Cydonia
Cydonia is one of the most stable and powerful states in the Shattered Lands, and one of the few that openly embraces arcane magic. Founded by imperial loyalists, it clings to imperial tradition in addition to frequently attempting to expand its borders in the hopes of reestablishing the great empire of old. Cydonia's magical academies are the finest in the Shattered lands, and it is one of the few nations that send diplomats and emissaries to the far corners of the world. The "Little Empire" is always hungry for news of the world around it...particularly if it has to do with relics of the old world that the Knights of Cydonia must reclaim, for the glory of the empire.
Structure
Though people call Cydonia "The Little Empire," it is a feudal state that, though loosely united under a single council, is divided into seven distinct territories, call districts. Each District is governed by by a noble house lead by one of the seven Knights of Cydonia.
Culture
Their culture is one of the few in the shattered lands that openly embraces all forms of magic, most notably the arcane. The foremost academy for the mystic arts is in Nova Naritas, and the leaders of the six noble houses that help govern the country are required to undergo both marshal and arcane training.
Cydonia is a land that greatly respects its imperial heritage and tradition. Many of the old ways survive in this burgeoning country, and their hope is to usher in a revival of old imperial culture throughout the Shattered Lands.
Public Agenda
While the Cydonian leadership claims to only desire peace and prosperity for the realm, every state in the Shattered Lands knows that the ersatz empire wishes to restore the old imperial rule. They attempted to conquer the peninsula over two centuries ago, which might have succeeded if not for the Praetorian defection. Cydonia also makes a big deal of maintaining its "friendship" with Quiddam, which some accuse of being a puppet state, but, in reality, the situation is a little worse. Quiddam is a buffer state whose sole job, it seems, is to give Cydonia time to prepare for a Praetorian invasion, should that time ever come.
Assets
The rich mountain timberlands provide plentiful lumber for shipbuilding, the deep mines provide iron and silver, and the coastal regions are awash in fish, aquatic game, and pearls. In addition, the Cydonian navy has allowed them to take a preeminent role in northern trade and secure a much great share of Maritime tax revenue than other nations like Krygyz or Whitetower were prepared to allow.
History
The ancient province of Cydonia was a small coast territory on the northern edge of the Vecs Mountains. Legend has it that the old empire started there when they discovered how to harness the God's Blood energy from within the planet, itself. This energy fueled their armies and early expansion, and when they figured out how to use that energy to connect gateways across vast distances, the empire launched itself across the continent, perhaps the planet, and possibly even across the planes. Despite these successes, the empire did eventually collapse, and Cydonia claims to be the only true remnant of the old empire.
When the collapse occurred, the heart of the empire splintered into three factions: the Triple Alliance, The Southern Bulwark (insurrectionists), and the Loyalists. The loyalists suffered a string of defeats after the loss of the capital and they were forced into the old province of Cydonia. There, at the Battle of Naritas, the loyalists forces were able to rout the rebels, but they were forced to hold the line and lick their wounds. The imperialists needed years of recovery, but eventually, they were ready to make a new offensive. The new Cydonians attacked and were able to push their opponents to Milvian River, but that served to be the limits of their capabilities at the time. They then focused their efforts on providing support and refuge to other surviving loyalists.
Demography and Population
The three main races are Humans, Elves, and Dwarves. There are also smaller percentages of Gnomes, Halflings, and a few Half-elves. Tieflings are reasonably tolerated, especially since they have innate magical talent, as are other races from the elemental planes. However, Dragonborn are almost non-existant since there is a great deal of prejudice towards them due to lasting antipathy between Cydonia and Galatia.
Territories
Cydonia consists of all land west of the Vecs Mountains (minus the Tredegar Peaks) and in between the Milvian River and the Tredegar Gap. The Knights of Cydonia have been in possession of all of this territory since the collapse, give or take 50 years. Cydonia also consists of six provinces with a potential seventh in the works:
Foreign Relations
Cydonia's diplomatic situation is complicated. Many nations in the Shattered Lands mistrust the Cydonians, especially since not two centuries prior, they made a bid to conquer the peninsula and reestablish the old empire. Thus their foreign relations are as follows:
- Vecs (Vecland)--Contentious as both claim the northern Vecs Mountains.
- Quiddam--Friendly
- Republic of Galatia--Antipathy
- Praetorius--Hostile (a perpetual state of war has existed between these two countries even though, technically, there is peace, at the moment.)
- K. of Neustria--Neutral
- Despotate of Thrax--Neutral
- Triple Alliance--Friendly
Education
This is probably one of the most literate regions in all of Asturia. All children are required to attend local schools which, depending on one's aptitude will sort you into various academies later on:
- Arcane Induction Academy--those students who exhibit arcane talent in any form are whisked away to this place where they will be schooled and drilled until the capacity of each student is ascertained. Those lucky (or unlucky depending on one's perspective) will eventually graduate and then enter the Arcanum Nostrum, Cydonia's premier arcane institution. Some students may even go back into martial training if they feel that a combination of the two traditions would be appropriate.
- Martial Academy--Those who possess more tactical and physical aptitude are tracked into this institution. Students may eventually graduate from here and go into the Primus Military School, The Naval Academy, or the Mage Knight Academy. This last institution has some overlap with the Arcanum Nostrum and those meet their criteria can become the most elite soldiers.
- Trades Academy--This is the largest of the three schools as it supplies each province with an educated work force. Students here are given a general education in economics, business practices, agriculture, mathematics, and literature. Graduates are expected to leave and immediately start apprenticing so that when they are ready they can take their places amongst the artisans, smiths, and administrators.
Infrastructure
Being in comprised of imperial loyalists and scholars has allowed them to maintain much of the old world infrastructure. The imperial road system has been maintained and expanded, the aqueducts provide all cities, towns, and villages with fresh water, and all major cities have working sewer systems. New border forts have been added along the Milvian River and the Tredegar Gap to increase security, and a system of beacons was added to the frontier to give plenty of warning should an armed force make it into the provinces.
Gladius Resurgemus (Let us rise from the sword)
Founding Date
150 AF (AE)
Type
Geopolitical, Magocracy
Capital
Alternative Names
Cydonian Kingdom, the Little Empire
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Experienced
Demonym
Cydonians
Leader
Leader Title
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Magocracy
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
The Cavalier--The gold coins minted in Cydonia has the image of the first Lord Paramount astride his horse.
Legislative Body
Governance in Cydonia has three main layers:
Lord Paramount--The head of state and first amongst equals in the council of seven. The Lord Paramount is selected from amongst the seven great houses of Cydonia. S/he is in command of the military when the knightly orders are called up, and is the chief diplomat when receiving ambassadors. In addition, the Lord Paramount is meant to be the strongest of the Eldritch Knights, but that is not always the case.
Council of Seven--Though the name says seven, since the betrayal of the house of Praetorius, only six members remain. Therefore, when the council holds a vote and there is a tie, the Lord Paramount will cast the deciding vote. The council is in charge of overseeing collection of taxes from all seven districts, laws that will govern all seven districts, and international trade.
Feudal Councils--Each feudal district is in charge of managing its own holdings. All local taxes, military operations, and castle upkeep (if it is a locally controller keep) are managed by these small councils. Sometimes the feudal councils will clash with the council of seven.
Judicial Body
There are two main levels of "courts" in the land:
- High Court--The Lord Paramount and a select group of legal counselors will hear and decide on cases that pertain the country as a whole. In addition, many disputes between the different feudal territories can be settled here, if it comes to that.
- Feudal courts--Each district has its own court set up with its local lord sitting in judgement (at least in the most serious cases) along with a jury drawn from the local gentry. These courts will only deal with cases within their district. If a case crosses boundary lines, then the high court must deal with it.
Executive Body
Croesus Marellus serves as the current head of government for Cydonia, but he serves primarily as a tie breaking vote for the Council of Seven. The executive also has the responsibility of heading the armies should they be called upon.
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Related Myths
Comments