Whitecrest

Whitecrest was a Kingdom that last resided on the White Coast of the Tranquil Sea.

Introduction
Whitecrest was a pre-Deiotakas Kingdom that survived into present day Templehelm. While it may seem like a young Kingdom to many, Whitecrest actually has an intricate government, rich history, and flourishing culture that has made a very noticeable impact on Templehelm today.

Founding
Whitecrest is young as far as many Nations go, being officially founded as a Kingdom on the 1st Akwal of the 10th Incarnation of the Coal Spider-Bat. Founded as a simple fishing village by Remus Verick Callidus, Ruark Inaria, Felix Inaria, and Rabol the Mad, Whitecrest eventually grew to require a proper monarchy and soon flourished under the guidance of its first King, Nimis Inaria.

First Goblin Wars
In Whitecrest's early days Goblins attacked its peoples and kept the provincial town in a state of constant alert. Through the effective leadership of King Remus and then-Guard-Captain Boldric, the Goblins were defeated and the settlement of Whitecrest was established in it's island claims.

First Golden Age
Pre-Deiotakas Whitecrest's peak was a promising one, with immigrants pouring into the city almost faster than accommodations could be made. Around this time was also the peak of Lesh's violent campaign against Templehelm, and all of Whitecrest's Kings had made strict policy of accepting all people, no matter their background, race, or other superficial factors. With so many plagued by Lesh and Whitecrest being relatively distant from the deadly foe's sights it became an ideal destination for those looking for a new home. With so much going on no official census had ever been made, but it is estimated that anywhere from 300-1000 people resided in Whitecrest at its peak, the numbers having such a wide margin due to the large number of both merchants who were not permanent residents and the huge population of men and women who were believed to live deep in Whitecrest's catacombs and sewers. Whitecrest had also emerged as a superpower on the continental stage through posing effective resistance to Lesh, delivering necessary aid to the displaced Mycelyites, and making strong military alliances with other great nations and settlements such as Frosthall of Glacikaldr.

The Second Deiotakas
Just as Whitecrest's First Golden Age had begun it was brought to an abrupt end by an event that would change the face of Templehelm forever. Due to reasons unbeknownst to most the world blew up, as if the gods had suddenly loosed the whole of their fury upon the land. Tide and Hell fought. Sky and Earth struggled. Night and Day battled. Life and Death quarreled. Complete chaos ruled the land for nearly a month. When everything settled down the land had changed completely. Strange new lands had come into being and nearly all marks of civilization had been destroyed. For almost two months Whitecrest was no more, its people scattered and its King, Jason, confused and unsure. Then Jason stumbled upon the ruins of his once great city only to find the remnants of his people waiting. They numbered near fifty and, under Jason's leadership, they once again were headed towards prosperity as a simple, provincial, fishing Kingdom.

The Tranquil Accord
On the 2nd of the 10th Incarnation of the Redstone Spider-Bat the Tranquil Accord was ratified by the ruling leaders of the four major kingdoms of the Tranquil Sea; Whitecrest, Tranquility, the Afflicted, and Thyvor.

Recovery after the Great Upheaval
For the next few months after it was re-founded Whitecrest was re-built following the designs of its now missing second King, Remus Callidus. The tattered peoples worked extensively to return Whitecrest to its former glory, and soon, many refugees from the Great Upheaval, the Akwalian Genocide, the Deserman Schism, the Goblin Wars, and the Sunagakure Conflict, all removed from their lands and in need of a home, fled to the relative safety of Whitecrest's calm isolation.

1st Siege of Whitecrest
This siege lasted a week, and it began not long after Whitecrest had started taking in refugees from the Sunagakure Conflict. The goblins seemed to have set up camp overnight, though when they were peacefully approached the small scouting party immediately attacked. A small skirmish ensued in which all of the scouts were killed and no Cresians were lost. After the battle all food and weapons were taken from the camp and plans were made to convert it into a camp for Whitecrest's laborers. The next morning the main Goblin force arrived. The camp was protected by strange necromantic energies and the goblins rained fire and death across the city for nights on end. A group consisting of King Jason and Ekgnujya, Head of the Tranquil Guard, as well as the full Cresian guard held off the goblins and eventually due to the efforts of Arcus of the Jurrian, Saevus the Netharnan, Victoria Shadrian, Wilbert the Zelphair, Ran'akak'flam of Dubiety, Ekgnujya of Tranquility, Jason Reilev, and Solomon the Cresian a final plan was carried out that got past the magical barriers and demolished the camp and its violent inhabitants.

Government
Whitecrest's government has historically been a simple monarchy. The King ruled by decree and worked with his chosen advisers to make the laws of the Kingdom.

The King
Whitecrest has been through three different regents in its time: Nimis Inaria, Remus Verick Callidus, and the current regent, Jason Djerik. By law the throne can be passed on whenever the current regent wishes to do so, and it can be given to anyone. Should a regent perish before he has chosen an heir then the closest familial relation is made regent; First spouse, then to children, then to grandchildren and so on, then to aunts and uncles, then to their children and so on, then to great aunts and uncles. Assuming that none of the older relations listed are available and none of their children are either then the throne goes to siblings, eldest first, of the regent, then their children and so on. Assuming that there is no familial relation to be coronated then the Whitcresian people must elect someone from the regent's own court to take the throne. Once someone is named regent, no matter the method so long as it is lawful, they may not turn it down,however they may abdicate and name an heir as soon as they are coronated. The regent has a bit more power than the other members of the Whitcresian Parliament, as he is the only person who can effectively appoint more members into his Royal court and therefore the Whitcresian court.

Geography
Whitecrest rests on a large plateau in the Eastern Savanna on the White Coast with the Tranquil Sea and Syzar's Isle to the East.

Demographics
Whitecrest has traditionally held quite varied peoples; Dwarves, Men, Elves, Ichthy, Orks, and all manner of persons. Men and Ichthy have typically been most prominent, and later in Whitecrest's existence, it was heavily built upon the refugee populations of the Afflicted, Tranquility, and Sunagakure.

Religion
Like many who live in Templehelm Whitecrest's official religion is Planuvian, stemming from the beliefs of the Emeraldites and worship of their god, Planu. In a technical context the belief is known as Planuvian Singularity, and, while it is very similar to most beliefs about Planu, there are some major differences.

This belief is not forced upon Whitecrest's citizens, but they are encouraged to be Planuvian in religion.

Economy
Whitecrest's economy was built upon fishing, stone masonry, and lumber. It heavily imported food from its ally of Tranquility later in its existance, though earlier it heavily exported food and supplies to the people of Afflicted.

Culture
Whitcresian culture is a very broad subject, borrowing different traditions and lifestyles from its many foreign immigrants.

Language
Like nearly all who live in Templehelm Whitecrest's official language is the common tongue. In more scholarly circles, however, Lob, the language of the ancient Akwals, is studied and practiced.

Nomenclature
Though Cresians have various separate cultures, each with their own naming conventions, there are some clues as to which names are Cresian and which are not, at least in the current age of the Tranquil Nation.

Due to the Tranquil Census, Cresians, like all Tranquils, are required to register a chosen name and a family name. This can make many Cresians easy to pick out, as those who did not have family names often would come up with simple names of their trade, though it must be noted that this is not uncommon in other cultures.

Another large hint is the prevalence of noble families in Whitecrest, those that stretched back to its founding in the modern age. These families have grown over the ages and have marked many offspring with their names; Talim, Havail, Reilev, Callidus, Inaria, Aneeson, and Vonlian. Due to the general Tranquil custom that freed slaves take the family name of their former master, these names are even more abundant across the White Coast than one would realize.

Finally, during the Tranquil Census, many took family names translated into the ancient language of the Akwals, Lob ra Mer, or just Lob. This was more common in Serenity and Aren'e-kel, but it is still a relevant mark of many Cresians.

Entertainment and Preforming Arts
The only common form of entertainment in Whitecrest was musical, typically using the harmonica.

Cuisine
A typical Cresian meal, specifically for peasants, consisted of bread, fish, and rum. Those of the governing class generally drank tea instead of rum, and fish was a much larger staple in their diets.

Jason Reilev
Jason Reilev, the 3rd King of Whitecrest, is not only one of the most notable figures in Cresian history but also a major figure throughout the major histories of all of Templehelm. Jason lead Whitecrest into its first Golden Age and through the Great Upheaval. He pushed for rapid reconstruction, helped draft the Tranquil Accord, securing peace and prosperity across the Tranquil, and when the West went to war, he boldly and responsibly kept his people out of it. Jason, forever a man of Akwal, was notoriously tolerant of other faiths. He was a constant arbiter between those of Akwal and the Mycelyites, being perhaps the biggest influence on the friendly relations the two peoples generally share today. It is also remored that he spoke to Netharna and walked away with her blessings, rather than her retribution. Even this man, with all he did right, had some major flaws. Near the end of his reign many of his closest advisors reported that Jason began to act erratically, sometimes without reason or with unclear goals in mind. With the help of hindsight, it is now evident that Jason was, like many believe Quan of Thyvor was, under the influence of the Shadow Towers that plagued Tempehelm. It was under this influence that Jason took the moniker "Harbinger", serving the Towers and furthering their goals in this land. It was during this period that Jason refused to engage the Towers, pushed to focus instead on the Cult, and instigated the First Coup of Thyvor when Thyvor began to disregard its responsibilities and promises to the Accordance. Jason, as the Harbinger of the Shadows, was also the tool with which Damon Hosh managed to make his way into Templehelm. Still, Jason Reilev did eventually break free of the Tower's hold. He proceeded to unite the scattered Tranquil peoples into first the loose confederation that was the Tranquil States and then into subservience to Akwal's chosen Kingdom of Aren. In this time Jason was recognized far and wide as the prime conduit of Akwal in this land, and eventually the Sea Father himself named Jason his Champion. Following this Jason disappeared, many assuming he had died. Rather, he had retreated to the depths of the Seas, seeking renewed purpose and the truths of Templehelm that had evaded him for so long. After three months, Jason returned, finding Aren in disrepair, abandoned by its Lords and absent of all but only the few stragglers who remained in the crumbling bricks of the once-great city. Disillusioned with the permanence of the Kingdoms of Mortals and the ways of the mainland, Jason gathered those faithful to him and to Akwal and began the Serene Order, a group of men dedicated to the protection of the Tranquil Sea and its coasts. Still, his role with the Order did not last long. On a diplomatic mission to speak with the Mycelyites he witnessed their god speak to them; a prophesy was made that would change his very destiny. Jason was called by Mycelyix to assist those of Syzar's Isle in destroying the last of the Shadow Towers. The prophesy specified that only the Harbinger could do wht must be done, and, weeks later, Jason, Quan Do O Grant, and several of the Order marched on the Nexus with the Mycelyites present to call upon their god. Jason perished, but the Nexus was destroyed and the Tranquil was preserved, just as he had intended. The impact that Jason had on Templehelm shall forever remain evident, and those he left behind shall never forget his name.

Arcus of the Jurrian
Arcus was a lesser known Cresian, but he was actually a prominent figure in both Old and New Whitecrest. Arcus was from the Great Southern Sea, the Jurrian. He was one of few Ichthy in Templehelm, along with Jason Reilev, and the two actually sailed together years before both ended up in Templehelm. Arcus was one of Whitecrest's first citizens, joining and becoming a part of the Kingdom shortly before the First Golden Age. Arcus, like Jason, embraced the faith of Akwal and served as the Head Oracle for the provincial, coastal settlement. Arcus acted as one of Jason's closest advisors while he held the role of King, planning the fight against Lesh and handling plans to utilize the Heart-Stopper shards that were so instrumental to their cause. Still more, it was Arcus that heard Akwal's warning shortly before the Great Upheaval, and it was due to Arcus that Jason survived the destruction of Whitecrest, as he dragged his friend away from the rubble and into the Seas to recuperate. Arcus would go onto be more subdued, yet still active and important in New Whitecrest. He served as an arbiter between Whitecrest and the goblins during the Second Goblin Wars against the Hordes of Kerk, and he fought the Shadow Towers until he was killed in battle by the Others.