Courland

Courland, previously known as Astora, was a small nation on the Western Continent of Gorlewynn.
== History ==
=== The Golden Lands of Astora ===
Not much is really known about the lands due to the lack of scholars that lived and documented life there. However, what is known is that it was founded by those that followed the Nameless King. Following the Nameless Kings exile from Lordran and Anor Londo, a lot of his followers no longer wished to be part of the Land of the Gods and so they left Lordran to found a new Nation which in turn became known as Astora. Due to their devotion of the Suns Firstborn, it effectively became the only nation whose main covenant was that of the Heirs of the Sun or the Sunlight Covenant, continuing to worship him, even adopting the Sunlight Covenant symbol as the symbol for their Nation, as well as donning it onto the cloth of their clothing and armour.
Due to their worship of the Sun, Astora began to create and train Firekeepers, like the ones in Thorolund. These firekeepers were tasked with constructing bonfires across the world to aid and give respite to those cursed with Undead. The Firekeepers of Astora however, unique to Thorolund, began constructing special magical green flasks, which allowed the Undead to be able to consume the embers of the bonfires, granting them strength and vitality to be able to withstand the curse somewhat temporarily.
Many famous characters hailed from the lands of Astora including Anastacia, The Keeper of Firelink Shrine, who discovered the entrance to the Kiln of the First Flame and created a magic barrier along with Kingseeker Frampt. Knight Solaire also hailed from Astora, famously aiding the Chosen Undeads quest to become a Lord of Cinder. Andre, a blacksmith, famous for crafting the Moonlight Greatsword as well as also helping the Chosen Undead fulfil his quest. The Knight Oscar, ventured out of his lands to one of the Undead Asylums, after learning about King Aldricius II Catarina and his prophecy, that an undead will venture forth from an Undead Asylum and succeed Lord Gwyn in becoming the next Lord of Cinder. Oscar did indeed discover the Chosen Undead, freeing him from his prison, but dying in the process and becoming hollowed.
=== Becoming Courland ===
Unfortunately, the information surrounding the name change from Astora to Courland is somewhat vague, but long held myths have been that Astora was a name that was linked to Gwyns firstborn or just Gwyn himself and overtime as they began to become reviled by the world for causing the Undead Curse, there was a chance to try and distance themselves from the name and as a result changed the name to Courland, though the Sunlight Covenant was still somewhat worshipped secretly.
Courland however did have a claim to fame, despite the Undead Curse and the nature surrounding it, a pygmy known as Ludleth who hailed from Courland managed to become a Lord of Cinder. Though it is known that you must be powerful enough to become a Lord of Cinder and link the flame, it is not truly known how Ludleth became powerful to be able to do so and not just become Unkindled Ash. Though because Ludleth was a Pygmy and therefore his direct blood ancestor was the Furtive Pygmy, wielder of the Dark Soul, therefore giving him the power to become one with the First Flame, much like Gwyn.
=== The Downfall of the Sunlit Lands ===
Towards the end of the Age of Fading, Courland became rife with the Undead Curse due to the fact that Lothric became walled off following a seismic upheaval, causing the entrances into Lothric becoming broken off. This caused many of those seeking refuge from the going to nearby lands, with Courland being the prime location. Eventually the lands became too overrun and refuge needed to be found elsewhere, with the original residents taking going to Millwood, effectively abandoning the villages. When the Ashen One let the First Flame fade, he dedicated his rule to helping the people of Solara heal their lands as well as destroying all the undead in the world. He aided a unification of the lands of Millwood and Courland, which in turn became known as Wynden, named after the Way of White covenant.