Branca, the Kingdom of the South

Branca, the Kingdom of the South, also known as the Kingdom of Branca, is a nation in the southern reaches of Gimora Major. Its territory consists of the lands between the Gimora Sea and the Gimora Mountains.

Description

The Kingdom of Branca is one of the oldest human kingdoms. It has been ruled by the Brancana Lineage for centuries, the longest such human dynasty in Azimuth. The current monarch, King Bernhard Brancana, and his family rule in the captial city, Brancaster.
The kingdom is separated into three major regions: The Western Foothills, where the forest of Kendell and the Endor Tunnel are; the Eastern Foothills, where the ancient Lake Gimor and the passages to Burland and the Wild Lands are; and between them, the Green Valley, where most of the citizens reside in and around the captial and the port cities of Haydon Port and Ruintown.
After the Manslayer War, there has been a greater military presence from Branca in the border regions towards the Wild Lands. This, as well as the anti-bestial laws still in effect in Branca, have increased tensions in the area as Branca extends its influence beyond the Eastern Foothills.

Notable Locations

• Brancaster: The captial of the kingdom, where Castle Branca sits.

• Hometown: The birthplace of the Zenethian Children, now protected as a holy place.

Society

Notable People

Royal Family

• King Bernhard Brancana

• Queen Aria Brancana

• Prince Corey Brancana

• Princess Louisa Brancana

Culture

Supplied by the Iron Highway, goods and merchants from Endor travel through the trade tunnel across the Green Valley, and then out towards Burland and Konenbur, which brings much wealth and material into Branca. Being central on this trade road, Branca has a hand in much of the continent's trade economy.
There is a lot of historical importance in the kingdom, a fact of pride for many of the citizens. The ancient human Kingdom of Gimora was formed around Lake Gimor , one of the first holy places made during the Age of Creations. Though the kingdom has fallen, the ruins of the capital still stand around the cold waters of the lake in eastern Branca. Additionally, the Hometown of the Zenethian Children is on the edge of Branca lands, and is protected as a holy place. Many pilgrims from around Azimuth that follow the Zenethian faith travel here to touch the history of this place, bringing a diverse set of peoples into Branca.
That said, not all races are welcome in Branca. Though the emergence of the Parthenian Federation has done much to progress the reputation and standing of bestial races, the prejudices held in the laws and peoples of Branca after the Manslayer War still hold much sway in the region. There are active laws allowing the repelling and slaying of any bestial race. Though these laws are barbaric in the view of other kingdoms, the government has had little pressure to change them. As such, it is incredibly rare to see any members of such races within Brancan lands.

Religion

The history of the Zenethian faith is of great importance to Branca. The Hometown of the Zenethian Children is on the edge of Branca lands, and is protected as a holy place. Many pilgrims from around Azimuth that follow the Zenethian faith travel here to touch the history of this place, bringing a diverse set of peoples into Branca.
Reverance for Chedae, The Heaven's Light, is high in these lands, partially due to the efforts of Aoth Stormwind, Vassal of the Platinum Dragon. Aoth constructed the Abbey of the Ruby Rose, a monastery where those seeking aid can find it, and those wanting to provide aid can find a way to make a difference. Here, a line of Aoth's descendents protect the Zenethian Bow.

Government

The kingdom of Branca is a monarchy ruled by the Brancana Lineage for centuries, the longest such human dynasty in Azimuth. The current monarch is King Bernhard Brancana, who rules from Castle Branca in Brancaster.
The government of Branca is a peerage system, with the positions of dukes, marquees, earls, viscounts, and barons beneath the king. These titles and any associated lands are hereditary and passed on, with some families able to claim rulership over various regions for nearly as long as the Brancana family.

Military

The kingdom maintains a standing military and navy force centralized in the major cities and ports. These are led by generals who report to the authority of the crown. Generals are usually in charge of a specific point of interest, such as Haydon Port or the capital, Brancaster.
The Brancana Rangers are a division of the military, and are led by one of the generals. They are an elite group of rangers and archers tasked with the protection of the Iron Highway and the eastern border towards the Wild Lands.
Members of the Brancan Army are identifiable from their violet tabbards and flat helms. Most are equipped with spears and bucklers. As part of the peerage system, local lords are tasked with the defense of their lands and may receive detachments of the military to command for that purpose.
In addition to the standing armies, knighthood is a common practice in Branca, and there are orders of Brancan knights that operate across the region.

History

The Fourth Age: The Age of Shadow

After the Kingdom of Gimora was destroyed during the Great War and the continent of Gimora was sundered, the lands were split into several new powers. One of these was Branca. The Zenethian Champion Ruin helped to stabilize Branca and set it on the path towards dominance in the region.
After the Champion Rita opened Rita's Pass to the north, increased trade with the lands across the mountains began.
Around 10 Felim 4A 995, Psaro the Manslayer and his armies invaded Branca from the east, starting the Manslayer War. The army of Branca was rallied but were decisively beaten in the Eastern Foothills region. After Psaro sacked Hometown on 24 Felim 4A 995, his armies returned eastward while burning much of the Green Valley.
With the aid of the Zenethian Heroes, King Alphonse Brancana forged alliances with other lands to form a large military force to attack Parthenia. This force engaged in the the Battle of the Bay of Shipwrecks and the Battle of the Iron Marshes, ending the Manslayer War.

The Fifth Age: The Age of Beginnings

After the end of the Manslayer War, recovery in Branca began. This lead to active laws allowing the repelling and slaying of any bestial race. It also saw an increase in military presence in eastern Branca to protect against any attacks in the future.
Around 5A 005, Aoth Stormwind founded the Brancana Rangers and the Camp of the Brancana Rangers, from which they would operate.
Around 5A 010, King Alphonse Brancana died due to complications from wounds suffered during the war. In his will, King Brancana left tracks of land to Aoth in the area of Kendell. Aoth would go on to build the Abbey of the Ruby Rose and start the Order of the Bow here.
By 5A 351, the Brancana Rangers were known to scout into the Wild Lands and occasionally engage in conflicts with the peoples there.

2021 Art by K Bredain
The heraldry of the Kingdom of Branca consists of a golden sword over a field of violet and gray. The violet pieces represent the splitting of Gimora, and the sword with dragon wings is for standing vigilant against the enemies of Zenethia.

Founding Date

Early Fourth Age

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Alternative Names

Kingdom of Branca

Demonym

Brancan

Controlled Territories

• Brancaster
• Castle Branca

Organization Vehicles

• Occidentalis

Notable Members

• King Alphonse Brancana