Diestria
History
Turmoil
Diestria, called the epicenter of human civilization lies at the core of the Common Lands and is infamous for it’s unstable and chaotic intrigues, entranced in deceit and rebellion. The Empire is still respected and feared by it’s bordering civilizations due to the vast resources and power that they control. Enough for the individual seated on it's throne of blood red silks to claim excellency of mankind should they unify the houses. This looming threat of a united Diestria has mankind in a grip both of fear and hope, as depending on it’s ruler the political scales could tip into anyone's favour. The central might has the potential both to crush, or be crushed by the elven empires, rendering it an ally of the other human civilizations whether they want too or not. This fact makes the empire a hotspot for all manners of treason, schemes and conspiracies to rule the dusk fallen jungle of occult magic and weird technologies. Hence why not only the bordering and internal factions, but also that of unseen threats take interest in it’s throne.Roots
Long ago, when the kingdoms of Peregon were nine rather than four, and the Golden Empire was nothing more than a few southern baronies, the land of Diestria went by a different name. The great Blackwood had long been neglected by the influences of civilization due to the less hostile wildlife and seasons on neighbouring biomes. Back then the only humans to inhabit the woods were various druidism worshipping clans and tribes that mostly lived as nomads and within hunter and gatherer societies. Due to their attunement with nature and a life on the move, these natives had little need of technology, yet an interest in magic. Especially the arts considered foul or evil such as witchery and occultism had a wide array of use for the elders as a way to commune with their surrounding lands and spirits, as well as harnessing its healing powers. The thought to use such arts for sin was nothing else than a myth to scare the children straight. Meanwhile, during the golden age of Diestraux and it's overpopulation, many inhabitants of the old kingdom sought to colonize the shores of the Blackwood. Inevitably, the two different cultures clashed. Thankfully, a trade agreement where Blackwood natives promised to slowly adapt the Diestraux ways of life in exchange for farmlands and technology set a bridge between the divide. In fact the situation was perfect. With Diestraux and Dawnshire fighting a bitter war, the populace of Diestraux had no love for the zealots and their condemnation of the native's practices as sinister arts. Instead an instinct of rebellion fused an interest in these mysterious forces that was so feared by their foe. Thus the two cultures of settlers and natives slowly came together through peace and intertwining goals to serve the Kingdom of Diestraux in an effort to end the Peregonian wars.Desolation
Home on Peregon’s shores things were not as bright as back in the Blackwoods. By wielding wild magics with greed and rage, the four kings that still stood their ground within the battle royale had managed to obliterate themselves and reshape their lands in a cascade of destructive magical wavelengths. For Diestraux, it had meant a swift end to their golden age and the reign of half the kingdoms. With their farmlands and vineyards crushed underneath a rain of ash and blood their population suddenly tumbled down from riches to rags in one violent mystic storm. With the royal bloodline facing the darkest of twilights, what remained of house Di'estra had to escape the collapsing kingdom, which remnants would be reborn as Nightbridge, for the now greener pastries in the Blackwood. As Peregon united underneath the new High king of Dawnshire and the faith of the radiant skies. What remained of Diestraux was now faced with an overwhelming wave of zealous brethren and priestly orders that sought to spread their decree through the Blackwood colonies.Triad of sadism
The two centuries which came before with the initial forming of Diestria is known as one, if maybe not the bloodiest age of brother fighting brother in the history of mankind. It was a time without understanding or sense, born from the still ongoing triad of sadism. A triangulate of social classes infamous for their acts. It slowly began with the Red clergy, the holy orders that spread with the migrating population sought to shut down the native practices with punishments that could go as far as hangings and pyres. Thus rose the original witchfinders and peasant mobs from a hatred that sparked an era where hounds and full regiments of cavalry hunted down innocent people in the woods. These people, known as the Occultists and later degraded simply into cultists were not only natives anymore, but members of the Diestraux populace that dabbled in mysterious magical arts. They had to flee the cities and villages and return to the woods shadows to avoid the slaughter. It was only a matter of time before they had enough of fleeing, and in a flood of blood their magic turned the tide, before once more being caught in a ruthless stalemate. Orchestrating this madness was the Nobility. With the royal blood in veins, they played the Red clergy and the Occultists against one another. The prior as a means to subjugate and demand loyalty from the people, and the latter to learn about the dark arts themselves as a way to ensure none could match their strength. During these years, a hundred different houses with only a handful carrying valid claims rose up, only to collapse with an earthquake's force of chaos that the triad conjured from it’s sin.Age of virtue
The age of virtue is renowned as the heroic age that spawned when a scarlet light pierced the darkness. Around two dozen warmongering countries had risen from the chaos, but soon united into the greater empire of Diestria, thanks to the course of a couple historic events. With the rise of the Demon Sire and his infamous decadencies and delvings with the newly emerged demons, a halt came to the murders of innocents when his claws choked out the noble schemes. With the ancient rights of his bloodline Di'estra, he may at first have failed to issue a decree of a unified Diestria, which instead faced him with eight different households that wanted him dead. With a bit of tact and patience though, he used the help of demonic consorts to seduce each head of the households into impossible agreements that forced them to join his court. By using their armies, he crushed the rest of the resistance against each other and wiped out with an army brought from a deal with the Golden Empire. The second event was the forming of the High Court and it's lawkeepers that kicked the peasant mobs out of business for proper skilled and educated knights that solved troubles without a bloody pyre. In its footsteps came reformation to the witchfinders that wrote the Witch Hunter's Codex. A holy code which replaced the killers of old by a professional secret service task force.The first elven war
With the Empire of Diestria finally stable from generations of dread, it was only a matter of time before the Demon Sire had to make good on his promise from the God King's relief army deal. Thus Diestria joined the Golden Dunes in defence against the elven realms war. With rapid expansion of cities and development of warfare that brought the first muskets and cannons onto the fields, Diestria and it’s mighty cavalry became a key player that mounted decisive victories against both the Drow, Nobleborne and Barkear factions. In the end, mankind’s victory was still a bitter one, as the Demon Sire had fallen in honorable combat being to a killing blow from the Queen Goddess spear. A final blow that slowly crumbled the court of Di’estra and brought the end of an era, one that had basked in sixty years of heroism.The second elven war
With the end of the war and with the bloodline of Di'estra weakened, a new age came with rekindled feuding between the noble houses which once more birthed a new and crueler triad of sadism. One that with the lack of a strong leader and the corruption of the High Court had the quarreling houses back on a track for their delvings into the dark arts. This time around however, the tutors of these magics were no friendly village witches but either the consorts of Draghânir and his demonic horde, or from his rival the goddess Jingváelica and her Occuli Singernica. A cult hellbent on uncovering the old Blackwood's secrets and bring an end to the reign of coal and engines, through mindless bloodshed. To answer the return of their ancient foe, the Red Clergy reformed once more to crush them, but this time accompanied by the Ysandrian Inquisition that gleefully helped the purge of those seen as foul. The conflict kept going throughout the years of the second human and elven conflict, until a full scale invasion allied with the Occuli Singernica forced the populace to band together to prevent the cultists from claiming the throne of Diestria. The result of this conflict resulted in the reign of absolute anarchy where ordinary citizens and holy orders would fight demons and cultists from the reaches of the darkest woods, to the streets of the cities. After successfully corrupting a part of the land with the summoning of the Thornwood, the elven forces were ultimately crushed by a full human insurgency where everything from the empires and kingdoms to criminal organizations, accompanied by the Occult Hunters Guild Dwarves, Kingdom of the Snowland Isles House of Serpents, House of Crows and goblin mercenaries managed to exterminate the threat before the Thornwood would rend the lands to ruin. With the war concluded with the goddess Jingváelica's banishment from the physical realm, there would finally be a time for Diestria to heal.Present Day
Peace however, is a fickle thing and it wouldn't be Diestria without another catastrophe right around the corner. Thus, with the line of Di'estra once more in power underneathMadame Anita Di'estra’s claim to the throne throne, accompanied by the alliances forged from the war that brought Peregon and the Frozen Empire into the fold, a form of stability has already taken roots. Yet, within the shadows of turmoil yet another struggle for power lurks just beneath the surface.Key players
Occuli Singernica
Underneath the new leadership of Anita, the Occuli Singernica is still going strong, not as a mad cult that seeks to entangle civilization in thorns, but as a faction that will harness what has been done. The Singernica shall establish a stable empire underneath the house of Di'estra and the spirit of the old Demon Sire. An empire ruled by the clever and cunning, that wield the dark arts as a weapon and symbol of a promised safe haven for all touched by darkness. To achieve this success, they reshape each head of the noble houses into their demonic court, to once more revel in an age of heroism brought by the Mother of Demons.Blackwood Accord
A traditionalist faction rooted deep in the ancient values of the extinct Blackwood societies. This organization of witches and occultists see the Thornwoods as an infection on their ancestral land. One that needs to be cured at any cost. Combining new technology with the arts of the old, the Blackwood Accord is swiftly gaining popularity among the villages that were affected and forgotten within the countless atrocities suffered. Underneath their new upstart leader Mierva, the accord shall show the people of Diestria a new way of life, through healing and unity of an elder council that will return the empire to its druidic roots. Let there be no doubt though, they won't shy away from a fight.Red Clergy
A royalist faction that believes the only way for true healing is to exterminate the tumor that caused so much grief and bloodshed. By exterminating all that is dark and wicked, they will deliver Diestria from evil and annihilate the noble houses that wont see things the correct way. The high decree of the Clergy is to pave the way for a new heroic age of Peregon and the kingdom of Dawnshire. That the high heavens smite the demonic heretic's and bring forth a tide of order and human superiority. A unity from far and wide where human societies would come together to punish the elves for their countless crimes against mankind, and etch their kin into history as world conquerors.Order of the Falcon
A nationalist faction that believes the struggle for power is the true source behind the discord which ravaged the empire. Diestria will never break through the cycle of evil unless the source of it is broken. Power must instead be put in the nation's people and the councilor's of the High Court should dictate laws for all human civilizations, with the help of representatives from each faction. To achieve such unity, those orchestrating the madness need to be delivered before justice, and magic needs to be regulated. More so, these tasks are impossible to achieve until the order's noble hunters can root out the High Court’s corruption and use them to condemn their monstrous foes.Forged by blood and pain.
Houses:
House Lionheart
Represented by a white steed to a blue crest, invoked by white flames of holy might. The house of Lionheart rules the western shores of Diestria, and stands to serve the High Court in their mission to spread order throughout the land with old knighthoods. The Lionhearts also have the strongest ties with the Kingdoms of Peregon due to their bloodline's history and freight's that ship from one country to the other. With trade through these shippings, the family also gained a fortune from the breeding of Diestria’s finest warhorses.House Crowley
Represented by a crow's skull flanked by six ember glowing candles, and a wrap of regal parchment held together by the letter C in wax. Standing strong in the middle of Diestira, house Crowley is shrouded in mystery and intrigue and nobody is quite sure what cause they serve. The Crowley's are famous for their legendary banquette's and tourney's that are famous all over the Common Lands. A fact which has raised many eyebrows on how this lesser known family gained their wealth. Most believe it may be from the Di'estra family paying them to be their storefront of smiles and warm welcomes.House Wyld
Represented by a mad boar on a regal crest of leather and ivory. House Wyld stands fast on the edge between the Thornwood, Wolven Valley and Dark Elven border, where they stand firm against outside threats. As firm allies to the Red Clergy and part of the Ysandrian Inquisition, the Wyld's are infamous for their skill in combat, wielding both the holy arts and fine rifles to crush the opposing forces both within and outside of the Empire, as they seek to hold the line to the day they might launch an infernal counter strike.House Graymire
Renowned for their morbid crest of a pale white lady, clad in black rags and chained down underneath the surface, as she drowns with blood seeping from her eyes. House Graymire can be found within the... Graymire, which lies between the Thornwood and Shadowood, accompanied by the Well of the Faeye. This one macabre house makes it no secret that they are rooted deep in old legends and fairytales, being so cocky as to say some of them have traversed the Faywild itself and unlocked ancient cosmical secrets. What is however true, is the fact they are professional torturers, assassins and extractors.House Grimmstar
Famous for its black morningstar in front of a crimson flame, within a spiked tower shield of steel, as their crest. House Grimmstar can be found south of the capital Diaemone where it lies on a small hill surrounded by beauty. The Grimmstar's are sworn loyal underneath the House of Di'estra and the Occuli Singernica as well, but really couldn't care less for their demonic conquest of Diestria. Rather they wish to relish and indulge in the finer arts, that being the quest to record the empire's history, bloodlines, tales and legends accompanied by a love of occultism that fuels their drive as well as fine, aged wines.House Ashport
Represented by a compass over a red parchment and triangular mahogany framing. House Ashport dominates the northern shores of Diestria as the second largest house of the empire as well as the core of it's naval might. The Ashports are well known as the second largest house of Diestria as well as the home of the Red Clergy. On their shores, they sail frozen seas in a quest for whaling, fishing, destroying the pirates raiding their shores, and ensuring no heretic can escape the heat of the pyre.House Copperwatch
Represented by a skeleton watch, chained to a circular copper frame and a black canvas. House Copperwatch can be found close to the borders of the Golden Dunes, within a small range of mountains surrounded by the ancient Blackwoods. Here they create technological wonders combined with the occult arts, in a quest to destroy the Thornwoods and aid the Blackwood Accord with their mission. Legend says that it was also the Copperwatch family that invented the trains, which twirl like snakes around their mountain domain.House Di'Estra
Represented by the shieldlike crest of a three headed wyvern with wings spread out, and the heads on the sides of the middle one breathing crimson flames while the middle goes for a bite. All surrounded by a frame of skulls with flaming eyes on a gray background. Found within the capital of Diaemone, the bloodline of Di'Estra even though smallest in size still stands firm as the most powerful house of Diestria. With the blood of demons in her veins, Anita seeks to claim what is rightfully hers and bring the coming of her demonic league.Minor Nobility
While far less prominent, minor nobilities outside of the eight great houses exist but tend to live out their purposes fast. Over the course of a single year, around one to two dozen different houses form and fall within Diestria, some collapsing even before having a time to get established, while others live long enough to get a stamp in the history books, or actually even see change made from their struggles. Even then, it is a possible future, that while highly unlikely a minor nobility could one day rise to make the eight great houses nine, or take over where another one has failed.
Culture
Architecture
Diestria shows it's Diestraux heritage in every tile of it's cobble paved roads and glamorous dim lamplights that cover romantic parks and streets. The cities and towns are built narrow, with large brick buildings that can harbour several families, stores and workplaces, while the estates and town halls can be found in the middle of these places, often with moss or growth on their rooftops. The villages are more of an old school style, with wooden hovels and stone houses covered in vines and rocky gardens being the norm, with one or the other streetlight, fountain and massive estate for the nobility to watch over the villagers from.Technology and magic
With the train as one of it's newest inventions, technology has gone far within Diestria where the first prototype lightbulbs are implemented into the streetlights in exchange for the old alchemical ones. Clockworks and factories are also a norm nowadays, with revolvers, rifles and bombs being the main weapons of its armies. When it comes to magic, druidism and psychic occultism along with demonology are the most commonly used schools, with the contrast being that of holy arts, depending on which household owns the land.
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Leader
Related Professions
Controlled Territories
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Notable Members
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