Östersar is the second kingdom of the
Kasari Dominion, and is far from content in that fact as for much of its history it was the first of the Kasari kingdoms. Östersar is a kingdom of culture, art and music which is in stark contrast to the Kingdom’s rival the
Elector-Kingdom of Prussari, a militant and duty bound Kingdom. Östersar represents the second largest population of Radiant Flame worshippers.
Geography
Östersar is a largely mountainous country due to its position in the Alparines. Only approximately a third of the country could be considered lowlands, with that being divided between plains and forests. Along its east flows the Rhiner River which is the most reliable, fastest, and safests transportation system within the
Kasari Dominion. About a quarter of farmland in Östersar are mountainous pastures. Rearing cattle involves seasonal migration between valleys and high pastures.
Level of Autonomy
Within the
Kasari Dominion power is greatly decentralised, as the Holy Kasari Emperor is not an absolute ruler; they act as the primary arbiter within the judicial system, the ceremonial head of state, and only a member of the Council of Elector-Princes. Given the Holy Kasari Emperor is not considered the ruler of all provinces and Elector-Kingdoms, each has broad power to act autonomously and as a semi-sovereign entity. Given this they have their own set of laws and traditions, however, they must make some tributes to the Holy Kasari Emperor and in times of war must contribute to the Kasari Army, however each Elector-Kingdom retains command of its own forces.
Race Relations
The racial relations of the
Kasari Dominion are complex and based upon religious doctrine. The religion of the region following the
Age of Blood was the
Radiant Lady worshipped through the Church of the
Eternal Flame, however the Kasari state intervene and caused a schism resulting in the creation of the Church of the
Crimson Flame created; the deviations being on the nature of the races. As a result racial relations towards nonhumans in the
Kasari Dominion can be broadly positive, while discrimination does exists it mostly casual lacking venom, legal discimnation, and violence; however, this is only the case when nonhumans embrace and accept the culture of the Kasari Dominon, and the religion of the
Crimson Flame. Those who do not are subject to violent and legal discrimination, similar to that experienced in other kingdoms.
Views on Arcane Magic
The
Kasari Dominion has amongst the worst outlooks upon magic and mages of
Human kingdoms. The Kingdom proclaims that magic is the most dangerous force in all of Runetalras, and has led to the greatest catastrophe in all of history, the
Age of Blood. Magic is outlawed within the
Kasari Dominion, all who are capable of casting it save for the priests of the
Radiant Lady are condemned to among the worst
Arcane Bastille in all of Runetalras.
History
The ruling family the Aarburgs built all that Östersar is today. During the
Age of Blood, where devils, demons, and
Weave Aberrations ravaged the continent and the rule of the Palemen crumbled, the Aarsburgs built up Östersar from a duchy, to a grand duchy, and into a kingdom itself. The Aarsburgs expanded their Kingdom primarily through diplomacy, and their most effective weapon marriage; in this manner the territory of Östersar expanded, as did their influence, all of the Elector Princes have Aarsburg blood and have done so for a great deal of time.
Östersar and the Aarsburgs were viewed as the natural leaders of the
Kasari Dominion for the majority of its history, only being supplanted by Prussar in the last two centuries; Östersar was the strongest of the Kasari kingdoms, the Aarsburgs organised the Kasari forces for the Siege of Runia, and were seen as the cultural centre of the Kasari. It was only during the Kasari Wars of Unification that the leadership of Östersar and the Aarsburgs was truly challenged.
Religion
The Church of the
Crimson Flame is the official religion of the
Kasari Dominion and is the most popular religion of the kingdom. The Church is fully integrated into the state structure of the
Kasari Dominion. The dogma of the
Crimson Flame is based upon belief that the
Radiant Lady is the only true faith. The
Crimson Flame believe that arcane magic and mages are the greatest threat to all good people of the world, as mages have incredible power with little control; this is demonstrated in the numbers of mages practising forbidden magics, summoning of fiends, and creation of
Weave Aberrations all of which wreak havoc and destruction upon the faithful.
Despite the illegality, there are other deities and faiths worshipped within the
Kasari Dominion, some of these are the
Seldarine is the most popular pantheon among forest gnomes and elves, and the
Morndinsamman among dwarves and rock gnomes. Likewise the
Draconic Pantheon are favoured among the draconic races.
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