Floresia

Floresia is a region of southern Kymuria. It is the homeland of the culturally and linguistically distinct Floresian People, as well as the major noble House of Flores. Although the region is central to the Kymurian heartland, Floresians have always been considered a separate entity.

The House of Flores contributed some nine monarchs and one regent to the Kingdom of Kymuria. Their reign began with the ascension of King Attin I in 435KF by decree of the last Lapassian king, Idris I. It ended with the death of the childless Attin III in 729KF. The House of Flores had an abundance of claimants with equal legitimacy, so Attin ordered the Noble Council to elect a new sovereign upon his death. Following an unsuccessful attempt to take the throne, the major Floresian nobles established a pact of concordance with the new ruler, Cyroth I. This pact has remained in place ever since, with Floresians forming a major bulwark of support for the monarchy in Saffira, in exchange for unconditional protection of Floresian customs and a degree of autonomy. For the latter part of the agreement, Floresia has been called the 'last of the old realms.' Floresian regiments are considered some of the best in the realm, and Floresian bodyguards have often been chosen over Kymurian ones by multiple sovereigns.

## Impact On Kymuria

### Historically

Historically, House Flores has had a major impact on Kymuria, ruling over Kymuria from 435KF to 729KF. House Flores helped successfully consolidate Kymuria, the Kymurian Heartland was developed and prospered further under Flores rule, traditional values were upheld and it was in this time that the Angelican Church held its most wide-reaching power. In the latter years of their rule, House Flores' power and grip over Kymuria began to wane, and slowly losing authority over the Kingdom resulted in a resurgence of regional power. Their decline as a ruling house was only accelerated by the loss of influence over the SKL during the Adachi war. House Flores' rule finally came to an end in 729KF upon the death of King Attin III, rather than nominating his great nephew Duke Tymon Flores, which would ensure a succession conflict, he instead instructed the Noble Council to select a new candidate for the throne.

In an attempt to both restore his house to rulership and break the stalemate of the Regency, Tymon Flores declared a rebellion, seized Villaflores, and fought off loyalist troops in the region. Ultimately, the rebellion was crushed by the Duke of Caxa, and Tymon was forced to flee. Ironically, this war greatly helped the ascent of the pro-imperial Cyroth An-Bagranthar, who wished to establish Kymuria as the de-facto authority over all constituent parts of Huw's Confederation. However, as the vast Frenntolic Rebellion loomed, Cyroth was able to secure the loyalty of Floresia in return for their support against the Northern lords and a guarantee of autonomy.

House Flores has always had a small but critical power base in the south of the Kymurian Heartland. The warm climate of the region has allowed House Flores to develop the rolling hills into a carpet of vineyards and olive groves. The main city of the region is Villaflores, which is situated in a clement and calm valley. The region is a serious contender for perhaps the most beautiful spot on the Panguillan mainland. The favourable climate of this particular region has turned the land into a prosperous, agricultural breadbasket of Kymuria. This has always been a major reason for the large amount of power wielded by Floresian leaders.

### Politically

While most of southern Kymuria has always held conservative views, Floresia is well known for it's militancy in protecting Kymurian tradition and the Angelican religion. The great historian Quolla summed this up by writing that Kymurians were 'philosophical' Angelicans, whereas Floresians were 'martial' Angelicans. During the Parliamentary Era, none of Floresia's 48 electoral constituencies ever returned a pro-reform or liberal candidate. During the '35, several hundred Floresians living in Saffira were lynched by anti-absolutist mobs.

The Harding Government met some of its most fierce resistance in Floresia, and the region was several times occupied by Kymurian troops. The Floresian nobility came under severe pressure as Premier Harding extorted money and property from them, mostly as a method of breaking their resistance to his regime.

As a result of their rather enduring attitude, the word '*Florite'* has practically become interchangeable with the word conservative.

### Presently

At the start of the game, House Flores is a powerful political force, although since the assumption of Empress Theodora, and the reparations to Floresian nobility, there has been little need for political pressure to exerted upon Saffira.