Azuria

The Archduchy of Azuria, or simply Azuria is an independent nation that is located on Rathnir near the center of the map between the continents of Alteniquia and Sparwood.

Azuria's history is long and rich, extending over the span of over 2 years. It was founded by Relmont, a merchant from Yimmu-Audal whose ship crashed into Azurian soil, and who ended up settling there as archduke of Azuria. Originally a Magisterium vassal (known as the Azurian Syndicate), Azuria was able to gets its independence after Frosterium disbanded, changing its name to the Archduke of Grandia, in honor of the capital city. Relmont eventually stepped down bcause of old age, passing the mantle of Archduke to V0idf1sh. Under V0idF1sh's rule Azuria joined the Empire of Yimmu-Audal, and later Astyllea, as a vassal state, which later led to the loss of a big part of the Azurian land due to the Yestanbul war, under Archduchess Scale Sievern. Archduchess Scale's rule was not long, quickly stepping down in favor of the 4th Archduke, Fire_Blitz. Fire_Blitz's reign was marked by an expansion of Azuria's power, acquiring land all troughout rathnir, and by the creation of a feudal-like system. Unfortunately, Archduke Fire_Blitz mysteriously disappeared during a hunt, and was later proclaimed dead by the Grando Council. The Azurian towns, leaderless, decided to join the neighbouring nation of Charm.

The archduke of Azuria was culturally very rich, as its capital was an economical sucess, bringing people from all troughout rathnir. This, mixed with the native waldhen culture, created a very diverse and accepting environment, with each town and household having its own traditions.

Foundation
Relmont was travelling along the coast of the Azurian Syndicate on a travelling merchant ship that had crashed into some rocks. No port for miles they had to make camp. While sleeping, Relmont had dreamt of a man digging into the ground where the merchants had camped and finding a chest of immense amounts of riches out of which a massive tree grew, growing on it gold and diamonds. Not knowing what this dream meant, Relmont went to a witch not too far from where they camped, of which he had heard of. The Witch told him the dream meant that there would be  a city of riches. He knew that this was a sign from the Gods to build a grand city, a city of whose riches would be the center of the Rathnir economy. It took great effort for the Merchants to settle here but eventually some did. They started building the city called Grandia “city of merchants”. Crowning Relmont as the Archduke of the city and vassal to the Magisterium. Eventually the city grew to the Archduchy of Grandia within the Magisterium during his reign.

Establishment of Nathria
Grandia had been considering an expansionist venture on Eldham after the opening of the server in order to increase income of their government, and this eventually came to be as they had assisted the Second Coalition during the Second Coalition-Ellysian War resulting in them being allowed to set up a colony by the name of Nathria out of former Ellysian territory. On June 23rd, 2021, MeltdownLou was elected as the Colony Governor. On October 31st, 2021 the colony would gain its independence paying 200k to the Archduke V0idF1sh under the rule of the third governor of the colony Micc and merge with the nation of Yuvaria into Yunria.

Foundation of other main Grandian towns
Grogonia - The original settlers hail from old dwarves Waldven cities. The Dwarves disliked the way their old community worked and moved south to an mountainous island to found a new town. They picked their land because of its rich amount of ores and tall defendable mountains. They strayed from their original ideals and prioritized the acquisition of wealth, eventually this led the people of Grogonia integrated into Grandia and became the largest and most populus town in Grandia during it's time in Yimmu-Audal. The founder of this town is V0idf1sh, the second magister is Classixs101, and the current Magister is Fire_Girl (Brie). (no longer larger than Grandia, although still second most popular)

Dendalis - The people of Dendalis are settlers from the city of Grandia. Sick and tired of not being able to grow anything in the bad soils of the surrounding city area and of the stagnate colours of the area they left to settle a new city near Grandia in a plains biome where they would be able to practice farming, husbandry etc. They created a city called Dendalis "city of nature". The founder, D3mi created a group called the D3mi gods in response to the dictatorial leadership of Relmont, their actions were treasonous and also highlighted Relmont’s flaws. The city eventually came under the ownership of Jammy Dodger then destroyed by Archduke V0idF1sh because of its inactivity.

Ethala - Once at night a meteor fell from the sky hitting the ground and creating a crater where Ethala stands now. Some people hearing the crash from the nearby cities of Grandia, rushed to see what had happened. After arriving in the area they saw the meteor and the purple light shining from it. They were hypnotized by the purple light, it seemed to have casted a spell on them of some sorts. Eventually the people created the city in the crater tempted to study the meteor and its magic creating the city of Ethala “city of magic". (now abandoned because the Magisterium refused to give up the town after selling Grandia it's freedom)

Eastri - While Grandia was apart of Yimmu-Audal Centurian approach V0idF1sh with an offer for land. Their nearby neighbor, Hostina, was selling their islands. They were soon bought and settled by a Waldhen and Grandian settler WeirdbutGud09 and Orbmaster77. They removed the native squatters and founded their town to promote trade and become the ideal city of trade.

Silsia - Founded by Valiant was a squatter nation populated by refugees from Kartek. They took over a piece of land East of Grandia city and applied for full entry to Azuria as a town. They were accepted by V0idF1sh. Their town was eventually abandoned under their second leader WarmSeas.

Vepribus - A native squatter  town that was forced to join Azuria under the Archduke Relmont. They worshipped the berry gods and were a vital town that linked Yimmu-Audal and Grandia. Their town was eventually taken over by Yestanbul after Astyllea lost the town, it is now marked for destruction and the citizens fled to Grogonia.

Independence and joining of Yimmu-Audal
Grandia gained its independence from Magisterium on 27/10/2021 after Frosterium disbanded, paying BacktoTheHub 500K.

The Archduke V0idf1sh and some higher ups had decided to join Andorn but another group lead by Relmont the founder and first Archduke, argued to join Yimmu-Audal the discussions were heated but eventually with the intervention of Yimmu-Audal, Grandia joined the nation as an autonomous duchy. V0idF1sh resented this decision and only accepted it due to Yimmu-Audal’s proposal because of their major payment to Grandia. During the first week V0idF1sh, angry and disapproving of Yimmu-Audal’s leader Mystic, signed a document to remove her from her position.

Collapse of Asytella
After Yimmu-Audal got into a war with Aldovir also known as "the Brothers War" both YA and Aldovir formed the Empire of Aystella. This lasted for 3 months, when one of the elections went forward. It was Kerplis, a well known inactive Aldoviri, came back and promised prosperity under their rule. Versus Drach (donated millions to the empire, expanded the empire drastically, main politician, and general of the army), another powerful Aldoviri, and Potemy, an Audalad politician. Kerplis eventually won and Drach formed the Juanata of Drach, to rebel. Soon many states declared independence, and the rest followed shortly.

V0idF1sh stepped down shortly before the collapse and gave the throne to archduchess Scale Sievern who navigated the collapse and worked heavily with her Grand Council to present the Archduchy of Azuria to the world.

Government
It’s an absolute monarchy led by Archduke Fire_Blitz

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UgAeqmePGoYJSlFT47is99iRw-oSGZzyZLrxFh98zpg/edit?usp=sharing

Geography
The nation of Azuria is located in a spruce forest biome and Atsyllean Sea on the Alteniquia continent, bordering the continent of Sparwood.

Neighboring countries: Imperium, Magisterium, Yestanbul, Kirchetia, Ardagian Racing Company (Vassal), Norttonn, Archduchy of Borhammer, Tortuga

Primary Culture - Grando
There is a cultural phenomenon amongst the Grandians involving a praising of wealth as a result of the former ultra-capitalist nation of the Azurian Syndicate. Grandia was founded in its borders.

The Grandians are a very maritime based culture, having one of the best sailors in all of Rathnir. Because of the maritime culture and that most Grandian cities are located near the sea, the main cousins of Grandia are fish.

The Grandians see freedom as a very important thing, this is because of the travelling merchant's influence. Because of this the archduchy of Azuria has full freedom of religion not even having a state one, freedom of speech, thought, expression. The Grandians are a very tolerant people accepting all races, all beliefs.

Although there are multiple religions worshipped by Grando people, the most commonly worshipped are Faxemis Angelae and The Red cult

Secondary culture - Waldhen
The Waldhen people are native Dwarves of the land. Though not the oldest inhabitants, they are among the oldest that still inhabit the region. Their survival has been due to a combination of very strong cultural cohesion and adaptability to whatever ruling party was in power of Azuria. The Walden people have long been a suppressed group due to their smaller numbers, and lack of interest to play a large role on Rathnir, though this sentiment began to change in the Archduchy of Azuria. Now their cultural and political leader Scale Sievern rules over the territory of Azuria.

The Waldhen are a clannish society, skilled in sailling and navigation. A boat captain is one of the most highly respected positions in Waldhen society apart from a priest or chieftain.

Waldhen worship a sea god known as Old Salt and have a strong belief in spirits and enlightened thought.

Vexillology
The flag of Grandia is primarily made up of a navy blue representing the nearby Atsyllean Sea and sailor culture of the region crossed in white representing peace at last. There is a shield with a golden frog on it as frogs are the national animal and represent wealth. The crown above the shield represents the monarchy of Grandia. The two leaves represent the land of Grandia.

Wars
Yestanbul-Grandia cold war - This did not end in war, but its affects caused the independence of Yestanbul from Grandia.

Astyllean-Yestanbul War (Azuria vs. Yestanbul) - March 20, 2022 - This war was a crushing loss for the people of Astyllea, its aftermath gave the opportunity for the collapse of the Astyllean empire. Azuria lost their western most territories including the town of Vepribus.

Imperavir Coalition - April 30, 2022 - This was a war to help Azurian allies in Carn against a rebellion. It was a defensive battle that ended up not technically happening, though the Coalition had far more kills by the end. The coalition was successful and caused the rebel leader to abandon his claim to Carn land and move South towards Tortuga.

War with Melonstan - Jun 18, 2022 - This was a defensive war helping Azuria's allies in Kazan against rebels in Melonstan. The battle was a huge success.

Ardagian Revolution - July 2, 2022 - This was a war between the rebels of Kirchetia and Ardagia. Azuria joined the wars as a close ally to Ardagia. This battle was a defeat for the Ardagian's and their nation collapsed into four parts, the largest of which called the Ardagian Racing Company which held the capital of Hostina joined the Archduchy of Azuria as a vassal.

Related Media
Hymn to Azuria - https://youtu.be/Y6Kn_IQ3ocA

Drach incident - Drach is the one who manipulated Astyllea into war with Yestanbul and used the opportunity to take control of the empire's army and rebel (collapsing the empire). His actions lost Azuria territory though allowed Azuria to come out of Astyllea powerful enough to stand alone and not join the Imperium or Aldovir League. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYt7sRLq_bw

Yestanbul vs. Astyllea - Yestanbul POV - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aveTcUS2aFY&t=742s

Yestanbul Propaganda from the war - Astyllean Made - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo0X77OBJUg

Historical Artifacts
Crown of Azuria - The crown presented to every Archduke during their coronation after V0idF1sh's abdication. He created the crown for all future generations. It is currently held by Scale Sievern as the Archduke Fire_Blitz has not yet held his coronation.

Council Cutlass - The Council Cutlasses were historical items created in the forges of Dracade for all the high councilors of Astyllea. One of such artifacts were presented to the Second Archduke of Azuria V0idF1sh. The title of this sword is Codex's Clarity

Grando Crown - The Grando Crown was the crown of Grandia, it was the crown of the first Archduke Relmont and is a sign of power and position in old Grandia. The crown is no longer in use though its value remains still.

Magister of Grando Jacket - This chestplate was created for the Caliar/Caliarin of Grandia.

Crown of Grogonia - This crown was created for V0idF1sh founder of the town and has not been passed down to any other Caliar/Caliarin. This must be rectified and given to Firegirl7137 current Caliarin of Grogonia.

Duel Crowns of Eastri - Created by WeirdbutGud for his town of Eastri out of turtle shells. Following his betrayal one of the crowns was lost once more to the Sea. But was found by Orbmaster077, who mourned the death and betrayal of his close friend, but still hoped kept it to remember him.

Seidorian Reminder - Presented to V0idF1sh by Atreus after the nation was bought by Azuria and disbanded as a reminder of his great land. It was taken as a promise that Azuria would protect and care for the city of Seidora.

Historical Photos
Coronation of Scale Sievern 3rd Archduchess of Azuria -

Discord
https://discord.gg/tdMKzcBAx3