The Tzardom of Ashenstead
Geography
The Tzardom of Ashenstead is an archipelago of three islands, shrouded in eternal splendor. Ashenstead Island, the largest, boasts lush temperate forests, which cover over half its landmass. However, its central eastern region is dominated by volcanic activity, with smoking peaks and lava flows that illuminate the dark skies. The northern reaches, in stark contrast, are blanketed in snow and ice, with glaciers and frozen tundras stretching towards the horizon.
Ember Isle, the middle sized island, lies southwest of Ashenstead Island and is characterized by intense volcanic activity. Frequent eruptions and lava flows have sculpted its landscape, creating black sand beaches, rocky outcroppings, and sulfurous springs. Frosthaven Isle, situated north of Ashenstead Island, is a frozen wilderness, with glaciers, snowfields, and icy tundras dominating its landscape. Ice caves, frozen waterfalls, and snow-encrusted forests add to the island's unforgiving beauty.
The capital, Moskovia, the City of Ember, is nestled on Ashenstead Island's eastern coast, near the volcanic region at the base of Mount Scargrave. This strategic location allows the Tzardom to harness the primal energy of the volcanoes, fueling its industries and magic. Notable landmarks include the Spire of Fire, a towering volcanic peak on Ember Isle; the Frozen Spires, glaciers and ice formations on Frosthaven Isle; and the Ashenstead Caldera, a massive volcanic crater on Ashenstead Island.
The Tzardom's inhabitants have adapted to this unforgiving environment. The Fireborne, hardened survivors, eke out a living amidst the ash and flames. While pyromancers wield flames and molten rock to protect those who are not immune to the environment, shaping the Tzardom's destiny and forging innovative technologies. The Glacial subraces, resilient inhabitants of Frosthaven Isle, thrive in the harsh, subarctic climate. Tzar Oleg Thunderstrike, the enigmatic ruler, governs this diverse population with an iron fist, maintaining the Tzardom's power and mystique.
National Flag
National Flower
Ashen Lily
National Animal
Stormscale Basilisk
Capital City: Moskovia
Estimated Population: 926,000
Click here to view some of the shops in this capital.
Unique to this nation:
Death by Volcano
Pyropa's Judgment
In the Tzardom of Ashenstead, ruled by the iron-fisted Tzar Oleg, the ultimate penalty for heinous crimes is reserved for those deemed irredeemable. Convicted felons are sentenced to "Pyropa's Judgment," a gruesome fate where they are cast into the fiery depths of the Mount Scargrave, the mighty volcano on Ashenstead Isle
Tzar Oleg's Decree
By the Tzar's decree, the condemned shall face the inferno, purging the Tzardom of their malevolent presence. Tzar Oleg's unwavering resolve ensures justice is served, and the people of Ashenstead remain protected from those who would harm them.
The Ritual
The condemned is led to the caldera's edge, where the High Pyromancer and Tzar Oleg's representatives await. The prisoner's wrists and ankles are bound with chains infused with pyromantic energies, ensuring their screams will fuel the flames.
As the sun dips into the horizon, the High Pyromancer invokes the ancient incantation of "Ignis Exigens" (Demanding Fire). The earth trembles, and the volcano's fury intensifies. With a final declaration of guilt, the condemned is pushed into the abyss.
The Punishment
The fall into the caldera is a slow, agonizing descent. Flames engulf the prisoner, and molten rock dissolves their chains. The intense heat vaporizes flesh and bone, leaving no remains. The volcano's power purifies the Tzardom of the convict's malevolent energy.
Tzar Oleg's Warning
"Let this serve as a warning to those who would threaten our great nation," Tzar Oleg declares. "Pyropa's Judgment awaits all who dare defy our laws and harm our people."
Glass Mushrooms
Nestled among its volcanic plains and shadowed woods, grows a rare and coveted delicacy known as Glass Mushrooms. These unusual fungi are truly a sight to behold: they have a semi-translucent, almost glass-like appearance that catches the light with a glossy shimmer, giving them an ethereal beauty in the wild. The outer shell is rigid and slightly brittle, resembling a thin layer of polished glass. However, this hardened exterior belies the soft, velvety innards within, which have a texture akin to custard when ripe.
To prepare Glass Mushrooms, Ashenstead chefs carefully break the outer shell, revealing the tender center. The taste is an extraordinary mix of savory and subtly sweet flavors, with a hint of smoky earthiness that reflects the mineral-rich soil of the Tzardom’s volcanic terrain. Glass Mushrooms are notoriously difficult to cultivate outside their natural environment, making them a rare luxury and a prized ingredient for banquets in Ashenstead’s noble circles. Foragers are cautious, as these delicate mushrooms grow only under specific conditions, typically at the base of the volcanic cliffs where ash settles thickest, providing a nutrient bed that helps them flourish.
Rumors speak of mild, dreamlike effects when Glass Mushrooms are consumed, heightening senses and inducing vivid visions. As a result, they are not only a culinary delight but also valued by mystics and scholars, who believe that eating them before meditation may enhance spiritual journeys.
Multiple Dragon Types
The Great Migration
Long ago, during a time shrouded in mystery, some of the Ruby, Citrine, and Sapphire Dragons of Luminaria made an unprecedented migration across the vast oceans to the distant lands now known as the Tzardom of Ashenstead. The shimmering brilliance of these dragons, each embodying the fiery resolve, luminous clarity, and boundless depths of their respective gemstones, became a symbol of awe and wonder to the people of Ashenstead. Yet the purpose behind their journey remains an enigma. No records from their original homelands speak of their departure, and their reasons have been lost to time, buried beneath the sands of what is now called the Lost Ages.
The Lost Ages, an epoch following the Age of Shadows, is a period marked by profound silence in the annals of history, said to have stretched for centuries—perhaps millennia. Scant records from this time leave scholars grasping at fragments of myth and legend, piecing together truths that slip through their fingers like grains of sand. Some believe the dragons fled a calamity; others whisper of a divine purpose tied to the will of the Grand Architects. The truth, though veiled in obscurity, lies forgotten, a secret carried by the winds of Ashenstead's storm-cloaked peaks. Yet even in the face of such mystery, the resilience of Luminaria’s people and the enduring presence of these majestic dragons stand as a testament to the world’s unity and strength amidst the unknown.
This is also the only nation to host Prismatic Dragons.
Local Legend
The Legend of Emberheart
In the dawn of Luminaria, Pyropa, Goddess of Fire, forged the first fire giant, Emberheart, from the very essence of her flames. Born of divine fire, Emberheart embodied the fierce passion and unwavering courage that would define her people. As the first of the fire giants, Emberheart was tasked with protecting the realm and spreading the warmth of Pyropa's flame.
With her extraordinary abilities, Emberheart roamed the land, defending the innocent and vanquishing darkness. Her powers were a manifestation of Pyropa's will, and her heart burned with a fire that could melt the coldest of souls.
As darkness threatened to consume Ashenstead, Emberheart made the ultimate sacrifice. She surrendered her physical form, infusing her essence into the land itself. Her spirit merged with the dormant volcano, Mount Scargrave, ensuring that its power would forever safeguard the Tzardom. This selfless act ignited a sacred flame within the earth, now known as Pyropa's Ember.
To this day, the people of Ashenstead believe that Emberheart's spirit remains, watching over the land and fueling the sacred flame. Locals claim to see signs of her presence: flames burning bright blue in times of danger, warmth emanating from the earth during harsh winters, and whispers of ancient wisdom in the wind. In reverence, the people honor Emberheart as a patron heroine, celebrating her bravery through festivals and offerings.
Pyropa's prophecy foretells Emberheart's rebirth: "When Mount Scargrave's flames reignite, Emberheart's spirit shall take flight. With fire's fury and heart's might, Ashenstead's destiny shall ignite." Many wonder if this foretold event will bring salvation or destruction. Some seek to unlock the secrets of Emberheart's past, while others prepare for the impending fate that will reshape the Tzardom.
Emberheart's legacy serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring generations to defend Ashenstead against the forces of darkness. Her legend reminds all that even in the face of overwhelming adversity, courage, sacrifice, and determination can forge a brighter future.
Fire giantkin, descendants of Emberheart, continue to honor their ancestral heroine, striving to emulate her unwavering courage and unrelenting passion.
*Note: This is the ONLY nation to believe in the existence of Emberheart. She is believed by this nation to be the 7th Founder.
points of interest in this nation:
Mount Scargrave
The Fury of Ashenstead
Mount Scargrave, a towering volcano on Ashenstead Island, stands as a testament to the Tzardom's primal power. This majestic peak, shrouded in smoke and ash, is the very embodiment of Pyropa's fury.
Height: 3,500 meters (11,483 ft)
Volcanic Type: Stratovolcano
Eruption Frequency: Cyclical, every 150- 200 years
Last Eruption: 159 years ago
Mount Scargrave's slopes are scarred by ancient lava flows, and its snow-capped summit hides a smoldering caldera. Pyromancers believe the volcano's core holds the secrets of Pyropa's ancient magic.
Geyser Lake
A Northern Oasis
In the rugged northern reaches of Ashenstead Island, Geyser Lake shines like a beacon of serenity. The lake's crystalline waters and surrounding landscape offer a striking contrast to the harsh, snow-covered peaks that dominate the region.
Nestled within a ancient caldera, Geyser Lake's turquoise depths are punctuated by steam vents and geysers, creating an ethereal atmosphere. The surrounding forests, though sparse and hardy, support a unique array of flora adapted to the lake's geothermal warmth. Rare aquatic life thrives in the lake's waters, drawing scholars and naturalists from across the Tzardom.
Despite its remoteness, Geyser Lake remains a sacred site for the Glacial Subraces of the nation. According to legend, the lake's ancient magic grants vitality and renewal to those who brave its icy surroundings. Tzar Oleg's nobles and pyromancers occasionally venture north to seek solace in the lake's tranquility.
Hand of Old
The Hand of Old, a colossal, frozen relic, stands sentinel in the icy tundras of northern Ashenstead Island. This gargantuan, outstretched hand is all that remains visible of Throk, a Goliath giant entombed beneath the frozen wasteland. Legend holds that Throk, a behemoth of unimaginable strength, once roamed the island, shaping its landscape with ease.
As the ages passed, the gods themselves imprisoned Throk, encasing him in ice to prevent his wrath from ravaging the land. The surrounding ice bears testament to Throk's titanic struggles to free himself, scarred and cracked as it is from his colossal efforts. Ancient runes etched into the hand's palm glow with a faint, otherworldly light, whispering secrets to those brave enough to listen.
The Hand of Old serves as a haunting reminder of Ashenstead's unforgiving power and the secrets hidden beneath its frozen surface. Many believe Throk's imprisonment maintains the delicate balance of the island's ecosystem. Tzar Oleg's scholars and pyromancers venture north to study the Hand, seeking answers to the mysteries of Throk's past and the ancient magic that binds him.
The Hand of Old remains an enigmatic, awe-inspiring sight, drawing adventurers and treasure seekers to the unforgiving north. Will they unravel the secrets of Throk's imprisonment, or succumb to the merciless ice?
Pit of Echoing Thunder
The Pit of Echoing Thunder, situated on the southeastern island of Ashenstead, serves as a revered battleground for the Storm Giantkin. For centuries, these towering, humanoid warriors have converged on the Pit to settle disputes, demonstrate strength, and prove worthiness to lead their kin. The Pit's natural amphitheater, 25 miles in diameter, provides an expansive arena for Giantkin combat, with ancient, weathered stone seating surrounding the Pit to offer breathtaking views.
The Pit's unique acoustics amplify the Giantkin's thunderous roars, sending shockwaves through the air and shaking the surrounding terrain. Electrified storms frequently brew above the Pit, fueling the Giantkin's elemental fury and infusing their battles with raw energy. Spectators from across Ashenstead gather to witness these epic clashes, awed by the Giantkin's sheer power and majesty.
Legend holds that the Pit of Echoing Thunder was forged by Octhos The Ramlord, patron deity of many Storm Giantkin. Octhos' essence is said to infuse the Pit, granting strength and vitality to those who prove worthy. The Giantkin believe that the Pit's thunderous echoes carry the voices of their ancestors, guiding them in times of turmoil and conflict.
The southwestern island, with its lush tropical forests and rugged coastlines, provides a dramatic backdrop for the Pit's mighty spectacle. As the Storm Giantkin gather for their next battle, the air thickens with anticipation, and the Pit's ancient stones tremble with the promise of thunder.
Crystalheart Grove
In the heart of the wild, southern forest of Ashenstead, lies a grove, a sacred place revered by those who know its secrets. The air around the Grove hums with an ancient energy, a divine resonance that speaks of ages long passed. The centerpiece of this hallowed ground is the calcified and crystallized heart of Kalitha, the once-great giant goddess of nature, growth, and fertility, whose presence has since faded from the mortal realm.
Kalitha was said to be a towering giantess, her form made of living flora and stone, a protector of all the verdant lands she touched. Her heart, the source of her boundless life-giving power, now rests in the center of the grove, encased in layers of crystal and calcite. It gleams with an eerie radiance, shifting in color as the light changes—sometimes a deep, emerald green like the depths of the forest, other times a soft lavender, like the twilight sky reflecting on a still pond. The heart pulses faintly, as though it remembers its former deity's heartbeat, echoing through the grove with a rhythm known only to the trees and the earth beneath.
Around the heart, the trees are unusually tall, their roots twisting and curling as if drawn toward the source of divine power. Vines of luminous flowers and thick moss drape over the heart, and the air smells sweet with the scent of exotic blossoms that only bloom in the heart's presence. The ground itself is soft with age-old leaves, yet it feels warm, alive with the energies of the goddess who once lived here.
Many believe that Kalitha’s heart is more than just a relic—it is a vessel, a conduit through which the essence of the goddess lingers. Some claim it is capable of granting life to those who seek its blessing, others say it holds the power to heal the land, restoring forests to their full glory, or even bringing back fallen trees and flowers. Yet, such a gift comes at a cost. The grove itself is fiercely protected by ancient magic, and only those pure of heart may approach the heart without incurring the wrath of the guardians that dwell within the wood: spirits of nature, both kind and vengeful.
Legends tell that those who attempt to steal from the Grove are cursed to become part of the forest, their bodies twisted into statues of stone and crystal, their souls trapped within the very earth. But for those who approach with reverence and respect, the grove offers its power freely, allowing a fleeting connection to Kalitha’s vast, eternal spirit.
For now, the grove remains a silent sentinel of the goddess's lost reign—a quiet testament to her strength and grace, waiting for the day when the world may once again call upon Kalitha’s favor.