The County of Metterden

[Sky 0]

 

The County of Metterden

 

 

On the 17th of the Deep Cold, 1570, the lands we know today as the county of Metterden, were bestowed upon Maric var Ruthern the then patriarch of House Ruthern by the then duke of Haense, Petyr Barbanov. For years the lands have remained as the first point of defense from the mountainous pass it’s county seat has it’s foothold upon. With this land, Metterden did declare itself as a recognised vassal and state within the now Kingdom of Haense, and does compel all the de jure vassals of Barbanovic rule to know this. All citizenry receiving the rights, privileges and obligations customs a familiar vassal and neighbour demands. The current houses which call Metterden home are currently that of House Ruthern, whom is led by Count Demetrius var Ruthern, and their formal vassal, House Marbrand whom is led by, Lord Josef Marbrand. The house of Amador joins the Metterden fold also, led by Lord Ruslan Amador.

 

The Alriczan Keep

 

 

The Right Honorable Count Demetrius of House Ruthern

On the 21st of the First Seed, 1571, the county seat of Metterden and her lord had finished construction and officially established the Alriczan Keep as the hold of Demetrius var Ruthern, and his house. The name bestowed upon the stronghold is one that possesses great sentiment and honour to the Ruthern house. Named after the prestigious modern reviver of the Ruthern lineage, Alric the Commander, Demetrius had seen it fit to have their defensive keep named after his competent and courageous uncle. Built upon the rocky ridges of the mountain pass, the Alriczan Keep acts as an impregnable power on the front lines of the Kingdom. Guardian of the stone highway that cuts through the Spine, it can stand fierce winter winds and the forces of brigands and foes. Sewn throughout the lower depths of the mountain the keep is built upon are obscure crypts that house the many dead of the Ruthern line. House Ruthern has existed as an entity for many centuries, tracing its origins to the Carrions of the Crowsmoot. The House of Ruthern has had a turbulent relationship with the elder branches of Carrion in the times of yore, yet when Aildred the Turncloak took to the whispers of John of Darfey, the Dmitrovic line stood stalwart in their loyalty to King Francis and the Carrion line. Titled as the Protectors of the Pass, Ruthern watches from its seat of Alriczan, safeguarding the rocky highway from any invading army approaching the city of Karlsburg.

 

The Barony of Rostig

 

 

His Lordship Baron Josef Marbrand

The house of Marbrand is recognised within Haense as a vassal beneath the Ruthern house, and viewed as another prestigious family that works as a protector of the mountain pass. The County of Metterden and its vassalized land of Rostig work in unison to defend the Spine and exercise growth in the Kingdom. This house descends from the blood of seafarers and fishermen that exercised their trade along the stormy coasts of Alamar. With their first noble patriarch securing a county within the Kingdom of Vandoria, House Marbrand remained a recognised noble family for quite some time. The noble lineage of Marbrand ended with the migration to Axios, where their holdings and lands found within Erochland were lost. The current patriarch of the Marbrand house, Josef Marbrand, is the spawn of both a Ruthern and Marbrand, affirming the close bond between the two families. The lands of Rostig are nestled comfortably at the foot of the Spine, closely neighboured by winter woodlands and low rolling hills. One of the first settlements seen when a traveller may journey through the mountain pass and enter the Kingdom of Haense.

 

The Barony of Mondstat

 

 

His Lordship Baron Ruslan Amador

The Amador house, and it’s lineage, are widely considered both a very prominent family as well as a prestigious one which resides within the County of Metterden, and a vassal of house Ruthern. The barony, while resting some walk from the Alriczan keep, is considered on the fringe of Metterden land and sits on the foothold of a large snowcapped mountain. The bloodline descends from a large line of wealthy merchants, and hard working traders, which explains why the house puts a lot of value into an honest day’s hard work and the worth of their large quantity of minae, but also considers loyalty as a key part of their ideology. The current patriarch of the Amador house, Ruslan Amador, is a great ally of the Kingdom of Haense however in his absence his wife, Abrielle Amador, is placed as regency and is considered a very efficient and genuine leader whilst in the barons vacancy. The lands that Mondstat sit upon were among the very first settlements within Haense, and even now considered among the most beautiful that the Kingdom has to offer.

 

Oberrat

 

 

With the recent growth of the County of Metterden, His Right Honorable, Lord Dmitri of House Ruthern, does decree the formation of the Oberrat. It is through this Council that the Count of Metterden, or the County’s recognized regent, shall exercise his will in the realm. They shall additionally advise the designated lord on matters of state and diplomacy. Edicts issued by Upper Councillors must be confirmed by the aforementioned designated lord.

 

The Count-in-Council; His Right Honorable, Demetrius var Ruthern.

 

The Count-in-Council is the Count's title as seated on the Oberrat. He has absolute and irrefutable command over the military, economy, diplomacy, and all other stately matters, private, public, domestic and foreign. In the event there is a temporary vacancy on the Metterden seat of power, the legally designated Lord Regent shall hold this position in council.

 

The Court Chancellor; His Excellency, Josef Marbrand.

 

The Court Chancellor is charged with the maintenance of the County’s relationship with its people, vassals, and foreign entities. Additionally, the Court Chancellor is the administrator for the Oberrat, organizing, updating, and directing them in their tasks. The Court Chancellor is the default designated regent of the County, and his authority is superseded only by the Count-in-Council.

 

The Court Marshal; Kommandant, Brandon Barrow.

 

The Court Marshal is the commander of the bannerforce of the County of Metterden. He is charged with the security of the County’s borders, and the extinguishment of threats both external and internal. He has the power to rally the County’s banners at his discretion, for the defense of the County’s well being. The Court Marshal is charged with the legal administration of Metterden. He has he power to trial and convict criminals of the state, as well as rule on internal disputes between courtiers or commoners, if the situation calls for it. He shall maintain the Laws of Metterden, update and alter them to best suit the fair and legal practices of the County. His authority is superseded only by the Court Chancellor and the Count-in-Council.

 

The Court Treasurer; His Excellency, Godric var Ruthern.

 

The Court Treasurer is charged with the maintenance and management of Metterden’s economic endeavors and the treasury itself. He has the authority collect the taxes due to the Count, and administrate trade routes and relationships with settlements both internal and external. In the event that taxes go unpaid, at the discretion of the Court Treasurer, he may repossess material of equivalent value from the offender.

 

The Court Steward; Her Excellency, Abrielle Amador.

 

The Court Steward is charged with the maintenance and management of the County's land and holdings. They oversee construction and destruction of structures, settlements, castles, forts, etc., and maintain themselves as Overseer of the stewardship of the Count’s direct holdings. They have the power to establish building plans for all settlements within the County, and approve or deny plans put forth by the people of the land.

[whiteferrarii 123]

Maric Ruthern stands upon the tallest tower of the Alriczan Keep, his pale blue eyes surveying the wintery lands below. With a murmured whisper, he would scratch at his beard, frame stiff and rigid as the bitter wind pulled at him. “You did well, son.” He would mumble to himself, a smile unraveling upon his lips. 

[Birdnerdy 1539]

A young Barbanov prince gives a youthful grin of approval, making note to visit the Count and his holdings within the coming Saint's Week.

[Legoboy7984 3155]

Markus Brawm smiles as he reads about the County of Metterden

[Pando_ 446]

Edward Brawm sighs 

[Andustar 4143]

Nikolai nods with approval at the list, smiling to himself and to the further advancements of this barony and house.

[Eandyil 92]

Good, now she just needs a little bit of work and she'll be up to par. Well done, lads.

[Aedrabani 66]

Jon would stare coldly up at the mountain fortress from his cousin's keep, his hands clasped behind his back as always.  His breath would fog in front of his mask as he'd shake his head grimly, turning in the snow to make the journey back to St. Karlsberg.

 

((Very nice post))

[Wendigo 786]

Moved to the Archive. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.