunion of Jacob Liberatus with the spirit of his long-lost father. This reunion was made possible through the mystical powers of the eternal blue orchid of Drakhma, a legendary entity known for its spiritual significance and extraordinary powers. The orchid facilitated a temporary bridging of realms, allowing Jacob's father's spirit to return to Eldham.

Identity of Jacob's Father
In a twist of fate laden with historical and cultural significance, it was revealed that Jacob's father was none other than King Bjork of Balistar (also known as _Monkes_ or Monkeyman), a figure of great importance in the region's history. King Bjork was recognized as the very first person to settle in this specific area of Eldham ( in july 7th 2021, Fall of 69 TE ) later known for his revered status as the venerable King of the Viking Volk of Balistar.

Acknowledgement and Inheritance
During this mystical reunion, King Bjork, known amongst his kin as Monkeyman, expressed deep pride in Jacob Liberatus for his stewardship and the transformation he had brought to Temple Island, turning it into a beacon of faith and community. In a significant posthumous act, King Bjork proclaimed Jacob Liberatus as his rightful heir, entrusting him with the revered Blade of Balistar. This blade was a symbol of leadership and valor, accompanied by other personal gear of King Bjork. This act of inheritance was more than a mere transfer of possessions; it symbolized the passing of the torch from father to son and served to revive the ancient name and spirit of Balistar within the modern context of Solycia.

Legacy and Cultural Impact
The events of 290 TE marked a significant chapter in the history of Solycia and Eldham. The spiritual reunion, the acknowledgment of Jacob's lineage, and the inheritance of the Blade of Balistar were seen as not just personal moments for Jacob Liberatus but as events of cultural and historical importance. These events reinforced the bonds between past and present and were perceived as an embodiment of the guiding spirits of the All-Father and the ancestors of Solycia. They were hoped to guide Solycia, Redoriv, and all of Eldham on a path of truth, justice, wisdom, and success.

Government
Solycia is governed as a Jarldom reflecting the region's rich cultural heritage. The Chief Jarl, Head of House Balistar, as the paramount leader, holds significant authority over the realm, managing both internal affairs and external relations with the Republic of Redoriv. Solycia is divided into provinces, each led by a Jarl with considerable autonomy to address local issues, from resource management to cultural preservation. A Council of Jarls, including all provincial leaders and headed by the Chief Jarl, serves as the main decision-making body, operating on a majority voting system. Public assemblies happen every week in Temple Island and encourage community involvement, allowing citizens to influence decisions and policies. This governance structure, blending traditional leadership with democratic principles, ensures Solycia's adherence to its historical roots while addressing contemporary needs.

The Temple Island Squatting Dispute
Upon the turn of a century since the reign of the great King Bjork (Monkes) of Balistar, his son Jacob, ventured forth to reclaim his ancestral seat and on his land build the temple of gathering. The lands of Balistar, layed abandoned and unattended, the once bountiful fields fallen fallow, the hearths cold and the halls silent. The spirit of the land awaited the return of its rightful heir, and the Lycian sun needed to rise again.

Jacob and his faithful followers settled on temple island to build an Essentist temple and community during the era of Sylvania's dominion over Redoriv. Jacob and the inhabitants of temple island were not fully aware of the land's political ties and were soon thrust into conflict when Sylvania threatened to send their many mercenaries to demolish this sacred site. This threat marked the beginning of tensions between the people of Solycia and Sylvania.

The treaty of sands
This provoked the wandering King Sandy Rovin of Roddinbrok, for whom Jacob and the island held religious and ancestral significance, to council jacob on his next steps. Together, they crafted a treaty that would become the Treaty of Sands, a peace treaty between temple island and Sylvania, allowing Sylvania to claim sovereignty over the island provided that Liberatus maintained administrative autonomy and could promote Essentism freely in and outside Redoriv. The most impotant clause was that after one month, full ownership would revert to Jacob Liberatus. All Sylvanian leaders, including the imperial archon, agreed with the treaty and signed. However, the assimilation of Solycia's people into the Sylvanian socio-cultural fabric was immediately fraught with challenges.

The quick growth of Temple Island and the spread of Essentism worried the leaders of Sylvania deeply. To them, it wasn't just that the island was becoming stronger and more people were following this new faith, they became paranoid and started to see shadows where there were none, fearing that Jacob Liberatus might be an Aristios spy send by their adversaries to orchestrate their defeat. Despite such adversities, temple Island underwent a renaissance, blossoming into Sylvania’s number one most populated city, scoring higher than their capital Noxwind in their national census. Essentism thrived aswell, ranking as the third largest religion within the nation, and even gaining traction in neighboring regions like Ravenguard. Liberatus studied the Sylvanian state-religion called Nox Lucis at the Library of Noxwind, with that knowledge he often embarrassed Sylvanian officials in debates by quizzing them on their own religion, pointing out their lack of knowledge and inconsistencies in their own beliefs, but most importantly, defending his faith against the government's baseless defamations.

Sylvanian paranoia and anxiety reached a peak, leading to the immediate ban of Essentism and the punishment of its followers and allies of Liberatus. This action, one of several violations by Sylvania, not only contravened the peace Treaty of Sands but also undermined the pledges of religious freedom specified in their accord with Redoriv, escalating the issue to a concern for Redoriv as well, after debates and votes within redoriv, consequently, after extensive deliberations and voting in Redoriv, President LoneWolf formally proclaimed Redoriv's independence from Sylvania.

Independence from Sylvanian-Redoriv
Solycia's decision to seek independence from Redoriv was driven by a culmination of longstanding tensions with Sylvania, marked by a history of aggression, treaty breaches, and deceptive tactics, including the ban of Essentism and mistreatment of Solycians, which previously led Redoriv to declare independence from Sylvania. These issues persisted within the newly established Eldham Union, where the majority of the union's member states are former territories of Sylvania, rendering the Union a vehicle for Sylvania's continued dominance under the guise of a cooperative alliance. Redoriv, under President Ferdiadh, was illicitly merged into the Eldham Union—viewed by Solycians as an extension of Sylvania's dominion—without adhering to legal or democratic norms. This act of bypassing democratic processes to join what Solycia saw as an entity aimed at solidifying Sylvania's influence only deepened the rift, making Solycia's push for independence a direct response to protect its sovereignty and cultural identity. The breaking point for Solycia was witnessing the Eldham Union's continuation of aggressive tactics, including raiding map makers and other acts of aggression, which confirmed Solycia's fears and solidified its decision to distance itself. Ultimately, Solycia's move towards independence was a bid to reclaim autonomy from a union that threatened its values and the broader regional stability.

Proposal for Neutrality
In the aftermath of Solycia's secession and amid peace negotiations, King Jacob Liberatus's proposal to the Redorivian government for Redoriv's independence and neutrality through Non-Aggression Pacts with Orithia and The Eldham Union, including evidence of Orithia's non-hostile intentions to Redoriv, undercut Sylvania's fearmongering and bid for control. This strategic push for peace and neutrality challenged Sylvania's dominance, prompting them to declare war on Solycia in retaliation.

Decleration of War
Sylvania (Deez Nuts) declared war on Solycia, effectively annexing Redoriv by launching their war from Redorivian territory without the consent or approval of the Redorivian government, disregarding former President Ferd's admission of Redoriv's illigal joining of the 'coalition' of Deez Nuts and the process of Solycian reintegration into Redoriv.

Ultimatum
Solycia faced an ultimatum from Sylvania (Eldham union/Deez Nuts) demanding the surrender of all Solycian claims, with threats of total destruction to erase it's legacy before freeze of Eldham. Their demand was clear and has been non-negotiable : surrender all claims or face the consequences. In response, King Jacob engaged in diplomatic efforts with The Eldham Union, emphasizing Solycia's peaceful stance and the steps towards reintegration with Redoriv. Despite these efforts, the Sylvania leadership dismissed the proposition, expressing a clear intention to seize Solycian land. Solycia's firm reply was a challenge to Sylvania: to come and take the land by force.

Victory
Solycia, alongside war allies such as Orithia, the USSE, and the Gilded Gunpowder Pirates, successfully defended Temple Island from Sylvania ( Deez Nuts) assault. Not stopping at defense, they launched a counteroffensive to reclaim the lands illegally annexed and waged from, eventually returning them to their rightful owners, the former Redorivian state of Florandia. This strategic move ensured that these territories would remain peaceful and not be utilized for warfare during the ongoing peace negotiations aimed at Solycia's reintegration into Redoriv.



Solycia, an Angaelic name
According to the beliefs of Essentism, the Angels spoke the name of the Lycean sea without the 'K' sound as would be spoken in the Travelers' Tongue. Therefore, the name 'Lycia' reflects the divine and pure way the Angels pronounced it, and this pronunciation has been embraced and passed down through the generations.

Non-human Inhabitants of Solycia
Foxes ( Balistar forest )

Foxes
Temple Island, distinct in Eldham for its population of over 20+ foxes, offers a unique sight. These clever foxes are known for their special interaction with visitors, engaging in simple trades. Often found around the bamboo forest by the beach, but also in the temple of gathering, they add a charming and unusual aspect to the island experience.

Fröke
The Fröke are an ancient and fascinating frog race residing on Temple Island, the jewel of Solycia. With a history stretching back to times before human settlement, these once fierce berserkers have transformed into integral members of island society. Known for their captivating songs and culinary prowess in fish stews, the Fröki's journey from feared warriors to beloved inhabitants is a tale of change, adaptation, and harmony.



Hek__
Hek was an mysterious figure residing on Temple Island. His origins remain shrouded in mystery, but a peek into his basement revealed bizarre and somewhat unsettling collection: Manscout skin, assorted bones, peculiar blood mixtures, and an array of Vulpur heads and flags. This discovery has sparked a blend of fear and curiosity among the people of Solycia. Hek's presence adds an eerie twist to the island's lore. Where his mysterious tent still stands, now a peculiar tourist attraction opened by Liberatus.