Queendom of Athelia

A land of sweeping grassland, rolling hills, and gently flowing streams and rivers, Athelia is a great contrast from the comparatively barren lands north, south, and east of it. The Athelians are master horsemen, living a semi-nomadic existence as they wander the steppes with their herds and flocks. The Queendom is ruled over by Queen Heather Catheric.

Structure

Athelia is not ruled by a Governor or appointed official of the Darcassian Empire. It is instead ruled by a Queen, a daughter of one of the many tribes that make up the Queendom. The full title for Lady Catheric would go something like "Catheric, Horse Queen, the Bolt upon the Horizon, Mother Unicorn, and Matriarch of the Steppes." For the Darcassians, Catheric's official title would just be Vennac Marshal in the East.

Culture

Thanks to its long tradition of Queens, Athelians have a matriarchal society, a rarity in a world defined by its veneration of the Father, the God Kings, and the concept of the Fatherland. The chieftains of tribes are often women, and it is from these tribes that a chieftain is chosen to become Queen. Some Athelians live a quiet shepherding life on the Athelian Steppes. Most join the Imperial Vennacti, serve as mercenaries, or travel abroad in small groups or alone in search of adventure. As a result the country has a small population, the majority living abroad or enlisted in the army and sent on tours of duty far from the Queendom. Kulek or Kulekza are the words used to describe these wayward kin. While the name can refer to nobles nowadays it refers to lost sons and daughters. Horses are greatly venerated among the Athelians. None more so than the semi-mythical Unicorns. It is said before the civil war that Unicorns roamed Athelia in large herds. Present day it is a miracle indeed for an Athelian Herder to spot one, or for a cavalryman to have the honor of taming and riding one.

History

Before the Zarmudans settled in what would later be the Darcassian Empire, humans had already been living in Athelia for generations. They lived a semi-nomadic lifestyle, traveling the vast expanses of Athelia alongside their flocks and herds. These traded (and raided) the small towns that cropped up close to the many streams and rivers that cut across the plains. Some of these rivers remain important waterways to this day. The Zarmudans quickly subjugated their lesser beings. Athelia was dragged into the God Kings' bloody civil war, where Athelian Tribes fought one another in the name of their respective Gods. After the civil war the Darcassian Empire quickly swept up the nation as one of its provinces. Athelia was not easily tamed. Because of its vast (some say empty) size, an already long established tradition of Queens, and its strategic importance in Darcassia's East, Athelia was gifted autonomy as long as its people bent the knee to the Martocrat. This relationship remains a precarious balancing act as Darcassians try real hard not to insult or suggest that Athelians are a conquered subject people. For the Athelians, they insist that their allegiance to the Empire is that of two respectful nations coexisting peacefully and that they are not just a rather large province. Queen Catheric is the latest in the line of the "Apologist" Dynasty.

"What? Athelia is entitled to issuing their own currency? What is wrong with Darcassian Dolems. They are part of the Empire, not some separate entity. Sure they make for fine horsemen but that is all those flea ridden goat herders are good for. None of the other provinces complain about using Dolems. What is so special about Athelia that they believe they can issue their own currency. Absurd." The Last Words of Finance Agent Wolcroth Shreir before being stoned to death by an enraged Athelian Mob.

Demography and Population

Athelia is sparsely populated as attempts at urbanization and modernization have failed and most Athelians travel abroad seeking opportunities. Athelia is primarily home to humans, with few Darcassians and Uribans living among them.

Military

Athelia makes up one of the more noteworthy members of the Imperial Vennacti. Athelia is home to the finest horses and cavalrymen the Empire has to offer, and so the mustering of Vennacti in the Queendom goes to raising cavalry. Athelians have mastered the art of fighting from horseback, firing bows and shooting guns at a gallop. Athelian lancers have crushed enemy lines for the Empire or outflanked and routed its enemies on many battlefields. Their battle cries match the fury they unleash on the charge. The lack of opportunity or urbanization in Athelia means many willingly join the Imperial Vennacti. Athelians are stationed all across their home province, operating in patrols on the border. Further away from home Athelians serve as a rapid response force meant to discourage raiders, disperse bandits, or to enforce obedience. Some Athelians join a mercenary company while others travel alone seeking adventure.

Foreign Relations

"So just to make it straight, Athelia is in fact, a country," the interviewer asked. "Yes, it is very much its own country. Complete with its own culture, customs, and courts," Catheric replied. There were flashes of cameras. Catheric could never understand why the Darcassians insisted on taking pictures of her while she was just sitting behind a desk at a press briefing. For propaganda most likely. A way to show that everything is fine here in Athelia. "Would you say then that you do in fact manage the country independently?" Catheric said, "Yes. The Martocrat may ask me to donate troops to the Empire's cause. I do so willingly because we are allies." "So it is not just because a Darcassian has a gun to your head?" That was no interviewer. That question came from a group separate from the Darcassians. Their heads swiveled to look at them. Catheric tensed. "This is Athelia. I am its Queen." "So the Autonomous Province and Queendom of Athelia is just a name. What sounds tacked on in that title?" Catheric could see who was speaking. A Chieftain by the name of Saduri. She was a troublemaker. Catheric smiled. "The Autonomous Province part. It must be some sort of mistake. Perhaps I will ask the Martocrat the meaning of it. This, after all, is not the Martocracy of Athelia right?"

Thunder, We are Thunder

Type

Geopolitical, Kingdom

Capital

Triseta

Alternative Names

The Autonomous Province and Queendom of Athelia

Formation Type

Imperial Vennacti

Training Level

Trained

Veterancy Level

Trained

Demonym

Athelian (also People of the Tents)

Leader

Heather Catheric

Government System

Monarchy, Elective

Currency

As a show of good faith, Athelia is permitted to issue their own currency. While used as the equivalent of pennies in other Darcassian provinces, the Athelian Elk is accepted currency in the Uriban Trade Cities and abroad in Minuba.

Parent Organization

The Darcassian Empire

Deities