Ekoriann

Amastrii Flag

Severie II

### Towns

Active: Illoreanna, Serenes, Tauste, Severea, Maefelsvor, Eethsera, Izegem, Wolyre, Arkenstahl, Orstranos, Inoseer.Abandoned: Kasthe, Korthai, Azerith.

## History

### Predecessor(s)

Irasterrei de Alterein

The **Kingdom of Amastre (Grand Kingdom of Ekoriann)** is a state that exists in North-Central Sabrim, with its capital being Illoreanna. It is home to the Niedene people. The Niedene people speak Asteri, and worship the Ehrlinnen Religion.

## History

The Grand Kingdom of Ekoriann (Amastre) was founded when a prince of the Alterein Empire led an expedition into a portal found in the Felkerr mountains. The knights found another Niedene group already living there, called the Kaiokane (Kawataokans). They were absorbed by the knights who went on to conquer the region and force the natives out. What they noticed was that entering created a time warp sending them back in time.

### The Discovery

The discovery of the Selterei occurred when an Imperial Magister had sent twelve riders off to investigate the source of an usual aura emanating from the Felkerr Mountains. These men came across three dark-haired brutish beasts crawling out from a cave, hunched over with clubs and beady eyes. After a struggle the experienced riders slew the beasts and entered the cave, discovering a blueish portal upon which they named said portal the Ahrent.

These men reported back to the magister, who spoke to the Emperor on the matter. The Emperor sent a Lyrelei Prince by the name of Merovea I Alufons to the location with a retinue of one-hundred soldiers. These men crossed into the portal, established a fort, and began pushing away the natives. This fort grew into a stronghold which was the headquarters for Imperial expansion into the land. Noble houses began to war in the realm and conquer away at the savage natives, rarely intermixing at all with them. Over time the area was entirely Niedene and the houses dominated the new realm just as they did the homeland.

### The New World

This realm was named Amastre by the people inhabiting it, in reference to an Old Kingdom that existed back in the home realm that has since fallen. The second king Siqde I Walrann began his rule by establishing the first major new Niedene city on the continent, then named Illoreana. Over time the name would change to Illoreanen. Illoreanen was built on the coast where a plain met the sea, its architecture and layout was more of a city instead of a castle as previously established settlements were. The Imperial Palace was built on an island nearby the town, from where the Lyrelei family could reign looking across the great city on the coast.

Siqde I followed this by demanding some of the important houses move to create cities in surveyed areas that seemed they would be productive. The problem of beasts became one that was no laughing matter for the Niedene. Sichde I and his son Liutres I Aeschile ventured into the northwest of the region, to one of the great dens of beasts. Using a manner of methods such as bombs, the den was caved in and the beasts left to starve in the grottos below. Similar tactics would be used throughout the lands to stop underground creatures from getting to the surface, while riders would slay those who dare made it to the villages.

Sichde’s final years were marked by further conquest and wars. A native kingdom (Estrevenians) similar to the Niedene stood in the east and south of the country.  Sichde would lead his men to a final conquest of these peoples in the name of his country.  This culminated in the battle of Arkahster where a numerically superior Estrevan force was defeated by Siqde’s army and his son’s cavalry. The Estrevenians were sent into exile away from the new ascendant state in the region, while the Amastrii grew. This allowed for the navy of the country to grow as shipyards were built in Selt-Lileanen, and Illoreanna.

### The Kingdom Period

The kingdom of the Amasterii ruled autonomously from the empire back home, however culture from the homeland stayed the norm and was mimicked in high regard. A great period of growth ensued where cities and castles were built throughout, one could safely walk the roads of the nation without fear. Great artists, scientists, and musicians such as Guiskar Andruk, Orwast Maewal, Johannes Kasch, Arimes an Lyrelei, and Septrije Arijos. The country began to colonize the west and northern sea with its great fleet, they began raiding and trading with their neighbors while the horsemen went by land. This outward looking would all change.

The collapse occurred which was when the Ahrent mysteriously vanished leaving the men of Amastre permanently stuck in the new realm. This caused massive amounts of damage and unrest. Cities were abandoned and realms consolidated. The realm fell to infighting until the Akerei restored order to the lands, however the damage was already done. The realms were in a decadent and declining state, with little in culture being produced or innovated upon. Gates lay in the forests, hosting parties of the fae. Castles lay empty for many years, villages decayed. Then Severie II Alufons ascended to the throne, bringing new ideas and plans to recover the Empire.

He re-expanded the kingdom and led many of the towns to prosper once more. His mages even opened the Ahrent where many of the people returned home. The Niedene were then able to return, the Akerei Severie II found a realm that was in strife so he returned and gathered who was left in the nation to prepare an invasion force to invade and restore his family to power in the nation.

### The Return Period

The Niedene are now preparing their forces for a reinvasion of the home-realm so that they may reconquer the home realm once more for their house.

## Government and Hierarchy

The government of the country is based on its nobility caste system. With those of religious significance holding noble positions as well usually. Some positions in the Kingdom are:

### Akerèi (King)

The Akerèi is the leader of the nation spiritually and politically. They hold absolute power, and belong to the highest noble familiy descended from the first Akerei, Merovea I.

### Ehrevan (Vizier)

The Ahrefan/Ehrevan is the chief advisor to the Akerèi on religious matters. They are often chosen from a non-noble family as a child and raised with the Akerèi as they age. They are given the chance to create their own noble house or marry into one.

### Fohrant (Noble)

Fohrant/Ehrant is the term for any noble in the Kingdom. This includes the **Ahrokan** (Dukes), **Verorea** (Margrave), **Fereyte** (Count), and others. These individuals are either advisors to the king’s court or influential landowners.

### Estorie (Knights)

The Estorie class are the men who serve lord and the government. They are often from noble houses but they themselves make up the retinue or servants of the house proper.

### Freiliue (Free Citizens)

Freiliue are men who are well known and established in Amastrii society.

## Regions of Amastre

### The Heartlands (Acrea)

The Imperial Crownlands are the most expansive region in the Kingdom, it is the land that is directly controlled by the Kingdom and Imperial Family. Its Cities include Irulais, Izegem, Marses Serenes, and Illoreanna. Its name is consistent in Asteri.

### The Southmarches (Sumareiqi)

The Southmarches are the area that makes up the southern border, controlled by the town of Orstranos and the fort of Suthretor. The Small town of Vorkraeten remains in this region as well. Its name is consistent in Asteri.

### The Eastmarches (Asterrei)

The Eastmarches are the area in the East of Amastre, controlled mostly by Maefelsvor and Tauste, while also possessing Arkenstahl in the northern edge. Its name is consistent in Asteri.

### The Northholds (Norikaz)

The Northholds are a region in northern Amastre where small fishing towns dominate such as Korthai and Kjasthem. In Asteri its caled Norikaz, which means the northern crown.

## Arts and Culture

The arts and culture of the Niedene are reflective of the general attitude and religion of the people in the country. In murals, the Imperial Eagle and Wolf are often shown as they are important to their history and religion. The Imperial Eagle is often used as a symbol to show the realm as a protector spirit. The Imperial Wolf is another protector spirit, but one specifically of the Imperial House.

### Painting and Art

Painting and arts are often prevalent as pastimes among the upper classes. Work often focuses on religion, nature, and scenes of life. Abstract art is often shunned and not valued very much at all. Because Niedene can see a few more colors, painting and art is very much valued in society with prominent artists being treated with immense respect. Often blights would be depicted, as triumph over a blight brings legitimacy to the Empire.

### Carving

The carving of wood and bones was something prevalent. Often it would be lanterns and ornaments that would be made representing people or things in nature. The practice was often done by shamans in the tribal days, but now is a fun thing for many to do around holidays such as the Seltanzrii (New Year) or to ward off spirits.

### Clothing

The clothing of the Niedene has been forged by the environment that the Niedene are native to.

### Pets

Pets are often given to a child once they hit the age of 9, usually as a dog or horse. The child will grow up with the animal and have an attachment to it. This animal will be a best friend for life, and when the Niedene dies, they will be buried alongside their pets.

### Owning of Items

Items owned by someone for a while are often seen to be either an extension of their soul, or more commonly possessed by an independent spirit. An example of an extension is the sword, an exchange of swords is one common cultural practice among friends.

### Weddings, Marriage, and Harems

Upon the joining of two houses, the old name could be scrapped and a new one entirely made; this can lead to related families with separate names entirely.

Common wedding gifts are swords, rings, armor, gems, and expensive foods.

The culture highly values honor to a great extent, honor is something that affects the house to an extent along with the individual.  Death is often preferable to dishonor. In addition to this, monarchs are permitted to hold harems. In the case the primary spouse is a male, a harem is expected of the monarch.

### Lucky Numbers

The number nine is a lucky number in the culture. In addition to this, two is a good number. Two is shown as a good number in the legend of an honorable warrior named Ferras who takes only one wife, and there are only two people in said relationship, of which two kids are born. This story is shown to be an ideal family as nobody gets too overwhelmed and the relationship flourishes.

### Music

Music among the Niedene often has various instruments and vocals. The upper echelons of society often focus on strings and piano music. Folk music often uses a lot of wind instruments, pipes, and drums.

### Values

The Niedene traditionally hold many values dear to them, such as a belief in community or the intense emphasis on honor. Honor is prevalent due to its role in religion and the community as a whole.

### Constellations

The Niedene traditionally connect constellations with the patrons, the patrons an individual has depend on the month that they are born in and their house.

### Gender

The Niedene traditionally have 4 genders. Men (Arizos), Women (Ariza), Iritsos, and Arinna. The Arizos and Ariza are standard and are simply basic men and women. Arinna are biological women who prefer to do menswork or dress as men. Iritsos are Men who prefer to appear beautiful and youthful, and may act or dress in a way that women do, although this is less common.

### Magick

The Niedene traditionally are a society that place heavy emphasis on magicks and the general sort of craft. While many Niedene no longer are able to be born with the ability to use magick from birth, it is possible for them to harness it using tools created over the millenia. One such ceremonial tool is the Lichtrager (Light Bearer) and is used by religious figures and warriors.

## Military and Guards

### Karde System

Niedene cultures in cities often adopt the traditional guard system which consists of squads of two or three guards dressed in traditional soldiers gear as they patrol. The standard equipment of the guard is often up to the individual, but often at least one is a mage. These patrols are lead by a squad leader who is trained at oration by universities in order to assist in de-escalating situations they come across.

#### Karde Hierarchy

Ammistrant: The city’s ruling figure, often a local monarch or duke.

Enqommant: The leader of the Guard of a city of province, translates roughly to commander. Commands a few Eqattan.

Eqattan: Captains of the Guard, commands several Ieqate. Often place the Ieqate in certain districts and regions.

Ieqate: Officers of the Guard, often tasked with setting up patrol routes for inferiors.

Eqaci: Assistant of an Officer, often leads the patrols throughout assigned regions.

Karach: A regular member of the Guard, follows the commands of the Eqaci.

### Imperial Guard

The Escharii and Amastrii cultures adopted the Irastli Karde as an important institution in their history, the Irastli Karde were a group of elite soldiers recruited to serve the emperor as a bodyguard. They followed the Emperor throughout battles and fought at his side; they were effectively destroyed during the death of Alseret II in the battle against the Northern League. Alseret’s successor Severie I of Alterei would bring them back.

## Religion

The religion of the Amasterii is polytheistic, and is identical to the beliefs of their forefathers back in the Hemnerèi. The people revere their ancestors in addition to the patrons. They believe in the realm called the Luminarium. The Luminarium is a realm which is serene in nature, it is the realm of the honorable dead. In addition to this there is a belief in spirits and fairies.

## Language

The language of the Amasterii is called Asteri. It is a made up language that was made in Alterein as several cultures shifted together into one, soon becoming the Alterein official language.