Darsomir
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| Flag of Darsomir | |
| Motto: The Flame shall guide us | |
| No Map Available Yet | |
| Region | Hades |
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| Capital | Aringull, Eldath, Heraniol |
| Official Language(s) | Darsomiri English |
| Leader | Her Holiness Aristhia, His Holiness Berenon |
| Population | 40 million |
| Currency | exarchate mark |
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Beloved of the Flame, The Holy Exarchies of Darsomir is an ancient nation that has only recently ended its self-imposed exile from the greater world. It is ruled by two of the three Exarchs of the Flame, Her holiness Aristhia and His Holiness Berenon, and further advised by the third Exarch, Elgin (for further details of the Exarchs, see their personal pages and Religion, below).
Contents
Geography
Darsomir is in the north-eastern corner of a much larger continent. It is well protected by mountain ranges to the west and south, a desert to the northwest, the sea to the north and east, and a huge wall to the south-east (for information on the Wall, see History below). The mountains are quite rugged and windswept, and there are only a handful of safe passes through them. The sea to the north is very dangerous for shipping, with only one safe harbour, while there are more in the eastern part of the country.
History
Darsomir was a name for the region long before the nation began. For hundreds of years, the area was ruled by countless warlords, each paying tribute to the Exarchs of the Flame. Gradually, the Dawn and Dusk Watchers (see Religion) gained political power as well as spiritual, and formed two distinct nations, East and West Darsomir respectively. These nations were in near constant war until the time of the Blasphemy, at which stage they united in unsteady alliance, and formed the basis of modern Darsomir. At this point, all ties to the outside world were removed. The nation was self-sufficient, and had no especial need for trade.
The Wall
One of the most famous historical artefacts in Darsomir is the Wall. No-one knows who built this, or how it was built, but this kilometre-wide barrier stretches from the foothills of the southern mountains all the way to the sea. There is only one gateway through, and the sides are too steep for climbing. It was ancient when knowledge of the Flame first arrived in Darsomir.
Ending Isolation
The end of isolation came with the elevation of Aristhia to Watcher of Dusk. She opened the mountain passes, and ordered enquiries into the technology of the outside world. After learning of the United Nations, she sent her secretary Johannes as her representative. Upon learning of this, Berenon ordered the opening of the WallGate, and also sent a representative to the UN, the Acolyte Gaeblyn.
Religion
The Flame is a faith only found in Darsomir. It is unknown when it arrived in the region, or why knowledge of it never left the area. The Flame allows life. Heat is essential to life, as is light. The Flame allows us to survive the cold of night, to cook food, to see. The Flame is without personality. It simply is. It does not ask questions, it does not grant wishes. Destiny is not ruled by the Flame. Yes, the Flame allows for life. But it does not control it. It has no will. Morals and ethics are irrelevent to the Flame, but are required for culture.
The Flame is represented on Earth in several ways. The Sun is the most obvious, and it is the Sun that inspires the most important festivals of the Flame. The Flame has representatives on Earth, in the form of the Exarchs, also known as the Watchers. Like the holidays, these also take their titles from the phases of the Sun. The Watcher of Dawn oversees the new morning, and the new year. The Watcher of Noon oversees the time when Flame is most triumphant. The Watcher of Dusk oversees the end of the day, and the preparations for winter.
The current Watcher of Dawn is His Holiness Berenon. The current Watcher of Dusk is Her Holiness Aristhia. The current Watcher of Noon is Elgin (just Elgin, apparently, due to a strange tradition). Berenon and Aristhia are also the political heads of Darsomir, while Elgin is not.
The Blasphemy
A dark time in the history of Darsomir. There once was a fourth Exarch, the Watcher of Night, who oversaw the shadowed hours of the day, and guided followers of the Flame through Winter. 400 years ago, the Watcher of Night, Her Holiness the Exarch Glamdyn, was declared apostate and heretic by the three other Exarchs. Her teachings were declared heresy, and the entire cult of the Night was rooted out and destroyed. There are rumours that the fourth Exarchy still exists, but it is considered a crime against the Flame to examine why this happened.
Selection of Exarch
When an exarch dies or abdicates, power falls to the High Council of that Exarch (Dawn, Noon or Dusk). The High Council must choose a new Exarch to take on the responisibilities of that post within 34 days of the death or abdication. To this end, when it appears that an exarch is dying or about to abdicate, campaigning begins. With only a few exceptions, anyone can be raised to Exarch (the exceptions being that they are not already acting as Exarch, and not being a proven follower of the Night). Exarchs may only be removed from office if it is proven to both other Exarchs that they have failed in their position (see Politics for further details).
Festivals and Holidays
There are four main holidays under the Flame, corresponding to the equinoxes and solstices. New Dawn is held every year at the vernal equinox, and is presided over by the Watcher of Dawn. It is the New Year in the Darsomiri calendar. It is a time to give thanks to the Flame for granting the previous year of life, and hope for another year of the same. It is considered propitious to be born within a week either side of New Dawn. High Noon is the summer solstice, and is a time to revel in the glory of the Flame. Presided over by the Watcher of Noon, much joy is had, and much drinking of Flamewater, an alcoholic drink very similar to whiskey, but much stronger. Late Dusk is the Watcher of Dusk's festival, at the autumnal equinox. It is the most sombre holiday, marked by remembrance for those lost to life. The winter solstice is marked by Deep Night, the only holiday not presided over by an Exarch (well, not since the Blasphemy). It is a time to consider what would happen were the Flame to leave, and following that, to enjoy the Flame most when it is hardest to see (read: drink a large amount of Flamewater and stoke the bonfires).
Politics
As mentioned above, Darsomir is ruled by the Watchers of Dawn and Dusk. However, their rule is not complete. In many ways, Darsomir is not a single country, but rather two autonomous regions with a handful of other areas scattered through. It must always be remembered that the title of Exarch is a religious one, not a political one. Her Holiness Aristhia rules most of western Darsomir through her positions of First Lady of Aringull and her place as Guardian of the Passes, not as Exarch. Likewise, His Holiness Berenon is High Lord of Eldath and Trademaster of Heraniol in addition to Exarch. Some areas are not politically ruled by either Exarch, and are only considered Darsomiri because they are surrounded by Exarch lands. As mentioned above, there is only one way of removing an Exarch from power, but that does not hold true for their other roles. The Watcher of Dawn was once also the Guardian of the Wall, but this duty was unhitched from the Exarch following an invasion attempt.
