Belisarian Dynasty (Cuinnan Empire)

All of Lecarne would respect our might

"Decadent fools shalt bowe curtsy upon the true queen."

— Petronella I, Orisonite invasion

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Otherwise known as the empire of two kingdoms, encompassing both the kingdom of Cuinnan a land of great rulers in all of Lecarne and the kingdom of Orison (A.K.A the kingdom of the white desert) in Rhoygir. A great empire of proud history stands as one of the major players in Lecarne.

Proud History

Amongst all of Lecarne, The Belisar Dynasty has the most known heroes and legends to come out from either Cuinnan or Orison. Names like Petronella I, The Rebel Prince Elion, Scatha, and Etressi are all well known and respected all throughout the great continent of Lecarne

The Rite of Succession

Otherwise known as "Athias yn Ritiyul". A ritual of challenge among the ruling dynasty. Once the current ruling monarch dies or abdicates, chosen women from each branch of the family tree fight in a tournament to see who amongst them is favored by Sidlas to rule the empire.

The Women of Stone

Elite military units that began as Petronella Belisar I's personal trained bodyguards who helped her overthrow the old Belisars of the Cuinnan wood elves. Masters of the spear and shield as well as Geomancy, serving the realm as queens guard and a standing professional army.

A Nation in peril

As of late the empire of two kingdoms may have a possible open conflict with itself as a sizable portion of the empire are ready to declare open revolt. One side belonging to the empress Petronella III Belisar and to the other side is her cousin, Aelyra Belisar.

Structure

Since the Belisarian Dynasty is an empire of woodland elves expect a matriarchal society ruled by matrons and such. It is an empire that uses imperial titles for the ruling party. The hierarchy of power and the ranks of nobility are as follows:

1. Basileas (Empress) - The ruler of the Belisarian Dynasty.
2. Brionas (Queen) - The ruler of either one of the two kingdoms.
3. Duicias (Duchess) - Local rulers of Duchies.
4. Keilas (Countess) - Rulers of Counties.
5. Rienas (Glade Matron) - Governs and rules over forest glades.
6. Marsilas/Marsilon (Margravine/Margrave) - A noble or military commander assigned to frontier regions to defend the borders of the empire.
7. Nieadaic (Nobles) - Lords and Ladies that don't hold lands.

There are people who hold honorary titles, which are usually granted by the empress and each title serves a meaning or a purpose:

• Basileon (Emperor) - The empress' husband.
• Prionas/Prion (Princess/Prince) - Children of the empress.
• Canaigh - A woman belonging to the Belisarian Dynasty(house) and is a candidate to be the next empress.
• House Sage - A graduate from the tower of sages, serves as an advisor to the ruler.
• Court Healer - tasked with keeping the royal family healthy.

Finally, there are those who serve the empress as her assistants in her council. These titles are usually given to anyone capable regardless of rank or gender:

• Diplon/Diplas (Diplomat) - Tasked to assist the empress in matters of diplomacy
• Usean Feidhire - Translates to "the ashen stag rider". Assists the empress in matters of war and battle strategy
• Sullaraighe (Supplier) - Tasked to assist the empress in managing his realm
• Sgoligear Ardan (High Sage) - Tasked with running all of the sage towers in the realm. The person in charge of researching magic and matters of the divine.

Public Agenda

After the unexpected incident known as the "Lecarnic Campaigns" done by the Dennish from the eastern sea. A failed incident where a force of 30,000 well-armed Senecans cross the long sea from Carrion to Lecarne but were met with tragedy as nature ruptured their forces. Nevertheless, the incident opened the eyes of the Elves who believe that the Senecans could never march to Seneca without passing through Rhoygir. This alarmed Lecarne, and quickly fear spread throughout the continent.
This brings us to the conflict between the empress Petronella III Belisar and Aelyra Belisar. Aelyra Belisar was once the Queen of Orison after placing second in the ritual of succession. After the incident of the "Lecarnic Campaigns" Queen Aelyra tried to convince the Empress to launch a counter-invasion against the colonies of Seneca but was rejected. Aelyra would try to gather supporters and allies in order to coerce the Empress but this would lead to her losing her seat as the Queen of Orison after being booted out by Petronella. Bitterness and conflict grew within Aelyra feeling betrayed by her cousin. She would begin to rally her supporters against the Empress for her actions.
As for Petronella, she would wish to bolster defenses within her empire as she feels provoking the Senecans in Carrion would prove disastrous and might encourage more Senecans to attempt the said incident. She wouldn't dare send her soldiers through an unknown continent just to have them die. She had always been adamant about Aelyra's proposals but as time went by she saw her cousin become more toxic as to slander her stating that she failed in her duty as Empress. With Aelyra's growing popularity Petronella has always been looking for ways to put her back in her place and cripple her support.
Now the empire is in a standstill, both sides desperately want a peaceful resolution yet, neither side is willing to compromise nor back down. The Empire sets its goals to resolve this conflict and move on with it's agendas

History

Rise of the Belisar and the kingdom of Cuinnan

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Feeling disrespected after being treated like second-class citizens from the high elves, the Matron of the Cuinn woodland elves, Scatha decided that she has had enough and rallied her kin against the high tribunal. Her uprisings would constantly fail and she would often find herself hiding in forests gathering more manpower to reclaim her family's glades. She would eventually be caught and executed by the high tribunal, her children would continue her work in liberating their glades.
With Schatha gone her eldest daughter, Jolian took charge of the Cuinn rebels and became its new matron. She would seek help from other woodland elves beside her kin, promising that they too would have their glades liberated if they join the Cuinn. The elves that did offer their help to Jolian became the Cuinnan, meaning "Kindred of the Cuinn" and together Jolian and her forces drove the high elves away from their tribunal and established the kingdom of Cuinnan or the Belisarian Dynasty.
Rebellions against the high tribunal continued through Jolian's son Elion who encouraged other elves to reject the rule of the high tribunal. To prevent further conflict against the high tribunal and Psylodos she would marry Elion to a small woodland tribe in Rhoygir promising her protection and alliance as long as their children would be born as a Belisar.

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The First Continental War

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During the first continental war, the Belisarian dynasty became one of the worst victims in the war against Senecans. Having a death toll that numbered millions, most of the woodland elves in Rhoygir had suffered much from the fighting. Desperately they needed assistance from the kingdom of Cuinnan, but help from their allies never came. The Belisars of Rhoygir were disgusted with their Lecarnic cousins for being so passive in the conflict, leaving their allies to suffer while they aimlessly march their soldiers to their graves.
Thankfully for them, a legend was made during these trying times. She was Petronella Belisar a daughter to the glade matron of Orispar in Rhoygir and a descendant of Elion Belisar. She would brilliantly maneuver her enemies away from open fields where they hold the most advantages and have them fight an uphill battle. And with her status, she made a joint effort with the elves of Lecarne to combat the Senecan threat and won thus concluding the Great War with a successful defense.

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The Orisonite Invasion and The Belisar Wars

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After successfully defending Lecarne, Petronella set her sights to unite the woodland elves of Rhoygir either through diplomacy or war, creating the kingdom of Orison. With her new forces, she invaded the Cuinnan Belisars as her right as a Belisar herself and succeeded in doing so. With this, she declared the two kingdoms to be one as an empire and created a system that only the strongest of Belisars may succeed her as empress.

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The Belisarian Dynasty at the Contemporary times

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The empire had been stable for many years after Petronella I left it but as of now, things are looking uncertain between the two sides in the empire. They would fear a coming rebellion but would try their best not to let such an incident happen. The current empress, Petronella III is visiting Orispar to negotiate with Aelyra, the leader of the opposition.

Demography and Population

Racial Demographics of the Belisarian Dynasty:

1. Elves(79%)
   +Woodland(%84)
   +Drow(%10)
   +Flue(%4)
   +High Elves(%2)
2. Beastmen(%21)
   +Canid(32%)
   +Lepus(22%)
   +Feline(20%)
   +Caprine(10%)
   +Avian(9%)
   +Ursa(4%)
   +Bovine(5%)

Territories

Name	Type/Kingdom	Capital	Population(Est.)
Ciann	Region/Ciannan	Salwen	6,352,000
Orispar	Region/Orison	Orispar	10,344,000
Velungri	Region/Ciannan	Efabel	4,484,000
Shalglin	Region/Ciannan	Athserin	4,251,000
Sgorius	Region/Ciannan	Ielorn	4,009,000
Yasilon	Region/Orison	Carona	4,002,000
Brunren	Region/Orison	Alla	3,229,000
Scothe	Region/Orison	Isr	3,214,000
Orisaph	Region/Orison	Talisia	1,537,000
Ianna	Autonomous City/Orison	Ianna	920,000

Religion

The empire adheres to the Lecarnic Pantheon

"Steadfast and Headstrong"

Heraldry:

• "Espuar" - Cuinnan for Headstrong
• "Aeshas" - Cuinnan for Steadfast
• The twin stags - Represents the two kingdoms. The one on the left represents Orison, known for the white desert while the one on the right represents Cuinnan being the home of the Belisars
• The rose of Efabel - The symbol used by Scatha during her rebellion against the high tribunal

Founding Date

242 SC

Type

Geopolitical, Empire

Alternative Names

Cuinnan Empire

Demonym

Cuinnan
Belisarian

Leader

Petronella III Oishalin Belisar

Government System

Monarchy, Absolute

Power Structure

Feudal state

Economic System

Traditional

Currency

Stater

Notable Members

• Petronella III Oishalin Belisar

Hostile

Belisarian Dynasty (Cuinnan Empire)

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The Empire of Hayden

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Ancient Grudges held deeply since ancient times, both Senecan and Lecarnic will forever be wrapped in an endless conflict unless one comes out a victor.