Cracker 4570 Popular Post Share Posted March 27, 2016 THE REALM An Account of the Holdings, Vassals, Protectorates, and Diplomatic Relations of John II, Holy Orenian Emperor. The Realm Spanning two continents and consisting of countless cultures, the Holy Orenian Empire regards itself as the preeminent power in Vailor. It is divided into many feudatories and provinces which are governed by its influential nobility and fledgling bureaucracies. While many of its colonial possessions in the continent of Lotherenica are unsettled or disputed, the Empire holds an iron grip over the continent of Ioannica and suzerainty over the Shattered Sea and the Essen Isles of Malin. HOLDINGS IN IOANNICA Spoiler THE DUCHY OF THE CROWNLANDS History and Culture The Crownlands are the heart of the Empire where the vast majority of its politics are dictated. It is home of the empire’s crown jewel, Felsen, a bustling city built off of Dogger’s Bay and ensnared by the Vieran river. Through the careful administration of its burgher elite, the city has prospered under recent years generating great sums of tax revenue and a notable local populace. As the name dictates, it is home of the crown and the Emperor, who operates out of the Imperial Palace of Ancelcourt, often holding court or receiving envoys. While much of the Crownlands is undeveloped aside from its seat of Pruvia, its northern border has begun to be settled by the Baron Killen, who has chartered a hunting woods in honor of the Emperor by the border of Thelen. John II, Holy Orenian Emperor rules over the Duchy of the Crownlands. The County of Pruvia is held by John II, Holy Orenian Emperor. The County of Thelen is held by John II, Holy Orenian Emperor. The County of Thesmer is held by John II, Holy Orenian Emperor. THE DUCHY OF CARNATIA History and Culture The Duchy of Carnatia is a wintery realm remote and sparsely settled, home of many Adrian Raevirs and nondescript Highlanders. Devastated from the Duke’s War and drained by the Eighteen Year’s War, it is a poor province rife with ruined castles and salted fields that strives towards reconstruction and resettlement. John Kovacs currently rules over the Duchy of Carnatia. The County of Baranya is held by Duke John Kovacs. The County of Torun is held by Duke John Kovacs. The County of Kaunas is held by Duke John Kovacs. THE DUCHY OF COURLAND History and Culture The Duchy of Courland is regarded as an melting pot between Heartlander and Highlander culture, with Heartlander lieges ruling over a Highlander native populace. Home to the city of Riga and the Staunton fleet, Courlanders known for their tolerance and open-mind towards various cultures and their renowned clergymen. Courland also boasts the citadel of Saltstone-by-the-Sea in the County of Alamar, one of the largest castles in the realm, known for the sizable amount of beasts in its captivity. Alexander Staunton currently rules over the Duchy of Courland. The County of Oesel is held by Duke Alexander Staunton. The County of Alamar is held by John II, Holy Orenian Emperor. The County of Curon is held by Duke Alexander Staunton. THE DUCHY OF DRUSCO History and Culture The de jure Duchy of Drusco is not governed by the Duke of Drusco, but rather the Prince of Savoy, a title afforded by John I Frederick to the late Prince Gereon for his prudence in avoiding civil war and uniting with the fledgling empire. The lands of Drusco are regarded as fertile and prosperous given its vast expanse of arable territory, marked between the borders of the Vieran River and Drieden River. It is home to the Savoyards, an ancient lot descending from the Heartlander colonists of the Hanestian Ulmsbottom. Known for their shrewd cunning and filial piety, the Savoyards establish them as one of the great houses as the realm and this reflects in the integrity and structure of Drusco. Lucius de Savoie currently rules over the Duchy of Drusco. The County of Peremont is held by Count Adrian de Bar. The County of Arendois is held by Prince Lucius de Savoie. The County of Carignen is held by Prince Lucius de Savoie. _____________________________________________________________________________________ THE DUCHY OF ISTRIA History and Culture The Duchy of Istria is one of the great legacies of the legendary House de Sola. Built upon martial prowess and the Vibian doctrine of warfare and governance, Istria was once regarded as one of the greatest of the realm’s duchies. However, its authority waned with the extinction of the House de Sola in the main line, forcing its seneschals, the House of Roswell, to assume ducal authority. While the days of its brilliance upon the battlefield have since passed, Istria provides valuable legions and support to the crown from their hilly estates. John Roswell currently rules over the Duchy of Istria. The County of Pompourelia is held by Duke John Roswell. The County of Lewes is held by Duke John Roswell. The County of Ravenna is held by Duke John Roswell. THE DUCHY OF KAEDRIN History and Culture The Duchy of Kaedrin, easternmost frontier of the Empire, is marked with rich history and tradition. Home to two emperors and formerly residence of one of the greatest military orders known to man, Kaedrin has had a deep legacy in Orenian history. In recent history, however, with the death of Grand Duke Cantonus, scion of Chivay, and with the majority of House Chivay still residing in their land in Aeldin, Kaedrin was inherited by John I, Holy Orenian Emperor. Since then, Kaedrin has been significantly depopulated with its distance from the capital and the partitioning of Redmark into the Duchy of Lorraine. Yet despite the fall of its noble class, Kaedrin still stands, a shell of its former glory, ready to serve the Empire as it had centuries before. Lothar d'Amary currently rules the Duchy of Kaedrin. The County of Krinfrid is held by Count Reinholt Helvets. The County of Hengfors is held by Count Reinholt Helvets. The County of Kreden is held by Prince Alexander, Duke of Marna. THE KRAJIAN STEPPE History and Culture North of the Vieren Valley marks the brutal steppe of Krajia, the wild tundra where few trek and even fewer live. What governance there is is dominated by the Krajia Hetmanate, free men of Raevir ancestry sworn to the bulava-wielding Hetman, chosen amongst the men in a duma. The cossacks of the Hetmanate very seldom participate in the affairs of the Empire, but when called to war the hooves of their horses are feared throughout the known world. Sveneld Vsevolodovich currently rules over the Krajian steppe. The Krajian Steppe is governed by Hetmanate succession; its current Hetman is Sveneld Vsevolodovich. THE DUCHY OF LEONE History and Culture The Northernmost duchy in the Empire, Leone is a haven of religious tolerance and clerical study due to the liberal policies of its lords. Consisting of the former lands of Salvus, it was seized under the reign of Guy de Bar and settled by the Empire under the reign of John I. Leone is known for its mild climate and its antique architectural style of the First Empire, a testament to its values and model of its traditions. Adrian Rothesay currently rules over the Duchy of Leone. The County of Antens is held by Duke Adrian Rothesay. The County of Cienne is held by Duke Adrian Rothesay. The County of Rese is held by Duke Adrian Rothesay. THE DUCHY OF LORRAINE History and Culture Idyllic and bountiful, the Duchy of Lorraine is renowned for its enormous crop yield and fertile valleys. It is a peaceful and prosperous land characterized by chivalry and history due to its central position in the cataclysmic Dukes War. Lothar d'Amaury currently rules over the Duchy of Lorraine. https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/134417-duchy-of-lorraine/ The County of Amaury is held by Archduke Lothar d’Amaury. The County of Novellen is held by Archduke Lothar d’Amaury. The County of Redmark is held by Archduke Lothar d’Amaury. THE NORTHMARCH History and Culture The Northmarch is akin to the Hanseti of old, craggy and mountainous. The only source of civilization found in this wintery waste are its trackers, who chart the region on behalf of the imperial bureaucracy. While habitable, the Empire has yet to find a suitable figure to take charge and settle the lands. The Northmarch is currently unsettled, open to claimants and adventurers. HOLDINGS IN LOTHERENICA Spoiler THE PROVINCE OF EROCHLAND History and Culture The lowlands of the Outremer were once settled by the heathen kingdom of Aerochnor. After induction into the Empire, they were restyled as Erochland, after the great Eroch river south of the province. Erochland is regarded a key imperial province due to its position as a trade hub. Unlike Luciensport, Erochland enjoys a myriad of defenses and estuaries that have fostered a trade culture unseen in the empire. Erochlanders tend to be diligent and prudent in their craft, producing some of the Empires’ finest armaments and possessing a worldly knowledge on commerce. Prince Alexander, the Duke of Marna, is Governor of Erochland. The County of Enswerp is held by Prince Alexander, Duke of Marna. The County of Metterden is held by Count Eirik Colborn. _____________________________________________________________________________________ THE PROVINCE OF AGNARMAR (THE BLUE MOUNTAINS) History and Culture Charted and settled by Uldarist dwarves who found the Grand Kingdom’s actions deplorable during the Eighteen Years’ War, the Blue Mountains have long served as Orenian auxiliaries and allies. With the death of the last Lord of the Blue Mountain, what remained of the native population swore fealty to the Empire, ceding the realm to John II Sigismund and establishing the province of Agnarmar. The province is dominated by cold peaks and arable highlands, though its population has been in steady decline since its inception due to emigration back to Urguan in times of peace. The Blue Mountains is governed by the Uldarfolk and Blue Mountain Dwarves. _____________________________________________________________________________________ THE PROVINCE OF CASCADIA History and Culture Cascadia consists of a wild tundra littered with derelict fortifications and decaying castles west of Erochland. Conquered by John I, Holy Orenian Emperor, in the 1530s, it serves as first bulwark against any western aggression and is policed by a handful of members of the Order of the Red Dragon, who are often informally styled the Knights of Cascadia. There is currently no Governor of Cascadia. The Province of Cascadia is unsettled, open to claimants and adventurers. THE PROVINCE OF FENLAND History and Culture Annexed by the Warnation as the first notable conquest of the Eighteen Years’ War, the Province of Fenland is a disputed territory in the empire. Claimed by John I, Holy Orenian Emperor, after the demise of Ubba’Ugluk, it currently is occupied by various Dreadlander and Dunamis rogues who have settled the province due to lax administration. There is currently no Governor of Fenland. The Province of Fenland is in open dispute, plagued by rogue bandits who style themselves Dreadlanders. THE ORENIAN OUTREMER History and Culture The vast steppe and meadows between Erochland and Luciensport are claimed by the Empire in suzerainty, though few if any Imperial colonists have charted the region. Steppe hordes of Tarcharmen cordial to the Empire have settled its eastern borders, but the bulk of the land remains open for settlement. The Orenian Outremer is unsettled, open to claimants and adventurers. _____________________________________________________________________________________ THE ARCHBISHOPRIC OF VISIGIA History and Culture The first Orenian foothold in Lotherennica to be established, Visigia is the legacy of the Tarchary Crusades, a series of conflicts pitched between the native Tarcharmen and Canonist forces under High Pontiff Daniel II. With the Tarcharmen fleeing due to pestilence and military defeats, the Archbishopric swore under Oren during the reign of Guy de Bar. Over the years, Visigia became a testament to Church authority, with the construction of the mighty palace of Holofernes and city of Luciensport to service its clergy. The land is regarded as a holy site and symbol of the Canonist faith. The Archbishopric of Visigia is governed by the Holy See led by the High Pontiff. HOLDINGS IN THE SHATTERED SEA Spoiler THE DUCHY OF AVAR History and Culture The crowning victory of John I, Holy Orenian Emperor, over the Kingdom of Urguan in the Eighteen Year’s War was the capture of the Avar, the central foothold of the Dwarves in the Shattered Sea. After the Siege of Kal’Valen, the island was partitioned to lords of the Empire, the eastern half given to the Avarite rebels who supported the Empire against the Kingdom of Urguan and the western half given to the Duke of Leone. The Duchy of Avar is known for its melting pot between the incoming Imperial Heartlander culture and the supplanted Highlandic pagans which settled under the Dwarves years ago, a source of tension which continues to this day. The Duke of Avar is currently John II, Holy Orenian Emperor. The County of Ostavar is held by Earl Sven Ruric. The County of Estavar is held by Count Henry Rothesay.The County of Sundholt is held by Duke Adrian Rothesay. THE DOMINION OF MALIN History and Culture Elves and Humans have shared a unique history compared to other race, often intermingled in each other's politics and policies, from the Elven support of Harren in his reclamation of Paradisius and betrayal of his brothers in the times of yore, to Horen I, Holy Orenian Emperor’s conquest of Malinor in 1409. The Elven city-states were originally vassalized under the Ashford Dynasty in 1498, continuing as client states well into first half of the sixteenth century. In 1548, John II, Holy Orenian Emperor, named Prince Tristan of Laureh’lin the King of the Dominion of Malin, sworn to the Empire as an autonomous dominion, given their own home rule and law. The Dominion of Malin is known as the homeland of the Elven race, with each three provinces harboring a different sect of the Elven people. On the forested island of Laureh’lin, the wood elves, masters of the bow and the hunt, reside directly under the King of the Dominion. The neighboring island of Ebonglade, known as the Onyx Territory of Ebonglade, gives home to the warrior-spirited dark elves, despite its recent destruction by volcano in 1524. And lastly, the Silver State of Hael’unor, the land of the high elves, masters of the arcane and scholarly arts. It is currently headed by King Tristan Tresery, The Principality of Laureh’lin is held by King Tristin Tresery. The Onyx Territory of Ebonglade is held by Primarch Dakir Des’nox. The Silver State of Hael’unor is held by Sohaer Avern. DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS Given its vast expanse, the Holy Orenian Empire maintains diligent accounts of its diplomatic proceedings through an array of institutions. It employs both a formal standing diplomatic corps along with utilizing knights of the Red Dragon as emissaries to foreign nations. While the Empire's traditions revolve around expansion and integration, after the Eighteen Years' War, there has been a lull in wartime sentiment in lieu of domestic improvement and economic growth. STANDING RELATIONS WITH RECOGNIZED STATES Spoiler The Kingdom of Vandoria: Allies Bound by blood, the Kingdom of Vandoria and Holy Orenian Empire enjoy a unique relationship as their monarchs are siblings. Vandoria is regarded as a natural ally and friend to the Empire given their common heritage and human kinship. With a firm treaty dictated between the sibling states, the Empire is obliged to defend their brethren in the south. The Grand Kingdom of Urguan: Cordial Despite the grueling warfare found in the Eighteen Years’ War and historical tensions, changes in Orenian and Urguani leadership have lead to a rapid detente. Both the Emperor and Grand King have agreed on common foreign policy and engaged in active and intimate diplomacy. However, formal diplomatic ties or treaties have yet to be established. The City-State of Sutica: Allies Through the diplomatic efforts of the Mayor Mylas, Sutica has proven itself as a small yet significant ally to the Empire through their notable industry and produce. A formal treaty has been drafted with Sutica, dictating the Empire a senior partner in a military alliance. The Princedom of Celein: Cordial Diplomatic encounters between Celein and the Empire have proven positive, with Celein’s deep understanding of the arcane making them useful friends to the Empire. While no formal treaty has been drafted between the two states, the Empire would be inclined to aid and support Celein in conflict due to their cordial relations. The War Uzg: Hostile With Rex Ubba Ugluk’s defection in the Eighteen Years’ War, relations between the Orcs and Oren have plummeted to new lows. Border skirmishes are not uncommon as Orcs attempt to make slaves of imperial subjects. However, outright war has been avoided due to the sporadicity of said raids and the long historical friendship between Oren and the Uzg. OOC: Credits to VIROS for mapwork, shoot him a PM if you believe something is RPly off. Thanks to Yoppl as well for some of the descriptions. 31 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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