Astoria is a major kingdom on the Continent. Its current ruler is High King Bloudeweth III (they/them).
Demonym Astorian (an Astorian galley, an Astorian knight). Touchstones Morocco / southern Iberian peninsula (geography), Ireland/Wales/Scotland (culture and government). Ship Designation(no current standard). LanguageAstorian, a native language unrelated to the Lemurian family, written in a script reminiscent of Celtic Ogham.
The kingdom of Astoria consolidated as a united monarchy in the mid-third century of Amun’s Grace,~330-370 A.G. Located on the wide arid peninsula of the same name, this territory was among the soonest to rebel against Aptalian rule by the Patriars, and was dominated by clannish warfare from the late 70s A.G. until the monarchy’s unification. Its capital is the city of Cordova.
At first glance, the governance of Astoria bears many similarities to the feudalism practiced by Gallica. While the basic structure of society is quite similar—local Kings of cities and castles swear fealty to the High King in Cordova—one principal difference remains: upon the High King’s death, any local King can be nominated among the general assembly of crowns to receive the High Kingship.
No single dynasty, therefore, has ruled Astoria for longer than three consecutive generations. The first High King, Boudica I, ruled for forty years before her death, and her clan, the Iceni, would wait another two centuries before one of their own sat enthroned beneath the Stone of Cordova once more.
It is a common misconception that the arid Astorian peninsula is a desert; only the southernmost third of its territory would qualify as true desert. The northern valleys to the east and west of the Carnedd mountains produce plenty of grain and other agricultural products, enough to support the kingdom’s population.
Factions
The Eyes of the Serpent
The Eyes of the Serpent is an ancient order of wizards that predates the Age of Amun’s Grace, though by how long is a matter of some debate. A secretive order of magic practicioners, this tradition is often said to worship the Great Serpent Apep; while this isn’t true in a basic sense—the Eyes are not religious—Apep does sit at the center of their practice and philosophy, as adherents learn to emulate them in channeling elemental magic.
Touchstones Nahuatl (Aztec) language (names).
Ancient members would cover their bodies in intricate tattoos, which assisted them in channeling the raw chaos of fire, ice, wind and lightning. Today, these tattoos are likely to be concealed, and their discovery is grounds for imprisonment by the Amunist church. The Eyes may well represent the last corner of Astorian culture “unconverted” to the faith of Amun; as such, they stay in the shadows, passing on their knowledge and aiding their fellow Eyes as they move silently through society.
The Yunarian Order
The Yunarian Order is a monastic order on the Continent.
It was founded by Dame Morgaine Yunari (488-572 A.G.), an Amunian anchorite whose teachings and practices began to spread among the faithful in her native Astoria (which had not, at that time, fully converted), and then the rest of the Continent. Her teachings dictate total control over the body, honing it into “a vision of perfection worthy of Amun,” and “putting it into total submission under the mind.” Aesetic practice met with intensive, rigorous training—training that Yunari herself undertook in total isolation, apart from any tools normally associated with physical exercise. Meditative practices also form an integral part of the Yunarian Order.
While monks (of any gender) in the order need not emulate Yunari’s example fully in isolating themselves from the world and all other human contact, they do practice ritual solitary confinement for extended stretches as part of their training. Ironically, the Order encourages its members to travel widely, to set an example for those they come in contact with. Their vow of poverty has sometimes put them at odds with the Patriars, and the orthodox faith in Aigyptos generally.
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The Kingdom of Astoria
Astoria is a major kingdom on the Continent. Its current ruler is High King Bloudeweth III (they/them).
The kingdom of Astoria consolidated as a united monarchy in the mid-third century of Amun’s Grace,~330-370 A.G. Located on the wide arid peninsula of the same name, this territory was among the soonest to rebel against Aptalian rule by the Patriars, and was dominated by clannish warfare from the late 70s A.G. until the monarchy’s unification. Its capital is the city of Cordova.
At first glance, the governance of Astoria bears many similarities to the feudalism practiced by Gallica. While the basic structure of society is quite similar—local Kings of cities and castles swear fealty to the High King in Cordova—one principal difference remains: upon the High King’s death, any local King can be nominated among the general assembly of crowns to receive the High Kingship.
No single dynasty, therefore, has ruled Astoria for longer than three consecutive generations. The first High King, Boudica I, ruled for forty years before her death, and her clan, the Iceni, would wait another two centuries before one of their own sat enthroned beneath the Stone of Cordova once more.
It is a common misconception that the arid Astorian peninsula is a desert; only the southernmost third of its territory would qualify as true desert. The northern valleys to the east and west of the Carnedd mountains produce plenty of grain and other agricultural products, enough to support the kingdom’s population.
Factions
The Eyes of the Serpent
The Eyes of the Serpent is an ancient order of wizards that predates the Age of Amun’s Grace, though by how long is a matter of some debate. A secretive order of magic practicioners, this tradition is often said to worship the Great Serpent Apep; while this isn’t true in a basic sense—the Eyes are not religious—Apep does sit at the center of their practice and philosophy, as adherents learn to emulate them in channeling elemental magic.
Touchstones Nahuatl (Aztec) language (names).
Ancient members would cover their bodies in intricate tattoos, which assisted them in channeling the raw chaos of fire, ice, wind and lightning. Today, these tattoos are likely to be concealed, and their discovery is grounds for imprisonment by the Amunist church. The Eyes may well represent the last corner of Astorian culture “unconverted” to the faith of Amun; as such, they stay in the shadows, passing on their knowledge and aiding their fellow Eyes as they move silently through society.
The Yunarian Order
The Yunarian Order is a monastic order on the Continent.
It was founded by Dame Morgaine Yunari (488-572 A.G.), an Amunian anchorite whose teachings and practices began to spread among the faithful in her native Astoria (which had not, at that time, fully converted), and then the rest of the Continent. Her teachings dictate total control over the body, honing it into “a vision of perfection worthy of Amun,” and “putting it into total submission under the mind.” Aesetic practice met with intensive, rigorous training—training that Yunari herself undertook in total isolation, apart from any tools normally associated with physical exercise. Meditative practices also form an integral part of the Yunarian Order.
While monks (of any gender) in the order need not emulate Yunari’s example fully in isolating themselves from the world and all other human contact, they do practice ritual solitary confinement for extended stretches as part of their training. Ironically, the Order encourages its members to travel widely, to set an example for those they come in contact with. Their vow of poverty has sometimes put them at odds with the Patriars, and the orthodox faith in Aigyptos generally.