Post by Eloell on Oct 28, 2022 21:08:50 GMT -5
CAMBRIA HISTORY
Cambria is a kingdom of only women and has a history of enslavement, liberation, and prosperity. Once upon a dark, cold time, Cambria was not a kingdom but a tribe within Coheed. In fact, it was the third strongest tribe in the land. A great and terrible war against Arynn Frey, however, saw to the effective expulsion of every single male warrior in the tribe. Without any strength or domineering figureheads, the women of Cambria, who had been suppressed and used their entire lives (as women of Coheed are), rose up from the ashes of their slain husbands and brothers and sons and declared themselves independent. The Chieftan at the time ordered the tribe to be extinguished, but when warriors arrived to do just that they found they could not conquer the strength of the women of Cambria. They had a magical edge, it seemed, though where it came from no one knew.
Instead of conceding, and yet being unable to do away with them, Coheed made an agreement: some of the kingdom's land was given to Cambria, and they were to be left alone. This arrangement was effective...until the women of Cambria started dying, and there were no men to reproduce with (they had left their male workers in Coheed, wanting nothing to do with the other sex). Cambria reached out to Coheed with a new agreement: Cambria would become Coheed's allies--only to be called upon when absolutely necessary--if, in turn, Coheed allowed the women of Cambria to enter their land and find men willing to impregnate them. Under this arrangement, the women determined to only keep female offspring and to return the males to the tribes that fathered them.
Coheed and Cambria have been coexisting together this way for hundreds of years. Cambria's population has grown, though it will never be what Coheed is, and the women have thrived. They do not seek to trade or war with other kingdoms, and they have been known to mercilessly punish those who trespass into their kingdom's territory.
Cambria’s governor and chieftess died in heims of 821. Publicly, it is said the governor died of a mysterious illness. In actuality, she was killed by the then Witch Doctor, Isolde , who considered the chieftess' cooperation with the Nevermereans as an existential threat to Cambrian culture.
After killing the chieftess, Isolde merged the roles of Witch Doctor and Chieftess into one by declaring herself Cambria’s Priestess. She then took over as Governor, signaling a new era for the kingdom and its relationship with their Nevermerean occupiers. Official diplomatic relations remained cordial. Isolde maintained peace and order, so long as Nevermere showed proper respect for their spiritual customs. This arrangement allowed Isolde to operate in the dark, meeting with her warriors and allies in Coheed under the guise of spiritual ceremonies or pilgrimages.
Isolde’s goal is simple: prepare for the inevitable fulfillment of the prophecy and the coming of the savior, Willa Wren . [ Read more about the prophecy here. ] To preserve Cambrian lifeways from the inevitable encroachment of Nevermerean culture, Isolde builds a walled temple called “the Sanctum.” Only Cambrian women who are favored by the All-Mother and pledge service to her may enter. This includes Cambrian women who observe traditional lifeways (clothes, ceremonies, training, etc.), have either never had children or only had children by Coheedsmen, and reject romantic relationships with men. Ultimately, the Priestess is the gatekeeper of the Sanctum and may choose who will be barred from entry.