Nations of the New Era

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Author: Atarah al'Norahn

General

After the death of Artur Hawkwing in FY 994, nobles all over the Westlands began to struggle for power, attempting to take his place. The result was the War of the Hundred Years, which destroyed the empire that Artur Hawkwing had built. The war lasted from FY 994 until FY 1117. Because of the war, a new calendar was adopted -- during the fighting, errors had been made in dates, and even the date of the end of the War of the Hundred Years was in some dispute. A new calendar was adopted in the FY 1135 (which is the generally accepted date, though, as with the date of the end of the war, this was also in dispute).

The new calendar was not the only result of the War of the Hundred Years. The nations of the Free Era faded away, and during and/or shortly after the war, twenty-four new nations arose. By the year 600 NE, nine of these nations had faded away, while yet another was lost to the Blight by the year 957 NE. The others still remain, along with three city-states.

According to Ingtar Shinowa, at the end of the War of the Hundred Years, you could ride from the Blight to the Sea of Storms and just keep passing from one nation into another, with almost no unclaimed wilderness (TGH, Ch. 10).

Government

The system of the government varies across the Westlands. Many countries are hereditary monarchies, but in others, the king or queen is chosen by a council of nobles. At the local level, most are ruled by the local noble, though many small villages will rule themselves through their Village Council and Women's Circle or equivalent, and towns where their is no ruling noble may choose a governor.

Current Nations

Amadicia
Main article: Amadicia

Amadicia was a monarchy, though the Power of the throne was severely limited due to the presence of the Children of the Light. When the Seanchan invaded, the Amadicians resisted, and the king, along with most of the leading nobility were killed

Andor
Main article: Andor

Andor is a landlocked monarchy, always ruled by a queen, who is usually followed by her daughter, though this technically must be ratified by a majority of the leading nineteen houses. It is a wealthy nation, though like most nations, claims more land than it actually controls

Arad Doman
Main article: Arad Doman

Arad Doman is a nation on the western coast. The king is chosen by the Council of Merchants, who also have the power to remove him if necessary. It fell into chaos with the Seanchan pressing when Graendal began abducting leading nobles and the White Tower secreted out the king, Alsalam

Arafel
Main article: Arafel

Arafel is one of the Borderlands. It is a monarchy

Altara
Main article: Altara

Altara is a nation on the Sea of Storms. It had previously been fragmented, with the throne having little control of outlying areas, but is now a more unified nation, as part of the Seanchan empire.

Cairhien
Main article: Cairhien (Nation)

Cairhien is a landlocked nation adjacent to the Spine of the World. It has a history of wars with Andor and Tear, but is now ruled by Elayne Trakand, who is also queen of Andor

Illian
Main article: Illian (Nation)

Illian is a nation on the Sea of Storms, with a common border with Tear, a country it has frequently been at war with. It is a monarchy, though there are two rival power bodies, the Council of Nine and the Assemblage

Ghealdan
Main article: Ghealdan
Kandor
Main article: Kandor
Mayene
Main article: Mayene
Murandy
Main article: Murandy
Saldaea
Main article: Saldaea
Shienar
Main article: Shienar
Tarabon
Main article: Tarabon
Tear
Main article: Tear (Nation)

City-States

Far Madding
Main article: Far Madding
Mayene
Main article: Mayene
Tar Valon
Main article: Tar Valon

Other Towns and Villages

There are a number of small towns and villages that do not lie within the currently claimed borders of any nation. Most of these are small, but some, such as Falme or Maerone have a population of several thousand.

Dead Nations