Aurora

Aurora, officially the Kingdom of Aurora was a kingdom on the continent of Haven. Aurora was founded by the Escharian rebels known as the Order of the Aurora in late 2020. Throughout its history, Aurora was one of the most stable nations on Rathnir, maintaining a consistent core territory and government from its foundation to the very last days of Rathnir. 
For a significant portion of its history, Aurora played an important role in three large, multi-state empires; the First Empire of Uldarash, Second Empire of Uldarash, and Ashai. Either as part of these empires or as an independent kingdom, Aurora participated in many of the most significant events in Rathnir's history, including the Entropy Crusade, Allium-Coalition War, Uldarash Civil War and Northport War. At its peak the Kingdom of Aurora, alongside its fellow Uldarashi States and other allies, completely dominated the political landscape of Rathnir, with only the Eldham Entente being able to contest their military supremacy. 
As well as possessing a strong military and playing an active role in world politics, Aurora was also a significant cultural centre. Fornost, Aurora's capital city, was the largest city on Rathnir, home to a diverse and active community for the majority of its existence. Aurora was the only surviving Pavlovist nation on Rathnir, which was the official state religion. Worship of other religions was accepted, occasionally resulting in tension between the holy warriors of the Order of Aurora and the other religions present within their diverse, metropolitan kingdom.
==History==
=== The Order of Aurora ===
The Kingdom of Aurora traces its origins to the Order of the Aurora, a knightly order founded in Escharia. The first Auroran Order arose during the ancient, pre-Traveller's Era history of Escharia. Their purpose was to protect the world from werewolves and other 'unholy' beings after a devastating war which nearly ended in complete disaster for Escharia, known as the Southern Incursion. The Order collapsed at some point but was refounded by Emperor Severie an Aeszerii to counter a resurgent werewolf threat. Ortwin Aurelius was appointed first Grandmaster of the Order with the ancient Fortress of Gentumar being chosen as their home.
They eventually moved to the Isle of Tessel, acquired by Escharia as a result of the Final Turtlonian War, where they guarded a void pit opened by the Turtlonians. The Order underwent significant alterations on the island, changing its leadership, language and religion. Aurelian was appointed Grandmaster of the Order, which some scholars believe to be the cause of Aréte developing into the language of the Order as he, alongside other lower-level Order members who were growing more prominent in this era, were Aréte speakers. This period also saw refugees from the fall of Naverechniya arrive on Tessel, where they converted the Order to their faith, Pavlovism.
===Exodus from Escharia===
In the fall o f 20 T.E (December 16th, 2020) The Emperor of Escharia claimed the throne of Yimmu Audal, a spark which would result in the First Coalition War. The Aurorans viewed this usurpation as sinful, and they vowed to play no part in Escharia's conquest. The Order rebelled, declaring their home on Tessel to be an independent kingdom. In this period, however, the Order was not nearly the military power it would become and was facing one of the largest empires on Rathnir with no allies. They were quickly driven off their island and forced into exile.
The exile from Escharia left the remnants of the Order of the Aurora without a home and welcome nowhere. The scouting party, Aurelian (Canine14), WhiskeyHusky, Red_Devil0141, and Crackdown9000, made the two hour long trip from Tessel to the mountain in Haven which now holds the city of Fornost. After this mountain was found, an encampment was set up and soon the rest of the Aurorans fled west to their new home in the continent of Haven. This would soon after found the Kingdom of Aurora.
===The Founding of a Kingdom===
After a few days of getting homes set up and the start of a mine, WhiskeyHusky was sent to Uldarash to talk with them about their situation and the negotiation of a deal for becoming a protectorate under their banner to help prevent banditry from occurring or Escharia to hunt the Aurorans down. During these negotiations, GinKinght was possessed by a god and began placing signs atop a mountain that were comical in nature. Following this "Funny Mountain" was deemed the site of the signing since they were already there.A day or two after, Aurora found out about a land called "Selkrauvarr" in their mines and none of the Aurorans enjoyed the thought of fighting for their land immediately once they got here. Soon after the land in the mine was discovered, the above ground skeleton stable with skeleton horses tied up inside with dogs on leashes. The Aurorans immediately contacted Uldarash and built a wall on the exposed opening in the valley of the mountain, deeming this fortification in this frosty mountain, "Fornost."
===Assimilation of Tefsil===
Tefsil, a nation that appeared to Aurora's east not too long after arriving, had obstructed Aurora's expansion plans. Tefsil and Aurora were immediately at odds, as vampires were strictly not allowed anywhere in the Auroran handbook. Tefsil then kidnapped a council member by the name of WhiskeyHusky. Tensions rose, both nations prepared for war. WhiskeyHusky, however, was soon returned peacefully thanks to bettering relations between the countries. The nation of Tefsil then agreed to assimilation into The Kingdom of Aurora.
===The Second Empire of Uldarash===
Main Article: The Second Empire of Uldarash
After the fall of Uldarash, an event caused predominantly by the Sewor mafia and Viodoxa, the continent of Haven was left changed forever. Viodoxa had taken most of the lands in the north, including the capital of Hapatmitas, and created a new puppet state, Aruna. However shortly before the fall of Uldarash the many states of Haven formed an alliance known as the Golden Ring of Haven. After the fall, the remaining members of the Ring began considering plans to stop Haven from collapsing into chaos. As they reached out to the many successor states of Uldarash, it became clear that the Havenites wished to see Haven once again united. All the countries of Haven, excluding Trafalgar and a rogue group known as the Khanate of Haven, joined together to form the Second Empire of Uldarash in the spring of 40 T.E (March 5, 2021), with the primary goal of keeping Haven under the control of Haven, and barring foreign influence. Aker Aurelian was voted by all Havenite states apart from Trafalgar and the Viodoxan client state of Aruna to become the Emperor, marking the start of the Aurorii dynasty's rule of Uldarash, which would persist for the entire lifetime of the Second Empire. 
Throughout the Second Empire's lifespan, Aurora played a dominant role within domestic and foreign affairs. The Order of the Aurora, at the time being one of, if not the largest and most capable fighting force in Rathnir was key in nearly every battle the Second Empire was involved in. Furthermore, Aurora's large population, and position on the throne of Uldarash made the kingdom heavily influential in most decisions made by the Uldarashi government. As a result of the position Aurora held, there was often resentment and disagreements with the other states of the Empire, as many felt Aurora held far too influential position within Uldarash. These tensions reached a boiling point with the Uldarashi Civil War. The civil war, which began as a result of a government-coup against Empress Caterina of Montroig, furthered isolated Aurora from the eastern Havenites, as both Aurorans and Eastern Havenites viewed the other unfavorably. Even into the later eras of Rathnir, the memory of the coup and subsequent months of destructive fighting strained relations between the two states, although relations generally managed to improve in the post-Uldarashi period. 
In the midst of the civil war, The Imperial Uldarashi government, primarily Aurora, was engaged in a conflict with the Eldham Entente. This became the Eldham Entente Intervention in the Uldarash Civil War. The conflict resulted in The Battle of Fornost, which was the largest battle in Rathnir's history at the time. The battle, being in Aurora's largest and capital city, was arguably the most important war effort Aurora had ever undertaken. 
Soon after the Battle of Fornost, Aurora entered a period of peace within Uldarash that lasted until the Empire's dissolution. 
===Dissolution of Uldarash and Auroran Independence===
==== The end of the Empire ====
In the autumn of 135 T.E (March 22, 2022), Uldarash formally dissolved itself. This took place following a vote by the Uldarashi High Council to dissolve the nation. The Kingdom of Aurora became a fully independent nation as a result. Aurora maintained all of its former state territories.
The fall of Uldarash left Aurora in a much less significant position on the world stage, with both positive and negative effects for the kingdom. Without the demands of maintaining the Second Empire, the efforts of the Auroran leadership were instead focused entirely on Aurora, which drew back from the world stage and enjoyed a period of much needed peace and stability. 
Geopolitically, Aurora was thrown into a precarious position, facing threats from countries both old and new. As Aurora was viewed as the dominant power of Uldarash, it inherited many of the old rivalries from the Second Empire. The most important of these rivalries was between Aurora and the Union of Haven. The inciting incident of the collapse of Uldarash was a power struggle between Aurelian and Rakia Ganeffs, member of the Auroran Council. Ganeffs had left Aurora in the wake of the dissolution, becoming the leader of the Union of Haven, which was dominated by the former Loyalist States. On top of this, the rise of the Vinovian Horde and worsening relations with former allies such as Tortuga and Ulfaeng further isolated Aurora and increased the list of potential enemies. 
This precarious position was confirmed by the signing of the New Dorasterrock Accords in the winter of 139 T.E. (4th April 2022), uniting almost all of Rathnir's major powers into one alliance. Aurora was invited to the Accords but refused the offer, not trusting the alliance which contained many of their oldest rivals. The Union of Haven had joined the NDA, meaning that any conflict between Aurora and the Union (or any other NDA state, many of which held their own grudges against Aurora) could result in a global conflict the likes of which had not been seen since the Uldarashi Civil War. 
==== The Rexhold Crisis ====
The Rexhold crisis proved to be the closest that Aurora and the Union of Haven came to war. Chevkri, a former state of Uldarash, collapsed in the spring of 139 T.E. (5th May 2022), breaking up into several smaller successor states. These states were added to the Union of Haven, but were allowed to secede. Minus some disputes over how long the states that planned to secede would have to remain in the Union, the breakup occured largely without issue in most states. The exception to this was the Duchy of Rexhold, a state friendly to Aurora. There, the town of Schwanstein broke away from the Duchy and instead was absorbed into Alfheim directly. The leader of Schwanstein argued that this was legal based on the fact that Mary Belgrave, last Apex of Chevkri, granted them the land. Rexhold denied this, arguing that Mary was never sworn in as Apex and thus unable to grant the land transfer as well as the fact that the Apex was not allowed to give away the land of Rexhold as per the constitution of Chevkri. 
Eventually, it was decided that the matter would be resolved in the High Court of the Union of Haven. This worried Rexhold and Aurora, who did not expect the Union's courts to be impartial over a matter concerning the interests of their own states. Aurora paid for Rexhold's legal team, but was expecting the worst. If the court ruled against Rexhold, Aurora would either have to allow one of their allies to be invaded, or risk war with the Union of Haven and possibly the entire NDA. 
Luckily, the Rexhold crisis was resolved peacefully. Rexhold v Alfheim et al., later known by some as the 'Battle of Rexhold', took place in the summer of 142 T.E. (18th May, 2022). Rexhold's legal team performed significantly better than their Alfheimi counterparts and the court proved to be genuinely impartial despite Aurora's fears. Not only was Alfheim's claim to Schwanstein denied, but they were forced to pay $500,000 in reparations to Rexhold, a major victory that significantly eased tensions between the two states. 
==== Mending the divides of the Civil War ====
Another unexpected success was the First Haven Summit. Held in Sanctuary with all nations in Haven participating, the Summit was called in an attempt to mend some of the divides in Haven. The primary issues to be discussed were twofold. The primary cause of the conference was the old grudges of the Civil War, which still influenced contemporary diplomacy in events such as the Rexhold Crisis. Another point of discussion at the summit was the position of Horde, which had formed from Vinovia, Laurentides and Lorent one day prior and who many in Haven were suspicious of, the Vinovians having only arrived in Haven soon after the fall of Uldarash. Rumours also circulated on the eve of the summit that Lorent was planning to invade Savernia, which may have influenced the proceedings of the summit. 
While it was expected that little would be accomplished at the summit, significant gains were made in mending relations between Aurora and the Union of Haven, largely ending the state of Cold War that had existed between the Loyalists and Imperialsts since the end of the Civil War. Little progress, on the other hand, was made with the leaders of the Horde. 
The Union of Haven dissolved in the Fall of 152 T.E. (29th May 2022) and Aurora maintained positive relations with Alfheim and Montroig post-independence. Just as this threat was subsiding, however, another was growing beyond the borders of Haven. 
=== The Northport War===
Main Article: Northport War
As relations with the Loyalists were improving, the friendships between Aurora and several of its key allies were falling apart. The most notable of these was Tortuga, whose previous leader, Sexy, had recently stepped down to be replaced by the much more anti-Auroran Ulifer. This change in leadership was followed by several high profile incidents which strained Aurora-Tortuga relations. The first of these was the Kingsland dispute, in which the Dread Fleet, led by Queen Aerith an Aurorii, attempted to invade their former home of Kingsland. At the time, Kingsland was an ally of Tortuga and many saw this as a breach of the Auroran-Tortugan alliance. The Auroran government denied any involvement, but it still caused problems between the two states. The second incident was 'Operation Gaslight', in which Tortuga and Lorent faked a war to gauge the reactions of nearby states and allies. The Aurorans found out about the plan and, thinking it to be a trap to get them involved in a war with the Horde, provided Tortuga with no aid. Tortuga, however, argued that the Aurorans had betrayed them. Tortuga officially ended their alliance with Aurora and joined the New Dorasterrock Accords, who began planning their invasion of Aurora.
Though Tortuga was the key nation involved in the preparation of the war with Aurora, the face of what would come to be the Northport War turned out to be Ganeffs. Though relations between Aurora and Tortuga were terrible, they did not have enough of a Casus Belli to justify the full scale invasion and destruction of Aurora. As a result, the NDA turned to Ganeffs who, although no longer in the Union of Haven, still maintained relations with the alliance through his small nation, Ganeffstan. As the former owner of Northport, Ganeffs used his claim to the city to launch the war with the entirety of the New Dorasterrock Accords at his back. Aurora, in turn, rallied their own allies, hired mercenaries and began preparing for one of the largest wars Rathnir would ever see.
At the outbreak of the war, the Auroran populace rallied to contribute to the defense of the nation to an extent never seen before. The defenses around Northport were constructed at an extremely fast rate, as large moats were built around the city within just over one day. Furthermore, the Auroran government hosted frequent war supply drives, encouraging the population to donate whatever supplies they had on hand to contribute to the war effort. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised, along with a considerable amount of diamonds, experience bottles, and other varied war supplies. 
Despite the civilian and military war preparation effort, the N.D.A still seemingly had a considerable advantage, having more money, manpower, and supplies on hand. These advantages did not end up securing a victory for the N.D.A, as the first Siege of Northport saw the clashing armies forced into a stalemate, and the second a decisive Auroran victory with considerable casualties from the N.D.A, and a successful Auroran counter-offensive at the N.D.A city of Savras.
After two failures to take Northport, infighting within the N.D.A, as well as domestic instability in many of the key nations within the Alliance broke out. This led to the N.D.A making no more attempts to seize Northport, and the alliance later collapsing. 
===Auroran annexation of Savernia===
In February of 2023, the south Havenite nation of Savernia had found itself in dire straits. To its east the Vinovian Horde had expanded rapidly and rumors had begun spreading about potential Vinovian war planning to attempt a second invasion of Savernia, after their first had failed in 2022. Simultaneously, the Vorakh Khanate, a new and rising nation in South and central Haven sought to expand into Savernia, and had even convinced two Savernian towns to secede and join the Khanate. Savernia was known for lacking its own standing army and was unprepared to face against either of these threats, and so they instead opted to integrate completely into Aurora to avoid conflict. Savernia and Aurora had maintained good relations prior to this move and held similar cultural and ideological values. The integration was received well by the majority of both populations. The region where the former nation occupied became the Duchy of Savernia within Aurora. 
=== Participation in the Coalition against the Horde===
The Vinovian Horde, established in the months following the fall of Uldarash saw a period of rapid expansion throughout 2022 and into early 2023. This peaked when the Horde controlled a third of Rathnir, and a small territory within Eldham. In particular, the Horde had established total dominance over eastern and central Haven. Combined with the involvement of Aurora in the Avium War, Auroran relations with the Horde were never on good terms.
During the summer of 2022, Ashai and allied states declared a coalition against the Horde in order to push back the expanding force which threatened Ashai and multiple of its allies. Aurora, close allies with Ashai since Ashai's founding accepted to join the coalition when invited by Hasufel Takanori. This would mark the second time Aurora was engaged in war against Vinovia. The coalition formed against the Horde almost immediately saw decisive victories achieved across Rathnir, as the Vinovian's territories began to quickly shrink within a matter of weeks. Coalition armies regularly outnumbered Horde forces by substantial margins, and local support amongst Horde member nations was low. Multiple major member nations left out of fear of being engaged in a war against the coalition, leading to the nearly complete collapse of the Horde by April of 2023. The coalition against the Horde was the first major conflict Aurora had been involved in since the Northport War.
===Rum SpiritKnight's Ascension===
Following King Aurelian's second reign, Rum The Spiritknight, then King's Hand to Aurelian was chosen to succeed Aurelian to the throne. This would mark the first time the Auroran throne would be held by someone rather than an Aurorii. Rum's ascension to the throne was received well by the Auroran population regardless. As Rum's historical experience across Rathnir and Haven specifically proved him qualified to hold the position. Rum's Coronation was hosted in the Fornost Cathedral on September 23, 2023.
===Entrance into Ashai===
The Crownlands of Ashai, originally an Eldham based nation on the continent of Katsura, had since late 2022 began increasingly focusing it's efforts on the world of Rathnir. In particular, Hasufel Takanori, one of the three emperors of Ashai, who was also a long standing and high ranking government official within Aurora, had established a large holding of Havenite land under Ashai's control. Throughout 2023, Ashai's territories in Haven steadily expanded. After defeating the remaining Vinovian holdouts and the Vinovian-aligned Dara-Lumonde, Ashai achieved the unification of the entire continent of Haven. This accomplishment excluded only small foreign enclaves and Aurora.
External and internal pressure for Aurora to join Ashai and complete the unification of Havenite nations mounted as Ashai's territories expanded and former members of the Second Empire of Uldarash willingly joined Ashai. Auroran officials were hesitant however, as Auroran government officials were weary that the experience within Ashai would be similar to the final days of the Second Empire, which were filled with infighting and disunity.
On November 1, 2023, the Auroran council announced its decision to enter into the Crownlands of Ashai as a full member state, following multiple days of intense discussion. Exact reasons for this decision have yet to be released by the Auroran government. This move was unexpected from most citizens of Ashai and Aurora alike, but was nonetheless welcomed by most. 
===Queen Maryden's Ascension===
Following a relatively short reign by King Rum SpirtKnight, he would abdicate the throne in December of 2023. Rum would appoint Auroran Council Member, and long time adviser to the monarchs of Aurora, Maryden, to succeed him as Akeri of Aurora. 
Mary's ascension to the throne was not particularly expected from most citizens of Aurora, regardless, with Mary's long standing reputation in the community, her ascension was received well by the general population. 
===Collapse of the Crownlands of Ashai===
On February 21st, 2024, the Crownlands of Ashai would officially dissolve into it's individual states. This was a result of growing tensions between states within Ashai, as well as various independence movements becoming especially prominent in central and Eastern Haven. The collapse would leave Aurora once again an independent nation in Western Haven. Aurora would maintain all of it's prior borders, and resume its stance of relative isolation amongst international affairs. 
===Ascension of King Ceuddin Ordeff & the End of the Kingdom ===
In March of 2024, Queen Maryden an Aurorii would abdicate the throne, opting to retire and spend the rest of her days amongst the Auroran Forests in which she had grown up in. Ceuddin Ordeff, then Hand to the Queen, would ascend to the throne, with approval of Maryden and the Auroran council. 
Ceuddin Ordeff continued to rule as the King of Aurora until the freezing of Rathnir in 320 T.E. Aurora did not transition to the new world, officially ending the Kingdom after 287 Years. However, the discovery of Pavlovist texts by the Seltsaro brothers within Taurëmár prompted mass conversion to Pavlovism and the migration of the scattered remnants of Aurora to the realm. As a result, many in Taurëmár now view their realm as a quasi-continuation of the Kingdom of Aurora, though this is not official policy. 
==Culture==
Auroran Culture derived itself from many sources, initially drawing from Escharia, the Order of Aurora, and the teachings of Pavlovism. The foundation of the Kingdom brought in further influences from Uldarash and from the large numbers of people from all over Rathnir who migrated into Fornost. This mixture of influences created an Auroran culture which, while reminiscent of many other cultures, was unique in its own ways.
===Values===
Honour and Loyalty were two of the most important concepts to Aurorans. Both the cultures of Escharia and Uldarash also held such beliefs in high regard, leading to this idea being reinforced continually throughout Auroran history. Also reinforced from both "parent nations" of Aurora is the hatred of tyrants and tyranny remains to this day one of the most universally reviled concepts in the Kingdom.
As a military order that eventually grew into its own kingdom, military prowess was obviously held in high regard, though the largely peaceful ways of Uldarash somewhat altered this concept, placing a heavy emphasis on violence only when necessary and of using ones military strength only as a measure to secure peace. This was especially true in the case of defending Haven, which Aurora devoted itself almost entirely to from the era of the Second Empire of Uldarash onwards. The Order's goal of destroying lycans and blighted as instructed by Pavlovich was present, though this faded among both Pavlovists and the non-Pavlovist subculture of Aurora, who rejected this entirely.
===Hierarchy===
The Kingdom of Aurora's hierarchy was largely influenced by the hierarchy of the Order of Aurora. The hierarchy of the Kingdom was highly respected, in keeping with the key Auroran values of loyalty and honour. There was also, however, a surprising level of flexibility within the hierarchy, as a precedent from the early days of the order. Respect in Auroran culture was gained more through ones actions than one's positions, and Aurora set a precedent in which individuals of high respect but low rank could take charge of roles which were not necessarily available to them, mostly in a military sense. 
===Architecture===
As with many aspects of Auroran culture, the building style of Aurora began similar to that of Escharia, before mutating into a more unique style over time. More specifically, old Auroran architecture mirrored that of Lileanen. As time passed, growing especially during the period of Auroran independence, Auroran archictecture utilised many more unique facets such as the heavy use of blackstone in buildings such as the walls of Northport, the fortress of Winterstone or the rebuilt citadel of Erain. Also present in the Auroran architectural style was the heavy use of greenery and nature, exemplified in Pebble Point, Blossom's Grove, and Kaori's Flower fields, located just outside of Fornost.
== Government ==
For its entire history Aurora was a monarchy, with the King or Queen (Aréte: Aker/Akeri), wielding absolute power and authority within the Kingdom. The Hand of the King/Queen was the chief advisor and assistant to the monarch, wielding similar power and authority as well as performing tasks such as ruling in the monarch's absence. The Order of Aurora also played a significant part in the Auroran Government. Almost all of the Auroran government were also involved in the Order in some way and the vows of the Order were enforced as Auroran law. 
The main ruling body in Aurora besides the monarch was the Auroran Council, a small group of trusted Aurorans who advised the monarch and generally assisted with the functioning of the Kingdom in a variety of ways. All Sentinels of the Order and the head of the Citizenship Committee also sat on the council by default. Apart from a small period in the Independent Era where roles were clearly defined within the council, the exact powers of the council were very loose, effectively being able to do anything provided they were not opposed by either the monarch of their fellow council members. When working at its best, this made the Auroran Council a very flexible institution, with members being able to switch between roles depending on the demands of the current situation. This flexibility, however, also occassionaly hampered the government's efficiency, as the council could deadlock over divides in opinion, necessitating the intervention of the monarch. These problems were especially prevalent during debates over foreign policy, where opinions were strongly held.
The Citizenship Committee was an institution whose role within Aurora changed over time to meet the needs of Aurora's increasing population. Originally created to act as a body designed to accept citizenship applications and introduce new people into Aurora, the Citizenship Committee, abbreviated as CC, came to eventually manage most of the day-to-day operations of Auroras cities. It was also in charge of running events and festivals.
Aurora maintained a diplomatic corps during its Independent Era, largely borrowing its structure from the Second Empire of Uldarash.
==Cities==
The capital city of Aurora was Fornost, the largest city on Rathnir. Fornost was originally planned as a fortress from which the Order would temporarily base themselves, but as their stay in Haven became more permanent houses began to develop around the citadel. The city was split up into 7 main districts, plus the university campus. At its peak, Fornost was home to around three hundred people, and to the end of Rathnir remained one of the most active and lively cities in Rathnir. 
Northport, situated a short walking distance away from the Capital, was Aurora's primary port and fishing location. The town was the second oldest in Aurora, though it remained dormant and unchanged for many months. Overpopulation in Fornost caused a revival of the town to create more housing for Auroran citizens and the town rapidly grew into Aurora's second city. 
Heart's Bay, named after a bay on the isle of Tessel, was a resort for the wealthiest and most powerful in Aurora. The town is designed in the style of Lileanen, the now-abandoned Escharian capital city. 
Pintrin was the newest Auroran town, also located in the extreme south of Aurora. The town was home to many skilled woodcarvers.
Winterstone was the primary fortress of the Order of the Aurora.
Category:Nations
Category:Aurora
Category:Uldarash
Category:History
Category:Lore
Category:Traveler's Era