Astaria

Astarian military parade

Geographical position

> "We are seen as a bastion of strength, a bulwark protecting lands that cannot protect themselves. We must not waver, we must not falter, we must stay true to our traditions and hold strong to our convictions."
>
> - Azahkar, High King of Astaria

Astaria is a windy hilly nation located within the region of Tanaria. Astaria is currently under the rule of the warlock King Azakhar. Astaria’s capital Lokmara is a bureaucratic hellhole found on the country's eastern border. Astaria is known for its military; it rarely invades other countries and has a reputation for protecting smaller countries. King Azakhar’s son Sindri recently conquered Alvida but he was a horrible tyrant and was imprisoned by Zyan. Astaria is still trying to make up for this uncharacteristic act of aggression.

## History

Astaria was one of the first areas in the world that independently developed agriculture; it is among the oldest countries from which life spread throughout the world. During the Era of Ancients Astaria worked alongside Viriskali to help grow smaller nations through commerce and language. During the Age of Beasts Astaria creates a superweapon; a floating fortress and magical siege weapon called Moonspawn. Astaria fights against the Empire of Duvan’ku and when it loses the rest of the world takes it as a sign that the Empire of Duvan’ku is a truely terrifying force leading to the formation of the Eastern Alliance. After The Incursion and the fall of the Old Empire Astaria became highly militarized so they will never fail protecting the world again. Astaria began acting imperialistically, conquering the neighboring kingdoms of Hesperia and Alvidria reaching strength that surpasses anything in their history. Late in the Era of Beasts the kingdoms of Tanaria grew competitive and resentful of each other and started the Great Tanarian War. After the war Astaria gave Hesperia and Alvidria their independence again as they needed to focus on rebuilding what they lost from the war. In the Era of Dreams Astaria spent a few decades in the shadow of its former glory until Prince Azakhar desperate to inherit the throne, adventures to The Forbidden City of Rinloru and gains power from The Pale Mother. Azakhar returned as king and restored Astaria to greatness. Azakhar’s son Sindri in an attempt to be like his father goes out on his own to reconquer Alvidria for the Kingdom of Astaria. Sindri successfully conquered Alvidria, Azakhar disowns him and the native elves of Alvidria are not accepting Sindri’s rule. Sindri doubles down and becomes a horrible tyrant punishing those who defy him until he is imprisoned by the Immortal Zyan. Somehow around this time Balasar the Wind Thief manages to steal Moonspawn.

## Culture

    Astarian businesses and administrations are a mess of complex contingencies and redundancies that have been amended to the point where Astarian law is practically gibberish to any outsiders. Astarian trade deals typically are passed down from previous generations and treasured as valued heirlooms. Those who attempt to forge new mercantile relations must be truly inquisitive to find all the legal loopholes one must exploit to actually profit from trade in the kingdom.

Tidiness and punctuality are important traits in Astarian culture. A respectable individual should always keep their things in a dedicated place where they can be easily retrieved when needed and, should always appear exactly there they say they will be when they say they will be there. Astarians have very formal personal lives with close ties to extended family and make friends with other families more often the individuals. Those with low class families have a difficult time working their way up in Astarian society.

    Astarians believe that acting without meticulous professionalism in all things is a sign of incompetence however will often find many of their international peers not living up to their expectations and will not so subtly impart the wisdom of the Astarians onto their naïve colleagues. Although valued for their diligence in professional circles are more often seen as uptight and arrogant by the rest of the world.

## Locations

Astarian military meetingStatues of Astarian kings in LokmaraArstarian military regimentAstarian forward camp