Bozja (Area)
“No description available.
— In-game description
Bozja is a Region in Ilsabard. It is the main area for the Save the Queen: Blades of Gunnhildr (Relic) Quest in Shadowbringers. It can only be reached within a duty.
Zones
Gangos
The Bozjan Southern Front
Zadnor
Geography
About
Bozja has been long considered as the ancestral home of the Hrothgar. The nation has often seen itself at the mercy of other nations, most recently he Garlean Empire.[1]
Racial Distribution
- Hrothgar: 75%
- Ilsabardian Hyur: 10%
- Ilsabardian Roegadyn: 10%
- Other: 5%[1]
Religion
Naturally, Hrothgars gravitate towards a choosen queen. These women were gifted with preternatural abilities. It was believed that each passed queen's spirit would ascend to a higher plane of existence, and the newly reigning queen served to connect the people with their ancestral rulers. As their voices could be heard from beyond, passed queens were paid the same reverence and worship as the current queen.[1]
Beliefs
Community has a strong emphasize in Bozja. Especially for Hrothgar, many kinship groups are known for a specific occupation. Those groups are not relying on being blood-related, since anyone who has a profession in their specific occupation can join their group.
For example, the Verdant Pathincludes disciples from other races, too.[1]
Diet
Since the majority of the populace is Hrothgar, the Bozjan cuisine is split in two. One branch is unknown, but the other is in favor of Hrothgar's stronger jaws, and their favor of eating the meat from the bone, biting through, and even sucking out the marrow.
In general, it is recommended to have a strong stomach and even a stronger jaw when having Bozjan cuisine. [1]
Government
Bozjan tribes choose a queen to rule among them. Every queen carries the name and the title of Gunnhildr[2].
Currently, no leader or queen is choosen.[1]
The current interim government includes the head of the Bozjan Resistance and leaders of allied tribes.
Flag
The sun in the center represents the queen, with comets around it, representing the people that revolve around the nobility.[1]
Industries
Leatherworking
Hrothgar have a long history of producing goods from skins of game and cattle. Their unique approach to tanning allows them to have leather either being smooth like silk or sturdy as steel.[1]
Textiles
Bozja was once well known for its thick fabrics made out of hemp and flax. It was often exported to nations bordering oceans since it had water resistant features.[1]
Explosives
The Garleans made use of Bozjas vast mineral ressources to produce gunpowder. The majority of explolsives and ammunition used on the frontlines came from Bozja.[1]
Fishing
Hrothgars have an aversion against water, so fishing was mostly done on the coast, on rivers and lakes.[1]
Stonecraft
Due to the rocky landscape of Bozja, Stone has been an integral part of Bozjan architecture. Especially Bozjan stonecarving techniques were nigh unrivaled. Their stone creations were sometimes imbued with magiked insignias and were even known in the Far East. One popular gift were stone sculptures of tigers.[1]
History
Early Years
The history of the kingdom of Bozja dates back until the Third Astral Era. A civil war between the various tribes was ended by a single maiden. She united the land and the tribes, and she was given the name and the title Gunnhildr. From there, every monarch following her would be given the same name and title. She and her guard - Gunnhildr's Blades would defend Bozja from Allagan armies invading from the west, and ensure Bozja's independence.
When the calamitious earthquakes of the Fourth Umbral Calamity hit Bozja, it was decided by the nobles and orcales under the queen to unleash the power of the legendary blade Save the Queen. Knowing it would cost the current queens death, they elected a minor shrine maiden of the Voytasch line as a new queen, knowing her reign would only be short-lived. However, instead of dying wielding the blade, she transformed into a goddess of war. This struck fear into those that sought to manipulate the young queen, and so she was assassinated. This marked the end of the Gunnhildr line.[2]
A Nation apart
The queen's death and assassination wrought further distrust among the nobles, and the once united tribes were unable to elect a new queen. With no ruler to unify the nation, the various tribes drifted further apart, carving out their own territories with their own leaders. This would continue until the Sixth Astral Era.[2]
Invasion of the Garlean Empire
In the Sixth Astral Era, Garlemald was conquering nations on the continent of Ilsabard. The looming presence would elect the elders of the tribes to unite once again to fend of the threat, but it was already too late - Garlemald invaded with no further hinderance.
The nation was under imperial rule, and since Bozja shared borders with eastern territories, it became of important significance. Many fortress were build, including the capital. Henceforth it was known as the Bozja Citadel.[2]
Birth of the Resistance
After Dalmasca has been brought under Garlean rule, the significance of Bozja was fading, and needed a new purpose. At this time, Midas nan Garlond was already working on Project Meteor, and was given leave by Emperor Solus to continue this highly confidential project at Bozja Citadel.
A shrine maiden foresaw the calamity Project Meteor would wreak, and this birthed the Bozjan Resistance. A small group of the finest resistance members were sent to kidnap Midas nan Garlond, but their plans were intercepted by young Cid nan Garlond and Nero tol Scaeva, who didn't hesitate to battle with the resistance and secured enough time to safe Midas and for Garlean troops to arrive and apprehend the rebels.[2][3]
The Bozja Incident
After the attack, Cid nan Garlond grew curious about the experiment his father was working on, and discovered that the citadel housed a transmission tower to communitcate with Dalamud. Yet he discovered that the safety measures his father procured were insufficient. Yet he couldn't convince his father to review his data, since Midas has been long tempered by Bahamut. The project proceeded as planned, and the surge of energy evaporated the city, killing tens of thousand[4] Garleans and Bozjans alike.[2]
Fight for Independence
The surrounding camps and villages survived the incident, and those remaining banded together and re-formed the Bozjan Resistance. Conscripts stationed outside of Bozja deserted their positions to return to their homeland and fight for freedom.[4]
When they learned that Doma regained their independence, the Resistance reached out to the Eastern Alliance for aid.
Meanwhile, the IVth Imperial Legion led by Noah van Gabranth wanted to use the Garlean Civil War to bring Dalmasca and Bozja under his rule and create a new nation, free from imperial influence. Some Bozjans shared his view, and agreed to act as spies for him. Misija Votyasch - the last descandant of the latest Queen Gunnhildr - joined the Resistance as a spy for Gabranth and wielded the legendary blade Save the Queen against the resistance. She was struck down by the Warrior of Light and the aid from the Eastern Alliance.
Once the Bozjan Resistance was able to struck down the remaining IVth Imperial Legion led by Menenius sas Lanatus in Zadnor, Bozja finally reclaimed independence.[2]
Images
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The Crater of Bozja Citadel -
Banner when entering the South Front -
Fields of the South Front -
Banner when entering Zadnor
