Astariax

Principality of Astariax Astari: Venaste Astaria
Flag Emblem
Motto: Jenhe kulolan surakre kurunno The walking damned shall defend their lambs
Anthem: "Splendour Unforgotten"
Capital and largest city	Satavina
Official languages	Astari
Recognised regional languages	Alenian
Ethnic groups	Astari(93%) Alenian (5%) Others (2%)
Demonym(s)	Astari
Government	Principality
• Princess	Réanna II
Formation
• Astari Principalities	200-350 C.E.
• Collapse of the Sivuk Empire	813 C.E.
• Principality of Satavina	968 C.E.
• Principality of Astariax	1429 C.E.
Population
• November 2021 estimate	1 786 000
Gini (2020)	17.9 low
HDI (2020)	0.89 very high
Currency	Venyn
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Driving side	right
ISO 3166 code	AST
Internet TLD	.ast

Astariax (Astari: [ɑ.stɑ.ɹjɑ]), officially the Principality of Astariax (Astari: Venaste Astaria), is a country in Thuadia. Astariax is an autonomous constituent of the Crown of Aleni, bordering Kiyortza and Askye. The population of Astariax is roughly 1.8 million. Its capital and largest city is Satavina, the country's only major port city. Astariax consists mainly of extensive plains thronged by the rivers Sirimera and Ayrmir, with the centre of the country being dominated by the Siran Range, a group of chalk hills. To the north are the Astari Uplands, a sparsely-settled area known for being the birthplace of the founder of Satavina, Erys the Sailor, also the namesake of Arunnathrerys, known abroad as Erys' Gulf. The country's economy is sustained by a thriving shipbuilding industry, as well as the fact that it hosts the only legally-operated gambling institutions under the Alenian Crown. Astariax is also a notable exporter of alcoholic bevereges, with large portions of the countryside being owned by vintner families.

What is now Astariax was formerly known as the Principality of Satavina, one of many Astari polities in what is now Aleni and eastern Kiyortza. At their peak in the mid-100s C.E., Astari principalities held all the land that currently constitutes Astariax, Aleni, and a portion of Kiyortza. In a series of invasions over the next thousand years by the Sivuk Empire and its descendant states of Neuewland and Aleni, the lands of the Astari were eventually conquered by Neuew and Aleni Sivuk, with the exception of Satavina. An arrangement with the Nala of Aleni was made in the mid-15th century that allowed the Prince of Satavina to claim the title of Prince of the Astari, renaming the country to Astariax. Though Satavina had been dependent on Aleni long before this point, this declaration officially resulted in the association of Astariax with the Alenian Crown.

Despite its official dependence on Aleni, Astariax is typically regarded as a state in its own right due to its independent institutions and history of sovereignty.

Etymology

The "-x" suffix in the name "Astariax" is not the result of any linguistic feature of the Astari language, and is believed to be the result of Sivuk mispronunciations of the term "Astarice" (Astari: [ɑ.stɑɹ.ikʰə]), a term that means "Lands of the Astari." Over time, the -ce suffix caused the word to morph into the more recognizable "Astariax."

The use of the name "Astariax" by Astari speakers is typically seen in a negative light, and there have been a number of requests to the international community to refer to the country by the native name Astaria, though these attempts have been unsuccessful.