Syracae

The Dukata of Syracae, also known as the Duchies of Syrcasia are a collective group of states that fall under a common union upon the disbanding of their kingdom due to a disastrous war.
Now, the land known as Syracae is split. Half was taken and formed the Realm of Sunavae. While the rest of Syracae form the Dukata. The Dukata of Syracae is the realm that encompases the lands between The Kingdom of Ardocia and the edge of the Silandriir Wildlands. Their banner is that of a bull between two pillars, a symbol of strength and resillience. Their people are equally as resilient, having faced the Ruination, many wars, and occupations throughout their history.
Some of the first civilizations to touch the ground and break soil upon Czerelan were the Central Dwarves. Carving their homes out of the Aderic and Zikos mountain ranges, founding cities of stone and bronze in deep caves and cisterns located around the mountains. However, Dwarven ambitions were not limited to the crags, cliff, and heights of their home mountains. They sought to expand outwards and settle the lands beyond. Secure more homes for the Dwarven people and their way of life, they would expand upon the surface as they have below. The Land of Syracae to the west of the Zikos Mountains were a prime target. A long stretch of hilly terrain that would reach the ocean from the Zikosi homeland. The Dwarves moved en masse in an effort to settle the lands they sought. To this day, thousands of years later, their efforts were not in vain. Their culture stands prominent in the region, their faith is observed and traditions upheld by the people who currently live in the realm.
The Dukata's Rulers
The Dukata is split into four individual Duki. While none can claim independence, they all have their own autonomy to govern as they please. The current rulers are Dux Ekriot Cappirok of Kolscori, Dux Lusok Vintroki of Essentia, Dux Telchark Aknaxos of Nasginthur, and Duxesa Anakas Thord of Etonas.
Each belong to prestigious noble houses of Syracae and serve as the rulers of their perspective Duki. Due to rivarlies between several clans, they can never truly come together to unite, even if they legally could under the treaty.

Structure

After a terrible war, The Kingdom of Syracae was split after the signing of the Treaty of Baskola. With the disbanding of the Kingdom of Syracae, the kingdom was split into four major Duki (duchies). The Oracesi Coaltion, who were victors in the war, were the ones who created the system of Duki. Each region is ran by their own Dux who serves as administrator and authority. The Dux acts as their own ruler and act as the highest level of martial and civil law. Beneath the Dux are the civil and military branches of their Dukal goverment. The Igolios is the highest military authority under the Dux. Split between two officials, the Igolios of the Army and the Igolios of the Navy. They ensure proper logistics and organization is upheld, as well as being a higher commander of the army or navy. The Ikrotnoi are the higher echelons of civil governance. The following offices for Ikrotnoi are law, treasury, and diplomacy. They are often members of Syrae nobility, but the Dux can call for elections or if a proficient candidate catches the Dux's eye, a commoner can be given the position instead.

Culture

Despite the introduction of the other races and cultures into the region through immigration, the land still holds strong Dwarven roots. The official language is Vounic, and many of their poems and epics are written in the tongue. The predominant faith in the land is Dwarven, and their mythoogy and customs follow as such. Temples to Echniros and Mycheri are commonplace in large cities, and the homes of the people may contain small shrines to the Dwarven gods. Following along with Dwarven faith, craftsmen and artisans are respected for their work, and the act of creation is held with high respect.

Territories

The Dukata of Syracae are four different semi-autonomous Duki that have partitioned the old Kingdom of Syracae. These ancestral Syrae lands are home to ancient cities that have outlasted empires, and gods that have survived The Ruination. From the shores of the Gulf of Rhinakhatos and the Ribcage, to the Sovori Mountains and Silandriir Wildlands.
The Duki of Kolscori
Kolscori is the most populous of the Duki. It holds numerous villages and towns, but the greatest settlement in all of Syracae is the old capital of Phiocia. The original capital of The Kingdom of Syracae is a giant city of over 250,000. Built upon the shores of the Selvikanti River, with its back to the Sovori Mountains. This city has been a cultural and political hub for Syracae. It now serves as the seat of House Cappirok and Dux Ekriot, the current Dux of Kolscori.
The Duki of Essentia
The Duke of Essentia is the second most populous and lies in the true heartlands of modern Syracae. The capital is the city of Essens, but also includes other cities like Chorchera and Itanthia. It also included Orosoikos before its destruction during the Ruination. It is the gate to Southern Oracesis as the Duki share a border with the lands of the Kingdom of Ardocia to the south, and the Sovori Clans to the east. It was a minor battleground during the The War of Anrinates, and saw a fair share of conflict during the Oracesi Wars during the Ruination. It primarily takes up the southern highlands of the Dukata and is quite hilly and mountainous.
The Duki of Etonas
Etonas is the easternmost of the Duki and is the more rural. Farmland stretches across the vast breadth of it's terrain. From the southern edge of the Sovori Mountains, to the northern river that border the Silandriir Wildlands. It is home to the city of Etus, the most pious city of Syracae and a great holy site of the Kalkodirmatis. An ancient city that is one of the first to be founded by Zikosi settlers over five millenia ago. It is home to the House of Engravings, a great temple to Echniros.
The Duki of Nasginthur
Nasginthur is primarily upon the southern peninsula of The Ribcage. Feeding directly into the Gulf of Rhinakhatos, the Duki of Nasginthur is built along the seaside coastling of the Gulf of Rhinakhatos. The capital if the port city of Knaxos and it is the major exporting hub in the Dukata.

Foreign Relations

Despite their split, the Dukata of Syracae and the realm of Sunavae have impeccable relations. They consider each other bulwarks against Oracesi aggression and expansion northwards, and have founded a defensive alliance to defend each other. Meanwhile, relations with southern realms like Ardocia and Cavada are stable. However, the recent introduction of a new state has applied pressure on both parties. A newly formed city-state on the Syracae border to the north has added some tension to current politics.  Syracae believes the soil to be proper Syrae land, and it should fall under the banner of the Dukata as others have. Meanwhile, Ardocia, Ventern, and Chorvo see it as a possibly valuable trade port and potential ally to curb Syrae ambitions, or a possible target for military intervention.

Laws

With the reconstruction of their entire realm, the Dukata of Syracae had a number of referrendums in order to codify their laws. Those who are in charge of writing the laws are the Ikrotnoi, the highest rank in civil governance beneath the Dux themselves. These members of the nobility and elected commoners are high ranking members of the Dukata's council and inner circles. They often gather together to create and go over the laws of the realm. The Ikrotnoi of Law is particularly important as their specialty is the law of the realm.
The laws are written in a series of scrolls known as the Ziktoron Set. New laws are written carefully upon the fragile script by Kalkodirmatine Monks, overseen by the Ikrotnoi of Law. Many of the laws are those commonly found throughout the world. The crimes of larceny, murder, and corruption are included among the list. However, there are also a number of other laws, particularly those of hospitality and hearings.

One in tongue, heart, and mind.

Founding Date

3952 AS

Type

Political, Confederation

Alternative Names

Syracae, The Dukata of Syracae, The Duchies of Syrcasia, Syrcasia

Demonym

Syrae, Syrcasian

Government System

Monarchy, Absolute

Power Structure

Federation

Official State Religion

The Kalkodirmatis