Exordium

Tanderium, officially the Hekiro Õsen Thureks Tānderium, commonly abbreviated as HOT, is a nation in the world of Abexilas, being located on the continent of Cathramis and the subcontinent Cathelet. Most of the people living in the HOT are natives to Abexilas with only a few families tracing their origins back to the old worlds of Rathnir and Eldham. Exordians are fascinated with the stars, even worshiping them in the national religion Lumanatry. The nation is led by The High Council, the make the laws and regulate all the aspects of the nation. The High Lord, Relta Andromeda announces this to the nation and sometimes the rest of Abexilas and the Grandmaster, Bomby handles most external affairs . 
== History ==
=== Exordian tribes ===
The guilds and houses that would make up the HOT were once tribes. Our ancestors figured that sticking together in large groups was a better way to survive and families formed groups which would become tribes led by the most powerful family of the group. These were families like House Andromeda and House Soll. The tribes were in frequent contact with one another, mostly to trade and talk with each other but sometimes conflicts arose and wars were fought. We also know that the tribes practiced ancient forms of magic which resulted in the rituals, ceremonies and spells we know today. Around this time the earliest signs of star worship were discovered as well. These strange pools and shrines were used by the first Lumanatists to practice a religion which would become Lumanatry. Around 180 AE travelers from the south settled in the Exordian lands. At first these foreign people were not welcomed by the Exordians, but with trade and friendly interaction these new people were welcomed into the tribal society. The descendants of these foreigners became House Nakari and the other Ohmian families and they played a huge role in the scientifical and magical advancement of Exordium.
=== Creation of the Exordian Kingdom ===
In 1124 AE a man known as Alric Chorin was wandering around the Exordian lands and he thought our peaceful tribal existence was too primitive. He gathered his men and marched on Exordium. At first the tribes fought well against the foreign invaders, but soon some tribes realized that fighting was futile and they surrendered their lands to the foreign king. Others fought till their tribes were on the brink of extinction or completely extinct. After the war 11 prominent tribes remained. After Alric’s coronation he became known as Alric I, the Conqueror, King of Exordium. During Alric’s reign Exordium began to flourish, cities were built, roads were constructed and a constitution was made. Some of the most important buildings were built during Alric’s reign such as the parliamentary building, the observatory and most important of all; the throne room. Most Exordian people accepted their new rulers, because Alric was a generous king and allowed his new subjects to live their lives mostly the same as they were before.
=== Eras of growth ===
During the reigns of the monarchs of the House of Chorin, Exordium grew into a mighty nation. It became more technologically advanced and discovered the magical properties of the surrounding areas. In the year 1578 AE Oliver Nakari discovered strange colored crystals in the Exordian caves. These crystals are known as Solas Reiltin. They are found in 5 different colors; red, orange, yellow, white and blue. These crystals have extraordinary magical properties. Later on Jaya Nakari, Oliver’s granddaughter, developed and perfected the Augmentation process, a process where people who have lost body parts or have body parts that no longer function the way they should could be replaced with a mechanical replica of said body part with the use of Solas Reiltin. This is how the race of Augmented became a part of Exordian society. At some point during the later years of the Era’s of Growth a man named Johnathan G. Pork and his wife Obudiah de Pork settled in the region near the town of Booker T.W. City. Johnathan and his wife were welcomed by the people of Exordium and some even began helping with building a house for the couple. Johnathan became well loved by the people of Exordium and around his house the town of Porktunne was built and House Pork became a noble house of Exordium. 
=== War of the Throne ===
In 1974 AE King Devon Chorin III ascended the Exordian throne. His reign seemed like one that would bring peace and balance to Exordium. However there is a reason why Devon Chorin is known as Kraz’s Lunatic. The first 16 years of his reign rocky, Exordium almost lost important alliances and deals with her neighboring nations due to Devon’s impulsive decisions and short temper, the High Council was able to fix and sometimes reestablish relations with those nations and prevent wars from happening. There was one decision Devon made that would spark the War of the Throne. During the Commence, a very important Exordian holiday, Devon announced the disbandment of the High Council and the Church of Lumantry. This action angered the members of the High Council, which were the leaders of the 11 tribes and the lumantry clergy. The tribal leaders conspired together and formed a plan to coup King Devon and rule the nation as an Oligarchy. However on the day the plan was about to go into action 1 of the tribes lead by Astorio Lurio betrayed the other Guild leaders and sided with Kraz’s Lunatic. In 1990 AE the War of the Throne was fought. After a bloody and hard battle the Guilds won. King Devon Chorin III was killed, his wife and children were exiled with the traitorous Lurio’s, they later formed the nation known as the Voidspire Imperium. The entire war had devastated the entire nation, cities were destroyed, houses were burnt and many died. 
=== Establishment of the oligarchy ===
After the Battle of the Throne a new government was established; the Holy Oligarchy. Each guild leader became an Oligarch. The new Oligarchs were Jonathan G. Pork, Dykos Hawthorn, Ben Nakari, Cal Andromeda, Tanner Eridae, Erola Attrocha, Tarquin Soll, Coin Nakari,  Nikolas von Paketzustellung and Exploit. Jonathan G. Pork was chosen as the Figurehead of the Oligarchy, he would announce new laws, decrees and other important things to the citizens of Exordium. The Church of Lumantry was reestablished as the main religion of the Oligarchy and new Lumantry cults were formed. The Exordian Throne, which the Exordian kings sat upon during their reigns, was surprisingly not destroyed during the war. Upon the ascension of the Holy Oligarchy the throne became known as the Empty Throne, no one was to sit on it as long as the Oligarchy ruled and it became a symbol of the Oligarchy. With a new form of government and no more traitors in their lands the Exordians could finally start to rebuild their great nation.
=== After the war ===
After the War of the Thrones each steward began rebuilding their towns. Kenemek and Talvorno began to flourish first together with Ohmia, Esmolgia, Sieyege and Thirvankur. The capital city Andromeda was falling behind on progress as its steward, the oligarch Relta Andromeda, gained a lot more responsibility. A couple months after the war was over the figure head of Exordium, Johnathan G. Pork vanished without a trace. The title of figure head was given to Relta Andromeda, who saw this as becoming the lead Oligarch. He took on many responsibilities and so the progress of rebuilding his town began to slow down. The city of Porktunne was given to Ben Nakari, becoming its new steward and he also became the temporary Oligarch of Diplomacy. In the weeks after Exordium's ally Kongrego reached out to them for help. Exordium, Kongrego and Sonderia were in a three way alliance called the North Star Alliance. Each member was supposed to act with good intent towards eachother, however conflict arose between Kongrego and Sonderia, a border dispute, who border eachother and used to share a capital together. A meeting was held in Exordium where the two nations would agree to be cordial with one another and make clear borders. Soon after Kongrego offerd to merge with Exordium. After much discussion between the oligarch Kongrego and Exordium merged under the Exordian name. Soon after the Exordians got word of the Zerkstein collapse when Lyaro asked the oligarchy if his Zerkstein province of Elyria could join the HOE. After a short vote Elyria was peacefully annexed by the HOE. 
=== Technological advancement ===
In the summer of 1991 AE a technological advancement was made within the HOE that could change Abexilas forever. Oligarch Lyaro found a way to transport goods, animals and people across oceans and continents through the power of flight. On June 30th a delivery to the Atoan city of Kosha was attempted with 3 passengers and 3 goats, only the passangers and Lyaro returned home, the goats sadly did not make it. A day later the first ever big passenger flight took to the skies and it went super well. On that day the HOE Airlines was founded. 
== Government ==
=== Grandmaster ===
The Grandmaster is one of the diarchs ruling the HOT. The Grandmaster focusses on external affairs and military. 
=== Highlord ===
The Highlord is one of the diarchs ruling the HOT. The Highlord focusses on internal affairs and leads the High Council. 
=== High Council ===
The HOT is led by the High Council. The council is made up of 4 permanent members refered to as dukes and the other 6 are councilers. The council is lead by the Highlord. The 6 councilers get voted in by the lower council, a group of citizen representatives. The High Council decides with the Highlord and Grandmaster on all matters concerning the nation.
=== Dukes ===
Dukes are the leaders of the territories within the HOT; Exordium, Elyria, Kongrego and Tandong. They manage these area's, appoint barons and stewards, and make sure everything goes well within their lands.
=== Lower Council ===
=== Barons ===
Barons are province owners and lower council members of the HOT. The 4 territories are each divided into provinces which a baron gets assigned to. Their task is to develop the provinces and oversee the development of the towns and cities within those provinces. 
=== Stewards ===
The stewards are the town owners and lower council members of the HOT They manage the cities and towns of the nation while also serving as a council for the Oligarchy. Some stewards are also heads of several houses, these are refered to as Noble Houses. 
== Culture ==
=== Astronomy ===
Exordians have been fascinated by the stars since the beginning of Exordian society. Even going so far as worshiping every single star in the night sky. In ancient text we found evidence of people using the stars to find their way across the vast landscapes of Abexilas. The first Ohmians led by Ohmia Nakari used stars to cross the ocean to the Exordian peninsula. 
=== Clothing ===
The Exordian lands cover multiple biomes. The majority of the Exordian lands are in a savannah. The people who live in the savannah wear loose fitting, breathable clothing made from cotton and linen. Some people wear leather as well in the form of boots and bracers, but there are rarely seen as the savannah can be very dry and hot, so sandals are a common subsitute. In the more cold and snowy biomes near Cakthlan people wear clothes made out of cotton and wool. They commonly wear thick leather mantles with a wool rim or robes made of wool. In the plaines biome people wear clothing made from cotton. 
Masks are a prominent symbol in Exordium. The tradition of wearing masks stems from the days of the Exordian tribes. In those times masks would indicate which tribe you were a part of. Nowadays masks arent very common in Exordium, mostly being worn during masquerades. But some still choose to wear masks to express themselves. Masks are also used in religious ceremonies and sermons. 
Jewelry is very common in the Exordian lands. It can be used to signify status to wear a lot of jewelry, but most people own a couple rings or a necklace. Copper and silver are the most common materials used for making Exordian jewelry, while gold is the rarest. Gemstones are sometimes use for special jewelry, like wedding gifts, wedding rings and family heirlooms. The Augmented use a special kind of gemstone known as Solas Reiltin to power the prostethics used by the Augmented.
=== Masks and masquerades ===
Masks are a prominent thing in Exordian culture. In the tribal days of Exordium people used to wear masks to show the people around them who they are, what they believe in or simply to which tribe they belong. These masks could resemble animals, ancestors of folkloric figures. Some of these things were very tribe specific, for example someone with a cat-like mask would probably have been apart of the Kenemekize people. 
With the culture evolving and refining the over the hundreds of years which have passed the tradition of wearing masks has transitioned into masquerades. These masked balls are the most common form of parties within the H.O.E. 
=== Holiday's and events ===
==== Commence ====
A holiday where the Exordians celebrate the beginning of the universe. The holiday is celebrated 2 days in a row. On the first day we celebrate the beginning of everything and pray to our gods. The day is filled with prayer, feasts and a masquerade called 'The first dance'. On the second day the Exordians remember their ancestors and mourn their loved ones who have passed away.
==== Masked battles ====
Ancient Exodrians wore masks to worship the gods. People who worshiped the war deity used to wear masks in duels to entertain their deity. This tradition is still prevalent in Exodian culture. In these ‘masked battles’ people enter an arena wearing a mask depicting their family symbol, personal symbol or a symbol to honor something personal to the fighter. The arena itself is filled with traps, hurdles and other difficulties to make the fight more difficult. Some arena’s use bridges between obelisks as the fighting area, others have magma blocks scattered around the place to make fighters watch their step. The winner of these battles wins glory for their family and either gold or a weapon blessed by the Lumantry clergy.
== Religion ==
Lumanatry is the official religion of the H.O.T. It is a religion where the stars themselves are worshiped. Each star is its own deity, called a celestial. The main celestial who is worshiped is called Kraz, the creator of our universe, the other being Eridanus, the creator of Abexilas. It was Eridanus who the first Exordians worshiped as 'The flying man'. 
Category:Abexilas