Flaim

**Flaim** is the newest kingdom on Lodoss, that was founded by a mercenary that was said to have come from the northern continent of Alecrast. The Kingdom of Flaim encompasses the entirety of the Desert of Storm and Fire, that spreads across the northern centre of Lodoss island, meaning that most of its land is a barren desert. At the time of its founding, the Kingdom of Flaim only consisted of the cities of Blade and Hilt. However, due to the remarkable efforts of "The Mercenary King" Kashue Arnague I, the country has grown to become the strongest force on Lodoss. The coat of arms of the Kingdom of Flaim is a design of hawk wings.

**Flaim Social System**

Flaim is a feudal state centred on the king. The rapidly expanding kingdom brought various ethnic groups to its land. Under the charisma of the current king, Kashue, such ethical conflicts are minimised, though it is uncertain what would happen if something serious were to occur. For this reason, the inhabitants from the various ethnic groups and regions under the control of the kingdom are able to actively take important positions and are even allowed the chance to succeed the throne. By adjusting the balance in the kingdom frequently, Kashue ensures that internal conflict within the populace doesn’t intensify. The family and origin also have a significant effect on the personnel affairs of the inhabitants in the Kingdom of Flaim.

**Flaim Founding History**

For more than 500 years ago people have lived in the Desert of Storm and Fire in northern Lodoss. The desert at that time was much smaller than it is now. The majority of the region was once fertile grassland, suitable for grazing livestock and harvesting crops. The Wind Tribe and the Flame Tribe were originally one tribe, who inhabited the lush region. However, to counter the invasion of the Ancient Kingdom of Kastuul, the tribe summoned the two King Spirits, "King of the Wind" Djinn and "King of Fire" Ifrit. As a result, the spiritual power of water and the earth weakened, and the land rapidly became a desert. The Desert Tribe was divided, half of the tribe dedicated a tower to Djinn and named it "Duststorm Tower" and called themselves the "Wind Tribe". The other half constructed the "Temple of Fire" to worship Ifrit, they were called the "Flame Tribe". However, the sorceress of the ancient kingdom disguised as tribal priests, infiltrated the tribes and placed seals on the two King Spirits, preventing the tribes from interacting with their guardian deities. This act of deception initiated a fierce war between the two tribes, who each believed that the other had sabotaged them.

The conflict lasted for hundreds of years, and only concluded with the appearance of the "Mercenary King" Kashue Arnague I, a man said to be from the Northern Continent of Alecrast. Kashue was hired as a mercenary for the Wind Tribe and demonstrated devastating combat abilities. Furthermore, the Wind Tribe were aided by Kashue’s wealth and knowledge of the continent, greatly improving their lives. Due to this, Kashue gained the confidence of the Wind Tribe, and in the 506th year of the New Kingdom Calendar, the Kingdom of Flaim was founded. Whereas the Wind Tribe were assisted by a migrant named Kashue, Dulles, chieftain of the Flame Tribe, also sought external aid, and requested assistance from the Falaris cult. As a result, the neighbouring kingdom of Valis intervened in Flaim’s conflict. The cult of Falaris worship the Supreme God Pharis’ sworn enemy, the Dark God Falaris. As Pharis is the state religion of the Holy Kingdom of Valis, they were permitted by their own laws to participate in the battle. Thus, Flaim’s army received reinforcements from Valis and seized the Oasis City of Haven from the Flame Tribe. Since then, the Kingdom of Flaim and the Kingdom of Valis have continued to build a strong alliance.

**The Kingdom of Flaim in the year 473 New Kingdom Calendar**

When the Demon War began, there was no kingdom in the Flaim region. The inhabitants of the region were two tribes of desert people, the Flame Tribe and the Wind Tribe. The two tribes had been fighting endlessly since the days of the ancient kingdom. It would take nearly forty years after the end of the Demon War and not long after the War of Heroes, until they were finally united as one tribe. Even during the Demon War, the Wind Tribe and Flame Tribe remained in the same struggle for dominance in the region. At this time, the cities that would later be annexed by Flaim, Marnie and Loran had their leaders replaced by demons and attacked each other. They fought fiercely, but it was also a long battle and in the end was just an extension of their struggle. The damage caused by the demons in the Flaim region didn’t seem as drastic compared to other regions, because the demons were used to keep the inhabitants occupied amongst themselves.

**The Kingdom of Flaim in the year 510 New Kingdom Calendar**

The Kingdom of Valis, who learned of the invasion of the Marmo Empire, requested the cooperation of the countries of Lodoss to unite and counter the threat. King Kashue of Flaim was the first to express his intention to participate in the war. Eventually, the Confederations of Moss and the Kingdom of Alania participated, and the Allied Forces were formed.However, events that occurred in these regions forced the armies of kingdoms of Alania and the Duchies of Moss to withdraw from the conflict. A major invasion from the savage Flame Tribe on the capital of Blade had occurred in the Kingdom of Flaim, forcing King Kashue to split his forces, further weakening the Allied Forces. King Kashue opted to stay and fight against the Marmo instead of returning to his kingdom. Without the judgment of King Kashue, Valis might have been occupied by the Marmo Empire, as well as Kanon. During the final battle in the suburbs of Roid, King Kashu killed the Dark Emperor Beld, who had just defeated King Fahn in a duel. After the end of the War of Heroes, King Kashue returned to his homeland and concentrated on the conflict in Flaim with the Flame Tribe.

**The Kingdom of Flaim in the years 512-515 New Kingdom Calendar**

After the end of the Hero War, the Kingdom of Flaim, led by Mercenary King Kashue, looked set to gain the most national power on Lodoss. But after ending the civil war with the Flame Tribe and the Wind Tribe a large number of refugees were created, and food was at stake of running out rapidly. However, Kashue defeated the Demon Dragon Shooting Star of Fire Dragon Mountain and won a fertile land for the refugees to live on called "Dragon Hunting Ground". After the event the Free-City of Raiden was absorbed into the country and after only twenty years of the founding of the country, Flaim had gained the status as the strongest country in Lodoss.

**The Kingdom of Flaim in the year 525 New Kingdom Calendar**

Flaim had only continued to grow in national power since it absorbed Raiden. The Kingdom continued to supply housing to the refugees of Kanon and Alania. Flaim sent their forces to  attack Duke Raster’s army in Alania, together with the Zaxon Militia, they managed to defeat the army and execute the duke. Flaim was also one of the kingdoms that raided the Dark Isle of Marmo when it was purged of its evil by the United Armies of Lodoss. In the 526th year of the New Kingdom Calendar, Marmo was absorbed into the Kingdom of Flaim as the Duchy of Marmo.

Locations: Blade , Hilt , Sheath , Haven , Loran , Marnie , Duststorm Tower, Fire Temple, Desert of Fire and Wind , Fire Dragon Hunting Grounds , Fire Dragon Mountain , Sand River , Hot River , River of Thirst , Codeine River