Principate of Procer

"*Procerans have always been the villains in our plays, scheming Alamans and grasping Arlesites. Given our history this is understandable, my Strategos, but you and I know the truth of of it. The Principate is the final line of defence between Calernia and Evil. Two millennia they have kept the Dead King on his shore of the northern lakes and even longer have they turned back the ratling plague, without aid or succour from the rest of the continent. When Procer fails, the light of civilization dims and the monsters all get a little closer to our homes.*"
―Eleusia Vokor, Nicean ambassador to the Principate**The Principate of Procer**, referred to also as "the Principate" or simply "Procer" is the biggest and most populous polity on the surface of Calernia. It lies to the west of the Parish (known as the Whitecaps in Callow and the Greyfang Range is Praes). It is a Good polity and that sees itself as the bulwark against Evil despite its long history of wars with neighbors alligned with both Good and Evil. It is bordered by the Chain of Hunger, the Kingdom of the Dead, the Golden Bloom, the Kingdom of Callow, the League of Free Cities (Helike), the Titanomachy and the Dominion of Levant. It is currently ruled by First Prince Cordelia Hasenbach and the capital is Salia.

## History

### Early History

It was founded around 800 years ago by the Alamans chieftains and Arlesite reales, after the First Crusade and the fall of Dread Empress Triumphant. Salia, the ancestral grounds of the Merovins, was chosen as the site of the council that would found Procer, due to a mixture of luck and politicking by the first First Prince, Clothor Merovins. Cantal was nearly chosen instead. One of his first orders was to raise the Chamber of Assembly, the seat of the Highest Assembly.

Soon after the founding of Procer, the crusader kingdoms formed in Praes was overthrown by Dread Emperor Terribilis II. The Prinicipate waged the Third Crusade against Terribilis, but lost. In the aftermath, Procer occupied the weakened Kingdom of Callow, defeating it in the Red Flower Vales and killing the King of Callow, Selwin Fairfax. Procer attempted to place Juliana Fairfax as a puppet on the throne, but she declared her rebelling cousin heir and killed herself at her own coronation. Procer held a lesser conclave at Salia to declare King Henry Fairfax the Landless to be Damned. First Princess Éloïse Guillermont ended the Principate's occupation of Callow.

The Titanomachy was attacked by Procer in the Humbling of the Titans. After Procer called for talks with the Gigantes, Named Procerans assassinated the envoys during the talks. Three of the spellsingers, the amphore for the Sublime Auspice chorus and two candidates for the Name of Stone Shaper were killed in the attack. This resulted in the hatred of the Gigantes for Procerans.

The Lycaonese were brought into Procer no less than 600 years ago.

The city-state of Helike conquered most of southern Procer under King Theodosius the Unconquered, the Tyrant. The First Prince appointed General Isabella the Mad to fight the war against him. She sent waves of soldiers at any force that split from Theodosius's main army, depleting his numbers. She eventually defeated his main army at the Maddened Fields, inflicting the only defeat ever inflicted on Theodosius. Less than twenty years later, King Jehan Fairfax the Wise hung seven princes and one.

The Levantine petty kingdoms were conquered by the Procerans after the Humbling. Around three hundred years ago, they seceded under the first Grey Pilgrim and his band of five and formed the Dominion of Levant.

### Modern Era

The Principate erupted into a civil war that lasted two decades simultaneously with the beginning of the Praesi annexation of Callow. Assassin is implied to have triggered it by assassinating the First Prince of the time, at the behest of Black Knight.

This civil war is referred to by Procerans as The Great War. It was finally ended when later First Prince Cordelia Hasenbach rallied all of the Lycaonese principalities to war, crushing Southern opposition within a year. She did this in order to put an end to the strife she had learned had been artificially prolonged by Dread Empress Malicia, with loans through intermediaries to the various princes and princesses fighting, so they could keep the war efforts going. Hasenbach's involvement blindsided the other significant players of the Great War, as the Lycaonese traditionally kept out of the bid for the title of First Prince. Making Cordelia Hasenbach the first Lycaonese ruler to hold the title.

## Ethnicities/Races

There are only humans native to Procer, divided into three ethnicities: the Alamans, Arlesites and Lycaonese. Cordelia Hasenbach and her uncle Klaus are both Lycaonese, respective rulers of their principalities. The three groups speak different languages, Chantant for the Alamans, Tolesian for the Arlesites and Reitz for the Lycaonese. There are cultural tensions between the three groups, with Lycaonese considering the southerners weak, unprepared and prone to showing off, while the southerners consider the Lycaonese to be brutes and savages.

## Geography

The Principate is the second-largest nation on Calernia, after the Kingdom Under. It is significantly bigger than the next surface nation.

## Principalities

Rhenia: Northernmost principality, bordering the Chain of Hunger. Ruled by Prince Cordelia Hasenbach (Book 1 - present)

Hannoven: Borders both the Chain of Hunger and Kingdom of the Dead. Ruled by Prince Klaus 'Iron Prince' Papenheim (Book 1 - Book 6) and Cordelia Hasenbach (Book 6 - present)

Bremen: Connected to Hannoven and Rhenia by Twilight's Pass and the Rhenian Gates respectively. Ruled by Prince Manfred Reitzenberg (Book 1 - 5), Prince Gude Reitzenberg (Book 5), Prince Elsa Reitzenberg (Book 5) and Prince Otto 'Redcrown' Reitzenberg (Book 5 - present)

Neustria: Southernmost Lycaonese principality. Ruled by Princess Mathilda "Greensteel" Siegenburg (Book 1 - Book 6)

Brus: Alamans principality that borders the Lycaonese principalities. Ruled by Prince Amaury Goethal (Before Book 1) and Prince Frederic 'Kingfisher Prince' Goethal (Book 1 - present)

Lyonis: Principality on the edge of Lake Pavin. Ruled by Prince Fabian Louvroy (Before Book 1) and Princess Sophie Louvroy (Book 1 - 5)

Cleves: A very fortified principality on the edge of the Tomb. It, Hainaut and Hannoven border the Kingdom of the Dead. Ruled by Prince Gaspard Langevin (Book 1 - Book 6), Prince Florimont Langevin (Book 6) and Carine Langevin (Book 6 - present)

Hainaut: A principality with a long, craggy coast on the edge of the Tomb. Ruled by Princess Julienne Volignac (Book 1 - 5) and Princess Beatrice Volignac (Book 5 - present)

Brabant: Northern Alamans principality bordering Cleves and Hainaut. Ruled by Prince Etienne (Book 1 - 6)

Lange: A principality that borders Salia and is dependent on it for trade. Ruled by Prince Dagobert Griffeu (Before Book 1), Dagobert's nephew (Before Book 5) and Princess Bertille Griffeu (Book 5)

Aisne: A principality south of Brabant and east of Salia. Ruled by Princess Constance (Before Book 1), Princess Clotilde (Book 1 - present)

Arans: One of the three easternmost principalities. First Prince Cordelia Hasenbach ordered the creation of a pass, known as the Stairway, between it and northern Callow in Book Four. Ruled by Prince Ariel (Book 1 - present)

Salia: Capital of the Principate of Procer, seat of the First Prince and location of the Highest Assembly. Ruled by First Prince Cordelia Hasenbach (Book 1 - Book 7) and First Princess Rozala Malanza (Book 7 - present)

Bayeux: One of the three easternmost principalities. Connected to Callow by the Red Flower Vales. Ruled by Prince Arsene Odon (Book 1 - present)

Cantal: Southernmost Alamans principality. Known to have close ties with the principality of Iserre. Ruled by Prince Arnaud Brogloise (Book 1 - 5) and unnamed Princess (Book 5 - present)

Segovia: Northernmost Arlesite principality on Calernia's west coast. One of Procer's largest seaports. Ruled by Princess Luisa (Before Book 1) and Prince Alejandro (Book 4 - present)

Creusens: One of the Northern Arlesite principalities. It, Segovia and Iserre are known to have close ties with the Alamans principalities, such that their rulers were mentioned to have been 'raised Alamans'. Ruled by Prince Louis Rohanon (Book 1 - 5) and Unnamed Princess (Book 5 - Present)

Orne: One of the three easternmost principalities. Connected to Callow by the Red Flower Vales. Ruled by Unnamed Princess (Before Book 1), Princess Adeline's brother (Book 1 - 3) and Princess Adeline Sauveterre (Book 4 - Book 6). The ruling family's banner is yellow striped over red with three white lions.

Iserre: One of the wealthiest and most populated Arlesite principalities. It, Orne, Salamans and Tenerife border the Waning Woods. Ruled by Prince Amadis Milenan (Book 1 - 5)

Orense: Principality that borders the Dominion of Levant. Ruled by Prince Alejandro Trastanes (Before Book 1) and Prince Rodrigo Trastanes (Book 1 - 5)

Aequitan: One of the principalities, alongside Salamans, Iserre, Cantal, Salia, Lange and Creusens on the shore of Lake Artoise. Ruled by Princess Aenor Malanza (Before Book 1) and Princess Rozala Malanza (Book 1 - present)

Valencis: Second southernmost principality. Borders the Titanmachy. Ruled by Princess Leonor Arazola(Book 1 - 5) and Prince Salazar Arazola(Book 5 - present)

Salamans: One of the southernmost principalities. Has close ties with the principality of Tenerife. Ruled by Prince Alvaro Bragzanzo (Book 1 - 5) and Prince Renato Bragzanzo (Book 5 - present)

Tenerife: Southernmost principality of Procer. Borders Helike and the Samite Gulf. Ruled by Princess Francesca (Book 1 - present)

## Government

Procer is a confederation consisting of twenty-four principalities. It's governed by Highest Assembly of the ruling Princes of each principality. The Assembly elects a First Prince who then becomes the head of state. The First Prince has higher authority than the other princes but still needs the approval of the assembly for important decisions.

## First Princes/Princesses

* Cordelia Hasenbach, current and thirty-third First Prince of Procer. Also, the first Lycaonese First Prince.
* Clothor Merovins, the first First Prince and founder of the Principate of Procer.
* Clément Merovins, fourth First Prince of Procer.
* Louis Merovins, seventh First Prince of Procer. Dismantled the wizard guilds of Procer after they tried to oppose and depose him.
* Louis of Brabant, eighth First Prince of Procer.
* Clodomir Merovins, ninth First Prince of Procer.
* Julienne Merovins, tenth First Princess of Procer.
* Ghislaine of Creusens, twelfth First Princess of Procer.
* Beatriz of Salamans, thirteenth First Princess of Procer. Turned her trial for high treason by the highest Assembly into election to the office of First Prince.
* Antoine Merovins, twenty-second First Prince of Procer.
* Armande Rohanon, thirty-first First Princess of Procer.
* Luc Monseiller, thirty-second First Prince of Procer, whose assassination led to the Great War.
* Frederonne Merovins, First Princess of Procer. Married the Prince of Hannoven to seal the conquest of the Lycaonese Principalities.
* Éloïse Guillermont, First Princess of Procer. Ended Proceran occupation of Callow.
* Anaïs of Cantal, First Princess of Procer. Taxed a belltower in Salia, which began the First Liturgical War.
* Eugénie of Lange, First Princess of Procer.
* Bastien of Arans, First Prince of Procer. Authored the book, *On Rule*.

## Foreign Relations

Procer is hostile to the Dread Empire of Praes. Mainly because Praes is evil and the most powerful rival for continental hegemony.

Procer also has a hostile relationship with the Titanomachy, due to the aftermath of the betrayal and subsequent war known as the Humbling of the Titans.

Callow and the Dominion of Levant were both annexed by Procer for some time and do not remember this fondly. Their relationships are normally not outright hostile but very strained.

Ashur is responsible for the secession of Levant and the defence of its shores, as well as being a rival for power in the south; the two nations have a strained, but not outright hostile relationship.

The League of Free Cities distrusts Procer, as its expansionist policies were responsible for the creation of the League itself. Procer also sees Helike as a danger as it is occasionally evil and under Tyrant Theodosius once brutalised southern Procer.

Procer is always at war with the Chain of Hunger and the Kingdom of the Dead. Both conduct regular raiding expeditions into Procer.

## Culture and Namelore

Procer is said to have surprisingly few Named. Their Named were mentioned to rarely leave their homelands and travel abroad. The Wandering Bard mentions that this was due to the Dead King and Dread Empress Triumphant, may she never return, having shaped Procer to be that way after running roughshod over it. Notably, after the Truce at Salia, many Named began emerging at an extremely high rate within the Principate.

As sorcery is distrusted in the Principate, there are overwhelmingly more Villain mages than Heroes.

Named of the Principate of Procer:

* Saint of Swords
* Augur
* Mirror Knight
* Rogue Sorceror
* Blade of Mercy
* Forsworn Healer
* Lone Sentinal
* Drake Knight
* Ghastly Marauder
* Warden of the West (Potentially. Rejected by Cordelia Hasenbach)
* First Prince (Potentially. Rejected by Cordelia Hasenbach)
* Kingfisher Prince
* Stained Sister
* Scorched Apostate
* Stalwart Apostle
* Harrowed Witch
* Rapacious Troubadour
* Hunted Magician
* Pilfering Dicer
* Forgetful Librarian
* Wicked Enchanter
* Red Axe
* Bitter Blacksmith
* Merry Monk
* Fallen Monk

## References

1. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2016/12/28/interlude-precipitation/
2. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2018/10/01/nihilism-iii/
3. ↑ Maybe this time they should hang fourteen princes and two, and then
another one too for Old King Selwin they’d done in at the Red Flower
Vales.

https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2019/02/15/interlude-beheld-ii/
4. ↑ One of the triplet thrones of Rhenia, Hannoven and Bremen, famously
carved from the same pale chalkstone on which First Princess Frederonne
Merovins had wed the Prince of Hannoven, sealing her conquest of the
Lycaonese principalities by twining bloodlines.
5. ↑ For within there stood twenty-four thrones, none younger than six centuries.

https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2018/10/01/nihilism-iii/
6. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2018/05/14/chapter-13-eleve/