Kingdom of Lys

The **Kingdom of Lys** is one of the largest and most powerful nations of the Isle, it is an old and powerful land whose history reaches all the way back to 600's BA, being founded in the aftermath of the Great Solis Uprising.

## History

### Ancient Era

Through the Ancient Era Lys heartlands were largely occupied by small tribes. Little is known of these tribes as they did not practice writing and thus all sources are from other people (such as the Solis) or archeological conjecture.

### Classical Era

The heartlands of Lys were once part of the Solis Empire which arose in what is now the Southern Marches of Lys, the local tribes were conquered and united under the Solis Banner where they remained vassal to until the Solis Empire's fall in 833BA. For centuries the Lys lands were largely occupied by small tribal confederation.

In 622BA, A warlord under the name of Joanne Lys conquered all other neighboring tribes and was crowned the first Queen of the Dynasty of Lys, giving the future kingdom its name. For three centuries the dynasty ruled, creating the foundation of the feudal system in part inspired by old Solis tradition.

### Dark Age

in 325BA, after the Dragon Witch took the throne and demanded fealty from the lords of the Isles, the Dynasty of Lys, known warriors, attempted to fight back but lost leading to the destruction of the royal house and the end of the Old Lys era. For centuries the former kingdom remained fractured duchies and counties that frequently wrestled for control all the while paying tribute to the Dragon Witch and her fearsome flight of dragons.

### Aideilian Era

With the end of the Dragon Witch came an end to the dark age of the Isles. In 3PA the house of Carnations swore fealty to the White Witch and began the long and bloody process of reunifying the kingdom. With the White Witch's support the New Kingdom era began and Lys prospered as the heart of the Church of Light.

The House of Carnation became the defacto king until they formally abdicated the throne to the Aideilia in xxPA, where they took the title of Archduke.

### Post-Fall

When the Capital fell under the onslaught of the Sisterhood of the Black and the daemonic invasion the KIngdom of Lys lost most of its leadership as most of the nobility was attending the fifth-centennial celebration. A quick and blood civil war saw the House of Roses come on top and declared Archduke.

Rather than declare independence as many did, the House of Roses claimed defacto leadership of the Aideilian Empire by virtue of being the oldest vassals of the White Witch. Marie des Roses took the title of Lord-Reagent in the White Witch's stead, a title her family have kept for sixty years since.

Since the fall and renewal of the Kingdom, the Lysians have come close to war many times against their neighbors in Kester, Morstag, the Saxen Islands, and the Ulgen-Khalatsa Mountains over their expansionist and imperialist ways. The Lords of Lys have grand ambitions to reunite the Isles under their leadership, which have been put on hold due to the Crusade.

## Description

The Heartlands of Lys are composed of vast open plains and verdant forests, divided into twelve duchies, sixty counties, and several hundred baronies. The Lords of Lys largely have full independence in their realm but must pay a share of their income to their liege and contribute a levy of soldiers to their lord on command.

### Economy

The Kingdom of Lys is primarily an agricultural nation with secondary economy in the lumber industry. The Kingdom has one of the greatest wealth disparity between the lower and upper classes, with the nobility owning the vast majority of the land and most free peasants being tenants rather than owning their own farm.

They export grains, fruits, vegetables, lumber, charcoal, cider, hay, pitch, wine, ale, cheese, truffles, and flax as their main trade income, but are also known for their prized trained pigeons and raptor birds.

The Lysians import a large amount of spice and manufactured goods from other nations.