Novoto Protectorate

The Kingdom of Novoto is a protectorate. A protectorate is a state that is controlled and protected by another sovereign state, in this case the Norsean Empire. It's a dependent territory that has been granted local autonomy over most internal affairs while still recognizing the suzerainty of a more powerful sovereign state without being its direct possession. In exchange, the protectorate usually accepts specified obligations depending on the terms of their arrangement. As such the Novoto provide the Norseans with military, political, and resource support. The Novoto Protectorate still has a recognized King, but he swears fealty to the High King of Norsea.

The culture of the Novoto people goes back thousands of years. Dubbed unconquerable by most nations, they've earned this title through stalwart defense, and a culture of hard work and never ending perseverance. Novoto are recognized around Aeris for facing problems and refusing to give in. This ethic of undying perseverance has been attributed to the fact that: to simply live in Novoton, you must be driven enough to survive. But the Novoto are not simply defined by their unforgiving weather and iron will. Art, music, and dance thrive in Novoto culture. Unlike other nations in the Val'Karan sphere, the Novoto never had another culture trying to suppress theirs. As such, traditional arts have survived for centuries. Some of Aeris' greatest artists, and composers have hailed from Novoton. Their style of music is distinct, and enjoyed worldwide. And the Architecture found in the Kingdom of Novoto is unique as well. Colorful, ornate spires are mixed with hardy and practical walls. The beauty of the Novoto cities contrasts the harsh environment, creating stark vistas popular among artists. Even as a protectorate the Novoto hold strong to their culture and customs.

Novoton is ripe with all kinds of ore. Silver, iron, granite, to name a few cover the Novoton lands. They grow all the crops they can, but gain mush from trade with Kaldrland and other nations. The Novoto Protectorate is also a huge producer of weapons and steel.

The Novoto nation is one of the oldest in the world. Existing as a loose group of tribes before the Age of Blood, but unifying when Moraphan the Crimson Lord attempted to conquer them. The Novoto also wlcomed refugees from Kaldrland at this time, beginning a strong bond that has lasted into modern times. The seige was broken however when Sylra Vereth's Golden Alliance armies flanked the besiegers. The now united Novoto joined Sylra in his campaign to liberate Aeris from under the Crimson Lord's domination. The Novoto would participate in the Battle of the Red Fields, and would join the Aerean Empire at it's initial founding on the twenty-first of Sevestamos, 6005 BGC. For the next 2,108 years the Novoto were a part of the biggest empire in history till it's disillusionment in 3897 BGC. In that same year the Kingdom of Novoto as it is now was formed. Life in Novoto continued, and the new government solidified. However in 2271 BGC the Great Hunger hits Novoton. A famine that lasted 30 long years, in which many Novoto left the island to escape the famine. Many fled to Kaldrland where their old allies the Norseans welcomed them with open arms. In many ways the Great Hunger was a prelude to the Resource Shortage of 2020 BGC, and later the Age of Blight.   During the Age of Blight Novoton was struck hard by more famine. Though mostly avoiding resource wars with other nations, the Novoto had to deal with many internal conflicts. Coups and small peasant rebellions pestered the kingdom. The throne of Novoto changed multiple times, and towards the end the Novoto did join in wars for resources with other kingdoms. Fighting with the Norseans more often than not. Finally after 2,000 years of constant struggle the Age of Blight ended, but it ended the Great Collapse. In the aftermath there was a period of peace for the Novoto, but in 257 AGC the Great Alliance War began. The Novoto joined in order to aid their ancient allies the Norseans against the Knosis-Kari Alliance, but had no idea of the global conflict it would become. Soon the Novoto were fighting the Elves, Praetoran Imperials, as well as the Kari and Knosis that sent raiding parties to their shores. All were repelled, even the Elves, known for their martial prowess were beaten back with the help of the Val'Karan nations looking to curtail the allies of their enemy the Praetorans. And indeed this changed relations with mainland Val'Kara. For most of history the Novoto had felt isolated from their southern neighbors, mostly keeping a good diplomatic relationship with Kaldrland. But the Great Alliance War, for all it's horrors, brought the Novoto onto the Val'Karan political stage like never before. These growing ties would prove useful in 349 AGC when the War of Falling Stars began in Val'Kara. Most of Val'Kara was conquered by the Praetorans by 385 AGC, leaving Krazkow and Anglica fighting alone. The Novoto watched this and did not act for many years till a diplomatic envoy came from the Shyrland Confederation. The two leaders met in Esla, and after only eleven hours of debate and planning, they called their armies to arms. The war raged on, and was finally won at the Battle of Gothric's Way in 388 AGC.   The Val'Karan Unity Conference was then held in 390 AGC, and the Kingdom of Novoto joined. Though they were diplomatically closer to Norsea, the Norseans are an ocean away, and in order to receive faster response in case of invasion allying with the Val'Karan mainland felt wiser. Only a few decades later the Long Freeze began. While the rest of the world experienced extreme cold for the first time, the Novoto were sunk into a cold so devastating they were forced to retreat deep underground. Here they faced off against the Drow in the Underdark. Hoards of Dark Elves faced them in in the Underdark, and the Novoto fought hard against them. For three hundred and eight years the Novoto people lived underground, making small settlements in the Underdark. A stranded group of Ordo Magia mages aided the Novoto by crafting Asterus orbs. These orbs created artificial sunlight that provided settlements with vital vitimans and protection from the Drow armies. These centuries were dark, but when the sun returned the Novoto did too. Their cities thawed, and life returned to their home island. Over the course of the next century the Great Leap brought all of Aeris out of the dark into a new era of technological achievement and scholarly study. After the In Regeneratione in 818 AGC the Norseans sailed to the Novoto and offered them protectorate status. After much debate and agreement it was decided that the Novoto would cede Esla to the Norseans in exchange for extended autonomy. Trouble came in 834 AGC when the First Elven Conquest brought war between the empires. The High Elves claimed Esla, much to the Novoto's chagrin. But the two rallied together when the War of the Colossi began in 842 AGC. Though this stepped over the Eldari-Norsean peace that was to last for five years, war ignited nonetheless. The war was long and drawn out, with neither side achieving substantial victory over the other, and in 901 AGC the war finally ended in a white peace. Into the New Millennium the Novoto have focused on improving internal matters.

The Novoto Protectorate holds the island of Novoton. These are the ancestral lands of their people, and have been defended for thousands of years. Never being conquered, never dying out, the Novoto hold tight to their home island with bravery and will.

The Novoto military has combined itself with that of the Norseans, but that has not ended all the more historical regiments. The Novoto infantry has always been it's greatest asset, and their tactics never cease to bring results.

Novoto is as advanced as most other nations in Aeris. With modern systems mixing with the ancient cities and towns of Novoto.

Novoto is very religious, to both high and low pantheons. Even so stigmas still stand within the society against the Low Gods.

Foreign relations are mostly positive. The Novoto have strong ties to the Norsean Empire, and they have good relations with the Val'Karan states. Further overseas the Novoto maintain a strong trade presence in Sarasarada, as well as the Knosis' islands. The Aleans and Kari are neutral, though memories of the Great Alliance War still echo through time.

The limited agricultural ability of Novoton means that the Protectorate mostly focuses on it's industrial endeavors.

Trade is a major factor in the Novoto Protectorate. Providing them with any goods they cannot produce in their homeland, mostly from Norsea and Val'Kara. Novoto has a long proud history of merchant and trader culture, with some individuals throughout history from Novoto becoming some of the richest in the world.

The education system is rigid in Novoto. Students can choose a trade or scholarly path, with many employment opportunities for both ways. Though higher education does cost more, there are scholarships that gifted students can earn.

Novoto has some of the best infrastructure in the world. This is especially important on Novoton, which has some of the most extreme weather in Aeris. The buildings and houses of Novoto are not only beautiful but also crafted to withstand the worst of conditions.