Yterius: The Tiger Duchy
Yterius. Another kingdom built off the bones of the old world. However, this one came crashing down thanks to the Long Night. It didn't have heroes to keep it together. It didn't have a mighty Sorcerer King to inspire it. The monarch they could've rallied behind was gone. And like a house of cards, it all came crashing down. It could've led to another century of bloodshed and warfare. And it did at first. Then the Long Night came and pulled people away from it. And when the warriors returned home, they went right back to fighting once again. Classic tale. But a different ending. Yterius. One of my inspirations. I read all her ballads. All her tales. She came from the north. From blood and misery. From death and despair. And she fought with all her might to make a home that wasn't torn apart. Then she died before she could rule it. Her daughter took over for her... and I somehow... can connect to her. Ruling what your predecessor built for you. What thousands of predecssors built for you. Yterius has been soaked in blood and it constantly faces threats from all over the place. But with heroes like my former masters, the Sea Warrior, and the Tiger of Yterius, I hope they have a long life ahead of them. And that their country can stand the test of time with the rest of us.
Structure
At the top of the food chain is the bloodline of Yterius, ruling for 500 years at least. Her daughter still rules the Dukedom and prepares her children for the role. The Duke/Duchess of Yterius is the head and many people who knew of the First Tigress still have fervent patriotism for the crown. As such, the royal family serves as the head of the government with absolute power. However, they can't be everyone at once as much as they want to. Around the Duchess are advisors and nobles from across the Dukedom and even fey have joined her court to aid her in this manner.
History
When the Warring States period raged, only two nations came to be in the end stages: The Kingdom of Hanoc and the Empire of Imuyueg. The Empire, seated where Yterius would once be, was founded by a King with a dream similar to the Sorcerer King. He wanted to fix the land, to create a world where the Warring States never happened. And that dream... it forced him to face the Heroes of Leowyn and the very man who inspired him to take that goal. Some stories say he won against all odds because Leowyn turned to his side. Others say that he was slain on the field of battle, his dream unfinished.
Whatever the case, his dream couldn't be fulfilled with the Long Night bearing down on Takira. And his death and the subsequent chaos stole away any remnant of what Imuyueg used to be. The Empire came crashing down and countless lords fought over the territories while the cold gripped them all. In the end, it was fractured between different kingdoms before the fighting stopped.
There were many unsung heroes from these kingdoms and when they returned home after the Long Night, the remnants wanted to gain heroism for themselves. So the first thing they did was fight amongst each other again. However, there was one amongst them who fought in the north. Who returned after watching countless heroes from across the land die to the Demons. Her name was Yterius of a kingdom lost to history. The First Tigress fought with every fiber of her being. Her valiant nature inspired many to fight by her side. But in the end, she died before she could sit on the throne she worked so hard for.
But her death wasn't in vain. The Grand Duchy of Yterius was formed in the honor of the First Duchess and her line would continue with the children she left behind in her wake. And down the line they've gone, doing their best to defend the land she left behind. When it was threatened by raiders from the west and pirates from the east, two heroes rose to fight these odds. The Tiger of Yterius, a mercenary of renown. And the Sea Warrior, a monk who strikes with the fury of the elements. Both powerful warriors who despite having no official ties to Yterius, defend it with their lives and train others in their ways. There are rumors that one or both of them could be the reincarnation of the first Yterius. Whether it is true or not, one thing is certain: anything that wishes to threaten Yterius will face the fury of the Tiger that lies within.
Demography and Population
2.8 million people reside in Yterius, most of them on the coast. Like its "sister" country, they have holdings underwater and even in Undrek. However, a large amount of the population has run from the west due to the Orange Fever epidemic. Both rural and urban populations have had an increased death toll and infection rate due to the Fever. And it marches onward toward the capital, following the major routes.
Yterius houses a large amount of Elves as this was one of the landing zones when the Elves were cast out of the Fey lands. They make up a dominant portion of the population but there is a noticeable number of Aasimar, Tieflings, and Genasi alike due to proximity to Steamer. There is also a portion of half-elves and humans on the border of Travland, living there as far back as the Warring States period. However, with disease gripping their land, they have started to either abandon their homeland and flee east or stand their ground and face what death may come.
Territories
10 provinces divide the Dukedom, 8 given to major lords to oversee, one for the capital where the Duchess resides and the last was a gift to the Sea Warrior in honor of her service. Most of these lands are the original holdings of the Imuyueg empire with Yehlet and Yterius always having heated discussions over their border, especially when Leowyn is involved. It doesn't help that both major trade routes go through the same area.
Oceanus is basically independent from the rest of the nation. The Sea Warrior takes good care of it and the people who live there, both as students and as actual residents. Despite people expecting more of a zen outlook from here, the Sea Warrior knows how politics and governing works. And isn't afraid to push against other annoying lords or even the Duchess herself to get something done.
Military
Yterius stands with nearly 20 thousand men in their military, mainly on the borders with a single force of 2,000 in their capital. They focus primarily on archer and strength of magic but when push comes to shove, they also call upon the Jade Knights as an external force to aid them. Currently much of the military forces are located on the borders, keeping people from escaping the Orange Fever in an attempt to keep the epidemic down. However, there have been attacks by people desperate to escape and rabid patients who have the Orange Fever.
Religion
The Court of Light and Darkness has a deep hold on the region as the elves believe in this faith. However, the Lightbringer and the Shadowbringer have also taken hold as sightings of Shadark-Kai and pilgrims from Steamer increase their faith. Even the Travland pantheon has some followers. However, any cultists of the demons are persecuted as much as possible to keep their corruption from taking hold. And with the Tiger of Sshauven and Sea Warrior doing these operations, it's likely they won't last long.
Trade & Transport
The only land-based trade routes to the east flow through Yterius's land, which they like to gloat about. At the same time, the sea route also flow through their territory, making them a prime target. Plenty of humans attempted to get their hands on Yterius to gain these trade routes and raiders often came through their lands and onto their seas. That chaos was what birthed heroes such as the Sea Warrior and the Tiger, giving Yterius the time they needed to fortify their defenses against these threats.
Through Raging Seas, Through Blazing Flames
Founding Date
Circa 1000 SF
Type
Geopolitical, Duchy
Capital
Alternative Names
Yterius, Imuyueg, the Grand Duchy of Yterius
Demonym
Yterian
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Copper, Silver, Gold, Platinum
Major Exports
Fish, Grains, Ores
Official State Religion
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
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