Fire Emblem: Background Information

Nations:
Kingdom of Evreux:
Evreux is the largest and most prosperous of all of the nations in the Mamikon Isthmus, covering the majority of the Evren plains from which it gains its name. Its prosperity comes from its fertile fields, productive iron mines and rich silk plantations, and its markets are visited by merchants from all four corners of the world. The nation’s Kings have always been generous with their spending, whether it’s for expansive universities, magnificent cathedrals or mighty fortresses. Evreux’s armies are almost entirely mounted, due to a combination of expansive frontiers, flat but high-altitude terrain and sheer wealth. Supported by numerous horse archers and dedicated groups of hospitaliers, Evreux’s paladins charge into danger and smash the enemy’s formations wherever they can be found. Heavily armoured footsoldiers take the brunt of the fighting where cavalry cannot, with Heusea clansmen acting as skirmishers on the flanks. The Evren are viewed as noble, virtuous, proud and arrogant in equal measures.

Evreux is divided into several provinces, each generally ruled by a powerful duke or marquis.
 - Sens: The central province of Evreux is the personal demesne of King Louis the Fair. Deep within the plains of Evreux, Sens is mostly flat in contrast to the rest of the Mamikon Isthumus. Its farms are productive, its lands prosperous and its people generous. They are also quite pious, and Sens is well known for its many churches, cathedrals and religious institutions. The founding chapters of the famous monastic orders, the Brothers of the Sun and Sisters of the Moon, are in Evron, the seat of the Kings of Evreux. The religious fervour of Sens is complimented by its military prowess. The best paladins in the world come from this province and the rest of Sens’s soldiers are well-armoured and highly motivated as well. The combination of wealth, piety and martial strength suits King Louis. As the overlord of several powerful vassals, each with their own goals and desires, the King leverages his demesne’s strengths to keep the nobles of Evreux in line while maintaining his reputation for fairness and diplomacy.
 - Bearns: Comprising Evreux’s western border, the province of Bearns is adjacent to the Confederacy of Glarus. As such its terrain is more mountainous and rocky than the rest of the country, though certainly not as rough as the terrain found in the Marz or northern Glarus. Because of this the province is not as prosperous as the rest of the Evreux and its people are looked down upon as country bumpkins. Bearns is better known for the intelligence and drive of its people. Many prominent merchants, soldiers and scholars come from Bearns, leaving their homes to seek fame and fortune in the rest of Evreux or even abroad. Duke Gael Lecuyer struggles to maintain his status at the royal court and so sponsors many of these fortune-seekers to promote his reputation as a wise and cultured leader. His lack of bravery and charm is far more difficult to hide and so many lament the untimely death of his far more capable and popular father.
 - Rethel: Descending from the heights of the plains to the salty waters of the Eastern Sea, Rethel is the most prosperous province in Evreux. Its climate is moderated by winds coming over the sea, making its wineries the envy of the entire world. Rethel is also blessed by being the endpoint of several large rivers, some winding as far west as Glarus. Thus spices and exotic goods can be shipped, first by sea and then up the rivers, from the Eastern Sea to western Mamikon, where they can be sold for a tidy profit to merchants eager to transport them even further west. As such a strong and powerful merchant class lives comfortably in Rethel, their rights and freedoms guaranteed by numerous charters and agreements with their ruler, Duke Tristan Richelieu. Known to be overly ambitious, Duke Richelieu’s dark hair and pointed features makes him look like a caricature of the evil nobleman or unscrupulous vizer. So far his loyalty is unquestionable, but many whisper of his anger after the rich but rebellious city of Gacca was sacked by ducal forces.
 - Epinal: Conquered from the Sultanate of Masjay a few generations ago and promoted from a marz within living memory, the Dukedom of Epinal comprises Evreux’s southern border. Its history is reflected in its culture, architecture and the names of many cities and villages. Unsurprisingly, Epinal is a great centre of learning in Evreux thanks to its Masjaya heritage and Ashert population. Great schoola dot Epinal’s countryside, endlessly debating with each other to achieve preeminence. Slavery is still practised in Epinal, but due to the efforts of the clergy many slaves have been emancipated. Because of this they become as a status symbol and so even the meanest merchant is likely to own a slave or two to cook and clean for them. Epinal is ruled by Duke Eustache LeBeau, well known for his good looks, unusual tastes and extravagant lifestyle, funded by loans from Rethel and Free City merchants. The close friendship between him and the neighbouring Duke Richelieu should thus come to no one’s surprise. Otherwise his creditors would have rendered him destitute long ago, with his demesne sold to the highest bidder to pay for his debts.
 - The Marz: Officially known as the Heusean Marz, this province comprises Evreux’s northern border and occupies most of the lands of the Heusea. Unlike other provinces, the Marz extends far beyond the Evren plains and thus is predominantly mountainous and hilly, with poor soil and colder weather that makes extensive agriculture difficult to achieve. The Heusea clansmen who live in the Marz survive by subsistence farming, supplemented by herding and raiding. They are fiercely proud of their culture and stubbornly follow the old religions, listening to the words of shamans and druids and making great sacrifices as needed. The Heusea make terrifying light troops if allowed to indulge in plunder and pillage but lack the obedience and discipline needed to hold the line in a pitched battle. Marquis Alister Macaslan was once an Heusea chieftain but loyalty to the King and services in battle earned him the territory of the Marz. Marquis Macaslan  keeps his fellow clansmen in line through a combination of gifts, threats, and turning a blind eye towards their numerous vendettas. His broad stature, bright-red hair and informal manners makes him stand out as a personality at court despite his poor dress.

Confederacy of Glarus:
While almost as large as Evreux, Glarus is far less populous due to its rough terrain and impressive mountain ranges. Its inhabitants live mostly in the middle of mountain valleys, earning their living through farming, mining and trading. The people of Glarus long ago formed themselves into thirteen cantons, each acting as independent sovereign nations, with the confederacy providing military and economic support between the different cantons. While inter-canton politics trouble the confederacy, they are almost always put aside when faced with external threats. It should thus come as no surprise that the Confederacy has never been conquered in written history, though it was reduced to few rugged mountain valleys several times. Glarus is one of the few nations where wyverns have been successfully tamed, to the regret of foreign generals and the delight of Glarian mercenaries. The mountainous and winding terrain of the confederacy makes Glarus’s wyvern knights a potent force, especially when supported with more nimble pegasi imported from the Summer Isles. Great fortresses manned with crossbowmen and sentinels provide safe bases for these flying warriors to rest and resupply in between battles. The Glarians are viewed as independent and isolationist but also dedicated and reliable if you can earn their trust and friendship.

The thirteen cantons of Glarus can be broadly divided into three regions, united by their religion, economies and cultures.
 - Northern Cantons: (Aarau, Chur, Kyberg, Hofe and Rheintal) While not as rich as the rest of the confederacy, the northern cantons are still proud and warlike. Culturally they are related to the Heusea in Everux but lack the wide-spread vendettas and raids that trouble their eastern brothers. Like the Heusea they still follow the old pagan ways, though with a civilized touch. Their druids and shamans no longer attempt to divine the future by the death throes of their sacrifices but end their lives swiftly and humanely. The great mountains in the north offer plenty of places for wyverns to make their nests and so the people in northern Glarus have earned a great reputation as flyers and warriors. No one can deny that their wyvern knights are fearless and skilled in battle, even if their arms and weapons are usually generations old.
 - Southern Cantons: (Riviera, Pievi, Zenden, Maggia, Iron League) The southeast of Glarus spreads into the plains of Evreux, making it more suitable than the rest of the confederacy for extensive agriculture. Unsurprisingly the peoples in the southern cantons are greatly influenced by the neighbouring kingdom and have many ties to the Evren. While not as wealthy as the western coast, these cantons earn more than enough to support pikemen and crossbowmen for their armies. Due to a relative lack of mountainous terrain, many fortresses dot the landscape to provide safe havens in case of danger. Any invading armies, unless they wish to have swarms of wyvern riders harassing their supply lines, must deal with these castles before marching deeper into the heart of the confederacy.
 - Western Cantons: (Laussane, Aigle, Vaud) The western coast of Glarus is dotted with many safe harbours for ships and as such a strong merchant class and maritime tradition has developed in the three cantons which border the coast. These burghers have grown wealthy trading iron goods, cloth and eastern imports with the Holy Anahitist Empire and other nations to the west. Some of this great wealth has been spent on the arts and sciences, and Glarus’s mages, alchemists and artists boast that they surpass those in Evreux. The western cantons have few areas where wyverns can form their nests, so to compensate the western cantons have imported pegasi from the Summer Isles for their flying knights. These pegasus riders form an important part of the Glarian army, since they have speed and manoeuvrability which the larger wyverns lack. The two working together in tandem form an incredibly potent force that only masses archers or crossbowmen could hope to defeat.

Sultanate of Masjay:
The Sultanate of Masjay was founded centuries ago, when the Saqqaf Caliphate suffered from a period of troubles and uprisings that started with the Saqqaf Civil War. The Ghilman, elite soldiers owned by the Caliphate as slaves, rebelled in the province of Masjay and formed their own Sultanate. They conquered many surrounding lands and extracted tribute from neighbouring lords, with which they greatly patronized the arts and sciences. The Sultanate has long passed its glory days. The Kingdom of Evreux, one of its former vassals, has conquered the country’s rich northern border and most of its sea coast. The Caliphate, their former masters, has reclaimed many of its territories to the south and east. In the west, many provinces have rebelled to join Aen. Despite these setbacks, Sultan Karim is confident that he can reclaim some of Masjay’s former glory. The country’s mages and scholars are still some of the most sought after in the world for their extensive knowledge of healing and alchemy. Under Karim’s care, Masjay’s military has been revitalized and reorganized along Evren lines. Heavy cavalry are supported by mounted archers to strike where the enemy is weakest. Light footsoldiers, modelled after the Ghilman of old, harass the enemy with sword and arrow while skilled healers tend to the wounded. The other nations of Mamikon view the people of Masjay as foreign and exotic, passionate and unreliable in equal measures. Much of their negative perceptions come from the fact that they follow the teachings of Astva, as opposed to the Anahitism common to the rest of the region.

The remaining territory of Masjay clings to the southern plains of Evreux, which descend in fits and starts into the dry, flat country of the south. The east is mostly mountainous and inhospitable, but a thin spur and minor river offers access to the Eastern Sea. The west is wetter and gentler, but vulnerable to invasion from the Kingdom of Aen. The eastern part of Masjay is one of the few places where gold can still be mined in Mamikon, and new mines have even been discovered. The revenue from these mines comprises most of the Sultanate’s income and thus are critical to Karim’s plans for his nation. An extensive line of forts protects the route to the capital against invaders from the Free Cities or Evreux. Recent tensions with the Kingdom of Aen have erupted into outright war, drawing away soldiers from the gold-laden east and increasing the paranoia of the remaining garrisons.

Free Cities:
The Free Cities are scattered across the east of Mamikon, usually bordering the Eastern Sea though a few are located inland. The rugged terrain of the coast separates the cities while the sea connects them, fostering a strong naval tradition and an equally reputation for piracy. Most Free Cities were once ruled by Sultanate of Masjay or offered tribute to the Sultan, but rebelled once it began to crumble. Some cities were razed by the Sultan's forces but others managed to seize the independence they desired. In the generations since some were reconquered by the Sultanate or became vassals of the King of Evreux or the Duke of Rethel. Many others still maintain their freedom even to this day, often at the end of a pike. Most of Mamikon's trade across the Eastern Sea is conducted by the Free Cities, which bring spices and other exotic goods back west. In return they offer wine, iron, and gemstones. While slavery is banned in most cities, trading in slaves is not and so the merchants act as middlemen between the nomads of the north and the Saqqaf Caliphate to the south.

The Free Cities are generally divided into the pro-Evreux Acciais and the Anti-Evreux Falcos. The Falcos view Erveux as another tyrant like Masjay, while the Acciais view them as guardians against the Sultanate. The Acciais tend to be more urban and noble while the Falcos are more rural and religious, and so generally take different sides on various local issues to further fuel tensions between the two factions.
- Acciais: Alife, Bisciglie, Como, Fano, Gela, Oblia, Teramo, Trani.
- Falcos: Carpi, Ercolano, Foligno, Imola, Montesilvano, Velletri.
- Divided: Battipaglia, Gacca, Rho, Viterbo.

Free City of Alife:
The Free City of Alife lies on the coast of the Eastern Sea and like most Free Cities, encompasses only a small enclave of land. A fast horse could ride from its walls to its furthest borders in less than a day. Yet despite it small size, the city is incredibly wealthy and powerful thanks to its dominance of the trade in the Eastern Sea. Over a 100 years ago Alife fought a vicious war with the Sultanate of Masjay to free themselves from the Sultan’s grip. Since then the city has been controlled by a council of wealthy merchants and powerful guilds, who cooperate to secure their interests and increase their profits. Mercenaries and sell-swords comprise the largest part of Alife’s armies, supported by numerous mages on foot and on horse from the city’s world-famous university, and so can be easily persuaded to support their generals in return for bonuses. As a maritime power Alife also supports a large force of marines, though other countries view them as little more than pirates and swashbucklers. Alifites are noted to be quite fashionable and trendsetting, the result of numerous cultures colliding in their harbours, though their drive for profits tends to paint them as greedy and vain.

Less than ten years ago, the city was ruled in all but name by Councilman Livio Abate. A combination of personal charisma, boundless confidence and shrewd political deals allowed him to manipulate the council in his early years. As Livio's health declined he grew more and more erratic, though his hands never loosened their grip on the reins of power. Right up to his death, due to poison if the rumours are to be believed, he supported many far-fetched and unusual schemes. Livio proclaimed for a long time that he was a long-lost brother of King Louis of Evreux, much to the embarrassment of both nations, going so far as to make up a coat of arms and seal for himself in the Evren fashion. He also planned the creation of a pan-Mamikon Empire, with himself as Emperor, military intervention in the Saqqaf Caliphate to enthrone an Anahitist ruler, and other flights of fancy. The fact that he never actually carried out such plans, combined with his earlier and widely-supported initiatives, means that he is still fondly remembered by the people of Alife as a popular if highly eccentric leader.

Kingdom of Aen:
With the decline of the Sultanate of Masjay, many of its peripheral territories declared independence. Those which were not subsequently absorbed by the Kingdom of Evreux, Saqqaf Caliphate or Holy Anahitist Empire came together to form the Kingdom of Aen. Given that it is squeezed between the major powers in the area, the kingdom's fortunes have been middling but so far enough to maintain its independence. The primary economic engine in Aen revolves around wool, cloth and dyes, in contrast to the rest of Mamikon. The mountainous and hilly terrain in Aen is not kind to silk but quite favourable to rearing sheep, while the Unan river allows for easily transportation west to the HAE or north-east to Evreux. Aenan woolens are worn by burghers of over a hundred towns due to their high quality and modest price. Unfortunately, soldiers from Aen are more famous for their rust-red uniforms than for their feats of arms. Local militia, equipped with nasty polearms known as ‘Gooddays’, conscripted hunters and armoured mercenaries form the largest part of Aen’s armies, to anchor a strike force of well-trained knights, warlike monks and imported pegasi. Compared to the military of Evreux or Glarus, Aen’s forces cannot match them in discipline or numbers. Aenans are respected for their piety, religious fervour and friendliness, though they are also laughed behind their backs for their lack of culture and refinement.

The current ruler of Aen is King Heinric van Gruuthuuse, who came to the throne when the previous king died childless. Rumours that the old king’s infant heir was poisoned or strangled on King Heinric’s orders are often repeated but never substantiated. As far as the official histories are concerned, he suffered a fatal illness at the age of four while he was visiting his mother’s relatives in Evreux. Since then, King Heinric has ruled for over thirty years and if his reign has not been a respected or popular one, then he has not ruined the country either. In his old age he has started giving his son, Prince Pieter van Gruuthuuse, more powers and responsibilities so that he can spend his final days in comfort and relaxation. Unfortunately his hot-blooded heir has dragged the country into war against the Sultanate of Masjay, much to the anger of his father.

Other Regions:
Northern Reaches and the Oceans of Grass:
The Northern Reaches are the mountains along the north of Mamikon Isthmus and are larger and more perilous than those throughout the rest of the region. The eastern portion is claimed by Evreux as part of the Marz but in truth even the Marquis has little influence among the Heusea in the Reaches. Protected by the mountains, they can ignore Evren demands and instead feud among themselves as they have done for generations. Beyond the Northern Reaches are the Oceans of Grass, where herds of horses live like schools of fish. The Nezalezhnyy people who live there are skilled riders and fearsome archers, tending to their horses as a farmer would to their cattle. Traditionally they barter with the Heusea during the summer months when they head south into the hills to escape the heat, but in recent years merchants from the Free Cities and Evreux have constructed trading posts along the Eastern Sea to acquire their goods directly. Nezalezhnyy horses are praised for their endurance and toughness but their owners are loath to part with such important beasts. Trade is therefore focused on furs, amber, gemstones and similarly light, high value goods that the Nezalezhnyy acquire from from peoples north of the Oceans. Slaves are also an important part of this trade, despite the practice being mostly banned in the Mamikon Isthmus. Free City merchants know that they can more than double their wealth by buying slaves from the Nezalezhnyy and selling them in the Caliphate.

The Holy Anahitist Empire:
Located to the southwest of the Mamikon Isthmus and bordering the Caliphate, the Kingdom of Aen, and the canton of Vaud, the Holy Anahitist Empire is comprised out of several large kingdoms and numerous dukedoms, bishoprics, and imperial cities. The bishops of the HAE believe themselves to be the supreme arbitrators of religious knowledge, given the numerous holy sites and religious relics they control, but they have little influence on their colleagues across the globe. The imperial title is elective in nature, with the major nobility of the empire gathering together to both mourn for their dead ruler and determine who will replace them. While the nobility tends to be quite conservative in its choices occasionally a darkhorse candidate will win. The current Empress Beatrix, Queen-Dowager of Offenburg and Duchess of Bayreuth, is one such candidate. Her election caused a stir in the empire, but since then she has proven the wisdom of the nobility with her numerous diplomatic successes, political compromises and territorial additions. While they cannot match their rivals in culture and learning, the HAE surpasses the Saqqaf Caliphate in military might.

The Saqqaf Caliphate:
The southern portion of the Mamikon Isthmus borders the Saqqaf Caliphate, which stretches from the Holy Anahitist Empire to the Eastern Sea and beyond. Numerous tribes, cities and nations pay tribute to the Caliphs, who claim direct descent from the Second Prophet and thus the authority to act as deputy of the entire Astva religion. The current Caliph, Abd al-Hamid, is more interested in architecture than religion but still supports his claims with the construction of magnificent mosques and numerous religious schools. In past centuries the Saqqaf Caliphate has suffered through numerous reversals, revolts and tragedies, but each time it has managed to overcome these troubles. The enduring legacy of the Caliphate is sometimes all it takes to awe lesser nations into obedience and submission, though some protest that it is no longer the same country founded by the Second Prophet. While their rivals, the Holy Anahitist Empire, admit that the Caliphate surpasses them in knowledge and culture, Caliph Abd al-Hamid fears the HAE's military might and so avoids outright conflict with his powerful neighbour.

Summer Isles:
Located far to the southwest, beyond even the Holy Anahitist Empire, the Summer Isles are a semi-legendary land to the people of Mamikon. It gains its name from the belief that the islands are constantly enjoying a pleasant summer, with crops growing year-round and the seas teaming with fish. Much to their annoyance, the few visitors from the region are unable to dissuade anyone of these fantasies and the islands remain a semi-mythical land of plenty. More concretely the Summer Isles are equally famous for being the region where pegasi were first tamed and they are still the major exporter of these flying beasts of burden. The hardier breeds, which can withstand Mamikon’s colder climate and thinner atmosphere, are imported through HAE middlemen at marked up prices. Most of them end up in western Glarus and the Kingdom of Aen, with a few making their way further east into the homes of wealthy merchants or vain nobles.

Religion:
Three major religions exist in the region of Mamikon. They are Mamikon Paganism, Anahitism and Astva.

Mamikon Paganism:
Before other religions came to the isthmus, the people followed a multitude of distinct but related beliefs and gods. These beliefs were loosely grouped under the term ‘paganism’ by the missionaries and priests who arrived to spread Anahitism, mocking their followers for their uncivilized ways. The Heusea and many people living in northern Glarus and the Northern Reaches still openly follow the old religion. Rumours of pagan worshippers still conducting secret rituals abound in the south, but in truth the religious aspects have long been abandoned while scattered groups pass on the remaining practical knowledge. The two major deities in Mamikon paganism are Perun of the Skies and Veles of the Earth, whose constant fighting causes the seasons to change and weather to occur. Lesser deities such as Morena of the Underworld, Svarog of the Fires, and Dodola of the Waters, also exist and follow their own agendas. In a world of warring deities and spirits, an appropriate gift can turn away their wrath and earn their favour. As such sacrifice is the most important part of Mamikon paganism, to be carefully carried out by druids and shamans to ensure the good fortune of their communities. Coming next in importance are omens and signs from the gods, which needed to be carefully interpreted and often answered with sacrifices. If an omen was needed immediately, an appropriate sacrifice would be mortally wounded and allowed to stumble around in their death throes, so that the priests could attempt to divine the future from their movements.

Anahitism:
The most popular religion in the Mamikon Isthmus is Anahitism. Spread by the prophet Anahit centuries before, Anahitists believe that the world was created by the god Sohrab, associated with masculinity, fire and the sun, and the goddess Khordad, associated with femininity, water and the moon, to purify the great demon Girisha. Once the demon became aware of the creation stifling it, Girisha sent terrifying monsters to destroy the world, only to be countered time and time again by the deities’s chosen heroes. Realizing the folly of its actions, which only sapped its strength and weakened its resolve, Girisha then started to corrupt the spirits of the men who occupied creation. Yet doing so allowed these same men to resist temptation and thus further purify the demon’s essence. As such Anahitism has a strong emphasis on purity, obedience and duty, believing that it is the duty of every person to be virtuous and good, to eliminate evil in the world and thus hasten the purification of the terrible demon Girisha. Once this task has been accomplished, Sohrab, Khordad and the beatified Girisha will come to earth and begin an age of endless paradise. Those who die before paradise is achieved are reincarnated, their virtues and vices tallied by the deities’s archangels so that they may return to earth with an appropriate reward or punishment for their actions while living. Anahitism does not have a single unified religious authority. Instead a Patriarch oversees each nation and the business of managing priests and church land. These Patriarchs meet regularly to ensure that proper doctrine is followed and to excommunicate those who would lead Anahitism astray and do the demonic work of Girisha.

- Messianism:
Messianism is a common belief among the Anahitists in Mamikon, but is almost unheard of in other lands. The messianists believe that in the final days, when the purification of Girisha is almost complete, the demon will make one last terrifying assault upon creation. Yet at the same time a messiah, sent by Sohrab and Khordad and pure in body and soul, will appear on the earth to thwart the demon’s final attack and simultaneously prepare the nations of the world for the arrival of paradise. Many scholars in the Holy Anahktist Empire think that these beliefs grew out of Mamikon paganism, while those on the Isthmus consider it to be an obvious conclusion given the parallels and reflections in the prophet's teachings. Messianism is thus strongest and most fanatical during times of famine, warfare or plague, as signs of Girisha's impending assault and the messiah's arrival.

- Religious Orders:
Due to Anahitism's focus on personal purity and virtue, some Anahitists sought to avoid the temptations of Girisha through simple living and religious study. Over time these individuals gathered together in communities to support one another, forming the foundations of Anahitism's numerous religious orders. In Mamikon, the most popular of these monastic orders are Brothers of the Sun and Sisters of the Moon, whose headquarters are in Evron, the capital of Sens and the Kingdom of Evreux. Founded over three centuries ago to tend to the wounded during a siege of the city, the Brothers and Sisters are devoted to healing the sick and feeding the hungry. Being both old and local they are highly regarded and so their monasteries are well funded by the local nobility. The Children of Anahit are another order which operates widely in Mamikon, though they are not as popular as the Brothers and Sisters since they are based in the HAE. The Children operate religious schools, preach to what pagans remain, and ensure that the proper teachings of Anahitism are followed. Many priests and bishops are thus also Children, even if they follow a lighter rule than fully fledged monks. The Followers of Come are a recently founded order, with Come having passed away less than a decade ago. They operate entirely within Mamikon and are unlikely to expand beyond the Isthmus, as they are heavily oriented around the coming messiah. Unsurprisingly they have a harsher rule than other orders, to prepare for both the messiah's arrival and the calamities that will accompany them. The Followers are based in the city of Rho and have major chapterhouses in Carpi, Imola, Gacca, and Gel, but their members can be heard preaching in all major cities and towns throughout the isthmus.

Astva:
Astva is common only in the south-east of Mamikon, where it was spread north and west due to the efforts of the Saqqaf Caliphate and the Sultanate of Masjay. Its followers are known as Asherts, for they guard the holy wisdom of the Second Prophet. According to them the words of the first prophet, Anahit, were corrupted and twisted by those to whom he taught divine wisdom. Thus the Second Prophet was visited by an archangel in the desert, so that he might spread the true word of god to the people of the world. The Asherts are monotheists who believe only in the god So’ab, which has some connections with the Anahist god Sohrab. Unlike the two Anahist deities, So’ab is perfection embodied and so is all-good in body and spirit. As such they must hide their form from all mortals, lest they scour their bodies and souls with their grace. So'ab is thus always referred to in gender-neutral terms to avoid any assumptions of perfection. According to the Asherts, So’ab made the world to act as a cosmic filter and separate good souls from evil. Those who are good will recognize the words of the Second Prophet and become eternal believers of Astva, shedding their impurities through devotion and prayer. After death they will be given new bodies and souls so that they can live in Paradise and bask in So’ab's perfection for the rest of eternity. Those who are evil and reject the words of the Second Prophet, or become false followers, will be consumed by their impurities. They will be sent to Hell and tormented with their profound unworthiness until the end of creation, where So'ab will grant them merciful oblivion. Unlike the Anahitists, Astva recognize a single religious authority in the form of the Caliphate. Since he is supposed to be directly descended from the Second Prophet, the words of the Caliphs echo with a fragment of the divine wisdom given to their honoured ancestor. However, being a singular person, religious matters are left to the hands of local elders and lawyers who endlessly debate the innumerable commandments of the Caliphs.

- Legal Schools:
The legal schools of Astva are needed to apply the pure teachings of the Second Prophet to the messy realities of the present. Many elements of the Astvic orthodoxy are thus dependent on shared rulings between the schools as opposed to explicit teachings. The commandments of the Caliphs are not enough to establish orthodoxy on their own, since they may not be blessed by the full wisdom of So'ab. Thus major disagreements between the schools are dependent on not only interpretations of the teachings but also which sayings of the Caliphs are inspired by So'ab and which are merely secular rulings. The School of Prophetic Insight are a small but lavishly funded group, as they believe that So'ab regularly blesses the Caliphs with divine wisdom and so accept many dubious but politically helpful sayings. However most lawyers belong to either the School of Received Wisdom or the School of Reasoned Insight. The School of Reasoned Insight is the more conservative of the pair, following well-worn arguments and techniques based on logic and the most respected sayings. The School of Received Wisdom is more flexible, knowing that good is inevitably drawn to Astva and so they utilize a broad range of interpretations and techniques to tease out wisdom from less respected sayings. The School of Ancient Teachings is a minor group found mostly among the Asherts of the Mamikon Isthmus, where it forms a plurality among its believers. Formed after the tragedy of the Saqqaf Civil War, they reject the modern sayings of the Caliphs and instead study an unchanging collection of true commandments. Some jurists thus consider this school to be heretical, but few commandments made after the civil war are widely accepted among the Asherts. As such the School of Ancient Teachings is generally considered to be a very strict part of the Astvic orthodoxy. The Sultans of Masjay have been great patrons of this school, to display their piety while maintaining their independence from the Caliphate.