| Founded | January 1, NE 242 |
| Population | 43,725,000 (NE 366) |
Ætheria, formally the Democratic Federation of Ætheria and often spelled Aetheria, is a sovereign state occupying mainland western Antarctica. It is the largest by both land area and population of six antarctic nations established in the New Era, as world populations moved towards the planet's poles following a period of unchecked climate change and destruction of cities in the War of Ages. It shares a border with Rothera to the east, a very short coastal border with New Victoria in the southwest, and the Polar Territory to the south. Its capital city is Highgate, and its population as of NE 366 was 43.7 million.
Aetheria was the site of the first discovery of Ancient Antarctic Ruins by settlers of present-day Avondale in the first years of the New Era. In 366, it remains an archaeological hotspot, with new ruins still being occasionally discovered in the country. It plays host to a mysterious agency known as the Torchlight Historical Society, backed by the Aetherian government, that is said to conduct research on the ancient ruins, though many believe the agency to be hiding something far more sinister.
The country was formed by the mutual union of the Federation of Antius, the Democratic Republic of Kilsyth, and the Republic of Iniond in 242 following the Third Transantarctic War. Its national government is a hybrid system between a constitutional monarchy and a democratic republic.
Aetheria occupies the majority of the West Antarctic mainland. The Whitmore Mountains divide the land into a distinct northern and southern half. The mountains provide protection from the worst of the extremely cold Polar climate, creating a milder but still very cold climate in the country's northern half. Over 90 percent of Aetheria's population lives north of these mountains. Temperatures warm as one approaches the northern coastline, with average highs up to 26°C during the summer at Aetheria's northernmost points such as Lyn Harbor, but these areas still experience bitterly cold winters, with temperatures reaching -30°C.
The portion of the country south of the Whitmore Mountains is largely inhospitable and bitterly cold, with temperatures rarely if ever climbing above freezing. The southern half of Aetheria is largely inhabited only by scientists and explorers in small, remote villages and research stations. The few cities in southern Aetheria are built to withstand the bitter Polar climate, with temperatures as low as -60°C, brutal winds, and snowstorms that render most roadways impassable during the winter.
The geography of Aetheria is highly variable. In the west, the terrain is flat and made up of fertile glacial plains. The central region consists of rocky moors with little vegetation, while the east features more mountainous terrain. Several regions in the east and southwest have been converted into coniferous and deciduous forests by the Wilkins Project. South of the Whitmore Mountains, the climate is bitterly cold and very little grows. Outside of the mountains, the rocky terrain is covered by a thick layer of snow and ice.
Due to Aetheria's position near the South Pole, the country experiences 24 hours of daylight during the height of summer and 24 hours of darkness during winter. This effect becomes more pronounced as one approaches the South Pole.
Ætheria was formed through the union of three countries in 242: the Federation of Antius, the Republic of Iniond, and the Democratic Republic of Kilsyth.
Settlement in present-day Ætheria dates back to the dawn of the New Era. The first permanent settlement in Antarctica, Avondale, started in 13 N.E. and quickly grew after the discovery of ancient ruins at Innsmouth Lake later that same year.
Following the discovery of the ruins, the region saw a massive influx of immigrants that lasted more than a century. The period, which started around the turn of the year 20, became known as the Archaeology Boom. In 27, Antius was formally recognized by the NEPP Council as a sovereign country. Kilsyth followed in 35, and Iniond in 38.
The Torchlight Historical Society of Aetheria was formed shortly after the discovery of the ruins, but didn't become a part of the Antian government until their hand was forced following the Dawngarde Incident in 63. The organization took on the role of protecting the ruins and the ancient magic they conceal. It would later become part of the Aetherian government in 242.
The population growth throughout the area began to level off in 137 when the First Transantarctic War started, signaling the end of the Archaeology Boom. A conflict between Antius and Iniond arose regarding land rights over the Sirione Taiga, which later escalated to involve Espya. The region ultimately declared itself an independent nation in 141, becoming the Republic of Sirione and bringing an unofficial end to the conflict. Three years later, the republic's government fell into crisis and ultimately dissolved, with constituent towns in the west becoming part of Antius and the east Iniond.
The nations of Antius and Iniond began talks of unification as early as 228, but Kilsyth was not originally included. These talks sparked tensions with Espya that ultimately led to Espya's invasion of Iniond in 231 that began the Third Transantarctic War.
Over the course of the war, Antius and Iniond united to form the Aetherian Army but struggled to hold back Espyan occupation. Kilsyth entered the conflict in 235, and the combined forces of the three armies had repelled the invasion by 239. The war ended in late 239 when the Espyan Civil War started and the remaining Espyan troops in Iniond were recalled.
The Aetherian Army remained stationed throughout all three nations during 240 and 241 due to the possibility of further invasion. On 13 September 241 the Treaty of Dawngarde was signed, formalizing the unification of the three countries into Ætheria effective 1 January 242. The treaty established the democratically-elected Senate and the office of President, and preserved the Whitethorn family's role in the Monarchy of Aetheria, creating a hybrid government.
The reigning Antian monarch Queen Astrid Whitethorn became the first Queen of Ætheria. She appointed General Roland Sparre as temporary president for the year 242. The new country held its first election that year, in which Sparre won an additional six-year term as the country's true first president.
The first few decades of Ætheria's existence were marked by discussions about the activities of the Torchlight Society which, in its role in the new government, had massively expanded its operations and stepped up enforcement of laws protecting ancient ruin sites. The crackdown resulted in thousands of Ætherians being detained by the organization, and while unknown to the majority of the public, the society began using detainees as test subjects in magical experiments. This period was known as the Torchlight Atrocities and lasted from the 240s until the mid-280s when the Chambers Reformation Act was signed.
The vast majority of the area's original settlers and immigrants were scientists, archaeologists, engineers, and historians who travelled to the area in droves throughout the first and second centuries of the New Era to see and study the numerous ancient ruins that had been discovered. This created an extremely culturally-diverse nation built on a common interest, rather than a common ancestry.
Aetheria is divided into fourteen provinces: Kilsyth, Einhearth, Crastone, Nacahst, Glesarea, Rothenia, Valonde, Hielia, Antius, Sunmoor, Sirione, Iniond, Starfall, and Orlon.
The federal government of Aetheria is a monarchy-republic hybrid in which a hereditary monarch reigns as head of state and holds limited but authoritative power, while the majority of political and executive power is held by an elected president. Laws are made by the senate, which consists of elected representatives from each province across two chambers.
General elections are held in Aetheria every six years, with a midterm election every third year. All senate seats and the president are up for election during each general election cycle. Votes are counted through a ranked-choice system which uses proportional representation to assign seats based on political parties, with the party that wins the most seats being named the Leadership, and the second-largest party the Opposition. In the 4th century, Aetheria has five mainstream political parties and many more smaller ones. The general election of 368 saw eight total parties win representation (at least one seat) in the National Assembly.
It's often said that Aetheria's "chief export is knowledge." The country employs millions of people in engineering and scientific roles, including some of the world's most prestigious academic institutions. The main areas of focus are archaeology and anthropology, particularly the study of the ancient ruins found across the continent. One of the country's largest employers in this field is the government-run Torchlight Historical Society. Other major fields include biotech and medical technology, the development of new clean and efficient means of generating electricity (such as plasma power), aerospace engineering, and eco-engineering which includes the production of cultured animal products and genetically-engineered foods.
The very cold climate limits agriculture in Aetheria, but the country does enjoy some local production of grain and root vegetables. Farming in Aetheria is mainly concentrated in the northwestern Crastone peninsula due to its flat, fertile glacial plains, and the far northeast where the coastal climate is warm enough to sustain some other crops. Many crops grown in Aetheria have been genetically altered to withstand colder climates, an effort funded by the government through the Wilkins Project.
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