Esshar

The Kingdom of Esshar is a land to the far east of Sheng, separated by the Restless Ocean, a stormy, tumultuous sea that's still heavily under the influence of the fading peace barriers. There are no references to Esshar in the ancient texts of the divine wars: the continent was uninhabited until the early third century, after the Dread-demon Mordred the Perfect and its legions destroyed the country of Astya. The High Angel Malziel and his aides managed to intervene near the end of the devastation, relocating many thousand refugees to this new land, and it has long since established itself as a leading superpower in the world's affairs.

Foundings

The Kingdom of Esshar was founded by refugees near the end of the second century, and its people have an eventful history that spans all the way back to the beginnings of the world. The empire of Astya was where it started, the first great civilization during the Mythical Era, roughly five millennia ago to date. This was a time when magic was in full bloom, and many of the more proficient magi were demigods in their own right, able to perform what by today’s standards would be considered miracles.

There were two in particular that, despite the heightened flow of magic of the time, still stood out among the rest. Amalia Elaide and Mihail Petrakis. They both held the rank of Archmagi, the highest honor the empire would award someone with… And while held in similar esteem by the people of Astya, they walked very different paths; Amalia’s interests were in the natural world, the animals in the forest and the spirits. Mihail’s was the past and future, but never the present, a disciple of the timestream.

Amalia’s interests would eventually turn from wildlife and towards creation. She used the fear of men as fuel for power, pulling their nightmares out of sleep like the clouds pull water from the ocean and turn it into rain. She called them demons, her own special kind of creature, a new breed of beast - far more predatory, deadly, and intelligent than any other. The council of lords that ran the empire saw this as a great advancement, and at the command of Amalia, the demons conquered many countries, helping to expand the reaches of Astya. Eventually, however, the witch set her sights on complete dominion, wanting total control of the empire rather than sharing it with the council, but her ambitions were directly thwarted by Mihail Petrakis, exposing her hidden agenda.

This led to the Civil War of the Astyan Empire. The first great war. Many provinces sided with Amalia over the empire, admiring her ruthlessness and power, or just considering her the safer bet. While a valiant fight was put up, the armies of the witch were eventually destroyed. She was said to perish in battle, though some sources claim she survived in some form or another. Her sister, Miya, also continued to live in secrecy among the Astyans. Peace returned to Eternia, for a time.

It wasn’t until many centuries later did the witch have her revenge, in the form of a demon. One of her own creations, one of the first to rise. Over the years, Mordred had ascended to the highest form possible within the demon evolutionary chain and moved to wreak havoc on Astya, decimating its cities, devouring its people. The demon was a mountain of moving flesh, and it destroyed the country completely, land and all. Just twenty thousand Astyans were rescued by the High Angel Malztiel after the elder Archmagi, Mihail, called out in distress, his voice reaching across the spirit realm and toward the heavens. What was left of the peoples of Astya were taken to a new land, the Continent of Aegis: To the far east of the world, across the Restless Ocean. It’s there they start over, led by the Petrakis bloodline, after being welcomed by the natives of the land - the people of Magnolia in particular - and given self-governorship of a small province on the western coast.

Over a millennia and a half has passed since then, and the new Kingdom, Esshar, is the most prominent power in the region.

Key Locations

Numerous towns and villages populate the mountainous greenlands of Esshar, with a total population of 24,000,000.

The Imperial City of Osrona

The jewel of the kingdom - the Imperial City is the spotlight of Esshar, with the nobility and military all operating from within. Life as a citizen there is fairly kind compared to harsher nations, the people are able to live freely and help shape the laws of the land, and shortages in food are rare unless there's a famine. Despite this, it is a large city that has its problems, with the trap of crime and poverty leading to slums, where no person is safe, not even the law.

Society

Government

Esshar is a constitutional monarchy, ruled by the Petrakis family since its foundings. Parliament is made up of citizens that are granted peerage, and they draft and debate laws that are proposed to the reigning monarch to sign or veto. The noble houses manage their allocated districts directly, such as providing missions to the guilds.

The Three Great Noble Houses are Pelleaux, Grimmore, and Astor. They serve as the direct protectors of the crown.

Marriage

Essharan marriages mostly begin late into the evening, on a cloudless night where the couple can swear their eternal vow 'under the stars', ordained by a priest or priestess of The Faith. The constellation of Leonaus is the brightest and the closest in the region, and it's customary for a couple to give their first child a middle name selected from one of the eighteen stars. The festivities continue until dawn, with the bride and groom present. After the sun rises, they are expected to leave to commemorate their partnership.

Marital bonds between the same sexes is commonplace and does not carry the social stigma that it might in other countries. It is rarer among nobles as there is more pressure to maintain their bloodlines, but does occur occasionally.

Events

Throwing multi-colored confetti up into the air and towards other people is customary during celebrations.

Festival of The Eclipse

A commemoration that's held for the dead during a solar eclipse, where fragments and wisps of the spirits can be seen dancing down from the sky. On average, it happens once every thirty years in Esshar, and while this varies, astronomers have developed the means to predict the day with certainty. Citizens will wear elaborate masks or paint themselves with skull imagery.

Priests and priestesses of the church will join hands in prayer, performing the 'Song of the Soul', a ritual where their spirits reach out and sooth the passing dead. Not forgetting the fallen and acknowledging them on a personal basis is an important tradition within Esshar.

Easter Festival

This celebrates the founders of Astya after they migrated from their destroyed homeland to begin life anew in Esshar. Eggs are painted and hidden to be hunted and found, with some given special markings that are rewarded with prizes. Theatre plays of these historical events are acted out on stage for all to watch - known Magi are also encouraged to join in, practice, and take a role.

The Grand Bout

A nation wide tournament that began at the turn of the millennia, a week long event of feasting and games. Great beasts will be captured from the shadow lands for participants to face off against, though the true highlight is the tournament of magi, where riches await the fortunate. Those who show promise in their showings might even be offered tutelage under a renowned figure.

Honor Duels

Formal honor duels are legally enshrined in Essharan culture, and can be approved and overseen by a Radiant of the Order. There are usually specific terms and requests, but the duel rarely goes beyond first blood or to the yield. This will occur in the arena, at an arranged date, with an audience, but a more private affair can also be requested.

Duels to the death are permitted, although they've largely fallen out of practice and are seen as dishonorable. Killing an opponent in an honor duel where it was not officially declared as such is considered murder under the law and tried as such.

Nobles can select a champion to fight in their stead. Other classes aren't granted the same privilege.

Bastards

Children born out of wedlock do not inherit nobility and are not considered the rightful heir to any lands or belongings. This law was put in place following the Rebellion of 690AC.

Factions

Some of the main organizations that act in support of the kingdom and are directly funded by them, as a public service, or are protected by their laws as a registered entity.

Order of The First Light

The military is headed by the prestigious Order of The First Light. They are the elite knights of the military force. Members of the First Light may act as soldiers, as well as everyday law enforcers. Their banner is the constellation of Leonaus, gold stars alight set on a backdrop of midnight blue.

Ranks

• Lightbringer: There are exactly three Lightbringers, and they head the military. A Lightbringer is a knight that's unparalleled in battle skill and accomplishments, sometimes to a legendary standard.
• Radiant: The Radiants are the generals of the Order - they oversee large-scale operations, often commanding multiple legions.
• Paladin: At the level of Paladin, a knight is expected to be one of the finest combatants in the country, serving the Order as a commander.
• Exarch Knight: An Exarch Knight leads a team of magi, acting as a mentor and a leader.
• Knight: Completing their training as an Initate, the Knight has been inducted into the Order and is an official member.
• Cadet: A knight-in-training, a magi. It usually takes around three years before an Initiate graduates into knighthood. This induction phase may also occur as a programme in the academy.
• Soldier: A non-magi serving the military, or alternatively, a guild member that's not an official member but has volunteered. There are no more than 10,000 core members in the Order of the First Light, but there are roughly 80,000 soldiers that make up various less prestigious groups.

The Faith

The official religion of Esshar, serving on multiple fronts, as much priests as they are scholars of magic and philosophers. They are tasked with documenting and preserving the details of history, as well as the day to day of missionary work, such as working to improve the community.

• There are a number of Startowers that are synchronised with the Constellation of Leonaus. A more advanced practice, for example, involves an act of prayer within an isolation chamber, a pitch-black, noise proof room, where the learner seeks to attune with the cosmos.
• A common affinity within their ranks is holy magic. Their members are natural bastions against the dark forces of the world.
• It is expected - though not mandatory - of a knight of the Order of The First Light to also support the church.

Guilds

An official, recognized group of magi that typically work as freelancers, or serve a particular purpose. It is an attractive prospect for those who want to put their magic to use in combat but aren't necessarily keen on the rigorous schedule and self-discipline expected in the military.

Criminal Organizations

These groups are known for their illicit dealings.

Remnants of Rhoynur

A group of highly dangerous terrorists that are out for revenge following the conquest of their homeland by Esshar.