Aspen
The Autumnal Realm of Aspen Aspenia | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Motto: Falling leaves give rise to new chapters | |
| Official languages | English |
| Demonym(s) | Aspenian |
| Government | Parliamentary Democratic Hereditary Monarchy |
• Aurelia | The Holy Alariastic Dynasty of Great Xanarcica Empire |
• Emberwood Officer | The Queendom of Republic of Libriano, The Kingdom of Xerxias |
• Electoral Council | The Queendom of Republic of Libriano, The Kingdom of Xerxias |
• Golden Herald | The Jingoistic States of Czesfjordinger Boykisser |
| Establishment | October 22, 2024 |
• Fall of RWOT | October 10, 2024 |
• Fall of Aspenia | October 21-22, 2024 |
| GDP (nominal) | estimate |
• Total | $2,069,354,837,442,560 |
Aspen, sometimes known by it's demonym Aspenia is a medium-sized region founded by Great Xanarcican Empire on the 22nd of October 2023, following the raid of the previous region Aspenia and the former fourth largest frontier Roses Without Thorns.
As of October 26th, 2024, Aspen is the 347th largest region and currently home to 85 nations. The region has two embassies, with Mitsuru Riku and Astaryx.
Regional History
*Will include events outside what is defined as modern-day Aspen according to the Aspenian Charter of 10.23.24
Fall of Roses Without Thorns (October 10 - October 22)
Rosartemis sat perched at the edge of a jagged cliff, her feet gently kicking back and forth, heels brushing the crumbling stone beneath. The sunrise bathed the city of Lacia below in golden light, casting long shadows over its spires and courtyards. From this height, the city looked small. She tilted her head, admiring the delicate beauty, the symmetry of its streets, the flicker of early morning life waking in the cobbled alleys.
The grass around her feet was long dead, drained of its vitality, twisted into blackened tendrils that curled like withered fingers. But where the death spread, scarlet flowers bloomed at her feet, their petals sanguine and vermillion. The air smelled sweet, almost sickeningly so.
She sighed in pleasure, watching as the first light of the sun crawled across Lacia’s walls. The city’s pulse felt strong, for now. Its people, blissfully unaware of the creeping ruin beneath their feet, still believing in the lie that they were free. How fragile they were.
Behind her, a shadow twisted and coiled out of the morning mist. The Shadowbringer materialized, their presence less a figure and more a void that devoured the light around them. No words were spoken yet, but Rosartemis didn’t need to look.
Her gaze remained fixed on the city below, the corners of her lips curling into a faint smile. Her fingers gently caressed one of the scarlet roses at her side, the bloom thriving in the dark soil. Without turning, she spoke.
"Shadowbringer," she said warmly, like greeting an old friend. "Such a rare joy to have your company this early. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
The Shadowbringer stood above her, their form casting no shadow despite the rising sun. Dark and featureless, they felt like death. Their voice, when it came, was like the soft scrape of a blade against its sheath.
"Your conquest draws near," the Shadowbringer said simply. "The Vampire King has given his blessing."
Rosartemis’s smile widened, amusement crossing her face, though she still did not turn to face them. The wind tugged at her hair, brushing against her pale cheeks, but her eyes never left the view. "How kind of the Brotherhood," she mused, her voice lower now. "To stand with me as a nation burns."
She plucked a single petal from the rose she held, watching as it wilted in her hand, crumbling to dust that scattered in the wind. The conquest of Lacia was no longer a matter of if—it was merely a matter of time.
Rosartemis rose from her perch, the sound of dead grass crunching underfoot as she dusted off robes. She turned to face the Shadowbringer.
"How long till then?" Her voice was low and calm.
The Shadowbringer considered her question. "A week from now," they said. "When the sun dips below the horizon."
Rosartemis let out a soft chuckle. More than enough time to savor the kill. "Then... How many will join us on our conquest?"
"All that swore by their oath." the Shadowbringer replied.
"Good," She clapped, "Let the Lacians believe their sun will rise again. Let them dream that their gods will come to save them," she turned towards the city below. "In the end, the only gods they will know are those that kneel to the Overseer."
Soon, the Brotherhood would descend like vultures upon a carcass, and the Overseer would smile upon them.
"Then, I shall see you soon." Rosartemis waved goodbye. The Shadowbringer, without a word, dissolved into the shadows once more.
A week later, the day turned to dusk, the sun's fading light casting long, blood-stained shadows over the city of Lacia. Rosartemis lounged upon the balcony of one of the city's highest towers, her form draped lazily across a marble throne that had once belonged to the city's ruler. Now, that throne—like everything else—was hers. The inhabitants of the tower—noblemen, advisors—lay as nothing more than corpses at her feet. Their blood had soaked into the marble, darkening it, while roses bloomed from their bodies, their thorned vines twisting through flesh and bone, claiming what was left.
The view was breathtaking, and she had wanted nothing less than perfection.
She watched the city below, admiring its beauty. Streets bustling with merchants and laughter, homes bathed in the soft warmth of the evening sun. Happiness. She savored it like the calm before the executioner’s blade fell. It was beautiful because it was about to die.
Behind the tower, the faint screech of black hawks could be heard—birds with feathers darker than the night, their talons ready to rip through flesh at the first sign of weakness. Rosartemis had always admired the simplicity of their brutality. She sensed the Sparkling Army as they hovered near the edges of the city, preparing hexes and spells.
"The armies of Kantrias are prepared as well," the Shadowbringer whispered in her mind, their voice cutting through the silence like a dagger. "They’ve camped beyond the city walls, awaiting the signal. They live for this kind of war."
Rosartemis tilted her head as if to listen closer. "A week of planning for such a delicate operation, and now here we stand, moments from watching it all crumble." She dusted off her robes, bloodied as they were, and stretched. "How soon?"
"Minutes," the Shadowbringer replied, their voice devoid of anything resembling mercy. "When the light is gone, the streets will run red. The assassins are in position, and the knights stand at the ready. Lacia will burn."
Rosartemis let out a soft hum of approval, her eyes glinting as she gazed back out at the city, basking in the last flickers of sunlight.
"Let them have this last sunset," she said, almost tenderly. "It’s the last light they’ll ever see."
As the sun dipped below the clouds, the bells began to ring across the city, signaling nightfall. The deep chimes echoed through the streets, but something else accompanied it. A soft rustle, thorns and petals. Rosartemis raised her hand, her fingers curling as scarlet roses burst from every crack and crevice, climbing higher, faster, spreading like wildfire through the city.
The people of Lacia froze, staring in confusion at the bloom. They pointed, merchants paused mid-bargain, soldiers turned their eyes to the flowers that now covered the city. The roses twined through the streets, wrapping around lampposts, doorways, and creeping up the sides of homes. At first, they seemed harmless, beautiful even—but then the thorns appeared. Long, razor-sharp, and gleaming in the fading light.
Click.
The Brotherhood moved with terrifying speed. Cloaked figures emerged from the shadows, blades flashing as they cut down guards, merchants, anyone who stood in their way. The assassins descended upon Lacia like a plague, their blackened blades slicing through armor and flesh alike. The streets filled with the sound of screams, the clang of steel, and the wet, sickening thud of bodies hitting the ground. Hexes exploded in the air, hawks descended upon the earth, knights breaking through the gates.
Blood spilled across the cobblestones, and where it pooled, the roses fed. Their thorns glistening red.
The Queen of Roses watched it all from atop the tower, her lips curving into a satisfied smile. The bells rang out again, tolling in time with the slaughter.
The bloodbath had begun.
- The Brotherhood of Malice operation Ashen Rose Report
Early on the morning of 10th October, The Scarlet Rot, a high ranking member of the RWOT community suddenly became delegate after piler nations entered the region. RWOT RMB'ers began immediately connecting the dots and came to the conclusion that the region was under attack, further cemented by the mass dismissing of officers that happened shortly after. It was then revealed that TSR was secretly Rosartemis, a prominent raider within the NationStates Community.
The following 20 hours from the attack was riddled with chaos and confusion, as natives and members of other regions began arguing in the region's RMB, further escalating drama. The region was declared a Do Not Defend by Westinor soon after, following further escalations in the ensuing drama. Native opposition, while low for some nations still occured, mostly led by Kaanapali, who began debating with the raiders about the ethics of R/D. However his arguement was quickly shot down, following a lack of consistency with his posts, with some claiming he didnt give a fu*k about the region, while also claiming to love the region. This period is also notable for the sheer amount of mod interaction with both the raider and native population.
Even with the active Do Not Defend order issued by Westinor Command, Security Council forums still erupted into chaos. It escalated to the point where forum moderator United Calanworie (better known as Aav) soon trawled the many threads pertaining to either the liberation or injunction of the region, leading to the deletion of several nations.
Aspenia (11-12 October - 21 October)
On the 11th or 12th of October, following the mass banjection of most of the RWOT natives, Great Xanarcica Empire (better known as Xana) founded the region of Aspenia, for the escaping RWOT natives. Among the early arrivals were Lethinia, Artstokska, Kelban Island, Libriano, Brunswaldin Kanadia, Czesfjord, Warlord Yuan Bao (puppet of Yangchenia), and Tyra Melin.
Creation of the 1st Aspenian Charter
During Aspenia's existence, Electoral Aurelia Azatara composed the Aspenian Charter, detailing the de facto constitution of Aspenia and Aspen going forward.