Caledonia (province)

Caledonia is the province with the largest area in Southarchland. Its seat is the estate of Avella, where the Duke of Caledonia usually resides. The River Boreas runs along its western edge. It borders the the province of Attica in the southeast, the province of Consus in the south, the province of Philyra in the west, and the province of Titus and the Archland Mountains in the northwest. Attica also has the longest border with Vallonia in the north. Caledonia is known best for its hazelnut product and also for being the site of many battles in the '''Vallonian Wars. '''

Founding and The Golden Age
Caledonia is primarily farmland with foothills and forests in the north and northwest. Despite its relative economic wealth, it has never been highly populated. However, its location near the mountains made it strategic territory, and it was highly coveted by the forces of both the Tenebrari and the forces of Grand Queen Helena and Grand King Artorius. One of the most vicious battles during the War of the Bears was fought in Caledonia, and it resulted in a victory against the Tenebrari. Ever since, Caledonia has carried with it an air of dignity and rich history.

This reputation only increased when it became the birthplace of Queen Dema Cinera Polaris. She was born to Lady Dema Alexandra Bastian', Duchess of Caledonia in the home of Lord Indonatus Augustus Bastian', Duke of Caledonia. She was raised there in relative obscurity until she was a young woman and succeeded in marrying Crown Prince Bernas Loren Polaris. Later in life, she acquired Caledonia as her own. She even named her first child, Princess Dema Coryla Polaris, after the hazel trees for which Caledonia is well known. It was later revealed that Caledonia had also been the place of refuge for Prince Loren when he and his mother, Princess Capia Callisto Polaris, escaped deadly political schemes in his infancy. Caledonia highly benefited from this connection to the royal family.

Post-Torrentem
When the Torrent struck, Caledonia's proximity to the mountains made it highly susceptible to the damage caused by the disaster. Its farming and foresting industries were affected by the destruction and took several decades to recover. Thankfully, the massive hazel groves recovered quickly and the industry continued to do well. Though it operated on its own for a long while, it was eventually incorporated into Southarchland by Demas Anicetus Capaneus in 207 P.T.. Caledonia was once again strategic territory in a war, this time the Northern War between Norarchland and Southarchland. Many successful campaigns were fought there, and Caledonia retained its reputation as a place of victory.

Caledonia was not keen on participating when War of Vallonia began in 439 P.T. It hada vital trading system with its neighboring provinces in the north, and it was reluctant to give up this position in the fight of independence. When its hazel product started to suffer at the hands of Vallonian troops, however, it mobilized its militia for Southarchland and helped secure its own territory. Southarchland lost the War of Vallonia and was forced to relinquish control over the rebelling provinces, but Caledonia remained completely intact due to its tenacity in retaining its ground.

In 482 P.T., the Second War of Vallonia began. This conflict arose over accusations of theft and espionage by Vallonia against Southarchland, most of which came from residents of Caledonia. No one is certain if the accusations were true, but rather than a sustained campaign, the Second War of Vallonia was a series of shorter conflicts arising every three to five years over the span of twenty years. Caledonia consistently supplied soldiers in this conflict. The longest and most devastating campaign was the Caledonia Campaign from 497-502, and it resulted in the death of King Cephas Darius Cygnus of Vallonia. Southarchland was sure that they would be able to regain control over Vallonia, but it was revealed that King Darius did in fact have an heir, who would become King Cephas Elianus Cygnus. Ever since, Caledonia has had a border patrol in place to prevent anyone from crossing the border between Vallonia and Southarchland. It has, however, resisted the efforts of its neighbor Attica to extend the wall known as the Attican Shield further along Caledonia's border. Many suspect that it is because Caledonia secretly trades with Vallonia despite the laws against it. The relationship of its current duke, Lord Pyrrhus Caius Parmenas, to the royal family (he is half-brother to the crown prince) prevents any investigation from going into the matter.

Topography
Caledonia is composed of farmland in the south and southwest expanding out from the river, forests in the north, and sizable foothills in the northwest. It is mostly flat along the river plains of the River Boreas and the River Pontus, but further to the north and west the foothills loom over the Caledonia hazel groves. Caledonia also has a few notable lakes and streams. Despite its strategic location and prominent role in the history of Southarchland, it does not have any major cities. The nearest large cities are the sister merchant stops across the River Boreas: Hector, which is located in the province of Consus, and Jacintus, which is located in the province of Cardea.

Climate
Caledonia has a warm summer continental climate, featuring warm summers and cool winters. It experiences more snow than its neighboringprovinces because of its proximity to the Archland mountains. Occasionally strange storms cross the border from Vallonia, but for the most part the weather is reliable.

Families and Education
The average number of children in Southarchland is three to four, but in Attica the average is slightly higher. The infant/child mortality rate is much lower in Southarchland than in Norarchland. Filial piety is not as important in Southarchland as in Vallonia, but there is still respect required from children to their parents and elders. Caledonians tend to have a great deal of pride, mostly due to their province's reputation and the renowned deeds of their ancestors, and Caledonians more than any other Southarchlanders like to trace their family histories back to those famous people. It may be Caledonia's preoccupation with family history that led to Vallonia's culture dedicated to the importance of family.

Hazel
The farming culture is important in Caledonia, but it takes a different form than its neighbor, Attica. Instead of producing high-yield, basic crops, Caledonia focus on specialty items. They are famous for their cultivation of hazel trees. These trees have nuts that are famous throughout Archland, and their wood is also exported for multiple purposes. Those who own hazel plantations are the wealthiest of Caledonia's occupants, but servants and employees on these estates are usually well-treated, too. The owners of these estates are often very involved in the trade of their products and are not unwilling to bend a few rules to get the best deal.

Shadowskin
When in Alcmena, Pomona is released from prison by Lady Nelia Tacita Parmena, Duchess of Caledonia. Lady Tacita also revives Princess Nevea from her death-like state. Pomona is allowed to stay with Lady Tacita and her husband, Lord Pyrrhus Caius Parmenas, Duke of Caledonia in the days leading up to the wedding of Princess Nevea to Lord Caius's half-brother, Crown Prince Demas Hadrian Sophus. Pomona knows that Lady Tacita is related to Lady Dema-Cepha "Selene" Cygna, Duchess of Gothel and, with Tacita's permission, reveals this to Lord Caius. Caius is suprised to learn that his wife is Vallonian, but he promises to take her back to Caledonia as soon as possible, away from his stepfather the king, who would execute a Vallonian as soon as he met one.

Notable Residents

 * Lord Indonatus Augustus Bastian, Duke of Caledonia (991-1050 d.A.A.)
 * Lady Dema Alexandra Bastian, Duchess of Caledonia (1018-1029 d.A.A.)
 * Queen Dema-Tenebrari Cinera [Bastian] Polaris (1019-1039 d.A.A.)
 * Lady Pyrrha Megaera Bastian, Duchess of Caledonia (1028-1066 d.A.A.)
 * Lady Pyrrha Meliora Bastian (1028-1038 d.A.A.)
 * Lady Jovana Mirabella Bastian (1028-1075 d.A.A.)
 * Lord Pyrrhus Caius Parmenas, Duke of Caledonia (506 P.T. - present)
 * Lady Nelia Tacita Parmena, Duchess of Caledonia (527 P.T. - present)
 * Indonata Rena Delusa (510 P.T. - 530 P.T.)