Artilon

Artilon, formally known as the Kingdom of Artilon, is a country located on the East of the continent of Tiberia.
== Ancient History ==
=== Pre-Comet Period - The Precursor Dark Age ===
It is unknown when the first of the Artilites appeared, however Artilite legend holds that the first Artilites walked out from the imposing Red Rock Volcano (Krikarg'el) on the island of Artila as if forged by the world itself. The bright, warm eyes of the artilites are said to originate from the events of this legend.. The oranges, reds, yellows as bright as the mantle the are said to be born from. 
At an unknown time, an empire-like civilization dubbed by the Artilites as 'The Precursors' invaded tribal Artilite lands and began to conquer the immediate area. The Artilites put up little to no resistance against the sheer manpower and organization of this technologically superior civilization. Instead, the Artilites surrendered and became influenced by their overlords who governed fairly, letting them keep their autonomy in exchange for their vassal ship.There are little remains of this period in the form of physical artifacts, no hand written texts or art. All that remains is oral tales and a few large Precursor structures. The tales speak of The Precursors as conquerors and heavily religious, practicing leader worship where their ruler would be viewed as a living god. Practices such as blood-funerals swept into Artilite culture through these overlords and began a long period of mass mysticism which still lives in Artilite culture today. There were also hopeful fantastical tales of mystical figures who would come and free the Artilites of their overlords and who would protect them forever more.
After an unknown period of rule, The Precursors empire spontaneously collapsed. It was so sudden that a societal vacuum was created and plunged the Artilites into a dark age and a chaotic period followed. This is the most likely time where any physical artifacts that may have existed, were destroyed or lost to time.
== Modern History ==
=== Mass Migration of the Old Worlds ===
Roughly 1000 years after the fall of The Precursors, the lands of Abexilas witnessed a mass migration of peoples from other parts of the world, which the many Abexilas natives would later know as Rathnir and Eldham, due to a comet impact that destroyed both. Many of these peoples settled across Abexilas and either merged with the other Abexilas natives or rebuilt their foreign nations in a new land. Artilon was no exception to this. 
=== First Scattering ===
It is important to note how the Valreans got to Artilon. Valreach was a empire in Eldham, which had a three-way war in dispute of leadership of the nation and the gifting of land without imperial consultation. Valreach at the time was led by Karl Aulian, who died in the war. Just before the comets arrival, Avery Astyla and a select few Valreans of Astyla fiefdoms boarded an airship and escaped Valreach, for wherever the winds would take them.
After some time, the Valrean escapees crashed near the island of Artila, the Artilite homeland. The Valrean and Artilite relations were cautious at first and led to small conflicts but the Valreans showed that through their organization and technological superiority that they were here to stay and that the Artilites would benefit from their settlement there. Rather than continually fight, an ambitious Artilite, Lancelot Valcour I, leader of a prominent Artilite clan reaches out to the Valreans and works on an agreement with Avery Astyla. This agreement helped him take control over the Artilite lands and he is proclaimed King and Avery as his Queen, assuring long and beneficial union of two nationalities.
The Valreans brought with them their own culture by which the Artilites benefited greatly from. More advanced weapon smithing, new forms of architecture which the Artilites had never seen and societal structures to organize their masses. Under the joint reign of Lancelot I and Avery Astyla, the Artilites formed a feudal hierachy with strong government at its center, comprised of both Valreans and Artilites. This marked the official end of the Precursor Dark Age aswell as the instability and tribalism that came with it. The Valrean arrival was the catalyst for the formation of the Kingdom of Artilon.
=== Second Scattering ===
The Second Scattering stands as a pivotal event in the annals of the Kingdom of Artilon, symbolizing a profound juncture of tumult and migration for its populace. This period was characterized by a series of conflicts and displacements, culminating in the loss of pivotal territories and the fragmentation of established settlements.
Central to this epoch of turmoil was the relentless onslaught of barbarian forces, which ultimately led to the fall of Artilla, the historic bastion of Artilite civilization. The valiant defense mounted at New Eden, the last bastion of the old Artilon, witnessed the heroic sacrifices of esteemed figures like King Lancelot and Commander Bruno Braun. Despite their valorous efforts, the fortress succumbed to the inexorable tide of adversaries, resulting in the irretrievable loss of Red Rock, the ancestral homeland of the Artilites.
In the wake of devastation and chaos, Queen Avery Astyla, a prominent figure in the Artilite court, made a fateful decision. Opting for a path perceived by some as one of self-preservation, Astyla, along with a retinue of courtiers, sought refuge in the sanctuary of Ariefel, leaving behind a kingdom in disarray.
Subsequently, the aftermath of the Second Scattering witnessed the dispersal of settlers and refugees to diverse destinations, each confronted by its own set of trials and tribulations. One group, seeking sanctuary from the encroaching menace of the Empire of Avalor and its malevolent necromancers, endeavored to establish a new settlement. However, their fledgling community was beset by further adversity as it fell victim to a devastating conflagration, compelling its inhabitants to flee into the unknown.
Meanwhile, a substantial contingent of survivors found solace and protection within the fortified bastion of Montvignoble, a testament to the resilience of Valrean technologies and their enduring imprint on the region. Led by figures like Henry Agincourt, these intrepid pioneers laid the groundwork for a new era in the annals of Artilon—a chapter defined by fortitude in the face of adversity and an unwavering pursuit of stability and security.
As the forces of Avalor and other barbarian tribes attempted to besiege Montvignoble, their efforts were met with resounding failure. Furthermore, Montvignoble, along with other displaced refugees, sought to establish new settlements. These efforts led to the founding of Valyara on the shores of Stormeye Lake and Bone Spire amidst the snowy ridges, incorporating refugees from various nations into their fold.
Simultaneously, Elias of Tercoven, formerly an abbot of Artilla, embarked on a global expedition in search of allies and cartographic endeavors. His diplomatic efforts bore fruit as he forged a pact with the Tyahil Commonwealth, a hospitable nation that provided a safe haven. This haven, the Island of Tserenet, subsequently became the capital of Artilon, emblematic of a newfound resolve amidst the ruins of a fractured kingdom. The protectorate status from the Tyhail Commonwealth put Artilon in a period of relative stability for many years on the global scale, but there was lots of work to be undertaken locally and internally.
=== Triple-A Era ===
The Triple-A Era marks a significant period in the history of the Kingdom of Artilon, characterized by the establishment and reign of the Aruthor Alt-ton Administration, the Triple-A. Aruthor Alt-ton, a visionary leader, emerged as a prominent figure in Artilon's political landscape during a time of instability and uncertainty. With a keen understanding of the kingdom's needs and aspirations, Aruthor embarked to redefine governance and usher in a new era of stability and took the country from the sudden fall to the state of slow but sure progress. Aruthor Alt-ton's leadership prioritized strengthening relations with neighboring nations through diplomatic efforts, political marriages and other methods that could ensure the legitimacy of Artilian claim to the new obtained home. Through bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, Artilon fostered friendships and alliances with nations of Avalor (despite previous conflicts), Samora and more.
Arthor Alt-ton led the nation from his island residence of Nofa-Atsilor, which contained his castle and his gardens, but little else. Thus, most physical government administration remained thousands of miles away in the mainland of Artilon, specifically the city of Valilrak. Thus, it became apparent after a little while, that the government would be inherently hindered by the delays of travel, and the costs of transport/security. Aruthor's unwillingness to leave the island and manage Artilon from the centre led to some discontent forming amongst his nobles, who struggled with the constant travelling and administration of the kingdom with all the relevant hindrances. Thus when crisis came during the potential Berrian collapse where there were severe fears of invasion or attack by a foreign power being granted land in the Asper Island subcontinent. The crisis on the authority to rally forces without the King's consent left Artilon in a very precarious situation, and left the Warden of Artilon as the only one able to muster any defence from incursion or raiding. As the crisis cooled, it became apparent to the Nobles in Valilrak that the situation could no longer proceed as it was. 
Edward Eslington, a prominent royal official and leader of the Valrite movement decided to strike a deal with a cohort of very powerful Valrite nobles and gentry, as well as including some of the Dukes of the Realm. They would coup King Aruthor, and take control of the nation replacing it with their oligarchic authority. Edward, who would take the lead in this arrangment, agreed and preparations went into action. However, King Aruthor got wind of these talks, and realising that his life on Nofa had caused these problems, and seeking to prevent civil war, he stepped down. His abdication came as a shock, but earned him great admiration from the conspirators and the people as a whole. The Crown was not passed to Edward but to anyone to whom the realm would want, an act which laid the pretext for future succession laws and debates. Edward attempted with a group of loyal friends to seize the Crown, but was stopped by those he had organised a deal. 
Although the coup did not go ahead, this new Oligarchy of Nobles would not allow Edward to rule as an Absolute Valrean monarch. The original deal was imposed upon Edward Eslington and he became Regent of the Crown to the new most noble oligarchic council. With this, the "Triple- A Era" ended. It can be summarised as a period of stability and prosperity in which thanks to Royal Officials working in coordination with the King, the realm was expanded and its diplomatic reach enhanced. Yet, it left the need for more top-down direction from within the heart of the Kingdom itself, not the island of Nofa. 
=== Occupation of Angarth ===
Insert Angarth stuff here. History, lead up, war etc. 
=== The Valilrak Regency ===
This period began in 36 AE when the Regent of the Crown was granted authority to lead the executive of the nation by the Noble Council (More commonly known as the Noble Oligarchs). The new oligarchs, primarily of Valrean gentry whose wealth rivalled that of the feudal magnates of the realm, took residence in the "Purpordome" of Valilrak. They designated it their official gathering place, and the manor next door, which was already in the possession of Edward Eslington, was converted into the Regent's Official Residence. Interior decorators worked around the clock to bring both buildings up to standard. 
The first Act of the Council was to seize the lands of Nofa-Atsilor and to sell them, the profits of which would be granted to the executive branch. They exempted themselves from taxes, and then levied the Military Collection Order which saw private military assets of landowners seized, or be exempt by paying a special tax. This prompted a problem, who would hold the money? The operation of national finances had always been the personal pocket of the monarch, and in previous generations prior to the Kingdom of Artilon in the Tribal Era, there was no royal spending as the leader of the Artilites maintained his clan only and a small entourage of soldiers. Thus, when there was no King, the question arose, was the Regent now liable for the finances of the nation or was it the Council's responsibility? The Council were split on this issue, but Edward Eslington put forward a proposal which when accepted formed the Treasury Charter. This created the Valilrak Treasury, an institution which held the national finances outside of the personal ownership of the Regent, but within their prerogative to manage. This came at the ideal time, as Edward Eslington was himself broke. 
The instituting of the coup did not solve the question of finances immediately, and the outstanding debts left behind by Aruthor's Household became Edward's. These debts were not a hamper on the nation, and were merely personal, and common of all monarchs. However, the comparative spending power of a King against that of relatively poorer Valrean gentry was vast. Edward was bankrupted within a few days of taking the nation. Here, he had to sell off his properties around Artilon, including lands in the mountains which he adored. Thus the treasury offered Edward a saving grace from the financial pitfall he had entered into, and potentially dragged the nation in. 
Category:Norvinia