Kingdom of Egalia

The Kingdom of Egalia, also known by its first name of "Kingdom of Nieden" or also "Free Cities of Corthaidh", was a coalition of free cities under the guidance of the City-State of Corthaidh (now Varmerion). It first formed as the Kingdom of Nieden in 1582 ASC (December 4, 2020) and encompassed a large area corresponding to almost all of the Vasteri (Thadiani) culture (Thadians, Rulagi, Raykarans and Gentarians). The state was unique for being an elective monarchy. It dissolved in 1604 ASC (March 28, 2021) and was reformed into Aesperium Niedea, successor of the Empire of Escharia.

Etymology
The region historically has been known as Corthaidh in the Vasteri language, which means "House of the People". This name, however, fell out of use due to Asteri names overtaking it following the Ascension. Its Eastern name is Varmerien, which means "Land of Houses" or "Land of Dynasties" which referenced the clan nature of the land. The newest name of Vasterien simply means "Western Land."

The name of the State was first the "Kingdom of Nieden" but, after Raykara left, it eventually became the "Kingdom of Egalia".

It is also known by the name Varmerien, or Vasterien for several Asteri historians.

When the Aesperium Niedea was established there, the region known as the "Duchy of Cornflower-Egalia" only referred to the territories west of the Sirithalene mountain range that were part of the Kingdom of Egalia. Nowadays, only the Duchy of Egalia bears this name as the Duchy of Vamerion encompasses most of the area.

Culture
The Kingdom of Egalia was founded by the Vasteri Niedene, and as such carried their own subsect of Niedene culture. The Vasteri are descended primarily from citizens of the Soleannan Empire. These citizens would settle the region of Egalia, while the region of Gentaria remained home to tribes. These Vasteri would be split into many groups, with the most prominent being the Thadians, Gentarians, Rulagi, and the Raykarans. The culture was still Soleannen, and the people there

Thadians
Also called Thadii or Varmerii, they are the Niedene who settled the Valley west of the Siritahlene and south of the Rulagi mountains. With time, they'd simply called themselves Thadians, "people" in their native language. Thadians made good use of this new territory and quickly overrun any other inhabitants. They excel at blacksmithing, building and rock carving and some towns, as Fortia or Breakwater, managed to grow though the exportation of these products. Many Thadians also served as mercenaries in the different conflicts that could occur across Nieden. They are nowadays mostly known as "Varmerii", which was historically used by Asteri to refer to all of the Vasteri.

Gentarians
Also called Gentarii, they remained as nomads in northern Nieden but seldom looked for expansion since they always lacked a major population center. Their main activities are horse breeding, hunting and archery. They are still renowned for wood carving and their oracle traditions, that are used for religious traditions.

Rulagi
Also calles Rugalii, they were a group of Niedene native to the mountains that split Raykara from Corthaidh. These people were known for cities that had extensive underground networks, and consisted of societies that relied heavily off mining.

Raykarans
Also called Rekarii, they were a group of Niedene that excelled at trade and often served as mercenaries. They were known for their grand architecture and ship-building. Their culture is heavily influenced by the prolific cohabitation with Regonian Elves.

Formation
The Kingdom of Nieden was founded in 1582 ASC (December 4, 2020) after the noble Thadians houses the leaders of the Gentarians elected Declan, the leader of Corthaidh, as their leader. The name of "Egalia" became to be popular from this date since it signified the egalitarian political structure of a new state formed by autonomous clan-based societies. Corthaidh was thus chosen as the capital of the Kingdom since it was the most powerful town and the geographical center of the state. The formation of this state was quite unseen considering the area being historically subject of internal conflicts between the different Vasteri tribes. However, the rise of powerful Empires surrounding western Nieden (Escharia, Yimmu-Audal, Bardonia and the Sterling Crownlands) pushed the Vasteri into unification in order to gain more weight on an international level.

Later in 1582 ASC (On December 9, 2020), the Kingdom of Nieden naturally joined the Trillium Alliance as an 'observer state', its sovereignty being guaranteed by the three core nations.

Rise of Egalia
Due to harsh political debates and a never-ending sentiment of autonomy from both the people and nobles of the Thadian towns, in 1582 ASC (December 9, 2020) monarcho-communists took control over half of the Kingdom. The United Royal Communes of Egalia was officially established the year after in 1582 ASC (December 14, 2020) with its capital in Columbia. Even if this political entity claimed to be in favor of more equality inside the Thadian towns, it was in reality submitted to the Central Commitee of the high presidium of the supreme soviet of the free and liberated workers and people's of the Commune of Columbia, whose President and King was Jack f. Kennedy, a Columbian farmer.

The United Royal Communes of Egalia eventually managed to control all of the southern towns of the Kingdom and in 1585 ASC (December 21, 2020), the Kingdom of Nieden split into Raykara and Egalia. Oogleron, Kumberg and Raykara would form a new Republic north while the other towns would be known as "Egalia".

Expulsion of Ibbish
Egalia experienced a brief war against an the invading bandit nation of Ibbish who established a settlement west of Breakwater. However its leader, Sythodeus, didn't manage to gain international support while the Kingdom of Egalia could count on his Escharian allies. The settlement of Ibbish was destroyed during a first expedition in 1587 ASC (December 31, 2020). Synthodeus tried to create a new settlement few after but it was later destroyed during a second expedition later the same year (January 2, 2021).

Participation in the First Coalition War
Egalia participated in the First Coalition War agaisnt Yimmu-Audal.

Integration to the Empire of Escharia
These events significantly increased the sentiment of Niedene unification and the political influence of Escharia over Egalia. This is why, the day after the dissolution of the Trillium Alliance in 1590 ASC (January 14th of 2021), Declan resigned and the Egalian nobles decided through a vote to immediately join the Empire of Escharia.

Under the Empire of Escharia
The Integration with Escharia is still seen as a golden era for Egalia and in continuity with the political unification of the region, as the Kingdom could benefit from the wealth accumulated during the wars agaisnt Yimmu-Audal (See "Soleannen Peace"). It's notable that the Varmerii cities were able to maintain their original political structure during this period.

However, as Egalia was a member of the Trillium alliance, its other members started to express their doubts towards Escharian expansionism in the region. This period ended with the Escharian Ascension in 1593 ASC (February 1, 2021).

After the Escharian Ascension


As in the rest of the late Empire of Escharia, the post-Ascension period after 1593 ASC was charaterized by a significant instability. Even if the existence of the Kingdom was guaranteed by the Escharian spirits, its political structure slowly declined to the point that people started to forget about the name of Egalia. It is believed that the westernmost Varmerii town to be protected by the spirits was Ekona. This period also marked the return of cultural and political distance between the Varmerians and Gentarians after a significant era of unification. The instability marked the Gentarian towns who developped a renewed sentiment of autonomy like in Dougsburry and Tymarat.

This period of uncertainty ended whith the arrival of Valerian, a Sneed war hero from the First Coalition War in 1604 ASC (March 28, 2021). He immediately made strong impression over the Varmerii as he took part in the Ascension. This is why he successfully claimed Corthaidh and made it the political center of the reconstruction of the Empire of Escharia under the name of Aesperium Niedea. The place where he disembarked on the western coasts of the Nieden is still known today as Egalia.

Cities
''The following list isn't exhaustive as it shows the towns that had the most political significance at the moment of the formation of the Kingdom of Egalia. Many settlements that were mere villages or hadn't proper political autonomy at the time are not listed below. The cities are given under their historic name while their modern names appear in parentheses.''

Corthaidh
Capital of Corthaidh, it was the most powerful city at the formation of the Kingdom of Egalia. The name Varmerion means Bastion of the Varmerii, while Corthaidh means House of the Thadians. It was later renamed as Varmerion as capital of the Second Empire of Escharia.

Ekona
A city that was once renowned for its culinary history and walls. Since has been built atop of a mountain, it acted as a buffer zone between Corthaidh and Raykara. The name Ekoreanna or Ekona means "Great City" in Vasteri. It is nowadays known as Falkeame.

Fortia
Fortia, also known as Ailstra or Aennveres, is the southernmost trading town located on the coast of the Ondemari Sea. Its main competitor troughout history were Columbia and Breakwater. Its Vasteri name Aennveres means Fort at the Homestead.

Columbia
Columbia, also known as Thadeto, is a trading town located on the middle of the Ondemari Sea. Its main competitors throughout history were Fortia and Breakwater. Less fortified, Columbia has been a bone of contention between Breakwater and Fortia for a long time. The town of Thadeti means Fort of the Thadians. Columbia became Egalia after the Ascension.

Breakwater
Breakwater, also called Ondemari, is the northenmost trading town located of the Ondemari Sea. Its main competitor troughout history were Fortia and Columbia. The name Ondemari means Breaking-Sea, which is the Vasteri term for the place. It is now known as the town of Drasil.

Alexandria
One of the first Thadian settlements, Alexandria always benefited from the important fertility of its soils. Its name in Vasteri was Alseria, which translated to fertile. Named Alseria in Asteri, its modern name is Alessandrea.

Creed
A city that used to reside in northern Nieden on the coast. After the Ascension it became known as Galitz or Kallitz. In Vasteri, the name Kallitz means "Cold Town."

Dougsbury
A former city in the mountains of the Siritahlene mountains between Escharia and Corthaidh. It was abandoned after the Ascension and is now apart of Fredonia. The town name of Dorreste means Fort of Dorre (a Niedene Name). It is now located in Fredonia.

Reykarites cities
These cities left on December 21, 2020 and formed the Republic of Raykara

Raykara
Raykara is the most important town of the northern coast, it always kept strong tied with the rest of the Niedenes and the Empire of Escharia. Rekara comes from the Niedene words Rei and Kara. This translated to Land of the Brothers, or Comrades.

Oogleron
Oogleron, also known as Orraeoft in Thadian, was the most distinct Reykarite town that became less Niedene by the end of the Empire due to human migrations. It has always been coveted by Bardonia. The name Orraeoft translated to Lonely Farm. It is now known as Harsenguaard.

Kumberg
Kumberg was at the center of the political crisis that led to the Escharian Ascension. It was coveted by Bardonians, and especially Senator JurzTheAndal, who opposed the town joining the Empire of Escharian after an internal revolution in Raykara. The town used to be known as Kalei in Vasteri, which meant "short peninsula".