Declaration of Alserran Secession
A Precarious Gambit
Six weeks after the Feast of Fangs, the Landgraviate of Alserra declared independence from the Empire of the Endless Flame. The region had nurtured a long-held distrust of Myrengol, the imperial capital, believing that Alserra was being unfairly taxed whilst receiving little in way of compensation. Furthermore, it was believed that Alserran soldiers serving in the Melmerikan Campaign were disproportionately used as expendable troops. Resentment for the Hearthkeepers had swollen massively. Using this unease, Azzakos Olphar, Landgrave of Alserra, sought to increase his power.
When the Children of the Serpent struck, leaving the royal household in disarray, Azzakos summoned his chief Praelords and proposed his plan: Alserra would secede from the Empire and be ruled autonomously. Whilst many of his noble peers were hesitant to agree, they were reassured when Azzakos promised they would all be invited to collaborate in the new nation's constitution. Seeing the opportunity to shirk the constraining laws of the Hearthkeepers, the Praelords joined their Landgrave in secession, and declared Azzakos "King of Alserra."
All knew the risks of defying the Hearthkeepers. They had risen to dominance courtesy of their immense power which enabled them to fling volleys of searing flame to any corner of the known world, and they rarely hesitated to weaponize this feat. Azzakos and his Praelords, however, hoped that they would be spared of such wrath. The Feast of Fangs had inspired great tumult in the realm, and many other ambitious leaders had also tried to seize power in the chaos. Whilst these greedy rulers waged war in an attempt to snatch a greater share of the Empire, Azzakos took a different approach. In order to evade retribution for defection, he clearly stated, often and repeatedly, that Alserra would not take up arms against the Empire unless provoked. Inundated with turbulent uprisings, the Hearthkeepers elected to ignore Alserra's betrayal, and focus on more prominent threats.
A Fascinating Hypothetical
A popular topic of debate amongst Myrengolese historians is whether Alserra could have succeeded as an independent state. Its downfall came as a result of the Enmanari's Invasion, which devastated the vast majority of settlements, and so its true potential was never discovered. Alserra certainly had the resources and population to become a formidable state, but it was bordered on every side by imperial holdings, which did not bode well for its defences if the Empire ever decided to stage a land invasion. Additionally, its castles were strong, but the Empire's population was so great that they could simply overwhelm any of these strongpoints. Kaspia, the Royal Palace of Alserra, was often thought to be the one fortress in the region that could repel a concerted imperial effort to undermine its defences, with many citing it as the most impressive castle in the mortal realms.
Those who claim Alserra would not have survived independently often point to its economy as the reason. The region had little farmland, and imported the vast majority of its grains and vegetables. Additionally, its role as a chief exporter of timber, pork, and precious metals, meant that Alserra had an inflated mercantile class. If the Empire was to place heavy tariffs on the new nation's goods, its middle class would collapse. A complete embargo would likely be fatal for its economy. However, after decades of naval warfare with the Agrax Dynasty in the Oathsworn Sea, the Empire was in dire need of Alserran Oak to replenish its fleet. Whilst such trees had been cultivated elsewhere, Alserra offered the cheapest and most abundant supply. This is believed to be the reason why only minor tariffs were imposed on the seceding state.
Bounty of Alserra
Alserra was wealthy. Its vast swathes of dense woodland meant that it had become rich in the timber trade, with Alserran Oak being considered the best wood for ship building in the Empire. The region also held an abundance of pigs who foraged in the aforementioned forests, and whose pork was beloved across the realm. Their most valuable export, however, was their precious metals. Approximately a quarter of Alserra's peasantry worked in the mining industry, extracting bountiful troves of gold and silver from the Daendra Hills in the north east of the Landgraviate. This wealth played a key role in deterring the Hearthkeepers from incinerating the land.
Tenacious Resolve
Regardless of whether or not Alserra could have resisted the Empire had the Enmanari not invaded Baelonmor, one fact remains true: Alserra still stands. Although its once lush woodlands are now defiled by the Blights and its prosperous mines abandoned, a small population of survivors still persevere. When the Bastion of Alserra fell, a fortunate few found refuge in the mighty walls of Kaspia. For centuries, the forces of darkness have sought to end their last stand to no avail.
It is said that the descendants of Azzakos still rule over Alserra, though the rumours of what they have become are alarming. Rumour has it that a travelling priest arrived at Kaspia twenty years ago and, against their better judgement, the visitor was granted entry to the fortress. The stranger convinced the weary inhabitants that he was sent from Myrengol as an envoy of peace between the former foes. He volunteered to consecrate the marriage of the Alserran King to a Landgrave's daughter, declaring that their two houses would be born into one. It seemed an unremarkable comment at the time, but many now believe it was a curse: the couple would soon sire a nearly soulless son blessed with incredible strength, and a prodigal child cursed with a frail and withered frame.
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