Kingdom of Æsoneia - (01)

The current flag of the Æson Kingdom

**Æsoneia**, officially known as the **Kingdom of Æsoneia**, is an Ashian warlord state in the south dominated by the Melruari peoples. It is one of the many successor states of the ancient Balinerri Empire, broken up into pieces after the wars of succession fragmented the entire country and caused irreversible damage to their society prior to its violent breakup. The kingdom is founded near the Marulow Mountain Range and along the Bevin River, whose stream drains into the neighboring states and providing the country with fertile land viable for farming. They border the Bartena in the north, the Prespians in the south, and the kingdoms of Forgas and Hoybrdosia in the east.

## History

### Early History

The **first Melruari tribes settled** on the southeastern regions of Ashia in the **Iron Age** after a massive drought in the north forced them to migrate to colder climates for food and shelter. They were at odds with the foreign tribes in the region, and took some time to fight their way to the coastlines of the continent. The Melruari in this period also **suffered from infighting** and more often than not, broke off from their parent tribes for their own interests. However, due to the proximity to the sea, and the rivers that run inwards of the continent, it didn't take long for the **first stabilized polity** to be established, taking hold of the region as civilized people. The kingdom's name was lost to time, yet it's existence set the stage for the rise of the Melruari Kingdoms, **as well as the first great empire of the southeast.**

### The Rise of Balinerr

The **Kingdom of Balinerr** was one of the many nations present during the **Multiple Kingdoms Period**. It was one of the minor nations whose dynasty began to die out, as less and less of the royal dynasty's people married and started a family. The kingdom was underdeveloped, heavily relying on mercantile trade which did more harm than good. Their technology was as good as the tribes of the past, and refused to advance to the levels of the major kingdoms neighboring them. The miserable conditions rendered it an unsustainable place to live; a pariah among the Melruari Kingdoms, a laughing stock at the time, and overall a nation on the verge of kicking the bucket. That is, until a certain man born of the same dynasty took over where things changed for the better. His name resonated throughout the entire region, even until the empire was long gone: Bruck Gweranworth.

Progress gripped the entire nation like never seen before: Better roads were constructed in favor of mercantile travellers, as well as giving land to the peasants for cultivating in exchange that they work under the king's sovereign. Little by little, everything became lively, a truly wonderful time for their little kingdom. This sudden change alerted the neighboring kingdoms, planning to attack should the Balinerri proceed to act in a way they didn't appreciate. A number of solutions and choices came from this unravelling situation, as noticed by King Bruck: Either they improve their relations and wipe them clean of any suspicion, or crush down those who fear their meteoric rise to a regional power. They, of course, tread carefully. They sent delegates onto the kingdoms whom could benefit them in the long run, as well as silencing those that oppose them through the use of assassination. Bit by bit, he subjugated his neighbors by diplomacy or otherwise, adopting a primitive form of federalism whose leaders are dynastic in the line of succession.

[TBC]