Kingdom of Helia
The Kingdom of Helia is as overbearing as a furious sun on a hot, cloudless day in the middle of summer. They weren't always like that, but now they are determined to burn everything in sight! To burn it all down and then to reconstitute the ashes to fuel the glory of their precious Sol.An ever expanding power of the Quassus Continent, The Kingdom of Helia always hungers for more. It fields an army as destructive as it is vast, a venerable legion of trained soldiers supported by the magic arts of sun and fire. The Helian war machine is as destructive as it is vast, with ravenous Helian Fire spearheading its battle doctrine. In 1277, the Helian Legions march westward, destroying or subduing those tribes foolish enough to mount resistance. The spoils of Helia's conquests always finds its way to Sol, the heart of the Kingdom, where it is used to increase the capital's greatness. It is clear that this Kingdom seeks the glory of empire. This Kingdom is set on meeting and indeed surpassing the greatness of the ancients. Helia is currently ruled by a powerful king, though it was ruled by queens in the past. When it was, it was known as a Queendom. Helia's was last ruled by a Queen in 1115AGC, when the then reigning monarch was disposed of by an internal coup. It is said that Helian politics will burn the unwary the sun itself will to ill-prepared travelers. The strongest opponent to Helia is the Queendom of Lunaria, a quieter neighbor whom Helia has attempted to subdue in the past without success. The Kingdom currently honors a peace treaty with the Queendom, but no one believes that the peace will last.
Major Settlements
Territories
The Kingdom of Helia occupies most of the Continental Island of Lluvia and is planning to expand eastward as of 1277AGC. It borders the Queendom of Lunaria in the west, and the Kingdom of Vhara to the east.
Geography
Within the borders of the country are portions of two mountain ranges, both of which have tall, rocky peaks. Several tropical islands are also under the control of the Kingdom in the south. To the north, the temperate paradise of the Occulus Shores, where corals and white sands lie. Several rivers also travel through the country watering the country so that large, dense forests may grow (although Helia's massive need of lumber has all but removed one of these forests). There are also several plains, the largest of which occupies the mega-city of Sol, and the vast network of farms adjacent to it.Military
Fight the Helians in the shade, for they are strongest under the shining sun.The military of Helia is the strongest on Quassus. Their strength is greatest at noon when the sun is highest, for their Solar Mages utilize the power of the sun to empower the army. This is also the most experienced army on the continent due to the Kingdom's ongoing expansion to the east since 1159AGC. The Kingdom fields a large army as well as a sizable naval force.
Army
Light Infantry Light infantry consists of soldiers drafted into the Helian army. Soldiers in this class receive only basic training. Centurions The Centurions often consist of the warrior class though their leadership is often assumed by lords. This class of soldier receives advanced training, which includes lessons in advanced battle formations. Calvary Horse riders are mostly used to scout out enemy positions, or grouped up to flank exposed positions. These are rarely used as part of the front-line formation. Siege Engines The most fearsome component of the Helian war machine, their siege engines are the largest and most devastating to be found on the continent. These machines include ballistas, catapults, and trebuchets. The latter of these are a recent invention. They were first seen on the field in 1250AGC. The devastation these machines can bring down on a town is enhanced by Helian Fire .Naval
Fire Galleys The navy of Helia consists of war galleys fitted with Helian Fire . While the damage these ships can do to enemy combatants is significant, they are limited in range.Technological Level
Say what you will of us, the average citizen of Sol lives a lifestyle most could only dream of. Once they have been properly assimilated of course.In general, Helian technology is the most advanced on the continent of Quassus after the Queendom of Lunaria. The Kingdom employs a number of various machines to assist in various tasks. For construction, Helia employs cranes. For War, Helia deploys catapults, rams, repeating bows, and ballistas. For travel around the city of Sol, the Helians have retrofitted several of the Ancient's moving platforms, or elevators as the locals call them. The Helian army also uses optical telescopes to improve its ability to scout and monitor large areas. The Kingdom has also developed special versions of these telescopes, based on Ancient designs, to monitor the sun. However, their use and the information gained from their use is controlled by the Royal Helian Inner Sanctum. Helia is the only Kingdom on the continent known to use Helian Fire, a unique kind of fire that seems immune to water.
Religion
Helians worship the sun god, whom they believe will descend upon the earth when the time is right. The city of Sol is where it is believed the sun god will reside, so the Kings of Helia have sought to increase the city's glory in order to curry the favor of deity.
Foreign Relations
Helia generally seeks dominion over its surrounding areas. Tribes within the kingdom's sphere of influence are pressured to give tribute as well as sending able-bodied soldiers when called upon. This includes a tribe on the Corona Continent, a landmass south of Quassus.
It is said that as the sun dominates the sky by outshining the stars, so too does the Kingdom of Helia seek to dominate the world in the same fashion.
Trade & Transport
Helia's most beneficial trading partner has been the Free City of Centrum, who has supplied the Kingdom with weapons. The Kingdom also has trade agreements with some tribes and kingdoms on The Corona Continent. Helia permits several trading guilds to conduct trading within their territory under supervision. Most trading guilds that operate within Helia's borders are owned and operated by the Kingdom.
Education
Helian citizens are all given basic education in the fields of grammar, rhetoric, mathematics, and physical fitness. Military training and discipline are integral parts of the Helian curriculum as all able-bodied Helians are required to serve in the military. Families of high status in the Kingdom have access to a more robust and private education structure. Service within the military is still compulsory in the private curriculum, but attainment of a command position guaranteed.
Infrastructure
Everything the Kingdom consumes makes its way to Sol. Feeding that city is the reason this Kingdom exists.Helia has constructed a vast network of stone highways that connect every settlement within the Kingdom to Sol. Therefore the Kingdom can move materials and personnel from one point to another quickly and efficiently. The network of roads has allowed the Kingdom to assemble its armies at a pace few powers can match. In order to meet the demands of increasingly large city of Sol, the Kingdom has constructed several aqueducts to transport fresh water from the mountains to Sol citizens. It is the most impressive network of waterways in the civilized world, and the construction of these aqueducts are impeccable. The Kingdom operates several of the largest farms in the world in order to feed the growing population of Sol. Entire fields from the city's ever expanding perimeter to the horizon is filled with crops. Helia utilizes one of the most advanced farming techniques on the continent, crop rotation. Not all of the farm-able area is in use throughout the year, for a portion is left alone. Apparently this has had the effect of letting the soil recover so that it may continue to be of use.
All artwork is by Starfarertheta unless otherwise stated.
For the glory of Sol!
Founding Date
575AGC
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Alternative Names
Queendom of Helia (former title)
Demonym
Helians
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Command/Planned economy
Currency
- Helian Aurum - These coins have the Helian King on the obverse side and the Blazing Sun on the reverse side.
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Conquests:
Several states have fallen under the military might of the Kingdom of Helia:- Principality of Avistar
- Principality of Draethlin
- Rossa Alliance
- Stenmark
- Pamula
- Sydland
- Grand Duchy of Drvja
- Nishinami Thalassocracy
Demographics
- Human - 20%
- Minotaur - 15%
- Elf - 12%
- Drow - 10%
- Dwarf - 10%
- Goliath - 10%
- Half-Elf - 10%
- Hin - 5%
- Other - 8%
Note(s) from the Archivists:
This Kingdom will collapse under its own weight. You can only focus your efforts on developing one city for so long before the impracticality of it finally catches up to them. The only question is whether or not they will conquer the continent before then. - Archivist Savitri That was a dramatic statement. Can't the Kingdom just apologize? - Archivist Bob Why would they apologize? - Archivist Savitri Because we can offer them cakes? - Archivist Bob I don't think that would do. - Archivist SavitryRemove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Very nice. I particularly liked the quote: "Do your best to fight them in the shade, for they are strongest under the shining sun.". I would love to know more about the geography this kingdom manages. There is trade, but are there trading guilds? How much influence do they wield?
Hi, and thanks for the comment! For your questions and such: 1) The geography is something I'll work on in a future edit, but the Kingdom will contain mountains, some jungles, dense forests, and some miles of coastlines. I think I'll add a small map image showing the current extent of the empire. 2) Hadn't really thought about trading guilds until now. Thanks for bringing it up. :) 3) With the exception of Lunaria and its allies, the Kingdom has a great deal of influence over most everyone else over the continent. Many will acquiesce to the Kingdom's demands if they believe it will prevent or delay Helian conquest of their own territory. Many have begun secret talks concerning how to deal with the "Golden Blight." All this is subject to change of course, but comments like yours is always helpful to me.
No problem, and very nice! I look forward to seeing what you come up with for what trading guilds try to operate in this area. Especially if the other kingdoms are concerned about the "Golden Blight" ( brilliant name by the way ) ... I'm curious, would the merchants be wary also, OR would they be more interested in conflict. The whole "profit in conflict" idea. Or would there be a mix of attitudes among the merchants? Sorry for all the question, but again ... good work!
I can answer the merchant question right away: as long as profit can be made (for some, to feed their families; for others, to further increase their accounts), whether there's peace or war is largely irrelevant. This is particularly true of Centrum.