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In the Past Five Years...

The land called Epsilon has seen many changes, coming in the forms of upheavals, reforms, tragedy, and so on. We remember the fallen, the human fodder for the flames of advancement, fondly, whether they be soldiers, victims of disease--politicians, plowmen, lawyers and men of renown--yes, so fondly as we count advances and triumphs. We claw our way from the ignorant stagnation into the light of our ideals, but it would be bad form not to give these events their full account.

It started with the coronation ceremony of the new Empress Evelyn Lionis. The war and the bloodshed that had sprung up so quickly was undone just so in that event, leaving a vacuum of lives and industry for many nations, most notably Phobos, Lionis, and Bellris, who had been playing the largest roles in the fighting. Things were peaceful, for a while, but it wasn't long before such a vacuum attracted a large unrest to the realm. What was once seen as a glorious beacon was now admired much less--the people of Ethe and Bellris, phoenix nations, were particularly disenchanted with the goings on in the capital, and only Zalto, likely thanks to familial entanglements, remained absolutely loyal to the empire--and so the military might of the central nation of Lionis was diminished by being spread thin on its borders and by the absence of Ethe, home of the phoenix of light.

Ethe seemed to boom at the beginning of this decision, having placed a large bet on their next generation--their obvious choice after the population boom in the wake of disaster--and sporting a new plan to diversify its economy, but soon again tragedy would rear its level its withering stare at the nation. For some inexplicable reason, massive chunks of the land itself started to fall from the sky. Despite most of the calamity affecting the uninhabited states to the south, nearly a million of the country's people were lost.

Distraught, the count, now regent, Dixon Titanus sought the help of deities despite his usual disdain. After traveling to the Maude and to the place where Agni would appear to her faithful, Dixon was dissatisfied. He and the daughter of the goddess Agni have begun to forge an admittedly tense alliance, working where they can to save their people's quality of life. However, the former seems distant and the latter seems rattled for the first time in a long time. Ethe saw a noble wedding when Dixon and the regent ameritus were married. It was an occasion many saw as a ray of light in a umbrous storm. Shortly after the wedding, though, lady Kai announced her stepping down as regent, leaving the work to Dixon. Now the leader of the nation, he has made for himself a new peerage from the ashes of the old. It is composed most notably of his publicist, an outspoken economist humanist over the place known as "Etherland," replacing the mayoral rule. Basina Marigold in the state of Antigone, the knight Hisoka in Palude, and the mysterious Esther Drosslmyer in Alluvione. The young heirs have been working closely with the former count, learning his treatises on economics, policy-making, etc.

Also making a leave was the duke Xerseis of Phobos. He vanished mysteriously, leaving his land as a gift for Ethe. The resources have shortened the border of Phobos, but trade has increased between the nations in a mutualistic way. The king of Phobos has kept up trade with Bellris as well, improving their hunger problem and strengthening their army substantially. They are quickly approaching their former military might. A high speed trade route runs through the nation and the top half of Ethe now, guarded and to thank for any stability in their economies.

Shortly before the war was ended, a foray was made by the Zaltan crown into the desert nearby, discovering the first angel to be seen in eons. This alien yet divine creature went to work behind the scenes to establish their former home. A step on this journey was to awaken their queen. Tricked into opening the coffin which held her, duke Xerseis fought along Dixon Titanus, Chusi Chhatrapati, Evelyn Lionis, and the god of justice to rectify the error, however...

A new capital now stands, and with their nearly limitless power, the angels have grown in these five years to a fully realised state. Zalto has been attempting to deal with these newcomers in a diplomatic way, while also quelling the unrest due to the curiosity of the new church of Onera. Despite legal status and a growing flock, people are complaining that prayers, unlike to their old gods, go unanswered. The government is moving to establish themselves, in spite of this, as an economic power with a protectionist policy and abundant resources and a growing service sector in the form of apothecaries.

Meanwhile, in Bellris, the former queen and councilwoman has fallen away like an old cocoon to reveal the transformed Delliria. She has been heading the country ever since, winning the trust of her people all over again. With improvements in water treatment and such, their economy is ticking right along, perhaps gaining the most from independence from the empire.