Fan Fiction ❯ Shielded in Broken Armours ❯ General Background Information ( Chapter 26 )

Historical Background

1000 years ago, Angelia and  had been united under one Warrior King, and represented the most prosperous kingdom of the Eastern Lands.

The last Warrior King, Athen, had two twin sons, Angelius and Demonus. As demanded by the laws of the land, the oldest son was trained as a diplomat, and the youngest in the arts of war. King Athen did not want to divide the land between his two sons and had a difficult choice in deciding the heir to the throne. But on the night he would have made public his decision, he was assassinated.

Angelius blamed his brother Demonus of killing their father, but the latter strongly denied all involvement in the matter. As a result civil war sprung between the two main districts of the Kingdom. The Western Plains supported Angelius, while the North-Eastern Plateau took up Demonus' cause. Originally, Demonus also had the support of the Army, but was betrayed by his generals and had to retreat East, over the Mauri River, which divided the two districts. He was accompanied by his Personal Guard and most of the cavalry, and established his stronghold in the city of Aquiline. The natural obstacles of the land, the Mauri River and the Black Mountains, also offered him protection and allowed him to keep Angelius' armed troupes at bay.

Angelius declared himself King over the Western Plains and the new land was called Angelia. The capital city remained at Mnemon. Demonus, on the other hand, kept the title of Prince, and after his death the region of the North-Eastern Plateau was named Demonis. He never stopped denying his involvement in his father's death, and tradition transmitted this feeling through the generations.

The future Kings of Angelia never stopped considering Demonis' territory rightfully belonged to them, and thus the two lands found themselves constantly in conflict. For Angelia, the conquest of  also had an economic purpose as well, because the Black Mountains represented the only major source of rare metals and wood in the Eastern Lands. However, the Demons have always been able to stand their ground. They have developed a strong and highly-trained military force whose only purpose is to defend the land to the last breath. The Army of Demonis is led by a fierce cast of warriors, the descendants of Demonus' Personal Guards, which are called Dreak. By custom, the Prince Heir is always trained as one of them before becoming ruler, thus greatly reinforcing his position on the throne.

Angelia vs. Demonis

KINGDOM OF ANGELIA

General Features:

The people of Angelia are fair of skin, well-built and of medium height. Women are usually blonde, but men can also have red or light auburn hair. They have white wings.

The men are strong and dominate all fields of activity. Women focus more on family life, they marry young and are not as well-educated as the men; they are considered inferior to men and thus do not have access to any position of power in the army or government.

Form of Government:

Angelia is ruled by the King and his 4 Councils (Trade, Culture, Law, and War), each formed from 5 or 4 advisors.

The current King is a member of the Second Dynasty, the Teh-Kai. The First Dynasty, Sagni-Dor, lost political influence in the land following a destructive war with Demonis around 300 years ago. The Teh-Kai are distantly related to the original Royal House of Angelia. The King is considered all-powerful, and is never addressed by his first name.

Defence and Foreign Policy:

Because the King mistrusts the loyalty of the Army, the Lords of the War Council are all civilians, and the High Commander of the Army is subordinated to them and the sovereign. However, the Army is an important force, mainly because of the repeated attempts to attack and conquer their neighbour and one century-long enemy, Demonis. So far, all their efforts have been in vain, in spite of a few victories. At present, the general opinion of the population is to make peace with Demonis, but the King is against it, for personal reasons.

Economy:

Angelia's economy is based on a very developed agriculture, due to the natural factors of the region. It has established trading with Terlandia (in the South), and the West Lands beyond the Desert Lands. Because Demonis is the only mountainous region in the area, and the main producer of metals, rare wood and fine wine, trading with the enemy was unavoidable. Therefore, a confederation of 3 city-states was created in the southern area of the border, free from both Angelian and Demons control. The 3 river ports are Iphgis and Tulse on the right bank, and Quiris on the left bank of the Mauri River. The Mauri is considered the border between the two lands, and facilitates transportation by water. Angelia has developed a strong commercial fleet.

The main products are: cereals (wheat), fruits (especially tropical), salt, fine cloth.

LAND OF DEMONIS

General Features:

The Demons are tall, lean and muscular, and have a dark complexion. They have brunette or dark auburn hair, and black wings. There are very rare cases when a red-haired child is born; red hair and fair features are considered a blessing of the God Drako.

The Demons are considered barbarians by most Angelians. The different belief, organization and value systems make of the Demons a strange people in the eyes of those not familiar with their society. Men and women are considered equal, and there is usually little discrimination. Those who choose to pursue a military career are not allowed to marry up to the age of 30.

Form of Government:

Demonis is ruled by a Prince member of the First Dynasty, Sagni-Dor, which has preserved its power over almost one millennium. The ruler is not allowed to marry, but takes as a consort whomever he considers fit to deliver him a good heir to the throne. This has allowed the Princes to live with the one he loves, and is proof of the passionate and libertine life the Demons lead. Among the rulers of Demonis, six were women.

Defence and Foreign Policy:

The Royal Family is protected by the mysterious caste of the Dreak warriors, which helps maintain order and peace. The Dreak occupy key positions in the Army, which is the strongest in the region and has allowed Demonis to maintain its independence.

In spite of warriors by nature, the Demons value peace and have never given up hope to settle the on-going conflict with the neighbouring Angelians, whom they rightfully consider their brothers. Still, patriotism is one of their main virtues; warriors or servants, they would all give up their life to protect their country.

Economy:

Demonis has a long-lasting trade history with Terlandia; various treaties were signed between the two parties to maintain and develop these relationships. The trade with Angelia has only developed during the past 300 years, through the 3 independent city-states, which are always considered neutral during war. Demonis has encouraged trading, since it has also allowed them to be constantly informed on any potential attack. Most Demon merchants in Quiris and Iphgis also work as spies for the Prince.

The land has the advantage of possessing rare and expensive goods that are rarely found in the other Eastern Lands. Therefore, it has flourished. During the last two years, the new Prince has subordinated tax collection directly to the Crown, thus reducing the exploitation of the servants and increasing the general living standard.

The main export products are: metals (iron, silver, gold), rare woods (ebony, mahogany), very fine and strong wine.

Language:

Basically, the two people speak the same language, with regional variations. For better understanding, let's just say that the Angelians have an American accent, and the Demons have a British accent. (And please keep in mind that I am a British English speaker.)

The Calendar:

The Eastern Lands calendar is made up of 12 months, each of 29 or 30 days, and two major festivals which last for and additional 5 days each. (Month's equivalent in parentheses.)

Midwinter Festival - 5 days; Tempes (January) - 29 days; Seles (February) - 30 days; Teres (March) - 29 days; Rodis (April) - 30 days; Athis (May) - 29 days; Daimnis (June) - 30 days; Midsummer Festival - 5 days ; Caldras (July) - 30 days; Aegelas (August) - 29 days; Mreas (September) - 30 days; Kheus (October) - 29 days; Ghrius (November) - 30 days; Drakus (December) - 29 days.

Mythology

Because the Angelians and Demons are basically the same people, they share the same pantheon. It is considered they have evolved from species superior to the non-winged one, and far more ancient. The Terans and the people of the West call them the "feathered people".

The two most important divinities are Seleh and Drako.

The Earth Goddess Seleh is the high divinity of Angelia. She protects nature, and thus agriculture and animal breeding. She is considered the Creator of all things, good or evil. The Angelians also worship the Gods Drako and Khes.

The Demons worship Drako, considered to be the God of War and Rebirth, from whom the Prince and the Dreak have been born. The Church of Drako is the main religious institution, and the High Priest holds an important position at Court. Seleh and Khes are also worshiped, along with a dozen other minor divinities, usually associated to death, rebirth and the supernatural. Drako protects the Royal Family with the help of the Sorceress, a mysterious immortal being that appears in dreams. She is the one who brings guidance to the "chosen ones".

When the legendary King Athen was assassinated, and the conflict between his two sons began, the Gods Seleh and Drako chose to "mark" each of them. The Angelians kept the white wings, but became fairer in skin. The Demons were offered dark skin and complexion, to better resist the harsh climate of the Eastern Plateau and Black Mountains. No rational explanation for the different coloured wings was found. However, since the Demons were apparently at disadvantage, the God Drako offered them "The Gift".

"The Gift" manifests itself in two aspects of the Demon society. The Dreak were offered the power of healing; it is inborn, and it constitutes a sign that the child is destined to become a warrior. The ruler of Demonis has his or her own special power, being able to read people's minds. It is transmitted through the blood line, and no one except the Prince and his future heir know what it is exactly, not even the child's mother. It represents the way in which the king recognizes his child as official heir to the throne.

The Dreak Warriors

The Dreak represent the elite warrior caste of Demonis. They are the trusted servants of the Prince, and help uphold law and order in the society. They are greatly feared and respected, because they would fight to the death to protect their Prince and country.

Those who are considered destined to become Dreak are chosen for training at a young age, usually between 11 and 15 years. It is a harsh selection and those who fail are not allowed to participate again. About 100 children are chosen. The young children, male and female, will spend the next years at the Monastery of Dreak, a training camp hidden deep in the woods of the Black Mountains.

The complete training has two cycles, of four years each. After 4 years spent training one generation of recruits, the teachers start all over again. Almost half of the children don't make it past the first training cycle. They are sent away to other training camps, where they can make for themselves a military career, or they can return home if they so please. Due to the harsh training conditions, leaving the Monastery is not considered a disgrace; on the contrary, the children who have spent at least one year in training are admired.

The heir to the throne has to complete at least the first cycle, even if he does not show any healing abilities. Only 10 of the Demon sovereigns have completed the training. Also, the Supreme Commander of the Army is appointed from the Dreak serving in the Royal Guard.

The special healing powers are the Dreak's trademark; they consider the God Drako offers them as a payment for a good service. The best healers are all women and the red-haired men, who show a natural aptitude for it and learn to control it easily. They guide themselves by a system of five laws.

The Laws of Drako:
1) Protect the Prince and the freedom of your Land with your life.
2) Never betray the Prince and country.
3) Defend the laws of the land and maintain peace and security.
4) Never act before analyzing the situation, all its possible implications and outcomes.
5) Never engage in any conflict until you have made sure it is absolutely unavoidable.

The Prophecy

" For the sleep of the Chosen Prince shall be broken
His destiny's laws by the Ancients were spoken;
And the cry of battle shall rise once again
In the divided moors of Evergreen Land.
 
" Blood-red wings wrap around the sun tight
When the Angel of Peace descends in his flight;
Death and destruction over centuries long
Replaced by the Gods' Serenity Song.
 
" And the world shall rest in the thousandth year
The Lovers rejoined at the moonlight Frontiers."

(A/N: Okay, it sounds crappy, I know. I'm not good with poetry ^^;;;)

Map of the Eastern Lands: http://shadowdiaries.ikoku.com/shielded_map.jpg

Terminology: http://shadowdiaries.ikoku.com/shielded_info07.html

Timeline: http://shadowdiaries.ikoku.com/shielded_info08.html