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Zemuria (ゼムリア大陸(たいりく)), also known as Zemlya in Falcom's romanisation in 영웅전설 섬의 궤적, is the continent made up of 37 regions on which the Kiseki series takes place. It is the only known continent in the series.

General Information

Zemuria’s climate ranges from colder areas in the north (such as North Ambria) to subtropical and arid zones in the south (Nemeth, Elsaim), suggesting that it lies in the Northern Hemisphere. The Central East, the southernmost area of the continent proper, features large deserts. Since the fall of the Holy Iska Empire, the East is increasingly suffering from desertification, making this part of the continent increasingly hostile to life.

A natural barrier is the Tianshan and Ishgal mountain ranges, which separate Eastern Zemuria from the rest of the continent, and to a lesser extent the Central East in the south. This divide led to separate developments to a certain extent; Zemurians can readily distinguish people from Western, Eastern and Central Eastern Zemuria, with these groups also having a characteristic cultures and distinct traditions.

However, these various cultures and countries are also united by certain features. People appear to understand a common language and share a common currency. Worship of Aidios, the Goddess of the Sky, is common among the peoples of Zemuria, but due to cultural differences she is called Arusha, the Winged Goddess, in the Central East, and the Heavenly Mother among Easterners. As far as organized religion is concerned, Zemuria is dominated by the Septian Church, which has striven to integrate the various belief systems. Historically, animistic traditions were the dominant faith.

Since the fall of the Holy Iska Empire, the leading powers of Zemuria have been Erebonia, which is a monarchy, and its neighbor Calvard, which is a republic in the modern era. Monarchic forms of government persist in various states, such as Liberl, Elsaim, and Remiferia. Other influential groups include the Epstein Foundation, the Bracer Guild and, largely unknown to the public, the secretive Society of Ouroboros. Mercenaries are a common sight in Zemuria, with the jaeger corps considered the elite. Some of these corps have a rich history and such strength that they are under the employ of powerful governments. More recently, such services are also provided by private military companies.

Present-day Zemurian society is defined by the rapid changes of the Orbal Revolution. The continent is increasingly connected through projects such as the Transcontinental Railroad, airships, and more recently, the Orbal Net. As of the early S.1200’s, having a population of 800,000-900,000 people is sufficient to make a city the largest on the continent. Major cities include Heimdallr, Edith, Langport, Crossbell City and Ordis.

History

Pre-history

The creation of the world is recorded in the Book of Genesis, one of the Testaments of the Septian Church.

The Book of Genesis describes how mankind was gifted with the ability to freely cast magic known as arts (魔法). Over time, however, humanity lost its ability to cast arts on their own. Much later, it was discovered that arts could still be cast with the aid of technological devices called orbments. While the usage of these orbments became inherent to the ability to cast arts (orbal arts), a clan described as witches retained the ability to cast arts without orbments. Witches are still present in modern-day Zemuria, but live isolated in a secluded society.

Over time, Zemurian civilisation developed into animist tribes. They gathered around places where septium veins gathered most efficient, such as the Stone Circles in Liberl and Nord Highlands or off the coast of Lake Ebel in Erebonia (now Legram).

Before Septian Calendar

Main article: Before Septian Calendar

See also: Ancient Zemurian civilisation

It is believed that at one point in history, the celestial being Aidios bestowed seven treasures upon mankind, known as the Sept-Terrion. Humanity split in seven factions, each gathering around one of these treasures. Each Sept-Terrion provided their group total governance over one of the seven elements. For example, the Aureole, the Sept-Terrion of Space, had absolute governance over space. With their new-found treasures, the ancient Zemurian civilisation flourished.

The golden age of these civilisations ended with the Great Collapse, a catastrophic event affecting the whole of Zemuria. The Collapse led to the destruction of the ancient Zemurian civilisation and plunged survivors into a Dark Age of ruin. The event marks the end of the Pre-Septian Calendar and the start of the Septian Calendar.

Septian Calendar

The recorded history of Zemuria is generally divided into the following

• Before Septian Calendar (before the Great Collapse in S.0)
• Septian Calender (S.0 - present)
  • Dark Ages (c. S.0 - S.500)
  • Middle Ages (c. S.500 - S.1150)
  • Modern Era (S.1150–present)

List of nations

West Zemuria

• Liberl - The Liberl Kingdom is situated in the southwest part of the Zemurian continent. Rich in nature and history, the kingdom is ruled by the long-lived Queen Alicia II, a staunch advocate for peace. While a humble nation compared to those around it, its bountiful septium reserves, advanced technological capabilities, and Queen Alicia's skillful diplomacy allow it to stand on equal footing with any other. in S.1203, a large object of unknown origin appeared above Valleria Lake, disabling orbments nationwide. This crisis was resolved through the joint efforts of the Royal Army and the Bracer Guild.
• Erebonia - The Erebonian Empire is located on the western side of the continent of Zemuria and represented by the emblem of the golden stallion. The current emperor is Eugent Reise Arnor III. Despite the Empire's strict class system and focus on tradition, it has begun to modernise due to the railway expansion efforts of Giliath Osborne, a veteran now known as the 'Blood and Iron Chancellor.' Between its mechanised national armed forces, known as the Imperial Army, and private provincial armies' at the command of the nobles ruling each province, Erebonia may be the most powerful nation in Zemuria.
• Nord Highlands - The Nord Highlands are located northeast of the Empire and surrounded by the Eisengard Range. Despite its harsh natural environment, it is populated by a tribe of nomads with their own unique culture. Given their proximity to both the Empire and the Republic, Nord has been a hotly contested territory for many years, but they have stronger ties to the empire due to their role in helping Dreichels Reise Arnor end the War of the Lions.
• Crossbell - Crossbell State sits on the western side of Zemuria, between the Erebonian Empire and the Calvard Republic. While established as an autonomous state seventy years ago, its two neighbors still dispute its ownership and share joint suzerainty over Crossbell. At its center lies Crossbell City, one of the continent's key centers of commerce. In addition to being a key station on the Transcontinental Railroad, the city is home to a major international airport. After its illegitimate attempt to declare its independence, it was annexed into the Erebonian Empire early S.1205, then regained its autonomy following the Great War and the cancellation of the Great Twilight, now under the suzerainty of the Holy City of Arteria.

North Zemuria

• Remiferia - The Principality of Remiferia is situated in the north of Zemuria. It is considered a peaceful nation, dedicated to the development of medical technology, which by law cannot be used for military purposes.
• North Ambria - North Ambria is situated north of Erebonia. It was originally a principality until the North Ambrian Disaster in S.1178 resulted in the collapse of the monarchy, and North Ambria was re-established as a democratic state in S.1179, with the remnants of its army reorganized as a jaeger corps called the Northern Jaegers. North Ambria never managed to rebuild its once-prosperous economy, and it now survives almost entirely on foreign money brought back by the Northern Jaegers. It managed to stand on its own legs for a quarter century, but in the fall of S.1205, it was annexed into the Erebonian Empire. It later regained its independence in S.1207 following the Great War.
• Jurai - A former city-state situated at the northwestern corner of Erebonia that was trading partners with North Ambria until the North Ambrian Disaster ruined its economy and caused Jurai's economy to collapse as well. It was later annexed into the Erebonian Empire in S.1196 by Chancellor Osborne as a Special Economic Zone.
• Ored - A small state between Remiferia and Calvard, known internationally for hot springs, agricultural exports, and being the headquarters of the Marduk Company.

Midwestern Zemuria

• Calvard - The Republic of Calvard is a vast country, and thanks to their long-standing open immigration policies, is very culturally diverse. Many immigrants from the East have made Calvard their home. Although it has been significantly less hostile towards Erebonia since the signing of the Non-Aggression Pact, the two nations have been at each other's throats many times over the years.
• Leman - Home to the Epstein Foundation and the birthplace of Professor C. Epstein, Leman is a state in the midwestern region of the continent. It is also known for housing the headquarters of the Bracer Guild, which has branches all across Zemuria.
• Arteria - A city-state housing the High Seat of the Septian Church, Arteria is located in the midwestern region of the continent and acts as a gathering place for believers and church officials alike.
• The Free Cities - The name given to a group of five city-states bordering one another south of Arteria and northeast of Calvard. Taslem is the southernmost city-state, bordering Calvard. Alexandre was noted to have spent much of his childhood here but nothing else is known. Emerose City is the second-southernmost state and borders Leman. At least some of these city-states were established with the aid of the Septian Church.
• Remote Region - Northeast of Leman and north of Arteria and the Free Cities lies an area demarcated as a remote region.

Central East Zemuria

• Elsaim - The Principality of Elsaim has been a leading power in the Central East since antiquity. Elsaim has a wealth of natural resources and has been sharing its technology with its neighbor Calvard for many years.
• Valis - The city-state of Valis is a small nation that developed rapidly in recent years. It has close ties with Ored and is considered a major trading partner in the region.
• Qadas - A small country that was annexed by Valis after resource reallocation and financial schemes.
• Unnamed Central Eastern Region - A region located east of Elsaim and north of Valis.

East Zemuria

• There is an unnamed island east of Zemuria. Nothing about the island is currently known.
• Sub-regions known as the North East and the Far East have been mentioned, but little is known about how their cultures differ from the rest of the East.
• Iska - The Holy Empire of Iska was described as being the dominant power of Eastern Zemuria. The nation would collapse however in S.1078. In the present day, an alliance of city-states bearing the name of Iska still exists but they regularly fight amongst themselves.

South Zemuria

• Molujia archipelago

Etymology

Although Falcom has not commented on their source of inspiration for the name of the continent, Zemuria may have been derived from the hypothetical lost continent of Lemuria or Russian 'Zemlya', meaning literally 'Earth' or 'land'.

Gallery

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  Desertification of the far East
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  Orbal networks around Zemuria