Auroma
History
Origins and UnificationThe origins of Auroma can be traced back to the two distinct ethnic groups of bee and bumble vespoids, the Zenith and the Amrita. During the Age of Order, both ethnic groups existed as neighboring nations. Legends tell that the Zenith people were chosen by the Order Pantheon and received a gift of order from Aurius.
In 28 AC, when the War of Stripes broke out, these nations struck an alliance to gain the upper hand against the wasp queendom of Varundom. After the war was won, the monarchies of Zenith and Amrita were united under a common cause, forming the queendom of Auroma.
The Royal Hexagon AllianceIn 360 AC, Auroma joined forces with the major nations of western Varzzen to form the Royal Hexagon Alliance. This military coalition emerged in response to the threat posed by the Eight-legged Terror, a monstrous force that sought to plunge Varzzen into chaos. The coalition brought prosperity and security to the queendom, fostering trade, knowledge exchange, and collective defense.
Tunnel War and Acquisition of AciaromaAuroma's recent history bears the scars of the devastating Tunnel War, a conflict caused by the sudden attack from the Detrinian Empire in 113 AH. Despite the immense challenges, Auroma emerged as the victor. The aftermath of the Tunnel War saw Auroma occupying Sweetwood and Throne of Power, Detrins capital city. As a political statement, the leading general of Auroma's armies, Brighid, was crowned queen of the new nation of Aciaroma, replacing the detrinian tyrant in the Royal Hexagon Alliance.
Governance
Monarchy and SuccessionAuroma is a monarchy ruled by a righteous queen and a council of nobles known as the Regal Senat. The queen holds the highest authority and is regarded as the embodiment of Auroma's sovereignty. However, unlike in traditional monarchies, the succession to the throne in Auroma is not solely determined by bloodline or inheritance.
According to Auroma's customs, the queen is responsible for selecting a worthy successor among her subjects. This assures that the queen cannot build her own dynasty and that qualities such as wisdom and dedication to the nation outweigh blood relations. While the queen can choose anyone, the princesses often come from the noble caste. This is due to the significant influence of the noble caste.
Auroma's current monarch is Queen Alexandra II. She is unique in that she is Amrita and from the worker caste. As such, the common folk celebrates her as the "Motherly Queen", while the senate slander her as the "Commoner Queen".
The Regal SenateWorking alongside the queen is the Regal Senate, composed mainly of influential and respected individuals from the noble caste. The council serves as an advisory body, providing counsel and expertise to the queen in matters of governance, policy-making, and the overall welfare of the queendom. The council members are:
- Senator of the Exchequer: Responsible for overseeing the financial matters of Auroma, managing the treasury, and ensuring the stability of the queendom's economy. This position is currently held by Lord Magnus Buzzthorn.
- Senator of War: The Senator of War is the chief military advisor within the Regal Senate. This position is occupied by the High General of the Auroman armed forces. They advise the queen on defense matters, military campaigns, and the protection of Auroma's borders.
- Senator of Diplomacy: Manages foreign relations and negotiates treaties with other nations. They also serve as the head of a network of spies that seeks to root out threats to the queendom from within and without.
- Senator of Education: Responsible for developing and overseeing the education system in Auroma, ensuring access to quality education for all citizens, depending on their caste. This position delegates the construction and funding of combschools.
- Senator of Justice: The Counselor of Justice is responsible for upholding the principles of law and justice within Auroma. This seat is occupied by the High Judge of the Chamber of Justice.
- Senator of Infrastructure: Oversees the planning, construction, and maintenance of the queendom's infrastructure, including roads, bridges, buildings, and settlements. This position ensures the efficient functioning of Auroma's physical infrastructure. It is also the only position regularly filled by an auroman from the worker caste.
- Senator of Faith: Manages religious matters within Auroma, focusing on the worship of the Order Pantheon. This position ensures the smooth functioning of religious institutions, facilitates religious ceremonies and promotes adherence to the tenets of the Order Pantheon. This position is filled by the High Priest of Aurius.
While the queen holds significant authority, the Regal Senate acts as a check and balance mechanism, ensuring that decisions are made collectively and in the best interest of Auroma. This shared governance model allows for a broader range of voices and perspectives to be considered, fostering accountability and preventing the concentration of power in a single individual.
This system seems perfect on paper, but in reality, it fosters discrimination of the worker caste. Since primarily individuals from the noble and soldier castes have a seat in the senate, their decisions mostly favor themselves. Furthermore, since most nobles are Zenith, there is little representation of the Amrita ethnic group, furthering discrimination against them.
Economy
Auroma earned the title of the Golden Kingdom through its vast riches. Open borders between the nations of the Royal Hexagon Alliance and its central location within Varzzen made trading more accessible and profitable.
Auroma's economy is primarily driven by a particular focus on honey production. Auromans diligently gather pollen from the abundant flowers that blanket their lush lands. This collected pollen is skillfully processed into various high-quality kinds of honey renowned for their exquisite flavors and medicinal properties.
However, Auroma ships more than just physical goods to other nations. The nation's rich music, art, and cuisine heritage has fostered a vibrant tourism industry, attracting visitors from far and wide. The royal court, renowned for its grandeur and refinement, serves as a cultural beacon, showcasing the opulence and sophistication of Auroman traditions. Tourists flock to experience the famous Vespidian Symphony, indulge in delectable honey-infused delicacies, and admire the intricate craftsmanship of Auroma's artisans.
Social Relations
As a swarm nation, most Auromans value allegiance to their nation and queen above personal relationships. When auroman children reach the age of five, their parents give them into the care of government-sanctioned combschools. Combschools determine the auromans' future standing in society and the role they fulfill once they reach adulthood. These institutions split Auroma's society into three distinct castes: the worker, soldier, and noble caste. While children of the noble caste are beholden to significantly better education, reading and writing are common knowledge among children of all castes.
The government fully funds the worker combschools so everyone can receive primary education. On the other hand, while combschools of the soldier and noble caste are also partially funded by the government, they require significant tuition fees from the parents. As such, workers can improve their standing in society by paying to get their offspring into a better combschool. However, the high costs of these combschools are an almost insurmountable border for the worker caste.
Standing and respect are everything in Auroma. Especially the elites and nobles are very particular in their etiquette. A vespoid's mane and wings play a central role in high society. Keeping their fur groomed and well-fluffed can become quite expensive and symbolizes wealth. However, the ability to fly is even more critical, as vespidian dance and courting rituals employ elegant aerial maneuvers. As such, many haughty nobles tend to look down upon those who cannot soar the skies.
Ethnic GroupsThe vespoids of Auroma are split into two distinct ethnic groups:
The Zenith, hailing from the Zenith Valley with its towering trees, developed the caste system that would later define the social structure of Auroma. Most of Auroma's current social relations are Zenith in origin.
Meanwhile, the Amrita, residing in the Amrita Hills, where they adapted to underground life, embraced a more communal way of living. The culture of the Amrita people has largely been lost due to discrimination by the noble caste. Despite facing oppression and limited opportunities within the caste system, many Amrita try to preserve their rich heritage and continue contributing to the diverse tapestry of Auroman society.
Religious InfluencesLike most major nations of Varzzen, Auroma's state religion is the Order Pantheon. Their prime deity and protector is Aurius, the Noble Breeze, whose tenets are felt throughout auroman society. He is worshiped as the ruler of the skies and the god of honorable battle. As such, Auroma's soldier caste is also their clergy. Priests of Aurius are extensively trained in the art of war and occupy high-ranking positions in the military. While the aristocracy would deny any such claims, officers of the soldier caste are equally if not more, respected than the noble caste.
Worships of deities other than the Order Pantheon are forbidden, although there are exceptions to that rule. The worship of Auromatra is tolerated since this deity is deeply engrained in Amrita culture. However, open worship of the Wurm is strictly prohibited and punishable by death.
Present
Queen Alexandra II, known as the Motherly Queen, leads the nation with wisdom and compassion, striving to heal the wounds of war and promote unity among vespoids of all castes. Her vision of a queendom where opportunity and fairness prevail drives her policies and shapes the nation's future.
Furthermore, Auroma's position within the Royal Hexagon Alliance affords further growth and influence opportunities. The nation's bustling economy, driven by specialized products like honey, continues to fuel its rise as a cultural and economic powerhouse in Varzzen.
However, the Golden Queendom faces both internal and external challenges. Tensions persist between the noble caste, traditionally dominated by the Zenith, and the worker caste, including the oppressed Amrita. Queen Alexandra II seeks to bridge this divide and foster a more egalitarian society where merit and talent outweigh caste lineage.
And despite its splendor, the recent Tunnel War left its mark on Auroma. Although the Golden Kingdom won the brutal war, it cost them dearly. Even today, Auroma's resources are donated to its military in Aciaroma to keep the occupation going. The resulting deterioration in the standard of living of the noble caste is stirring unrest within the aristocracy. Many see the "commoner queen" as unfit to rule. With civil unrest causing tensions and the majority of their army far away, Auroma is at risk of losing its golden throne.
The Golden Queendom Type
Geopolitical, queendom Population/Inhabitants
64% vespoids (bee, bumble), 26% beetlefolk, 9% formicoids, 1% other Demonym
Auroman Government System
Monarchy Official State Religion
The Order Pantheon (primarily Aurius, the Noble Breeze) Dates Active
33 AC - present Important Locations
Arboraeum Notable Members
Queen Alexandra II, Lord Magnus Buzzthorn
Comments