Gusteko

The Holy Kingdom of Gusteko (グステコ聖王国, Gusuteko Sei Ōkoku), usually referred to as Gusteko (グステコ, Gusuteko), is one of the world’s Four Great Nations. It is a theocracy ruled by the Gustekan Church.

Information

Geography

Gusteko is located directly north of the Kingdom of Lugunica, and east of Kararagi.

As it is located in the high north, Gusteko primarily has a cold climate in its central areas. The region is very mountainous, which, combined with the cold weather, makes it a very difficult environment to live in. Because of the year-round snowfall, only cold-tolerant crops can be planted.

Culture

Molded by the harsh weather, among other circumstances, Gusteko, as its complete name suggests, is a spiritual nation. Its national culture reflects the geography and history of the region.

People with dark or black hair tend to be rather alienated in Gusteko, as they are thought to be disliked by spirits. It is also said that the women of Gusteko prize fair, snow-white skin.

Between the harsh environment and the heavily judgmental and discriminatory gazes and actions of the citizens, numerous serial killers have been born here, of which include Elsa Granhiert the Bowel Hunter, Beli Hainelga, and Trellock.

Population

Information about the population is scarce, but it can be assumed that like the other three great nations, it has a human majority with a Demi-human minority. Though not technically "people", the many spirits count for subjects within the Holy Kingdom.

Slavery is illegal in Gusteko. The Demi-Human War in Lugunica is said to have been a relatively distant event in the national consciousness of Gusteko, even during the war. However, this does not stop slavery from being an open secret, nor does it stop powerful people, including members of the Church, from illegally making others into their slaves.

It is also known that an extremely powerful descendent of Gusteko's royal blood named Vague Adgard, known throughout the world as as the Mad Prince, lives in Gusteko, although he is locked away in its northernmost tower for killing 15 or 16 of his siblings, being branded as a national traitor as a result.

Government

Gusteko is a theocracy where the Gustekan Church, also known as the Holy King Church, holds a significant amount of power.

The ruler of Gusteko goes by the title of the Holy King and is selected by Odglass. It is mentioned that the race, blood and origin do not play any role when choosing who will become the Holy King. However, the Holy King is but an acting puppet; Odglass and the Church itself hold true dominion over Gusteko.

Unlike Lugunica's southern neighbor, the Sacred Vollachia Empire, the Holy Kingdom does not seem as ideologically opposed to warming relations with its neighbor. In time, events culminated in the marriage of the Viscount Misère, lord of Lugunica's entire northern region, and the daughter of Gusteko's archbishop.

Mages

According to Beatrice, curse art users hail from Gusteko.

Religion

Spirits are far more commonplace in Gusteko, than any other country, and thus, the reverence of spirits has become incorporated into the national teachings of the Gustekan Church. According to what the they teach, all life is equal, for there is no difference in value between human beings. Their doctrine further says that the permafrost of Gusteko is a trial given to its people by a greater being, and the only way for one's soul to feel peace in the afterlife is to endure said trials. These teachings are a salvation to many in the nation, who are driven to believe in something higher—in this case, spirits like Odglass—as a result of the climate.

Odglass, one of the Four Great Spirits, is revered as a deity in the country. For her friendliness and aid towards humans, she is known as the Church's Benevolent Mother. According to tradition, the one who selected the first Holy King was Odglass, therefore founding the country.

Economics & Currency

Instead of animal husbandry, there are many mountains in the steep mountains with magical ore, relying on the mining industry and dealing with magic ore to maintain national strength.

Military

While next to nothing is known about the Holy Kingdom's military, a specific group of individuals known as the Temple Knights, executioners for the faith, are said to be on par with the Nine Divine Generals of the Vollachia Empire in terms of strength and skill. All of them possess a unique Blessing similar to Elsa's: they're granted partial immortality, allowing them to survive fatal strikes. Each member of the Temple Knights seems to train with their very own special set of weapons such as dual katanas, whips of different kinds, twin snake swords, and others.

Moreover, another group serving the Gustekan Church with the same type of Blessing as the Temple Knights. Known as Itinerant Preachers, this group both spreads the religion's teachings across Gusteko and takes action against anyone who contradicts them. They are powerful and dangerous, and many of them are more than willing to destroy entire settlements if it means killing one “heretic”.

History

1000+ BA

• Odglass forms a contract with the first Holy King, and from then on, the spirit has been involved with choosing each Holy King.
• At some point, Gaddogi Guadozeaddo is sealed away as punishment for reasons unknown.

Within the last 400 years BA

• Numerous curse art users from all over the world move to Gusteko after the creation Farsale Lugunica and Volcanica’s pact.

Within the last 10 years BA

• Vague Adgard slays 15-16 of his siblings and is imprisoned in the northernmost tower.
• Elsa Granhiert becomes infamous as the Bowel Hunter. At some point, she is taken in by the Featherrun family, and she becomes a Curse Doll.
• Beli Hainelga becomes an active serial killer, though he was eventually forgotten after his name and memories were devoured by Lye Batenkaitos.
• The Ice Thieves accidentally destroy Leanotte in an avalanche. As a result, Coatl gives up the life for one as a church pastor, and he assists the people of the town in their recovery. Meanwhile, one of the survivors, Noelle Tuérico joins the Gustekan Church, becoming an Itinerant Preacher, and awaits the day that she can avenge those who died.
• The daughter of Gusteko’s Archbishop marries into a noble family of Lugunica.

1-0 year BA

• Elsa is involved with the deaths of Viktor Orcos and Igor Kenash. Afterward, she sets her sights of the Kingdom of Lugunica.

0-1 year AA

• At some point, heretic hunts begin to intensify within the nation.
• A face-stealing serial killer named Trellock goes on a killing spree, before arriving at the church that Coatl runs.
• Omega and her party are assisted by Noelle Tuérico after being forced to trudge through the snow. At the church they arrive at, Coatl is found dead, resulting in an investigation by Omega. A former slave is discovered to have been responsible for one of the murders, the victim having been his master whom he killed out of self-defense. He is forgiven for is actions. A con artist who had been at the church to extort Coatl tried to escape, but Noelle confronted her, intent on killing her, believing she was a member of the Ice Thieves. Omega stops her, however, perceiving that Noelle had already killed Coatl before they met one another and correcting her misunderstanding of the con artist's identity, resulting in her arrest by a guard. The serial killer was subdued by a transformed Colette, his fate unknown. In the end, the guard offered the former slave a position as an assistant, the two of them took the con artist to the nearby town, and Noelle deserted her post after losing the reason for her revenge, joining Omega’s party.
• At some point, Shion and Lilac use their dream arts on the town of Sylphoa while being forced to defend themselves from Gusteko’s Temple Knights. Mikli Yulitô is one of those affected. Meanwhile, Zank Metley slays his comrades when they suggest destroying the entire village.
• Omega’s party arrives and settles the dispute, and Shion/Lilac decide to follow Omega. The two Temple Knights resign from the positions.

Locations

The land of the Holy Kingdom of Gusteko and the Dragon Kingdom of Lugunica

Glacia (グレイシア, Gureishia): Glacia, also known as the Holy Capital of Glacia (聖都グレイシア, Seito Gureishia), or simply the Holy Capital, is a city that lies at the foot of the Sacred Mountain Pardochia.

Sacred Mountain Pardochia (霊峰パルドキア, Reihō Parudokia): A mountain where one of the four Great Spirits, Odglass, resides. The Holy Capital of Glacia lies at its foot.

Inorandum (イノランダム, Inorandamu): Inoradum, also known as the Snow Field Capital of Inoradum (雪原の都イノランダム, Setsugen no Miyako Inorandamu), is a great city built on one of the largest hallowed lands within Gusteko. It is located in one of the snowiest regions of Gusteko, though the effects of the cold are felt less in the city due to it being built on hallowed land.

Eternia (エターニャ, Etānya): Eternia, also known as the Spirit City of Eternia (霊都エターニャ, Reito Etānya), is a city located in northeastern Gusteko, near the Sacred Mountain Kanai.

Albis (アルビス, Arubisu): Albis, also known as the Glacier City of Albis (氷河都市アルビス, Hyōga Toshi Arubisu), is a city that lies beside the Great Sibarell Glacier. The city, despite still having some frosty areas, is unusually warm for a city in Gusteko, and it has an unfrozen river that leads into Kararagi.

Drisstay (ディリステイ, Dirisutei): Drisstay, also known as the Mountain Gate City of Drisstay (山門都市ディリステイ, Sanmon Toshi Dirisutei), is a city in the north of Gusteko situated near the Tekran Ravine in the Virga Mountains.

Zesperga (ゼスペルガ Zesuperuga): Zesperga, also known as the Torrid Hot City of Zesperga (炎熱都市ゼスペル, En'netsu Toshi Zesuperuga), is a city in Gusteko's humid west. It is located at the base of Jimuna Volcano.

Leanotte (レイアノット, Reianotto): A town in Gusteko. In the past, it was destroyed in an avalanche caused by the Ice Thieves. It was restored by a former Ice Thief named Coatl.

Sylphoa (シルフォア, Shirufoa): A Gustekan town that was afflicted by a dream world.

Vault of Sacraments (秘蹟保管庫, Hiseki Hokan-ko): The Vault of Sacraments is a prison-like place where people who get thrown within it are said to undergo an “eternal slumber”.

Vast Eder Snowfield (エーデル大雪原, Ēderu Dai Setsugen): A vast snowfield that lies in the heart of Gusteko. The Snow Field Capital of Inorandum is situated in it.

Sacred Mountain Kanai (カナイ霊山, Kanai Reizan): A mountain located in the northeast of Gusteko, near the Spirit City of Eternia.

Great Sibarell Glacier (シバレル大氷河, Shibareru Dai Hyōga): A large frozen glacier that connects with the Tigracy River on the Gustekan side. The Glacier City of Albis lies near it.

Albis River (アルビス河, Arubisu Kawa): A river originating from Kararagi which has a small part located in western Gusteko.

High Virga Mountains (ビルガ高山脈, Biruga Kō Sanmyaku): A mountain range in the north of Gusteko, home to the Mountain Gate City of Drisstay.

Tekran Ravine (テクラン峡谷, Tekuran Kyōkoku): A ravine situated in the Virga Mountains.

Jimuna Volcano (ジムナ火炎山, Jimuna Kaenzan): A large volcano located at the west edge of Gusteko. It is in close proximity to the Torrid Hot City of Zesperga.

Orcos Domain (オルコス領, Orukosu-ryō): A stretch of land that was controlled by the former Baron Viktor Orcos. It was mentioned to border the Kenash Domain. The main stronghold of the Orcos family lay deep within the domain.  

Kenash Domain (ケナシュ領, Kenashu-ryō): A stretch of land that was controlled by the former Baron Igor Kenash. It was mentioned to border the Orcos Domain.