The Ethyrian Confederacy
The Ethyrian Confederacy is a union of four nations, The Grand Duchy of Chalkydria, the Despotate of Magissa, The Kingdom of Phantomia, and Kossackian Hetmanate into one single body ruled over by a diet made up of representatives of each of the members known as the Confederate Assembly convenes in the Free City of Dura-Ethyriana.
The Commonwealth elects a Katepano to serve for 15 years as the de facto leader of the Confederacy. His powers are limited as of the result of the decentralized aspect of the state, but included being the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, the Imperial Representative for Ethyria in the Imperial Diet, the Head of the Confederate Assembly, and being the "first amongst equals" in Ethyrian lands. He lacks the power to veto any legislation and can only be given emergency powers by vote during times of crisis. Traditionally, the title has been held by the Despots of Magissa and the Grand Dukes of Chalkydria, who dominate the politics of the Confederacy.
All of these nations come from the "Second Great Migration" which happened shortly after the reign of Pomeranius the Great's death and unlike the first, was much more peaceful. These nations were settled by Imperial decree on the lands that they currently possess but also lands now under the control of Mystas, and lands up to the river Abundantia, now in the dead lands. Pomeranius' son, Pomeranius II, wanted loyal states that would support him against the rebellions he was currently undergoing, and hoped long term that these four nations would be loyal allies of his dynasty. This all would fall apart after his crushing defeat at the Battle of Kemnitz against the Dragoons, which resulted in his death and the fracture of his Empire and Kingdom. The Ethyrian states would also suffer greatly during this time of turmoil following Kemnitz too, as the loss of Imperial Power had caused the once great farmlands of Eastern Pomerania to become overrun with bandit kingdoms, who soon pushed back the Ethyrians back to their present western frontier. After the fracturing of the Kossackian Hetmanate during the times of the "Third Great Migration" by which the Princes of Mystas rebelled and became independent from the Kossackians; the increasingly hard-pressed states decided form the Confederacy.
This wasn't a spur of the moment decision as it has often been misinterpreted as. For both Chalkydria and Magissa were in a state of perpetual union and friendship from the very beginning of the settlement of the tribes. Rather, it was the decision for the hard-pressed Phantomos and Kossacks to join this union due to their struggle for survival that prompted the formation of the Confederacy we know today.
Grand Duchy of Chalkydria
One of the two "sisters" of the Confederacy, Chalkydria is made up of the Alouettans, who worship the Bird of Heaven, Enna Alouette as their patron goddess. Their capital city is Nikephorion, a city up the Prodomos river from Dura-Ethyriana, is one of the more culturally significant cities in the Confederacy. Nikephorion is known for its luxurious gardens and the marble used in its buildings. The Meliteniotes Ampitheatre, is the crown jewel of the city and was called by Emperor Demetrios IV one of the 8 wonders of the Empire. Inside the Ampitheatre, gladiatorial games and grand chorial performances are the main attraction.
Scene from inside the Meiteniotes Amphitheatre
A proud people, the Alouettes are famous for their cavalry, which are called Winged Lancers because of the wings they wear on the back of their armor to produce fear in their enemies and as a means of honoring Enna. Their current Grand Duke is Nikephoros III Philanthropenos, whom like all Grand Dukes since the death of Wladyslaw Sikorski at Kemnitz, has come from a Magissan noble family. Indeed, the native tongue of the Alouettans has been relegated to a secondary status by the middle and upper classes of the society over time and is only spoken by peasants in day-to-day conversation.
The Despotate of Magissa
The other of the two "sisters", Magissa is made up of Magissans, who worship the Witch of Calamity Millie Parfait. Magissa is currently ruled by Andronikos II Tzamplakon, who is also the current Katapano of Ethyria as well. Their capital Heraclea is the second largest city in the Confederacy after Dura-Ethyriana. Heraclea sits on the left bank of the Scaminia River, with the Nestos River flowing through it. Heraclea is a center of art and science, and is famed for it's university, which stands as one of the greatest in the whole of the empire. One travelor notes of Heraclea "If Nikephorion and Dura-Ethyriana did not exist in their splendor, Heraclea would be rightfully mentioned for its beauty. The pristine brick buildings, the bountiful flora, and the fine cobbled streets of Heraclea are truly a sight to behold."
Inside Heraclea University's Great Library
The Magissans share a lot of common heritage and customs as the Alouettes culturally, with several differences, notably being their disgust in Gladiatorial games and their love of the festivals of the fall have made the two people distinctively different. The Magissan military is well-balanced and has always been known for its methodical approach to war. Siegecraft and finely orchestrated campaigns based around flexibility, adaptability and above all, strategic objectives have made the Magissans the traditional commanders of the combined Ethyrian armies. Indeed, it was the Magissans halted the Schizos at Mons Grapus and saved Ethryia from being consumed by the Schizos.
Scene from Mons Grapus
The Kingdom of Phantomia
The smallest of the nations in the Confederacy, Phantomia sits along the South-Western frontier of the Confederacy and due to their long struggles against Roseschizos, have become well known for their resilience. The worships of the Ghost of Darkness, Reimu Endou are ruled by their current King, Fernando VI Espiritu-Nova. The capital of Phantomia is the port city of Cartegena, a well-fortified and prosperous town that is known for its great walls and citadel, but also for its many festivals that honor Reimu. The Festival of the Phantasma is the most well-known of these festivals, where the female citizens of Cartegena dress themselves as the Phantasma herself and the men and children dress as other apparitions associated with La Phantasma herself. This festival lasts for a week, with fireworks, festive games and stalls being set up over the city and is concluded with the Night of the Espeluznante, where all citizens head to the graves of their ancestors to pray for them.
Beyond being a hardy folk, the Phantomos are known for their kind nature and gentleness towards their friends. A classic saying is that all visitors leave a Phantomo home with more gifts and filled with more food than a King. But should the trust and hospitality of these people be broken by hostile actions and invaders, there are few in Ninisani that can stand their wrath and fury. As one dignitary from Pomerania noted "Phantomos in anger are more fearsome than the Babirusas and schizos of the badlands...Their sharp blades are further tempered by the supernatural abilities they seem to gain while angered." It is not certain whether or not that these "supernatural" abilities are true or not, but their constant fighting against the Babirusas, which had after initial setbacks resulted in victory after victory, may have something to do with this. Their army reflects their nature in some way, being composed of excellent light infantry, armored with a fine steel brestplate and bearing a sharp short sword and shield. All being augmented by the Aquebusiers, cannons and pikemen that form their ranks.
Kossackian Hetmanate
Perhaps the most enigmatic group of them all, the semi-nomadic Kossacks inhabit the northern frontier of the Confederacy and are truly a fascinating people. While the Hetmanate has several cities, with its capital being Kingisepp (formally); The nature of the Hetmanate itself leaves those who do not understand the Kossacks rather confused. This ultimate seems to come down to their Patron Goddess, the Fox of Fortune, Nina Kosaka. The current Hetman is Vladimir Levushkovsky.
As for Kingisepp itself, it is a beautiful city marked with flowing dome towers and red brick structures. But given that Kossackian society is dominated by the nomadic hosts, there isn't really much to say about Kingisepp and the other cities that make up the Hetmanate because for all intends and purposes, the settled folk of the cities are second class citizens. Most of them are traders and burghers that serve little role in the politics of the Hetmanate. Indeed, great difference of lifestyle was what made the northern Mystasians secede to form their own state. At the end of the day, the Hetmate himself is almost never seen in the cities, but rather continuing the nomadic life of his ancestors on the steppe.
The Hetmanate is a democratic and mostly egalitarian society, with the Hetman being elected by the various Kurins of the Hetmanate to serve as war leader. Perhaps because of this drastic difference, there has never once been a Katepan from the Hetmanate itself. Beyond the traditional pastoral lifestyle associated with the steppe, the Hetmanate constantly engages in raids against its neighbors to the north and to the west. Their light cavalry is rightfully feared by many, as the lance and bow of the Kossacks knows few matches on the steppe. This is compounded by the natural love of war that the society and people are based on.
They famously wrote a letter to the Holy King, who had demanded their submission for their raids, which reads
Kossackians – to the Holy King:
You Kindred Satan, brother and comrade of the damned devil and secretary to Lucifer himself! What the hell kind of knight are you? The devil shits and you and your army swallow it. You aren't fit to have the sons of Kossacks under you; we aren't afraid of your army, and we'll fight you on land and sea.
You Edoian busboy, Takumian mechanic, Picenum beerbrewer, Utsugian goatfucker, swineherd of Upper and Lower Nagonium, Kindred pig, Lucub goat, Mystake hangman, Yaminoi thief, grandson of the Evil Serpent himself, and buffoon of all the world and the netherworld, fool of all Gods, swine's snout, mare's arsehole, butcher's dog, unbaptized brow, may the devil steam your ass!
That's how the Kossacks answer you, you nasty glob of spit! You're unfit to rule true Kossacks. We don't know the date because we don't have a calendar, the moon is in the sky, and the year is in a book, and the day is the same with us as with you, so go kiss our arse!
Reply of the Kossacks, immortalized by Theophilos Krateros
The Kossackian males learn to ride from the age of 3 and Kossackian women are taught how to rule in the abscent of their men during wartime from a young age too. Indeed, the Kossackian woman is often the head of the household for this reason. They are a truly interesting society cannot be properly described during this summary.
Notes
Magissa means "Witch in Greek"
Chalkydria refers to the Chalkydri, a winged mythological creature from the second book of Enoch.
Dura-Ethyriana will get its own piece
The Kossacks will get a more in-depth piece.