Royal Kingdom of Azaria

Azaria has a temperate climate.
There is a much stronger class/ race/ gender divide in Azaria until the Age of the Goddess which helped increase women’s rights. Before then it was very strictly patriarchal with set gender roles, and they are very anti LGBT. They also look down upon the other nations.
However after the Age of Darkness, Azaria took on a lot of Esturia’s more lax views as both kingdoms had lost so much and needed a lot of help to get back on its feet, so more opportunities for women and other ethnicities etc came about. Some of the noble houses however clung to old traditions and were not keen on the reforms, many of which let Esturia keep a lot of autonomy (such as Dhjerba being run by merchants and Begara being almost untouched by the war as it had a truce). Azaria is also quite racist compared to the other nations as they believe in their own superiority. There is a lot of variation between cities however, with border cities and ports being most lax, and the older noble houses more strict.
Azaria’s main military strength is its navy which it has used to keep Esturia in check. It is about equal to Bayaan’s navy so they prefer to maintain strong trade rather than invade the other, although Bayaan has tried to invade Azaria before due to its trade links with Esturia, and Azaria has tried to invade as it wants Nydis’s technology.
Azaria evolves into a theocracy when the Goddess religion takes over, which actually helps female rights. The King is loyal to the religious authorities and they control a lot of the law-making, taking power from the noble houses which makes many of the nobility upset. The religion also tries to quash older cultures and beliefs and ends up subsuming a lot of things.
Evolves into an oligarchy/ magocracy after the Magicians take over and remove the monarchy. This makes the class divide much worse and tips power in favour to magic users, especially Magicians (so again not based on skin colour or gender but on power level). Gender wise however they remain relatively the same.

Structure

A monarchy who presides over the twelve noble houses who govern Azaria after the unification of the kingdom. Each of the noble houses rules over a segment of the kingdom and are responsible for local governing.
A Council govern the day to day runnings of each township/ city/ village, while a Guardsmen Jury carry out law enforcement and trials.

History

A monarchy, then oligarchy where the noble families hold most power. A few noble houses were founded early (Aspengale/ Farrontine/ Voxwood/ Glenford; these tend to be most traditionalist and restrictive], but most of the noble houses were founded after the unification of Azaria and Esturia.
The Azarian royal family changes thus:
Founding- House Farrontine, but upon openly joining the Order of Amaranth, they are cast down and replaced by House Glenford. Their status as a noble house greatly diminishes but they keep their land and titles.
Age of Magic- House Glenford, but the rulers are strict and traditionalists. They believe magic is a good thing as it will help control the nation and back the Mage Society. They are also keen to see magic’s potential use in warfare to invade the other nations.
Age of Darkness- House Glenford rules in name only as the military-strategists House Kinslet lead the war effort. The Kinslets do a good job keeping Azaria united and are venerated when Azaria wins the war. The people thus want them as their new rulers and the Glenfords step down. The Voxwoods fight for the right to rule too but lose badly.
Age of the Goddess- House Kinslet remains, but they have become quite complacent in peacetime and rely on the other Houses for advice rather than leading from the front as they used to. Thus they are easily manipulated by House Balthanders.
Age of the Magicians- the Kinslets are exiled and the Magician Council takes over. These are mostly based off former members of the Order of Amaranth who gained magic.

Territories

Before the Age of the Goddess- Azaria made up the eastern coast of the west continent.
After the Age of the Goddess- Azaria conquered Esturia and united the whole west continent.

Military

The army consists of soldiers called Guardsmen. Each city in Azaria is led by one of the ranked Guardsmen who together make up the entire army.
Army ranks:
VIENS- Field-Marshall LANARAN- General DRAGONVALE/ DHJERBA- Lieutenant-General ESTOVAN/ TERENT- Brigadier/ Sergeant BEGARA- Colonel DARKDALE- Lieutenant-Colonel BANE- Major ORNIXA/ TERENT- Captain Warren WOLFDALE- First-Lieutenant

Religion

Age of Magic- no single dominant religion
Age of Darkness- the 8 Celestial Creatures are worshipped as pagan deities of elements
Age of the Goddess- the Goddess is worshipped as a monotheistic religion
Age of Magicians- religious thought has declined massively

Agriculture & Industry

House LaGuerrain are based in Darkdale and are farmers, and are responsible for keeping most of Azaria fed. Thanks to their unusual methods and situation near the Airwater Gorge, they are able to produce even the most exotic foods on their plots, and in sustainable quantity, too. They are extremely protective of their lands, too, and employ an active patrol to prevent travellers from spoiling or damaging their fields and crops. A little harsh, one might say, but it is perhaps why Azaria's population has been able to grow as large as it has.

Trade & Transport

Age of Magic- mostly horseback transport and ships
Age of Darkness- similar to above but much more treacherous so little trade goes on
Age of the Goddess- horseback, ships, and also airships and rail are being developed
Age of the Magicians- airships, rail and ship

Education

Most cities have a college patroned by one of the noble houses. The 'best' colleges are the University in Begara and the Academy in Viens and they hold a fierce rivalry to attract the best talents. Lanaran has a famous healer's school.

Founding Date

0

Type

Court, Royal

Demonym

Azarian

Government System

Monarchy, Absolute

Power Structure

Autonomous area

Economic System

Traditional

Currency

Gold, silver and bronze coin

Legislative Body

The noble house representatives on the King's Court

Judicial Body

Guardsmen Jury

Controlled Territories

• Airwater Gorge
• Bane
• Begara
• Blackspring Marsh
• Blackvale Woods
• Blackwood Forest
• Darkdale
• Darkvale Forest
• Dhjerba
• Dhjerba Goddess Shrine
• Dragonvale
• Dragonvale Shrine
• Earthfire Mountains
• Eastern Snowcaps
• Estovan
• Estovan Shrine
• Furosta Mountains
• Galgiza Forest
• Goddess Shrines
• Greywater Canal
• Lanaran
• Lanaran Goddess Shrine
• Ornixa
• Ornixa Goddess Shrine
• Ornixa Mines
• Terent
• Unbound Asylums
• Viens
• Viens Goddess Shrine
• Wolfdale

Neighboring Nations

• Esturian Empire

Notable Members

• Adam Mason
• Lady Anna Jennifer Navinka Svendmar
• Melissa Edwards
• Ryan Glenford

Related Myths

• Tale of the Binding