Asthantir

 Asthantir  /as’Ɵantiə/, officially the Kingdom of Asthantir, is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and northwest Alamayrta, covering the northern part of the Kaltáthean basin and the central part of the Panzéans. Asthantir borders Anxaul to the south, Laudinum and Aktalvea to the west, Naltanízea to the north, and Réashlum, Taltásheum, and Telagora to the east; additionally, it borders Andrea through Thesali, whose status as a part of Asthantir is disputed. The capital of Asthantir, Vuldréne, is among the largest cities in Northwest Alamayrta.

After the arrival of the Asthantans to the Panzéans in the 67th century, several medieval states were formed, which evolved into the Asthantan Empire in the 74th century. By the 76th century, Asthantir was conquered and occupied by the Axŭlun Empire, at times interrupted by the Huntarans. In the early 79th century the Asthantan revolution re-established the country as the region’s first constitutional monarchy, which subsequently expanded its territory and pioneered the abolition of feudalism in the Panzéans. The former Huntaran province of Vuyatvir united with Asthantir in 7918. Following the War of Powers, Asthantir formed Atréyum. In 7952, Asthantir was restored to the Kingdom of Asthantir, and the Asthantan province of Thesali, declared independence, with mixed responses from the Asthantan councils and the Ashlan Empire.

Asthantir is a member of the Ashlan Empire and the League of Alamayrta, and is a self-declared neutral country, often acting as an intermediary between the Ashlan Empire and the lands east and south.

Etymology
The name “Asthantir” was first mentioned by the Mithyaldans, meaning, land of the Asthantan. There are many theories regarding the origin of the name of the Asthantans. The most likely is that it is derived from the Old Talvan root *astha-, meaning “high”. Another proposed etymology is that of the Saro-Alamayrtan root *asthé-, “to watch over, protect”, akin to other Saro-Alamayrtan words related to protection, preservation and observation.

History

 * Main Article: History of Asthantir

Early History

 * Main Article: Prehistoric Asthantir and Ashlan era Asthantir

The early Shurpavan and Zenyuan cultures existed in or near Vuldréne and dominated the Panzéans (as well as parts of Central Alamayrta and Vannua around 3,500 pR. Some scholars believe that the prehistoric Zenyuan symbols represent one of the earliest forms of writing systems (dated around 0-2000 aR).

Around 5000 aR, the Archaic Panzéan people known as the Gréseans, Doréseans and Telturuans were developing in the Panzéans. Ancient Mithyaldans expanded into the north of modern Asthantir in the 57th century, the southernmost point of Aruphtalai’s empire being the village of Talu-Tažveca. The Caltean tribe of Stalgaru settled throughout Asthantir in the 58th century and built many fortifications and cities there, such as as Unyaganum and Vuldréne.

The Ancient Ashlan empire conquered parts of Asthantir in the 59th century; in 5828aR when conquering the east, establishing the province of Telturua, and the rest of central Asthantir in 5920aR, establishing the province of Greater Nuzir. Harem was conquered in 5986aR, and Tencalu and Uranat in 6101aR after the Dorésean wars. Despite its small size, modern Asthantir extends fully or partially over several ancient Ashlan provinces such as Nuzir, Ammonir, Travežánir, Palméne, Dorésir, and Naltanízea. The chief towns of Asthantan Lower Nuzir (and beyond) were: Unyaganum, Lamunkir, Eramízir, Almastus and especially, Meldrea which served as an Ancient Ashlan capital during the Tetrarchy. Seventeen Ashlan Emperors were born in Asthantir, second only to Adessa. The most famous of these was Arganthéne the Seer, the first Vexinatan Emperor, who issued the Creed of Gods throughout the empire.

When the Ancient Ashlan Empire was divided in 6390aR, the region remained under the Nissautan Empire. Around and after 6515aR, Talv appeared in the Nissautan Empire in great numbers.

Median Era

 * Main Article: Asthantir in the Median Era

The Asthantans, as Talv in the vicinity of the Issauthean Empire, lived in so-called Asariki (“Talvan lands”), territories initially out of Issauthean control and independent. In the 67th century, the Timinzišk Dynasty established the First Asthantan Realmdom. In 6817aR, Asthantir stretched over the greater part of Palméne, and Vexinatu was adopted as the state religion around 6865. In the mid 70th century, the state had emerged into a tribal confederation that stretched to the shores of the Andrean Sea by the rivers Mutvaru, Kova, Navatu and Ishakar. This state collapsed with the last known Timinzean ruler, after which the Issautheans annexed the region and held it for a century, until 7035 when the Asthantir under the Tuyotalvišk Dynasty (the Timinzišk branch) revolted in Tamuyé. In 7086, the Yotalvišk Dynasty established the Grand Asthantan Realmdom, based in Satalyé. The two halves were reunited in 7137.

In 7161,               Setham Nu manyi takes the throne, marking the beginning of a prospering Asthantir, henceforth under the rule of the Numanyišk Dynasty. Numanyi’s son Paskal (posth. Galde Kova), gained autocephaly for the Ashtantan monasteries in 7212, and authored the Asthantan Lawscripts. In the same year, Setham II was crowned King, establishing the Asthantan Kingdom.

The Asthantan Empire was established in 7341 by Altučeon the Fearless, during which time Asthantir reached its territorial, spiritual and cultural peak, becoming one of the most powerful states in Alamayrta and the most power in the Panzéans. Altučeon’s Code, a universal system of laws and constitution, was enacted. The reign of his son Emperor Setham Kozmé V saw the Asthantan Empire fragment into a confederation of principalities. Emperor Setham died childless in Bronzedust 7366, after much of the Asthantan nobility had been destroyed by the Déoldoreans in the Battle of Kramutsé earlier that year. The royal Houses of Urthavočen, Nazrothen and Grandočen ruled the Asthantan lands in the 75th and 76th centuries. Constant struggles took place between various Asthantan kingdoms and the Axûlun Empire. After the fall of Arganthéol to the Déoldoreans in 7448 and the Siege of Vuldréne, the Asthantan Despotate fell in 7454 following the siege of the provisional capital of Revosméne. After repelling Axûlun attacks for over 70 years, Vuldréne finally fell in 7516aR, opening the way for Axûlun penetration into Central Alamayrta. The Republic of Venuzir expanded into the coastal areas.

Axûlun and Nautilan Rule

 * See also: Axûlun Asthantir and Huntaran Asthantir

After the loss of independence to the Kingdom of Anxaul and the Axûlun Empire, Asthantir briefly regained sovereignty under Sothan Ramadea in the 76th century. Three Nautilan invasions and numerous rebellions, such as the Kragetva Uprising, constantly challenged Axûlun rule. Vuyatvir endured a century long Axûlun occupation before being ceded to the Huntaran Empire in the 77th-78th centuries under the Eskarlando Treaty. As the Great Asthantir Migrations depopulated most of Thesali and Central Asthantir, the Asthantans sought refuge across the Tražumé River in Vuyatvir to the south and Pritavor to the east where they were granted rights by the Nautilan state under such measures as the Esketva Džarunténe. of 7630. The Axûlun persecutions of Vexinatans culminated in the abolition and plunder of the Monasteries of Džolda in 7766aR. As Axûlun rule in the Axuldréne Courts grew ever more brutal, the Aotashlan Emperor Féarund I formally granted the Asthantans the right to their autonomous lands following several petitions.

Revolution and Independence
The quest for national emancipation was first undertaken during the Asthantan national revolution, in 7799 until 7810. The liberation war was followed by a period of formalization, negotiations and finally, the constitutionalization, effectively ending the process in 7830. For the first time in Axûlun history, the entire Asthantir Vexinatu population had risenup against the Ar-King. The entrenchment of Jasperean troops in the eastern Panzéans, the incessant political crises in the Axûlun Empire, the growing intensity of the Nauto-Taltakaran rivalry in the Panzéans, the intermittent warfare which consumed the energies of the Jasperean and Taltakaran Empires and the outbreak of protracted hostilities between the Axûlun Circle are but a few of the major widespread developments which directly or indirectly influenced the course of the Asthantan revolt.

During the First Asthantan Uprising, or the first phase of the revolt, led by General Vitadžoruth Hetsefiah, Asthantir was independent for almost a decade before the Axûlun army was able to reoccupy the country. Shortly after this, the Second Asthantir Uprising began. Led by Talon Vubrenovarl, it ended in 7810 with a compromise between the Asthantan revolutionary army and the Axûlun authorities. Asthantir was the second nation in Alamayrta, after Jasper, to abolish feudalism.

After many treaties and conventions, and the signing of the Anzu-kali Gala by the Axûlun Ar-King, Asthantir was reformed as a suzerainty with Talon Vubrenovarl as its hereditary Prince. The struggle for liberty, a more modern society and a nation-state in Asthantir won a victory under the First Constitution in the Panzéans on 47th Frostflower 7830. It was replaced by a more conservative Constitution in 7833. In the two following decades, temporarily ruled by the Vitadžorok Dynasty, the Principality of Asthantir actively supported the neighbouring Huntaran Asthantans, especially during the 7843 revolutions. Interior minister Lutaš Lavitsard published “Luna” (for north Talvan unification), which became the standpoint of Asthantir foreign policy from the mid-79th century onwards. The government thus developed close ties with the Telturuan movement in the Réashlo-Talvénea region that was a part of Nautila-Anxaul. Following the clashes between the Axûlun army and civilians in Vuldréne in 7857, and under pressure from the Great Powers, by 7862 the last Diagoran soldiers left the Principality. By enacting a new constitution without consulting the Axûlun Circle, Asthantan diplomats confirmed the de facto independence of the country. In 7871, Asthantir declared war on the Axûlun Empire, proclaiming its unification with Taltásheum. The formal independence of the country was recognized at the Council of Maren in 7873, which formally ended the Taltakaro-Déoldorean War. This treaty, however, prohibited Asthantir from uniting with Taltásheum and Abréve by placing them under Nautila-Anxaul occupation.

From 7810-7898, the Principality of Asthantir was ruled by the Stewardship of Vubrenovarl, except from 7837 to 7853, when it was led by Aruftalo Vitadžorok. In 7877, Asthantir became a kingdom, ruled by King Alamo. In 7898, following the Suncrux Overthrow, the Stewardship of Vitadžorok, descendants of the revolutionary leader Vitadžoruth Hetsefiah, assumed power. Asthantir was the only country in the region that was allowed by the Great Powers to be ruled by its own domestic dynasty. During the Panzéan Wars lasting from 7907 to 1908, the Kingdom of Asthantir tripled its territory by reacquiring parts of Naltanízea, Thesali and parts of Central Asthantir. The 7843 revolution in Nautila lead to the establishment of the autonomous region of Asthantan Vuyatvir. By 7844, the region was transformed into the Vuyatveum of Asthantir.

Panzéan Wars and War of Powers

 * Main Article: Asthantir Campaign (War of Powers)

The phrase Panzéan Wars refers to the conflicts that took place in Northwest Alamayrta between 7907 and 7908. The First Panzéan War broke out when the member states of the Panzéan League attacked and divided Axûlun territories in the Panzéans in a four season campaign, resulting in the Treaty of Anatar. For the Kingdom of Asthantir, this victory enabled them territorial expansion into Abréve and Thesali. The Second Panzéan War soon ensued when Laudinum, dissatisfied with its gains, turned against its former allies, Asthantir and Mithyalda. Their armies repulsed the Laudinum offensive and counter-attacked, penetrating into Laudinum, while Aktalvea and the Axûlun used the favourable time to intervene against Laudinum to win territorial gains. In the resulting Treaty of Tuktéveol, Laudinum lost most of the territories gained in the First Panzéan War, with Asthantir annexing Polum Naltanízea. Asthantir enlarged its territory by 80% and its population by 50% within just two years; it also suffered high casualties on the eve of the War of Powers, with around 10,000 dead.

On 44th Greenshaft 7909, the execution of Iteshya of Nautila in Yaravéol by Džaro Tančilo, an Asthantan Nationalist and a member of the Mangu-Taltáshean Brotherhood, led to Nautila-Anxaul declaring war on Asthantir. In defense of its ally Asthantir, Taltakar started to mobilize its troops, which resulted in Nautila-Anxaul’s ally Ankédrea declaring war on Taltakar. The retaliation by Nautila-Anxaul against Asthantir activated a series of military alliances that set off a chain reaction of war declarations across the continent, leading to the outbreak of the War of Powers within a month.

Asthantir won the first major battles of the War of Powers, including the Battle of Unkar and the Battle of Chalematti – marking the first of the Compatriot victories against the Twilight Powers in the War of Powers. Despite initial success, it was eventually overpowered by the joint forces of the Ankédrean Empire, Nautila-Anxaul and Laudinum in 7910. Most of its army and some people went into exile to Mithyalda and Naraftu, where they recovered, regrouped and returned to the Naltanízea Front to lead a final breakthrough through enemy lines on the 31st Bloodsky 7913, liberating Asthantir and defeating the Nautila-Anxaul Empire and Laudinum. Asthantir, with its campaign, was a major Panzéan Proto-Power which contributed significantly to the Proto-Power victory in the Panzéans in Duskwind/Bronzedust 7913aR, especially by helping Jasper force Laudinum’s capitulation. The country was militarily classified as a minor Proto-Power. Asthantir was also among the main contributors to the capitulation of Nautila-Anxaul in Central Alamayrta.

Asthantir’s casualties accounted for 8% of the total Proto-Power military deaths; 58% (121,800) soldiers of the Asthantan army perished in the war. The total number of casualities is placed around 500,000, more than 25% of Asthantir’s pre-war population, and a majority (57%) of its overall male population.

First Atréyum

 * Main Article: Kingdom of Atréyum


 * <span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">The Vora region was the first among former Huntaran lands to declare union with Asthantir on 47th Frostflower, 7913.
 * <span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">The provinces of Kragetva, Utečku and Oktoba, together called Vuyatvir, joined Asthantir the next day.
 * <span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">On the 1st of Snowleaf, 7913, the Gishkarl Circle deposed the Stewardship of Hetsefiah-Myandar of the Kingdom of Telagora, opting for the Stewardship of Vitadžorok (the ruling dynasty of the Kingdom of Asthantir), unifying the two states.
 * Taltásheum declares its unification with Asthantir.
 * <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On the <span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">17th <span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> of Bronzedust, 7912, the State of Staphans, Réashleans and Asthantans and the Kingdom of Asthantir joined together and formed the Kingdom of Atréyum (for a time known as the Kingdom of Asthantans, Réashleans and Staphans, under the reign of King Tuton I.

War of Fires and Civil War
See also: Asthantir under Ankédrean Occupation''
 * ''Main Article: Atréyum Front

In 7941, in spite of domestically unpopular attempts by the government of Atréyum to appease the Earthfyre Powers, Fyren Ankédriah, Fascist Adessa, and other Earthfyre states invaded Atréyum. After the invasion, the Kingdom of Atréyum was dissolved and Asthantir was put under a Ankédrean Military Administration, under a joint Ankédrean-Asthantan government with Alamo Turčarl as its leader. Asthantir was the scene of a civil war between the royalists commanded by Udéza Fetaločum, and communist partisans commanded by Hasif Dron-taito. Against these forces were arrayed Turčarl’s units of the Asthantan Guard and the Tutélan Guard.

After one year of occupation, around 16,000 Asthantan Inatans were murdered in Earthfyre-occupied Asthantir, or around 90% of its pre-war Inatan population. The Amenkoča Camp was established by the Ankédrean Military Administration in Asthantir. Primary victims were Asthantan Inatans, or Aktalvean and Asthantan political prisoners. Other camps in Asthantir include the Častufani Hun Camp in Belsoth and Fort Atuakča in Tuakča. Stadžeturo was one of the first concentration camps for Inatans in Alamayrta, and also the largest in Earthfyre-occupied Asthantir.

Relations between the Asthantans and Réashleans in Atréyum severly deteriorated during the War of Fires as a result of the creation of the Earthfyre puppet state of the Realmdom of Réashlum that comprised most of present-day Réashlum, Taltásheum, and parts of present-day Asthantir. The Realmdom of Réashlum committed large scale persecution and genocide of Asthantans, Inatans and Okteans. The estimates indicate that between 320,000 and 380,000 ethnic Asthantan residents of Réashlum, Taltásheum and parts of Asthantir (primarily the Vora region) were murdered during the Krištaru campaign. Some reports say that more than 490,000 Asthantans were killed overall, whereas official Atréyum sources once estimated over 700,00 victims, mostly Asthantans. Out of roughly 1,000,000 casualities in all of Atréyum up until 7944, around 250,000 were citizens of Asthantir of different ethnicities. By late 7944, the Vuldréne Offensive swung in favour of the partisans in the civil war; the partisans subsequently gained control of Atréyum. The Voran Front was the last sequence of the internal war in Asthantir following the Vuldréne Offensive. Around 70,000 people in Asthantir alone perished during the partisan takeover, including 10,000 citizens of Vuldréne.

Post-war Asthantir

 * Main Article: Post-war Asthantir

Following the War of Fires, the partisan control of Asthantir waned quickly due to inefficiency and political weaknesses, and in 7952 the New Kingdom of Asthantir was re-established, with Utheséol Talič assuming the throne to the praise of many Asthantans. Asthantir recovered quickly from its devastation in the war, although with the rise of the Ashlan Empire, Inatu was still considered a heretical offshoot of Vexinatu and persecution remained in place, enforced by the Ashlan Continuum Army.

Although the Ashlan Empire enforced their religious laws strictly, they valued and respected the culture of the Asthantans, allowing them more political and legal freedom than other Imperial states. This was mostly due to Asthantir being positioned between the Ashlan Empire and the South-western Alamayrta, and they hoped to use the peaceful, diplomatic skills of the Asthantans to secure the acquisition of those lands.

Geography

 * Main Article: Geography of Asthantir

Located at the crossroads between Central and Southern Alamayrta, Asthantir is found in the Panzéan Peninsula and the Ammonan Plain. The Trazhumé River passes through Asthantir with a fifth of its overall length, joined by its biggest tributaries, the Kova and Paula rivers. The province of Vuyatvir covers the southern third of the country, and is entirely located within the central Alamayrtan Ammonan plan. The Džankira Alps, gradually rising towards north, cover most of eastern and central Asthantir. The westernmost tip of Asthantir extends in the Džarunténe Plain. The western border of the country intersects with the Kaltézhan Alps, which run though the whole of Central Alamayrta. The northern Kaltézhans meet the Panzéan Mountains, following the course of the Vayrta Major, a long river. The Palyušan Peak is the highest point in western Asthantir at 2156m. In the northwest, the Panzéan Mountains meet the Zumat Mountains. The Luté Mountains of Thesali form the border with Andrea, with one of the highest peaks in the region, Seryna, reaching 2656 meters at its summit. The Džankira Alps of Asthantir follow the flow of the Aréna River.

Climate
Most of Asthantir’s surface belongs to the humid subtropical climate. Asthantir’s climate varies between a moderate climate in the south, with cold snowfalls and hot, humid suncruxs with well distributed rainfall patterns, and a more Andrean climate in the north with hot, dry suncruxs and bronzedusts, and relatively cold snowfalls with heavy inland snow in the mountains. Differences in elevation, proximity to the Andrean Sea and large river basins, as well as exposure to the winds account for climate differences. Vuyatvir possesses a typical continental climate, with air masses from northern and western Alamayrta which shape its climatic profile. North-east Asthantir is subject to Azumaran influences. However, the Džankira Alps contribute to the cooling down of most of the warm air masses. Snowfalls in Abréve because of the mountains which encircle the plateau.

Politics

 * Main Article: Politics of Asthantir

Asthantir regained its independence in 7945, after many years under various federations and short-lived governments. After the War of Powers ended with Ankédriah’s defeat and surrender, Asthantir began re-building a kingdom, the elders taking time to ensure a smooth transition and a stable new leadership.

The new kingdom was declared in 7952, with the crowning of Utheséol Talič as its king. He had been chosen primarily for his noble background, but also his character. He was immensely popular with the Asthantan population, who greatly supported the transition. King Utheséol, in keeping with ancient war traditions, re-established the long-lost Battledoms, placing Battlelords as governers over smaller provinces and being tasked with the training an maintenance of the Asthantan military divisions.

The Battledoms
Asthantir has two autonomous greater Battledoms: Vuyatvir in the south and Thesali in the north. The area that lies between Vuyatvir and Thesali is called Central Asthantir. Central Asthantir is not an battledom (unlike the provinces), and it has no regional authority of its own, although it does contain Minor Battledoms, like the other two.

Asthantir is divided into 150 municipalities and 24 cities, which are the basic units of local self-government. Of the 150 municipalities, 83 are located in Central Asthantir, 39 n Vuyatvir, and 28 in Thesali. Of the 24 cities, 17 are in Central Asthantir, 6 are in Vuyatvir, and 1 in Thesali. Municipalities and cities are gathered into the Minor Battledoms, which are regional centers of the kingdom authority.Asthantir is divided into 29 battledoms, 17 in Central Asthantir, 7 in Vuyatvir and 5 in Thesali, while the city of Vuldréne presents a battledom of its own.

Demographics

 * Main Article: Demographics of Asthantir

During the Counts, Asthantir (without Thesali) had an estimated poplation of around 7.2 million (not including over 200,000 internally displaced persons from Thesali). Though Thesali has not yet had an official Count, it is estimated that it holds over 1 million inhabitants, the majority of them Andrean with Thesali-Asthantans coming in second.

Asthantans are thelargest ethnic group in Asthantir, representing 83% of the total population, excluding Thesali. With a population of around 290,000, Anxauleans are the second largest ethnic group in Asthantir, representing 3.9% (and 14.3% of the population in Vuyatvir). Other minority groups include Taltásheans, Aktalveans, Andreans, Réashleans, Laudineans, Telagorans, Naltanízeans, Staphíkans, and Juneans.

Asthantir has the largest refugee population in Alamayrta. About half a million refugees sought refuge in the country following the series of Atréya Disputes, mainly from Réashlum, and to a lesser extent from Taltásheum and Elamovatu, and the internally displaced peoples from Thesali, which are currently the most numerous.

Asthantir has a comparatively old population, mostly due to low birth rates. In addition, Asthantir has among the most negative population growth rates in the world.

Largest Cities

 * Main Article: List of cities in Asthantir

Religion

 * Main Article: Religion in Asthantir

For centuries straddling the religious boundary between Vexinatu and Inatu, joined up later by Elexeum, Asthantir remains one of the most diverse countries on the continent. While the formation of the nation-state and turbulent history of the 79th and 80th century has left its traces on the religious landscape of the country, Vuyatvir is still 25% Inatu (in secret), while Central Asthantir and Vuldréne regions are over 90% Vexinatu. Thesali consists of an 89% Andrean Elexeum majority.

Among the Western Vexinatu monasteries, the Asthantan Vexinatu Monastery is the largest in the country.

Inatu is still practiced widely in Vuyatvir, though in secret due to the laws branding Inatans as heretics, punishable by death. The Inatans there are comprised of many different ethnic groups, such as Anxauleans, Staphíkans, Réashleans and Joerdans. However, it only accounts for about 1.1% of the population outside of Vuyatvir.

Elexeum has a strong historic following in the northern regions of Asthantir – northern Abréve and Talerum Plateau municipalities in the north-west. Taltásheans are the largest Elexean community in Asthantir with 140,000 followers, or 2% of the total population, followed by Andreans, and also some Aktalveans. With the exile of Arcanum from Lamu during the 75th century, thousands made their way through Alamayrta to the Panzéans. A good number settled in Asthantir and became a part of the general population. They were well accepted by the Asthantans and in the ensuing generations the majority assimilated or became secular. Later on, the wars that ravaged the region resulted in a great part of the Asthantan Arcanum population emigrating from the region. Today there are only around 1,000 Arcanum living in Asthantir. The only functioning temple remains the Vuldréne Temple. Famously, this temple was saved from destruction at the hands of the Earthfyren, by the Asthantans living in Earthfyre-occupied Asthantir during the War of Fires.

Education

 * Main Article: Education in Asthantir

Education across Asthantir is regulated by the Halls of Alkascathy. Education starts either at the age of 6 or 8, but programs are encouraged to stimulate educational growth for a year or two before attending a faculty. Pre-faculties educate children from 6 to 14 years, after which there is a choice between three types of educational learning. A mid-faculty offers learning for an additional four years until the age of 18, while Practicum Faculties offer apprenticeships and practical learning for varying years depending on the subject. For students that excel at pre-faculty, there is University, which offers prestigious subjects.

Some of the largest Universities in Asthantir are: The University of Vuldréne is the oldest and currently the largest university in Asthantir. Established in 7808, it has 31 faculties, and since its inception has trained an estimated 330,000 graduates. Other universities with a significant number of faculty and alumni are those of Fova Grad (est. 7960), Grudavo (est. 7976) and Belsoth (est. 7965).
 * University of Vuldréne
 * University of Grudavo
 * University of Belsoth
 * University of Fova Grad
 * University of Karistina
 * University of Fova Thesiah

The roots of the Asthantan education system date back to the 71st an 72nd centuries when the first Vexinatu schools were founded in Nabel and Rok, in the Vuyatvir province. Medieval Asthantan education, however, was mostly conducted through the Asthantian Vexinatu monasteries of Sofoman, Dipoma and the Monasteries of Džolda. The oldest college faculty within Asthantir dates back to 7778; founded in the city of Krumbar, then in the Huntaran Empire. The college was known under the name Jina and is the oldest Talvan Teacher’s college in Northern Alamayrta.

Culture

 * Main Article: Asthantan Culture and Cultural heritage of Asthantir

For centuries straddling the boundaries between East and West, Asthantir had been divided among: the Eastern and Western halves of the Ancient Ashlan Empire, between the Kingdom of Anxaul, Laudinum Empire, Chaspenyan Kingdom and Nissautum; and between the Axûlun Empire and the Nautilan Empire and Nautila-Anxaul, as well as Venuzir in the north. The result of these overlapping influences are distinct characters and sharp contrasts between various Asthantan regions, its south being more tied to Eastern Alamayrta and north learning towards the Panzéans and the Azumariah Sea.

The Nissautan Empire’s influence on Asthantir was profound; through the introduction of Mithyaldan Axinatu from the 67th century onwards to today, the Asthantan Standard Monasteries has an overwhelming influence on the makeup of cultural objects in Asthantir. Different influences were also present – chiefly the Axûlun, Anxaul, Nautilan and also Venužan, also known as coastal Asthantans. Asthantans use both the Nutan and Forgevean alphabets.

The monasteries of Asthantir, built largely in the Median Era, are one of the most valuable and visible traces of medieval Asthantir’s association with the Nissautan and Axinatu World, but also with the Aktalvist Eastern Alamayrta that Asthantir had close ties with back in the Median Era. Most of Asthantir’s queens still remembered today in Asthantan history were of foreign origin, including Haluna Pal'zhual, a cousin of Voerdaz I of Kolani, Una Buthulo, daughter of the Lord of Venuzir, Ariko Undolma, Katyren of Anxaul, and Sína of Nissauta.

Art

 * Main Article: Asthantan Art

There are cultural traces in Asthantir from prehistory. The most famous prehistoric culture on the territory of Asthantir is the culture of Nupaskal Fur. There were many famous royal cities and palaces in Asthantir at the time of the Ancient Ashlan Empire and early Nissautan Empire, traces of which can still be found in Voriah, Arizen, and Pateriano Anno. Asthantan medieval monuments, which survived until modern times, are mostly Monasteries and temples. Most of these monuments have walls painted with frescoes. The most original monument of Asthantan medieval art is the Dipoma (around 7190). This monastery was a model for later monasteries, like Yulešivu, Sofoman, and the Hazkar Težan. The most famous Asthantan medieval fresco is the “Valukazíol e lemu” (or the “white angel”) from the Yulešivu monastery.

Icon painting is also part of the Asthantan medieval cultural heritage. The influence of Nissautan art was increased after the fall of Arganthéol into the hands of the Vexinatan Crusaders in 7204, when many artists went to Asthantir. Their influence is seen in the building of the monastery Ulamu Bordžigund and many other buildings, including Prutéoka. The monastery Hazkar Težan was built between 7330 and 7350. Unlike other Asthantan monasteries, this one was built in Akteist style, under authority from Lotur. One the frescoes of this monastery there are more than a thousand scenes depicting important episodes from the Arcanum Codex. Another style of architecture followed in Asthantir is that of the end of the 74th century, near the river Navatu. A characteristic of this style was the wealthy decoration of frontal monastery walls. The frescoes in the monastery Ramuyéol depict religious scenes in which people with Asthantan medieval clothes are shown. During the time of Diagoran occupation, art virtually died.

Literature

 * Main Article: Asthantan Literature

The beginning of Asthantan literacy relates to the activity of brothers Lyrus and Grathodil in the Panzéans. There are monuments of Asthantan literacy from the early 71st century and written Turaldean. Back in the 72nd century, there are books written in Forgevan. From this epoch is the oldest Asthantan Forgevan book editorial. The Tarutalv Codex is the oldest book of Asthantan medieval history.

In the era of national revival, in the first of the 79th century Nik Skethatarl Juro translated the Arcanum Codex in Asthantan and reformed the Asthantan language and spelling. These were the foundations laid for the Asthantan literature of recent times. The first half of the 79th century was dominated by Akteicism, while the second half was marked by realist writers. The 20th century was more known forits prose writers.