Holy Kingdom of Aidenous

The Holy Kingdom of Aidenous is one of the great nations of Ceal. Dominated mostly by the Novean Species, the Holy Kingdom of Aidenous is founded on the Novean Faith. As such, Dragons, Gryphs and Draykin are tolerated within its borders, but Wel are seen as personae non grata, and may be either hunted, enslaved, or otherwise exploited within its borders.

## Geography & History

Originally, Aidenous was only a small city state in the northwest of Pelagia, located at the prestigious position in the shade of the great tree Gand'Shirar. It is said that in AN 481, a prophet inspired the ruler of the City State of Aidenous to unite the surrounding city states under the banner of the Goddess Nova, and that with the charisma of the king and the guidance of the prophet, this was achieved with minimal bloodshed. Thus, the Holy Kingdom of Aidenous was born.

In the following centuries, the Holy Kingdom of Aidenous slowly but steadily spread all over Pelagia. By allying with the Ryndean Dominion controlling the east of Pelagia, they were able to subdue and conquer the Unganian Tribes of central Pelagia, and over the course of another century or so, the Holy Kingdom of Aidenous and the Ryndean Dominion gradually grew closer under the guidance of the Novean clergy, until they united in AN 750, choosing to adopt the name of the Holy Kingdom of Aidenous for the joined nation as it was generally seen that it was thanks to the guidance of the Goddess that this peaceful union could be achieved.

In the following century, the Holy Kingdom of Aidenous continued to spread its influence over the neighbouring continent of Rida, which was also primarily inhabited by Novean Species, governing themselves in the form of several better or worse organized individual states. This process continued until AN 896, when with the Duchy of Keburia the final independent state of Pelagia pledged its allegiance to the Holy Kingdom of Aidenous, and although military confrontations were sometimes inevitable, the process still was remarkably peaceful. Again, this was attributed to the guidance of the Goddess Nova.

In addition to Rida and Pelagia, the Holy Kingdom of Aidenous also claims sovereignty over the neighbouring continents of Zelsia and the Jel-Archipelago. However, settling in either continent is forbidden by holy decree, as the Holy Kingdom of Aidenous considers Zelsia with its Chimerals to be the entrance to Lerra, while the Jel-Archipelago with its Angels is considered the holy land of Nova.

## Society

The society of the Holy Kingdom of Aidenous is relatively liberal, but also follows the Novean teachings of knowing ones place. As such, citizens are encouraged to do their best at whatever task they are given, while rulers are encouraged by the clergy to listen to the needs of citizens, and allow citizens to take up the professions they feel are most suitable to them. The different states of the Holy Kingdom of Aidenous each have different approaches to this concept, with some rulers taking a rather direct approach to determining who does what in their domain, while others are content with letting their subjects take up whatever professions they like, as long as that does not cause any troubles.

## Government

The Holy Kingdom of Aidenous is organized as a highly federated absolute monarchy. While in theory the currently raining monarch is in charge of the entire kingdom, in effect, the individual territories of the Holy Kingdom of Aidenous enjoy a great deal of autonomy, so long as they observe to holy laws of Aidenous and pay their dues.

The Holy Kingdom of Aidenous is divided into five great provinces, each of which is again subdivided into about a dozen individual states. Within each province, the most economic and/or military powerful state is awarded the ruling status of Principality, effectively assuming the leading role over the other states, which are - depending on their respective economic and/or military power - titled as Grand Duchies, Duchies, Baronies or Prefectures. The province of West Pelagia differs slightly in that its ruling state is titled Regency instead of Principality.

In addition, the great islands of Makariba and Nadagam are considered lesser provinces, and enjoy a degree of autonomy. They are strutctured in a similar way, with the exception being that the ruling state is known as Paraetoriate instead of Principality.

The Holy Kingdom of Aidenous is a hereditary monarchy, where the regency is passed down from the acting regent to the most worthy direct descendant. This worthiness is determined by the Grand Patriarch of the Novean Faith, who deigns to choose a worthy successor in accordance with the divine providence of the Goddess Nova.

Likewise, the offices of local rulers are also usually passed down from parent to child with the consensus and guidance of the highest local Priest or Priestess of Nova. However, every now and then particularly hard-working citizens are awarded the office instead.