Lords of the Realm - Lore

Contents

0. Map of Wessenden - imgur.com/a/YNDCR
1. Wessenden - Overview
2. Wessenden - Major Houses
3. Wessenden - Regions
4. Wessenden - Noble Houses
5. Magi-Bleeding
6. Religions
7. The Elvahn Invasion

1. Wessenden

imgur.com/a/YNDCR
The continent in which many characters of Lords of the Realm call home.

The original five kingdoms of Wessenden was established by five ruling families. They were eventually unified by King Frederick I Mettenheim 'the Vengeful.'

874 PU (Pre-Unification) - The Kingdom of Somentre was the first to unite. With the ambitions to grow their realms and spread their influence, they elected their own royalty - a duchess. Queen Lisette le Veneur 'the Fowler'.
875 PU - Threatened by the unified strength of the Somentre, the lords of Lowefeld were the next to rise their own king, unanimously electing their majesty from their own ranks. - King Burran Mettenheim 'the Imperious'.
689 PU - The jarls of Jordskyla, descendants of ship-faring invaders from centuries ago were subjugated one-by-one by self proclaimed Kongungr Sigurd Forkam 'Ironside'.
663 PU - United under the rule of Kongungr Sigurd, the men of the Jordskyla frequently raided the lands to their west. Inspired by the fear of an oncoming invasion, the nobles of Tilstoppe elected the most powerful duke in their realm and rose him as their king to combat the northmen. King Aleksandr Murstein 'the Architect'.
608 PU - Assimilated by both the kingdoms of Somentre and Tilstoppe, a rebel faction within both kingdoms eventually grew too large and declared joint independence against their lieges. Through intrigue rather than combat, the lords eventually won their lands back and raised the leader of their rebellion as their liege. King Triston Reveulta 'the Liberator'.

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Current state of the realm:
The year is 523 FU (Following Unification), the United Kingdom of Wessenden is united under the rule of House Mettenheim.

-- King Frederick IV Mettenheim 'The Frail' rules the Kingdom of Wessenden and the high duchy of Lowefeld from the realm's capital of Deltenvhern.
- High Duchess Camille Veneur 'the Elegant' rules over the High Duchy of Somentre from the realm's capital of Colinteu.
- High Duke Triston Reveulta III rules over the High Duchy of Aguara from the realm's capital of Faenar.
- High Duchess Helena and High Duke Aleksandr IX Gruvaedar rules over the High Duchy of Tilstoppe from the realm's capital of Chervaken.
- High Jarl Bjorn Forkam 'Bloodaxe' rules over the High Duchy of Jordskyla from the realm's capital of Bryta.

2. Major Houses

House Mettenheim

Heraldry: An black-grey coloured lion standing on a yellow field.
Royal Heraldry: A crowned black-grey coloured lion, outlined with a thin layer of gold. Lying down on a yellow field.
Living members in order of inheritance:
- King Frederick IV Mettenheim
-- Crown Prince Olsen Mettenheim
--- Prince Lyonel Mettenheim
---- Prince Rayne Mettenheim

House Veneur

Heraldry: A flying falcon, facing forwards with a single arrow in its claws. Flies against a field of olive green.
Living members in order of inheritance:
- High Duchess Camille Veneur
-- Lady Daena Veneur
--- Ser Sebastien Veneur
---- Baroness Lisette Veneur

House Reveulta

Heraldry: A single burning torch upon a field of orange.
Living members in order of inheritance:
- High Duke Triston Reveulta
-- Lord Aurelio Reveulta

House Gruvaedar

Heraldry: A pale yellow gate against a large mountain. A field of orange lays behind it.
Living members in order of inheritance:
- High Duchess Helena Gruvaedar
- High Duke Aleksandr Gruvaedar
-- Baron Wilhelm Gruvaedar

House Forkam

Heraldry: A resting black raven with a splatter of blood upon its body. Sits upon a white field.
Living members in order of inheritance:
- High Jarl Bjorn Forkam
-- Lord Sigurd Forkam
--- Lord Ragnar Forkam
---- Lord Ubbe Forkam
----- Lord Ivar Forkam
----- Lord Guthrum Forkam

3. Regions

Lowefeld

Nation Colour: Yellow
Ruling House: Mettenheim
Capital: Deltenvhern

Lowefeld yields the most fertile lands in Wessenden. With little to no forests, the vast plains and small hills of the region allow uninterrupted farmland growth. The overall yield over a year can feed every other region, resulting in the considerable wealth that Lowefeld holds. Lowefeldan soldiers are well-trained and disciplined, being far superior than other duchies due to their strict training regimen. Lowefeldan men are conscripted into the army at the age of 17, where they are then trained in the art of warfare for 3 years and released. Every six months a lord must raise local levies and drill the men to make sure they are ready in the event of a conflict.
Individuals from Lowefeld are fair-skinned, with a slight amount of tan. Their hair ranges from brown to blonde, with black hair being rare. Eyes are typically coloured shades of brown or blue. People who hail from Lowefeld are called Lowefeldans.

Deltenvhern is an enormous port-city built after the unification of the realm. It holds considerable natural defences, with flowing rivers covering the sides while the bay protects the back of it. Boasting a considerable navy, the third largest in Wessenden, the garrison who guard the streets and walls of the city are trained within the 'Lionclaw Barracks' - a facility that is personally overseen by the best trainers and commanders that the crown can buy. Deltenvhern, serving as the capital of Wessenden, is enormously large, with dozens of districts within the 8 mile-long diameter of the city. The King's own personal keep, 'Lowehalten,' resides within the very center of the city. Guarded only by the Immortals, a company that serves as the King's own royal troops. They wield magi-bled armour and weaponry, enhancing their already formidable fighting skills.
Mittenheir, originally owned by the Kingdom of Somentre in the past, is the very centre of trade within Wessenden. All main roads eventually converge into the city - allowing it to hold materials and resources from every region which only serves to encourage the already prosperous condition of the city. It is defended by two outer walls and a single inner wall, with the inner keep boasting a defence of the same amount.
Steinsite, the original home of house Mettenheim, the city is built around the original keep. The keep, while nothing large on the outside, is protected by two high walls. The rest of the castle actually resides within the mountain that it sits at the base of. Hollowed out and excavated, the keep can be heavily booby-trapped with automatic mechanisms that reveal trapdoors, squash intruders or fire storms of arrows upon their enemies. Above the defensive layer, the main area of the keep resides. A small garrison rests within, with the majority of the men situated upon the outer walls. The city itself sits on the outside of the keep walls, spreading as far as the base of the mountain can reach. The only way to make one's way to the city and to the keep is to either climb one of the largest mountains in mainland Wessenden or to sail across the largest body of water within Wessenden. With such natural defences as this, a simple wooden palisade across the bank of the lake is only needed.
Festunweiss serves as the first front for the realm from foreign invaders from the East. More of an enormous-sized fortress rather than a town. It is said hidden passageways are built into the fortress, allowing messengers to notify Deltenvhern in the event of another Elvahn incursion. An enormous lighthouse is built into the cliffside, with the torch itself magi-bled to create a rotating beam of light that scours the waters.

Somentre

Nation Colour: Green
Ruling House: Veneur
Capital: Colinteu

Somentre thrives off of providing luxurious items for the rest of the realm. They are the main providers for luxury meat, fine cloth such as silk or velvet, wine and precious gemstones. Due to these trades, Somentre has become ridiculously wealthy, with most lords living lives of luxury and pleasure. It is mainly regarded as a peaceful area except for the wooded areas near Gastonleu and L'avant which are known to be home to opportunists every now and then, though they are quickly dealt with by the local men, sheriffs or even lords. Hunting is a national past time to the nobles in Somentre, with many of them adorning the walls of their homes with their latest kills as a way of bragging. Many noble children are taught to use and shoot a bow before they are taught how to fight with swords. Women and men are known to hold equal power in these lands, though the standard expectations and roles of women are still present.
Once the largest kingdom in Wessenden, the lords in Somentre are mostly content with how they are ruled and do not wish to lose their lives of privilege.
Individuals from Somentre are fair-skinned, with hair ranging from brown, blonde and black. Eyes are typically coloured shades of brown or black, with green being rare. People who hail from Somentre are called Somentrens.

Colinteu
Enmontre
Gastonleu
L'avant

Aguara

Nation Colour: Orange
Ruling House: Reveulta
Capital: Faenar

Aguara's farmlands are rather fertile and yields a large amount of crops each year. They also provide the largest maritime trading network within Wessenden. Aguara has several dozen fishing enterprises and hosts the largest overall navy in the continent, as they have half a dozen trading fleets trading needed materials, foods, metals, medicine and crops to the rest of the port cities. They are the largest provider for gold, as Opilant has gold mining reserves that seemingly never run out. Trade is the life blood of Aguara, with many children being taught how to manage their money at an early age. Once they reach a certain age, they are usually sent to work as an apprentice to a craftsman or merchant.
Individuals from Aguara are usually tan, with hair ranging from brown, blonde and black. Eyes are typically coloured shades of brown or blue. People who hail from Aguara are called Aguarans.

Faenar is a large port city that serves as the central hub for Aguara's trading enterprises. It is incredibly wealthy. WIP.
Opilant an overgrown mining colony, Opilant serves as the middle-man between the High Duchies of Lowefeld and Jordskyla, trading their items to the rest of the continent and vice versa. Is host to the largest gold reserves in Wessenden and is the largest provider of gold in the realm. A wooden fort rests on every island, with the largest built on the central island.
Cintura a large town built near the river. It makes most of it's wealth off of trade between Faenar and Colinteu. Mainly lives off of fishing off the river and production with the help of watermills. Farming and hunting is also done to help provide, but is too difficult to establish land in the surrounding areas due to the hilly land and the nearest hunting grounds are too far away from the town to be useful.
Vitodeira a decently sized town built beside the hills. It thrives off the nearby farmlands provided by the High Duchy of Somentre and the trade coming from Mittenheir.
Pasocalle a small city built along the main trading route. It has sizeable farmlands that yield favourable crops and provides direct trade to the High Duchy of Tilstoppe. Is well-off, mainly due to it's fortunate location near Mittenheir, Faenar and the Tilstoppe trading route.

Tilstoppe

Nation Colour: Light-blue
Ruling House: Gruvaedar
Capital: Chervaken

Tilstoppe is the largest provider of wood in Wessenden. It is a land of education where many scholars are known to hail from. Due to heavy snowfall nearly all year, little to no crops grow within Tilstoppe. Food is mostly composed of hunting meat and livestock, with crops traded in from other realms - primarily Aguara and Jordskyla. With no ports due to it's land-locked location, fish and other marine-related items are considered delicacies within Tilstoppe. Many of Tilstoppe's keeps and forts are considered archaeological feats, with intricate detail and enormity built into it's castles. Noble children are given a higher degree of scholarly education in comparison to the rest of the realm. It is not unheard of for noble children of other duchies serving as pages and wards within courts of Tilstoppe so they may have better opportunities.
Deep-seated resentment towards Jordskyla resides within most individuals who hail from Tilstoppe due to the centuries-long rivalry between the two nations.
Individuals from Tilstoppe are generally fair, with hair ranging from brown and black. Eyes are typically coloured shades of brown. Jordskylan-border towns generally share mixed features of the two. People who hail from Tilstoppe are called Tilstines, though many prefer to simply call them Northerners.

Chervaken:
Berdstin:
Behalveg:

Jordskyla

Nation Colour: White
Ruling House: Forkam
Capital: Bryta

Jordskylans are a hardy bunch. They are a warrior race, valuing personal strength over nearly all other aspects. To command respect, one must earn it. Once known as a plague along the coast of Wessendine due to their excessive raiding, they have since ceased under the rule of House Mettenheim. Though they no longer pillage, many still fear them due to their history - and with good reason. Jordskylans are outright and hold no qualms when it comes to fighting, taking nearly every opportunity available to boast about their fighting prowess and past battles. Jordskylans are a sight to behold in combat, with tales of their supposed 'berserker rage' allowing them to fight for hours on end without pause.
Due to their region, Jordskyla rests in a similar predicament to Tilstoppe. Snowfall blankets Jordskyla nearly all-year, with only three months a year free of it. Most Jordskylans make their livelihoods off of breeding livestock or working in the mines. Most metals are found in these mines and are therefore the main source of trading for the rest of the realm. Jordskylan knowledge of magi-bleeding is unrivalled, as they are the ones that brought it along the sea with them. Vitistorn is the largest hub of magi-bleeding in Wessenden, with all magi-bleeders training within the tower of Fastning.
Jordskylans are fair, paler than most. Their hair colours range from brown to blonde. Eyes are typically coloured different shades of brown. Blue eyes are a rarity. People who hail from Jordskyla are called Jordskylans, though many prefer to simply call them Easterners due to them supposedly coming from the East. Tilstines generally refer to them as Reivers, a derogatory term.

Bryta:
Kingsfall:
Portvin:
Behalla:
Vitistorn:

4. Noble Houses

Noble houses under the United Kingdom of Wessenden are sorted into five different categories, with each commanding a certain degree of power within the realm. They will be listed below in order of highest to lowest importance.

Regal Houses

Houses that lay claim to the original five kingdoms of Wessenden. The heads of these houses typically serve as ruler of their respective High Duchy. The head of House Mettenheim is the exception to this, as they must also govern the entirety of the United Kingdom of Wessenden. These nobles are referred to as High Dukes and Duchesses. Jordsyklans are referred to as High Jarls, regardless of gender.

Great Houses

Houses that lay claim to duchies within the realms of their respective High Duke/Duchess. Heads of these houses rule over duchies, with a small city or a town serving as their main title. These lords are referred to as Dukes and Duchesses and are direct vassals to their High Duke/Duchess. Jordsyklans are referred to as Jarls, regardless of gender.

Minor Houses

Houses that lay claim to counties or other sizeable pieces of land within their respective duchies. Heads of these houses generally rule within a keep, holdfast or other related buildings. Referred to as Counts or Countesses and are direct vassals to the rulers of their de jure duchy. Jordsyklans are referred to as Thanes, regardless of gender.

Lesser Houses

Houses that lay claim to small pieces of land within a county. Heads of these houses generally rule over a barony or minor fiefdom. Referred to as Barons or Baronesses. Direct vassals to their de jure county. Jordsyklans are referred to as a Hauldi, regardless of gender.

Unlanded Houses

Houses that hold no claim to any piece of land within Wessenden except for a small manor. Knights are generally from this level of nobility, as they are allowed to hold a coat of arms and create their own house if they previously held none. Though the lowest level of nobility, they are still above the highest peasantry. They are able to recruit men-at-arms and hold a small retinue at the approval of the Lord they raise their men in. Knights are titled Sers, with untitled members of this level simply called Lords or Ladies.

5. Magi-bleeding

Magic was a foreign concept to the denizens of Wessenden. The thought of manipulating the very fabric of the world with an individual's fingertips was the stuff of legends and stories. When the ship-faring invaders from foreign lands arrived on the Northern shores of Wessenden however, they brought with them weapons, objects and artifacts that were capable of such feats. They were titled 'magi-bled,' for the very power of the earth seemed to bleed through into these enchanted items. Though originally only held by the northmen, the trade of magi-bled weaponry and creation of new ones progressively spread across the continent as they established themselves.
Vitistorn, the first outpost established by the invaders, eventually grew into a city famed for it's seemingly impossible growth - no doubt due to the help of Magi-bleeders.

The method of imbuing weapons with power is not public knowledge, only known to those who studied as a Magi-bleeder in Fastning, the tower within Vitistorn. A Magi-bleeder resides in most courts, though the level of skill and experience differs from each individual, greatly affecting the quality of enchantments. A high quality magi-bled item is immeasurably expensive, far more than any commoners - even nobles - could reach in a lifetime. Magi-bled weapons are known to never degrade, with most weapons serving as heirlooms to be passed down generation to generation. Possibly the oldest and most famous magi-bled weapon is 'Stormborn,' the ancestral battle-axe of House Forkam. It is said that each strike can summon down bolts of lightning upon their enemies, and that every time flesh meets steel it cleaves through as if it were water. A fine testament to the sheer power that a high quality magi-bled weapon can hold.

There are 7 different tiers of Magi-bleeders, a higher tier is only possible through dedication, skill and a natural affinity to working the enchantments. The higher the tier, the rarer it is to find. There are only 13 individuals currently in Wessenden that are able to even go past tier 3 of Magi-bleeding. While many noble houses have magi-bled weapons of their own, they are filled with minor enchantments - nothing remotely close to the likes of Stormborn or the other handful of high-tier magi-bled weaponry.

6. Religion

7. The Elvahn Invasion

A basic run-down of the Elvahn invasion, providing some much-needed context and background to the Elvahn from the perspective of Wessenden.

203 PU - A foreign fleet from an unknown location is sighted off the coast of Vitistorn. The fleet is numbered at a two dozen ships. The ships are intricately detailed, enormous and built from an unknown type of wood. They are faster than any type of naval vessel made in Wessenden, beating even Jordskylan longships. A reactionary fleet is mobilised, with a forward longship at the head of the fleet to serve as diplomats. The foreign fleet sails away in response, ignoring all attempts at contact. Inhabitants of these ships are said to be 'tall, slim and pale.'
202 PU - The foreign fleet is sighted again, nearly a year and a half later. Sighted off the far coast of Lowefeld, near 'the Arm.' A small coastal village, to be later known as Festunweiss, identifies the fleets based on the reports of Jordskylan traders.
201 PU - The fleet lands in the Kingdom of Somentre, below the Arm and the border between Lowefeld and Somentre. Reports of 'beautiful silver haired men and women attempting to engage in trade' are spread from the villages around the area for two weeks. No reports are heard from thereon-out. Scouting parties sent to that area never return, as do any ships passing between the sea of Opilant.
200 PU - A large Somentren military force numbering in the thousand is mobilised near the forests of L'avant and marches towards the landing area. A few weeks later several dissidents and deserters return to L'avant, speaking of a large battle between their own forces and the foreigners. Their army of a thousand, apparently slaughtered by an army of 600. Reports reach the king of Somentre and an even larger force is raised. They are sent towards L'avant to prevent the foreigners from expanding and to expel them from their lands. Four months later more foreign ships are sighted off the coast of Lowefeld heading towards the initial landing site.
199 PU - The forces of the foreigners, now bolstered by reinforcements, marches down the main routes of L'avant. The forces stationed in L'avant are sent to meet the army in the field. They are decimated, much like before. L'avant is put under siege. The foreigners are reported to have mechanical structures with something akin to magi-bleeding. The walls are destroyed within a week and L'avant is taken with relative ease. The King of Somentre appeals to the Kingdoms of Aguara and Lowefeld for assistance -- proposing an alliance to repel the invaders. Aguara ignores the plea, while Lowefeld agrees to the alliance and raises their own armies to assist.
198 PU - The appearance of Lowefeld's superior forces catches the invaders off guard and results in the first major victory over the invaders during 'the Battle of the Fork-Road.' The armies of Lowefeld retake L'avant with little resistance. Captured foreign prisoners are tortured and interrogated for information. The true name of the invaders, 'the Elvahn' is finally revealed, as well as basic invasion plans and where they hail from. Equipment recovered from the prisoners are found to be similar to high-tier magi-bled equipment from Wessenden. L'avant once again serves as the first front of the war. The combined armies of Somentre and Lowefeld march forward into Elvahn territory where several battles are fought and won by Wessendine forces. While the Elvahn warriors are reported to be incredibly skilled and their equipment far better than Wessenden's, they are overwhelmed by the sheer size of the combined armies. Final reports and letters from Wessendine forces detail the plan for the host to march onto the commanding stronghold of the Elvahn near the initial landing site.
A few days later an enormous forest fire, said to have flames of purple, spreads outwards from Elvahn territory and engulfs everything in it's path. It seems to stop near the site of the first Elvahn loss, blocked by an unknown force. The fire burns for a week, burning everything with an intense heat that can be felt miles away. When the flames reside, there are no survivors. Everything had been burnt away with heat that could only be found deep in the earth. All evidence of Elvahn occupation is gone, leaving what is believed to be the commanding stronghold described in the final reports. Once an enormous building, the tell-tale marks of a fire paint the smooth concrete - with all but the foundations burnt to a cinder. Signs of what is believed to be a battle surround the burnt grounds, as craters of varying sizes mark the field and the remaining walls of the ruins. The land was permanently marked by the fire, with the soil ashen-coloured and destroyed - assuring it would forever be barren.

Thus ended what is known as the Elvahn Invasion, resulting in the deaths of the Lowefeldan King (eventually resulting in the ascension of Frederick the First's grandfather), the combined armies of Lowefeld and Somentre and the entirety of the Elvahn invading force. The union of Lowefeld and Somentre planted the seed of a single, unified kingdom - one that King Frederick 'the Vengeful' would realise in it's entirety. Nearly 800 years later the Elvahn are nothing more than boogeymen, used to scare rebellious children. None can repute their existence however, as even now the lands they dwelled in remain scorched. Many have tried sailing across the open oceans to reach the supposed lands of the Elvahn with little success. Raging, churning oceans and destructive storms all but make the way impossible. Stories tell of a path through the storms, providing safe passageway to the Elvahn. Perhaps these stories are true, as the armies of the United Kingdom of Wessenden prepare for war on foreign lands.