Fanalia

Fanalia, after its initial founding, was a democratic monarchy

Fanalia was a very culturally diverse nation. It consisted of four nations: Nutheren, Estellia, Sorcodia, and Whelliston. Each of these small nations had their own distinctive culture, practices, and people.  

• Nutheren: The northmost nation with surprising wintery weather, despite its proximity to the other, more temperate nations. Politically, Nutheren is less centralized than its southern counterparts. Power is divided among various Jarls, warlords who maintain control over their territories, and a High Jarl who presides over them. This loose confederation allows Nutheren to act both as a nation and a collection of independent territories.
• Estellia:Estellia is a nation defined by discipline, tradition, and honor. The eastern lands of the Fanalian Subcontinent are rich in forests and rice fields, with a culture steeped in philosophy and collectivism. Samurai warriors, who swear fealty to noble houses, form the backbone of Estellian society. They serve not only as soldiers but also as scholars, poets, and statesmen. The entire nation is ruled by a Shogun, who also serves as the utmost commander in the military.
• Sorcodia: Sorcodia lies in the arid southern lands of the subcontinent, where ingenuity and quick reflexes define the culture. This nation is known for its mastery of firearms and technological innovation, and its gunslingers are renowned for their speed and accuracy. Sorcodia’s society is more egalitarian than the others, with people valued for their skill rather than birthright. It is a land of duels, where disputes are often settled at high noon, and lawmen struggle to maintain order in a society where personal freedom is highly prized. The nation’s government is a democracy, although the national government has surprisingly little sway on what goes on. Individual town-states tend to make their own laws, abiding only a few national laws.
• Whelliston: Whelliston, in the west, remains a bastion of chivalry and feudalism. This nation values tradition, order, and noble bloodlines. Its rolling hills, castles, and grand cities are the epitome of medieval grandeur, with knights sworn to protect their lords and uphold the ideals of honor and justice. Tournaments and jousts are common, as knights continually prove their worth through feats of strength and chivalry. Whelliston is a constitutional monarchy. The royal family has its own office of nobles with them taking into consideration the requests of the nation's many lords.

Fanalia and its four nations have a great number assets, mainly planned to be used against each other. Weapons, warriors, gold, and infrastructure are all in steady supply, especially when international imports are taken into account.

Fanalia was originally a powerful empire forged through conquest and diplomacy by a legendary warrior-king known as Fanar the Unifier. Fanar believed in the strength of unity and balance, combining martial prowess, tactical innovation, and a deep respect for cultural diversity. Under his rule, the land prospered, and many different warrior traditions were honored, forming a cohesive society of martial excellence and shared governance.    However, Fanar’s death left a power vacuum. His four sons, each embodying a different philosophy of warfare and leadership, were tasked with ruling together. Unfortunately, their clashing ideals quickly unraveled the unity their father had created. After years of internal strife, Fanalia splintered into four distinct nations, each following one of the brothers’ visions.   In the mid 6th century, the unexpected occurred—Fanalia, long divided by the rival sons of Fanar the Unifier, was unified once again. Though the four nations had existed in a fragile balance for centuries, this era of relative peace was always on the verge of collapse, as old rivalries, cultural tensions, and border skirmishes threatened the stability of the region. That man was Marshal Dino Suna-Garic Niković.   Dino devoted his life to the dream of a united Fanalia, fueled by tales of its past splendor. His unmatched ability to connect with diverse peoples was his greatest strength. With innate leadership, he garnered support from the four nations: Nutheren's valiant warriors, Estellia's orderly samurai, Sorcodia's sharpshooters, and Whelliston's noble knights. His diplomatic skills, motivational orations, and charisma won over even the most doubtful rulers.   His endeavors reached their zenith at Mt. Gida's base, a revered peak central to the subcontinent and a historic battleground for Fanar's divided progeny. It was here that Dino convened representatives from all nations for a momentous summit. He proclaimed his vision: to be the architect of Fanalia's reunification, ushering in an age of harmony and prosperity under the flag of New Fanalia in the year 545.

Despite Dino Suna-Garic Niković’s unparalleled achievement in uniting the Fanalian subcontinent, his death at the age of 78 marked the beginning of a new era of uncertainty. For 40 years, Marshal Niković ruled New Fanalia with wisdom and fairness, holding together a delicate alliance between the four states. His rule had been one of prosperity and peace, but it was always clear to the people that the unity he had forged was a brittle one, held together more by his personal charisma and authority than by lasting institutional bonds.   As Niković aged, the question of succession loomed over the region. He had no children, no official heirs, and in his later years, he avoided the topic of who would succeed him. Whether this was due to a belief that New Fanalia could govern itself or because he couldn't decide on a successor, the outcome was the same: when he passed, he left a power vacuum in a region that had long been characterized by division.   As soon as word of the Marshal’s death spread, factions within each state began to vie for power, either to claim the leadership of New Fanalia or to break free from it altogether. The once united subcontinent quickly descended into a period of political instability, often referred to as The Fracturing. Leaders from Nutheren, Estellia, Sorcodia, and Whelliston each believed they had a legitimate claim to the throne, while some sought complete independence.   The Fanalian subcontinent, long known for its history of division, quickly fell into a power vacuum. This time, however, the stakes were higher than ever. Without the guiding hand of Marshal Niković, alliances that had once been merely papered over by his authority began to tear apart. Nutheren’s warlords spoke of reclaiming their independence and raiding the southern lands, while the samurai of Estellia debated whether to restore their own Shogunate’s glory. In Sorcodia, gunslingers and mercenaries saw opportunities to seize power, and in Whelliston, the knights and nobility argued over who should rule in the Marshal’s absence.   Once again, the Four States began to act independently, but without the guiding vision of a strong leader. New alliances were forged, but they were fragile and based on convenience rather than trust. Battles are looming in the horizons with no clear direction, other than the last nation standing. Jarls, samurai, elected leaders, and knights all jockeyed for power in a game that seemed to have no clear rules…