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The most powerful nation in the world of Æonis; to some a feared nemesis, to others a partner in economy and world constable. Organised as a constitutional monarchy, with an emperor or empress as head of the state.

As said, Castaire is the main focus of our project. It is one of few empires in the world of Æonis, the other states mainly being kingdoms or lower duchies.

Castaire is located in the central western part of Esradon and borders to Cantoras in the north, Escalona in the south and Reikenland in the east. Culturally, it is rather similar to real-world France, thus many names of our cities sound French, like our grand capital Lucrécy.

Castaire was founded back in 1200 AC, by Castorian I (thus the name Castaire). He was the king of Chastain, a kingdom that is located centrally in the (now castairien) empire. He united seven surrounding duchies to form an empire, as there were many threats, both from south and north. Back then, the relations to Cantoras, which will be covered in our next post, were rather aggressive, though that changed hugely in the last decades. Castaire nowadays unites the grand duchy Gardelegen and the duchies Exermont, Montataire, Trimouille, Lanthenas, Landivisiau and Keravel.

Castaire is an empire and thus lead by the Empereur (or the Impératrice). Different from many other monarchies in Esradon, there is no preference for male heirs in the succession line. The current Empereur is Steve I Stéphane Sacrecouronne, who is an extraordinary talent on leading the empire to new wealth.
His decisions were mainly influenced by his wife, Empress Belle, the princess of Cantoras, but she died back in 1754 due to an unknown disease. The couple has three children; crown princess Lukrezia Céleste Sophie, prince Florian Philippe Séverin and princess Emilia Samira.

In the reigning period of Steve I Stéphane, several quite important changes finally were concluded, e.g. the formation of a parliament to represent the peoples will. Chancelier Impérial is currently Steves younger brother, Michel, who is leading the parliamentary sessions and the government. Though Castaire seem to be a parliamentary or at least constitutional monarchy, it is to be said that the monarch can do whatever he wants without parliaments consent.

As we try to recreate some of our imaginations for this world, our main project is the imperial capital Lucrécy, which we currently build in Minecraft and many of our posted projects stand within its majestic walls.

Lucrécy is a city with estimated 240,000 inhabitant located in the central part of Castaire, along the river Violaine. As the Violaine is a rather broad stream, the capital has an inland harbour to carry on commerce and import goods. It accommodates the imperial palace, Palais Castaire, the parliament, the cathedral Sacre-Cœur de Lucrécy, a newly build main station for the recently invented steam locomotives and everything else a heart could need. Centered around a spacious city park, Lucrécy is the focus of the empires wealth, culture and religion. Every important decision is made there.

Further important cities are Mallais, a striving merchant city being the trade hub of the empire, and Louvois, a industrial city mainly known for its famous firearms.

Military

The Empire features one of the biggest armies in the known world, with about 700.000 soldiers experienced and draftable, organized in the Armée Impériale. One of the most infamous appearance of the imperial soldiers was the Grand War against Cantoras, happening 1738 - 1742 and causing immense casualties on both sides. As the soldiers mainly wear dark red uniforms, they are commonly known as "imperial redcoats".
Another important part is the Marine Impériale, securing the naval hegemony of the empire. Contrary to the soldiers, the sailors wear blue and dark blue uniforms whilst being supported by marine soldiers in the common red uniforms.
A last, but most interesting part is the newly founded Armée de l'Air Impériale, an imperial airforce. Due to recent research and advancements, the steam engine was invented some years ago and rather quickly became affordable and reliable due to governmental funds. Thus, several experiments with hot-air balloons started and led to bigger airships, featuring a aerial counterpart to the naval ships.



Foreign Relations

The foreign politics of the Empire are related to the current Empereur. Empereur Nathanaël II for instance, had a very aggressive policy of expansion while Castorian I and Steve I are more peaceful statesmen. Today, Castaire isn't integrated into any war and has amicable relations to its neighbors.

Cantoras
The former nemesis of Castaire is now one of their most important trade partners. In the past, several wars were fought between those two great powers, but eventually and after the marriage of Cantorian princess Belle with Steve, the relations drastically improved.

Escaloña
The most important rival of the Empire borders Castaire in the south, the actual boundary line being a constant problem and often ending in armed conflicts. Escaloña has a giant colonial realm, especially in Borcalia, the southern continent of the "New World", and thus is protected by an enourmous fleet nearly equivalent to the imperial naval power.

Rothenia
There are several dynastical connections to Rothenia, thus the relations especially to the Tsar are pretty amicable. As Rothenias mainland consists mainly of tundra, Castaire often sends food to support the people, thus boosting the relations even further.

Prussien
A small state at the northern coast of Reikenland, this nation strives to find its place amongst the worlds great powers. As Prussien is the rival to Osterlitz, Castaire supports it to create a counterweight to the Lichtenau realm. Though Prussien has ambitions to unite Reikenland and form a new empire, this is neither anticipated nor will be tolerated by Castaire, because this would endanger its own hegemonial position.

Česky-Mirava
A rather small nation located directly between Prussien and Osterlitz, it needs a partner to support it to not become overwhelmed by its aspiring neighbours. This was found in Castaire, whose imperialty have amicable relations to the ruling family of Česky-Mirava.

Frennmærk
A former unimportant nation, which has become part of the international stage through the acquiration of spacious territories in the "New World" and thus became a colonial power. Prince Florian is engaged to its crown princess, Estelle Christina Marie.

Osterlitz
An important archduchy in the southern part of Reikenland, Osterlitz is (beneath Escaloña) the second opponent to Castaire, aspiring in gaining the full control of whole Reikenland and (like Prussien) trying to unify it to a powerful counterweight to the Empire in its west.

Portamundo
As a colonial power, Portamundo mainly focuses on its overseas possessions and thus is not part of any treaty with Castaire, though it has very good relation to its "big brother" Escaloña, thus being a possible opponent in any future war.

Ventalicci
Ruling the southern part of Esradon, Ventalicci is a powerful kingdom and often allied to Osterlitz when they tried to end the Castairien hegemony. Furthermore, Castaire has several claims (through heirage) to Ventaliccis northern territories like Geneve and Luccio.

Credits
Crescendo & Hakno - awesome skins!