It is Ambrodas, 21st of the Month of Cinder, in the year 95
His Royal Majesty, King Rodrigo Diaz de Asturias II
Kingdom of Asturias
Queen Adoniah of Tatakair
The Kingdom of Asturias is a product of the troubled region called Isperia, its homeland; this land suffered instability and rival pettiness of petty kings, dukes and nobility. The meteoric rise of Asturias would end the Ravaged Century and usher in a new era for the Isperian people and a new great power on the global stage.
Few would now turn up their nose to Asturias, no longer a minor kingdom from a backwater land but rather a rising star among the Old World major players. Since it united its homeland it has only known expansion. Since the coronation of King Rodrigo Diaz de Asturias II, it has been on a near-endless spree of wars and conquests, casting its reach across the seas to seize and hold more territory. Some even regard King Rodrigo as blessed by Dion himself.
"Never again my friends, shall we suffer indignity!"
- King Rodrigo Diaz de Asturias II
Play As...
Asturias
General Characteristic
Primary Race
Human
Language
Common, Asturian
Height
162cm - 195cm (5'3 - 6'4)
Hair Colours
Mostly browns, black, and some blondes (Asturias, Visira)
Eye Colours
Dominantly Hazel-Green (Asturias, Vizira), Browns (Asturias, Visira), Blue/Greys (Tatakair)
Skin Tone
Olive/Tanned (Asturias, Visira), Darker Skinned/Tanned (Tatakair)
Ethos
Bellicose (Asturias), Ceremonius (Visira), Spiritual (Tatakair)
Naming Convention
Renaissance Spanish (Asturias), Renaissance
Portuguese (Visira), Phoenician (Tatakair)
Kingdom of Asturias Rundown
Themes
Spanish Empire, Colonial, Noble RP, Conquistadors, New Great Power
Aesthetics
Asturian - Castillian, Spanish, Argonese, Colonial, Glory
Visira - Portuguese, Villas and Vineyards, Agriculture, Wealth
Tatakair - Mediterranean, Phoenician, Palaces, Great Gardens
Unique Aspects
Rising Power, Strong sense of unity, and memories of the past when they had less pride and hope for their homeland.
General Attitudes Towards
Attitude Scale:
Allied
Friendly
Cordial
Neutral
Unfavourable
Antagonistic
War
Gallia:
Allied
Great Houses:
Antagonistic
Custodes:
Neutral
Dumanon:
Antagonistic
Komanali:
Unfavourable
Banen’Rhûn:
Neutral
Sasanshahr:
Antagonistic
Ancient Dwarves:
Neutral
Amu-Tep:
Neutral
Azuchi:
Neutral
Daurans:
Friendly
Dynasty:
Neutral
Turak:
Neutral
Asturias and Aether Users:
The people of Asturias are naturally suspicious of those who can use Aether. These powers have a close association with Dumanon and often those who wield them can be mistaken as agents of the Imperium. Not only that but such powers are linked to The Tyrants of the Ravaged Century, these individuals were subdued or killed with the rise of the Asturian Kingdom.
Aetheric users can find a place in the Kingdom, mostly by being initiated into the Cult of the Bull and receiving the protection it provides. - It is only those in service to the King who are treated close to 'normal' though still regarded with suspicion. - There is no institution like Gallia to handle the Aetheric, nor do they have a leading role as they do in Dumanon. Most will try to hide what they are out of fear of losing their freedoms.
Asturias and Demons:
If one believed the tales of the Ravaged Century, then Demons were the primary cause of all of the failings of Isperia and the constant warring. On top of the fabled 'Tyrants', Demons exploited the good people for their own ends and slaughtered countless thousands. These creatures were vanquished by The Bull and his men, ushering in a reign of peace and prosperity to the lands of Isperia.
Demons often form the backbone of the most heinous stories of the Ravaged Century, where the most inhumane acts of the period are attributed to Demons and their schemes.
When making a character from the Kingdom of Asturias, firstly consider what type of person they are. Are they a traditionalist, a firebrand or a ‘foreign’ exotic presence within the Kingdom?
Those from Asturias proper are burdened with the reality of life as it was from generations before. Returning to such poverty and anarchy is a trauma passed down from generation to generation and fuels the fire of these emergent people to reach far and wide to never return to the state before. Will you seek to expand the kingdom further?
The Visira on the other hand experienced less of such a problem, although they too were part of the region as it fell under the Ravaged Century, their position of agricultural prominence allowed them to leverage food for safety. The Visira people are less serious than their Asturian neighbours, they are more lively and joyous compared to Asturian preference with rivalries over wine and meat. - Though this does not stop the curious and adventurous from dipping their toes in the benefits the Kingdom can give, will you take advantage?
Tatakair is the most recent addition to the Kingdom and is the most foreign element within it to date. Swearing fealty to the King after Asturias emerged victorious in the Western Crisis, and was welcomed by Rodrigo by him taking a wife of Tatakair origin, a warrior-maiden, breaking many conventions both home and abroad in doing so.
Will you seek to intertwine your destiny with Asturias? Or will you seek to find a new path in a world beyond the vast blue ocean?
The opportunities of the New World are endless. Here there is land to settle and build a future, all it needs is for you to seize it.
"As brazen as The Bull."
- A common phrase used to praise someone for audacious action
The History of Asturias
Asturias was one of several minor powers that made up the turbulent region of Isperia. Each vying for dominance over the other, and each in their own way failing in turn. To its north was the ever-prominent Gallia, and to its south across the sea was the great Empire of Sasanshahr. Both would interfere behind the scenes to ensure the region never truly stabilised. They preferred to use it as a buffer between the two great powers.
New Ear, Year 9 - 36
King Fernando de Asturias would eventually make a name for himself after the assassination of his wife. A diabolical reprimand of the King for his chosen allies. These types of attacks were more common than anyone felt comfortable with, and generally, the sense of perpetual unease prevented many monarchs from acting too drastically.
This act, however, gave King Fernando the right to do just that. He wasted no time in assembling his forces and went knocking on the doors of everyone he suspected to have played a part in the murder of his wife. The King’s determination, his skill and a large amount of luck saw him win day after day and laid the foundations for what was to come.
His aggressive approach to warfare and dealing with his enemies earned him the nickname “The Bull”.
New Era, Year 37 - 68
King Rodrigo, the son of Fernando, followed in his father’s footsteps and further expanded Asturias across the turbulent region. He was not as aggressive as his father, but far more cunning. Under his leadership, many of the outside influences of Gallia and Sasanshahr were curbed if not outright expelled. He went even further by reorganising the lands swept up in conquests by instituting many efforts to centralise these new lands and ensure noble loyalty.
He became known as 'The Blessed by Lysander' for his firm rule and diplomatic manoeuvres consolidating the Kingdom he inherited.
New Era, Year 68 - 95
King Rodrigo Diaz, also known as King Rodrigo II, was the son of Rodrigo. Finally, he united the entire region under the rule of Asturias. He did so in a war that solidified Asturias as a Kingdom that could no longer be messed around with. Vizier Anoshiruvan had taken it upon himself to challenge Asturias by seizing the southern lands still not conquered by the Kingdom. Putting himself on a collision course with King Rodrigo.
The war between the two was fierce, while Asturias fought against the threat of once again being plunged into instability. Anoshiruvan needed to prevent his own embarrassment in court from his unsanctioned conquest efforts. The Vizier brought with him an army twice the size of Rodrigo, with a generous portion of well-armed cavalry to truly hammer the point home. He was serious.
A surprise to be sure, for the Vizier, when King Rodrigo Diaz, through the thick of the fighting, rode to him to fight in personal combat. Even more of a surprise to the Vizier was being torn in two by forces unseen. King Rodrigo Diaz was unlike his fathers, in that he was an Aetheric King and honed his powers well. The Vizier’s army crumbled after the loss of their leader; although many nobles still fought as they did not have as weak morale as the peasants, they were ultimately no match for the veterans of Asturias.
And so began the Western Crisis for Sasanshahr.
Asturias continued to push its advantage. Liberating all the land ceased by the Vizier, and then went further. Crossing the sea and began a conquering spree that Asturias had not yet finished. A large portion of Sasanshahr’s westernmost regions were lost to Asturias in the war. And of the following two wars that followed, lost more still.
King Rodrigo Diaz was given the nickname ‘The Bull’ like his grandfather, but also 'The Bold' and 'The Son of Dion' in recognition of his achievements. Under his leadership, Asturias defeated Sasanshahr three times, and his Kingdom burst onto the world stage as a great power. His thirst for conquest has not yet ceased, and it is rare to find a few years go by without more land being added to his Kingdom.
New Era, Year 95
With the nobles of Visira laying the groundwork for overseas expansion into the New World, expeditions to Awenasas increased and the focus shifted from Sasanshahr and the attention was re-directed to warfare against the Great Houses of the Elves. What began as simple easy pickings against a weak enemy, resulting in great swathes of land being brought upon the banner of Asturias, finally hit a wall that was not so easily removed. The recovered forces of the Elven army, including veterans of past engagements with Asturias, began fighting back using more conventional Old World tactics and strategy.
Noticing an increase in the development of Elven strategy and tactics, the fighting became more difficult and costly. Asturian geo-political focus changed dramatically when agents in Sasanshahr reported the deepening ties of the ageing Empire with Dumanon. A Covenant between the two instantly put Asturias in a precarious position, forcing it to seek closer ties to Gallia as a measure to counter the new threat on the horizon. This alliance with Gallia came with a requirement of a cease-fire with the Great Houses, though no formal treaty had been signed ending the war.
Colonial Endeavour, New Era, Year 8-95
Pioneered by the explorers and then by the colonists who braved the seas and unknown land, the Kingdom of Asturias inherited an already developing colonial enterprise with the incorporation of Visira. Expansion was understandably slow at first, but within this period several successful expeditions had outlined prime locations for colonies and described idyllic terrain that captured the imagination of many.
The colonies slowly built up momentum and then started to boom. The rate at which able men and their families wished to leave Asturias for the New World, for Awenasa, prompted laws quickly passed to limit the outflow of people by capping the migration at ports.
This led to irritation among the colonial governors who needed not only labour but able bodies to defend themselves with. It was through negotiation with the King that they amended the law so that 5 years of military service allowed for the individual and their family to migrate regardless of the quota. The act was effective in swelling the ranks of the Asturian Army and Navy, colonial and domestic.
"Cut them down!"
- Lord Enrique de Velasquillo, Rallying cry just before a cavalry charge
Asturias:
Civilization & Politics
The region of Isperia had always been behind that of its neighbour, Gallia. Wars were frequent, stability was poor, crime was rampant and even criminal families were sanctioned by the local nobles. The shattering of the petty nobility, the law reforms and the iron fist used by Asturias ended the Ravaged Century and began its path to greatness.
The Kingdom of Asturias now is one of the Great Powers of Altan. However, it does not share the same advancements as Dumanon or Gallia. It has excelled in warfare, centralising reforms and most importantly understanding how best to exploit the resources at its disposal.
Much of its cohesion and ability to manage such an area can be attributed to its strong religious belief associated with King Rodrigo Diaz and his family. The Cult of the Bull has formed around King Rodrigo in reverence of him and his family for saving Isperia, Asturias and reforming it into something greater than before.
Cult of the Bull
The Cult has its foundations within King Fernando's closest friends who encouraged the king and rallied around his momentum. It wasn't until King Rodrigo Diaz's reign and the declaration by Archbishop Llorenco de Parada that he was 'The Son of Dion' did the cult flourished into a widely known phenomenon.
The Cult is rather simple, it is formed on the belief that King Fernando and his descendants are not only just the saviours of Asturias. But they are also a holy family with blessed blood. King Rodrigo Diaz is also more than just blessed by a divine bloodline, Dion himself birthed him into the world to bring Asturias to new heights of glory and prosperity.
The loyalty of the Cult to the monarchy has been a stabilising factor, but also a beneficial focus on empowering the Kingdom. The prevalence of the Cult through various sectors of society and institutions has greatly enabled the King to utilise his Kingdom, something which other countries struggle with, and allows Asturias to punch above its relative weight. However, the Cult often comes into conflict with the merchant guilds and nobility vying for greater power for themselves and the King.
The Nobility
Despite the centralisation efforts from the monarchy, the nobles still held considerable influence and power within the homeland of Asturias. The nobility is divided by factions with differing interests, most notably the traditionalists that seek to curb the monarch's reach and oppose the claims of divinity by the Cult. Then the noble Cultists believe in an almost selfless vision of empowering the crown to allow the 'Son of Dion' to enact his destiny.
Although there are differences in opinion on how best to govern, and how best to plot the course for the future. The nobility is united against outside threats and pushing forward the interests of Asturias as a whole. This key component is what has kept the Kingdom from a rapid descent into another period of internal conflict.
The Nobles are responsible for keeping the King’s peace within their lands, collecting taxes from the peasantry and raising troops when it has been requested by the King. They also play an important part as being some of the few who have access to an education, excluding those who join the Cult, and become entrusted with higher authority to meet the needs of the Kingdom.
One of these more recent opportunities is to obtain an Expeditionary Licence. Issued by the House of Trade, the licence allows for a noble to hire peasantry, merchants and guards along with chartering the use of ships to sail to the New World and establish a colony.
Noble Titles
King / Queen
The Kingdom of Asturias is primarily a politically male-dominated state. The King is always seen as superior to the Queen, and should a daughter inherit the throne then her spouse will be known as King Consort.
Prince / Princess
Only the person in direct line to succeed to the throne, the heir apparent, could use the title of Prince or Princess in Asturias.
Infante / Infantas
The brothers and sisters of the heir apparent.
Duke / Duchess
The highest possible title of a noble without being blood-related to royalty and is associated with land ownership. The associated Duchy with the title varies in value and importance depending on when it was given out and the ability of the ancestors to utilise what they had.
Count / Countess
Controlling a much smaller spread of land, though still significant enough for some bearing this title to be recognised far above their station and across the realm.
Baron / Baroness
A title bestowed upon a noble who formally serves a Count or Duke and acts to reign over parts of their land in their stead. It is also used to denote a noble controlling a small collection of land.
Lord / Lady
A general title that is often used for any type of noble excluding royalty.
Knight
A title to signify the lowest class of noble, and the most numerous. Most often they are martially trained and used in war.
Squire
A title granted to the younger generations on their journey to Knighthood.
Grandee
A title that confers the privilege to the bearer to attend the Generalitat. A Grandee is a Grand Noble and is recognised by the King to be an exemplar among their peers. Essentially, a Grand Noble. All Duchy titles confer an automatic Grandee title, likewise, all children of the King, Princes and Infantes also have the title bestowed.
In some circumstances, the title has been given to Counts and even Viceroys. Although uncommon, it is one of the greatest honours to have the title given to you rather than inheriting it.
House of Trade
The House of Trade is an institution to manage commerce between the Old World and the New. Along with the issuance of licences to Captain a ship, collection of taxes and tariffs, maintaining the commercial courts and establishing the rules of operation for Asturian commercial activities across the ocean.
The Expeditionary Licence is one of the most sought-after legal documents from the office. Typically issues only after a series of discussions surrounding the terms and conditions of the specific licence, often about the privileges, limitations and duration.
Once a noble has acquired an Expeditionary Licence they may make the petition for a Viceroyalty. In essence, an ‘upgraded’ licence that granted more military-orientated privileges that were to then be used to protect and expand the interests of the colony.
Viceroyalties are given for life, they are not inherited by the family of the holder although a petition can be made for such. Typically being allowed once a suitable amount of ‘proof’ is presented, best done in the form of crates of gold and silver.
"Blessed by the Divines, the Son of Dion is our saviour!"
- Archbishop Llorenco de Parada
Asturias:
Faith
The Kingdom of Asturias has a long tradition with the Divine Court, and primarily this is the faith that holds strong across the country. Controversially, the status quo has been infringed upon by the birth and rise of power of The Cult of the Bull.
The Cultists, as they're commonly described, are inherently reformers of the faith. Their activities and differing beliefs are not generally accepted within the church of the Divine Court outside of Asturias, despite the proclamations of the clergy within the Kingdom.
Traditionalists within the Kingdom reject the 'truth' in the claim that the King's bloodline is divine, 'Blessed by Lysander' and that he is the 'Son of Dion'. However, many agree that he is blessed by the gods, as is his family. This has prevented them from becoming outright hostile to the current regime's more fanatical followers. - Though the Fundamentalists also reject the family being 'Blessed', but are among a minority.
This new line of belief has caused much friction between the old and the young, between the traditionalists and the reformers. Despite the King having not made a formal stance on the issue, many assume he is complacent with the Cult for obvious reasons.
"So I get to finally see what you are..."
- Queen Adoniah, speaking to her husband King Rodrigo
Asturias:
Norms & Culture
The Heartlands
The people of Asturias are accustomed to a warmer climate, at certain times of year the heat can become too much to continue intensive work. The beating the sun has wrought upon the people has made them accustomed to wearing loose and light fabrics. Furs are a rare accessory in everyday life beyond the nobles showcasing their wealth.
The landscape of the region is hilly with plains sporadically dotted around, and great long rivers divide the land further as mountains shield it from the north. These geographical conditions have given rise to a vineyard culture to rival that even of Gallia. Even the peasantry joined in with the never-ending debates of who the best wine producers are.
The lowest classes are rarely bothered by the nobility anymore. The stability brought by the Kingdom and the King has made the life of the average peasant much less eventful. However, it has opened a door through which the lower classes can climb the social ladder. The Cult welcomes new members, and they have fewer concerns about their background than the old nobility.
People of Asturias
Asturians are seen as ambitious and driven, resourceful and ‘all-encompassing’. They do not often specialise but rather have a broad appreciation of many things. Most of the Kingdom's military are drawn from volunteers and levies of Asturias, and this is where most of the Cult of the Bull hail from.
Asturians keep in mind the way their world was before. The older generations pass down stories of the horrors of the Ravaged Century to remind those who come after them what they are fighting to keep at bay.
The generational trauma helps to spur Asturias’ advancement in nearly every venture it undertakes. It is only because of their winning streak that this generational tendency to fear the century before began to be questioned.
People of Visira
Visira occupies the westernmost land of Asturias. Unlike many of the other political entities of the region, the Ravaged Century was mild for them and they voluntarily incorporated themselves into the Kingdom without much fight and for favourable terms. Allowing them to integrate their economy into their more violent neighbour.
Visira are known broadly for their explorers and the first discovery of the New World. More locally they are known for their opposition to claims made by the Cult of The Bull, but not the rejection of the greatness of the King or his family. Although this is typically a realm for nobles to debate upon rather than something the merchants nor peasantry occupy themselves with.
Visira is also known for its great farmlands and dockyards. These farmlands have developed a culture of wine producing to rival that even of Gallia, and such has the culture spread through the Kingdom that vineyards have rivalries and even their own ‘supporters’. Incidentally, the same is true of regional hams.
The grand dockyards of Visira have become the backbone of the overseas colonial ambitions of Asturias, further solidifying the dependence of the Kingdom upon Visira.
People of Tatakair
The people of Tatakair once served under the Vizier from Sasanshahr, they were ‘liberated’ by Asturias during their most recent victory against them and so Tatakair swore fealty willingly to their new overlords. - Sporting light and colourful clothing, and an abundance of exotic fruits and foods. Their introduction has been bitter-sweet with an influx of goods being seen as a sign of the Kingdom’s enrichment, but the nobility view them with suspicion.
The Tatakair’s more arid and mountainous land is difficult to tame for foreigners, and their utilisation is unmatched, which is why many believe the King welcomed them so eagerly. The Kingdom’s acceptance of these people has been somewhat controversial with the King’s willingness to grant them privileges similar to other nobles despite having done nothing to further the greatness of the Kingdom. And his own decision to marry a distinguished warrior, a stern woman darker skinned woman with blue eyes. She fought against Asturias in the latest war.
The people do not hold the same reverence of the King, the Kingdom nor have the scars of a century before weighing upon them. Their interactions with the nobility and the people they are attempting to integrate with have caused many degrees of friction. The peasantry and merchants have a more mixed opinion, there are scars from the previous war and the nobility that influence their favour against the Tatakair. However they are seen as exotic, come baring new delicacies and many are enamored with their woman.
Marriage, Social Status & Sexuality
The status of women within Asturias has changed dramatically since the end of the Ravaged Century. The laymen and others of the non-noble classes have accepted an equal harmony with their more fair counterparts. Legally, there is little distinction between a man and a woman in what they can and cannot do.
When it approaches the nobility, however, it is customary that a woman must first marry and bear children before she enters into a profession. Once she has a family, there is no limit to what she can pursue.
Marriage is customarily between a man and a woman, as ordained by the Godly Court. Attempted deviations from this are not permitted to legally form a union, but the Kingdom does not outlaw living together.
Homosexuality and Bisexuality are not a factor that weighs much on the minds of any social class within Asturias. Despite only allowing one man and one woman to marry, it is socially acceptable to have any preference. These views are most born from a sense of 'capture enjoyment whenever possible', a sentiment nurtured from a century of turmoil.
"Then you know our future..."
- King Rodrigo, speaking to his wife Queen Adoniah
Asturias:
Reputation & Interactions
The reputation of Asturias is rather clear-cut. They are a young kingdom filled with the fires of ambition and their successes have only fed their determination and belief of being limitless. They have a reputation for conquest, strong authority and an air of fanaticism for their Kingdom unlike that seen in their neighbours.
The Kingdom of Asturias has burst onto the world stage with an energy not seen by its peers. It is frightening to see it unfold before you, and more still when its attention is turned upon you. The Elves have had to face the recent brunt of Asturias's attention and without the Gallic-backed ceasefire, the consequences could have been more dire.
With Humans
The Kingdom of Asturias is considered one of the Great Powers of the Old World and enjoys strained relations with its neighbours.
Dumanon sees Asturias and understands what it is doing and the potential it has to quickly amass into a continental danger both in the New World and Old. Although they would never admit to being cautious or fearful of the Kingdom, Dumanon aims to undermine it wherever possible. This is much the same stance as Sasanshahr, except they proceed one step further by accusing the current King of Asturias of being an incarnation of evil.
Gallia had viewed Asturias as a dangerous neighbour, but since The Union between the two Royal Families, they now embrace an alliance against the machinations of The Covenant between Dumanon and Sasanshahr.
Supported by Asturias, the Daurans have a preferential outlook on the Kingdom.
With Banen’Rhûn
The Banen’Rhûn have only really heard whispers of Asturias, though they are too far south to be of any immediate concern.
With Amura
The Amura has had little contact with Asturias, and so their opinion is only tainted by the words and whispers they have heard from others through tales told or stories unfolded.
With Turak
It would be difficult for the Turak to have not heard of Asturias and its conquests. Though they might be biased against the Kingdom, the two peoples barely know much about one another.
With Elves
No group of humans has a worse relationship with the Elves than the Kingdom of Asturias does. This is largely attributed to the war against House Ritan by the Kingdom being a more prominent feature of news circulating about the New World, about Awenasa.
The new Elven subjects of Asturias have some rights and protections under their new overlords. Though the proper treatment of the Elves is a subject of debate within the colonial management of Asturias as one side argues in favour of treating them as 'proper' subjects of the King, while the other sees them as a more convenient replacement for Astturian labour.
With Dwarves
Most Dwarves have little to no contact with Asturias, given its great distance from their hosts. However, they are apprehensive due to rumours of the Kingdom’s treatment of Elves they have conquered.
The Custodes had loaned their services to Asturias and likely will continue to do so. Despite the controversy, and foreign invader aspect of the Kingdom. They pay much more than anyone else.
Author: Hokan
Page Created by: Hokan