County of Cilicia

One of the many new states formed after the collapse of the old regime. Cilicia did not fully rise to prominence until the diasteropus effort by Cydonia to reconquer the old imperial center. One of the Knights of Cydonia was entrusted with reestablishing imperial rule over Silesia, and he certainly made a good go of it. He wiped out local opposition, installed governors who were seemingly loyal to the imperial heir, and established a new provincial treasury at his temporary capital at Cilicia Port. The Knight, whose name has been lost to history, put his subordinate Lucius Valerius in command of the garrison at Cilicia. When the Lord Knight left on campaign and was subsequently captured, Lucius decided to take matters into his own hands and declare Cilicia to be an independent state. He took the title of count and subsequently took to hiring an army of mercenaries to help him establish his domains. Over the course of two and half centuries, Cilicia has become one of the wealthiest and most stable states in the Shattered Lands.
The County of Cilicia is a monarchistic state. The count along with an advisory council takes care of most of the administrative duties, but, recently, the shipping and merchant guilds have become increasingly powerful, and not without good reason. Most of Cilician wealth comes from the taxes brought in through the long distance trade networks. Many are suspicious that these foreign merchant princes are bringing nefarious elements into the lands. People are particularly suspicious of the traders from Akkad.

Structure

The state is lead by a hereditary ruler bearing the title of count.  The duties of the count are supplemented by a ruling council made up of prominent families and leaders of the merchant guilds.  The merchant and shipping guilds also have a great deal of unofficial clout in the county.

Culture

Primarily a mercantile state.  It boast a large mercenary army along with citizen guard to protect its mainland territories, but its pride and joy is it merchant fleet that sails to far flung edges of the old empire.

Public Agenda

Expand trade and influence all along the eastern coast of Astur.

Fortune and Vigilance

Population: 125,000 Capital city: Cilicia Port Largest City: Cilicia Port Busiest Port: Port Town Current Ruler: Count Cyrol I

Foreign relations:

• Rhutian Republic: Cordial
• Silesian Principalities: Varied (mostly antipathetic) 
• Principality of Gorus: Friendly
• Kingdom of Praetorius: Antipathetic
• Knights of Cydonia: Friendly
• Tri-City Alliance: Cordial
• Despotate of Thrax:Republic of Galatia: no interaction
• Kingdom of Neustria:Neutral
• City of the Fallen: Hostile
• Kingdom of Austrasia: Neutral bordering on hostile

Founding Date

535 AF

Type

Geopolitical, County / March

Alternative Names

County of Ports

Demonym

Cilicians

Related Ranks & Titles

• First Citizen (Princep)

Controlled Territories

• Coral Beach

Neighboring Nations

• Twilight's Hammer