The Royal Hexagon Alliance

The Royal Hexagon is an alliance of six nations. Its territory spans most of central Varzzen both above and below ground. The coalition commits each member to sending military aid to an ally attacked by an outside force. It also opens up borders between the allied states for travel and trade. A meaningful connection between all states of the Royal Hexagon is their shared faith of the Order Pantheon.

History

The Royal Hexagon was formed in 360 AC as a military alliance when the goddess Arachnida threatened to conquer the whole of Varzzen. The armies of the Arachnid Queen had spent the last centuries conquering the eastern regions of Varzzen and now set out west to squash the forces of Order. The Witch Queen Maeve of Cor Quae'thum proposed an allegiance to the rulers of Auroma, Cavana, Detrin, Rusterov, and House Varundom to finally defeat the Eight-Legged Terror. Together, they finally halted her advances and banished the spider goddess from Alvandis.

The Royal Hexagon was born from this alliance, and a new age dawned for Varzzen. During the Royal Hexagon's reign, peace and prosperity led to a golden age for the western powers. However, no good thing could last forever, and the alliance almost broke apart when Harko Ironfang led the Detrinian Empire to attack its former allies in 313 AH. The conflict, now known as the Tunnel War, ceased with Detrin's defeat in 322 AH, but the wounds left behind still threatened to tear the alliance apart.

The Hexagonal Council

Currently, six nations are allied within the Royal Hexagon. Each allied state is represented in the Hexagonal Council by their political leader. These nations and their leaders are:

by Captain Tagada

Aciaroma

Aciaroma, also known as the Steely Queendom, emerged from the ashes of the Detrinian Empire's defeat in the Tunnel War, transforming the former province of Sweetwood into its own monarchy within the Royal Hexagon alliance. Led by Queen Brighid I., a bumble general turned regent, the nation is primarily inhabited by former Detrinians, predominantly necrites, who find themselves marginalized in their land. Despite their oppressive rule, the Hexagon military maintains control through draconian taxation and surveillance, stifling dissent among the populace. Former Detrinians, restricted to the clergy, engage in covert acts of rebellion, while others resort to clandestine resistance efforts, such as smuggling food and fostering hidden worship of their patron deity, Katisan. However, internal tensions simmer as Queen Brighid struggles to balance her military background with the complexities of governance, exacerbating resentment among her allies and the oppressed populace.

by Captain Tagada

Auroma

Auroma, also known as the Golden Queendom, is a nation comprised primarily of vespoids. It is a monarchy currently governed by Queen Alexandra II. Despite recent victories in the Tunnel War and the subsequent acquisition of Aciaroma, internal tensions persist, particularly between the noble and worker castes. Auroma's economy thrives on honey production and cultural tourism, but challenges remain as Queen Alexandra II works to bridge societal divides and maintain stability amidst civil unrest.

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Cavana

Cavana, also known as the Queendom Underground, thrives beneath the Onyx Veil mountains, boasting an intricate network of tunnels and hill cities. It is a technocratic monarchy guided by the Assembly of Structure and Queen Anastasia Brinkrock. Despite suffering heavily during the Tunnel War, it rebounded resiliently, and its society is structured around duty and expertise. Presently, tensions linger with Detrin, fueled by memories of the recent conflict and territorial disputes.

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Cor Quae'thum

Cor Quae'thum, also known as the Hearth of Knowledge, is a city-state nestled in the Celestia Peaks. Founded as a sanctuary for learning by the Witch Queen Maeve, the temple to Gnol-Dotera has evolved over millennia into a sprawling university. Within its walls, mastery in various disciplines is revered, with ascendency based on expertise rather than lineage. Both scholarly pursuits and devotion to the goddess of knowledge, Gnol-Dotera, hold sway in societal veneration. Cor Quae'thum serves as a neutral ground for diplomatic endeavors, with its university often hosting negotiations and mediating discussions among empires.

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Rusterov

Rusterov, also known as the Dazzling Coalition, is a vibrant nation characterized by its diverse landscape and coalition-style governance led by Shining Queen Jazzabell. It comprises several noble families, with the great houses, the Greatlites, Maddowers, Vikkens, Pradelles, and Hornwoods, wielding considerable influence within the nation. Festivals abound in Rusterov, celebrating their deity Mairun, who adopts a different form to fulfill the beetlefolk's needs. Internally, conflicting ambitions among noble families challenge Queen Jazzabell's rule, hinting at underlying power struggles within the coalition.

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House Varundom

House Varundom, once a prominent noble lineage during the Age of Order, orchestrated the War of the Stripes by manipulating tensions among the vespoid nations of the Amber Fallow. After their defeat and subsequent banishment in 32 AC, the surviving members fled to the Amber Fallow, where they struggled to adapt until Lefairshon Varundom united them under the Black Leaf Guild in 34 AC. Acting as a political front for the Guild, House Varundom managed the public affairs of the Amber Fallow while masking the Guild's clandestine operations. Through careful manipulation and diplomacy, they regained recognition and influence, eventually representing the Guild's interests within the Royal Hexagon. The symbiotic relationship between House Varundom and the Black Leaf Guild allowed them to wield political power and maintain control over Sapperville, while the Guild focused on covert activities. This intricate dance of politics and subterfuge ensured the survival and prosperity of both factions, with Varundom nobles and Guild members seamlessly integrating to maintain their dominance.

Present

Due to the Tunnel War, the Royal Hexagon alliance is more fragile than ever. Power dynamics within the coalition have shifted since, through the addition of Aciaroma, predominantly vespidian nations now make up half of the council. This is much to the chagrin of Cavana's leader, Anastasia, who believes the war hurt her nation the most.

While inside tensions threaten to tear the alliance apart, the Royal Hexagon faces another encroaching danger in the south. The Theocracy of the Wurm is ever expanding, ignoring nations and borders in the process, which has led to small fights at the southern borders of the alliance. The queens try to avoid open war with the Theocracy, as they are still recovering from the recent conflict. However, the Spawn of the Wurm has announced that they will not stop their advances, expanding the influence of the Wurm across the south.

Type
‌Geopolitical, Alliance
Current Members
‌Aciaroma, Auroma, Cavana, Cor Quae'thum, Rusterov, House Varundom
Former Members
The Detrinian Empire
Dates Active
‌ 360 AC until today
Notable Members
‌ Anastasia Brinkrock, Queen Alexandra II, Queen Jazzabell, Queen Brighid I, Vasha the Gentle Sting, Maeve the Witch Queen