The Empire of Ikaria

Overview
The country that the story takes place in. Many of the inhabitants believe Ikaria to be the center of the world, as such, each map that is produced by Ikaria depicts Ikaria in the center of everything, even if it may not be the truth. The country is prone to civil war, with one historian stating that there is a civil war "at least each generation" though not all succeed.

The Empire of Ikaria sprouted from the Reformed Kingdom of Inju after it proclaimed itself an Empire. Early in its history, it fought ferociously against Ardenia and helped push them back time and time again.

Beginnings
After the Empire of Inju fell in late 2800 BSIY, the province of Ikaria and a few smaller surrounding provinces declared independence. This kingdom was called the Kingdom of Hailin. This kingdom only lasted for around three years before breaking apart. The largest kingdom sprouting from this was the Kingdom of Ikaria. By this point, it was far from the largest kingdom formed, even so, the careful and considerate kings that ruled over Ikaria performed admirably, allying themselves with larger kingdoms while conquering the small.

Eventually, by the year 2600 BSIY, Ikaria had conquered most of the former Kingdom of Inju's territory, though the rest had been conquered by Ikaria's much larger neighbors Ardenia and Nodria.

War with Ardenia
Late in the year 2219 BSIY, Ikaria formally went to war with the Empire of Ardenia. Initial assaults were ineffective against the mass amounts of soldiers, they just kept coming, though later in the year 2214 BSIY, the war turned in Ikaria's favor and they gained huge swathes of land, including areas around modern day Faerlie and Sayre. Around the same time, Ardenia's hold on territories consisting of modern-day Istra and Shesla also began to weaken. The subsequent rebellions by either nation played heavily into Ikaria's victories.

Modern Day
Nowadays, Ikaria is a hub for technological advancements, with the largest professionally trained military. It has, for almost its entire existence, been matriarchal, contrasting their historic rival, Ardenia's patriarchal society.

The country is extremely militaristic and xenophobic, especially against those from Ardenia and Nodria. Though those from the Holy Kingdom of Istra have seen better treatment than others.

Provinces
Ikaria is split into nine separate provinces. The list is as follows:

Eden - This province consists of the capital of Eden and other surrounding cities, such as Lameanr it is named after the capital Eden. The Provincial Capital is Lameanr. It is also home to the Ikarian Central Command, even though it is the furthest East of any of the Command's.

Hailin - This province surrounds the province of Eden, it consists of cities such as Silvair it is named after the Former Kingdom of Hailin. The Provincial Capital is Silvair.

Inju - This province surrounds the province of Hailin, it consists of cities such as Sayre and Ou it is named after the Former Empire of Inju. The Provincial Capital is Ou, which is also the capital of the Duchy of Ou. This province is also home to the defensive structure known as, Fool's Hope Rampart.

Luine - This province borders Nodria and is east of the Lake of Healing. It consists of cities such as Pyne it is named after the Former Kingdom of Luine, the land was contested multiple times, first with Inju and Luine, then Inju and Nodria, and finally between Ikaria and Nodria. The Provincial Capital is Pyne. It is also home to the Ikarian Southern Command. It is home to the impressive Eastern Wall as well.

Line - This province borders Shesla, The Knights of Ciron, and the Empire of Ardenia and is home to cities such as Line and natural features such as Mount Atellet. The Provincial Capital is Line. It is also home to the Ikarian Northern Command, which handles all the affairs of armies stationed north.

Myra - This province is in the center of Ikaria and borders The Knights of Ciron in a small stretch of land. It is home to cities such as Mantle and natural features such as the World Tree. The Provincial Capital is Mantle.

Kyn - This province is on the west coast of Ikaria and borders The Knights of Ciron. It is home to cities such as The Port City of Kyn, Faerlie, and Elvain. It is also home to features such as Grover Field and the Temple of the Titans. Its Provincial Capital is Kyn. It is also home to the defensive structure known as The Starlight Fortress.

El'ain - This province is on the western side of the Lake of Healing and borders Nodria. It is not home to any significant cities or towns and mostly consists of military outposts and small headquarters buildings. There are few places for civilians in this province. It has no Provincial Capital, but it is home to the defensive structure, The Elric Wall. It is also home to the Ikarian Special Command, which commands all armies in the province.

Alariz - This province contains just a small island just off the western coast of Ikaria. It is home to no cities or towns, but is home to the impressive Grand Lighthouse. It is used solely for this purpose and is such an impressive build that it can reportedly be seen for many nautical miles, always leading sailors back home.

Armed Forces
With the Empress as its Commander in Chief, the Empire of Ikaria has the largest professionally trained army in the Known World, with its Navy being second only to the Holy Kingdom of Istra, and its Air Force being the largest in the Known World.

The Army is comprised of 86 Infantry Divisions (though there are 100 numbered divisions), 10 Armored Divisions, 2 Cavalry Divisions, and multiple Independent Brigades

The Structure of the Royal Army of the Empire of Ikaria

Holidays

 * New Years Day (1/1)
 * Golden Day (1/2)
 * Golden Week (1/2-1/9)
 * Lovers Week (2/7-2/14)
 * Day of the Empress (3/24)
 * Great Isemis Day (3/26)
 * Week of the Gods (5/20-5/27)
 * Ikarian Founding Day (6/22)