The Kingdom of Acria
Geography
Acria is a kingdom located in middle Nalith . It's borders follow the Trancheterre River to the north, the Origin mountain and it's tributary to the Trancheterre River in the west. The Daggerbacks to the east are a natural border, and it is unclear where in Sylvedale forest the official boundaries of Acria lay, but it is not a hotly debated matter as the majority of Acrians have a healthy respect and fear for the magical woods and it's inhabitants.
Acria is a fertile land, with a well instated agricultural tradition. Travelling Acria means crossing golden fields of wheat, and many specialized farms in both livestock and crops. It's topography is relatively flat, with rolling hills leading up to the Daggerbacks and plains largely turned to fields. Southern Acria is heavily forested, dense mixed forestation housing lumbering villages and many tribal creatures and humanoids. These forest's proximity to the Sylvedale forest ensure the woodlands' conservation and responsible hunting.
The kingdom is largely bordered by waterways, and tributaries off the main rivers ensure Acrians a steady and safe fresh water supply, as well as a means of faster transportation across the realm. These tributaries however turn central Acria, north of the Origin , into wetlands and marshes that are very difficult to travel, but house many ressources for those ready to work to get them.
Densely populated, Acria is a network of villages and cities, with farming grounds all around. With fertile lands, good mining and healthy forests, there is no lack of work all over the kingdom. If most roads are still only packed dirt, Acria enjoys and carefully maintains paved roads between larger settlements, with Helianth having 3 main roads leading to and from.
Densely populated, Acria is a network of villages and cities, with farming grounds all around. With fertile lands, good mining and healthy forests, there is no lack of work all over the kingdom. If most roads are still only packed dirt, Acria enjoys and carefully maintains paved roads between larger settlements, with Helianth having 3 main roads leading to and from.
Ecosystem
From forests to wetlands, from mountains to plains and with many populated settlements and farmlands, the diversity of life in Acria is incredible.
The Heartwoods host a number of tribal cultures and wild life. From elks and wolves to boggarts and sprites...and the occasionnal satyr, with all manner of life in between, the forests of South Acria suffer from no lack of life, even though lumberyard and deforestation have been increasing in recent years, leading to some discontent in Sylvedale
Eastern Hills are home to wild horses, buffalos and the occasionnal bullette. Most of the Ettins have been fought back into the Daggerbacks , where Acrian influence fades to give nature its due. These hills are largely safe to travel, thanks to Acrian Ranger Corps patrolling and keeping the populations of undesirables to a controllable state.
Eastern Hills are home to wild horses, buffalos and the occasionnal bullette. Most of the Ettins have been fought back into the Daggerbacks , where Acrian influence fades to give nature its due. These hills are largely safe to travel, thanks to Acrian Ranger Corps patrolling and keeping the populations of undesirables to a controllable state.
Ecosystem Cycles
Being a mainland and inland kingdom, Acria benefits from a large array of climates and terrains. This makes the passing of season a defining moment in cultural events, and in lifestyle.
Central Acria is defined by its wetlands. Flat plains surrounded by rivers fade into marshes and swamps that are very humid in the summer, but make for a warm if snowy winter. People fish the rivers and farm the lands, and some of the braver ones harvest peat and clay from the marshes. All of the marsh commerce shuts down in the winter as the region becomes very dangerous and hard of access. In the cities, winter is a time for families to be together as the shorter days bring the people in early. Winter is mild and very snowy in Acria, but the city remains of bustling place of commerce all throughout. Closer to the Daggerbacks, the conditions get harsher. Drier weather makes for colder winters, and it takes a hardy folk to work the passes and scout the border in the winter. Many of the less traveled roads close for winter, with only the main Pass opened and tended by a skeleton crew. In the south, closer to the Sylvedale, the seasons change with the mystical whimsy of the woods. If all seasons look delightful in and around the Dale, Acrians know that does not mean it is any easier or safer to cross the woods. The wildlife of the Dales vary wildly with the seasons, and it takes a cunning forester to remember where the danger lies during any particular season.
Central Acria is defined by its wetlands. Flat plains surrounded by rivers fade into marshes and swamps that are very humid in the summer, but make for a warm if snowy winter. People fish the rivers and farm the lands, and some of the braver ones harvest peat and clay from the marshes. All of the marsh commerce shuts down in the winter as the region becomes very dangerous and hard of access. In the cities, winter is a time for families to be together as the shorter days bring the people in early. Winter is mild and very snowy in Acria, but the city remains of bustling place of commerce all throughout. Closer to the Daggerbacks, the conditions get harsher. Drier weather makes for colder winters, and it takes a hardy folk to work the passes and scout the border in the winter. Many of the less traveled roads close for winter, with only the main Pass opened and tended by a skeleton crew. In the south, closer to the Sylvedale, the seasons change with the mystical whimsy of the woods. If all seasons look delightful in and around the Dale, Acrians know that does not mean it is any easier or safer to cross the woods. The wildlife of the Dales vary wildly with the seasons, and it takes a cunning forester to remember where the danger lies during any particular season.
History
Acria is an old and prosper kingdom. Founded in 750RM by Queen Acria Corwyn, who united the warring city states in a treaty of union and trade after a decade long military campaign that history would later recognize as The Founding War. From the very beginning, the Corwyn's sterling reputation was earned by their discipline, their deep respect for the people and their ruling philosophy of raising the kingdom from the ground up. Sacrificing court power and riches in favor of building roads, aqueducts and universities, the Corwyn bloodline is beloved of the people.
Court life in Acria is a very complicated affairs, as the strong investing in social structures the Corwyn family puts forward is mostly paid for by nobility taxes and the landowning incomes of high nobility. The nobility itself is constituted by important families in the City States that negociated for position before the Treaty of Helianth was signed, and while some got a pretty good deal out of it, the reigning families of the City States have never stopped coveting the power of their ancestors and disapproving of the Corwyn economy. The Corwyn Bloodline has been reigning unbroken over Acria for the past 5 generations. Of course, some transitions have been rougher than others, and the kingdom has known a Regency that put a stain on Acria's otherwise suspiciously perfect track record. This Regency took place when Queen Willow Corwyn died in childbirth (an event still hotly debated among the Lorekeepers as a possible assassination). For the first time in history, no eligible heir of the Corwyn family was in position to take the throne. It was decided that young Ellistair Corwyn would be named Queen, and that until her 22nd spring the rule of the kingdom would be attributed to Regent Wilbur Dravian. This Regency period saw policy changes in the Acrian rule that would leave the peasantry confused and powerless, and whilst the economy of Acria absolutely soared during the Regency, this period would see a lot of peasant revolts and a few years of inexplicable famine in the winter. These revolts lead the Acrian military to triple its size and make Acria a military powerhouse on Nalith.
Upon seizing the Throne, Queen Elistair Corwyn quickly shut down many of the Dravian policies, and the passing of power was a very tense time in Acria. The effects of the Regency are still felt to this day, as it awoke in many of the noble houses the ambition for power, and proved the Corwyns to not be an infallible force.
Court life in Acria is a very complicated affairs, as the strong investing in social structures the Corwyn family puts forward is mostly paid for by nobility taxes and the landowning incomes of high nobility. The nobility itself is constituted by important families in the City States that negociated for position before the Treaty of Helianth was signed, and while some got a pretty good deal out of it, the reigning families of the City States have never stopped coveting the power of their ancestors and disapproving of the Corwyn economy. The Corwyn Bloodline has been reigning unbroken over Acria for the past 5 generations. Of course, some transitions have been rougher than others, and the kingdom has known a Regency that put a stain on Acria's otherwise suspiciously perfect track record. This Regency took place when Queen Willow Corwyn died in childbirth (an event still hotly debated among the Lorekeepers as a possible assassination). For the first time in history, no eligible heir of the Corwyn family was in position to take the throne. It was decided that young Ellistair Corwyn would be named Queen, and that until her 22nd spring the rule of the kingdom would be attributed to Regent Wilbur Dravian. This Regency period saw policy changes in the Acrian rule that would leave the peasantry confused and powerless, and whilst the economy of Acria absolutely soared during the Regency, this period would see a lot of peasant revolts and a few years of inexplicable famine in the winter. These revolts lead the Acrian military to triple its size and make Acria a military powerhouse on Nalith.
Upon seizing the Throne, Queen Elistair Corwyn quickly shut down many of the Dravian policies, and the passing of power was a very tense time in Acria. The effects of the Regency are still felt to this day, as it awoke in many of the noble houses the ambition for power, and proved the Corwyns to not be an infallible force.
Alternative Name(s)
The Land of the Golden Rose
Location under
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Contested By
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