Twilight Nations

The flag of the Twilight Nations, often called the Eye of the Allborn.

Twilight Nations on the map, with territory shown in purple.

The **Twilight Nations**, commonly known as **Celestia**, is a country located on the landmasses of Zalthria and New Zalthria. It shares a land border with the Lunar Commonwealth on Zalthria. Otherwise is it surrounded entirely by the World Ocean, resulting in the longest coastline on Harmonara. The Heavenly Ocean separates the two landmasses and is also home to the numerous islands which also comprise the country, including the Celestial Isles.

The Twilight Nations is a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. The current monarch, Queen Anna Elaine Hayven, has reigned since 1970 AGS. The capital and shrine city is Kalamarto, centered around the Shrine of Shadows on New Zalthria. Regions on the larger landmasses and various islands also comprise their own individual nations which have their own forms of government and are considered equal under law.

The Twilight Nations originated during the Era of Expansion as a collection of several colonies owned by the Lunar Commonwealth and United Kingdom of Sol, which gained independence during the Era of Twilight in 1742 AGS, with global recognition following the War of Twilight in 1747 AGS. Its only territory outside the Heavenly Sea was on the Ebon Peninsula on Xakroz, though following an independence referendum in the Era of Pestilence, the nation became its own country known as Prizmatic Xakroz, while continuing to share the same monarch.

The official languages are Chromatic, Lunari, Solari, and Prizmatic, though the majority of the population speaks Chromatic. Zalthiri are the most prolific sapiens followed by the orcana, and as a result the most common colorations are gold and violet. The officially minted currency is the Celestian dollar. The Twilight Nations is also a member of the Harmonic Accords.

## History

### **Era of Expansion**

During the Era of Expansion in 1615 AGS, the Lunar Commonwealth was the first to establish permanent settlements outside the landmass of Zalthria, first settling upon the landmass of New Zalthria. Typically losing control of the Eye of Zalthria throughout history, the Lunara looked to secure their own wayshrine. Eventually, they were able to properly settle Kalamarto around the Shrine of Shadows.

Three years later in 1618 AGS, the Lunaran began to expand their influence to various islands throughout the Heavenly Ocean. The United Kingdom of Sol had also finally taken note of these expansion efforts, beginning to compete for control of islands throughout the sea. The Solarish were most successful in establishing a strong hold upon the Celestial Isles.

Decades later in 1653 AGS, the Lunaran were successful in consistently maintaining control throughout New Zalthria and wished to gain control upon another wayshrine. These efforts brought them to the final wayshrine on Harmonara not claimed by a country, the Shrine of Lights which did not yet house a shrine city and was maintained by several independent organizations.

The colonizers experienced a level of self-autonomy for decades, with the colonies controlling the wayshrine at each given time experiencing a vast economic boon from trading with the other countries of Harmonara. Control of the various islands were largely dependent on the forces provided to them by their governments on the mainland, which weren't always capable of sparing forces to defend the colonies.

### **Era of Twilight**

During the Era of Twilight in 1729 AGS, a series of rebellious acts broke out within nearly all zalthiri colonies. This was from a combination of factors, including lack of commitment in sending troops from the mainland to defend colonial territory and heavy taxation with little offered in return. Zalthiri abroad began to question the entire integrity of their culture which many had already questioned for generations. This set of circumstances, combined with the return of the Allborn into the political landscape during 1728 AGS, resulted in the War of Twilight.

One year later in 1730 AGS, the Second Ikkaran Empire began to provide military and economic aid to the rebels. Most major battles fought during the war were naval, taking place throughout the Heavenly Sea where the colonists tended to hold an advantage. Though some of the islands changed hands during the course of the war, New Zalthria and its wayshrine were safely held in the hands of the revolutionaries throughout the course of the conflict, preventing the colonists from suffering too many consequences of naval blockades.

Over a decade later in 1742 AGS, the Celestians managed to unite under one flag, named the Allborn their head of state, created their own constitution, and then declared full independence. After over a decade without success in quelling the rebel government, the war had already become increasingly unpopular among citizens of the Commonwealth and United Kingdom.

Reluctantly during 1744 AGS, the Lunar Commonwealth agreed to an armistice and recognition of independence. Sol was not actively sending troops to the colonies by the same year, though they did not formally recognize the Twilight Nations as a country until December 1747. By 1750, the Twilight Nations were formally admitted into the Harmonic Accords.

## Trivia

* A common Celestian expression meaning surprise is "Hayven's graces".