Aspalaria

The Aspalarian Sovereignty
General Information
Territory	The western continent of Aspalaria.
Founded	442 BQ
Leadership	The Grandmagus The Council of Archmages
Cities	New Caledra (Capital) Lerythe
Classes
Warrior Class	The Towerguards
Mage Class	The Arcanists
Priest Class	The Mediators
Rogue Class	The Phantoms
Divisions
Administration	The Council of New Caledra The Council of Lerythe
Army	The Peacebringers of the Sovereignty
Navy	The Vanguards of Progress
Ranger	The Heralds of Justice
Espionage	The Iron Fist of Order
Quartermaster	The Brokers of Prosperity

Continent: Aspalaria

Every day we dance with death. Blood, sweat and tears have become our lives. I may die today, here on foreign lands, but I will not be forgotten. I am a soldier of the Sovereignty, a father, a husband, a son and a friend. I'll die knowing my memory lives on. I may be only a man, but I am Aspalarian.

-- Jeraduar Kenstrom, Aspalarian Towerguard captain

Aspalaria is one of two major continents upon Lithmeria, found on the western half of the world. Its first inhabitants came from Teladir, seeking refuge from the constant tribal skirmishes and a more peaceful existence. The new land they encountered was not as rich in resources as their homeland, but over generations they have been able to first carve out an existence and then thrive, spreading slowly to all corners of the continent.

The emergence of Imperials, and eventually of the Grandmagus himself, brought forth a new age for Aspalarians. Through his influence, be it forceful or not, all Aspalarians were brought under one government and the Sovereignty was formed. The Sovereignty as a whole is a well organized, disciplined social structure with the Grandmagus sitting indisputably at the top. With a new united front, Aspalarians were able to progress rapidly as a civilization, eventually seeking to expand their reach outwards, so that all of Lithmeria would benefit from the security and collective prosperity their rule brings.

The Great Quake, which marks the beginning of Lithmeria's modern calendar, changed much of the physical world. In Aspalaria the greatest development was the still utterly inexplicable appearance of the Ephemeral city of Lerythe. This new race was able to merge into the Sovereignty's lifestyle with general ease. In modern Aspalaria, the common population consists mostly of humans, Imperials, Ephemerals, Hybrids, immigrated Oceansingers as well as Tinkers who refused to join their race's alliance with the Accord of Teladir.

The continent of Aspalaria itself is larger in width than in length. What used to be a large southern land bridge, connecting the country to Teladir, has been broken up into a small chain of islands. Ranges of dormant volcanoes occupy southeastern Aspalaria while the country's capital, New Caledra, sits in the southwest. Progressing upwards, there are many small rivers and one particularly large lake in the center of the land; this provides easy travel for ships and barges throughout all of Aspalaria. Further north you reach the northern mountain ranges limiting access to the northern wastelands.

Aspalarian soldiers who take up further training can choose from four different combat specializations. Upon the Grandmagus' Ebon Tower, the Arcanists are hard at work training their new members. Towerguards form the first line of defence for the Sovereignty, and Mediators perform the difficult task of providing support for all of the Aspalarian forces. Finally, the Phantoms perform the more delicate tasks required by many of the Sovereignty's people.

Faction: The Aspalarian Sovereignty

The Aspalarian Sovereignty is a unique phenomenon in Lithmerian history. At no point in the past has an entire nation been forged by the inexorable will of just one man. Never before had a single individual done so much to reshape the lives of every man, woman and child upon Lithmeria. The Sovereignty is the manifestation of the Grandmagus' dreams and steely determination. Though raised on the backs of thousands who toiled to make it a reality, it was only through the Grandmagus' strength of will and vision that it became a reality.

The Sovereignty emerged from a single, rustic tribe in Southern Aspalaria. This tribe, unusual only in the slightly above average number of Imperials that were born into it, was otherwise indistinguishable from any of the others dotting the harsh Aspalarian wilderness. They tended their fields, raised their children and fought skirmishes with their neighbors over matters of honor and territory. Had the Grandmagus not been born within their halls, it is unlikely history would have born the slightest hint of their mark.

The birth and subsequent rise of the Grandmagus to power would see that small tribe expand rapidly northward. Strengthened by ranks of Imperials wielding magical power as yet unseen upon Lithmeria they surged outward from their borders, crushing all before them. Soon, what was once a solitary tribe in the wilderness came to dominate an entire continent. With their armies ensuring obedience and enforcing their laws they were able to swiftly impose their rule on those they conquered.

The official formation of the Aspalarian Sovereignty in 442 BQ marked a turning point in Lithmerian history. The Grandmagus had declared the beginning of a momentous experiment. The central tenet of the Sovereignty was to be order. The Grandmagus believed order to be the one value that common people, merchants, warriors and nobles alike hold in equally high regard. With order established, the farmers and labourers could sow their fields and expand their mines with no fear of future upheaval. The merchants could make investments, expand their shops and conduct trade free of harassment and fear. Warriors could march with their heads held high, knowing that behind them the home front is stable and nobles could rest easy, knowing no revolution threatens their power.

The Sovereignty is a powerfully meritocratic society, valuing ability and competence above all else. Officially, positions are ostensible awarded strictly on the basis of qualifications for the role and birth or patronage is not considered. In practice, decisions about who is best fit to hold higher office are rarely obvious and patronage, political maneuvering and personal connections can all play a significant role in deciding close contests. In addition, while birth is ostensible not considered, nobles tend to come from the Imperial families, meaning they are inherently superior to other humans in terms of ability.

The capital of the Sovereignty is in New Caledra, a city built from scratch after the original capital Caledra was utterly destroyed by the dragon Adarrdanothos. At the heart of the city stands the Ebon Tower, a huge construction of black stone hardened by powerful arcane magic. Within its cavernous halls, Arcanists, Towerguards, Mediators and the shadowy Phantoms are trained to serve the Sovereignty. Deeper within the Tower lie the chambers of the Grandmagus and the Archmages who make up the ruling council of the Sovereignty. It is there that the Sovereignty's highest decisions are deliberated.

Racially, the Sovereignty has historically been dominated by humans in the commons and Imperials in the nobility. The meritocratic nature of Sovereignty society tends to disproportionately favour those of exceptional ability at the expense of all others and this has made it a perfect home for the occasionally arrogant Imperials. The Hybrids, created by the Sovereignty as living weapons have been granted full rights and status subsequent to their brutal uprising against the Sovereignty armies with which they were serving. Though officially accepted, Hybrids who choose to live on Aspalaria must accept that old attitudes die slowly and that many still view them as slaves at best or wild animals at worst.

Other races are less common, but still present. Oceansingers are accepted in the Sovereignty, their natural affinity for the oceans allowing them to rise to prominent positions within the navy and maritime trading fleet. The capture of their home in the Crystal Isle by the dragon Shydelimnuthaeos has created an influx of Oceansingers in both the Sovereignty and the Accord, increasing their prominence in daily life. The Tinker race has officially declared war on the Sovereignty, having allied itself with the Accord but some Tinkers have managed to become accepted within Sovereignty society. Watched carefully by agents of the Grandmagus they are allowed to live in peace so long as they do not act contrary to the interests of their new home.

The Great Quake brought powerful new allies right into the heart of Aspalaria. The Ephemeral race appeared in the midst of the calamity along with the shattered remains of their city, Lerythe. Lerythe has since been restored with the aid of Sovereignty artisans, an act which has secured a binding alliance between the two peoples. Curiously, the Ephemerals seem to harbor an almost pathological hatred of Touched, which, combined with the general antipathy held toward them on Aspalaria has made that continent a virtual no-go for that race.

The Sovereignty, having initiated the Endless Siege with their invasion of Teladir stands ever ready to continue waging war until they are the sole power upon Lithmeria. They see the Teladri as chaotic, dangerous and uncontrolled. They look with envy at the bountiful resources of Teladir, comparing it angrily with the scant bounty of Aspalaria that must be coaxed forth at great expense and difficulty. Their armies stand ready, their fleets are manned. Under the leadership of the Grandmagus and led by heroes whose stories are as yet untold they stand poised to seize upon even the smallest weakness and crush the Accord once and for all.