Celtica

## Kingdom of Celtica

Celtica, officially the Kingdom of Celtica, is a large country occupying the Celtic Peninsula, on the southern tip of Zamoroziet. It neighbors Antaria in the Northeast, Cumania and Ostrovy in the North, and Inoltra in the Northwest. It shares a maritime border with Drakland to its south, across the Drakish Straight. Celtica possesses several overseas territories and protectorates. Celtica is an Elective Absolute Monarchy, with its capital in Aquileia, the countries largest city. The Ternach mountains and their surrounding highlands are the countries most prominent geographic feature, running along the eastern coast of the peninsula. The countries population is concentrated around the river systems which flow out of these mountains, and along the coasts.

> Celtica was subject to several waves of Zamorozetic migration during the Neolithic era, before the arrival of the proto-Celts from the Northeast at the end of the bronze age (~800 BC). The origins of Celtic culture would evolve from these groups, before the arrival of, and subsequent conquest by the Remans in the late 1st century BC. Reman control would fully recede by 476 AD, as Celtica fractured into a multitude of feudal Chiefdoms. (Pending lore review)
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In 703 the Drakish Prince Beucad invaded, unifying most of the western coastal plane region into the first kingdom of Celtica. Following the death of Beucads son Aspar in 752, Celtica would enter a lengthy interregnum. During this time, Drakish migration would continue, further blending the now three way cultural creole of the country into a more recognizable form of Modern Celtic. The interregnum, and associated feuding would continue until 1029, when Chief Lothar of Gaviol would conquer Aquileia, and claim the mantle of "King of the Celts".

The now unified, but decentralized Kingdom would fight in a series of internal and external wars over the late medieval, early modern period. These conflicts, and the improvement of the countries logistical network would dramatically strengthen the crowns authority. By the the 16th century Celtica was among the most powerful countries on the planet; and would increasingly be drawn into imperial conflicts over trade resources flowing in from Kijana, elsewhere across the world. This geopolitical environment, fused with the ideas of the enlightenment came to birth the Bonaventuran wars, a truly global series of conflicts centered on Zamoroziet, that would see combat on every continent on Erf. Celtica would exit the wars humbled following a disastrous invasion of Drakland, and an occupation by its former ally Antaria. Celtica and its monarchy would survive the wars, battered, but still one of the globes leading powers. The period of peace that followed would see a flowering of new ideas, population growth, and economic boom.

### Neolithic Celtica

The earliest evidence of agriculture in Celtica emerges around 5000bc. Cave debris piles found in the eastern portion of the country indicate that the locals were harvesting domestic plants. Nearby dig sites indicate the use of pottery and ceramic tools, which indicates an at least neolithic level social organization. The "Halsett culture" of Celtica, named after the researcher who discovered these piles, is suspected to have been the builders of several stone monuments in the south of the country. These "Arrays" consist of large stones arranged vertically in long lines. It was initially suspected that these structures represented some form of memorial, due to their similarity to modern headstones. However, modern research suggest they may have been used for astronomical tasks, which were important for the spiritual and agricultural well being of neolithic communities.

The later half of this period saw an influx of Zamorozetic peoples known as the "Carlenestine culture", around 2500 BC. These peoples are suspected to have arrived from the north, and brought with them more advanced forms of jewelry, pottery, flint tools, and their most famous constructions: the Tumulus. Tumulus were large earth and stone burial mounds which clearly mark Carlenestine population centers. Their function is suspected to primarily be as burial mounds., though other hypothesis exist. There were generally two types: bank barrows, and bell barrows. Bank borrows consisted of long dikes, with protrusions sticking out on one side. The Bell barrows consisted of a single large mound, with stone or woodwork on top. It is suspected that bank barrows were used to inter the remains of less powerful individuals, with many crypts present on a single example. Bell barrows on the other hand, are thought to be meant for leaders. They would usually only contain a single burial area, underneath the bottom of the pile. On top would be a structure of some kind, which is thought to be an offering place, or temple. The defensive value of these elevated places have led some to conclude that they were in fact fortified places, even homes for elites.