Vulperium

The Vulperium, a multi-ethnic nation located primarily in the Serrona region of Eldham, is the main successor state and result of the union between the two mighty Kingdoms of Notos and Vulpinia. The Empire is lead by the Grand Valar (Valar meaning King) who is tasked with guiding the nation's diplomatic relations, military readiness, and growth, alongside many other matters. The nation's capital is the City of Aroforn; named after the historic last Emperor of the Vulpur species.

The capital Aroforn is the seat of power for the Grand Valar and is where all Royal Courts are held. The Foundation for the Vulperium was set in motion by the Second Valar of Vulpinia, Westeros Durradayne, with the help of his Vierl (chosen heir) and eventual first Grand Valar of the Vulperium, Brock Yolcotl-Durradayne.

Background of the two Valardoms
Vulpinia was a nation built to serve as a home for all the native Vulpur people of Eldham. It had it's origins in Rathnir before the colonization period, in which it served as a small vassal of nation under the Emirate of Najer. In Serrona, the Vulpinian state grew to encompass lands beyond the original range of the Vulpur people as they annexed and secured the western half of the Batu Khaganate following that country's collapse.

Notos on the other hand was a relatively new creation historically. It was preceded by 2 kingdoms, Elduria and Dejuria. Elduria has it's origins in a religious colonist group known as the "Campfire Society" which started out with rocky relations from it's neighbors in Vulpinia and the Bai Federation, The state of Elduria was created and it's borders defined as the fledgling Campfire colonists formed settlements with the other powers in the interests of peace. Dejuria wasn't settled by people from Rathnir or Eldham, but rather by a large group of experienced statemakers from an entirely separate world also known by Dejuria. It's population would later grow exponentially with religious immigrants from other nations, such as the Rasterians and the Ratist cult.

The kingdoms of Elduria and Dejuria were friendly neighbors in the Federation of Southern Stars, but after that organization's dissolution, they saw fit to better continue their cooperation through a union of their own: the new name of it being the Federation of Notos, "The Southern Wind", ruled by a high council.

Both nations, Vulpinia and Notos, underwent great changes before their final union with eachother. The growing Vulpinian state was officially declared as the Valardom of Vulpinia by Nuncio in September of 2021, and in January of 2022 the Federation of Notos was renamed to the Kingdom of Eros, ruled by Regulus.

Valar Westeros' Retirement
On 6th January 2022 Valar Westeros of Vulpinia, successor of the Valar Nuncio, declared that he was stepping down from the role to become Duke of Mournalor. His own successor was to be Vierl Shib, but she respectfully refused the role, nominating her husband and elected Vice of Vulpinia Brock for the position instead, as he thusly accepted the responsibility.

On 13th January 2022, after talks with King Regulus and the Erosian council, Westeros and Brock made an announcement that they were unifying the Valardom of Vulpinia and Eros into one grand empire - the Vulperium.

A new government is formed
A new constitution for the Vulperium was put into effect after this union, being one of the finer examples of legal writing & statecraft in Eldham. Many Vulpinian institutions and ranks were carried over wholesale, including the Nabu religious hierarchy of the Grand Bothiv and their priests, and the Ducal system where the subdivisions & major towns of each Valardom is led by a noble Duke, assisted by a count of their choice. As part of the unification process, House Regulus was recognized as one of the empire's Great Noble Houses, and the other leaders of Eros were recognized as nobility and rulers of each of their own respective duchies.

A key part of this new government system is the "Valar's Trinity". Under this system, the Vulperium state is split into 2 Valardoms, Vulpinia and Eros, each ruled by their own respective Valars. Ruling over both of these valardoms though is the Grand Valar, who has full reign and can designate a Vierl, or "designated heir".

Another interesting institution inherited from Vulpinia is the position of Vice Valar. The Vice Valar is second in power to the Grand Valar and is democratically elected by the citizens of the Vulperium, serving a 2-month term and aiding in the rule of the nation.

The Coronation of Brock Yolcotl & the Creation of Aroforn
In the Westerosi Palace at the old capital of Vulpinia Tildivul on Sunday, January 16th 2022, Valar Westeros crowned Brock Yolcotl-Durradayne as Grand Valar of the Vulperium.

This event was well attended with upwards of 20 people arriving for the festivities. Caden handled the distribution of drinks and Kk5288 sold plushies. The ceremony was marred by a bandit incursion from Mayynophobia and her companions. In the ensuing scuffle, people's items that were left in angel chests were rescued by Kk5288 and stored safely by Aza for their return to guests later.

One of the first acts taken by Brock after his coronation as Grand Valar was to merge the capital city of Tildivul and it's northern city in Sparport together to form the new capital of Aroforn, with the plan being that the middle land inbetween these cities would be constructed into a great metropolis connecting them together. To commemorate this occasion, one of the first steam-powered vessels in Serrona was built by the Vulperium Oceanic Steamer Company in a drydock outside of Sparport.

The Cheese Guild's Wager
The leader of the Cheese Guild, Moyye, agreed to a bet with Grand Valar Brock in late January that if Brock won a certain challenge, then the Cheese Guild would join the Vulperium. To win, Brock had to wear a Cheese Guild banner with curse of binding and curse of vanishing for 3 days. Within 3 hours Brock fell into a hole and died, losing the banner and the bet, but pitying the unfortunate circumstance Moyye allowed one more attempt at the bet and offered Brock the option to nominate a champion to attempt it on his behalf. Brock nominated Kk5288 and she successfully avoided death whilst wearing the banner for three days. On 29th January Brock announced that the Cheese Guild was joining the Vulperium. In a separate instance, the eastern Serronan country of Vanshire also entered the Vulperium as a duchy after many talks were held.

Participation in the war against Merkonis
In the lands of Onthukhan to the north, conflict once again arose between the old enemies of The Pale and Merconis. The Vulperium was still consolidating it's own territory within Serrona and the Valar of Notos, Regulus, sought to settle an old issue of his nation in the enclave territory of Bluestone, once given away by his government to a fledgling power but then sold to the nation of Wolfingrad, which he claims had neglected the territory. After many months, Notos stepped in and moved to occupy the region once more. Merkonis subsequently took this as an act of war as there were negotiations going on at the time by them to purchase the territory of Bluestone from Wolfingrad. And so the Vulperium, which had fought besides The Pale before in the 1st Sand War as Vulpinia, went to it's ally nation's aid once again as a coalition partner in the Second Sand War. This was one of the first wars in which Notos and Vulpinia's soldiers were organized into one cohesive national military, with their forces providing heavy support and kills in the first Battle of Perria. The war ended in a victory for the coalition forces as the nation of Merconis was dissolved as a state after.

1st Vice Election of the Vulperium
With the nation finding success and victory in war a month after it's creation, and it's population having now skyrocketed to rival that of the biggest empire of Uraka, there was much excitement to be had throughout the land for it's first Vice Valar election. There had been two before in the nation of Vulpinia but the dynamics would prove much different this time around as campaigns would have less of a personal touch, focusing instead on the nationwide community instead of their local regions.

The main candidates in the running were: -Jesus, duke of the prosperous eastern Vulpinian enclave of Vulthalla, seeking to capitalize on the success of the nation and to bring it's new regions cultures and lore closer together. -E, a duke from the Old Batu region who had founded one of the more successful upcoming cities in the nation, Earnside, and who sought to bring more events and activity to the nation such as the creation of a national Sports League. -Gepple, soldier and leader of a city-state known as Dablüza-Yalonska which had only recently joined the nation, sought to improve the military, provide more events, and increase the nation's economy and population. -Meltan, entertainer and leader of the Vulpinian town of Pastel. -Scrollock, a soldier and local leader within the duchy of Dejuria in eastern Eros, sought to be a unity candidate.

Debates and speeches between the candidates were held in the nascent city of Aroforn with many citizens in attendance, though no transcript exists.

Voting closed on 2/8/2022 resulting in the election of Kyzxr (Jesus) with 36.1% of the vote. In second place was Gepple and in third was Meltan.



Troubles in the East
Although the nation of the Vulperium had found prosperity, it's neighbors to the east were faring worse as pirates from the once-dead nation of Barbossa had invaded and set up a nascent state in the form of the D.V.R. within the Kaladinia region of the U.S.S.E., drawing condemnation from the peoples of Serrona. The U.S.S.E. would go on to be defeated and lose territory in war against the pirates and would join the nation of Uraka for protection, changing the power dynamics of the region as the two largest empires in Eldham now shared a border.

In the meantime, the Vulperium also found itself at the center of a diplomatic incident involving Nova Azcoria. Whilst a protectorate deal with the Vulperium was under vote by their parliament because of encroachment by the D.V.R., important actors within the nation began plotting a coup and kidnapping against the then chancellor Fio and her administration. During this plot, messages were leaked showing the Grand Valar of the Vulperium, Brock, providing verbal support to the planners of the coup. Fearing a turn for the worse, the Chancellor initiated a move that Nova Azcoria would instead be annexed by Uraka. This was an unpopular decision as it was taken without approval by the rest of the government, and so it led to Fio's sacking and replacement by interrim chancellor Millie. Faced with empires of questionable motives on both sides, the once cosmopolitan neighboring nation of Nova Azcoria would then enter into a period of isolation.

Consolidation of the West
Though there was much conflict, there were also smaller celebrations as the diplomatic team of Eros would secure a deal annexing the last inactive enclave in their lands known as New Erðvald. The nation of New Domatia which held the lands previously belonging to the old allies of the Bai Federation would also join as one of the newest duchies of the Vulperium in the signing of a vassalization treaty. Like the D.V.R. in the east, another new belligerent former-Uraki colony known as Duruk Kunar was also created in the islands of the Aquinterran sea west of Vulpinia, immediately setting out to war against it's neighbors in Falholt. This war declaration would fizzle into nothingness though as the Vulperium and The Pale in an act of containment declared their full military support for Falholt against the aggression of this new state.

With tension growing in the west, the Vulperium would also secure a vassalization and protectorship deal with the nation of Ahalia which was under threat of invasion from it's neighbors in Atlechia. This act would become a prelude to a greater conflict known as the Atlechian-Vulperium War.

War with Atlechia
In the chaos of civil war, Wambold, a noble who was favored by his kingdom's rivals the Atlechians, had emerged victorious and become the king of Ahalia. He rejected though the Atlechian king Swen's idea that Ahalia would be annexed into Atlechia with the closing of the conflict. The angry Swen would then declare war against the Ahalians to try and replace the government once again. In the midst of this, Wambold would sign a treaty vassalizing Ahalia under the Vulperium for protection, drawing them into the conflict. (Though it would be revealed that Atlechia had been planning a war of conquest against the core territories of the Vulperium even before this deal)

The Atlechian king Swen responded to this deal with rage and an ultimatum demanding the Vulperium hand over Ahalia, apologize, and pay a fine of 1 million. This blustering message drew international condemnation and even the allies of Atlechia sought to remain neutral in the conflict, with it's biggest military ally in Duruk Kunar remaining neutral aswell because of it's signing of a non-agression pact with the Vulperium in the weeks before. With these demands being fully rejected and Atlechia turning to mercenary groups in the absence of allies, the stage was then set for war.

Heeding to their defense pacts and historic alliances, nations in the Onthukhan region to the north mobilized their militaries in defense of their longtime ally in the Vulperium, now under threat by an imperialist kingdom seeking to divide and portion up the populous land in payment to it's mercenary fighters. These military allies included The Pale, Anglunia, Oceanum, Vladigrad, and Sylvania. Mercenaries would also arive from nations across Eldham and even Rathnir to fight for the Vulperium's cause. Notable allies that remained neutral in the conflict were the U.S.S.E. and the vassal duchy of New Domatia.

Before the first battle, Atlechian-supported rebels who had once fought New Domatia's government began squatting once again in southern Vulpinian territory, though this settlement would become abandoned after the conflict would end.

With support from a gigantic population, some of the greatest architects and veterans of wars past, and the wealth of the vale Shib, the targeted city for the war Lazodi would become one of the greatest military fortresses ever constructed for such a conflict. Once the birthplace of Batu, the wealthiest and most populated nation in the early days of Eldham, it would now become a grave for those who sought to destroy it, with the walls becoming titanic in height and large spanning snow-pits being dug up to serve as traps for enemies to fall to their deaths in. (though many historic buildings were demolished for this purpose)

War doesn't stop the wheels of a nation from turning though, and in the middle of this conflict the nation held a royal ball at it's grand palace of Vetervul, just outside the city of Aroforn. Many important Eldham leaders would attend this gathering bringing even more prestige to the nation. To add onto it's enemies woes, regions and towns in Atlechia would also begin clamoring for independence under the banner of Aima Percivia.

Then arrived the day of battle: The Battle of Lazodi. With fighters from all across Eldham and the main mercenary groups of The Hands and The Goons showing up to oppose eachother, this small war would be the cause of one of the greatest battles in Eldham's history. With the leadership of the Atlechian military force being headless, it was decided last minute that Tylics would be their organizer. With defenders stationed around the city, the Atlechians would attack from the northwest and occupy the empty walls, then moving into a skirmish within the inner city while defenders mobilized to clear the occupied half of the wall. There were many back and forth fights as the death numbers rose on both sides. Finally, the Atlechians had gotten close to capturing and creating an opening within the walls but were swarmed and knocked down off the ramparts by the soldiers of the Vulperium, the aftermath of which they fell into a general retreat, their force facing a full defeat in battle.

The war would come to a close after this as the mercenary forces under Atlechia would abandon king Swen because of the poor organization and humiliation under his leadership. Atlechia, though it stated it would continue the war, would then try to ignore and push off any talks on another battle while also dealing with rebellions and civil war in his own land. King Swen would then die in these conflicts with his son Block_Summoner assuming the leadership of Atlechia and beginning peace talks.

Peace discussions would continue on at a grueling pace with Atlechia refusing the demands of the Ahalians for weeks and suddenly announcing Atlechia's annexation into Aristios-Zamotz, throwing the Vulperium's efforts out the window. Talks would continue for even more weeks between the two states until in a final foolish act Atlechia would declare independence from Aristios-Zamotz and try to unite with Duruk Kunar, further frustrating both sides and leaving the nation with no friends left. Atlechia's territory would then subsequently be divided in a treaty between the Vulperium, Aristios-Zamotz, and Duruk Kunar. As a nod to the help it's allies in the Onthukhan region had provided in the past, the Vulperium would also join The Onthukhan Pact to help provide defense to those who had fought so hard for it at Lazodi.

-blah blah division blah blah victory party

2nd Vice Elections and distant annexations
-Annexation of Abbadyyenau -Annexation of Carvay -Details on the campaigns that were run -Second vice election results.

The Nova Azcorian Protocol
-Integration and division of Nova Azcoria into the Vulperium.

The Long Summer
-shakumagu and manzland joins vulperium -montrium civil war affair -rural town resettlements -coffee war -third sand war -atlechia again

New Constitution
-government mixup -heir to grand valar chosen -third vice valar election

Maps
National maps courtesy of the Westeros Mapping Guild.



Geography of the Vulperium
Active Population: 163 (July 2022 internal census) National Population: 441 (August 31 2022)

Valardom of Eros
 * Duchies: Dejuria, Ravka, Perravul, Emberguard, Elduria, Manzland
 * Cities: Winterose, Ost-Helm, Nea Ravka, Emberguard, Bluestone, Salac, Inazuma, Aleria, Manzig, Astranza, St. Nilsburg
 * Towns: Moruko, Port Eldur, Rondmarr, The Academy, Fao Fortress

Valardom of Vulpinia
 * Duchies: Rynwood, Mournalor, Vulperia, Meiddasia, New Domatia, Ahalia
 * Cities: Aroforn, Vulthalla, New Brownwich, Pastel, Waywood, Oakendale, Taernsby, Savan Dur, Baicalite, Dinas, Je Pola, Kekrifalia
 * Towns: Undervul, Nea Captainia, Magdalena, Florinth, Velumver, Vernal Manor, Bozborsk, Mayaro, Keylon, Rochdale, Navarino, Cadia

Valardom of Batu
 * Duchies: Old Batu, Shamania, Linusia
 * Cities: Lazodi, Earnside, Novius Abbadon, Zune Kerkut, Zerdea

Valardom of the Forgotten
 * Duchies: Nova Azcoria, Carvay, Westreach, Cheese Guild, Durlian
 * Cities: Horizonte, Prosede, Dahkmir, Cheese Guild, Westport, Durlian, Carvay, Port Ravenus

Defunct Settlements
 * Fropsia, Sparport, Tildivul, Vetervul, Candeus Hill, Goldfell, Solus, Lycaon-On-Sea, Narmer, Floptopia, Port Celestial, Carglahtor, Forgeguard, Frostguard, Plaines Agreables, Amavos