Ascuva

**The Kingdom of Ascuva** is an elvish kingdom located centrally in Itanea. It borders Terache and Dostani to the east, Medoran to the south, Lorihn to the west, and finally Rehnia to the north. Ascuva is the fifth-largest nation in Itanea, and one of only three landlocked nations (the other two being Loduhr and Medoran).

The capital of the kingdom is the city of Cerrati, which is also the largest settlement of the kingdom. Other major settlements include Enehin, Melac, Apsano, Macchia, Tossa, V'ena, and Roldarin.

The kingdom is ruled by King Elelion II Orthon, who took the throne after his father King Cerrian II Orthon died in 2541 AH.

## History

Ascuva, together with Rhedrijan, supported the independence of the elvish province of Y'elshar in the Dostanian Civil War, which ultimately lead to Y'elshar getting their independence in 2031 AH. Although their excuse of this action was to help the repressed elves in Dostani, it is also worth noting that Ascuva and Dostani had been enemies for centuries, and the Ascuvans would do anything in its power to destabilize Dostani.

Being a landlocked nation has always bothered the ambitious Ascuvans. The kingdom declared war, a war which later became known as The Bloody War, on Rehnia in 2193 AH, in an attempt to gain control of the Rehnian settlements by Mercath Bay. Khunbohr joined the Rehnians, as the two nations had been allies for centuries. Although Ascuva initially had success with defeating most of the Rehnian forces, the Khunbohrish force became a major obstacle, and almost the entire Ascuvan army was destroyed by them in the vital Battle of Mercath Bay in 2195 AH. Only a few weeks later, a peace treaty was signed. The city of Castuma, which was a part of Ascuva at that point, was ceded to Rehnia, and enormous sums were paid in war reparations to both Rehnia and Khunbohr.

In 2383 AH, Dostani declared attempted to reconquer Y'elshar in the Reconquest of Y'elshar. Yet again, Ascuva came to help the Y'elsharish, but Dostani proved the strongest, and had occupied Cerrati and most of Y'elshar. While Cerrati was occupied, King Lierin Orthon ruled from Melac. However, the king, being in an advanced age, fell ill during the spring of 2384 AH, and died within days. Unable to reach the Orthon Catacombs in Cerrati, he was buried in a catacomb beneath Melac Castle, and a few days later, Cerrian II Orthon was crowned king in Melac Cathedral. During the summer of 2384 AH, Terache decided to rush to the defense of Y'elshar and Ascuva, and turned the tides of the war. The war ended a few months later, and Dostani ended up paying significant sums in war reparations.

## Administrative divisions

The kingdom is divided into four regions, called lordships, each ruled by a lord of noble family.

### Lordship of Cerrati

The Lordship of Cerrati has been governed by the Orthon family for centuries, and its current lord is King Elelion II Orthon, the ruler of Ascuva. The capital of the lordship, as well as the kingdom, is the city of Cerrati, and the lordship furthermore consists of the settlements of Macchia, Castys, Aerdi, Yalena, Dorei, and Ar'cevia.

### Lordship of Melac

The Lordship of Melac is ruled by Lord Aego Brellan. The capital of the lordship is the city of Melac, and the lordship furthermore consists of the settlements of Tossa, V'ena, Salariusa, Errenth, Teznan, and E'honaes.

### Lordship of Enehin

The Lordship of Melac is ruled by Lord Saevel Trakas. The capital of the lordship is the city of Enehin, the second-largest settlement in the kingdom, and the lordship furthermore consists of the settlements of Roldarin, Efatht, Mysir, Shafalin, Estelco, Leelme, and Kennae.

### Lordship of Epmont

The Lordship of Epmont, named after Epmont Lake, is ruled by Lord Tristan II Evrard. The lordship was once called the Lordship of Castuma, but when the city of Castuma and the surrounding areas was lost in 2195 AH, Lord Verian Evrard moved his court to the town of Apsano, which is now the capital of the lordship. The lordship furthermore consists of the settlements of Oshebel and Themarin.