Kingdom of Cathlidia
Overview
The Kingdom of Cathlidia is a flame-wrought theocracy carved from extinction and built upon divine sacrifice. Founded in the aftermath of the Hollow Moon Calamity, when the Nine Hells of Azhi-Kael tore open rifts into the Material Plane, Cathlidia rose as a final bastion of human survival. Its cities blaze with sacred fire, its people are molded in discipline, and its rulers are bound by oaths older than history.
Unknown to most of its citizens, Cathlidia exists not simply as a kingdom—but as a Divine Containment Lattice, with each of its Nine Provinces serving as a living seal over one of Azhi-Kael’s Nine Hells.
History
Hollow Moon
During a rare planar event called the Hollow Moon, Azhi-Kael, a fallen celestial once loyal to Torva, opened nine rifts to his infernal dominion—the Nine Hells. These were not realms of chaos, but twisted prisons of corrupted divine justice.
Humanity, weakened by wars, planar instability, and its own hubris, was nearly wiped out. Azhi-Kael intended to claim the race as his infernal legion.
Solmara’s Sacrifice
Solmara, a mortal priestess, offered herself in sacred immolation to ignite Torva’s divine spark once more. Her sacrifice gave birth to The Ninefold Seal, with each rift sealed beneath what would become one of Cathlidia’s Nine Flamefold Capitals. She ascended not as a goddess, but as Torva’s Hand, the Flame-Saint who binds Hell with virtue.
The Ninefold Seal
Each Flamefold is a spiritual province built atop a sealed Hellrift, opposing a specific Helllord and their corrupted virtue:
| Flamefold | Virtue (Flamefold) | Corrupted Form (Hell) | Hell Name | Helllord |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solrest | Obedience | Domination | The Crown of Chains | Azhi-Kael |
| Ironfold | Endurance | Ceaseless Strife | The Wound Eternal | Barzhaan |
| Emberfold | Sacrifice | Consumption | The Forge of Gluttony | Ur’Vask |
| Veilfold | Silence | Suppression | The Hollow Choir | Nashara |
| Flamewake | Mercy | Seductive False Light | The Radiant Cage | Seraphine |
| Ashfold | Judgment | Vengeful Retribution | The Hung Court | Kaxerik |
| Lanternfold | Humility | Echoing Pride | The Echo Halls | Balawag |
| Scorchfold | Penance | Despair & Hollow Guilt | The Ash Mirror | Inza |
| Gildfold | Discipline | Ledger of Chains | The Gilded Ledger | Vrexion |
These Flamefolds are overseen by The Flamewarden Ecclesiarchs , each ritually bound to their seal. Their duties are not only spiritual, but cosmic: they are the last line between order and infernal ascension.
Religion
Cathlidia does not worship Torva directly, but venerates Solmara as his chosen vessel, the perfect embodiment of endurance, order, and sacrifice through the Church of the Radiant Flame. Her martyrdom is the moral template for every citizen: burn willingly for a greater good.
Religious Orders
- The Ember Chain – Inquisitors and blindfire judges.
- The Sisters of the Blazing Veil – Oracle-priestesses who walk barefoot on ash.
- The Ashguard – Silent paladins of retribution.
Magic in Cathlidia
“Spellcraft is a spark. Unchecked, it becomes wildfire.”
Magic is tightly regulated under the Church's doctrine. Arcane casters are viewed with distrust, often forced to register with Flamebound Watchers or become marked as latent threats.
- Sorcerers: Seen as “tainted by wildness” and subject to magical purging.
- Wizards: Permitted only under Church sanction and constant surveillance.
- Warlocks: Considered inherently heretical. Pacts are treated as proof of infernal corruption.
- Necromancy, illusion, enchantment: Often forbidden, and those who practice them are subject to the Trial of Flame.
Magical artifacts are typically confiscated, warded, or bound in sacred chains.
Hatred of Fiends
Cathlidia holds a deep and systemic hatred for devils, demons, and all fiend-blooded creatures.
- Tieflings are watched, often branded or exiled. Some are burned in “cleansing rites.”
- Fiends are not merely enemies—they are spiritual contaminations.
- Warlocks of fiendish patrons are considered apostates and living weapons of chaos.
The Inquisition of the Flame maintains blackbooks of known warlocks, and the Church's most sacred mission is to eradicate infernal influence in the mortal world—a crusade intensified by Azhi-Kael’s fall and legends of Ka’rozzel’s corruption.
Military
The Flamebound Legions are elite holy warriors trained in divine discipline and forged in fire rituals.
- Ashguard – Silent paladins who execute the Church’s will without hesitation.
- Dawnriders – Radiant cavalry atop flame-marked steeds.
- Ember Priests – Clerics who wield flame as both shield and blade.
Culture
Cathlidia’s culture is shaped by obedience, discipline, and reverence. Citizens are raised from childhood under the Creed of the Flame. Artistic expression is allowed—if it praises the Church. Questioning doctrine is punishable. Dissent is equated with heresy.
Children are often enrolled in Branding Academies, where obedience is taught with ash, prayer, and pain.
Popular Phrases:
- “The Flame does not bend.”
- “Chains forged in faith do not break.”
- “Light reveals all—especially your sins.”
- “The Saint suffered. So must we.”
Foreign Relations
Distrusted or Hated:
- Necromancers, warlocks, feyfolk, tieflings
- Nations tolerant of chaos, unbound magic, or Voidglass
- Regions near the Shattered Reach, seen as “stained by infernal ruin”
Engaged in Trade With:
- Lawful merchant states, dwarven kingdoms, and church-aligned noble houses
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