The Sovereign Territory of Chalisar

Nestled far to the north of the continent of Hyperion, on the Helos Peninsula, Chalisar is a dense wilderness broken up by two towering mountain ranges. Humanity thrives around the towering wall of the strongholds, massive defensive structures constructed and reinforced over centuries to provide a bastion against the wilds. Outside the walls orc and goblins roam the forests and hills, but greater dangers lurk in the shadows. Dragons and giants also call the wilds home, and don't take kindly to cities and travelers encroaching on their lands.

## Important information

* Strongholds Toroban, Dragir, Langston, Blackstone, and Ravenswood make up the sovereign territories.
* Stronghold Toroban is the capital and where the king resides.
* The nobility of the sovereign strongholds speaks Calaian (ka-lay-an) as well as common
* The Chimera Concord controls and regulates all magic within the sovereign territories.
* Sovereign Strongholds do not have standing militaries. In times of external conflict The Expeditionary Corps organizes into a functional fighting force.
* Internal conflict is usually handled by the city guards.
* Stronghold Kitalis falls within the territory of Chalisar, but has remained independent. It has its own leadership and fighting force.
* Humans make up about 50% of the population, Halflings another 30%, 8% for dwarves, and 7% Elves. The remaining races comprise the last 5%.
* Skilt-Gravr
* National Calendar

## History

#### Before it became The Sovereign Territories

Centuries ago, Chalisar was but a collection of strongholds stubbornly holding on to what they could in a very harsh and unforgiving land. Wild folk preyed upon travelers, and those who looked to grow new towns outside the walls of the strongholds faced many dangers. Despite the ferocity of the forces arrayed against these early kingdoms, its peoples thrived inside the walls and outside. Rangers and warriors would reclaim raided goods, Wizards wrought powerful magic into the wall of the strongholds, and the bravest of all would guard the caravans as trade was made between strongholds.

As the strongholds became wealthier, and rulers began expanding their territories and wealth, they drew the attention of the many dragons that called the mountains their home. What followed was a century of conflict, beginning with massive losses on the sides of the strongholds as the dragons cared not for the walls that were designed to keep ground forces at bay. As time passed great weapons were wrought upon the walls to defend, and Dragonslayers would ride forth to kill the wyrms in their lairs. Faced with hardened targets that posed legitimate threats to their survival, dragon attacks became less and less frequent, and their lairs more and more remote. In the present day, there has not been a dragon attack on a stronghold in nearly 100 years, however, the smaller villages get attacked every handful of years. Dragons are a known element and still fairly plentiful if one knows where to look, but for the most part dragons stay away from humans, and humans know to stay away from the dragons.

#### Becoming the Sovereign Territories

Historically each stronghold had its own ruler. Conflict was common, mainly squabbles over territory and resources, but all out was was thought impossible due to the "insurmountable defensive power" that a Stronghold provided its people. That was, up until the wise King Hafrian Matelon united all but two of the strongholds together in 421 YoR and formed the sovereign territory of Chalisar. In a grand feat of martial and magical prowess King Hafrian marched his forces east from Toroban to the Stronghold of Dragir and breached its walls within a day. Unbeknownst to the other strongholds, King Hafrian had made an alliance with the newly formed Chimera Concord, and had been training an elite unit know as the Expeditionary Corps. Once Dragir was under his control he sailed his forces south to the port of Langston and blockaded it until they surrendered. With three Strongholds now backing King Hafrian the Queen of Blackstone offered King Hafrian her hand in marriage, and her loyalty as a wedding gift. The conquest was brought to a halt as frost set in, and there was a wedding to plan. As seed and harvest passed, King Hafrian geared up to bring the last two strongholds under his rule, but the delay had given them time to prepare. His march north to Kitalis was met with disaster and he had to turn back, the next year his assault on Ravenswood was beaten back by a trio of Igazi that had allied with the city. Facing staggering defeats two years in a row, King Hafrian, Queen Esmerela and now the young prince Hamlin decided to abandon total control, and re-open diplomatic relations with the Free Strongholds.

#### The war with the theocracy of Hikath

50 or so years of peace follow, Sovereign relations with Kitalis and Ravenswood are tenuous at best. News from the eastern continent brings tidings of a group of heroes who rallied kingdoms together to stave off catastrophe. Missionaries show up as well preaching the tenets of those same heroes. The people of Chalisar are not very religious folk, many have faith in The Elemental Pantheon, but worship is not common. The people of Chalisar are slow to adopt the New Saints, but the saint presence gradually increases in major population centers. Around the same time, just to the south, the theocrats that lead Hikath outlaw the elemental pantheon and fully convert to the worship of the new Saints. Hikath sends conversion squads to Ravenswood, but the squads are turned away. This insult leads to Hikath declaring a holy crusade against Chalisar. Hikath marches its much larger armies north into the Easterfirth woods, hell-bent on saving the citizens of Ravenswood from damnation in the hells. King Hamlin rallies his sovereign forces and marches south to aid Ravenswood, Kitalis also sends some of its forces to aid in the defense. The defense of Ravenswood in 479 marks the start of 63 years of bloody conflict. Ravenswood is captured 3 times over the conflict, and Hikath forces manage to make it to the gates of Toroban in 503 YoR. The conflict is brought to an end in 542 YoR when Hikath falls into civil war.

#### After the war and up to now.

After the war ends a decade of unnatural peace settle over the lands. Attacks on caravans are rare, dragons sightings almost unheard of, and the giants barely leave their mountain lairs. The peace is eventually shattered when a noble in Dragir is assassinated by the elven tribes that live in the northern swamps. Stronghold Dragir somehow spirals from there and ends up in open rebellion of the king a few years later. The rebellion is mercilessly put down by the Corps and the Concord, after it all the people of Dragir claim to have no memory of the year between the assassination and the quelling of the rebellion. unnerved by the madness that overtook Dragir, the kingdom sinks back into an easy peace.

In 633 YoR a very young Prince Harlan ascends to the throne in the wake of his parents death in a hunting accident. The young King reforms Chalisar's system of rule so as to be better able to work for the good of the his people despite his inexperience. The people take well to the new form of rule.

675 YoR Harlan's son Hargrave marries the princess of Ravenswood and Stronghold Ravenswood joins the sovereignty. Only Kitalis remains staunchly independent.

## Religion

The aristocracy have mostly made the shift from worship of the Elemental Pantheon over to Following the Tenets of The Church of The New Saint. Using the difference in belief to help elevate themselves above the peasantry, and create a more visible differentiation between classes. Among the general populous worship on the Elemental pantheon is much more prevalent, with the New Saints acting more as fables to use to teach good behaviors, rather than Deities to adhere to. Costal Strongholds such as Langstone and Dragir have a majority following for The Lightless Fathoms, while agricultural strongholds like Ravenswood and Toroban favor Praxus and the Many-Faced Mother.

All the strongholds have a central church for the New Saints as well as individuals temples for the Elemental Pantheon, while smaller villages and outposts usually have one or two dedicated buildings for the faiths. There are no shrines, temples or alters to the storied evils, but some places have a special location set aside to make offering to these beings in hopes of keeping their ire elsewhere. While not technically legal, the clergy and town guard usually turn a blind eye to such offerings.

## Leadership

#### King Hargrave Matelon

The current ruling king, Hargrave is well respected by the people of Chalisar. He makes frequent address to the people, keeping them informed of the goings on of the kingdom. He spends most of his days in the royal palace, but will make appearances in the other strongholds on a frequent basis. Before his time as king, Hargrave was the leader of one of Toroban's firebreak teams. He is of average height an build, but carries himself with am easy and confident air.

#### Queen Anastasia Ravenette Matelon

Queen of the kingdom, Anastasia does not sit idly by as simply the kings wife. Part of the Marriage agreement was that The Queen would rule along side the King, sharing equal power and holding equal say in matters of state. Strikingly tall and slender of frame, Queen Anastasia has an imperious look about her, which is exacerbated by her half elven heritage.

#### Princes and Princess'

The royal family broke the long running tradition of only ever having one male heir and, on occasion a female one as well. The point of this tradition was to prevent family power struggles, and to curb the number of extended royal lines that could sow uprisings. The King and queen have 2 daughters and Twin sons. The locations and identities of the young royalty are a closely guarded secret.

## Organizations

**The Expeditionary Corps**

A crown-funded paramilitary organization that acts to protect the Stronghold from external threats, the Expeditionary corps is the first line of defense against the dangers that lurk out in the wilds.

**The Chimera Concord**

The overseeing body that controls the use of magic, the Chimera concord seeks to protect and grow the magical communities in the sovereign territories and beyond.

**The Town guard**

The local policing organization, the town guard deal with internal issues and work to keep the peace within the population centers. while not as adventurous as the Expeditionary corps, the guards are well trained and capable fighters that work day and night to keep the citizen safe.

**The merchants combine**

After the formation of the sovereign territories, the various merchants of each stronghold gathered together to form the combine, increasing trade within the kingdom and with the outside world. They work to keep goods flowing year round and to make sure they get rich while ensuring that no stronghold goes wanting while another thrives.

**Assorted Mercenary Groups**

Nobles need protecting, miners want their mines guarded, towns are willing to pay to see local dangers exterminated. The expeditionary corps cant field teams for these long-term or resource intensive endeavors, so mercenary groups offer their services pout to anyone who can meet their price. The groups range from armature to professional, and from generally good to ruthless brutes.

## Politic

Each Stronghold is led by the King, but for regional matters a council decides how each stronghold should be run. The council Is comprised of the King's castafith (his chosen representative in the stronghold), The local head of the Chimera concord, The local representative of the Merchants Combine, and two elected members of the public (1 human and 1 non-human). Any policy that get 4-1 or more in favor passes, any that get 1-4 against or more is scrapped. The reminders get redrawn an re-voted upon during the next council. The sessions are open to the public and free to access.

Each stronghold has a dedicated area outside the town hall for rallies, calls for revolution, votes for no confidence, and any other sort of expression of political interest. As long as the rallies and demonstrations are contained to the designated area all acts are legal.

## Strongholds

### Stronghold Toroban

The capital of Chalisar, it's wall are said to be unbreakable and its construction un-siegeable. This stronghold is built to last, you cannot deny it food nor water, and the weapons upon its walls spell doom for any regular attacking force.

### Stronghold Dragir

Located along the eastern coast of the kingdom, Dragir is the most rundown of the strongholds. Frequent assaults by various aquatic creatures and kingdoms have left it's great Sea-Wall stripped of its original warding. The stronghold's land facing defenses are no better off, many of the hordes that live out on the plains have set their sight on conquering Dragir for glory or riches or ambitions. Still, despite the attacks, the people of Dragir carry on.

### Strongholds Blackstone

Originally separate mining forts, the strongholds of Blackstone grew larger and larger as the mountains revealed greater riches and greater dangers. As each mining fort expanded they started to meld together. Blackstone gets its name from the black Iron dust that suffused the stones of its walls, these give them a very high tolerance for rune-magic, and as such the walls of Blackstone are much more heavily enchanted than the other strongholds. It is said that some of the originals walls are so well enchanted that they repelled even the might of a Tarrasque that was rampaging centuries ago.

### Stronghold Langston

The main shipping port of the empire, Langston is a commercial hub and know for the exotic goods it brings in from Leorin and Ostden. Langston is a stronghold only in name, its defenses were severely weakened through the years of the Hikathien crusade from the south. The Stronghold changed hands more than a few times over the years, and was razed to the ground by Hikathien fanatics near the end of the crusade. those who come to Langston for the first time often marvel at the sight of a large city that grows within the crumbling ruins of the ancient wall of the stronghold.

### Stronghold Ravenswood

Sequestered away deep in the easterfirth wood, Stronghold Ravenswood is very different compared to the other strongholds. Originally an elven sanctuary, Ravenswood's defenses are grown rather than constructed. The outer wall is living plant matter that can be grown and shaped to the needs of the Stronghold. As the elves traded with settlers looking to build new towns in the woods, those settlers found Ravenswood a safe place and began to settle there to live alongside the elves. Over the years Ravenswood grew from a small sanctuary into a formidable Stronghold.