Caldonacia
Caldonacia is one of the three kingdoms of the Arthea. It is situated in the north-east of the land, and covers an area around the north and eastern coastline, extending east as far as the Overgant mountains and south down to the Golsandra Bay. In former times it also occupied the area around the bay, and the peninsula of land that was known as the Golsandra Peninsula south of the bay, but wars with the Empire in the south, famine and plague have caused the occupied lands to retreat to the north.
Modern Caldonacia was formed in 1135 when the four Royal houses of the north-east joined to make a single nation, using the pattern established by Ticetia to form a council. This course of action was an aid to defence against perceived threats from both Ticetia and the Empire. They appointed their first single monarch, King Bruan, in 1152 after corruption led to the failure of the council.
The nation fell after failing to conquer the newly reformed Empire in 1217, when both Elves and Ticetians rallied to the aid of the south. The nation was not conquered at this time, a new monarch was appointed at the insistence of the Elves; Ticetia and The Empire agreed on a monarch who would be co-operative with them both. They appointed King Habrig and established the House of Venet.
King Habrig's line persisted until King Hugo of Ticetia invaded and conquered the nation in 1330, killing King Pelarus of Caldonacia in the process and taking his crown. This was the war which finally precipitated Unification. Pelarus Venet was the last Caldonacian to occupy the Caldonacian throne.
There is a perception among the royal courts of Ticetia and in the former Empire that Caldonacia is the weakest of the three nations, but this is not currently so. In terms of population, it is larger than Ticetia, and maybe two-thirds the size of the former Empire. Population growth has been exceptional in recent years, and there is talk among the courts in Caldonacia of re-expansion to the south that had previously been abandoned. This talk has reached the court of King James in Cellam, and has met with some approval. King James is happy to see the lands occupied by his people expanded.