Principality of Thessalon
The Aumontine Crusader State
The Principality of Thessalon is one of the three Crusader States located in southern Ezura, specifically the Girded Valley. Though it was second to settle the region after Argosia, it has occupied its realm for more than five centuries. During this time it has grown and annexed some of Argosia's former river territory on its northern border.
Its origins lie with the Kingdom of Aumont and still has good ties and relations with the peoples there, despite the schism of the kingdoms. Nevertheless, Thessalon has made clear its allegiances and supports the current Kingdom of Aumont over its brother, Sancre, something which has put it at odds with Achaea.
Thessalon Crusaders charge a line of heretical rebels.
History
The Crusader States are three semi-autonomous lordships operating in the Girded Valley in the south of Ezura. They were the natural evolution of the Crusade, a desperate show of force by the kingdoms of Albion to prove their valour and might in the eyes of the Mother Danu, after the fall of the Empire. It was also a show of unity, as well as a land grab of both materials and resources, not to mention man power. The people of the Damaran, native humans of southern Ezura, were to be converted and preferably recruited into either society or the armies that made up the Crusade. Any who resisted were crucified without mercy, henceforth named the 'Crusade'. The Road of Crosses still bears the signs of brutality of the first crusaders today, with the skeletons of the innocent still hanging off their cross, exposed over centuries to the light of Danu until they are naught but dust.
The Cause of the Crusade
The common consensus is that the beginning of the First Crusade was a call from Uriel the Merciful to reclaim human lands captured by monstrous people or turned heretic; the origin is, however, widely debated. Much of the lack of clarity comes from the number of armies operating without a central unity in the First Crusade, which eventually turned into the three crusader states present today.The Materialist View
A person can be devoutly religious, but still seek to gain wealth in conquest. People of all classes felt the economic pinch at this stage of time after the fall of the Empire. The serfs that had no place in the existing feudal structure in Albion went south-east, often taking their families and worldly possessions in a hope to move and colonize a new home there. The inheritance of the possessions in a family being passed down to the eldest son left a whole slew of second children with no holdings of their own. Some who marched in the Crusade set out to claim holdings of their own and became Princes in their own right. For many of these people, conquest in the name of the Folk of Danu opened an avenue to a better, richer life.The Spiritual View
Another camp sees the Crusade as an attempt by Uriel the Merciful to expand the power of the church and reunite the Damaran people with its beliefs. This would also have the effect of liberating those who still believed in Danu from the heretics who chose others as their deity. Those scholars arguing on this side also point out a couple reasons that a material view isn’t necessarily consistent with the actions of those in the Crusades. The incredibly expensive journey of the Crusade was not only funded by the church, kings or nations. While the Church did offset some of the cost, most who joined the Crusade paid their own way. Aristocrats sold their assets to fund their journey.Territories
Thessalon is bordered by both Argosia and Achaea to its west and the Salcier Highlands to its east. It is the other crusader state to guard against the perils lurking in and beyond the Spine of Sat-Jek to the north, but often Argosia receives the credit for holding the river. Thessalon's territories are rough and mountaineous and much colder than its two neighbours. Its people have adjusted thus, and many farms hold livestock rather than growing grain. Its soldiers wear fear beneath and above their armour, unless they are posted in the jungle regions in the north.
Military
Thessalon has a proud military history and prides itself on having converted many former heretics which it recruited into its ranks - often at sword point. Its knights clad in white tunics and black crosses are a sight to behold both on horseback and on foot, however its militia and levies are lacking somewhat. Thessalon archers and spears are weak, and former converted people often run rather than die for Danu, an act that still sees these 'criminals' hanged by the cross to this day.
Foreign Relations
Thessalon has good relations to its parent kingdom - Aumont - and regularly trades with it along one of the rivers leading from Whitereach to Kirkshaw Bay and the oceans that connect them beyond. Iron and rare metals are exported to its fatherland, while food and luxuries are imported, not to mention those willing to fight.
In regards to its other two crusader states, Thessalon has kept a neutral attitude. It has much on its plate, concerned with both Saurians to its north, heretics to its south and aggressive Brutgor in the mountains to its east. Whenever peace and quiet is achieved across the state however, Thessalon does not shy away from its claims of the entire Girded Valley.
Founding Date
38AE
Capital
Leader
Leader Title
Government System
Monarchy, Theocratic
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Traditional
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Comments