Upper Volty

Provinces of the Theddite Empire, with Upper Volty highlighted.

### Country

First Theddite Empire (14064-15489, 15496-16022), Kingdom of Arapovoltios (15489-15496), Osthedia (16022-)

### Population

~3,500,000

The **Upper Volty** (East Theddite: **Arapovoltios** or sometimes **Pulesthios**; West Theddite: **Arapevoltia**)is a region within the Kingdom of Osthedia and a former province of the Theddite Empire. It is defined as the lands surrounding the northern part of the Volty River, up to its origin in the Folthing Mountains. The capital and largest city of the region is Bolfurt.

## History

The history of Upper Volty begins with Aderitas I's expedition up the Volty which started in 14063. The Bolfurt outpost was founded by Aderitas the next year, garrisoned by Theddite veterans and colonists. Bolfurt began as a fort, and gradually attracted rural migrants from the Lower Volty and Nordesthil regions. The fortress became a center for urban development. The cities of Volyter, Adericas and Tampalic were also founded on the banks of the Volty during the expedition and alongside Bolfurt were the primary destinations for Theddite emigrants for a few centuries. Upon the return of the Theddite army to Theddias in 14090, king Aderitas II began to organize the vast newly conquered lands into administrative regions. The province of Upper Volty (Arapevoltia) was created with Bolfurt as its capital. The region experienced rapid growth, especially attracting migrants from the nearby cities of Vetuix and Kilana in Lower Volty. Later, in the 15800s and 15900s, large Nordish migrations into the region from the West also occurred.

### Arapovoltian Revolt

The province of Upper Volty revolted in 15489 as the population became increasingly culturally distant from Theddias. The governor of the province, Apsacas Volitrias, declared himself the King of Arapovoltios in opposition to the Theddite emperor, with the support of the major cities of the province. Upon its secession, many in Antilostheda and Arapostheda were sympathetic to the Kingdom, and some cities in the East seceded as well, following its example. Although the revolution ended in Arapovoltian defeat and reincorporation into Theddia, the conflict nurtured a feeling of Osthedian unity and separatism in the eastern provinces.

### Osthedian Independence

Following the Great Theddite Succession Crisis that toppled the Empire, Upper Volty reluctantly submitted to the rule of Atsicras Lobancas, who was governor of Osthedia Minor and Major. The Arapovoltian population was unilaterally opposed to Atsicras' rule, and when he arrived in Bolfurt with the intention of creating an army with which to conquer Theddias, the local aristocracy conspired to end his reign. The major families of Bolfurt met with Priepoas Casno, the former governor of Arapevoltia, and offered him the position of king. The alliance of Bolfurt's elite kidnapped Atsicras in the night with the help of sympathetic members of his personal guard. He was thrown in prison without trial, and on the following day Priepoas was crowned King of Osthedia, the first instance of the title. The other eastern provinces fully supported his ascension. Priepoas and his allies reorganized the administrative divisions of Osthedia, which marked the end of Upper Volty as an official political entity. The name Arapovoltios continued to be used informally to refer to the region, and later the name Pulesthios (literally "eastern edge" or "eastern frontier") gained popularity.

## Geography

Like the Theddite heartlands, the Upper Volty region consists mainly of fertile plains and light forests. Although less densely populated than Theddia, it is nonetheless very populous, especially around the metropolitan areas of Bolfurt and Volyter. The Volty river runs through the province, and acts as the main arbiter of trade and migration in and out of the region. The southern part of Arapovoltios is mostly flat and open, with occasional patches of forests. The remainder of the region is forested, with dense, hilly woodlands becoming more common as one moves northward. The northern border is marked by the Folthing Mountains.