Fact Box for Elekhid (Patreon)

Here is the fact box for the Kingdom of Elekhid. This will be the focus of the next high-res and textless atlas maps that will be published next week, exclusively for Acolytes, followed by the normal version and encyclopaedia entries the week after that.  Thanks all for your support :)  As always, feel free to point out typos in the comments ;)

This map brings our sojourn around the Sea of Lethea to a close, and I'll be publishing the map of the Lethea next week - this will not be as larger as the famed Inner Sea was, but will be an A3 scale map, showing the geography of the region with some physical facts, as well as borders and major cities. My poor PC just cannot handle a map of the Sea of Lethea in the scale of the Inner Sea map :(  Having said that I am REALLY pleased with the Sea of Lethea map, so am really looking forward to sharing it with everyone :) 

Note on the below history: Elekhid shares a lot with Pnessa, so you can check out the history of that region if youre interested :) 

An Abbreviated History of Elekhid.

• c.3388 RM: Magnate Karan Shur, the ruler of Pnessa, dies, leaving three siblings as his successors. The eldest, brothers and sisters Mortha and Deglia Shur, are captured by their brother Mith Shur and imprisoned in the fortified tower of Eneph, in the far east of Pnessa, and he becomes Magnate. The imprisoned siblings maintain a small but passionate following, and they accompany them to Eneph, where they begin to conspire against the usurper Mith.
• 3388 - 3402 RM: the supporters of Mortha and Deglia Shur work in the shadows to get the rightful heirs of Pnessa released. They slowly gain the support of the city of Eneph (present day Elekhid), as well as individuals close to the royal family in Irut Marka
• 3402 RM: After years of planning, Mortha and Deglia Shur are freed from the tower of Eneph by their followers. In Irut Marka, supporters of their cause show their colours and a coup is attempted. It is thwarted, though only barely. Fighting breaks out in major cities across Pnessa, devolving into war.
• 3402 - 3409 RM: the war between Mortha and Deglia Shur and their brother Magnate Mith III, drags on, later becoming known as the War of Secession. Fighting in the east is brutal, with Mortha and Deglia’s supporters fighting for their homes. Mith III is killed by Mortha in 3409 RM following a parley, though he is unable to claim the throne as Mith’s supporters bring further chaos to the events. With Mith’s only heir still a child, leadership breaks down in the capital as allies of the secessionists (as Mortha and Deglia become known) sow discord. A series of military blunders sees the armies of Pnessa falter against Eneph, leading to a ceasefire that ends in the signing of the independence of Eneph and the birth of the nation of Elekhid, which at the time comprised the environs of the Ibuzhithi basin and its environs.
• 3409 RM: Mortha and Deglia Shur reform religious doctrine to allow their marriage. Once wed the two rule Elekhid together, with Deglia as head, beginning a Matriarchal tradition that persists to this day.
• 3409 - 3412 RM: they begin their married life and the Shuran Dynasty amid turmoil within the church as some oppose their changes to the religion. Different factions clash, though the old religion is defeated within a few years, under the aegis of Deglia, replaced with a new religion, which deifies Deglia. This new religion becomes known as Shuranism, after the ruling Dynasty and it comes to dominate life in Elekhid.
• c. 3650 - 3700 RM: daring missionaries and preachers of the Church of the Prophet of the Empyrean are sent afield into distant Cheira, as well as neighbouring lands, including Elekhid, Gibeah, Pnessa, and Serrok, with different degrees of reception. The fervour of the devout Shurani people of Elekhid sees most such incursions repelled. The Church of the Prophet of the Empyrean never truly gains a foothold in Elekhid due to this, despite its growth in surrounding lands.
• 3694 - 3701 RM: Udran Shur claims the throne following the accidental death of his sister and her children, becoming the only king of Elekhid. Some believe he is responsible for their deaths and his rule is never cemented and is troubled by unrest and disrespect. His reign is short and he is assassinated in 3701 RM, and his 2-year old cousin Oracca becomes queen until her death over six decades later, restoring order to the matriarchy. Following these events a new law is enacted stating that should the current queen die with no legitimate heirs, one will be chosen from amongst the elders of the church.
• c. 3880 - 3970 RM: a series of three successive totalitarian queens sees Shuranism becoming inextricably linked to the monarchy, and by the end of this period in c. 3950 RM the queen has become ruler of both state and church, with absolute powers over Elekhidian military and economy. Amid political tensions in Pnessa, Elekhid expands its borders west, as far as the Yanavash Mountains, and constructs large fortresses particularly along the Yanashi Pass.
      It is in this period that Shuranism becomes more extreme. Following the death of Queen Shara Shur II in 3934 RM, her followers enter a period of mourning, coming to wearing black clothes, birthing a tradition that grows until the present day where the once bright and colourful clothing of the Elekhidian people have been replaced by black robes and dresses, with only a slight patterson of colour around the collar symbolising their heritage and hope. Many also cover their faces with headdresses that are increasingly elaborate based on their social status.
• 3959 RM: Hmmen revolution overthrows the Pnessan monarchy, executing the royal family and its direct relatives and supporters. Rumours abound of individual members of the royal family fleeing east into Elekhid, though no records of this exist in Elekhid.
• 3960 RM: Amid political tensions in Pnessa, Elekhid expands its borders west, as far as the Yanavash Mountains, and constructs large fortresses particularly along the Yanashi Pass to defend against possible Pnessian invasion.
• 3979 - 3997 RM: Pnessa declares war on Elekhid, though little action is taken. Elekhid bolsters the defences along its Yanavashan fortifications. Some border settlements are bombarded and destroyed, leading to a contested region to the west of the mountains. Pnessian attacks are almost all thwarted and by 3985 RM the war is effectively ended, with only minor skirmishes continuing where Pnessian forces push too far east.
• 3997 RM: Pnessaian coffers are almost bankrupted by the war and after almost two decades of conflict, the Tryptarch is forced into signing a ceasefire, in which most of the contested territories are claimed by Elekhid, which agrees to bring trade to Pnessa.
• 3997 RM - present: as Pnessan influence in the region dwindles, Elekhid continues to advance west, as far as the Zhureddil Ridge by around 4000 RM.