Empire of Escharia

The Empire of Escharia, officially known as the Great Empire of Escharia (Asteri: Ekirasterrei dai Etscharien) or the Eastern Empire (Asteri Irasterrei), was one of the largest and most influential states that existed in the East of Rathnir, dominated by the Aesperii Family. The Empire had a single capital for all of its existence, which was the city of Lileanen. Lileanen held the seat of the Emperor, and the castles Archerus, Schwarzstein (Zatrefels), and Falkenstein (Falkeste). The Empire was ran by the Aesperii family until its dissappearence. The Empire's dominant and only accepted faith was that of the Soleannen Faith, although Theiosism was found in Theionikos Province. It was also known by the moniker Soleannan Empire, as it claimed to succeed the original Soleannan Empire.

Geography of Escharia
Escharia, Suderen, and Soleanna: 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.

History of Escharia
In the days before the Soleannan Empire there were many Niedene tribes spreading out from their homeland in modern day Soleanna. The Niede, Riede, and Hocii tribes moved into the region of Escharia and began making the place their home. These tribes followed the ancient variation of the Soleannen religion, constructing stone circles and other worship sites which can still be found to this day. The tribes specialized in different things such as the Riede in shipbuilding or the Niede in farming.

Eventually the Soleannen Empire began to rise out of a small hamlet in the southwestern part of Nieden, in the homeland of the Niedene race. It is here that Kaisar Svaerus lead an army to the forests of Escharia where they faced heavy resistance and even lost several engagements to the guerilla tactics of the tribal Escharians. Often now called the Battle of Zatrewal, an army of Soleannans met the retinue of the Escharian chiefdoms in a now lost location in the Zatrewal forest. The battle started with the Escharians ambushing the marching Soleannan army at around sunrise. The Escharians attacked with spears and fire magicks against the Soleannan heavy infantry who attempted to counter using their superior armor and discipline. The Escharian chieftain Hemmeri Eise perished at the hands of a stray arrow, causing the Escharian morale to shatter and the Soleannans to win a decisive victory. The Soleannans went on to subjugate whatever tribes remained after the battle and incorporate the lands into the provinces Escharia Superior and Escharia Inferior. Under the Soleannan Empire, the people began to continue life as normal but the normal tribal domains began to develop into more centralized domains with infrastructure being built and villages consolidating into small town such as Rieds. In this time the Soletsch people began to emerge as Soleannan settlers intermingled with the natives. The Soletsch remained a tiny fraction of the population while the Niede began to grow slightly faster then the other populations, and the Riede split into the southern Neriede while the northern remained the Altriede.

Eventually the empire began to decline and the region was less and less under the influence of Soleanna in the West. The people began to abandon Soleannen for the false idols brought out by false prophets such as Emmer the Mad who began a temporary cult of the Fox. As the Empire lost control over the region of Escharia, there was factions and tribes that rose up to fight each other for many years until in the year 1298 ASC the son of a Niede Chieftain was born. This son named Alveri I Aspakh would grow up and inherit the tribe that was left to him. His first actions were to subjugate the Hocii and Niede which several of their tribes flocked to his banner, however a coalition would go to oppose him. Alfrikr converted to Soleannen and adopted the new name Auberon I Aesperii. Auberon would meet the army of his enemies on the Neichs river where the Battle of the Neichs resulted in a decisive victory for Auberon who would go on to build a new capital on the site, which was named Lileanen after the Lilies of the area. Auberon let the sons of defeated chieftains govern their lands, promoting a decentralized tribal confederacy lead by the Niede of Altiste Town in Lileanen. Auberon would eventually go on to die of an Ogre while on a hunting trip in the lands far to the south, where his body was taken to the mountains near him and entombed in a place then known as Kaitsehstal, modern day Flammastahl Temple. Dietrich II was the son of Auberon, born Wulfdietrikh he followed his father in converting to Soleannen. Dietrich upon taking the throne began to centralize power and created many of the institutions of Escharia known today such as the Imperial Diet, and he worked on projects such as the Misurian Way and Falkenstein Castle. Dietrich lead the country's conversion back into Soleannen, and expanded the borders to encompass the rest of the Escharian peoples. After his death a blighted army struck southern Nieden and northern Sparwood, where his successor brought an army to fight the demons but lost. It was at this point the refugees and a fresh army rallied at Mount Gentumar, lead by Saint Miri, defeated the blighted army. This lead to the founding of the Auroran order. The Auroran order served as the Emperor's hand and expanded influence into the south, but was abandoned in years following. Albrecht II took the throne and began to establish contacts with the neighboring Niedene Kingdoms before being assassinated.

Severie I Alphonse von Aspach would ascend to the throne in the year 1584 ASC (0 BSS) and begin to expand the Empire and developing lower Lileanen. This would lead Escharia to expand greatly and reconquer most of its land from other states. In the reign of Severie, the Turtlonian Wars occurred which resulted in the defeat and utter annihilation of the Turtlonian people. The Auroran Order was reforged by Severie, he sent the Order under the command of Aurelian resettled the island leading to the settlement of Iron-Spire, which was abandoned following the March on Urnu-Arrak. The short Escharian Civil War waged in this period as well, which lead to a pyrrhic Imperial Victory. After all of this, Pax Escharia begun which was a time of Escharian growth and peace. This period lead to many new towns being established such as Locet, Mladupol, and others. The Empire took in refugees from Naverechniya, which lead to the founding of Mladupol. During the Werewolf Epidemic the Auroran Order rebuilt Gentumar under Cardinal Ortwin Aurelius. In the days of Colonialism, the Escharians fought for rights to mine and colonize the Mesa during the Tlahatl Summit. The Imperials would go on to become isolated by an aggressive Yimmu-Audal and Valdreach Alliance, but this was eventually circumvented by the Trillium Alliance. Valdreach would be eclipsed and eventually died as an entity with successor states popping up. Many Valdreachers left to Escharia due to their ethnic backgrounds. Soon after Escharia would take in Reyllea and Aezenfjord (Siegdorf/Eisenford) as protectorates. After this the Trillium Wars would lead Escharien to destroy the the Audalidae army at the Battle of Cahuarn and annex the country. Escharien would then go on to have a period of great prosperity as they reforged the Soleannen Empire which lead to the next era, Pax Soleanna.

The Empire would come to an end because the Ascension lead to their people to return home instead of having to fight a multi front war against the Silver Coalition and Bardonia. This was partially because the Emperor was unable to handle the idea of his people being subjugated to foreign powers so shortly after achieving Niedene unity.

Diplomacy of Escharia
Escharia was known throughout the world due to its infamy as a great power and held many relations because of it.

Bardonia: Escharia was the first major ally of the nation of Bardonia along with the Silver Coaliton, this led to the formation of the Trillium Alliance.

Silver Coalition-Silver Crownlands: The Silver Coalition and Escharia were friends when the Escharians sold their northern lands to the Coalition in return for friendship. They went on to form the Trillium due to the work of Star but began to grow distasteful of each other as time went on.

Carvay: Carvay has held a favorable view in the eyes of the Escharian, however when Essendor took power the relation was strained. Essendors subsequent exile led to Carvay and Escharia becoming favorable in each others eyes once more. Surprisingly the Jane Affair did not affect relations too much.

Yimmu-Audal: The Audalidae have long competed with the Escharians, who have been raided by Audalidae sailors since time immemorial. The Audalidae invaded Escharias heartland and pillaged much of the countryside, leading to a hatred of the Audalidae. The Imperials began to expand so that the heartlands wouldn't be threatened once again by Audalidae raiders. This led to the wars between them and the eventual triumph of Escharia over Yimmu-Audal.

Social Structure of Escharia
The Escharien government was an absolute government that highly relied on its caste system of nobility. The system remained largely untouched since the days of Dietrich's establishment of the positions. The Imperials host events called Imperial Diets which caused all of the nobility to meet at Lileanen to decide courses of actions for events. During the Ascension of the Escharian Empire, the nobles delegated more and more power into the hands of the Emperor.

Emperor: Had supreme authority over the nation and is accountable to none, ruled from the capital Lileanen.

Princes: Princes ruled major domains in the empire and had high authority over the other nobles and citizens. They where required to participate in the diet and could have knighted citizens.

Dukes, Counts, Margraves: Counts where owners of lesser realms, they where the owners of settlements outside the empire and had authority over all those below them. They where subservient to the Emperor and Princes, but may govern their own land by right. Diet attendance is necessary.

Lords (Barons): Barons where any landowners in the realm who have been appointed by the emperor to manage it, they may not appoint knights and couldn't make laws for their land. They would still attend the Diet.

Knights: Knights where citizens who had shown potential and had been awarded an honorary position as one who may work in the Government with a minor role.

Free Citizens: Tradesmen and Craftsmen, was an honorary role that showed the dedication of the citizen the nation. A majority of citizens held this role.

Citizen: Anyone who was an Imperial by birthright, and was recognized by the government. New citizens were given this role.

Provinces of Escharien ruled by the nobility, had high local autonomy but must complied with direct orders from the central government.

Policies of the Escharian Government
The Escharian government was known to host a variety of policies that varied on issues.

Government and Laws
The government of Escharia made sure that complete power was in the Emperor, due to their divine right to rule granted by their Aeszerii bloodline. Despite this absolutism, local governments had a large amount of autonomy as the central government took a hands-off approach. This was hardly an issue when the nobles who ran the land often sought advice from the enlightened emperor. Despite all this, several empire-wide edicts were put into action. There were a series of basic laws that were published. These basic laws must have been memorized by foreigners who wished to enter, as well as all civillians.

Basic Laws
1. One should keep to the rules of the postulates, and respect the life of others. To take the life of another will result in the offender being pressed into servitude, or punished by death.

2. One should avoid damaging another's property, if this is done the offender must pay the afflicted party back. If they cannot afford to, they must work to repay the property.

3. One should avoid theft, if this is done then the offender should be punished by confiscation of property. If they have none, they can be pressed into servitude of the afflicted. If this theft is due to poverty, then the state should draft them into the labor corps and give them employment through these means.

4. One should avoid harming the wildlife, if found to be doing this, the offender will be fined or imprisoned. Exceptions to this include regulated hunting, and protection of property.

5. One should avoid lying to government officials or breaking an oath, to do so will result in severe punishment determined by local lords or the Imperial Court depending on its severity.

Noble Laws and Suggestions
1. The Nobles of the land must get approval before settling new lands.

2. Nobles of the land must adhere the religion and culture laws, any divergence will result in title revocation.

3. Nobles should seek council with their peers and their superiors when advice is needed.

4. Nobles must govern their lands with courtesy and with honor, to become corrupt is severely punishable.

6. Nobles should follow the Imperial Hierarchy.

Residence Laws
1. Those who wish to reside in the country must worship the court of the divine and renounce their old ways.

2. Those who wish to reside in the country must adhere to Niedene languages or learn it while they stay in the Empire.

Religion and Culture Laws
1. Any Tesselian culture or influence is banned, and punishable by death. The study of it is punishable when not permitted by the state.

2. Any non-Soleannen religion is banned, and punishable by deportation.

3. Citizens should follow the religious hierarchy in matters of faith.

4. Abyss Mysticism, Blood Cult, and other similar faiths are punishable by death.

Foreigner Laws
1. Foreign visitors must follow the laws of the land they are in.

2. Foreign merchants and students must not push for foreign ideas while they are active in Escharia.

Economy
The Escharian Economy was a mixed one, it had some government regulation but generally favored mercantilism. It prioritized the inflow of resources and sought to minimize resources heading outside of the country. The central government, however, was known to purchase a large amount of building supplies to allow the growth of many Niedene cities. In addition to this, the colonies of Fernheim, Plagos, and the Mesa Colonies resulted in further inflow of resources.

Tolerance of Ethnoreligious Groups
The Escharian government was notably intolerant of Non-Soleannen religions and Non-Niedene peoples. This resulted in a complete ban of Non-Niedene and Non-Soleannen within the core regions of Escharia. On the other hand, outer territories such as Yimmu-Audal, and Theionikos all had religious freedom.

The religious intolerance was largely not present in the early days of Escharia, until the Auroran Order rebelled which caused a complete ban on foreign religions in Escharia. The joining of Theionikos and Yimmu-Audal led to this ban only being present in areas which were already Soleannen, and for the preservation of local religions.

The non-Niedene intolerance came from the Turtlonian (Tesselian) wars, where the Turtlonian General promised the destruction of all Escharians and their cities would be turned into sacrificial sites to the void gods. This sense of panic caused fervor unseen in the Empire. After the entire Turtlonian population invaded, the battle began and was won by the Escharians. The Escharians reversed this promise and hunted down the surviving Turtlonians until they went extinct. The last turtlonian is said to have fled to Carvay, but was killed by an Escharian Zissenza agent.

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 Escharien are spread throughout Rathnir


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



Military
Admiral: Johannes von Sudenwald (Ioannis an Sirriwal).

General: Deborah d'Bianci (Debra dai Bianci).

The Irastli Sikeri under Admiral Johannes von Sudenwald was one of the foremost naval forces in all of Rathnir, operating ten vessels: four Sylene-Class Frigates and six Aezenfjord-Class Corvette-Escorts, with several more under construction. Irastli Arus: The Imperial Army was made primarily of Career Soldiers and zealots who volunteered to defend the country from any external Threats. This was known as the Irastli Arus, and consisted of several Leqetor of a thousand men. The Army had many different positions including Arbalestiers, Archers, Cavalry, Heavy Infantry, Sappers, Spies, and Skirmishers.

Arkeren Karde: The Archeren Karde was an elite group of Soldiers loyal exclusively to the Emperor, acting as his personal guard and being cloaked in black and gold armor. They remained primarily protecting Castle Falkenstein, Castle Archerumslyre, and Flammastahl Temple.

Ileauras Solean: The Soleannen Warrior Monks (Ileauras Solean) were a group of those incredibly dedicated to Solaris, they are a traditional form of warrior from ancient days which utilized magicks and years of martial training.



Notable Imperials

 * Akkerei Auberon I an Aesperii
 * Iraikas Severie I an Aesperii (SikkeOst)
 * Imaere Debi d'Bianci (d3bi)
 * Ahrokan Maxime (Comrade_Max_)
 * Ahrokan Avensur (Avensur/Darkbane_Hu)
 * Aizorre Johann von Sudenwald (EDP1717)
 * Marus Akar (ViewedMarquis) (Formerly)
 * Orzren Auralas (Neorgothic)