Ahremia

**Ahremia** (Ahremian: *Ahremisi*) also known as **The Heartland** at certain points in time, is a large geographical and political area roughly bounded by the Lagbern Mountains to the north, the Velosi Mountains to the east, and the Klenax River to the south. Ahremia is home to the Ahremian people, as well as immigrants and their descendants from other countries.

Ahremia has historically been a very powerful and wealthy nation, and the birthplace of two of the greatest empires in Ivlon's history. The Ahremian city folk are known for their love of the arts and literature, as well as being skilled merchants and bankers. Those in the country are generally recognized as being hardworking and obedient, sometimes given their own ethnic name - Daruvians.

## People

### Ahremians

The large group called the "Ahremians" are generally divided into two main ehtno-cultural subgroups; the Ahremians proper (i.e. city dwellers) and the Daruvians, who dwell mostly on farms and orchards, mostly in the east. Daruvians' name comes from the region of Daruvia in southeastern Buthenia, relating to the large amount of persons with Buthenian heritage within the "Daruvian" population. Most pureblood Ahremians are disproportionately wealthier than Daruvians, mostly making their fortunes within the banking, mercantile, or governmental sectors of the economy. Ahremian purebloods are curiously more open to new religious ideas - known to readily accept new religious doctrines when they are presented to them. Daruvians are much more simple, and suffer a slight racism from most Ahremians. The majority of Daruvians follow the traditional Urdan Pantheon, named for the ancient city of Urda.

### Lohnians

The largest immigrant population in Ahremia is those from the country of Lohn. Roughly 65% of Lohnians reside in Ahremia, mostly in the regions of Northern Lohn and the Altherian Highlands. Lohnians are treated favorably by most of the population, as Lohn has at times been formally part of Ahremia and at the least the nation of Lohn has consistently maintained a good relationship with Ahremia.

## Government

### Central Government

The main figure in the government of Ahremian is the king. At times in which the nation has expanded to a certain extent, this position has been given the title *Poch Triato* (Great Potentate) or simply Emperor.

#### First Ahremian Empire

During the First Ahremian Empire, the "king" was known formally as "Great King" or "Son of Pretor", but served the functions of an emperor. The king was assisted by multiple advisors, such as the Chief Scribe and Chief Horseman, although the leaders of provinces and vassal states was almost always one of the king's sons or extended family members. Later in the empire, a governmental factions known as the *lamsu*, or simply the "Grand Council" was formed. Originally, it served the purpose of a military advisory council made up of veteran warriors. It later began to serve a more broad function serving as a judicial and civil authority. This council later became the Ahremian Senate.

#### Kingdom of Ahremia

For most of its history, Ahremia has simply been by definition of kingdom. During these times, the king remained the most powerful governmental figure, with succession being hereditary - in cases in which no heirs were present, the steward and his house became the new rulers. The king has always possessed a important (although nameless) close advisory board. This group is informal, meaning the membership usually includes generals, politicians, and other individuals who have a prior personal relationship with the current king.

The Ahremian Senate is the main formal council within the central government, being composed of 16 members and a chancellor. The senate is made up of 16 senators, which are elected from various areas of the kingdom. It is generally expected that each senator comes from a different noble house, yet it is not required. The senators are elected by the local governments of their province and county. The chancellor serves to organize and maintain order within the senate sessions, but his word does not carry any more weight than those of the other senators. The chancellor is always the senator which has served the longest. The senate's duties includes the passing of laws, taxes, military decisions, and at times serves as a team of judges for cases dealing with national law. The senate has almost always been headquartered within the walls of the Glass Palace, in the Ahremian city of Euritas. At times it has been moved to the palace in Nazka.

### Local Government

The Kingdom of Ahremia is divided into twelve provinces, those being Sectinia, North Sectinia, Vardunia, Sirien, Mercia, Mesralla, The Moor, Summerset, North Lohn, Althura, Eroda, and Euritas. Each province has a governor who is responsible for the keeping or general order, collection of taxes, and to organize the county governments.

Each province is divided into multiple counties, each ruled by a count and/or countess. The county governments report to the governor, although almost all civic orders are made by the counties. Each county shares its name with its capital. The only province which lacks counties is The Moor, which is ruled directly by the governor.

## Geography

Ahremia's traditional borders are the two mountain ranges of the Velosi Mountains and its extension the Lagbern Mountains. To the south, the border with Lohn and Birgolon is marked by the Klenax River.

Ahremia has a few major geographical regions, some roughly bounding modern provinces. The simplest geographical division is that of North and South Ahremia. At times, they have been separate nations but have consistently maintained faint cultural cues that distinguish their inhabitants and settlements from each other. Furthermore, the country has been divided into the regions of the Plains of Altges, the Slorend Basin, Sectinia, Althuran Highlands, the Great Northern Woods, Mercian Coast, and the Catilline Valley.

The main farming regions are in central and southeastern Ahremia, in the regions called Sectinia and Euritas. Main arid regions in the north and along the southern coast have been used as grazing land for sheep, cattle, and goats. the Catilline Valley has long been one of the few places in Ahremia home to orchards. Most mining is done within the rough bounds of the Great Northern Woods, or in what is politically called Vardunia.

Irrigation is not an issue within Sectinia, as the crops are irrigated by the Slorend and Janus Rivers and their tributaries. Other areas in Ahremia rely on rainfall. With the exception of Nazka, most regional centers and areas of dense population align with areas of good irrigation and thus good harvests. This has lead to southeastern Ahremia (Euritas) and Sectinia becoming some of the most populated areas of the country. The only large inland body of water is the Catilline Lake, in the rough center of the eponymous valley. The lake itself serves little practical function, and is mostly home to a few small fishing settlements. The sea bounds Ahremia's eastern side, that sea being known as the Sea of Gaidfrail. Certain areas of the coast are considered parts of the Bay of Nazka, Ligon Bay, and the Eagle Inlet.

## Provinces

### Sectinia

Sectinia is the largest of the twelve provinces. The region is responsible for the production of most of Ahremia's food, possessing highly farmable land. Sectinia is also home to small ponds, meadows, and forests where farms are absent. Sectinia is mostly populated by pureblood Ahremians and Daruvians, although certain areas include small Zedian and Iremian communities among their populations. The provincial capital of Sectinia is the city of Cornoa, named for its first count Machius Cornoa II. Cornoa is located at the divergence of the Slorend River, atop a small hill sometimes called Cobbler's Topping. It is divided into a few main districts - including the Guild District, which hosts guildhalls for the Ahremian Merchant's Guild and Warrior's Guild. The other large cities in the area are Hamhall, Antilogne, and Nareen.

### North Sectinia

North Sectinia is a large region that spans from the North River to the coast, near Nazka. North Sectinia's people are incredibly influenced by Buthenia and Lietuva, which shows in their cultural customs. The majority of North Sectinians speak both Ahremian and Buthenian. The region itself is more barren and dry than its southern counterpart, but can be farmed. The capital city of Ambirge shows Buthenian influences in its wooden, lodge-styled architecture as well as its possession of a Buthenian chapel. Ambirge has frequently been ruled by House Levanin, named for the city of Levanin from which it originated.

### Vardunia

The province of Vardunia stretches along the upper part of Ahremia's western border, along the Velosi Mountains. The province sees some trade coming from the fact that the two main passes through the Velosi Mtns., Stronghorn and Ellingouh Passes, are located within the province border. Although closest to Raivon, the province has seen little influence from that country. Vardunia is mostly used for mining, and to an extent lumber within the Great Northern Woods region. The provincial capital, Falhearth, was founded around 200 SY and remains an important trading center and military outpost during periods at which Ahremia and Raivon are at war. Also in Vardunia is the city of Burgador, which has at times been formally part of Buthenia. The city is small and unwalled, but is mostly left self-governed due to most of the population not even being able to speak Ahremian.

### Sirien

Sirien is a small province in the southwest, near the border with Lohn. The capital city, Sirien, is located on the banks of the Euritas River. The province is one of the most depopulated, due mostly to it seldom having farmable land, and the past destruction of villages in the area during Colgemate's War during the early 1300s SY.

### Mercia

Mercia is a northern province stretching along the northeast coast of Ahremia. Mercia is considered to be one of if not the wealthiest province of Ahremia, with a long and fabled history stretching back thousands of years. The province's capital, Dilare, is known for its fine arts institution and being a center of banking and the trading of luxury items. The province's rulers have shifted over time, but in modern times Dilare is ruled by house Ullacroix, a Lohnian family.

### Mesralla

Mesralla encompasses the White Hills region, along with the foothills of the Lagbern Mountains. The province is prime grazing land for sheep, and thus many shepherds live nomadically. The region does grow some crops, such as leeks and potatoes. The capital of Eisenhall is heavily fortified and periodically covered in snow. directly north of the city is Castle Eisenhall, home to the members of House Lestermint, the rulers of Mesralla.

### The Moor

The Moor is a small province located between the cities of Martlet and Nazka. The Moor has a incredibly small population, and due to that is not ruled by a noble house. Instead, a local elder leads the province from the the town of Lisrey. The region was once a dense forest, but was completely destroyed to "build the great cities of Ahremia". The last forests of The Moor were cut down in the early 400s SY. Since then, the region has hosted nothing but arid hills that when receiving rainfall, are prone to landslides. The small town of Lisrey is the only provincial capital to not have walls or any kind of castle-like structure, instead having a small wooden "leader house". Lisrey's residents are mostly hardworking, independent Daruvians who make their living off the nearby creek or by growing root vegetables.

Although the capital, Lisrey is not the largest settlement. The largest settlement is that of White Flag, a unofficial port of the Bay of Nazka. White Flag was founded by Kekreon the Brave (a native of Lon Miera, Iremia) in 315 SY. White Flag is a haven for thugs, pirates, and ships importing illegal substances such as Sun Grass as well as transporting illegal mercenaries. Due to providing some revenue to the region, the Ahremian government generally leaves the settlement alone as long as the Nazka-based Seafarer's Guild can maintain a guildhall within White Flag. The inhabitants of Lisrey look down on the settlement of White Flag, yet they also rely on it as the closest port.

### Summerset

Summerset is a tiny province south of The Moor, with its capital at Martlet. Martlet is mostly known for the University of Martlet, founded in 1033 SY by Pelmon the Wise. The large Pretorian cathedral dominates the city skyline. Martlet is also a stop on the Dome Et Iris.

### North Lohn

North Lohn is, like the Moor and Sirien, a sparsely populated area. Climatic changes over the years have made most of the land muddy, marsh-like foothills. The few farmable areas possess the two main settlements of Ulrox and Chacon, both heavily reminiscent of Lohn in many aspects of their culture. The region was conquered from Lohn during the reign of Reinard Andalin in 1423 SY.

### Althura

Althura is a large southwest region mostly composed of the Althuran Highlands. The region grows some vegetables although mostly is used as grazing land, primarily for cattle. Althura is home to many ruins, mostly ancient cities. It is from these ruins that some scholars have decided Althura was, at some point, much more farmable. Althura is home to the ruins of Urda, which was a major religious center and possibly the *de facto* capital of ancient Ahremia. The Althuran people are known to be more rugged-skinned and look different from the rest of the population, which is thought to be due to most Althurans coming from a long line of pure Ahremians, as very few Althurans are immigrants.

The capital of Althura is the small city of Athlin, ruled by House Uvani. The Uvani family is one of the oldest families in Ahremia, and is also highly respected in their homeland. The city of Athlin is located within the northernmost point of the province, showing more of a characteristic Sectarian environment rather than that of the highlands.

### Eroda

Eroda is a province located in southern Ahremia. The province hosts farmable land, irrigated by rain, but an absence of rivers; leading to the first Ahremian windmills being built in Eroda. Eroda's main exports are wheat and rice, grown heavily on the mostly flat Erodan plains. The capital city is also called Eroda, and is located on the northern border, the Euritas River. Erodans are generally a mix of simple country-dwellers and cosmopolitan aristocrats, hailing mostly from the capital city. The ruling house of Eroda is House Barroux, who have resided in Eroda for over 1,000 years.

### Euritas

Euritas is the smallest, but also the second most populated province in Ahremia. The area of Euritas includes the city and capital of Euritas and the area around it. The city of Euritas is located at the delta of the Euritas River, at the end of the Eagle Inlet. The city has historically been the capital of Ahremia, and still is the largest city in the nation. The city is a rough circular shape, with many market districts and residential areas. Corpos Square is the colloquial center of "downtown" Euritas - and also hosting one of the many market districts. Primas Hill is one of the wealthiest areas, hosting large plantation-style houses with great views of the surrounding city. The famous Glass Palace lies within the city walls and has been the seat of the Ahremian government for most of its history. Built in 993 SY, the palace hosts a large glass dome and a large columned, Zedian-style portico - both works of the Euritan architect Dranax Camora.

The Ahremian Senate's chambers originally were under the glass dome, but were moved to the west wing halls after the central domed area was converted to a public space for aristocrats and local noblemen and women to mingle. The Glass Palace Gardens, behind the main building was the idea of Queen Vettia Kranor of Ahremia. The gardens include plants from a multitude of foreign countries, as well as greenhouses that store certain, more fragile, plants. The center of the garden is home to Lissanara Fountain, with a statue of Saint Lissanara in the center. The northwest corner of the garden is home to two Cisalian-style villas, which are used as guest houses for foreign leaders. The gardens are periodically open to the public.

As the maritime traffic to Euritas grew, the main port district was strained to the point where "shack ports" were set up outside the city to simply be used to dock ships and they awaited a place in the city harbor. In 1012 SY, the Exelonian governor of Ahremia, Playa Nariponis, commissioned the building of the Port of Euritas, an external port and later city built on Andemos Island, just a few kilometers north of the city. This port became the main area for importation and exportation, with Euritas still serving the function of the trading and governmental center, and still supporting some maritime traffic with its own port.

The traditional rulers of Euritas have been House Kranor, although their governmental functions are limited when Euritas is used as the capital of Ahremia (thus a different house is on the throne). House Kranor initially made their prominence in the shipping industry, being the founders of the popular East Birgalon Trading Company. The house's headquarters is Heredia Hall, located near the summit of Primas Hill.

### City of Nazka

The City of Nazka, serving as the current capital of Ahremia, is its own self-governing provincial district. The city is ruled directly by the central government. The main noble house of Nazka is House Andalin, which is commonly on the Ahremian throne. Members of House Andalin have founded both the Bank of Nazka and Merchant's Guild, two of the largest organizations in Ahremia and the world. It was founded by Plavion Andalin (native name *Plavius Andemos*) in the 300s SY

The city is home to multiple districts, including the East Cape, Market District, Theatre District, Northwind, Port of Nazka, Forge Hill, and Thieves Landing. The city made its influence off of banking and maritime trade, although the region around it (southern Mercia) is not very farmable leading to Sectinia feeding most of Nazka. North of the city is Castle Nazka, or simply "The Palace" which houses chambers for the senate and the king, as well as areas for the city's military auxiliaries to be stored.

## Culture and Economy

The culture of Ahremia varies from province to province, but can be divided in a very basic sense into North Ahremia and South Ahremia. The north has more of a Buthenian and Lietuvan influence, whilst the south is home to many Birgalonians and Lohnians. Around 30% of Ahremians can read and write. Most of the literate population resides in the cities.

The overall wealth of each province, and furthermore, county, is different. Generally the wealth of a given county depends on: access to trade routes, amount of farmable land, and population. Sectinia, Euritas, and Mercia have always been the wealthiest provinces. The poorest provinces are Sirien, The Moor, and Althura.

## Noble Houses

With a few exceptions, every county and province in Ahremia is ruled by a noble house. Generally the selection of a new count/countess is through a combination of informal assemblies of the local nobility and hereditary factors. Almost always, if heirs are present, the county succession is hereditary. Governors are appointed by the senate, although the senate is more likely to select governors from noble families which have ruled in the province previously.

Ahremia is home to many noble houses, some small and some incredibly large. These houses are always the oldest, wealthiest families in the region. Noble houses, even if ruling a county, always some sort of headquarters. The largest houses in Ahremia are House Andalin and House Kranor, traditional rulers of Nazka and Euritas.

## Language

The Ahremian language is by far the most commonly spoken language in Ivlon, and is spoken by nearly every inhabitant of Ahremia. The language has evolved over time, and has remained the *lingua franca* since at least the 13th century SY.

### Classification

The Ahremian language is one of the most linguistically diverse languages in Ivlon. Thus, it has made it difficult to classify it or directly relate it to any other languages. Generally, there is an "Ahremian Language Family" which includes all dialects of Ahremian (some dialects being so different they are no longer mutually intelligible) spoken in Ahremia proper. There is also Lohnian-Ahremian, spoken primarily in the Ahremian province of North Lohn. Although hard to classify, the most obviously similair language to Ahremian is Birgol.

### History

Ahremia's most ancient ancestor is what is called either Old Ahremian or Urdan, named for the ancient city of Urda in the southern highlands of Ahremian. Urdan and is subsequent descendants were spoken until about 0 SY. This ancient version of Ahremian is also considered the "pure" version of Ahremian. When a foreign language is referred to as having Ahremian influence, that generally is referring to Old Ahremian.

Upon the invasion of the Buthens into Ahremia in about 60 SY, they also brought the linguistic influences of both Buthenian - and more especially Zedian. It was between this time and for the couple centuries that Ahremian would adopt copious Zedian words and a handful of Buthenian words. This version of Ahremian, spoken until about 900 SY, is considered "Early Ahremian". The next linguistic variant is "Late Ahremian", which took on very little new influence and was more a simplified version of the previous language. After Exelon, Lohnian linguistic trends began to seep into Ahremian, creating the Ahremian spoken today.

### Grammar and Phonology

Ahremian, although it varies, generally has the following consonants and vowels:

Vowels: a, e, i, o, u and their corresponding long vowel and diphthong formations.

Consonants: b, d, c, j, g, t, z, s, f, h, l, m, n, p, q, r, v, y, z, ʒ, ʔ, ʐ, θ

The only sounds unique to Ahremian (as in not shared by most other major Ivlonian languages) are the voiceless dental fricative - along observed in a couple other minor lower Katemian languages.