| Aeryl | |
|---|---|
| |
| Vitals | |
| Emblem |  |
| Government | Monarchy |
| Leadership | House Brant |
| Head of State Title | King |
| Head of State | |
| Citizenry | Aerylite |
| Capitol | Elidel |
| Population | 201,675 |
| Largest City | |
| Established | 7477.2 |
| Allies |  
|
| Rivals |  
|
| Currency | 
|
| Languages | Canderian |
| Industry | |
| Historical | |
| Old Maps | |
Aeryl is the second-largest nation by land mass in Lesser Galwyndor, surpassed only by Clavermark. Once part of Aeryloth, Aeryl became its own nation following the Aerylothian Civil War in the year 7477. It is governed by the ruling House Brant, seated at the capitol city of Elidel.
People of Aeryl are referred to as "Aerylites".
History
Originally, Aeryl was part of Aeryloth (along with Lothlan).
Aerylothian Civil War
Aeryl emerged as an independent entity after the Aerylothian Civil War, a bloody conflict that split the kingdom of Aeryloth into two major regions: Aeryl and Lothlan. The reasons behind the schism are deeply intertwined with succession disputes and irreconcilable ideological differences.
Geography
Climate and Environment
Aeryl's environment is temperate but has grown harsher in recent decades due to widespread ecological decline. Once rich in forest and arable land, much of Aeryl’s terrain now consists of scrubland, brittle plains, and fog-choked highlands. Wildfires and crop blight are not uncommon, and natural resources are closely guarded. Agriculture is carefully rationed, and greenery is considered sacred by many.
Provinces
There are four provinces within Aeryl:
Major Settlements
- Afterly
- Alimante
- Buhl
- Chardin Molida
- Cieldover
- Crath
- Elidel - capitol city and the home of the Elidel Espitri overball club
- Garvedo
- Gheaden
- I'dirra
- Imerick
- Jarlvil - Jarlvil smoke sticks are named after this city
- Jovos Aera - home of Jovos Aera University
- Keblin
- Kenerton
- Loracita
- Lost Daeken
- Nalt
- New Valen
- Norwyndor
- Obuk
- Ostenton
- Queen's Park - location of Straser
- Spurwood
- Sumler
- Threeship
- Ulstar
- Valedona
- Weaverby
- Yaldissport
Politics
Government
Aeryl is ruled as a hereditary monarchy under House Brant. While nominally influenced by a circle of noble advisors, the Brant sovereigns maintain tight control.
Law
Legal customs in Aeryl remain some of the most traditional in Galwyndor. Capital punishment is common, and House Brant is known to practice ritual burial sacrifice upon the death of a noble. In the cases of kings, concubines are sacrificed and buried alongside the king. Justice is carried out swiftly and often ceremonially.
Allies
- Andermark
- Gruenormark (mainly due to shared rivalry with Averia)
Rivals
- Lothlan (historic enmity dating to the civil war)
- Averia (especially following the rise of Queen Caliana, who hails from Lothlan)
These rivalries are fueled not just by politics but also by the sharp theological divide between Q'evrism (favored in Aeryl) and Tethuricism (prominent in Averia).
Military
Aeryl’s forces are built on the philosophy of conservation and elite specialization. While not vast in number, Aerylite regiments are known for their brutal efficiency, cunning field strategy, and tenacity. Their border patrols are notoriously ruthless.
Economy
Agriculture
With much of Aeryl’s fertile land in decline, most agricultural efforts focus on root vegetables, hardy grains, and fungus farms. The people are adept at soil reclamation and use biochar pits to preserve the yield of their lands.
Industry
Few industries flourish in Aeryl due to the dying biosphere, but they do produce refined ash fuels, primitive energy cells, and ironwork. Artisanal goods from Elidel and woven textile relics from Weaverby are rare and expensive commodities throughout Galwyndor.
Demographics
Language
The dominant language is Canderian. Small pockets of Old Aerylothian persist in rural regions, mostly used by elders and religious keepers.
Religion
Q'evrism is practiced widely in Aeryl, especially among the nobility, though various sects have emerged with localized traditions. A minority practice Salarian rites or hold to ancestral folk beliefs rooted in fire worship and old forest spirits.
Culture
Sex and Marriage
Aerylite society is conservative in form but permissive in spirit. Marriages are political instruments as often as they are unions of love. Lovers outside of marriage are quietly tolerated so long as they maintain public decorum.
Death
Death rituals vary by class. Nobles are given sky pyres or are entombed with living sacrifices, while commoners are buried under stone mounds. Ancestral tools are passed down to children, and the names of the dead are spoken at every solstice.
Rites of Passage
Boys must hunt a direfox or scavenge a relic from the Ruined Lands to earn their manhood marks. Girls braid their hair with barbed wire and endure a weeklong fast in honor of the earth spirits before they are considered women.
Superstition
- Never cross a boundary stone without naming your lineage aloud.
- Black moths are said to be the souls of executed nobles. It is bad luck to kill one.
- Eating cold stew invites famine into your home.