Everguard

The flag of Everguard

[WIP]

## Overview/History

Everguard was originally founded by Autumn Wynnsbur as a mining colony of the Exiled Empire 482, but eventually became independent later the same year during the five minute war. After this Everguard reformed into a merchant republic with Autumn serving as it's first and only "chief magistrate". Upon Autumn's death, their son Nokturnix and his husband Possum took power and changed the country into a diarchy.

## Government

The government was formally a republic with a sortition system in place to determine the ruler, however it is now a diarchy. Power is passed on to the eldest child, unless they are illegible in which case the eldest living dynasty member will temporarily take power; until the eldest child is old enough to rule. If the heir were to decline the position of king, the realm would simply be passed to the next eldest child. If there are no legible children to inherit the realm will passed to the eldest living dynasty member and so on. If there are no legible members of the dynasty left; an election will be held for a new king. When the heir inherits the realm, power is shared with their spouse. If they do not yet have a spouse they will be the sole ruler until they get married. If the ruler who inherited the throne stops being ruler before their spouse, the spouse will remain as sole ruler until death or abdication. They can remarry, however their new spouse wouldn't be considered a co-ruler, and would not rule even if their spouse were to die or abdicate.

## Culture and Traditions

Everguardinian culture is currently a pretty loose concept, due to the nation being quite culturally diverse. This variety means that many citizens follow different cultural practices and traditions. There are, however, some practices which are slowly emerging and gaining popularity among the everguardinian population.

### Solarras/Marriage

The everguardinian ceremony of marriage is called solarras. The word solarras means sunrise in everguardinian, and refers to the word for spouse; which is sol. As well as spouse, it also means sun and sunshine, having it's origin in couples calling their partners sunshine as a word of endearment. A special kind of attire is worn during the solarras, called "lifiasir". It's a sort of mix between a dress and a suit, using the bottom part of a dress and the top part of a suit, as well as a white tie. The lifiasir comes in two colors, purple and red. The red represents everguardinian sweet berries, the purple represents the flag of Everguard, and the white tie represents snow.

The ceremony begins with the couple riding in on a horses from opposite sides, wearing their best armour. When they meet, they dismount their horses and remove their armour; wearing the lifiasir underneath. The couple then throws sweet berries at eachother, representing sweetness and love. After that they exchange swords, as a show of trust and mutual protection. Lastly, a special diamond is exchanged between them, acting as a token of their union. They then embrace eachother, as the guests throw snowballs at them. This symbolises their burning love protecting them from the cold. After the ceremony is finished, a grand feast is held; with steak, sweet berries and red wine being served.

## Holdings

### Direct holdings

* The capital city of Iþerkas (Itherkas).
* Hresteya trading outpost.

### Vassals

* Coffee Crusaders.
* The principality of Calatov.