The Holy Kingdom Of Asena

The Holy Kingdom Of Asena (HKA) is a powerful and venerable state ruling the lands of Asena east of the Briarwall Mountains. The country supposedly traces its history back to the ancient Ascendants when -as the story goes- in the year fifty LE Lonlyn delivered his deeply wounded brother Vairel back to his homeland and charged them with defending him and unifying the land. Now vairel and his priesthood technically run the government, but this is not the actual state of things, as money and politics are the real drivers of action rather than faith. a Unified group of nobles runs things throughout the provinces, and they're the constantly fighting rulers of the kingdom, not the senile Vairel.

Structure

The HKA employs a unique form of government based on three primary institutions.
The Courtly Advisory is the primary legislative and executive branch of government, wherein the kingdom's noble families -grouped into "Courts"- enact laws and policies. This body is the primary power in the country, as its seven Great Courts control nearly all aspects of government through it, along with electing The Hand Of Vairel, a position most comparable to a king. 
The Holy Advisory is the judicial branch of government run by priests of Nadallism, responsible for settling lawsuits and legal disputes, trying criminals, and -its most famous charge- judging cases of blasphemy and sin. Punishments given out by Holy Judges are often draconian and cruel, executions are a standard fixture of the system, and those accused are rarely acquitted.
The Mental Advisory is a collection of experts in all manner of subjects -economics, warfare, medicine, agriculture, etc- appointed by The Hand Of Vairel to a series of councils to give opinions on matters of state. This branch of government is by far the weakest as its powers are only advisory, and its members can be replaced at a whim by The Hand.

Territories

The HKA is divided into 7 broadscale provinces ruled by The Courts, most of which are east of the Briarwall Mountains in Helhekia and Adula, as this is the primary homeland of the kingdom, but several provinces creep into the Coppershore and The Blue Valleys, these being parts conquered and ruled. But, conquest has always been a priority for the HKA, and it has to do with their founding myth; when Lonlyn gave his brother unto the early HKA, he told them to "united the land and build a great nation." Centuries of interpretation has led people to take this as the whole of Asena. therefore, the HKA lays divine claim to the whole continent, which is -understandable- disputed by the other asenian states, as the HKA only rules about a third of the continent.

Infrastructure

The HKA is famous for the great canals and roads that weave between its rich cities like Encon, Glimmon, and Slancort. These many works were all built by, house and later Court Coferin when they held power in the 1500s. however, since these great works were built during this time they slowly grew neglected and fell into disrepair. Until the coferins retook power in the mid-1700s and began a great expansion of their previous work, clearing and repaving old roads, cleaning and dredging fallen-in canals, and reposting signs and guide markers. Overall the HKA's infrastructure is well-maintained and used to full effect by its citizenry, both a rarity in The Ascendist World.

Mythology & Lore

The holy kingdom of asena claims a rich and ancient history of divine power and blessing granted by the Ascendants, but ultimately the main myth about the state regards its founding, as recounted in the imperial records.

"Long ago just after the shattering of halkis and the deaths of The Ascendants, lonlyn felt a disturbance from Asena, and he knew something had happened to his brother. And so he journeyed far until he found The Tears of Nadall and discovered the carnage. it is said he wept for many days and nights, until he decided to return his brother to their homeland. And so he voyaged across the strait of amison to land of Eglaria. From there he trekked through the gate of kanarth and across The Blue Valleys, sailing Lake Dreeyn and through The Bronzewater Pass, across the lands of Sanin finally to the vale of adula. Once there -after near 30 years- he came to the people of the region and told them to honor his brother and unite the land. And thus the holy kingdom of asena was born."             -A simplistic summery of the HKA's founding myth

By Truth And Power Ascension Cometh

Founding Date

mid-500s LE/50 LE

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Alternative Names

1: The Helhekian Empire. 2: Holy Asena

Predecessor Organization

• The Ascendant Empire

Demonym

Helhekians

Government System

Monarchy, Constitutional

Power Structure

Feudal state

Currency

The HKA issues its own form of Kessons, stamped with the likenesses of the original Ascendants.

Official State Religion

Nadallism

Subsidiary Organizations

• The Courtly Advisory

Location

Asena

Controlled Territories

• Slancort

Neighboring Nations

• The Blue Valley Coalition