Aesperium Niedea

Aesperium Niedea, later known as the Soleannen Empire of Niedea was a state located on the continent of Nieden. Successfully claiming the to be the successor of the Empire of Escharia, it embodied almost most of its former territory and was largely populated by Niedenes who believed in Soleannen. It is commonly referred by historians as The Second Empire of Escharia.

One of the main allies of the 3rd Empire of Bardonia, former overlord of nations like Arxella or Kartek, it came to be one of the most powerful nations in Rathnir. After several attempts of union with other friendly nations such as Yimmu-Audal or Viodoxa, Nidea would endure several crisis towards the end of 2021 and lose most of its territories.

After being formally reformed in January 19, 2022, Aesperium Niedea lived a period of stability and eventually reunited with the Empire of Asterien to form the Soleannan Imperium on March 6, 2022.

Previous situation in Nieden
Following the Escharian Ascension in 1593 ASC (February 1, 2021), the vengeful Spirits assured the protection of the that the areas of Nieden and Sparwood formerly part of the Empire of Escharia. However their power gradually declined as barbarians multiplied incursions over time. simultaneously, the Kirrentai (Soleannen Church) wasn't able to ensure full conversion of the newly established nations in Niedene lands such as Kornappi, Neurun, Wahat, Unterrech or Floramia.

First wave of expansion through diplomacy
In 1604 ASC (March 27, 2021) the former hero of the First Coalition War, Spirit and king of Cornflower Zylrm uhl-Znydyy claimed the Kingdom of Egalia with the blessing of the Soleannen Spirits and the Ekeris (Soleannen Cardinal) Jol.

After negotiations with other nation leaders in western Nieden, the seven nations of Nations of Cornflower-Egalia, Wahat, Unterrech, Rulagmos, Ailstra, Kornappi and Tymarat agreed to form "Aesperium Niedea". This state was constitued as a Soleannen confederation whose leaders became Princes of the constitued Estates. The leader of the nation held the title of Aesperii as a reference of the family of the leader of the Empire of Escharia, Severie.

Second wave of expansion through the intervention of the Kirrentai
As the nations of Escania, Arcos and Tel-Et established themselves south of the core region of Escharia, the Kirrentai claimed the remaining areas and placed themselves under the protection of Aesperium Niedea in 1606 ASC (April 5, 2021). The year after, Zelorm enters communion with Severie’s spirit who deems him worthy of being the only Successor of Escharia, mainly against the state of Flomaria whose devotion to Soleannen is contested by the clergy. The Soleannen church is thus placed under Zelorm’s authority, Zelorm adopts the name of Valerian an Aesperii and the definitive flag of the nation is adopted. The Escharian Duchy is claimed, citizens are converted with the appointement of Samael as Ekeris in 1609 ASC (April 22, 2021). However, the newborn Empire fails to invade Floramia or Krobun and resorts to diplomacy in order to annex Khuzdurin and Escania.

Rebellion of Unterrech
Main article: The rebellion of Unterrech

Having expanded greatly, the Empire kept the structure of the initial Confederacy and needed to consolidate its structure. It is in this context that the Estate of Unterrech issued a rebellion in 1609 ASC (April 24, 2021) by declaring war on the state of Floramia, and by extension, the Soleannen Order of Müviel. This act was considered as a treason by the government of Aesperium Niedea because Estates weren't allowed to declare war. Valerian I, who is also a member of the Handy Helpers, reached out to fellow Hands and Soleannan Spirits for aid in the coming conflict.

The battle happenned in the Unterrechi captital, Skar. The Hands quickly dispatch the Unterrechi Army after entering the Underground city through an unclaimed cave. They would leave when it appeared the Unterrechi had no more gear for the war. As a result of the battle, Skar was almost entirely destroyed and the population left the town.

Governemental consolidation
After the battle of Unterrech, Aesperium Niedea would experience a serie of internal changes, both strengthening the authority of the Emperor and the escharian heritage.

At peace with its neighbors, the nation experienced internal peace (with the exception of the crusade on Hilltown around mid-May) and sougt to consolidate its organization. The Estate system was abandonned in 1613 ASC (May 15, 2021), and a set a new laws was released the day after. Among them, the Unterrech Law strongly limited the possibilities for town leaders (akesors) to escape the control of the State. In 1622 ASC (June 26, 2021) a new government system was implemented. Simplified, the Emperor was confirmed as the sole authority above akesors while the kesefors would only have an advisory position. The densification of existing towns is encouraged, while first debates of decentralizations appear within the government.

Diplomatic expansion
During this period, Aesperium Niedea asserted its position as protector of the Soleannens, mainly through diplomacy. It also becomes to be referred as "Niedea". In 1615 ASC (April 24, 2021) the nation of Arxella in Sparwood becomes an Imperial protectorate on behalf of the protection of Soleannen worshippers agaisnt Fjellheim and UBSR. In the same way, Iremith, a nation in greater Tessel, also becomes a vassal of Niedea in 1625 ASC (July 20, 2021). Niedea would also refrain its participation in the invasion of Ryzan in 1621 ASC (June 13, 2021).

Second Trillium War
At the beginning of the Second Trillium War, the Emperor would express his support for Bardonia against Southern Invaders, due to Niedea's Membership in the Allium Alliance.

It was at this time it is believed that Emperor Valerian communed with St. Arminius, envoy of Ivoras, the god of war, who said:"'My Children, I speak for Ivoras, God of War. The Escharians have fought in the same situation as you, we stand with you from the Luminarium. You are as Escharian. You will fight for our homeland so that the Niedene may be free another day. This is a Holy War! You will join us one day, but before you join us make sure you send as many of the enemy as you can to the Immerium. You will show the world who the Niedene are and you will bleed our Niedene blood so we may keep and retake our occupied Niedene lands. Ave Niedea, Ave Selt-Escharia!'"However, the vast degree of toxicity from Third Rathnir Coalition, combined with a lack of incentive, led to the Empire issuing a joint statement with the Huitca Federation announcing both state's withdraw from the conflict. While some citizens did participate in The Battle of New Dorasterrock, they had been given orders from both Imperial and Military leadership to withdraw from the city before the conflict began.

Proclamation of the Soleannen Empire of the Escharians
After the war of Southern agression, the escharianization of Niedea continued. After the communion between Emperor Valerian and Severie, the country was renamed Soleàn Irastre de et Escharii (Common: Soleannen Empire of the Escharians). Towns become to be renamed in Asteri, which became the official language of the Empire.

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Geography
This section is mainly a copy of the corresponding section in the page of the Empire of Escharia.

Old Escharia's home region is 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 Rieds and Mladupol. The plains of what used to be Vorpedorf, Pferdburg, Junea, Litoci, and Neurun 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 (Castrillo) which accustomed to be a popular tourist spot for old Escharian citizens.

Nieden Valley and Argentor
As one advances to the north, 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 Welhafne (Wealthhaven) possess chilly autumns with mild summers, though noticeably chillier than in Soleanna or Escharia. This however contrasts to the warm plain around Huwaldorf which has a climate more similar to Escharia as a whole.

Egalia
When one gets to Egalia, the climate remains similar to the Vale'du'nor as it is bordered by a cold sea and hemmed into colder mountains and forests like the Nieden Valley. The mountains at the border with the Nieden Valley are incredibly cold often having severe storms in the area. This area 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. 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.

Symbology
The name "Aesperium" was chosen at the born of the nation as a direct reference to the bloodline of the former emperor of Escharia. However, it was at the time the title for the leader of the nation. The nation starts to be referred as "Niedea" after May 24, 2021 and then "the Soleannen Empire of Niedea" from June 6, 2021. The goal of these name changes was to reinforce the legitimacy of Aesperium Niedea to claim the title of successor of the Empire of Escharia, and culminated during the Second Trillium War when the nation claimed the title of Soleàn Irastre de et Escharii (Common: Soleannen Empire of the Escharians).

Flag
The flag of Aesperium Niedea was adopted soon after the formation of the state. It adopts the same symbology as the flag of the Empire of Escharia, with the exception of the eagle being black, for Escharia, and the background being crimson as a reference to the old Empire of Soleanna. The Eagle stands for the Niedene people, the crown of the Empires the right to rule from Solaris, and the laurel the Splendor of Soleanna.

Religion and Culture
The people of Escharia were almost always of the Niedene Race and the Soleannen Faith.

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

Artifacts of Escharia

 * Blade of Escharia (currently held by Valerian of Niedea)
 * Ceremonial Sword of the Emperor (Destroyed in the first Yimmu Audal war.)
 * The Imperial Soleannan Standard