The Holy Kingdom of Estemar
History
There have been numerous Estemarian kingdoms over the centuries. The latest iteration is the Holy Kingdom of Estemar, which occupies the region between the Petadeen and Kabir rivers and the east coast of Narum. Founded the year after the Kingdom of Alandr, Estemar is one of Argea's oldest realms. Its vast history--and the kingdom's emphasis on culture--has made Estemar the hub of refined culture in Argea. Directly after the end of the Divine Crusades, Ímagris directed one of his champions to travel to the ruins of Seradhur on the banks of the Kabir River in southeast Narum. There, the enterprising champion-turned-architect transformed the ruins into a thriving metropolis in less than twenty years. Frielar I, as he came to be known, named the city Virezzo, or "Vision of the River" in the local dialect ("vir" - to see, vision; "ezzo" - river, or water). Guided by Frielar's master plan, the city grew exponentially. His children (now called the Ardeon dynasty) worked hard to grow the city and commissioned many architectural wonders that matched the previous empires' engineering and architectural feats. Of these, the many-spired gothic cathedral known as the Apotheón reigns supreme. It's massive dome, spindly minarets, and arches tower above the rest of the city, bathing it in the otherworldly blue reflections of its sea-green windows. Many consider Ladian II's Apotheón (which took three hundred years to complete) to be the greatest architectural achievement in Argean history. Four dynasties have ruled Estemar since its most recent founding: the Ardeons, Vastahis, Isqahans, and Sevadres. The current era is known to most as the Sevadrene era. Its kings emphasize all manner of art and cultural projects. The kings (and its only queen) are favored of Ímagris. They rule autocratically from the Nest (the Estemarian throne, called so because it appears to hang from hundreds of spindly, stone, inverted arches and pillars that hang down from the ceiling) in Virezzo. Dynasties of the Kingdom of Estemar:| Name | Years |
|---|---|
| Ardeon | 4-349 YGP |
| Vastahi | 352-712 YGP |
| Isqahan | 714-831 YGP |
| Sevadre | 831 YGP-present |
- Frielar I (4-22 YGP) – A venerated champion of Ímagris during the Divine Crusades, Frielar worked together with his patron to found the city of Virezzo on the banks of the Kabir River, born 4967 YGR
- Cirleon I (22-72 YGP) – Frielar I’s eldest son, born 4993 YGR
- Ladian I (72-111 YGP) – son of Cirleon I, established the Royal Academy of Arts in Virezzo, born 31 YGP
- Ladian II (111-122 YGP) – son of Ladian I, began construction of the Apotheón, Virezzo's legendary gothic cathedral, born 62 YGP
- Strom I (122-154 YGP) – son of Ladian II, noble patron of the port city of Acadicci, born 86 YGR
- León (154-197 YGP) – Strom I’s eldest son, established Estemar as a strong white-water naval force, brokered peace treaties with Alandr, Taqqadiya, and Kusafiri, born 111 YGP
- León II (197-226 YGP) – León’s grandson, commissioned the excavation of Casa del Diablo, born 161 YGP
- Diego the Beloved (226-275 YGP) – son of León II, was a well-respected and beloved king. Many Estemarians regard Diego with nearly as much reverence as a deity. Grand paintings and statues of Diego are a common sight throughout the kingdom; born 188 YGP
- Vogrof I (275-304 YGP) – great-grandson of Diego the Beloved, born 241 YGP
- Strom II (304-308 YGP) – son of Vogrof I, born 262 YGP
- Strom III (308-321 YGP) – son of Strom II, assassinated by dissidents while visiting Scarra, born 286 YGP
- Vimir Sand-eyes (321-333 YGP) – son of Strom III, Vimir rose to power as a young boy when his father, Strom III, was assassinated by political dissidents. During his rule, he developed intense paranoia and enacted completely nonsensical policies that he thought would protect him from potential assassins, born 310 YGP
- Horos I (334-349 YGP) – third son of Strom III, born 312 YGP
- Cirleon II (349 YGP) – fourth son of Strom III, assassinated on his coronation day, instigating a period of civil unrest known as the Threshing of Kings, born 316 YGP
- Faravad I – (352-381 YGP) – appointed as the Throne Steward by Ímagris' Council of Attendants in 350 YGP, Faravad eventually become the de facto King of Estemar, founded the Vastahi Dynasty of Estemarian kings, born 306 YGP
- Vimir II (381-406 YGP) – son of Faravad I, born 335 YGP
- Faravad II (406-438 YGP) – son of Vimir II, born 368 YGP
- Strom IV (438-444 YGP) – son of Faravad II, born 398 YGP
- Diego II (444-471 YGP) – son of Strom IV, born 417 YGP
- León III (471-525 YGP) – son of Diego II, born 432 YGP
- León the Traveler (525-600 YGP) – son of León III, a brave, adventuring soul blessed with long life by the god Ímagris, went missing while exploring the jungles of the Inkforest in 600 YGP, born 465 YGP
- Diego the Troubled (600-619 YGP) – son of León the Traveler, said to be inconsolable at the news of his father's death, King Diego never fully recovered, born 550 YGP
- Ladian III (619-631 YGP) – son of Diego the Troubled, born 580 YGP
- Vogrof II (631-642 YGP), son of Ladian III, born 600 YGP
- Diego IV (642-648 YGP) – son of Vogrof II, died of an incurable illness, born 628 YGP
- Horos II (648-670 YGP) - second son of Vogrof II, born 630 YGP
- Faravad III (670-712 YGP) – son of Horos II, died w/o issue, born 649 YGP
- León V (712 YGP) – appointed as the Throne Steward by Ímagris' Council of Attendants in 712 YGP, assassinated by the Cult of the Cozened three short months after his ascension, born 642 YGP
- Tarion I (712-714 YGP) – appointed as the Throne Steward by Ímagris' Council of Attendants in 712 YGP, became an invalid after imbibing a mysterious poison in 714 YGP, born 669 YGP
- Cirleon the Favored (714-777 YGP) – appointed as Holy King by Ímagris' champion Badilar the Engineer in a rare demonstration of divine power, Cirleon amended the name of the kingdom to the "Holy Kingdom of Estemar" to prove his loyalty to the god by whose power he was made king. As such, Cirleon the Favored became the first Holy King of Estemar. Born 694 YGP
- Tarion II (777-789 YGP) – grandson of Cirleon the Favored, born 744 YGP
- Vanessa I (789-831 YGP) – daughter of Tarion II, widely considered to be the most proficient wielder of political power in recent Argean history, married Hammond Sevadre, Duke of Gray's Vigil, born 767 YGP
- Frielar II (831-856 YGP) – son of Vanessa I, first to break tradition and take the founder's name, did so at his mother's request, sponsored all art projects suggested to him during his reign, born 797 YGP
- Cirleon IV (856-861 YGP) – son of Frielar II, favored comedies, architecture, and impressive engineering, born 818 YGP
- Cirleon V (861-887 YGP) – son of Cirleon IV, favored operas and choir music, born 840 YGP
- Tarion III (887-899 YGP) – son of Cirleon V, favored sculptures, born 864 YGP
- Ladian IV (899-923 YGP) – son of Tarion III, favored string music and good wine, born 886 YGP
- Ladian V (923-929 YGP) – son of Ladian IV, assassinated by the Cult of the Cozened in 929 YGP, favored abstract art and watercolors, born 914 YGP
- León VI (929-965 YGP) – second son of Ladian IV, favored woven art, born 917 YGP
- Ladian VI (965-993 YGP) – son of León VI, favored architecture and design, born 940 YGP
- Tarion III (993-1019 YGP) – son of Ladian VI, favored daring new gastronomic inventions, born 963 YGP
- Ladian VII (1019-1034 YGP) – son of Tarion III, favored dramatic plays, born 992 YGP
- Cirleon VI (1034-1072 YGP) – son of Ladian VII, favored lifelike oil paintings and piano music, born 1020 YGP
- Ladian VIII (1072 YGP-present) – son of Cirleon VI, current Holy King of Estemar, favors daring sculptures and impressive architecture, born 1046 YGP
Environment
Its hard to beat Estemar's ecological diversity. Perhaps only Taqqadiya and Arkanmere come close. In the north, the lands of the Holy Kingdom are arid and desert-like. The east coast is warm and humid: perfect for growing olives. Estemar's south coast is subtropical and often described as "the Paradise Coast." The Estemarian interior is largely plains (home to one of Estemar's most esteemed exports: cattle) and temperate forests. It is thanks to this array of climates that Estemar produces the vast majority of Argean luxury foods and wines.Government
The Holy Kingdom of Estemar is ruled by a hereditary monarchy. With one exception, the monarch has always been male. When the successor is not certain, the government defers to Ímagris' Council of Attendants (a group of priests of Ímagris who are elected to their positions by the various diocese of the Church of Ímagris). The diocese function as both religious and governmental subunits. The leader of each diocese, called a Bishop, reports directly to the Crown on the wellbeing of his ecclesiastic and secular congregations. The diocese of Estemar are:| Diocese | Bishop | Area of Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Acadicci | Ered Gamila | Acadicci, Casa del Diablo, Dasteri |
| Catallo | Roma Tynestred | Catallo, Paleriva |
| Gralés | Zesha Sunglory | Gralés, Montevarre, Vostigno |
| Porton | Vim Virudar | Avivilés, Porton |
| Salan | Thain Singletail | Acenzio, Barcavo, Robles, Salan |
| Scarra | Olbert Caskenheim | Halvedra, Los Cruces, Marsalet, Scarra, Rio del Rey, Zavariz |
| Virezzo | King Ladian VIII | Virezzo |
Society
While the Holy Kingdom of Estemar often professes to be the most devout realm on the planet (and they probably are), society is far from a monoculture. The southern portion of the realm appears to be almost entirely dedicated to pleasure. Legendary wineries, beaches, resorts, and marinas dot the countryside. The southeastern diocese of Estemar is more devout than Acadicci, but it still has its fair share of apple orchards (whose primary product is cider), olive groves (a popular destination for lovers), and casinos. The north coast of Estemar focuses primarily on the sea and its bounties: fish, crustaceans, and whale oil. The residents of the Catallo, Gralés, and Porton dioceses are legendary fishermen with a strong affinity for hard work and good ale. Perhaps Estemar's most religious diocese is run from Scarra. The central plains of the Holy Kingdom are home to the most devout members of the Church of Ímagris. Its chapels, churches, and cathedrals are frequently filled to overflowing. The Bishop of Scarra is often filled by hardline Attendants of Ímagris, but it has seen a few reformists over the years. Not many, though. Estemarian society doesn't strictly revolve around religion, but it can appear so. Many of the local idioms and cultural touchpoints stem from the realm's worship habits.Structure
- Holy King
- Prince/Princess
- Duke/Duchess
- Marquess/Marquise
- Earl or Count/Countess
- Viscount/Viscountess
- Baron/Baroness
- Baronet Knight
Culture
Faith is the primary tenet in Estemarian culture. This can be faith in a god (Ímagris or Yozre are the patron gods of Estemar), an ideal, or a leader. One of the most common greetings in the kingdom is "hail to thine faith!"
One might say that the object of most Estemarians' faith is food, art, or architecture. It is certainly the most emphasized subject in most schools and in refined conversation. Wineries, art studios, and architecture firms are sprinkled liberally across the kingdom. Virezzo alone boasts dozens of these. Estemar's seemingly singular focus appears to pay off, however. Estemarian wines, art, and blueprints are some of the most sought-after (and therefore expensive) items on the market.
Summarized, Estemarian culture is about the pursuit of an ideal. According to their culture, there is a right way to do something and it should be done that way.
Demography and Population
| Ancestry | % |
|---|---|
| Humans | 42 |
| Halflings | 18 |
| Lizardfolk | 16 |
| Gnomes | 15 |
| Gnolls | 3 |
| Other | 6 |
Military
Estemar maintains a very small force of professional soldiers responsible for the Holy King's protection in peacetime. In wartime, the Holy King reserves the right to call up levies on the various Estemarian diocese. The Estemarian Navy is smaller than most realms, but it is trained and supplied by Alandr through a peace treaty.
Religion
The Church of Ímagris is the Holy Kingdom of Estemar's official religion. However, the worship of Yozre is also quite popular. While the worship of other gods is not strictly prohibited, members of other faiths may find themselves judged or made uncomfortable in certain social circles.
Agriculture & Industry
Estemar has many industries, but the most popular are its arts: food, beverages, painting, sculpture, architecture, weaving, etc. Most Estemarians are involved in the art scene to some degree.
Education
Estemar features Argea's most revered artistic colleges and universities. The Academy of Arts in Virezzo is considered to be one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the world. Locally, children and young adults are schooled in just about every subject, but with a strong emphasis on art and engineering.
Infrastructure
Estemar was built on the ruins of ancient empires, so it got a head start in the infrastructure department. Rather than build new roads, Estemar chose to refurbish decaying ones. Therefore, the kingdom's roads, bridges, and walkways are some of the best in the world. Estemarian architecture is legendary, as is its engineering. Most Estemarian cities are organized on a grid layout. Virezzo, the capital, is built right on top of an ancient city.
Fortunum Fidelibus (Fortune to the Faithful)
Founding Date
4 YGP
Capital
Demonym
Estemarian
Leader
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
Estemar utilizes the same copper, silver, gold, and platinum system as the rest of Argea's realms, but issues them in the Holy King's image. The face of each coin is stamped with the silhouette of the current monarch. The backs of the coins differ, however. The back of the copper piece depicts a stalk of wheat. The back of the silver piece is embossed with the Royal Stag. The gold and platinum coins depict the Apotheón and the Sevadrene crest, respectively.
Legislative Body
Estemar has no official legislature. All big picture decisions are made by the Holy King in consultation with the Attendant Council and the Diocese Bishops.
Judicial Body
There is no official judicial body in Estemar. Most decisions are made, enforced, and appealed to local ecclesiastical bodies.
Executive Body
The chief executive is the Holy King. Below him, the Diocese Bishops handle regional issues. Local leaders are most often Attendants of Ímagris, although exceptions exist.
Official State Religion
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Related Species
Allied, Friendly
Having signed a mutual peace and defense treaty in 989 YGP, the Holy Kingdom of Estemar and the Kingdom of Alandr are friendly toward one another. They entered, together with Arkanmere, the First International War on the same side in support of Kusafiri.
Stable Peace, Peace Treaty
Occupying
During the International War, the forces of the Holy Kingdom of Estemar routed the forces of the Sultanate of Taqqadiya, resulting in the occupation of much of Taqqadiya's land.
At War
The Empire of Okkrgoth and the Holy Kingdom of Estemar are currently at war.
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