Southaxe

Gaining independence in 1000, 3e in the wake of the Eldrian Civil Wars, Southaxe has spent most of its existence in a state of war and is currently experiencing its only prolonged period of peace. A former Eldrian province that formed part of the Eldrian Heartlands, Southaxe's position on the Neapian Channel and bordering the Papal States has given it impressive trade power and through its capital and largest city of Briarton, the young kingdom has seen a small post-war boom.
A middle power at best, Southaxe relies heavily on its more powerful and emerging neighbour The Commonwealth. Both countries share a strong bond, cemented in the 40 Year War as Southaxe abandoned the Eldrian faction to defend their neighbours. The two nations also shared the history of being former Eldrian provinces, although Southaxe's wealth in the 10th century was largely earned through exploitation of resources within the Commonwealth.

Structure

Southaxe is a unitary absolute monarchy with an elected city council found in the capital of Briarton. An old aristocracy still hold the majority of power throughout the kingdom and form a legesilative parliament that advises the king on most issues, but can form laws for the king to assent on. The Southaxian parliament is found on the Waterfront district of Briarton with direct access to the Red Tower, the home of the Southaxian royal family.
Southaxe has no duchies but several small counties, lordships, and three marches. (See Territories for more information). These main nobles also have their own barons and other landowners who run estates, but for the most part the land is unicorporated as serfdom and tenancy for peasants has long since been abandoned in the kingdom.

Culture

As a largely rural and agrarian nation, Southaxe has a rich local folk history and culture with towns performing long forgotten ceremonies, festivals, and fetes. Traditional rural dress and flower arrangements are still common, with a major focus on rural hospitality and politieness. Visitors are always welcome and the innkeepers are noted for their remarkable customer service and care for guests. During and after the war, when refugees fled to Southaxe, many small communities opened their arms wide to those fleeing the war and helped them get set up across the country with a welcoming atmosphere.
The only major metropolitian area of the country is in Briarton itself which maintains its unique and distinctive style whilst having an international atmosphere and modern, metropolitan culture. Most of the non-human non-Southaxian population can be found in the capital across all stratas of society. The city is famed for its music and art with street performers at every corner, and cafes and bars often recruiting their own exclusive bards to perform there.
This welcoming and modern environment, as well as the kingdom's chivalrious and fair fighting style during the war, has earned them the reputation of being the "nicest place on Prima Terra."

History

Ancient History

Throughout the mythic, first, and half of the second age, the modern region of southaxe was inhabited by the Albionic peoples who were culturally related to the Gwenyddians and Kernowians of the contemporary Commonwealth. The area would come under the rulership of the Marcian Empire and form the heart of its Albionicia Superior province with the small civilias being built along the coastline and a rich villa culture.

Heptarchy Period

With the fall of the Marcian Empire, Aedrinaran and Tumbrian tribes pushed into the Albion region. The Aedrinarian kingdom of Southaxe was established as part of the early Heptarchy period, a set of seven states in what is now the Eldrian Heartlands. There were the Aedrinaran Middleaxe, Westaxe, Southaxe, and Eastaxe - the halfling Halshire - the Tumbrian and Dwarven Northing, and the Gwenyddian Faine.
Over the dark ages, a unique culture that would become known as Axian emerged in the region. The post-dark age and late second age Southaxe became one of the three core powers of the Heptarchy along with Westaxe and Eastaxe. Southaxe became a mercantile and economic centre through its port in Briarton and plentiful fruit and livestock production in its fertile lands. Southaxe would become overlord of the Heptarchy at several points in the second age through economic domination and military invasions of Westaxe, the Faine, and Halshire.
When the Awakening spread into the region, Southaxe saw a cultural rennaissance as impressive new buildings were constructed in Briarton following a catestrophic great fire. Southaxian architecture mimiced early awakening Marcian styles by using local materials such as brick and granite. Southaxe remained the wealthiest of the Heptarchy during this time but saw its territory shrink as Halshire was retaken by the kingdom of Eastaxe in 103, 3e.
Southaxian kings also capitalised on the fall of Westaxe during the Middleaxian rise to power, invading its southern regions around Oidis and the Axian Dales. The kingdom had on and off border conflicts with Middleaxe and Eastaxe until King Martin married his son and heir, the future Alfred IV to Queen Evelyn III, linking the two nations in personal union. Upon Alfred's assencion to the throne, Southaxe was just another province of the new Heptarchy overlord of Middleaxe. fifty years after their union, Southaxe was offiically absorbed into the new Eldrian Empire.

Imperial Period

Southaxe became one of the most important provinces of the new empire and was established as a royal duchy. Its access to the trade rich Neapian Channel and Gulf of Marcia saw the new Eldrian navy startion their headquarters in the city as a new shipbuilding industry became the primary soruce of employment for the urban centre. Early emperors also invested heavily into the region, modernising its agrarian towns and cities, renovating the cathedrals, and building new and better roads across the province.
During the Pax Eldronica that spanned from the end of the Tumbrian Wars in 588 3e to 710 3e, Southaxe saw its wealth and prestige grow with the other core provinces of Middleaxe, Eastaxe, Westaxe, and the Northing. The tarrifs on the province were small and new wealth was being brought in by merchant families who owned plantations and mines in the newly annexed Tumbria Province and Halshire. The Empire was overall a boost for Southaxe as new schools, churches, sewers and other public works were constructed across their land.
When the Pax Eldronica ended with the start of the Halshire Revolt, the eastern regions of the province were routinely raided by halfling rebels with Axeflood being sacked multiple times and Sunshire suffering a minor famine due to the crops lost in farmland burning. The region continued to suffer in the 8th century as the pig plague decimated its urban communities and weakened its standing army. This loss of manpower would allow Aedrinarans to raid Briarton in the 740s, burning parts of the red keep and university and looting the cathedral and treasury.
This down period lasted into the early 9th century as the war of the uncles broke out. Southaxe supported the house of Eronia and experienced multiple raids and battles on its border territories, including the sacking of its important military port in Deemouth. The Dukes of Southaxe did manage to invade Halshire and hold it for the entire duration of the war, allowing them to ciphon off food and resources and help regrow their damaged and war torn province. Briarton remained unscathed from the war and housed the dowager queen Charlotte Von Ludwin until her death in Briarton's prisons. When the war ended, Briarton was rewarded with new wealth confiscated from the usurper supporting factions and saw a new level of growth and reconstruction spread across the region.
Southaxian merchant families also capitalised heavily on the capture of Kernow and Gwenydd, opening new companies and one-sided trade contracts with the newly annexed imperial provinces. The gold from this saw large rebuilding work done in Briarton and Sunford as well as a new drydock built at Deemouth, the largest in the empire. The University of Briarton also became one of the largest educational institutes in the empire, specialising in bardic training and seeing a large cultural boom in the city with the Southaxian Style of fashion and art becoming the most popular in the 10th century empire.

Civil Wars

Traditionally one of the empire's safest regions, doubt in the imperial project started in 981 with the usurpation of the crown by King Donald I during the Goldwyrm Conspiracy. Southaxe was at the time ruled by Prince Tristan Neville, the son of the now deposed Queen Hilda. When Hilda was forced into exile, Tristan also had to flee Briarton with his loyalist court and fled to the Vale to help his mother plan a return. Rulership of Southaxe was granted to one of Donald's cronies, Baron Oliver Brownwood. Brownwood severely mismanaged the region, messing with agricultural codes and stealing money from the treasury for his own personal projects and mansion.
Between Donald's usurpation and Brownwoods mismanagement, disatisfaction spread through the region. When Queen Hilda returned in 995, begining the first civil war, Southaxian nobles led by Lord Fairfax captured and executed Brownwood, torching his mansion to the ground, and declaring their alliegance for the Hildian cause. Tristan was restored as Duke of the province, with only some support for the rival claimants being found in Arunmere. Outside of battles in the heart of the province and along its border with Westaxe and Halshire, the region was generally spared the biggest horrors of the conflict.
Southaxe would not be so lucky when the second civil war started in 998 as forces from the Commonwealth blockaded its ports and occupied the Southaxian Downs after annexing the Faine. Thankfully, much of the farmland was spared as the Axeflood Bridge was deliberately broken to stop loyalists crossing over from Halshire. Prince Tristan's peace treaty with the Commonwealth also saw the ports reopen and new food flood in from Altruscia.

Independence and the 40 Year War

In the final months of the war, Queen Hilda was captured and executed by the loyalists. Southaxe remained by their duke, her son Tristan, and continued the fight. Tristan would make peace with the loyalists in 1000, 3e, and as part of the peace was granted kingship of Southaxe, officially seceeding the region from the empire. Now it's own nation for the first time in over 600 years, the joy at independence saw celebrations across the province. Southaxe opened new treaties with the Commonwealth, expanding their economy as the empire struggled to lick its wounds from the civil wars.
Jubiliation would be short lived with the start of the 40 year war. In 1002, the Seldrinar Supremacy invaded East Marcia, triggering the defence treaties between the Eldrian Empire and its allies, including Southaxe. Southaxian knights were tasked with fighting the Seldrinar supported state of Estrella and guarding the River Albion to stop a crossing invasion. The Seldrinar Fleet was crucial in defending the Papal States and stopping any attempts by the Seldrinar to navally invade the kingdom. During the Marcian phase, the most famous acheivement by the knights of Southaxe was at the Battle of the Red River where an attempted Seldrinar landing in Halshire was pushed back.
In the first half of the war, very little changed for the country. Its borders were never threatened, no conscription was called upon, and war spirit was high. This changed in 1025 with the Eldrian Invasion of the Commonwealth. By this time, Southaxe had forged strong economic ties with the former colony and was appalled at their ally's attack on their biggest trade partner. The Southaxian leadership also feared if the Eldrians reannxed those provinces, they would be next. King Edward VI, grandson of Queen Hilda, declared for Commonwealth and pulled their troops out of Halshire, occupying territory along the Axian Moors and across the River Axe.
Despite its land borders with the empire, Southaxe was unable to push into the heartland territories as their knights were forced into West Marcia to fight the Imperial allies of Iranno and the papal states. The navay also withdrew its ships from defending those states and focused on aiding the Commonwealth and defending its own waters. This gap in the defence of the Marcian Kingdoms allowed the Seldrinar to sail into Neapia and sack the holy city, killing Pope John XI in the process.
Sociologically, the kingdom transitioned to a total war economy that would remain in effect for 17 years until the end of the war. Many across the empire were conscripted into the navy and army, with exceptions made for those who worked in mining, lumber, shipbuilding, and forging spared. Those who were not fit to fight were often called up to volunteer in these key industries, with the young and old taking to the fields to tend the crops. Many were encouraged to sign up the war with the promise of "40 silver and 20 copper for signing up." Southaxe also welcomed many refugees from across Marcia and the Commonwealth, forming foriegn legions or assigning free land in exchange for the refugees helping with the war industries.
Southaxian morale remained high during the war with amongst the largest levels of war support. Propaganda kept the local population in favour of the conflict with scores of people signing up to fight or work in the war industries. The Bardic college at Briarton was recuited to assign healers for the army and performers to tour the country and frontlines, singing patriotic songs. Southaxian knights and volunteer commoners also became famous for their singing at battle camps. An Irannoese general would remark,

"T'was as a sweet a tune I had ever heard, my squire had to stop me singing along upon remind me they were calling for my death in the coming battle."

Post War

When the war ended in 1042, Southaxe did attend the peace conference but asked for nothing outside of a relatively small some of reparation money. The borders would remain the same, and Southaxe began to push itself as a potential replacement to the Eldrian Empire as the defender of Marcia. The Southaxian reputation of being chivalrous and fair fighters as well as their numerous victories against the Seldrinar had earned them international respect, and with further propaganda in Marcia many of the former Eldrian sphered nations are turning to the trade kingdom and the Commonwealth for their protection going foward.
Southaxe, like its fellow Commonwealth Faction countries of Aedrinar and The Commonwealth has seen a post war boom. The kingdom welcomed thousands into its borders as the Eldrian Empire's economy collapsed. The country has also become a safe haven for magic users fleeing East Marcia with a new district of Briarton become known as the "Little Soliel" in honour of its large East Marcian population.
The kingdom is enjoying its long peace, becoming a cultural and economic centre for its surrounding nations. The polite and kind repuation of its people also helps them abroad with the country being seen as the 'nicest' place in the world. The future is bright for Southaxe, and when the next war comes for them, they are sure to perceivere with their tough spirit and people.

Demography and Population

Southaxe remains largely human with a sizeable halfling minority population in its countryside. The population declined heavily during the 40 year war, but now stands at around one and a half million with a high birthrate and rising population as thousands of former Eldrian and Marcian citizens migrated to the country due to its better economy and cheap land for sale. Southaxe's population continues to slowly climb with a now stabilised death rate since the end of the war.
The majority of the population live in Briarton or the river ports of Leafhampton and Sunford. The countryside remains full of small farming villages and hamlets with scattered homesteads dotting the warm, sunkissed plains of the nation. The northern borders with the Commonwealth and Province of Westaxe remain sparsely populated due to their relative lack of resources compared to the fertile lands in the south of the country.

Territories

The majority of the kingdom is contained within the West Albionic plains, a fertile, temperate and medeteranean flatland surrounding the River Albion and Neapian Channel. The kingdom controls the historic lands of the previous Kingdom of Southaxe from the Heptarchy period of Eldrian history and has natural borders to its north and east. The Southaxian Downs, a temperate hill range, runs across its border with the Commonwealth province of The Faine. The thick ancient woodland of the Old Forest and inhospitable Axian Moors form its border with the Eldrian Empire's Westaxe province. The mouth of the River Axe, where the already wide river reaches its largest width, forms its border with the Halshire region A single and well fortified bridge maintains crosses the river at this point in the town of Axeflood.

Political map of Southaxe listing the major counties, marches, and lordships.

No.	Name	Ruling Noble
1	Deemouth	Lord of Deemouth
2	City of Briarton	Lord Mayor of Briarton
3	Southaxian Downs	Marquis of the Downs
4	The Rosegardens	Count of the Roses
5	City of Seaguard	Lord of Seaguard
6	City of Leafhampton	Lord of Leafhampton
7	Arunshire	Count of Arunshire
8	Arunmere	Lord of Arunmere
9	Old Forest	Marquis of the Old Forest
10	Axian Moors	Marquis of the Moors
11	Sunset	Count of Sunford
12	Albionset	Count of Albion

Military

The Southaxian army is a mixed volunteer and levy force. A small professional cohort of Southaxian knights for the main military, with commoners being recruited as general infantry in times of war. The professional army of knights remains small but formidable, making use of plate armour and heavy cavalry with a martial weapon focus. Conscripts were only called up after the Commonwealth phase of the 40 year war began, as the kingdom was able to hold their own with their small but well trained knights.
The pride, and true strength, of the Southaxian armed forces is its professional volunteer navy. As part of the peace treaty at the end of the Eldrian Civil Wars, Southaxe inherited 2/3rds of the Eldrian Southern Fleet. This formed the backbone of their army and power, with shipbuilding continuing to dominate the industry of Briarton. The navy utilises impressive modern ship designs of Galleons, Carracks, Caravels, and Barques with larger Man-O-War warships.
Southaxian military forces earned great prestige during the 40 year war, with the small kingdom regularly outperforming the larger empires involved due to its professionalism and modern tactical thinking.

Religion

Divinitism remains the largest religion in Southaxe as it has done for the last 1500 years. The predominate sects remains the modernist sect with smaller groups of orthodox and reformists found in scattered settlements. Southaxe has the minor saint of Dunstan as its patron saint, with Dunstan's cathedral in Briarton being the centre of the papal province. The Cathedral of All Saints in Arunmere forms the second diocese of the county and contains numerous religious relics is a site of pilgrimage for many across the former Eldrian Empire. The oldest church in Southaxe is a late Marcian chapel that has remained in use for 3000 years and can be found in the Southaxian downs near the village of Mossheath.
The Old Gods remains a minority religion within the country with only a few hundred followers scattered throughout the Old Forest and Southaxian Downs. Long abandoned stone rings built by the ancient Albionii tribe can be found throughout the countryside but are not in active use in the third age. Some small worship of Yondalla can be found in the halfling communities, but largely the halfling population of Southaxe trends towards worshipping Saint Barnaby.

Foreign Relations

Southaxe is openly allied to the Commonwealth and Altruscia with strong trade an diplomatic ties with both nations. The former colony maintains only superficial relations with their former Overlords in the Eldrian Empire. The two maintain some trade and border policies, with part of Briarton's ports leased to the empire, but animosity from previous conflicts remains.
The kingdom also refused to entreat with the Seldrinar Supremacy or trade with them directly. Southaxe is trying to position itself as the protector of the Marcian States in light of the collapsing Eldrian Empire, the region's traditional 'protector.' The kingdom is maintains constant vigilance on its southern borders and keeps naval patrols near Seldrinar Waters using its impressive navy.

Southaxe (Red) Within the continent of Prima Terra.

Founding Date

1000, 3e

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Capital

Briarton

Major Exports

• Apples
• Lemons
• Wine
• Axian Oak

Neighboring Nations

• Eldrian Empire
• Estrella
• Holy Goose States
• Iranno
• The Commonwealth

Related Species

• Human

Related Ethnicities

• Southaxian