Aldia

## The New Monarchy of Aldia

The Golden Lion of Aldia, the simplified crest of the monarchy, in a field of velvet black.

## Society

### Languages

Aldian Common (Official)
 *Numerous other languages spoken*.

### Religions

The White Covenant (Official)
 *Freedom of religion enacted*.

## Politics

### Gov't type

Semi-feudal federated constitutional monarchy

### Executive

His Highness, Laurence, Second of His Name, of the House of Istiniac

## History

### 3 January 1 3A

Glorious Revolution

**Aldia**, often known as the **New Monarchy** (the *New Monarchy at Aldia*), and historically known as **Aldreic** and **Aldenreic**, is a large, sprawling country in western Erideon. It is a federated constitutional monarchy under the rule of Laurence II Istiniac, the head of state, and Prime Minister Farengray, the head of government.

As the largest and wealthiest of the states in Erideon, Aldia has enjoyed a pivotal role in dictating the history of the continent for centuries: first under the stringent feudal principles of the Old Empire, and now by the profitable trade and relations with its smaller neighbors.

After the Glorious Revolution brought about the Third Age, the New Monarchy has been dominated by complex internal politics and a long-standing conflict with the unified Duranian peoples, who together formed the Holy Order of Keldar, in a long conflict known as the Endless War.

Despite a resounding string of recent defeats, Aldia remains a dominating force in the continent.

## Etymology

Somewhat ironically, the word Aldreic means "Old Kingdom" or "Old Realm," and hearkens back to the Old Monarchy. The words *Aldia* and *Aldian* has begun to see increased usage, and is promoted by government officials, but has yet to achieve comprehensive currency.

The term *New Monarchy **at** Aldia* refers to the fact that the Kingdom of Aldia itself does not maintain direct sovereignty over its constituent duchies and vassals, which are largely autonomous.

### New Monarchy

An aristocratic rebellion deposed the old monarch and installed a constitutional monarchy in its place. A magna carta was drafted and approved.

## Geography

### Mountains

Aldia is bisected by mountains through its vertical dimension; these mountains characterise much of the remaining geography of the sprawling kingdom.

## Politics

### Government

The New Monarchy is a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with its seat established in Roulan.

### Administrative divisions

* **Duchy of Allsellen** (captured by Keldar)
* **Chiefdom of Fallhammer** (vassal)
* **Duchy of Fleire**
	+ Barony of Tredean
	+ Barony of Aldefort (Prime Minister Farengray)
* **Duchy of Halphen**
	+ Barony of Morvan
	+ Barony of Lautrec (Branarth, the Lord Lautrec).
* **Chiefdom of Istenback** (vassal)
* **Duchy of Leveire**
	+ Barony of Fenlen
* **Duchy of Mont-Roy**
* **Duchy of Nordencamp**
	+ Barony of Pattyn (Roel de Naessens).
* **Duchy of Oulders**
* **Duchy of Toubeaux**
	+ Barony of Doubans
	+ Barony of Vermeulen (Rouald, the Lord Vermeulen)
* **Duchy of Tourall** (captured by Keldar)
	+ Barony of Tourall (captured by Keldar)
* **Duchy of Verhasselt**, the "Capital Duchy."
	+ Barony of Roulan (King Laurence II Istiniac)
	+ Barony of Glessech (Allius Loc de Glessech)
	+ Barony of Reibel
	+ Barony of Valengrand

### Foreign relations

#### Fallhammer

The small Dwarven state of Fallhammer is a vassal of Aldreic, and is allotted a number of seats at the Aldian parliament. Nevertheless, the New Monarchy's latest string of defeats in the Endless War has stirred independence movements within the small realm.

#### The Free Provinces

The New Monarchy is *de facto* allied with the Free Provinces in virtue of sharing conflict with Keldar. Nevertheless, the Free Provinces and Aldreic are mercantile and ideological rivals, for which reason they are little more than reluctant co-belligerents.

#### Istenback

The Dwarven state of Istenback (known to Aldians as Esten) is a vassal of Aldreic, and is allotted a number of seats at the Aldian parliament. Nevertheless, the New Monarchy's latest string of defeats in the Endless War has stirred independence movements within the realm.

#### Keldar

 File:Endless war campaign infobox.jpg
Main article: Endless War

The Holy Order and the New Monarchy both believed to have reasons to go to war with each other. However, neither side could have foreseen the scale of destruction and tragedy that would accompany the Endless War.

Now having raged for 102 years without any side finding the decisive victory they hoped for -- even after Keldar opened a second front by invading the Free Provinces to the North -- Keldar has recently enjoyed greater levels of success in the battlefield, allowing the Order to secure the important cities of Tourall and Leveire.

#### Stavenberg

Stavenberg has sent material support to Aldia in an effort to aid their war against the Holy Order. Stavian envoys and diplomats maintain a sizeable embassy in Roulan.

#### Tyrland

Tyrland, decidedly neutral in the geopolitical affairs of Erideon, has elected to recall its embassies to the three primary belligerents of the Great Northern War.

## Economy

The New Monarchy has a powerful and diversified economy, spanning everything from advanced manufacturing and artisanry in its urbanized western coast, to subsistence farming in the rolling hills and prairies east of the Esten mountains (known to Dwarves as Istenback).

## Demographics

### Socioeconomic landscape

The New Monarchy is by far the most diverse and populous country of Erideon. However, it is considered to be among the most stratified countries therein: while wealthy burghers and aristocrats bask in unimaginable wealth in the enormously affluent coastal cities, peasants and petty lords in the interior are far less prosperous. In addition, the war effort and the occupation of the east have resulted in disastrous effects for many of the poorer citizens of the realm.

### Races

Humans form the majority of the population of the country, as is usual in most of Erideon. However, a significant elven and half-elven population can be found throughout the realm, primarily around the coastal areas. In addition, sizeable minorities include halflings, dwarves, and gnomes.

A number of monstrous races lawfully inhabit the nation and adhere to its laws and regulations. These include orcs, goblins, and smaller communities of kobolds, firbolgs, and many others.

## Footnotes and references

1. ↑ In the Dwarven language, Fallhammer is known as Ulstand.