Lost Astoria

Constitutional Monarchy of Lost Astoria Astoria Dellus Chandras (Astorian)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Malestharium Tol Sanlineria" "Promise and Precision"
Lost Astoria's location in regards to Caleren and surrounding landmasses
Capital and	Odellus-Kalathar
Official languages	Astorian
Recognised national languages	Common
Ethnic groups	82.6% Astorian 12.4% Native Kalathandric ~5% foreign-born (estimated)
Demonym(s)	Lost Astorian (official), Astorian
Government	Constitutional Diarchy
• Archthane of Odellus	Elidibus Dal Astor
• Archthane of Kalathar	Viatroth Dal Kalathandras XXII
• Upper house	House of Thanes
• Lower house	House of the People
Establishment
• Discovery and settlement by the Kingdom of Kalathandras	776 BCE
• Establishment of Asphodellium Astoria	16th November 1108
• Acquired independence	29th April 1519
• Modern diarchy	12th July 1519
Population
• 2024 estimate	19,131,287
• 2020 census	18,937,364
Currency	Hawkpence (𓄿)

Lost Astoria, known officially as the Constitutional Monarchy of Lost Astoria (Astorian: Astoria Dellus Chandras), is a diarchy located in the southeastern end of Caleren. Lost Astoria is located to the east of the Old Soldiers and the Ganji Islands, and is surrounded by the Hagalaz Ocean and Kaldaz Ocean. Lost Astoria retained a closed-country policy from 1519 to early 2024, when it reopened its ports to send humanitarian aid to Anavero. As a result, almost all of the country is ethnically either Astorian or Native Kalathandric, though some immigrants have settled in the country since borders were opened.

Lost Astoria was first discovered by the Kalathandric people, initially being settled around 776 BCE. The established Kingdom of Kalathandras lived in isolation until the archipelago was discovered by the Astor Empire. During the empire's conquest of Caleren, the Kalathandric royal family was imprisoned and executed in Odellus, the kingdom's royal coliseum. Under Astorian rule, the archipelago became the Penal Colony of Asphodellium Astoria in 1108, which held most of the empire's most dangerous prisoners for much of its reign. The modern country was established in 1519, when the Chainbreaker's Uprising, a prison riot that began in the historical capital of Kalathar, led to the declaration of Lost Astoria's independence by Viatroth Dal Kalathar I. The uprising ended with the complete excision of all Astorian authority from the archipelago save Odellus, earning it the name Astoria Dellus Chandras (lit. "Astoria Without Tyranny").

After Lost Astoria gained independence, Viatroth I petitioned the Lord of Odellus, Themis Dal Astor, to yield the heavily fortified city to Lost Astoria. In exchange for this, Themis would be named Archthane of Odellus, ruling in tandem with Viatroth I, Archthane of Kalathar. The capital then merged with Odellus to create the nation's current capital, Odellus-Kalathar.

Etymology/Vexillology

Lost Astoria is known as Astoria Dellus Chandras in the Astorian language. Its Astorian name originates from the Chainbreaker's Uprising, when the prisoners of Asphodellium Astoria revolted to purge the "tyrranical" Astor Empire from the colony. The name "Lost Astoria" was proliferated by the late Astor Empire, who considered the rogue colony to be "lost" to them due to its volatile nature.

The Lost Astorian flag depicts a naval crown, two quadrupedal Astorian Hawks with no wings, and a background tricolor of purple, silver, and light blue. The crown, colored sanguine, represents the violent history of the nation's founding. The Astorian Hawks represent the two Archthanes that rule the nation, with their wings absent to signify departure from the Astor Empire. The purple represents loyalty, the silver represents the steel of a blade, and the light blue represents the Hagalaz and Kaldaz Oceans.

The nation's coat of arms depicts a single Astorian Hawkand as seen on the flag, but with the tricolor becoming a chevron and being partially hidden by a gray banner. The banner represents the nation's former status as a penal colony, while the chevron represents the Chainbreaker's Uprising.

Culture

Lost Astorian culture has largely remained unchanged since 1519 due to the country's isolationist policies. Of late, however, a cultural shift has begun, largely due to the country opening its borders. This shift has mostly taken place in Odellus-Kalathar, the nation's most populous city.

A unique form of archery has been developed through Lost Astorian history, with its origins dating back to the Kingdom of Kalathar. This style of archery, known internationally as "Thalleric-Style Bowslinging," specializes in precise shots from a high vantage point, which was historically influenced by the nation's mountainous terrain. Known colloquially as Vanthaller, the practice so ingrained in Lost Astorian culture that modern firearms are banned in the country; this is due to the belief that guns will only taint the ancient tradition. It is mainly used today to catch livestock, particularly goats.