General Information/Places/Nations/Aeneus

From Westaven

AENEUS
Pron: uh-NAY-oos or eh-NEE-oos

• Nicknames: Anea (or sometimes "Enea")
• Government Style: Monarchy
• Leaders: King _______
• Capital: Sepal
• Population: Fairly Sparse (esp. in the south)
• Regions: New Aeneux, Sepal (i.e., Aeneus proper), Eynnlyn, Thelprotia
• Imports/Exports:
• Military/Guard Forces: Spearmen is standard
• Groups: ?
• Internal Politics: ?
• Allies: Currently, Pollexia
• Competitors: ?
• Enemies: ?

Background: Aeneus is the seat of Westaven culture, being the birthplace of the ancient Aenean Empire. She is now eclipsed by her northern neighbor, Pollexia, with whom trade and diplomatic ties have been steadily on the rise since c.980 AE. In general, Aeneus is a land in decline, a place of numerous ruins both ancient and recent, a place of little wealth, but there are signs of revitalization--especially in the north. Sepal, for example, has emerged as a real economic power in the world, and the fertile areas above her have become fairly populated over the past century. Shipping and trade with both Westaven and outlying areas has also increased, although she is not yet a match for Lognia in this arena. And finally, even once uninhabited--and perhaps believed uninhabitable--places to the south have once again after centuries of abandonment seen rising settlement(such as in Bine and Hynton).

Militarily, Aeneus's forces are small, perhaps the equivalent size of two or three Pollexian kingdoms. Still, these men have many times in the past proved themselves stalwart foes when defending their own territory. The Aenean spearman used to be the most potent force in the Old World, and even now commands some respect. In general, Aenea has not been an aggressive nation for an age, and thus minds her borders and internal affairs.

Remnants of the city-state mentality still exists within the nation, and cities (and even towns) can be fierce competitors, although since the effective restructuring of their northern neighbor the feudal monarchy is very slowly showing signs of forging a national mindset. Still, the Aeneans may never lose their stubborn pride in polis.

Of special note are the many, many ruins and natural wonders to the south and central of the nation, as well as the traditionally-held cradle of the Aenean people and culture--and thus, by extension, of all Westaven--Trepindia, now but an uninhabited island graveyard.