The Gateway

**The Gateway** is the name of the natural connection between the Yue Sea and the ocean, it is the only way to enter Edvanya per way of water. It is also the name of the nation built by the Orders of Gatekeepers, knights sworn to protect the continent from external threats. It is the smallest of the edvanyan nations, found between Commodia and the Arca. Their flag is two white towers on a black background.

## History

The Gateway is the name of the natural entryway into the continent, During the ProvEra, an order of knights gathered on both sides of the land to protect the entrance from an overwhelming invasion from the ocean, two of those knights, Colossos and Rhodes, a couple that would become legendary, sacrificed their lives to create a magical defense that laid waste to the attackers. Later, they were immortalised in the form of two gargantuan statues built by magic means, one on each shore of the Gateway, by a new order of knights founded on the basis of their courage and sacrificed.

People from all kingdoms left their nations to live in the statues and swear their lives to the protection of the continent, not dwelling into the dealings of internal strifes and disputes. They soon grew their ranks and reach, building stations all along the external shores of Edvanya, but their greatest strength remained in Colossos and Rhodes.

However, it wasn't until later into the RegEra that they became an actual sovereign nation, even if the knights swore oaths to protect Edvanya and not deal into the kingdoms wars, they suffered immense pressure from their respective original nations to engage in their war campaigns. Therefore, the Order of Gatekeepers demanded to be recognised as a sovereign nation and have their people no longer be strong-armed into leaving their posts and sacred oaths to go fight and die in pointless internal wars.

During Imperator Jihad I's imperial campaign, the Gateway remained absent and untouched, as their policy stated, they were the very last to join the Empire, merely receiving a document signed by all heads os government from the nations stating that they were now unified under Python's flag, the Commanders acquiesced and signed too.

The Gatekeepers are stretched really thin as it is, spread out in outposts around the continent and so they sometimes require assistance from the other nations military and, most commonly, hired adventurers. They do not produce any commodity as they do not have land to do so, their people survive off of donations from each nation, a contribution made easier by the unified Empire.

## Culture

The Gatekeepers aren't only sworn knights, they live and form families in Colossos, Rhodes and the outposts. They all live in military vilas, but they also have an easier time interfacing with the entirety of the continent, pilgrimages of Gateway-born youth throughout the outposts and near regions is extremely common, almost a rite of passage when they come of age, as many go on to become Gatekeepers themselves or take up living in another nation.

## Leadership

The Gateway is led by two Commanders, one residing in each side statue, they rule over their own side of the Gate, but ultimately share command over the nation. Furthermore, each of the seven orders has a general, they also reside in either Colossos or Rhodes and aid their Commanders in managing the nation. Each Commander is chosen from the Generals and done the white armor, only worn by them.

### East Commander Loji Phillipos

The current East Commander, presiding over Rhodes. She is a loxodon paladin descendant of Aleksandr and Hephastion Phillipos, she is the former Orange General born in Pamet where her family is still very powerful.

### West Commander Boulder Hybercave

The current West Commander, presides over Colossos. He is a beasthide shifter from the family of Hybercave, the barons of Commodia. He is the former Green General, a paladin tied to nature.

### Gatekeeper Generals

#### Green General Amaya Richmond

She is a kalashtar that took the position after the former Green General, Sir Boulder Hybercave, took on the post of West Commander and doned the white armor. General Amaya was born in the Gateway and trained her whole life to become a knight, she was mentored by Sir Boulder himself, seen as her parents died during her adolescence. She married a blue gatekeeper, Janai, and together they had five children.

## Locations

### Colossos

The western statue is the gargantuan statue named and modeled after one of the Gateway Heroes, alongside his husband Rhodes. He was an aberrant mind kalashtar sorcerer.

### Rhodes

The eastern statue is the gargantuan statue named and modeled after one of the Gateway Heroes, alongside his husband Colossos. He was a halfling evocation wizard.

## Natural Landmarks

The statues of the Gateway Heroes are the only landmarks of this nation, albeit not natural, seen as they comprise most of it's territory. They are incredible sights and a point of interest to many tourists.