REALM SOVEREIGNTY

+ Suddenly, all equine in the lands collapsed and awoke some time later with no memory of their identities, nor the rules or customs of their societies. No one remembers exactly what life was like before the mysterious event known now as The Fugue, much less what could have possibly caused it. A sort of “dark age” reigned for a time, many equine struggling to form some level of societal organization, causing many to fall to the teeth and claws of predators. The equine during this time were much like feral, rabid beasts, each one trying desperately to make it on their own.

Years passed, and from the chaos rose four great leaders, all presumed to be related somehow by blood. First, Alethia, the eldest and most socially approachable of the four, founded Asteria. It was a very sophisticated and traditionally-governed monarchy that praised the gods and goddesses of the stars for creating the world and preserving it so that the equine may enjoy its bounty. The eldest stallion, Apophis, founded Kairos, disagreeing vehemently with his presumed relative, creating a society centered around brotherhood and survival rather than praising gods he did not believe existed. Other kingdoms followed, rising from the ashes of a disheveled society, carving their own way through the passage of time.

+ HISTORY Founded by Queen Alethia, Asteria was the first kingdom to grow from the aftermath of The Fugue. Many equine flocked to it, desperate to feel a sense of belonging and kinship. Thankful just to be alive, Asterians developed a religion that is controversial throughout the lands, in which they believe in the goddess Zerua and the god Hodeiak of the skies, clouds, and nature, and the god Izar of the stars, who they believe created the world and brought life to all who dwell upon it.

+ CULTURE Asterians are very proper and sophisticated equine, always operating with some level of social tact and grace. The most respected Asterians are those who carry themselves with dignity and can show their social prowess with just a few words. Elders are highly valued in Asterian culture, and newborns are praised and well taken care of. Common greetings and farewells between Asterians have some mention of the gods and goddesses of the world.

+ RELIGION Asterians are deeply appreciative of the creators of the world, who they believe dwell in the clouds and the stars. some Asterians are more religious than others, and some will pray to the gods and goddesses of the stars and sky.

+ HISTORY Founded by King Apophis, Kairos was the second kingdom to emerge from the aftermath of The Fugue. It was designed as a retort to Asteria’s praise of gods and goddesses. Equine who did not identify with the religious ways of the Asterians joined the militaristic ranks of Kairos in troves. They were immediately seen by Asterians as barbaric, violent creatures that should be avoided at all costs.

+ CULTURE Kairosians are stoic and harsh equine, conducting their interactions with others more with body language and quick commands rather than the flowing gregariousness of your typical Asterian. The equine of Kairos are very respectful to those who reign over them, but they all seem to have at least somewhat of a rebellious nature. The Kairosians’ commitment to brotherhood and sticking up for your fellow equine is ultimately what keeps such a rough-and-tumble group together.

+ RELIGION Kairosians are proudly anti-religious equine, valuing blood ties and “the here and now” much more than gods who supposedly created the world.

+ HISTORY Founded by Alphess Amalthea, Halcyon was created as a neutral party between Asteria and Kairos. Halcyon was intended to be a safe haven for those who didn’t want to join either kingdom, but also wanted to be part of a group. Many lonely equine wandering in Crownless lands flocked to Amalthea for safety and support, and some even saw her as a mother figure.

+ CULTURE Halcyonians are committed to being minimalistic and to live freely in the wilds. Instead of gathering in a towering castle, they convene around a giant pillar, speckled with pulverized gemstones. They are a calm and rational bunch, sticking close to their family members. Every member of Halcyon has a specific task they must fulfill in order to keep the herd safe and happy. Halcyonians resonate deeply with the idea that every piece is apart of the whole, and that everyone must work together to achieve and maintain prosperity.

+ RELIGION Halcyonians aren’t particularly religious, but they do feel a deep spiritual connection to the land and other animals. Many Halcyonians have animal companions that they respect and value as much as they would another equine.

+ HISTORY Founded by Lord Arion and accompanied by Lord Chronus and Lady Selene, Boreas was the final kingdom to emerge, and hardly anyone noticed it existed for many years due to their clandestine nature. Borean equines were brought into the kingdom, or, as the Lords and Ladies prefer to call it, The Borean Order, by way of secret meetings and skilfully delivered messages. Boreas was offered as a secret escape from the tension-ridden kingdoms, to which many equine accepted, if only because of the intriguing way the option was presented.

+ CULTURE Boreans are very secretive and prefer to keep to themselves, but behind their quiet facades is normally a potent disdain for the other kingdoms. Boreans are taught from an early age that they are never to reveal the secrets of the Order to outsiders. The Council of three that runs The Borean Order commands respect and try to make themselves almost unreachable to their subordinates, as if they themselves are gods. Those who know of Boreas’s existence rarely think of the kingdom fondly, seeing them as either mysterious and dangerous or overly-secretive narcissists.

+ RELIGION Boreans do not have any particularly religious tendencies, but they do value themselves and their secret order above all else. Some Boreans have strong opinions regarding the other kingdoms, and others are overwhelmingly neutral regarding the tension plaguing the other groups.

+ HISTORY The Crownless are equine who have chosen not to be apart of a kingdom. Some of them decided to remain close to their families in small clans, while others preferred to be completely alone. Kingdom-dwellers, or “Crowned” equine have often tried to recruit Crownless equine into their kingdoms, to which there were many varying responses, from casual acceptance to violent refusal.

+ CULTURE The Crownless are often extremely reclusive and feral, often very impulsive and destructive. Some Crownless have chosen to hunt and eat meat in order to survive in the lands they are confined to, most of which yield very little vegetation. Due to the grand scheme of differences between Crownless, they do not have a set culture as a whole.

+ RELIGION Religious views among The Crownless are varying, from Alethian customs to Kairosian and everything in between. Some Crownless have created their own belief systems, shared only by their clan if they are apart of one, which are otherwise unknown in the rest of the realm.

+ Tensions between Asteria and Kairos have always been high, but as of recently, they have been close to a breaking point that would undoubtedly send the two kingdoms to war. Asteria's deep-rooted belief in something supposedly completely untrue infuriates the Kairosians, and Kairos's negligence of the supposed true creators of the world frustrates the Asterians. The other kingdoms are often caught in the crossfire, though they try to stay out of the way of these two ancient empires.

Whose side are you on?