Josette Capua - Jealousy

Zemuria: Zemuria, also known as Zemlya in Falcom's romanisation in Trails of Cold Steel, is the continent made up of 37 regions on which the Kiseki series takes place. It is the only known continent in the series.

General Information: Zemuria’s climate ranges from colder areas in the north (such as North Ambria) to subtropical and arid zones in the south (Nemeth, Elsaim), suggesting that it lies in the Northern Hemisphere. The Central East, the southernmost area of the continent proper, features large deserts. Since the fall of the Holy Iska Empire, the East is increasingly suffering from desertification, making this part of the continent increasingly hostile to life.

A natural barrier is the Tianshan and Ishgal mountain ranges, which separate Eastern Zemuria from the rest of the continent, and to a lesser extent the Central East in the south. This divide led to separate developments to a certain extent; Zemurians can readily distinguish people from Western, Eastern and Central Eastern Zemuria, with these groups also having a characteristic cultures and distinct traditions.

However, these various cultures and countries are also united by certain features. People appear to understand a common language and share a common currency. Worship of Aidios, the Goddess of the Sky, is common among the peoples of Zemuria, but due to cultural differences she is called Arusha, the Winged Goddess, in the Central East, and the Heavenly Mother among Easterners. As far as organized religion is concerned, Zemuria is dominated by the Septian Church, which has striven to integrate the various belief systems. Historically, animistic traditions were the dominant faith.

Since the fall of the Holy Iska Empire, the leading powers of Zemuria have been Erebonia, which is a monarchy, and its neighbor Calvard, which is a republic in the modern era. Monarchic forms of government persist in various states, such as Liberl, Elsaim, and Remiferia. Other influential groups include the Epstein Foundation, the Bracer Guild and, largely unknown to the public, the secretive Society of Ouroboros. Mercenaries are a common sight in Zemuria, with the jaeger corps considered the elite. Some of these corps have a rich history and such strength that they are under the employ of powerful governments. More recently, such services are also provided by private military companies.

Present-day Zemurian society is defined by the rapid changes of the Orbal Revolution. The continent is increasingly connected through projects such as the Transcontinental Railroad, airships, and more recently, the Orbal Net. As of the early S.1200’s, having a population of 800,000-900,000 people is sufficient to make a city the largest on the continent. Major cities include Heimdallr, Edith, Langport, Crossbell City and Ordis.

History: Pre-history: The creation of the world is recorded in the Book of Genesis, one of the Testaments of the Septian Church.

The Book of Genesis describes how mankind was gifted with the ability to freely cast magic known as arts. Over time, however, humanity lost its ability to cast arts on their own. Much later, it was discovered that arts could still be cast with the aid of technological devices called orbments. While the usage of these orbments became inherent to the ability to cast arts (orbal arts), a clan described as witches retained the ability to cast arts without orbments. Witches are still present in modern-day Zemuria, but live isolated in a secluded society.

Over time, Zemurian civilisation developed into animist tribes. They gathered around places where septium veins gathered most efficient, such as the Stone Circles in Liberl and Nord Highlands or off the coast of Lake Ebel in Erebonia (now Legram).

Before Septian Calendar: It is believed that at one point in history, the celestial being Aidios bestowed seven treasures upon mankind, known as the Sept-Terrion. Humanity split in seven factions, each gathering around one of these treasures. Each Sept-Terrion provided their group total governance over one of the seven elements. For example, the Aureole, the Sept-Terrion of Space, had absolute governance over space. With their new-found treasures, the ancient Zemurian civilisation flourished.

The golden age of these civilisations ended with the Great Collapse, a catastrophic event affecting the whole of Zemuria. The Collapse led to the destruction of the ancient Zemurian civilisation and plunged survivors into a Dark Age of ruin. The event marks the end of the Pre-Septian Calendar and the start of the Septian Calendar.

Septian Calendar: The recorded history of Zemuria is generally divided into the following:

Before Septian Calendar (before the Great Collapse in S.0) Septian Calender (S.0 - present) Dark Ages (c. S.0 - S.500) Middle Ages (c. S.500 - S.1150) Modern Era (S.1150–present)

List of nations: West Zemuria: -Liberl - The Liberl Kingdom is situated in the southwest part of the Zemurian continent. Rich in nature and history, the kingdom is ruled by the long-lived Queen Alicia II, a staunch advocate for peace. While a humble nation compared to those around it, its bountiful septium reserves, advanced technological capabilities, and Queen Alicia's skillful diplomacy allow it to stand on equal footing with any other. in S.1203, a large object of unknown origin appeared above Valleria Lake, disabling orbments nationwide. This crisis was resolved through the joint efforts of the Royal Army and the Bracer Guild.

-Erebonia - The Erebonian Empire is located on the western side of the continent of Zemuria and represented by the emblem of the golden stallion. The current emperor is Eugent Reise Arnor III. Despite the Empire's strict class system and focus on tradition, it has begun to modernise due to the railway expansion efforts of Giliath Osborne, a veteran now known as the 'Blood and Iron Chancellor.' Between its mechanised national armed forces, known as the Imperial Army, and private provincial armies' at the command of the nobles ruling each province, Erebonia may be the most powerful nation in Zemuria.

-Nord Highlands - The Nord Highlands are located northeast of the Empire and surrounded by the Eisengard Range. Despite its harsh natural environment, it is populated by a tribe of nomads with their own unique culture. Given their proximity to both the Empire and the Republic, Nord has been a hotly contested territory for many years, but they have stronger ties to the empire due to their role in helping Dreichels Reise Arnor end the War of the Lions.

-Crossbell - Crossbell State sits on the western side of Zemuria, between the Erebonian Empire and the Calvard Republic. While established as an autonomous state seventy years ago, its two neighbors still dispute its ownership and share joint suzerainty over Crossbell. At its center lies Crossbell City, one of the continent's key centers of commerce. In addition to being a key station on the Transcontinental Railroad, the city is home to a major international airport. After its illegitimate attempt to declare its independence, it was annexed into the Erebonian Empire early S.1205, then regained its autonomy following the Great War and the cancellation of the Great Twilight, now under the suzerainty of the Holy City of Arteria.

North Zemuria: -Remiferia - The Principality of Remiferia is situated in the north of Zemuria. It is considered a peaceful nation, dedicated to the development of medical technology, which by law cannot be used for military purposes.

-North Ambria - North Ambria is situated north of Erebonia. It was originally a principality until the North Ambrian Disaster in S.1178 resulted in the collapse of the monarchy, and North Ambria was re-established as a democratic state in S.1179, with the remnants of its army reorganized as a jaeger corps called the Northern Jaegers. North Ambria never managed to rebuild its once-prosperous economy, and it now survives almost entirely on foreign money brought back by the Northern Jaegers. It managed to stand on its own legs for a quarter century, but in the fall of S.1205, it was annexed into the Erebonian Empire. It later regained its independence in S.1207 following the Great War.

-Jurai - A former city-state situated at the northwestern corner of Erebonia that was trading partners with North Ambria until the North Ambrian Disaster ruined its economy and caused Jurai's economy to collapse as well. It was later annexed into the Erebonian Empire in S.1196 by Chancellor Osborne as a Special Economic Zone.

-Ored - A small state between Remiferia and Calvard, known internationally for hot springs, agricultural exports, and being the headquarters of the Marduk Company.

-Midwestern Zemuria: -Calvard - The Republic of Calvard is a vast country, and thanks to their long-standing open immigration policies, is very culturally diverse. Many immigrants from the East have made Calvard their home. Although it has been significantly less hostile towards Erebonia since the signing of the Non-Aggression Pact, the two nations have been at each other's throats many times over the years.

-Leman - Home to the Epstein Foundation and the birthplace of Professor C. Epstein, Leman is a state in the midwestern region of the continent. It is also known for housing the headquarters of the Bracer Guild, which has branches all across Zemuria.

-Arteria - A city-state housing the High Seat of the Septian Church, Arteria is located in the midwestern region of the continent and acts as a gathering place for believers and church officials alike.

-The Free Cities - The name given to a group of five city-states bordering one another south of Arteria and northeast of Calvard. Taslem is the southernmost city-state, bordering Calvard. Alexandre was noted to have spent much of his childhood here but nothing else is known. Emerose City is the second-southernmost state and borders Leman. At least some of these city-states were established with the aid of the Septian Church.

-Remote Region - Northeast of Leman and north of Arteria and the Free Cities lies an area demarcated as a remote region.

Central East Zemuria -Elsaim - The Principality of Elsaim has been a leading power in the Central East since antiquity. Elsaim has a wealth of natural resources and has been sharing its technology with its neighbor Calvard for many years.

-Valis - The city-state of Valis is a small nation that developed rapidly in recent years. It has close ties with Ored and is considered a major trading partner in the region.

-Qadas - A small country that was annexed by Valis after resource reallocation and financial schemes.

-Unnamed Central Eastern Region - A region located east of Elsaim and north of Valis. East Zemuria

There is an unnamed island east of Zemuria. Nothing about the island is currently known.

Sub-regions known as the North East and the Far East have been mentioned, but little is known about how their cultures differ from the rest of the East.

-Iska - The Holy Empire of Iska was described as being the dominant power of Eastern Zemuria. The nation would collapse however in S.1078. In the present day, an alliance of city-states bearing the name of Iska still exists but they regularly fight amongst themselves.

South Zemuria:

• Molujia archipelago

Kingdom of Liberl: The Liberl Kingdom is a kingdom located in southwestern Zemuria. Its mainland is bordered by Titith Bay to the south, Great Balares Ocean to the west, the Erebonian Empire to the north, and the Calvard Republic to the east. Its flag and national symbol are a white falcon, the crest of the Auslese royal family. Liberl borrows its name from the Liber Ark, the floating city developed by the advanced civilization of ancient Zemuria.

History: Pre-Great Collapse Era: Before the Great Collapse and founding of the Liberl Kingdom, Zemuria's population was divided into seven factions. The Goddess Aidios had bestowed each faction a Sept-Terrion around which a shared ideal could be realized. The ideal of the faction that went on to become Liberl aspired to move to a floating island that could be realized by the faction's Sept-Terrion, the Aureole. That island was known as the Liber Ark.

Over time, an overreliance on the Aureole's power slowly eroded the morals and ethics of the Liber Ark's population, giving rise to madness and despair. In response, faction ruler Celeste D. Auslese decided to end her peoples' dependence on the Aureole and so commissioned the Great Seal and its four Device Towers built in each corner of the land. Despite the Aureole's attempts to fight off Celeste's efforts, she succeeded in sealing away the Aureole—alongside the Liber Ark—in another dimension. By approximately S.1, with the floating city gone, Celeste established Liberl as it is known today: a kingdom named in the Liber Ark's likeness, ruled by her descendants through the dynastic Auslese royal family.

Modernization: As recently as S.1100, a century before Trails in the Sky, Liberl was still ruled by aristocrats in a caste system similar to the one upheld in the Empire of Erebonia. Commoners held some power as prodigious traders and only grew more influential over time. This led to a period of intensifying friction between the classes such that even intercession by the Liberlian Royal Family and Septian Church failed to end their squabbling.

It is thought that Princess Cecilia von Auslese was responsible for abolishing the caste system in Liberl. And though such an aristocracy is unthinkable in present-day Liberl, there have been many insurrections among nobles, one of which led to the ravaging of the City of Grancel.

Hundred Days War: In spring S.1192, the Imperial Army of Erebonia invaded Liberl using a blitzkrieg attack. An official declaration of war was issued to Queen Alicia von Auslese II at the same time, and the first shot was fired at the Haken Gate. Within a month, Erebonia managed to invade all of Liberl except for the Grancel region and Leiston Fortress.

Two months after Imperial occupation, the three patrol ships developed at Leiston Fortress, under the supervision of General Morgan, were used to launch a large-scale counterattack. Within three months, and with last-minute support of auxiliary forces from the allied Calvard, Liberl defeated the Imperial Army divisions stationed in Liberl.

In S.1193, ninety days into the war, then-brigadier general of the Imperial Army Giliath Osborne, negotiated peace terms with Queen Alicia on behalf of Emperor Eugent Reise Arnor III by proposing a ceasefire. For the sake of peace, Alicia agreed to Brigadier General Osborne's terms within a day, effectively ending the war with Erebonia. The Imperial government then issued an official apology, calling their invasion "a grievous error attributed to a tragic incident occurring within [Erebonian] borders", implying the invasion resulted from Erebonia's assumption that Liberl was responsible for the Tragedy of Hamel.

Trails in the Sky FC: In S.1202, Colonel Alan Richard of the Royal Army's Intelligence Division attempted a coup d'état. But, he was stopped by a coalition consisting of members from the Royal Guardsmen, the Bracer Guild, Zeiss' Central Factory and her majesty, Princess Klaudia herself. After Alan Richard was stopped, Alan was imprisoned along with some of the other members of Coup d'etat, while some such as Kanone Amalthea were on the run.

Duke Dunan von Auslese who was also a member of the Coup in an attempt to get the throne; was also scolded by her majesty Queen Alicia and placed under house arrest in the Erbe Royal Villa. Though, according to his butler Phillip, he isolated himself on purpose.

Trails in the Sky SC: In S.1203, the secret society named Ouroboros revealed themselves as the true masterminds behind the coup. They ramped up their operations in Liberl after the first stage back at the Sealed Area was competed successfully. During their operations, they unsealed the Liber Ark

A country-wide Orbal Shutdown Phenomenon occurred, leaving much of the nation and their neighboring nations without orbments and orbal devices. After this, the City of Grancel was attacked by Ouroboros, however, Liberl ended it through cooperation between the Royal Army and the Bracer Guild. However, shortly before they could relax, the Erebonian Army appeared at Haken Gate; it was here that Princess Klaudia von Auslese confronted Prince Olivert and announced her official status as heir apparent to the throne. Negotiations were then smoothed over with help from Cassius and Estelle Bright from the Bracer Guild.

Afterwards, Prince Olivert along with the Liberl army and the Bracer Guild helped to bring down the Orbal Shutdown Phenomenon by destroying the Liber Ark, and restoring orbal power.

Geography: Liberl is located in the south west of the Zemurian continent. It is a diverse country with bustling culture. It is flanked by the Erebonian Empire to the north along the Krone mountain range, and the Calvard Republic to the east partially by the Behgan Range. Its proximity to the sea provides plenty of arable lands. Liberl has both industrial and rural landmarks. A surplus of septium, particularly esmelas mined from the Malga Mine in Rolent, have led to superior technological resources for exportation.

Notable natural features include Valleria Lake, a huge inland lake in the center of the country. The lake serves as the mouth of several rivers including the Lenhardt River due northeast and to the southwest the Roubine River, where ships Erebonia's Imperial Navy were felled in the Hundred Days War. Also southwest is the manmade Lhotse Waterway, built prior to the Orbal Revolution, which passes through the famous Air-Letten Waterfall before flowing into Azelia Bay to the west and the Valleria Lakeshore due northeast. Other locations include the Mistwald Forest, Nebel Valley and Erbe Scenic Route.

Government & Politics: Governance: Although a kingdom, Liberl is currently under the leadership of Queen Alicia II. The court was once comprised of a handful of nobles of whom managed various regions of the country. After Liberl's dissolution of the social caste system, however, this role has been carried out by regional mayors. Save for Grancel, each region has a mayor who governs their respective province. Zeiss is also unique in that the factory chief of its prized Zeiss Central Factory effectively serves as the region's de facto mayor. Currently, this position is filled by Factory Chief Murdock.

Alicia II assumed the throne when her father King Edgar III passed away in S.1162. Her son Crown Prince Judis and his wife died when a passenger ship they were traveling on, the Eterna, sank off the coast of Calvard. In S.1203, Judis' daughter and Alicia II's granddaughter, Klaudia von Auslese, became heir apparent to the throne of Liberl.

Due to sharing borders with West Zemuria's two major superpowers, Liberl sustains pacifism through diplomacy. Grancel houses individual embassies for both Erebonia and Calvard as their means of political communication. Albeit tentative, the kingdom has maintained a rapport with Calvard. Its ties with Erebonia, however, remain particularly strained due to the Empire's role in the Hundred Days War, despite the non-aggression pact which ended the conflict. The kingdom has tried to maintain stable relations with both superpowers, but especially Erebonia, lest they risk another bloody war.

Once a year, the queen, mayors, and other representatives of Liberl come together for the Royal Assembly or the Royal Council, which constitutes of (at least) the following members per S.1203:

-Queen Alicia von Auslese II -Mayor Klaus (City of Rolent) -Mayor Maybelle (City of Bose) -Mayor Norman (City of Ruan) -Factory Chief Murdock (City of Zeiss) -General Morgan (Royal Army of Liberl) -Dean Collins (Jenis Royal Academy)

Military: The Royal Army of Liberl is the military force of Liberl. Its current commander is General Cassius Bright, who assumed the position from Morgan in S.1203. It maintains a small army including infantry, patrol ships, and airships. Despite Liberl's contributions to the advancement of orbal technology, the country cannot compete with Erebonia or Calvard in numbers. Instead, their military relies on technological advantage to defeat their foes.

With two superpowers sharing its borders, Liberl's infantry constantly train to fight scenarios where they're outnumbered. The country invests on its fleet of airships, divided into attack, scout, and transport ships. While the exact number of available airships isn't mentioned, Operation Dragon Capture involves 12 airships (2/5 of the current Liberl air fleet according to General Morgan).

Liberl houses two major military installations exist:

Leiston Fortress: The heart of the Liberl military's command and control. Situated at the southern shore of Lake Valleria, this well-guarded facility houses the bulk of the kingdom's active and reserve units. Its strategic location on the lake shore allows it to send reinforcements to any of the five regions, including Grancel. The fortress guards the capital by way of the Roubine River, barring invading navies passing through Ruan, a feat the Erebonian Navy unsuccessfully attempted during the Hundred Days War. Grancel Castle: The primary base of the Royal Guard, currently under command of Captain Julia Schwarz. While small in number compared to the Royal Army, they've proven their worth in countless battles. They orbal artillery batteries for defense against ground threats, such as orbal tanks.

Law: Liberl does not have a dedicated police force, with the Royal Army fulfilling that duty. Cells are kept in all of the military installations and checkpoints around the country.

Administrative Divisions: Liberl is split into five regions, each with a regional capital in its center. Each region has its own specialty and trade. Rolent specializes in the supplying of timber and mining; Bose relies on trade with the Erebonian Empire; Ruan once focused on fishing and maritime trade, but has since shifted its focus to tourism under its current mayor Dalmore; Zeiss specializes in orbment production and mechanics. The royal capital Grancel serves as Liberl's political center.

-The City of Grancel in the Grancel region -The City of Bose in the Bose region -The City of Zeiss in the Zeiss region -The City of Ruan in the Ruan region -The City of Rolent in the Rolent region

Economy: The majority of Liberl's economy comes from its sepith mines and the development of orbal devices. It also has tourism and trade industries, as well as a top fishing industry.

Infrastructure: Science & Technology: Zeiss is at the center of technological development in the country. It is home to professor Albert Russell, one of the three disciples of the famed Professor C. Epstein. Russell came back to Liberl and partnered up with the Zeiss Clockmakers' Union to create the Zeiss Central Factory (ZCF) that is one of the continents leading orbal technology developers. It was here that the orbal computer, Capel was developed. Liberl is known for its airship technology, specifically it's engines. It has also recently started branching out to cars.

Transport: Public transport in Liberl is limited to airliners, operated by the Liberl Orbalship Corporation. Their fleet for public transport is limited to three aircraft:

Airliner "Linde" is operating clockwise from Grancel; Airliner "Cecilia" is operating counter-clockwise from Grancel; Airliner "Gretna" is operating between Grancel and the capital of Calvard. Other orbal airships operating or that operated in Liberl include:

Airliner "Leibnitz", the factory airship of the Zeiss Central Factory. Airliner "Calatrava", the first orbal-powered airship that is no longer in use. Airliner "Eterna" a passenger ship that sank in Calvardian waters with Crown Prince Judis von Auslese and his wife aboard in S.1187.

Education: Jenis Royal Academy in particular has an extensive history, and is the school where Crown Princess Klaudia von Auslese attends. The school has three main branches of study: Natural Sciences, Social Studies, and Physical Education. They also offer Humanities. They boast a strict entrance examination structure.

Media & Communication: News and its written publication is handled by the Liberl News Service, which is headquartered in Grancel. They publish the Liberl News.

Demographics: Liberl's main religious authority is the Septian Church. They have minor branches scattered all over Liberl in each of its major cities including the Grand Cathedral in Grancel.

The Royal Family of Liberl cooperates with the church and helps them out on issues relating to artifacts.

Culture: Architecture: Liberl features many traditional wooden houses in its countryside, forming a contrast with the brick and mortar buildings in it's cities. Notable landmarks include Grancel Castle and the Ahnenburg surrounding the region. There is also the Erbe Royal Villa, Air-Letten checkpoint and Rolent Clocktower.

Sites of archaeological significance include the Tetracyclic Towers which stand in various regions of the country and the Sealed Area located beneath the castle. There are also ruins dating back to the ancient Zemuria civilization. Following its demise, the ruins of the Liber Ark lie at the bottom of the Valleria Lake.

Cuisine: Most of Liberl's food comes from foraging, farming, hunting, fishing, and imported goods. In the Ruan region, bordering the sea, fish dishes are more common. In the Zeiss region, such as Elmo Village, rice dishes are common due to some locals having immigrated from Calvard. Furthermore, the Bose region is known for fruit, and Rolent for high-quality farmed goods such as those from the Perzel Family Farm.

Arts & Entertainment: Unlike Crossbell, which is a more technologically advanced country, Liberl is much more simple in terms of their entertainment. With regards to their children's' entertainment, it mostly consists of reading, playing board games and a more overall focus on playing outside. While with the adults, it is typically the same although there is also a Casino in Ruan for which adults can gamble away their money.

Sports & Festivals: Grancel features the Grand Arena where martial arts contests are held every year, including the Queen's birthday Celebration. The Fisherman's Guild originates in Liberl, helping to spread the joy of fishing.

In the series' chronology, Liberl appears as the first country to embrace multiculturalism between the different regions regarding varieties of fashion, food, entertainment, and festivities. Every year since Queen Alicia II's birth, the kingdom gathers for Queen's Birthday Celebration Festival held in Grancel. Jenis Royal Academy also has an annual academy festival.