Ayrith

## Tsardom of Ayrith

* Flag
* National Emblem

**Ayrith**, officially the **Tsardom of Ayrith**, was the first nation conceived prior to the inauguration of Hacksaw's main world of Astralith, and the homeland of the oldest religion still practiced: Quaturdecism. The country is currently ruled by Tsar Aleksandr Perunikosevniz, whose reign is assisted by Prime Minister Nikolai Koleshnikov, with monarchy being the prevailing form of government in the nation. Geographically, the Tsardom is located in the southwest of **Suralith**, bordering the Ayrithian Sea.

## Etymology

The name "***Ayrith***" comes from Archaic Ayrithian, meaning "***Mountainous Crown***," a poetic reference to the geographical formation of the nation's historical center, situated around Lake Hazhvoga - a lake formed within the ancient crater of a dormant volcano.

## History

### **Early History**

In the mists of ancient times, the Ayrithian people dwelt, Upon the high plateaus of Lake Hazhvoga's realm they felt. A haven shielded from aggressors, geography's embrace, Their history intertwined with this sacred, isolated place. According to Quaturdecist lore, the goddess Hazhvoga's grace, Guided Perunikos to these lands, a divine, guiding trace. Through the Sacred Rooster's call, their fate began to weave, In Svetograd, beloved by her, Perunikos would conceive.

The lakeside's fertile soil and woods, a bounty unexplored, With apple orchards, oak trees tall, the land itself adored. Minerals hidden in the earth, a treasure to behold, The sea brought fish in shoals, their sustenance, a tale untold. So, Ayrith's name was born from this crowned, mountainous land, Where history, myth, and nature merged, a destiny so grand. In Lake Hazhvoga's tranquil embrace, their roots forever tied, Ayrith's heart and soul, in unity, will never be denied.

But the Ayrithian people were not the sole inhabitants of the region. To the north of the volcano's plateau and the Kuroleva Valley, there lived the **Aywa People**. The Aywa were markedly distinct from the Ayrithians in many ways: they wrote in ideograms, focused on meditation, and read the skies for guidance. At times, these two peoples clashed in conflicts driven by their differences, but it was the Aywa who ultimately found themselves on the losing side of history.

These historical skirmishes were not without their consequences. The encounters between the Ayrithians and the Aywa left an indelible mark on the region's cultural landscape. Over time, some elements of Aywa culture were absorbed by the Ayrithians, creating a unique blend that added depth and richness to their own way of life.

Despite the historical conflicts, the Ayrithians eventually recognized the value of their coexistence with the Aywa. They learned from the Aywa's celestial wisdom, incorporating it into their own practices and beliefs. This merging of cultures led to a more harmonious relationship between the two peoples, with mutual respect and exchange becoming the norm.

In this way, the history of the Ayrithian people is not just a tale of isolation but a story of adaptation, growth, and the forging of a culture that thrives on the diversity of its influences. Today, the legacy of both the Ayrithians and the Aywa lives on in the vibrant tapestry of the region, where traditions and practices of old continue to coexist, reminding all who inhabit these lands of their shared history and the importance of harmony.

### **First Reign**

On the first day of October, Vasily Yaroslav, heir to a tenuous lineage tracing back to the god Perunikos, assumed power in Ayrith and established the institution of the Tsardom, marking the beginning of the First Reign. A highly controversial figure, he was likely chosen as the next leader due to his multiple talents in engineering, materials administration, and resource collection.

In a rare act of conciliation, Vasily, who declared himself Tsar, approached Aleksandr Presvyatoy, a figure who had compiled all the knowledge of the Quaturdecist Faith and was the most famous political figure among the Aywa people. They treated each other with respect, and the Tsar officially adopted him as his heir, naming him Tsesarevich.

As a result of Aleksandr's inclusion in his government, the Tsardom forged alliances with the King of Dynalis, a prominent figure in the Quaturdecist faith. In order to protect the King of Dynalis from the looming power of Florentia, the Tsesarevich at the time conceived the Sovereign Communion, a "community of nations" that shared sovereignty while maintaining separate governments. Later, a highly valuable Non-Aggression Pact was established between Ayrith, Bellator, and Dynalis, providing the country with lasting peace.

During the entirety of the First Reign, the primary focus was on the nation's enrichment and the grand construction of the capital, Svetograd. Throughout this period, the Ayrithian imperial capital held the title of the world's wealthiest city, which it would later cede to the capital of Nocturia, Tranquilia.

It is worth noting that there is a widely known myth among the city's older inhabitants that during the city's creation, a celestial messenger, mounted on an angelic bull, blessed the city with wealth. Since then, the Ayrithian people have considered themselves the wealthiest in the world.

### **The Turbulent Week**

*Main Article: Turbulent Week*

In the middle of the First Reign, the international situation in the world of Astralith began to destabilize during the so-called Turbulent Week. The winds of instability were blowing from the East, especially from the regions of Azurannia and Normaglia. There, Bellator's ally, Maximus of Blazen, attempted to invade the Land of Ikari on January 8th.

At that time, Aleksandr, who was already informally governing Ayrith, visited the capital of Bellator on the evening of that day to reaffirm the peace agreement between the two nations. In a letter to the King of Dynalis, Aleksandr expressed his belief in Bellator's promising future and suggested that a defensive alliance might be fruitful if the eastern nation severed ties with the aggressive Maximus.

The next day, on November 9th, the King of Dynalis began to support the cause of two former Bellatorian citizens in founding their own nation: Chalybe. Reslavv, the Bellatorian monarch, made baseless accusations against the two former citizens. Aleksandr intervened on behalf of Chalybe and allowed the Founding Declaration of Chalybe Republika to take place in Svetograd.

To ensure Chalybe's security, Ayrith and Dynalis accepted the newly founded nation into the Sovereign Communion. This marked the beginning of the Tsardom's political influence in the Ouralith and Suralith regions, which Aleksandr announced to the world on November 12th in the "Unwavering Defense Declaration of the Sovereign Nations of Ouralith and Suralith."

Finally, a war was approaching between Bellator and the Kirushnian Mercenaries. In the tense atmosphere of hostility between the Tsardom and the Eastern Empire, the Tsesarevich enforced Queen Nocturia's peace oath by preventing her from supporting Bellator. Later, in the Battle of Castrum Ferro (October 13th), Bellator suffered a shameful defeat, and the emperor of the defeated nation, infuriated and dissatisfied, once again baselessly accused Ayrith of providing assistance to the mercenaries.

### The Three Days of Anarchy

What followed the echoes of the Battle of Castrum Ferro in Ayrith was political chaos. Reslavv of Bellator, in the largest political propaganda campaign against a nation ever seen at that time, accused Ayrith of "breaking the peace agreement, financing the mercenaries, making the Member States of the Sovereign Communion vassals, and inciting wars worldwide."

It didn't help Ayrith's image that Tsar Vasily Yaroslav celebrated the defeat at Castrum Ferro and openly humiliated Reslavv. Ayrith's international reputation continued to deteriorate day by day, and leaks of secret information provided by spies made Aleksandr paranoid for weeks.

In an attempt to salvage the Tsardom's image, Aleksandr Presvyatoy resigned from his position as Tsesarevich and appointed Queen Hyonide Lunarside as Tsesarevna on October 15th. According to the heir himself, "The appointment of Hyonide, a champion of peace, is proof of Ayrith's commitment to International Harmony."

However, international leaders demanded the Tsar's deposition. On October 16th, King Viktor Antonov of Dynalis and Queen of Nocturia and Tsesarevna of Ayrith, Hyonide, insisted that Vasily Yaroslav abdicate, which he did. On that day, the heir to the throne, Aleksandr Presvyatoy, became the Tsar of Ayrith.

## Culture

Culturally, Ayrithians are arguably the most diverse in the World of Astralith. Among the famous historical figures, only Vasily Yaroslav was entirely of Ayrithian blood, while individuals like Aleksandr and Nikolai, for instance, were of foreign birth. However, this diversity is the hallmark of the Ayrithian Nation, cosmopolitan and varied.

The land is inhabited by humans, demihumans, and anthropomorphic animals, but racial and cultural differences have never seemed to be a problem in Ayrith. Citizens argue that Religion appears to be the great bond that unites them. In architecture, two styles stand out: the World Standard and the Traditional Ayrithian.

Tsar Aleksandr, Human Ayrithian of Aywa descentNikolai Koleshnikov, Demihuman Ayrithian of Bellatorian descentChopper, Full Ayrithian and Human-Reindeer Hybrid
## Religion

*Main article: Quaturdecism*

The Constitutional Charter designates the "Fourteen Paths" as the official religion of the country. Nevertheless, the Tsardom of Ayrith permits foreign residents to practice their own faiths domestically within the Ayrithian territory.

## Diplomacy

The Tsardom of Ayrith is undoubtedly one of the most adept countries in terms of diplomacy in the world of Astralith. Under the leadership of Aleksandr Perunikosevniz, Ayrith's diplomacy has managed to secure influence over the vast regions of Ouralith and Suralith.

### Allied Nations:

#### Communist State of Dynalis

The Tsardom of Ayrith's recognition of the sovereignty of the Communist States of Dynalis is the oldest relationship between two countries in the history of Astralith. From the beginning, Ayrith and Dynalis were allies, as the sovereigns of these nations have similar ideological views and both are converts to Quaturdecism. Later, Aleksandr also forged a closer interaction with the King of Dynalis, and the two became friends.

#### High Kingdom of Chalybe

The Tsardom of Ayrith and the High Kingdom of Chalybe have been close allies since the days of the Republika. Ayrith and Dynalis are closely tied to the birth of the nation of Chalybe, as they supported it against the Bellatorian emperor. The Declaration of the National Foundation of Chalybe was proclaimed in the Imperial Capital of Svetograd.

#### Queendom of Nocturia

The Tsardom of Ayrith and the Queendom of Nocturia have consistently maintained strong relations, with only rare exceptions, due to Queen Hyonide's commitment to peace. Furthermore, after joining the Sovereign Communion, Aleksandr, the Constitutional Tsar of Ayrith, adopted Hyonide as his daughter, making her the Tsarevna of Ayrith.

### Neutral Nations:

#### Bellatorian Imperium

The Tsardom of Ayrith was the first Sovereign State to officially establish diplomatic relations with the Bellatorian Imperium. In the beggining, the Tsesarevich sought to forge an Ayrith-Bellatorium Alliance; however, the Emperor of Imperium only offered a friendly relationship.

Later, however, the Bellatorian Emperor reversed his decision and chose to accept a Non-Aggression Treaty that had been entirely drafted by the Ayrithian Imperial Heir. Aleksandr managed to include Dynalis in this pact, thereby safeguarding the security of his ally. The Non-Aggression Pact between Ayrith, Bellator, and Dynalis, as it came to be known, was officially published by His Imperial Highness on October 2, 2023.