Soleannen Empire

The Soleannen Empire or Solean Irasterrei IPA:/so.le.an.i.ra.ster.rej/ in Asteri, is a nation in Rathnir that is spread across the continents of Sparwood, Syltor and, primarily, Nieden. As the successors of the Escharian empires, its state religion is Soleannen and the main race inhabiting it are the Niedene. It was proclaimed by the Iksare (Emperor) Nicolas An Seqere in 1745 ASC (12 of March, 2023) after the success of the Escharian Spring and the reunion of the different Niedene states that subsequently emerged.

Escharian heritage
With the exception of Andorn and Wivamovia, all the territories encompassed within the Soleannen empire were, at some point, directly controlled by an Escharian Empire. Other states such as The Realm of Escharia also claimed the heritage of the Soleannan Imperium, a successor of the Second Empire. The main elements of this heritage are the practice of the Soleannen faith and the predominance of Niedene races and culture, as much as a vertical political structure inherited from the Second Empire.

However due to a series of political crises and a civil war (Fourth Aksemesai), the Siorvat of Escharia was dissolved in 1712 ASC, leaving behind 3 separate political identities; these include the Realm of Escharia, vassal of Bardonia, Lyras Soleari and the Kingdom of Creed, both vassal of the empire of Simulami.

Escharian Spring
During the Escharian Sping in 1734 ASC (January 16, 2023), the nations of Lyras Soleari and the Kingdom of Vasterien declared independence from the empire of Simulami. They were quickly followed by the Kingdom of Creed. Two years after, the Kingdom of Wheatonia joined the Realm of Escharia as a vassal in 1736 ASC (January 24, 2023).

Soleannen Realm of Niedea
The same year in 1736 ASC (January 29, 2023), the Realm of Escharia merged with Lyras Soleari and formed the Soleannen Realm of Niedea. After 6 years, this new state integrated the other niedene states which brought free from Simulami, the Kingdom of Vasterien in 1742 ASC (February 28, 2023) and the Kingdom of Creed the year after (March 04, 2023).

Proclamation of the Soleannen Empire
The Soleannen Empire was proclaimed by the Iksare (Emperor) Nicolas An Seqere in 1745 ASC (12 of March, 2023) on the basis of the filliation recognition by his mother Luci an Aesperii. This makes Nicolas an Seqere-Aesperii the grandson of Valerian an Aesperii, ruler of the Second Empire of Escharia, and attached him directly to a family bloodline of Ehrli Iskare (Holy Soleannen Emperor). As such, the Soleannen Realm of Niedea is the third state to claim the title of Soleannen Empire after the First and Second Empires of Escharia.

Vassalization of Regonia
Following the instability of Valondor, the Kingdom of Regonia became a vassal of the Soleannen Empire in 1747 ASC (March 25, 2023). This situation is comparable with thevassaldom of Regonia under the Soleannan Imperium approximately 70 years ago.

Escharia, Suderen, and Soleanna
Old Escharia's home region is now located in the Crownlands and Lyras Soleari. Dominated by volcanic mountains, lush fields, and towering forests. The country had a large animal population, especially in wolves and sheep which can be found over. The northern reaches are dominated by swamps inhabited by many creatures such as wolves and boar. The forests of Escharia sport a high population of foxes which led to a lack of rabbits in the country. The Oceans off of Lileanen and Litoci are very warm but this changes when one heads south towards Iabet. The plains from Amilais to Azatori, passing through Litoci and Drakhasrei are very fertile which allowed the nation to host a very good food production. In contrast to this, the country experienced harsh falls and winters with blizzards often ravaging the land. In summer the country was known to possess a lot of precipitation due to large cold fronts from the east clashing with the warm west. There are many volcanic pockets and hot springs such as the caves outside of Litoci which accustomed to be a popular tourist spot for old Escharian citizens.

Nieden Valley
As one advances north of Lyras from the town of Amilais, they encounter a much colder region dominated by chilly forests in the Vale'du'nor (Nieden Valley) with cold swamps joining them. In addition to this the fields around Dorostadt (Tymarat) possess chilly autumns with mild summers, though noticeably chillier than in Soleanna or Escharia.

Siritahlene
The Siritahlene territories are mostly encomprised within the Kingdom of Vasterien, even tho the Kingdom of Creed as some mountainous influences around the towns of Galitz, Thanutabad and Solitude. This mountain range is known to have slim canyons with dozens of waterfalls and caves that run the heights of them. The middle chain is the biggest one and has the highest peaks, where the coldest temperatures of Nieden can be experienced. It's also the biggest chain. It is also highly volcanical in the east, around NisArkhall. Separated by a swamp from the middle chain, the northen chain has the longest winters and experienced scarce settlement during the era.

Varmerien
When one gets to Egalia in the western side of the continent of Nieden, the climate remains similar to the Nieden Valley, being bordered by the cold Phagosian Sea and hemmed into the incredibly cold Siritahlene. This area has great continental influences and can experience severe storms. It is not as Volcanic as the Eastern part of Nieden and generally as cold as northern Nieden, which makes the soil less fertile but still productive nonetheless when the Thadians give their hands up to the job. Southern Egalia is often Warmer than Nieden due to bordering the warm sand of Theionikos, creating the unique region of Orranderlost. The area by Alexandria has the most productive farms.

Tessel
The climate of Tessel demonstrates cold highlands in the west, and a warm eastern forest.

Biodiversity
The lands of the continent of Nieden are rich in wildlife. Many different kinds of wild animals have been documented by Escharian zoologists across the region and the surroundings. Nieden is a relatively temperate continent with a cold climate. This, along with the effects of the last ice age, have caused many of the local organisms to be well adapted to cold weather, much more so than many of their warmer-weather kin.

The list of the ground niedean bestiary noticeably includes wolves, frog, testudines, cervidae, caprinae (in the southern Siritahlene) and camelidae (in the northern Siritahlene). A great variety of birds is also represented, with the penetration of exotic species from Theionikos in Vasterien and Southern  Varmerien.

Government
The rulers, or Qesieri in Asteri, equally rule the Soleannen Empire. They are the Cardinal of the Soleannen Church Faezaron Eacci and the Royal family of Seqerie, Nicholas and Aelin.

They are assisted by the Imperial Regents, or Irastli Kormanti in Asteri. They are the personal assistant to each of the three Qeseri and may replace their Qesieri when they are away for a prolonged period

Called Aker and Akeri in Asteri, they are the rulers of a kingdom with the Empire, currently Andorn, Crownlands, Creed, Lyras Solearii, Vamerien and Vasterien.

Called the Lilea Arkeai in Asteri, the Lily Council is the group of trusted advisors that assist in decision-making for the country. Advisors, or Kesefors, 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 Council is called the Ferrant Arelei in Asteri, and serves as a lower court is composed of members from the prominent families of the Realm, the Great Houses and the Minor Houses, or designated by the Great Houses. Presided by the Hands, it assists the Rulers with the daily running of the nation and may propose laws to the Rulers. Its proposals may be vetoed by the rulers.

Subdivisions
Each region are ruled by distinct rulers whose statutes vary due to previous historical ties. The list of regions includes Andorn, Creed, Crownlands, Lyras Soleari, Vamerien, Vasterien and Wivamovia. They all have their own specific government and positions. However, as inheritors of the Escharian empires and Soleannan Imperium, the Archduchy of Varmerion, Lyras Soleari and Vasterien share many institutional features. Among them, each one has its own noble council, advisor, kesefor in Asteri, council and the staple political figure accountable for the enforcement of the Imperial authority and the Soleannen mandate is the mayor akesor in Asteri.

Military
The military corpse of the Soleannen Empire is the continuity of the Ivoras Legion in the Realm of Escharia, which itself claims the Heritage of the Soleannan imperium and Second Empire of Escharia.

The structure of the Legion was designed by Hazel McSpiegel, between combat corps and logistical corps.

Religion
If Soleannen is the way of life and religion of the Niedene people in most of the Empire, Andorn and Crownlands experience religious liberty. Note that the main religion of Andorn, Sannhet, has connections with the Soleannen Faith through the worshipping of god Ivoras.

The beliefs of Soleannen focus around the universe being inhabited by a multitude of spirits,  many of which resemble the Niedene form in some capacities. The chief spirits are the deities, most prominently the creator Anetos who gave life to the peoples of the world. Below the deities are their servants (the Kirsii, or Cohort), the patrons who often do the work of the deities.

It is believed that there are a multitude of realms, the main ones being the Hemnerei, Luminarium, and Anmarum. Ancestor worship is also the most common form of worship. To be inducted into the faith one must profess abandonment of all previous gods, profess faith in the ways of the Niedene, and they are then encouraged to be baptized in a body of water that flows eastwards. After the completion of this they will officially be declared a Soleannen Member.

Language
Asteri and its various branch languages are the most frequently spoken tongues across the empire, being primarily spoken in Lyras Soleari and Lileanen. A large majority of citizens also speak Traveler's Tongue in order to better speak with outsiders. Some regional variations to Asteri also are spoken, such as Amennrii Asteri. While maintaining itself into the asteri language continuum, variants of others niedene languages such as Gentarii, Thadii or Reykarite are still spoken in rural area in the western kingdoms of Creed, Varmerien and Vasterien, where nobility assures the transmission of the Court's codes.

Culture
The Soleannen Empire is the inheritor of the empires of Escharia, old and established nations with rich history and Niedene traditions, centered around morality and honour. 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 and the nation's largest city. Beauty and cleanliness are aspects often valued in society, placing a special emphasis on the natural world. This is partially due to the association of the outdoors with the natural way of the world, the gods, and spirits.