Arlesia

The Principality of Arlesia is an absolute monarchy in the southwest of the continent, below the mountains. Never part of the Empire, Arlesia was gradually united from a feudal society much like its northern neighbour the Westgauen into a unified and increasingly powerful monarchic state while the Third Empire ruled in the North. It has a pleasant mediterranean climate. Under the rule of Prince Nicholas III Manchevieux, Arlesia has flourished, with the sciences, engineering and the arts taking great flight. Particularly the city gnomes under the patronage of the monarchy were instrumental to this golden age of Arlesian discovery. Among others, the Arlesians have recently experimented with early gunpowder weaponry and are looking for a way to take to the skies in machines.
Arlesia has a very particular rivalry with the Westgauen despite the many trade links across the mountains. Arlesians regard Old Imperials and Westgauers in particular as a bunch of unruly and uncultured simpletons, whereas Westgauers find Arlesians snobbish.

Interesting things about Arlesia

• Arlesia has seized advantage of the backlash against the Chantry by inviting freethinkers from all over Ereacia to Arlesia. While Chantry worship is not legal in Arlesia, this has fuelled great scientific advances, with great projects to attain flight and to develop gunpowder weaponry already yielding early successes.
• The court of Prince Nicholas III Manchevieux has a very refined reputation and is home to great statesmen. The most notable of these is the High Elf Cardinal Vilire Chalesien, the Prince’s Chief Minister, also known as the Grey Cardinal. The Musketeers of the Guard are a famed regiment, pioneering the use of early guns in warfare.
• The city of Legreux is the resplendent centre of Arlesia, and has recently developed into a sprawling city. Its broad boulevards have recently been constructed and are still brand new. Beyond the centre of Legreux, affairs become more squalid, with powerful thieves’ guilds reputedly holding sway. Arlesia has a large population of gnomes. The woods of Arlesia are home to several self-contained Forest Gnome communities. Likewise, the gnomes that have migrated to the cities are consummate inventors who have greatly fuelled the country’s golden age.

Arlesian Characters

Progress, Style and Enlightenment. Arlesia, to Arlesians, is the pinnacle of science and culture in Ereacia. The remnants of the Third Empire to the North, to them, are stuck in a bygone age. The future is wide-open to Arlesians, and they are currently leading. If you’re playing an Arlesian character, consider the pride Arlesians have in their style, progress and enlightenment, and the way this relates to the rest of the continent in their eyes. Are they looking to spread the enlightenment? Or do they consider the north a lost cause? Fruits of Technology. Arlesia is developing the technologies of the early renaissance. While new inventions such as guns and airmachines are expensive, some newer inventions might be within reach of everyone. What is your role in this growth? Do you carry some sort of invention with you? Are you looking forward to a particular innovation with optimism? The Prince’s Justice. Prince Nicholas Manchevieux of Arlesia is the very archetype of an enlightened and just ruler, the perfect Filian Prince. He is an absolute ruler, but he is the type that is good for his country. With decisiveness and poise he has raised an entire new class of leaders. This has dispossessed some of the nobility. The sweeping social change in Arlesia is bound to have affected your character. Are you part of the winners or losers? And how do you perceive the Prince’s policies? Are you in Hespial as an agent of Arlesia’s push for international influence, or did you get enough of the aggressive pace of change? Think about this as you build your character.

Structure

Absolute Monarchy under the rule of Prince Nicholas II Manchevieux, assisted by his Chief Minister and Court.

Public Agenda

Sharing the Arlesian Enlightenment and Renaissance with the whole of Ereacia and establish a new golden age.

Ad Maiorem

Founding Date

4th century Imp-III

Type

Geopolitical, Kingdom

Capital

Legreux

Demonym

Arlesian

Leader

Nicholas II Manchevieux

Head of State

Nicholas II Manchevieux

Head of Government

Vilire Chalesien

Government System

Monarchy, Absolute

Power Structure

Unitary state

Currency

Arlesian Livre

Location

Legreux

Official Languages

• Arlesian
• Highspeech

Neighboring Nations

• Hespial
• Westgauen

Related Ethnicities

• Arlesian