Erebonia

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## Erebonian Empire

The Golden Stallion

Map of Erebonia

### Religion

**Majority*** Septian Church

**Minority**

* Animism

### Government

Constitutional monarchy

**Emperor**

* Eugent Reise Arnor III

**Chancellor**

* Carl Regnitz (provisional)

### Formation

S.81

v **·** e

The **Erebonian Empire** (エレボニア帝国(ていこく)) is an empire located in western Zemuria. It is bordered by to the east by Calvard and to the south by Liberl. It is represented by the emblem of a golden stallion.

## History

### Pre-Septian Calendar

Known in the past as the land of Erebos, it is said the land was shrouded in darkness before the nation of Erebonia was founded. In this land lived two factions, each centred around a Sept-Terrion: the Kin of the Sept-Terrion of Fire and Kin of the Sept-Terrion of Earth. The Sept-Terrions brought prosperity and peace to their factions for several hundreds of years until one day, they went to war with each other, and their Guardians followed suit.

The treasures assumed the form of giants and the battle caused great calamities to the land. Realising the mistake they made, the factions made peace with each other. Their treasures, however, were locked in battle and continued for a thousand days until both exhausted the last of their strength. Their empty shells were flung to the furthest reaches of the land. The Sept-Terrion of Fire ended up enshrined on Bryonia Island, and the Sept-Terrion of Earth was enshrined in the Nord Highlands.

However, with their decisive blow, the powers of the two Sept-Terrion synthesised to form a great power: the Sept-Terrion of Steel, also known as the Great One. Realising the potential would be too great for mankind, the two factions collaborated with the Sept-Terrions' Holy Beasts to seal away the Great One. After several failed attempts, they decided to seal its essence in a higher plane: the Kin of Fire split the Great One into seven fragments that were inserted into the seven shells constructed by the Kin of Earth. These became known as the Divine Knights.

The Ebon Knight, Ishmelga, would serve as a receptacle for the Great One's power. The Divine Knights were initially equipped with artificial intelligence, but Ishmelga evolved into a lifeform with its own distinct will under the influence of mankind's malice: to become a godlike existence possessing absolute power, it started spreading its bad faith in the form of a curse throughout Erebonia. Many of the events to follow were either directly or indirectly orchestrated by Ishmelga.

### Foundation

After sealing the Great Power, the Kin of Fire renamed itself to the Hexen Clan and the Kin of Earth to the Gnomes. They continued to collaborate immediately after the Great Collapse to protect the land. As the faction started to live together and were joined by surrounding folk and together worked toward the foundation of Erebonia.

In the Dark Ages that followed the Great Collapse, poverty and distress among the populace raised the demand of a local leader, for whom the Adjudicator Arnor was requested and set up as emperor of hereditary succession in Heimdallr. Missionaries from the Septian Church visited and acknowledged the state and introduced faith as a novel method to communicate with Aidios. This led to the construction of the Heimdallr Cathedral under the reign of Sion Arnor, the third emperor, in S.81.

### Necropolis

In the third century, Heimdallr had grown to approximately 50,000 citizens that enjoyed cultural prosperity. The period of peace and prosperity was brought to an abrupt end with the appearance of the Dark Dragon Zoro-Agruga in about S.270, which occupied Heimdallr and turned it into a necropolis by spreading its miasma. Emperor Astorius II and his people fled to the southern city of Saint-Arkh, which would serve as the Erebonia's capital for the next century. The Hexen Clan and Gnomes assisted citizens in escaping the city.

During their efforts, the Hexen Clan elder died, and her familiar inherited her mission and memories. The Gnomes lost their Holy Beast, Argres, as it contracted the majority of the Great One's curse. Its name was forgotten (henceforth referred to as the "Nameless One") and was sealed away in a Primal Ground copy underneath the Heimdallr Cathedral. The entire Primal Ground, including the Nameless One, is afterwards translocated to an area northwest of Heimdallr (the place where the Karel Imperial Villa would be built during the Middle Ages).

Urged by the leader of the Gnomes and guided by Roselia, Emperor Hector I became the Awakener of the Vermillion Knight, Testa-Rossa. Bolstering immense power and countless weapons, Hector I managed to fell Zoro-Agruga and reclaim Heimdallr. The miasma that emerged from the dying dragon, however, claimed the emperor's life and placed a curse upon Testa-Rossa. Hector's successor met with Roselia and the leader of the Gnomes to seal the cursed Divine Knight underneath Valflame Palace. Afterwards, the leader of the Gnomes declared that they would break contact with the Hexen Clan and disappeared completely.

### Warring Clans

Throughout the next century and a half, the empire of Erebonia regained its stability. This period gave rise to powerful clans, each taking control of an imperial territory in the form of a province. The empire recognised them as nobility. These noble families engaged in small-scale conflicts to expand their territory and increase their influence. These conflicts escalated into battles for which Divine Knights (all but Testa-Rossa and Ishmelga) were awakened and deployed. The noble families with no Knights in their possession saw their infantry crushed under the overwhelming strength of the enormous knights.

As a countermeasure, they resorted to Erebonian mages. The mages were a group of intellectuals that sought the glory and miracles of the ancient Zemurian civilisation in Erebonia during the Dark Ages and were obsessed with its revival. With the investment of the noble families, the mages developed Magic Knights to compete against the Divine Knights. After many defective prototypes that would only move when the spirit veins were stimulated, which worked out since that was what the Divine Knights were doing, the mages succeeded in creating what is considered the prototype to the Magic Knights, Ol-Gadia, for an influential family that no longer exists in S.527.

### War of the Lions

*Main article: War of the Lions*
Erebonia was plunged into a civil war following the death of emperor Valius V in S.947 and assassination of his son, Crown Prince Manfred, mere days later. The fourth prince Orthros seized power in a military coup of Heimdallr. His declaration as the new emperor and the policy to purge all those who dared to oppose him forced the hands of the other princes, Albert, Gunnar, and Lucius. The prince who would eventually end the war, Dreichels, was spending his time in the Nord Highlands and did not learn about the war until it had been ravaging his home country for two years.

As soon as his confidant Roland Vander informed Dreichels about the state of the war, Dreichels started raising an army and departed to Erebonia. In Legram he met Lianne Sandlot, daughter of the ruling count. Dreichels and Lianne shared a concern for the innocent victims of the war and joined forces to bring an end to the bloodshed. Together they liberate one town after another and successfully persuade prince Lucius, owner of Zector, to join for their cause. Prince Orthros, however, created the Vermillion Apocalypse from the cursed Testa-Rossa and annihilated the armies of Albert and Gunnar as well as Zector in a swift battle.

Roselia, who had guided Sandlot to Argreion, would next guide Dreichels through a trial near Trista to become the Awakener of Valimar, the Ashen Knight. Dreichels and Lianne, piloting Valimar and Argreion respectively, march on Heimdallr on 1 July S.952. Three days later, on 4 July, they infiltrate the Infernal Castle that spawned alongside the Vermillion Apocalypse and overpower the demonic Knight, ending the War of the Lions. Their victory came at a steep price, however: in an attempt to shield Dreichels from the Vermillion Apocalypse's attack, Sandlot was mortally wounded and died soon after the battle.

Later that year, Dreichels is enthroned as the 73rd emperor of Erebonia. On 24 August, he puts Valimar to rest at the place he had originally found him. Emperor Dreichels dedicated himself to the reconstruction of post-war Erebonia. He built the foundation of a modern state through the introduction of new legal, economic, and cultural systems. Around the year S.974, Dreichels established the Thors Military Academy on the very place he had found Valimar. Dreichels became known as the Father of the Renaissance.

Having become emperor, Dreichels reads the imperial family's Black Records and learns the identity of the darkness that has been bothering him: Ishmelga, the thoughtform that constantly beckoned him to become its Awakener. He spoke to no one about it for the rest of his reign until S.994, when Lianne Sandlot, revived and unaged, appeared before him.

### Border disputes

Dreichels' efforts resulted in rapid cultural and industrial growth in Erebonia. It was not only Erebonia that saw major changes, however. Its eastern neighbour Calvard's monarchy had fallen and was re-established as a republic stressing modernisation. Growing tensions between the two countries led to a full-scale war between Erebonia and Calvard until they decided to have the territory they were warring over established as an autonomous state and share suzerainty over the said state. In S.1134, the Crossbell State was established, and Erebonia would not engage in a war with Calvard for the next seven decades.

On 23 April S.1192, a massacre with Liberlian weaponry in the southern town of Hamel (known as the Hamel Tragedy) led Erebonia to declare war on its southern neighbour, the Liberl Kingdom, three days later. 26 April S.1192 marks the start of the Hundred Days War. Within the first month, the Imperial Army of Erebonia has occupied nearly all of Liberl.

In June, however, Liberl turns the tables with the completion of secretly developed armored aircraft. Behind the scenes, Giliath Osborne was permitted by emperor Eugent III to investigate the situation in Hamel and negotiated a ceasefire to queen Alicia II of Liberl. In August, Erebonia surrenders and executes all members of the pro-war faction that instigated the Hamel Tragedy. The following year, Erebonia and Liberl enter a peace treaty mediated by the Septian Church. Erebonia issues an official apology and Osborne is promoted to chancellor of Erebonia for his efforts.

### Civil War

*Main article: October War*
Osborne's rise to power marked the start for a significant transition in Erebonia's history. As a representative of the reformist faction and the first commoner to assume office as chancellor, Osborne aspired to abolish the class difference between nobility and commoners. Throughout the S.1190s, Osborne expanded Erebonia's railway system and put his expansionist policies to practice through annexations of many neighboring states, such as the City-State Jurai in S.1195. These mergers, as Osborne claimed, were done peacefully, but they were also done to forcefully annex them. Bolstered by this new source of revenue he set about reforming the army, significantly increasing military spending and extending his control to around 70% of it in S.1203.

In S.1204, the growing tensions between the noble and reformist factions led to Duke Cayenne secretly plotting to overthrow the current government and returning to the old times when nobility ruled over the commoners. Cayenne also sought to avenge his ancestor's defeat, hiring the Imperial Liberation Front to perform acts of terror. During Osborne's speech in Heimdallr on 30 October S.1204, he was sniped by the ILF's leader, Crow Armbrust (known as C). Upon Osborne's apparent death, the Noble Alliance placed the Pantagruel above Heimdallr's skies and dropped their newly created Panzer Soldats into the city, overwhelming the local garrison and taking over most of Erebonia within the span of two months while putting the Imperial family in protective custody at Karel Imperial Villa.

However, the Noble Alliance would soon be bested by an unaffiliated third party that chose to support the side that would bring the least amount of bloodshed, which were the Imperial forces. With their efforts, the Noble Alliance quickly lost most of their power and territory, culminating in the siege of Heimdallr on 31 December S.1204. Osborne revealed himself to be alive at the end of the war, while Duke Cayenne was arrested and stripped of his powers. Osborne's cunning allowed him to bring the now leaderless Noble Alliance under his watch.

### Growing Power

With the Noble Alliance's assets now under his control, Osborne ordered the production of Panzer Soldats for use in the Imperial Army and then sent them into Crossbell to annex the state as a result of Dieter Crois' proclamation of independence from Erebonia and Calvard, including the freezing of their assets. Crossbell was quickly occupied in a single day without bloodshed, but Calvard attempted to retake the state in response. The Panzer Soldats, however, were far too much for Calvard's airships to handle, and they were forced to retreat. Osborne then assigned his top Ironblood, Rufus Albarea, to serve as Crossbell's Governor General, who announced that the state would be merged with Erebonia.

Later that year, Erebonia invades and annexes its northern neighbour North Ambria for rejecting the liability claim Erebonia had submitted for the damage the Northern Jaegers had inflicted during the civil war. With both Crossbell and North Ambria merged into Erebonia, Erebonia overtakes its eastern neighbour Calvard as the largest country in Zemuria, much to Calvard's concern. Calvard sent its Hercules members into Erebonia to investigate what Erebonia's "D-Day" was referring to, but all attempts failed as many agents were captured or killed.

### War with Calvard

In July S.1206, reigning emperor Eugent III is shot multiple times in the chest at his home in Karel Imperial Villa. He is critically wounded, and the assassin is apprehended. The following day, Osborne announced that the assassin was a purported spy from Calvard that had infiltrated the branch campus to get close to the Emperor. The gun the assassin used was made by the Verne Company, further supporting the idea that Calvard was behind the assassination attempt. Despite many conflicting points, all of these were kept hidden by the public and sentiment against Calvard grew.

Osborne then announced the National Mobilization Law, which ordered all men ages 19 to 45 to enlist in the Imperial Army for their war against Calvard. The public believed that they would destroy Calvard, when in reality the war was simply an excuse to spread the curse all across Zemuria. In preparation for the war, Osborne named Vandyck the Supreme Commander of Operation Jormungandr.

Operation Jormungandr is in turn opposed by Mille Mirage, led by Cassius Bright. War erupts on 1 September S.1206, with battles taking place all across Zemuria as Mille Mirage tries to keep the Imperial Army in check. In part due to an unaffiliated third party, the true mastermind of the war is killed, along with Osborne, who was the mastermind's host. A cease-fire is announced just one day after war began, and the Emperor himself also makes a full recovery from a successful surgery. He states that Calvard was not behind the assassination attempt, and the Imperial Army is recalled from their positions.

### Aftermath

In the aftermath of the Great War, Erebonia is forced to pay indemnities to Calvard for their reckless declaration of war, mostly in part due to Calvard's president-elect. In addition to the compensation, Erebonia is forced to cut their military size to match that of Calvard's.

Crossbell declares independence once more from Erebonia and a short war erupts over the Imperial remnants and Crossbell's original authorities, the Special Support Section, Crossbell Police Department, and Crossbell Guardian Force. Jurai and North Ambria remain part of Erebonia due to the economical benefits of the merger.

## Geography

Erebonia is located in western Zemuria. It is bordered by to the east by Calvard; to the south by Liberl, and to the northeast by the Nord Highlands. It is bordered to the north along the Eisengard Range and the west by the Balares Sea.

Erebonia features a wide range of climates and terrains due to its large size. Generally, the climate of the empire is temperate, with some parts of the Northern territories having a much milder climate. These northern areas feature many mountain ranges and canyons such as the Aragon Mountain Range, Grayborne Mountain Range, and the Laguendoc Canyon in Lamare as well as the alpine Eisengard range and the mountains around Roer leading to Nord in Nortia. The western edge of the empire features many coastal biomes, with beaches and shores stretching from Ordis to the border with Liberl.

There are two large forests of note: the Isthmia Great Forest in the west, and the Vestia Great Forest, containing the Lunaria Nature Park, in the east.

Geographical sites of interest include Ymir Valley, the Eisengard Range, and the Calabria Hill Country in Nortia; the Grand Granary near Celdic, Garrelia Canyon, and Aurochs Canyon in Kreuzen; the Agria Gorge, Tyrrhenian Plateau and Olbia Lowland in Sutherland; and Bryonia Island, Avon Hills, Malva Coast, Olbia Lowland, Languedoc Canyon containing Rock Patio, Valla Ravine, the Aragon Mountain Range, the Grayborne Mountain Range, and Osgiliath Basin in Lamare.

Bodies of water in the Empire include Legram's Lake Ebel in Kreuzen. The lake serves as the mouth of the Regulus River which flows up the eastern part of the empire into Norita to just south of Nord. In the Heimdallr region there's Lake Travis south of Trista as well as the Arnor River which flows through the center of the Empire. Bordering the Balares Sea, the Lamare region features the Izellia River which flows inland through Ordis from the Sheelin Bay as well as Lake Gala near Milsante. Featuring the picturesque Gala Falls, the lake serves as the source of the Trish River, flowing south into Sutherland and into the mountains on the Liberl border.

## Government & Politics

### Governance

Erebonia's government functions as a constitutional monarchy. Power is divided between the Emperor, the Imperial Government led by the Chancellor and composed of the Imperial Diet and Imperial Supreme Court, and the provincial lords of the Four Great Houses.

#### Monarchy

**Emperor**: The head of state and the highest authority in Erebonia. Despite the Empire being a constitutional monarchy, the Emperor still wields a substantial amount of power in the ability to make executive orders and decisions. The extent of that power however can still be held in check by the imperial government. The royal family also holds ownership of the Sachsen Iron Mine and Aragon Mines. As such, companies such as the Reinford Group which manage the mines must gain approval for the amount that is mined from either the Emperor or a representative of House Arnor.

The Arnor Family is the ruling dynasty of the Empire. The current emperor is Eugent Reise Arnor III. The royal family resides at Valflame Palace in the imperial capital Heimdallr. The emperor lives here with his wife, Empress Priscilla, and three children: Prince Olivert, Princess Alfin, and Crown Prince Cedric.

#### Imperial Government

**Chancellor**: The highest position of the imperial government. The Chancellor is the only other person besides the Emperor that possesses the power to make executive decisions. The Chancellor manages both the Imperial Army and Imperial Government. The Chancellor plays a crucial role in shaping the empire’s domestic and foreign policies as they also must serve as a representative for the empire in other nations. The position was previously filled by Giliath Osborne. Following the Great War, Carl Regnitz assumes the role as provisional representative chancellor.

* With executive power, the Chancellor has power over many government organizations such as Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance, as well as the Imperial Housing Agency and the Food Agency.

**Imperial Diet**: Serves as the imperial governments parliamentary body. The Diet participate in legislative processes and advise the Emperor and Chancellor. The Diet functions as a bicameral legislature, consisting of representatives from each province and major city. Comprising the Diet are the **House of Representatives** (平民院) – led by the **Reformist Faction** (改革派派閥) – and the **House of Peers** (貴族院)– led by the traditionalist **Noble Faction** (貴族派).

**Imperial Supreme Court**: Serves as the judiciary body of the imperial government. The court has the power to determine sentences for crimes and invalidate legislation from the Diet as well as executive actions from the Emperor or Chancellor.

* **Government Accountability Inspectorate** (監察): Judicial government agency responsible for investigating and overseeing the actions of various government officials, organizations, and individuals within the Empire. Its main function is to ensure transparency, accountability, and adherence to the law within the government and other influential entities. It serves as a check on the power of the imperial government and helps maintain a semblance of balance and order in the empire.

**Imperial Governor of Heimdallr**: Responsible for the governance and administration of the capital city. The imperial governor represents the interests of Heimdallr and its inhabitants in the government. Despite not being a part of the Four Great Houses, the governor still hold the same amount of power and is allowed to attend the Imperial Provincial Council to advocate the needs and concerns of Heimdallr. The governor also handles economic matters concerning the city including trade, commerce, and taxation. The current governor of Heimdallr is Carl Regnitz

#### Four Great Houses

Each province in Erebonia has a provincial lord from the Four Great Houses, each with their own territory and responsibility:

1. **House Albarea**: Control the Kreuzen Province. Its previous head was duke Helmut Albarea. Its current acting head is his son lord Jusis Albarea.
2. **House Hyarms**: Control the Sutherland Province. Its current head is marquis Fernand Hyarms.
3. **House Cayenne**: Control the Lamare Province. Its previous head was duke Croire de Cayenne. Its current head is duchess Mildine Juzalith de Cayenne however, the acting ruler of the province is marquis Wilhelm Ballad while the duchess completes her studies.
4. **House Rogner**: Control the Nortia Province. Its current head is marquis Gerhart Rogner.

Lords can be members of the Four Great Houses or from other noble families. They oversee the local administration, taxation, and law enforcement of their respective territory through Provincial Armies.

**Imperial Provincial Council** (領邦会議): An annual collaboration of representatives from each of Erebonia's provinces and major cities to discuss topics related to the governance and administration of the empire. These topics include matters such as taxation, policies, and legislation affecting the provinces and the empire as a whole. Delegates are typically nobles, influential figures, or individuals appointed to serve as their region's voice in the council. Nobles who possess a title lower than Count are not permitted entry. The existence of the Provincial Council serves as a check on the power of the Emperor and the Imperial Government. It ensures that decisions are made with input from various regions, promoting a degree of regional autonomy.

#### Changes During the Great War

At the onset of the Great War, Chancellor Osborne and newly appointed Governor General of Crossbell Rufus Albarea would enact martial law through the **National Mobilization Law**. Amongst other changes, this would strip the Four Great Houses and the provincial lords of their power, allowing for sweeping changes to be made in the government without approval from the Imperial Diet or Imperial Supreme Court. These changes include:

1. **Central Diet** (中央議会): A unicameral replacement to the Imperial Diet. Many representatives from the House of Peers are forced out of their positions and those remaining are consolidated into the House of Representatives to form one House. These spots are then filled with new representatives selected from the newly annexed Crossbell, North Ambria, and Jurai Special Economic Zone. This new diet allows Osborne to enforce his Reformist agenda by weakening the Noble faction.
2. **Conscription and Requisitions Council**: A newly established council in the Ministry of Justice in accordance with the National Mobilization Law. The council is responsible for managing conscription offices across the empire as well as requisitioning assets from wherever deemed necessary for the war effort (mostly targeted towards nobles).
3. **Crossbell Special Inspectorate** (クロスベル特別視察団): An inspection team tasked with reporting on developments in Crossbell after it was officially declared an Erebonian province under the **Eight Metropolis Plan**. The team was drafted by the then newly appointed Crossbell Governor General Rufus Albarea. Its duty is to discuss matters such as politics, economy, military matters, technology, medicine, and international relations within Crossbell.

### International Relations

Erebonia has a tenuous relationship with most of the countries surrounding its borders, brought about in part with its habit of annexing small nearby nations. Though it has signed a non-aggression pact with Liberl, their relationship is still shaky at best as a result of the Hundred Days War. An exception is the Nord Highlands, with the two countries being close allies to each other.

The Empire is mainly on appalling terms with the Calvard Republic.

### Military

#### Imperial Army of Erebonia

*Main article: Imperial Army of Erebonia*
The Imperial army is under the command of emperor Eugent Reise Arnor III and his government, tasked with the defence of Erebonia from external forces. The army consists of a large number of state-of-the-art, mechanised tanks, divided into more than 20 military armored divisions. In S.1203, approximately 70% of the Imperial army was under direct command of Chancellor Giliath Osborne and therefore considered the force of the reformist movement.

**Organisation**

* The **General Staff Office** serves as the backbone of the Imperial army.
* The **Imperial Defense Force** is newly established division in S.1205 and is tasked with the protection of the imperial family and the Valflame Palace.
* The **Imperial Intelligence Division**was established before S.1193 by Giliath Osborne. Prominent members include Major Lechter Arundel and Agent Millium Orion.
* **Armored Divisions** are positioned throughout the empire.
* The **Railway Military Police** is tasked with patrolling Erebonia using railways and consists of at least 11 Squads. Its most prominent member is Major Claire Rieveldt.
* The **Heimdallr Military Police** is tasked with keeping order within the capital of Erebonia and protecting its citizens. Their uniform resembles the imperial army's but is blue rather than purple.
* The **Imperial Air Force** (飛行艦隊(ひこうかんたい)) is a newly established division in the Imperial army. Thors alumni Emily and Theresia joined the fleet after graduating.

#### Provincial forces

Traditionally each province in Erebonia possessed their **provincial army** (州領邦軍) that served their respective duke or marquis. Aurelia Le Guin commanded the Lamare Provincial Army and Wallace Bardias commanded the Sutherland Provincial Army; who commanded the Kreuzen and Nortia Provincial Armies is not known.

In October S.1204 the provincial armies joined forces as the Noble Alliance under the command of supreme commander Croire de Cayenne and chief of staff Rufus Albarea. Following the attempted assassination on Giliath Osborne, they staged a coup d'etat later known as the October Campaign. In December S.1204, Chancellor Osborne returned and managed to gain the Noble Alliance's full support with the exception of the Lamare Provincial Army.

Its commander, General Le Guin, held out at Juno Naval Fortress under siege until August S.1205. Their force at the time consisted of 50,000 soldiers, enormous airships, enough supplies to extend their siege for three years and fully equipped antiaircraft artillery. Even the Imperial Army was perplexed on how to deal with the situation. In exchange for the imperial government's guarantee that the provincial armies would maintain their independence, Former Noble Alliance commanders Le Guin and Wallace agreed to participate in the Northern War.

Afterwards, the provincial armies were unified as the **Unified Regions Army** (統合地方軍) under the command of Brigadier General Bardias.

## Economy

Erebonia's economy can be divided into four main categories: mining, agriculture, and foreign trade, and technological corporations.

### Mining

The Sachsen Iron Mine, located in the north of Roer in the Nortia province, is often referred to as "the framework of Erebonia," highlighting its importance for Erebonian economy. Iron ore is transported from the mine to Roer, where the First Plant of the Reinford Group refines the iron into steel for use in orbal devices or the construction of buildings. The Sachsen Iron Mine was initially part of the Rogner Marquisdom, but as an imperial resource, the ownership was transferred to the royal family of Arnor. The other prominent mine is the Aragon mine, whose ownership has resulted in lots of conflict over the years.

### Agriculture

Spread out near Celdic is the grain-producing region, the Grand Granary. Since the Orbal Revolution, which led to a sudden surge in population and increases in importing crops, the Grand Granary has been tasked with supplying Erebonia with food. Celdic also features the Grand market attracting lots of commerce.

### Foreign trade

The most important products for export are orbal devices. Traditionally, the Erebonian government used to charge high customs duties on imported goods, making imported goods a scarcity. Recent deregulations, however, have led to a lower customs duty and therefore an increase in imported goods.

### Corporations

* The **Reinford Group** is a prominent manufacturer of orbal devices, boasting an overwhelming market share in Erebonia. The current president is Irina Reinford. Their headquarters are situated in Roer.
* The **Imperial Chronicle** is the leading news outlet for Erebonia. It is an empire-wide newspaper that caters to all clients, and while it tries to be unbiased, it fell under the control of the Noble Alliance during the October Campaign.
* The **Conrad Company** (コンラート社) is owned by Hermann Conrad, who is considered a merchant of death who made a fortune during the Hundred Days War, making him one of the Empire's most wealthy men, despite being a relative newcomer. Afterwards, he partnered up with the Reinford Group was promoted to serve on their board of directors. Late S.1203, the Gralsritter arrested him for unauthorised possession of, and illegal use of, the Fool's Locket artifact.
* The **Rieveldt Company** (リーヴェルト社) is a renowned maker of musical instruments. After Claire Rieveldt inherited the rights to the company following her uncle's arrest, she had them transferred to its current president, President Morgan.
* The **Quincy Company** (クインシー社) is a maker of confectioneries.
* **Kleist & Co.** (クライスト商会) is a business network seeking to unite commercial firms and business across Erebonia. They have stores in Heimdallr, Ordis, and the Jurai SEZ.
* **Crimson Co.** (クリムゾン商会) is jaeger corps Red Constellation's dummy company, responsible for running the Neue Blanc clubs.
* The **Lakelord Company** (レイクロード社) is a maker of fishing equipment. Its current president is Lakelord II.
* **Heimdallr Bank** (帝都銀行), Erebonia's largest bank, announced a partnership with IBC. Its current president is Giscard.

## Infrastructure

### Science and Technology

Roer sits at the heart of technology and science in the capital, featuring the main headquarters of the Reinford Group and their manufacturing, as well as the Roer Institute of Technology. Orbal weaponry and tanks are said to be the specialty of Erebonia, largely in thanks to the efforts of the Reinford Group. Professor G. Schmidt, one of the three disciples of the famed C. Epstein, makes Erebonia his home. For a time, Crossbell's own notable technological developments were considered part of the Empire.

### Transportation

Public transport is highly commonplace in Erebonia. Its railroad system is spread throughout the nation, in which its capital Heimdallr serves the purpose of a central hub. Major cities throughout Erebonia are connected through local branch lines. The Transcontinental Railroad runs through Crossbell into Calvard. Important lines of Erebonia's railroad system include:

* **The Transcontinental Railroad**  - (Heimdallr - Trista -1 hour- Celdic - Garrelia Fortress - Crossbell - Calvard)
* **The Kreuzen Main Line** - (Heimdallr - Trista - Celdic - Bareahard)
* **The Lamare Main Line** - (Heimdallr - ? - Ordis)
* **The Sutherland Main Line** - (Heimdallr - ? - Saint-Arkh)
* **The Nortia Line** - (Heimdallr - Roer)
* **The Eisengard Branch Line** - (Roer - The Gate of Zender)
* **The Ebel Branch Line** - (Bareahard - Legram)
* **The Freight Line** - (Bareahard - Aurochs Fort)
* **The Ymir Branch Line** - (Roer - Sachsen Iron Mine/Ymir)
* **The Private Royal Line**- (Heimdallr - Karel Imperial Villa)

Maritime transport makes use of the Arnor River between Erebonia's capital Heimdallr and the maritime city of Ordis on its west coast. There are also ports and shipping facilities in Ordis that ship continent wide along maritime routes. Ferries operate across large bodies of water, including Lake Ebel.

Erebonia is also the birthplace of the orbal bike. Standard bikes can seat two people, with the option of having sidecars attached for extra passengers. Reinford also produces the Regalia line of Limosines and various airships, including the luxury passenger airship, the Lusitania. Airports can be found in each of the Empire's major cities.

orbal carOrbal LimousineOrbal LimousineOrbal TruckOrbal Truckorbal bikeOrbal BikeOrbal BikesOrbal BikesPassenger airlinerPassenger airlinerFunicularOrbal TramOrbal TramOrbal TramOrbal BoatOrbal FerryWatercraft
### Education

Erebonia has a wide range of schools. From standards schools to specialised schools, it caters to all of its younger citizens. The Septian Church operates Sunday schools for younger children, such as the one in Trista.

Some of these schools include:

* **Thors Military Academy** - Trista.
* **St. Astraia Girls' School**- Sankt District, Heimdallr.
* **Imperial Institute of Science**  - Heimdallr.
* **Music Academy** - Outskirts of the Mater Park district, Heimdallr.
* **Thors Branch Campus** - Leeves.

### Media & Communication

The majority of the country's news is handled by the Imperial Chronicle, headquartered in Heimdallr. The largest radio station appears to be Radio Trista, which has branches in both Trista and Leeves.

## Demographics

The majority of the Erebonian populace is descended from the original Kins of Fire and Earth, although it can be assumed that over the previous thousand years diaspora and migration have had an effect on the population. Concentrated pockets of the descendants of the Kin of Fire reside in the Isthmia Great Forest, while it is unknown if the descendents of the Kin of Earth have a permanent residence aside from the Black Workshop.

Erebonia also features a portion of its populace who are descended from Nord ancestry, due to the strong bond Dreichels Reise Arnor forged with its people during the time before the War of the Lions.

An overwhelming majority of the population of Erebonia follow the teachings of the Septian Church. Animism still holds sway in some parts of the country.

## Culture

### Architecture

Erebonia features many landmarks and architectural styles, ranging from the white stone buildings in Saint-Arkh to the brutalist and heavily industrialised Roer. Similarly, many buildings in Bareahard and Ordis feature bright blues and greens alongside white, and the capital Heimdallr features lots of red.

Notable landmarks include the Reinford headquarters, Valflame Palace, and Karel Imperial Villa. There are also large military installations such as the Juno Naval Fortress (now destroyed), Dreknor Fortress, Garrelia Fortress, and Aurochs Fort.

### Arts & Entertainment

Erebonia has a great love for traditional music, although progressive styles such as Northern Rock are having a big impact. The capital also houses an opera house in its entertainment district.

The largest museum is the Imperial Museum in the Leica District in Heimdallr, featuring historical artifacts as well as art. Paintings and artwork are hung in many of Erebonia's hotels. Clara is one example of a renowned sculptist hailing from Erebonia.

Heimdallr has an entertainment district, but there is also Raquel which is well known for its casinos and bars. Roer features a jazz bar.

### Cuisine

*Main articles: List of recipes (Cold Steel), List of recipes (Cold Steel II), List of recipes (Cold Steel III), and List of recipes (Cold Steel IV)*
### Sports & Festivals

Sports known to be played in Erebonia include lacrosse, tennis, chess, swimming, and court fencing. Military tradition has meant martial arts are a big part of Erebonia culture, as is equestrianism. The Empire is home to many prominent styles including the Vander school and Arseid school of swordsmanship. Martial arts tournaments are known to have taken place. Horse racing is also very popular, with a large race course present in the capital. The Imperial Fishing Club also raises the profile of fishing in the Empire, holding exhibition matches and contests.

Whereas the nation has converted to the Septian Church during the Middle Ages, animism was the indigenous belief system of Erebonia. Animist traditions have ever since been incorporated in the beliefs of the Septian Church and are part of its annual Summer Festival. Thors Military Academy and its branch also have an annual Academy festival which attracts lots of visitors. Ordis celebrates by having a floating lantern display once a year during the summer festival.

### Folklore

*Main article: Erebonian Folklore*
Erebonia has a wide and colourful collection of folklore and mysteries. Notable myths include the existence of vampires, ancient witches, gnomes and fairies and mythological creatures such as unicorns, demonsm and dragons. There are legends about great knights, the Divine Knights that have appeared throughout history in various conflicts.

## Gallery

Erebonian NPC concept artErebonian NPC concept artErebonian NPC concept artCity concept ArtCity concept ArtScenic photo of the Marine cave on Auros Coastal RoadScenic photo of the Languedoc CanyonScenic photo of the vinyards on the Old Lamare Road near AlsterScenic photo of Lake GalaScenic photo of the Gala Falls

## Trivia

* Erebonia is loosely based on the German Empire during the First World War, according to Toshihiro Kondo.

## References

Notes

1. ↑ Sometimes romanised by Falcom themselves as Elebonia. For example, on the crests of the Imperial Army's armored division

Sources

1. ↑ *Trails of Cold Steel III*, Volume 1.
2. ↑ *Sen no Kiseki Magazine*, Volume 5.
3. ↑ *Trails of Cold Steel III*, Chapter 4: "Radiant Heimdallr", 07/15.
4. ↑ *Trails of Cold Steel III*, Chapter 2: "Conflict in Crossbell", 05/20.
5. ↑ It is said the population of Ordis, 460,000 citizens, is three times the size of Saint-Arkh in *Trails of Cold Steel III*, Chapter 3: "Pulse of Steel".
6. ↑ *Trails of Cold Steel III*, Chapter 3: "Pulse of Steel".
7. ↑ https://ezp2vblwo06f1aw8-5419049.shopifypreview.com/blogs/news/nisa-europe-interviews-toshihiro-kondo-on-trails-of-cold-steel-iii-part-2