Celras

Celras, officially Argovor Celrasos, is a Senatorial Kingdom located in southeastern Kejafros. Celras is a remnant state of the ancient pre-comet Empire of Thondeum, which fell thousands of years ago in the aftermath of a catastrophic event known as the Scorching.
Celras is currently one of the three main kingdoms of the Empire of Ischanor and is considered the capital of Courtism - the primary religion within Ischanor. Celras is one of the founding member states of the Empire of Ischanor and holds much influence in the empire's government and various ministries. Celras borders Aurlansk to the north and south; Cìrion to the north-west; Rugundy to the west; and Blomach to the east and southwest.
The kingdom is expansive and consists mostly of scattered towns interconnected by fields and the imperial Ischanic road system. The kingdom's population density is greater in it's western regions, particularly around Thallasia and Celras City.
==History==
===Empire of Thondeum===
The city of Celras was founded prior to the formation of the Empire of Ischanor by the Empire of Thondeum, an ancient pre-comet empire that fell thousands of years ago in the aftermath of a catastrophic event known as the Scorching. Prior to Thondeum's collapse, Celras was a wealthy cultural and religious centre made rich by religious pilgrimage and extensive river trade. Following Thondeum's collapse, the city relied heavily upon its vast wealth stores and mastery of the local rivers to survive. Utilising hired mercenaries, the city was able to either vassalise or subjugate neighbouring settlements in the surrounding lands, establishing rule over a significant portion of formerly Thondean lands. 
=== Joining the Empire of Ischanor===
During the reign of Despot Spiniakos Vros Hirfeas, Celras joined the Empire of Ischanor as a Kingdom subrealm. 
Spiniakos Vros Hirfeas ruled only for a short time before abdicating to Silvarie Vros Hirfeas, who renamed the nation (previously the Despotate of Celras) to Argovor Celrea, then to Argovor Celrasos. Similarly, the Despot title was renamed to Argoa. These changes were made to fit with the Celrasi conlang, developed by Comrade_max_.
===Selidoar Conflicts===
Not long after the formation of Ischanor, conflicts arose between Turtlestad, a Celrasi vassal state, and Selidoar, an imperial subrealm, over the southern half of Oogway Island. Prior to the server start, Selidoar had laid claim to the southern portions of Oogway Island; however, before Selidoar could claim the territory, Turtlestad pre-emptively extended it's claim borders to cover the whole island, sparking conflict between the two. The kingdom of Celras as a whole stayed neutral, but many members spoke in support of Turtlestad over Selidoar, citing Selidoarian inactivity and Turtlestad's high population at the time. The conflict was long and drawn out, consisting of much debate in the Imperial Diet and hostile activity from the citizenry on both sides. In the end, Turtlestad retained control over Oogway Island.
===Frogist Conflicts===
In 18 - 21 VE, a heretical movement called the Frogist Crusade arose in the Kingdom of Lorenis - a fellow kigndom subrealm to the west of Celras. Celrasi soldiers participated in the sieges of Selroa and Bachengart, making up a not insignificant portion of the Anti-Frogist military forces. Following the siege of Bachengart, a military order called the Eye of Aldreda was founded to combat the frogists; however, tensions calmed between the Frogist Crusade and the Anti-Frogists and the Eye was disbanded before ever seeing conflict.
===Population Boom===
Not long after the Frogist Crusade, Celras city began experiencing a significant population boom thanks to the efforts of Fireboy_78 and R1ckey - the city's primary recruiters. During this period, the city experienced two major housing shortages which resulted in the hasty construction of several housing districts along the northwestern docks. This period ended in the - 21st July 2024 - when R1ckey disappeared without a trace, and the city went into decline. Later documents uncovered in revealed R1ckey had been banished beyond the realms of the living and would return in due time. Many believe that his return will mark a revival of Celrasi greatness.
===Expulsion of Lenógath===
Sometime between and - July 2024 - tensions arose between Vur'Lenos Bréant Alúch (SirBuzzBuzz), the leader of Lenógath, and Argoa Remon Silvarie Hirfeas (Comrade_Max_), leader of Celras. Grievances between the two nations had piled up over time, with such incidents as Celrasi raids into Lenógach territory, Lenógach raids into Celrasi territory, religious oppression of the Lenógach, verbal arguments between Breant and a number of Celrasi citizenry, poor conduct from both leaders, and a prior attempt to secede from Celras. Tensions came to a head in the , when the Celrasi Sentho voted unanimously to expel Lenógath from Celras. Soon after, Lenógath disbanded and all of its former territories - with the exception of the forests of Talgant - were sold off. The western regions of former Lenógath were acquired by Bjørn Bjørnson II (TheZekeer) and reorganised into Miklagard, a new vassal state under Celras.
===Merge with Lynarith===
In , a political marriage between House Bygederic of Lynarith and House Hirfeas of Celras merged the two realms in a personal union, with Lynarith as the junior partner. The marriage resulted in the formation of House Odrīcas, who became the rulers of the new merged realm, Argovor Lynarasos.
Outside of lore, the idea of merging Lynarith and Celras began as a joke between the two kingdoms, as their communities were already very intertwined. In September 2024, talks became serious as Emperor Floki Bygederic (Ze_Flux) became embroiled in imperial affairs and was unable to properly devote time to managing Lynarith. The realms officially merged into Argovor Lynarasos on the 29th of October 2024. Despite the merge, both realms still exist as semi-separate entities within Argovor Lynarasos.
== Geography ==
===Terrain===
Celras' core territories sprawl across the Celrasi Plains on the southern banks of Lake Thoadrala. With the exception of Idrisé, which is built upon on rocky hills, Celras' terrain is extremely flat, with the greatest elevation changes occurring around the banks of the River Rugund and River Livo, as well as Lake Thoadrala. The majority of Celras' borders lie upon either rivers or mountains, with notable exceptions being the northern border with Osriguard - Now Aurlansk - and Eivoras. In particular, the lack of distinguishable landforms along the Osriguard border has led to many border disputes between Osriguard and Celras.
===Climate===
Celras' climate according to the Köppen climate classification system is described as Hemiboreal (Dwb/Dfb). 
Despite temperatures frequently dropping below freezing in winter, it has never - in recorded history - snowed in the Celrasi Plains. The only place within Celrasi territory that has been snowed upon in recorded history has been the upper altitudes of Sran Felevalos. Additionally, despite being below freezing temperatures, the waters of Lake Thoadrala and the rivers Rugund and Livo never seem to freeze over. Archeological findings and ancient Thondean records suggest these anomalies to be magical in nature.
===Major Settlements===
====Celras City====
The kingdom's capital and largest city is Celras City, which lies on a peninsula guarded by Lake Thoadrala to the north-west, and the River Livo to the south and west. The city's skyline is dominated by large temples, ornamental pillars, and basilicae. The Uīas Arsa (Great Road) splits the city from east to west. The Uīas Kelusavi (Road of Gods) and Uīas Ieþarleos (Council Road) connect to the Uīas Arsa from the north and south respectively. The Uīas Kelusavi serves as the city's main temple district and ends at temple of Aldreda, while the Uīas Ieþarleos serves as the main senatorial district and ends at the Kass Senthos (Senate House). 
====Idrisé====
Idrisé is a large castle complex northwest of Celras city, built in the shadow of Sran Felevalos (Silver Hill) at the southern tip of the Firsa Hills. The main castle is a large holdfast built on a stony ridge overlooking the main road between Cìrion and Celras. To the south and east of Idrisé are sprawling fields that grow the castle's food. The castle serves a threefold purpose: first as a border fort guarding the road and border between Cìrion and Celras; second as the seat of House Raene, a prominent noble family within Celras; and third as a minor regional capital for Celrasi settlements north of the River Rugund. Idrisé is also known for it's agricultural and alcohol exports. 
====Thallasia====
Thallasia is a semi-independent city-state vassal of Celras. Thallasia lies southwest of Celras city.
==Government==
===Administration===
Celras is ruled by an absolute ruler known as the Argoa. An administrative body known as the Sentho assists the Argoa in the management of the nation. 
=== Nobility===
As is true of most Ischanic realms, Celras hosts a number of noble families.
====House Hirfeas====
The primary royal line of Celras. House Hirfeas claims descendancy from the aristocracy of ancient Thondeum, and has ruled Celras for hundreds of years.
House Hirfeas merged with House Bygederic via a political marriage in to form House Odrīcas.
====House Raene====
A recent cadet line formed from House Hirfeas. House Raene was formed when a Hirfeas king sent his second son to retake and recolonise the ancient site of Igidrium - later renamed to Idrisé.
==Culture==
===Religion===
Celras is the capital of Courtism, the primary religion of the Empire of Ischanor. As such, the blatant following of religions other than Courtism is heavily frowned upon in Celras; however, concessions have been made for some minor faiths that bear enough resemblance to Courtism to allow for syncretization. One such example of this occurring is in Thallasia, a Celrasi vassal state, whose residents worship Thallas (commonly thought to be a variant of Xoraios by the Celrasi). 
Celras city boasts a plethora of temples and churches to the gods of the Courtist pantheon, of which the most notable are the temples of Aldreda and Xoraios in the city centre, and the temple of Manos along the main street.
===Artisanal fishing===
A common tradition is a spear fishing competition, an inherited Thondean rite, in which nobles compete to catch the largest fish with a barbed bronze spear or bronze harpoon. After the competition, the fish scored from the hunt is traditionally used in a feast following. 
In the headwaters of the lake Thoadrala, in cold streams close to the Iron Mountains, Thondeans targeted mainly brook trout and other subspecies. The most common method is known as "trumzulan" in Celrasi, which means to fly fish, but its etymology derives from the word trout + to fish. Anglers most commonly make use of artificial lures or flies tied on line with an 10-13 foot bamboo rod. As Celrasi diverged from the larger Thondean culture, they also developed two types of rods: A traditionally Thondean "Tello Trumaros" (lit. Rod of Trout in Celrasi), and a "Rielaser Tello" (lit. Walking rod in Celrasi). The Trumaros has the line tied to the tip of the rod, while the line on the Rielaser is ran through an eye at the tip of the rod and an eye at the halfway point, tied to the bottom, and handled by the angler. The key difference is, after setting the hook on a fish, a Trumaros angler must point his rod tip upwards to bring the fish to him, while the Rielaser angler can "walk" the line to him by pulling it.
The line is made out of intestinal fibers from horses, cows, sheep, etc, although it can also be made out of dried plant fibers. Animal gut line is preferred due to its more discrete nature, as opposed to plant rope, which sometimes is bulky enough to spook the fish from biting. Hooks are crafted from wood, bone, or seashell, along with feathers and dyed string tied on. Anglers aimed to imitate local insects, but also other foods that trout target, including fish, crustaceans, leeches, and worms.
Another common method is creating a ball of feed which is shaped around a hook. When the fish eats the bait, the angler can set the previously undetectable hook. Accompanied by this method is chumming, the act of throwing the same feed shaped onto the hook into the water hookless. Other fish in the central Kejafros region targeted with line and rod include salmon, shad, perch, muskellunge, striped bass, and the widespread slimefish, which is native to Kejafros, and known to bite most live bait and artificial flies.
===Clothing===
Celrasi formal dress is complex and often richly adorned. The use of formal dress outside of imperial and national events has declined greatly over the years, and is only commonly seen in the capital. The complexity and adornment of one's clothes at formal events are representative of an individual's wealth and influence, so wealthy merchants and nobles are often seen in rich textured silks and gold threading and jewelry. Formal dress consists of a roughly semicircular cloth draped over the shoulders and around the body. A wool tunic is worn underneath for warmth. The draping cloth is most commonly woven from wool; however, nobles and wealthy citizens will often commission cloths made with exotic materials and patterns ranging from silk brocade or even finely woven gold threads. Jewelry is worn along with the rest of the ensemble and is again made from a range of materials. Bronze and copper are common among regular citizens, while those who can afford it tend to indulge in golds, silvers, and expensive gems. Crowns do not necessarily denote royalty and are commonly seen among nobles, though only the despot and members of the direct royal line may don golden laurel wreaths.
Casual dress varies greatly depending on region. In the capital casual dress is a simpler, more comfortable version of formal clothing and commonly consists of a wool tunic and simple cloth draped over the body and tied or pinned so as to free up the wearer's hands. 
===Music===
Traditional Celrasi music tends to be very grandiose and orchestral. Strings and vocals feature heavily, as well as deep bass and percussion. More casual Celrasi music, mostly heard in the countryside, makes greater use of harpstrings and woodwinds and is often described as "light" and "flighty" in comparison to Traditional music.
==Architecture==
The architectural styles of Celras vary depending on region and external influences. 
===Celras City===
The city of Celras itself is the best example of 'typical' Celrasi architecture - characterized by dense brick and stone buildings dotted by grand arches and monumental structures. Monumental works are the primary focus of Celrasi architecture, grand temples and public spaces are plentiful and richly decorated and the skyline is dotted with enormous pillars and domes. By contrast, residential architecture tends to be more understated; the typical home will have a simple two-floored rectangular layout, and be made of mud-brick, diorite, or sandstone. 
===Idrisé===
The ancient site of igidrium, first destroyed in the Scorching of Thondeum, has changed hands a number of times since the fall of the Thondean empire. This foreign influence - combined with the greater need for fortifications in comparison to the capital - has led to Idrisémi architecture becoming very distinct from Celrasi architecture. While still grand and often extravagant to the point of impracticality, Idrisémi architecture leans more towards tall towers and formidable gates than the open arches and lavish gardens of Celras city.
==Trivia== 
*The name Argovor Celrasos comes from the Celrasi language and translates to "Kingdom of Celras"
*Similarly, Argovor Lynarasos translates to "Kingdom of Lynaras"
*Celras city played host to the first in-game meeting of the Ischanor Imperial Diet
*The original lore of Celras stated the Celrasi to be a subset of the Solideti people from Kylorne. This was later scrapped to better fit with the wider Ischanor lore
Category:Nations
Category:Abexilas
Category:Kejafros
Category:Ischanor