Elafos
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... In progress.
| ||
| Motto : Amor Fati. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Region | The East Pacific | |
| Capital | Aetria (Annual rotation). | |
| Largest city | Tyr'asu. | |
| Spoken Languages | English, Lycian and Valerian. | |
| Currency | Aurum (Au) | |
The Elafos Coalition is a collection of seven city states: Aetria, Aquitania, Lycia, Nocteia, Tyr'asu, Valeria and Vylade. Elafos is based in the far north-west of The East Pacific.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Before The East Pacific
The Coalition's history prior to their arrival in The East Pacific is for the most part vague and existing evidence is scarce. Out of the seven states, only Aetria, Aquitania, Lycia and Nocteia can trace their history back to the Coalition's original home.
Their homeland is often refered to in sources as Elafos, although this is believed to only refer to the area occupied by the Coalition and seen as a 'catch all' term for a number of member states rather than an actual name. There are thought to have been around eleven states in total but the fates of the other seven states are unknown. Some historians have claimed that it's entirely possible that these other states simply merged with the existing.
The true nature of the reason for the migration to The East Pacific is unclear. Much of the evidence refers to something called the Exatii, the word being Lycian in origin and thought to literally mean 'End Time'. Although the naming would seem to imply that Exatii is the name of a period of time, many sources refer to it being a plague, fire or even a nation or military force (claimed by three classical writers to have destroyed completely atleast two states). Despite the word Exatii's ambiguous nature, it's clear that whatever it was, it forced the remaining Coalition members from their homeland.
Their method of migration is generally agreed to have been a long distance journey by sea, owing to the nature of the Coalition's current home and supposed 'great wrecks' of ships detailed in many texts up until around the thirteenth century.
[edit] The East Pacific
Believed to have arrived around 1000AD, The Elafos Coalition wasn't officially created until 1066. The journey to The East Pacific was particularly uneventful and surprisingly short. Estimates on the amount of settlers arriving in The East Pacific (by both ancient and modern sources) range between 100,000-450,00.
Initially, Nocteia, Valeria and Lycia opposed the formation of the Coalition, with both Nocteia and Lycia feuding with Valeria. The cause of the feud is unknown but it's readily agreed by most historians that it was most likely due to Valeria trying to exert control over both other states.
The territory settled was mostly devoid of other humans, but in several areas of notable size there were ruins that even today perplex most historians. These areas were avoided by the settlers who spoke of strange events occuring within and near to these ruins. The landscape itself bore a great deal of raw materials but a huge portion was unsuitable for agricultural, industrial, or residential use.
[edit] The States of Elafos
[edit] Aetria
Aetrian's are known for being creative, intellectual, easy going and particularly lazy. Aetria is the second smallest of the cities, the first being Lycia. The city itself is strictly maintained and has tight rules regarding it's upkeep - People wishing to live in Aetria often have to pass various tests, attain licenses and pay the hefty property costs. Even tourists are required to pass a "Cleanliness Exam" but this doesn't seem to dent the booming tourism industry. But this is considered a necessary evil by the inhabitants to keep Aetria beautiful and free of messy outsiders.
The current leader is Lady Persephone Cora.
Often described as the jewel in Elafos' crown, it's inhabitants are stereotypically seen as either philosophers, artists or ecologists and universally all living in their own fantasy world.
[edit] Aquitania
Very few Aquitanians actually live within the city limits. Traditionally seen as soldiers, Aquitania's claim to fame is it's military which in most cases is up for hire. Aquitanian mercenaries can be found in all of Elafos' armies atleast some of the time and entire families are often "Hired Indefinitely" by clients to live on their estates and provide protection.
The city itself is found in southern Elafos but maintains Watch Towers across the country as sees it as it's duty to safeguard the mountain ranges bordering Elafos, something which dates back the their Pre-East Pacific days.
The current leader is Lord Enyalius Astarte.
[edit] Lycia
Lycia was once a sprawling city and at a time was perhaps the greatest of the Coalition but suffered a rapid and extreme decline during the 14th century. A civil war ensued which saw most of the population either flee or die in a matter of weeks as the two major houses of Nobility set out to destroy one another.
Those who remain in current day Lycia are often regarded as rustic and backwards and live in scattered settlements and estates belonging to the Nobility. The landscape of Lycia is largely unhabited steppe land punctuated by mountains and ruins.
While Lycia's status is still that of an official city state, it's peers regard it as more of a national treasure or monument of what once was. It lacks a standing army and when needed often musters militia or hires Aquitanian or Vyladian mercenaries. While lacking any great wealth as a whole, several of the noble families still existing in Lycia boast hoardes of considerable wealth.
The current leader is Lord Astraeus Keres.
[edit] Nocteia
Described by the Valerian author, Pompey Nui-sanz, as "A place of dark foreboding. Hidden within a gloomy forest, thick with palpable malevolence. One should only visit if you enjoy dark spires, pale skin and a permeating sense of mistrust."
Of course, Valerian's have never seen eye to eye with Nocteians. And that's not taking into account the fact that Mr. Nui-sanz was denied access (permenently) to Nocteian territory after he accidentally assaulted three border guards after they discovered and attempted to confiscate his "special medication".
Nocteia's young leader is Lord Endymion Moros, although he recently fell ill and his duties have been taken up by his wife Selene Moros.
[edit] Tyr'asu
Tyr'asu's beginnings are arguably the most ambiguous of the current states. The stereotypical metropolis, Tyr'asu's focus has always been on economy. Even through history it has been recorded that Tyr'asu would rely on mercenaries and allies rather than form their own military, prefering to channel every available body into something "more productive". The skill of their merchants is legendary and their diplomats are said to be unnaturally good at not actually answering the question.
They are often seen as the least virtuous of the Coalition but are often selected to behave as representatives for Elafos. Some would argue, though, that this is because Tyr'asun's are only ones who really care for foreigners - New friends equal more trade.
The current leader is Lord Horus Theia.
[edit] Valeria
As described by Pompey Nui-sanz, "Valeria is a place of boundless beauty. Superior in setting, intellect and culture. Lacking the ostentation of Aetria or the pretentious and cold nature of Vylade, one can live in comfort and prosper in Valeria simply by virtue of him being in Valeria. The leading light of Elafos, Valeria is the corner stone of the Coalition and essential to it's survival."
The current leader is Lord Petilius Servius.
[edit] Vylade
Not one of the original settlers, Vylade was built in the late 19th century using funds from the Rhakos family with the intentions of being a research facility. By the mid 20th century, Vylade had grown considerably in size and had become more of a city than a laboratory, with living quarters established so that staff could live onsite. Vylade continues to provide the cutting edge of scientific research but is regarded with a level of disdain by the inhabitants of Elafos mainly due to it's highly capable security force/army and the fact that Vylade technology usually has a ridiculously high price tag.
Vylade has close ties with Nocteia.
Although not not strictly a city state it has a permanent member on The Council of Elafos, Lord Raphael Rhakos.
[edit] The Iskios Federation
While not technically being a city state of Elafos, rather being an 'independant' nation, the Iskios Federation does include 3 states (Askia, Skatos and Illyricium) who were formerly of Elafos descent. They split from the other Coalition members in the first years of Elafos' existence in The East Pacific.
[edit] The 53 Islands
Out of the 53, four are made of Elafosian descent (or in the case of Aontas feature a significant population of Elafosian descent).
Ains; The first of the Elafosian descended islands to be founded. Was known for it's aggressive and brutal raids upon both Elisa and Aontas until it was completely defeated and disarmed in 1576 following a short war involving a joint Elisan (funded heavily by the Aetrians) and Aontan army. Often regards the other island states and Elafos with disdain but maintains links with the Iskios Federation who helped Ains' recovery after the 1576 war.
Elisa; Maintains a close relationship with Aetria. Suffered badly from early raids from predominantly Elafosian pirates. Around the 14th century Elisa made an alliance with Aetria. Elisa is famed for it's artisans and poets and has a thriving tourism industry, perhaps solely due to rich Elafosians.
Aontas; The inhiabitants of this island are of both Warreic and Elafosian descent. The island was settled original by Elafosian refugees (from their original homeland) in 1089 and suffered greatly against the Ains raiders who essentially farmed the island during it's early history. With the help of Aetrian aid in the mid 1500s, Aontas was able to fight back against and became heavily fortified. In 1752 a large number of Warreic settlers arrived on the island and after two year conflict which saw the Warreic clinging onto the southern half of the island while being unable to expel the heavily defence orientated Aontans, a peace was called. The two sides quickly settled their differences and within a number of years Aontas' population and economy had grown exponentially.
Asphykos; While in terms of area the second largest, Asphykos has the smallest population of the islands founded by ex-Elafos states. Little is publically known about this island although it's known to have close -if seemingly unexplicable- ties with Vylade and is considered in many cases as part of the state. It's inhabitants are known to be solemn and withdrawn.
[edit] Geography
Elafos' is heavily mountainous, being bordered by almost impassible mountain ranges on it's north, south and east sides and then bisected again by another mountain range running from north to south. Apart from the coastline, the terrain is usually either barren steppe land or dense woodland.
While this means that Elafos' landscape provides great natural defences, it also means that movement and growth is highly restricted for the inhabitants too.
Map of Elafos: click here
[edit] Climate
Elafos' climate is for the most part Boreal. Winters are usually long and very cold and Summers brief and warm.
