Leonid Civilisation

Map of the Kingdom of Leona

Leonid Civilisation has progressed through several stages. For the sake of this article, it begins in 0 LE with the formation of the Leonid Empire by settled Leonid Pilgrims on the Denatite Peninsula, and survives that empire's expansion and eventual collapse during The Turf Wars through the Kingdom of Leona.

Leonid civilisation is sometimes simply called Leona, though should not be confused with Leona City, where it originated and still centres itself.

People

Demographics

Leonid civilisation has always been most significantly populated by Leonid Half-Elves, who during the Empire's height displaced other populations on the Meridán Coast and Stolidy Coast, as well as in the northern kingdoms of Reseggia and coastal regions of the Sita'arlan Desert. Though other peoples were part of the empire, as in Weyland, The Golden Hills, and The Rotating Magnate, these were considered subjugated populations, generally excluded from the label of "Leonid".

The modern Kingdom of Leona consists almost entirely of Leonid Half-Elves, with small populations of other races, generally those who have chosen to emmigrate or settled in the heart of Leonid Civilisation. It is one of the most popular places for Bejuk to desert, for instance.

Culture

During the Leonid Empire period, Orthodox Leonism was the official state religion, and Common Leonic the state language and general lingua franca. Both of these remain dominant in the modern Kingdom of Leona, though Dissentist varieties of Leonism have become popular in less conservative communities, and there remain places where Leonism never spread, and traditional Folk Religion still persists, such as in the city of Equulia.

The Pride System is a unique aspect of Leonid civilisation that has been around since its inception. Despite this, the institution never spread beyond the Meridán Coast, and has since been replaced with the practice of marriage in all but the middle and upper classes.

History

Though the earlier Leonid Pilgrims might be considered precursors, the Leonid civilisation begins with Belpheobe Corle's restructuring of the Leona City government, during which she crowned herself Empress of Leona, thus beginning the Leonid Empire. This point also marks the beginning of the Leonid Calendar Era.

A growing population and military, hungry for resources, as well as generalised anxiety regarding rival city states in the region, led to a largely expansionist attitude among the Leonids. In the winter of 6 LE, Leona conquered the neighbouring Equulia, and over the next century and a half expanded the empire across the Meridán Coast.

On Lancen 20th 138 LE, the Leonid Empire entered into an alliance with the Monks of Gilding, known as the Golden Alliance. This alliance promoted the trade of grain into the empire, in return for a promise of military protection to The Golden Hills. It also led to a small amount of generally superficial cultural exchange.

The next period of Leonid expansion involved the invasion of the Stolidy Coast beginning in 140 LE, an event which set off The Turf Wars. This was followed shortly by the Reseggian Conquest, the two wars collectively spanning 40 years, and propelling the Leonid Empire to the most powerful unified state in the region.

Following this, both The Golden Hills and The Rotating Magnate surrendered to the Empire in 183 LE and 184 LE respectively. The Sita'arlan Colonies, too, were incorporated into the Leonid Empire during the Second Sita'arlan Crusade, spanning from 185 to 188 LE.

The height of Leonid rule was short-lived, as on Antara 6th, 194 LE, Leona City faced a violent insurrection known as the Sack of Leona. Though this attack was unsuccessful, it wiped out the ruling House Corle, who were subsequently replaced by House Areli. This shift in power triggered subsequent unrest, with a coup d'état in the Sita'arlan Colonies six months later, as well as the Black Revolution from 195 to 200 LE.

In 215 LE, The Raeigne fell, and the Leonid Empire abandoned its occupation. Following this, regions of Reseggia began to revolt one after the other, fighting only ending at the beginning of 227 LE with the ratification of the Treaty of Leona, which dissolved the Leonid Empire into the Imperial States.

Leonid Civilisation is considered to continue within the Kingdom of Leona, one of the Imperial States and that which still retains Leona City as its capital, and where the Empress of Leona still retains sovereignty.

Government

Since its inception, the Leonid Empire has had two concurrent government bodies; the Empress of Leona, and The Consulate.

During the Leonid Empire, the Empress served as head of state and leader of the Leonid Militia. Meanwhile, The Consulate, in addition to being the supreme religious body of Orthodox Leonism, also held a degree of legislative power, with Leonist scripture intending to serve as counsel to the empress, as well as judicial authority to settle disputes.

Following the Sack of Leona, there was a significant shift in power between the two bodies. The Empress retains control of the Leonid Militia and, being the matriarch of the most prestigious house in Leona, still retains her own sway and wealth. However, many of her powers now require direct consulate approval, and she is thus answerable to The Consulate's judicial branch.

Locations