====== Kingdom of Salicia ======

===== Summary =====
Salicia is a kingdom located on the north coast of a peninsula on the [[:skyss:places:osnines|Continent of Osnines]]. Historically defined by its strategic coastal proximity and its role as a terminal for the [[:skyss:places:great_west_road|Great West Road]], the kingdom has recently lost its independence. In 774 AM, following the sudden death of the [[:skyss:chars:salicia:old_king_of_salicia|Old King of Salicia]], the nation was annexed by the [[:skyss:places:cottalem|Kingdom of Cottalem]] in a military operation orchestrated by the renegade hero [[:skyss:chars:rojden|Rojden]].

===== Description =====

==== Geography and Infrastructure ====
The kingdom is bordered to the west and south by [[:skyss:places:cottalem|Cottalem]] and to the east and north-east by [[:skyss:places:spuetan|Spuetan]]. The urban hierarchy is led by the capital, the [[:skyss:places:citadel|Citadel]], and the second city of [[:skyss:places:aintzira|Aintzira]]. The major port of [[:skyss:places:beretha|Beretha]] faces north towards the sea and serves as a vital maritime gateway.

Other notable geographical features include [[:skyss:places:lake_abrazos|Lake Abrazos]] and the [[:skyss:places:river_lixada|River Lixada]]. The kingdom is linked to the wider continent via the [[:skyss:places:great_west_road|Great West Road]], which strikes east towards [[:skyss:places:aintzira|Aintzira]] and [[:skyss:places:crucivia|Crucivia]], and west towards [[:skyss:places:dacidade|Dacidade]]. Smaller settlements along these routes include [[:skyss:places:pontepedra|Pontepedra]], [[:skyss:places:salicia:muino|Muino]], and [[:skyss:places:ladeira|Ladeira]]. 

==== Political Governance ====
Prior to 774 AM, Salicia was a sovereign monarchy ruled by a line that had usurped the throne three generations earlier. The government was recently destabilised by the sudden death of the King, who left no clear male heir; his two sons had predeceased him, and his only [[:skyss:chars:salicia:princess_marjorie|daughter]] was married to a Skyssian. 

The [[:skyss:chars:salicia:earl_of_beretha|Earl of Beretha]], representing the older royal line, maintained a separate power base in the north. Following the invasion, the kingdom was integrated into a wider power bloc under the [[:skyss:places:cottalem|Cottalemnese]] crown, a transition facilitated by the use of [[:skyss:chars:geas|geasa]] to ensure the loyalty of the surviving nobility.

==== The Royal Line and Usurpation ====
The Salician monarchy has historically been a site of contestation between rival noble houses. The current crisis was precipitated by the sudden death of the aged King in 774 AM, an event orchestrated by the renegade [[:skyss:chars:rojden|Rojden]] to facilitate a Cottalemnese takeover. 

The primary claimants during the crisis included:
  * **Princess Marjorie**, The King’s Daughter: Married to a Skyssian, she was viewed by the [[:skyss:places:bot|Board of Trade]] as a stabilising candidate but was forced to flee following an attack on her household.
  * **Duke Xaime:** A major noble whose personal guards were subverted by [[:skyss:chars:rojden|Rojden]], leading to his "unfortunate accident" during a confrontation with the Earl of Beretha’s forces.
  * **The Earl of Beretha:** A descendant of a previously usurped royal line who claims legitimacy through ancient divine blood. He pre-emptively seized control of [[:skyss:places:beretha|Beretha]] to resist the invasion.

==== The Cottalemnese Invasion (774 AM) ====
The invasion was a masterclass in strategic misdirection. Cottalemnese heavy cavalry swept into the capital and secured the [[:skyss:places:citadel|Citadel]] at dawn, ahead of the light infantry. A puppet coronation was rapidly performed to provide a veneer of legitimacy, while a naval blockade was established

The invasion was a highly organised manoeuvre. Cottalemnese heavy cavalry entered the [[:skyss:places:citadel|Citadel]] at dawn to secure the capital, while infantry columns were despatched to neutralise [[:skyss:places:beretha|Beretha]]. [[:skyss:chars:rojden|Rojden]] had planned to capture the [[:skyss:chars:salicia:princess_marjorie|King's daughter]] and the [[:skyss:chars:salicia:earl_of_beretha|Earl]] alive to present an appearance of domestic dynastic resolution rather than foreign conquest. While the capital fell quickly, the [[:skyss:chars:salicia:earl_of_beretha|Earl]] pre-emptively raised his militia to defend [[:skyss:places:beretha|Beretha]]. The conflict concluded with the coronation of the Cottalemnese monarch in the [[:skyss:places:citadel|Citadel]], which was attended and recognised by [[:skyss:chars:salicia:princess_marjorie|Princess Marjorie]].

===== Relationships =====

==== People ====
  * [[:skyss:chars:salicia:old_king_of_salicia|The Old King of Salicia]]: (Deceased) The monarch whose death triggered the succession crisis.
  * [[:skyss:chars:salicia:earl_of_beretha|The Earl of Beretha]]: A descendant of the gods and the older royal house who governed [[:skyss:places:beretha|Beretha]].
  * [[:skyss:chars:salicia:princess_marjorie|The Princess of Salicia]]: The King's surviving heir who swore allegiance to the new crown.
  * [[:skyss:chars:salicia:duke_xaime|Duke Xaime]]: A high-ranking noble whose guard was utilised by [[:skyss:chars:rojden|Rojden]] during the coup.
  * [[:skyss:chars:rojden|Rojden]]: The Skyssian renegade and strategic advisor who managed the invasion.
  * [[:skyss:chars:salicia:adan|Adan]]: An agent of the Duke's outer guard who provided intelligence during the conflict.
  * [[:skyss:chars:salicia:llucas|Llucas]]: A sergeant in the outer guard who executed [[:skyss:chars:rojden|Rojden's]] standing instructions.
  * [[:skyss:chars:salicia:nephew_of_the_king|Nephew of the King]]: A potential candidate for the throne prior to the invasion.

==== Places ====
  * [[:skyss:places:citadel|The Citadel]]: The kingdom's capital and site of the Cottalemnese coronation.
  * [[:skyss:places:aintzira|Aintzira]]: The second largest urban centre in Salicia.
  * [[:skyss:places:beretha|Beretha]]: A major estuary port city and the western terminus of the trans-isthmus trade.
  * [[:skyss:places:cottalem|Cottalem]]: The neighbouring power that currently occupies Salician territory.
  * [[:skyss:places:spuetan|Spuetan]]: A kingdom bordering Salicia to the east.
  * [[:skyss:places:lake_abrazos|Lake Abrazos]]: A large lake located within the kingdom's borders.
  * [[:skyss:places:river_lixada|River Lixada]]: A major waterway characterising the Salician landscape.
  * [[:skyss:places:pontepedra|Pontepedra]]: A town situated on the [[:skyss:places:great_west_road|Great West Road]].
  * [[:skyss:places:muino|Muino]]: A settlement located between the capital and the coast.
  * [[:skyss:places:ladeira|Ladeira]]: A town situated in the southern reaches of the kingdom.

==== Concepts ====
  * [[:skyss:places:great_west_road|Great West Road]]: The primary land artery facilitating international trade through the kingdom.
  * [[:skyss:places:bot|Board of Trade]]: The Skyssian semi-governmental authority monitoring the Salician conflict.
  * [[:skyss:chars:geas|Geas]]: Magical compulsions utilised by the occupying forces to maintain political control.
  * [[:skyss:chars:resolutions|Department of Resolutions]]: The specialised Skyssian unit tasked with resolving the Salician crisis.



^  [[:skyss:welcome]]  ^  [[:skyss:characters]]  ^  [[:skyss:places]]  ^  [[:skyss:pantheon]]  ^  [[:skyss:other]]  ^


{{tag>fantasy world-building Skyss Salicia Kingdom Places Fierce 2026 james}}