Phoenixgarde

Phoenixgarde (also referred to as the Kingdom of Phoenixgarde, the Empire of Phoenix or Phoenix) is a human nation and kingdom founded by soldiers of the recently-dissolved Anthromor Empire after the confederacy collapsed in -1,350. The intention of its people is to one day, restore the glory of the former empire, hence its name.

History
Indigenous human soldiers, dismayed by the dissolution of Anthromor in the millenia following the Rune Revolution, gathered together around the southeast of the continent of Dinith and founded Phoenixgarde on the ruins of the old empire's largest settlement, Phoenix. No longer the centre of human civilisation after -1,345, the people of Phoenixgarde instead tended their efforts towards rebuilding their old kingdom. Ruled by House Amaurri, descendants of the ancient Anthori barbarians who founded the empire, they began a programme of rapid rebuilding of infrastructure in the settlement. Initially, the kingdom struggled with its supply-side policies; the effects were not felt until later down the line, leading to discontent among the peasantry. This led to a period in Phoenixgarde's history known as the 'Time of Troubles', which started with a growing feeling of disillusionment among the serfs around -1,340 and came to a head with the Bread War in -1,325.

Bread War (-1,325)
The Time of Troubles was already a pressing period of House Amaurri. King Randal himself appeared to be overwhelmed by the problems facing his kingdom: the yet-primitive infrastructure, the worsening living standards of the majority of the population, the army (which was still weak by human standards) and squabbles among the nobility over who wielding most influence over a king who could not seem to control his people. Then, just as things could not seem to get any worse, a horrible famine struck Phoenixgarde. Lasting between December -1,327 and August -1,326, the famine destroyed the little harvest the peasant labourers had worked to produce, and in just 8 months, over 20,000 people had fallen victim to the famine. A population already discontent, they were infuriated by the Court's lack of action, and thus, the Bread War was declared in January -1,325. Rallying his supporters to Batton Mills, Ursus Gartside led an army of yeomen to Phoenix to petition the king. They were shot down by the Royal Guard, but by evening, found themselves overwhelmed. They were then informed that King Randal was to meet them earlier the next day, which temporarily dispersed the protests - only for the Royal Herald to announce that in fact, the King had taken ill, and would not be seeing the peasants. This reignited the flames of rebellion, and in summer -1,325, armed uprisings took place across the embattled kingdom as the scattered army struggled to cover the scope of the rebellions.

Aftermath of Bread War
Things seemd at breaking point, and the rebels, due to sheer numbers, seemed set for victory. However, a surprise announcement from Court came in July -1,325: Randal had died from his undisclosed illness at the age of 42, and his son's youth prevented him from ascending to the throne. Thus, Lord Harrington - captain of the Royal Guard - ascended to the throne, and with his takeover of Phoenixgarde, the embattled kingdom entered 23 years of military rule. Harrington instantly agreed to meet the protestors, and his discussions with Gartside's supporters were successful - more immediate relief for the gentry was necessary. Harrington thus use the power of the state to forcibly confiscate assets of other noble families, such as the Brownings, Claridges and Nortons - and auction off these assets to raise funds for social programmes aimed at helping the poor. This ameliorated the effects of both the famine of -1,327 and the Bread War. By the late -1,300s, Harrington's support began to wane as King Randal's son, Travis, was now 30 and effectively a king-in-waiting. Rather than hang on longer, Harrington resigned in -1,302, and handed the reigns back to House Amaurri. As he had hoped, the wise Travis continued the social reforms made by Harrington, making Phoenixgarde a powerful symbol of equality among the other human kingdoms.

First Earth War
During the First Earth War, Phoenixgarde was completely overrun and taken over by orcs of the Prarvian Expedition, a ferocious, demon-enhanced army from the harsh world of Prarvis. Led by Warlord Deadeye on the battlefront and archwarlock Vez'nan from behind the scenes, the orcs quickly managed to swarm Phoenixgarde Keep and destroy the capital city, before splitting off their forces to occupy the capital. During the terrible fighting, Ingmar Amaurri - the King of Phoenixgarde - was left mortally wounded after an assassin severed one of his nerves. His last wish before death would be to see his people saved from whatever had taken his life. In line with this, Kaiden Spalding - the knight-commander of Avantia - took on board Phoenixgarde refugees to Laudrin.

Trivia

 * Phoenixgarde is analogous to Stromgarde from Warcraft, and Demacia from League of Legends (as magophobia is institutionalised).
 * Despite hating arcane magic, the people of Phoenixgarde have no respect for the Nightwatch or their raids.
 * Harrington's confiscation of private property for social use is a reference to eminent domain.