Forian Kingdom
Sovereign Kingdom of the Four Swords | |||||
Milavad Yeruv yTzuhei (Lithian) Genmil Yerû Tzuhê (Rudanian) | |||||
| |||||
Capital | Dukrone (1386–1500) Nataliya (1500–1750) | ||||
Languages | Lithian, Xynder | ||||
Government | Parliamentary oligarchic thalassocratic monarchy | ||||
First Sovereign | |||||
• | 1386–1412 (First) | Name | |||
• | 1606–1641 | Meidan I | |||
• | 1735–1750 (Last) | Name | |||
Legislature | Great Council | ||||
History | |||||
• | Established | 1386 | |||
• | First international expansion | 1449 | |||
• | Incorporation of Heartland Lugida | 1507 | |||
• | Collapsed | 1750 | |||
Today part of | Lugida Xynderland Riyana Kadya Zaizung |
Forian Kingdom, also known as Foria or Four Swords, officially the Sovereign Kingdom of the Four Swords[a] was a sovereign state and a thalassocratic monarchy in maritime East Soltenna.
The kingdom was established in 1386 through incorporation of Forian Confederation's four core city-states, namely Nataliya, Dukrone, Hadrun, and Iáecla. Incorporated in a response to the growing Terminian Empire, the four constituent states established a central monarchy, consolidated and shared naval control of the Amiyant Sea, and established new Forian routes in the Gulf of Sharkunen. In its early years the Forian Kingdom prospered on the trade of salt, and in later years on trade of luxury goods and through wealth accumulated from their control and dominance of several Sharkunen naval trade routes. Much of the amassed wealth is held by Forian merchant dynasties, such as House of Trivito, which drove the Kingdom's expansionist policies. Forian Kingdom entered its golden age in the 17th century under the rule of Meidan I. The kingdom had cultural, trade, and political links with a number of Vaniuan and Ekuosian polities.
The kingdom eventually ceased to exist by 1750 due to various factors, most notably territorial expansion by Melunair, a navy crippled by losses from engagements in the Taanttu Gulf, and internal strife between Natalian and Dukronian factions. Forian Kingdom has left a sizable legacy in Soltennan history. Forian merchant dynasties continued maintaining some trade routes but as private entities, and in the modern day developed into corporations. Dukrone's core territories Serval and Seret became the modern Republic of Xynderland in late 18th century. Modern Fordas is named after the Forian Kingdom's name, Four Swords, which also serve as the organization's spiritual foundation.
Name
Foria is itself derived from Four Swords, which symbolizes the four original city-states, "swords", that comprise the Forian Confederation, predecessor of the Forian Kingdom. The symbolism of city-states as swords are reflected in the Kingdom's flag and emblem.
Tzuhê (lit. sword-four) is the Rudanian name for Four Swords, derived from Kwang using the same constituent characters (zito remil). The Kwang name is loaned to many other languages to refer to the historical Kingdom, including Lithian Tzuhei, Riyan and Merish Tióháe, Xynder Ðuae, and Kadic Suha. Lithian additionally uses the native reading (shamei notz) of Tzuhê, Mitz Hazin, as used in the Lithian name for Fordas. Common modern usage for the two names is to use Tzuhei for the historical Foria and Mitz Hazin for Fordas.