Aurelia

Aurelia is the dominant state on the continent of Alteria, encompassing a vast majority of the land. In the native language of halflings, "Aurelia" roughly means "most beautiful land." Aurelian scribes consider it to be the oldest civilization in the known world, although this is disputed by Ilith and the inhabitants of Zera.

Structure

Aurelia is principally ruled by a sort of feudal oligarchy, with these oligarchs referring to themselves as Barons. The Barony consists of individuals who have risen to power in a number of ways - trade, warfare, prominence in the Basilica, or simply vast personal wealth and influence. Historically, each has claimed one of the major metropolises as their individual territory. This typically occurs either by annexing it from a previous Baron, or by seizing power after a Baron dies or abdicates. By tradition, a prospective Baron must make their case to the existing ruling body, and the Barony must unanimously agree to the ascension of the claimant before they are considered legitimate.

The Barony operates primarily behind the closed doors of the Basilica Maximus within the capital of Aurum . Overall, they don't see any benefit in transparency regarding their day-to-day business. Despite this culture of secrecy, Barons often maintain a public presence that engenders a strong degree of trust and admiration from the citizenry at large.

"Why'm I gonna worry about all that governin' stuff when the Good Baron's never done me wrong? No need to fix what ain't broke." - Joe Commoner

Culture

Aurelian culture is a curious mishmash of open-minded free expression on the one hand, and long-simmering bigotry and elitism on the other. Humans, halflings and gnomes each retain a distinct culture, but simultaneously consider each other as part of the majority. Members of these groups are more likely to tend towards kinship - interracial marriages among these groups and children of mixed birth are common enough to be considered nonissues by the population at large.

However, a plurality of other racial backgrounds elicit suspicion, derision, or open hostility from many common citizens. Elves are reviled and deeply feared, generally considered equivalent to rabid animals. So-called "beastraces," as well as orcs and goblins, are thought of as slaves at best and dangerous barbarians at worst.

Whether commoner or noble, art is held in a high regard, and all forms of artistic expression are considered worthy pursuits. Chief among them is the semi-sacred art of architecture and construction. Civilization and its accoutrements are cornerstones of the dominant religious body, the Basilica, and any profession that furthers the spread of civilized culture is sometimes thought of as a holy undertaking. Even humble farmers are often cited in Basilica sermons as being worthy of admiration for their noble and essential contributions to the State.

A handful of notable differences exist between those who live within the stalwart walls of the metropolises, and those who live in the countryside. Opportunities for luxury and decadence are common within the cities, and even poor citizens tend towards having a relatively high quality of life. In the myriad of smaller villages outside this safety, life is much more harsh and cheap - raids by Razorbacks, Chosen, wild animals, monsters, and other horrors are frequent. Villagers often justify their hardships rather than dwell on them.

"Last year I lost an arm to a warg, three toes to frostbite, and three-quarters of my liver to rotgut, at least according to that quack, but the folks in Duganry ate well. Pastor says that Ferros smiles on folks what make sacrifices like I does. That's all the gold I need." - Joe Farmer

History

While a loose association between the city-states had existed for as long as any could remember, scholars mark sometime in 255 as the year that Aurelia began to resemble its current form. Already deeply connected to each other via trade, religion, and shared defense, the rulers of Hommlet, Duganry, Meridar, Rennfreid, and Limbo met in the wealthiest and most ancient known city, Aurum, to codify a bona fide government among themselves. Deciding to incorporate a system of shared labor and resources, headed by the most influential of each settlement (later called Barons), the proto-Aurelians further agreed on several key points:

1. Ferros the Architect is the sacred defender of the civilization we hold dear, and His wisdom must be exalted above all;
2. Civilization is both the means and the end, at any cost;
3. The Elves must be eradicated as soon as possible.
   

Some of these tenets have proven to be more robust than others.

As I crested up the hill
I saw for what I'd wandered;
Tallest walls of stone and steel
And lives no longer squandered.

-Excerpt from "The Odyssey of Farstride"

Founding Date

~255

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Power Structure

Feudal state

Controlled Territories

• Aurum
• Hilltop
• Meridar
• New Veluca
• Veluca

Notable Members

• Clarise Lerent