Shireling
A Servant of King and Country
DAYS OF CHIVALRY
THE LAND OF VELANIA, YEAR 1270
Current Approved Members:
Erreul Crumbli Emmi General Deth Glitch Agent
THE LAND OF VELANIA, YEAR 1270
VELANIA - YEAR 1270
THE KINGDOM OF IRONHOLD
-Archer Civilization-
The Kingdom of Ironhold is a proud, industrious nation of yeoman farmers and foresters. The capital Ironforge is home to the ruling Steelbrooke family that is well-regarded in their lands and has ruled for generations. Ironhold is the defensive neighbor of the kingdom of Halestaff to the east with whom they share the island of Albion and are close friends with the Kingdom of Svaelund in the frozen northlands of Scarva. Their armies are generally composed of large regiments of well-trained Yeomen Longbowmen supported by solid heavy-infantry.
THE KINGDOM OF HALESTAFF
-Cavalry Civilization-
The Kingdom of Halestaff is the more belligerent neighbor of Ironhold. After an invasion by the Kingdom of Clerimont in 642, the Kingdom of Halestaff was established as a duchy of the Kingdom of Clerimont. In the several hundred years following the invasion, Halestaff has gained independence although they still have deep cultural and familial ties with Clerimont. The ruling House Halestaff has a long enmity with House Steelbrooke from years of intense fighting. Halestaffen armies generally consist of lots of heavy horsemen and heavily-armored footknights supported by crossbowmen.
THE KINGDOM OF ESPADA
-Infantry Civilization-
An ancient kingdom, the current principality of Espada was formed out of the ashes of an uprising against the Al'Sharam Sultunate which once ruled most of southern Velania. After driving the Sultanate's troops into the sea, the Espadans quickly built up a nation rich in artistic achievement, architectural advancement, and cultural fusionism. Espadans are masters of quick swordplay, and as such their swashbuckling rodeleros are some of the toughest hand-to-hand infantry in Velania. The Espadans are ruled by the House Veluca from their gleaming capital in Toleno. Historic allies of the Kingdom of Clerimont, the Espadans are deep-seated enemies of the Al'Sharam Sultunate, especially for funding and supporting the Rebel Caliph del Sol.
THE KINGDOM OF CLERIMONT
-Cavalry Civilization-
Tales of chivalry and knight errantry abound in no land as widely as in Clerimont, a nation obsessed with decorum and the codes of war. While the Clerimontain are widely regarded as unfailingly honorable and noble, they are also brash and quick-tempered. Coming to the aid of their allies in Halestaff in the Albionic Wars of 1140, their knights were disastrously defeated at the Battle of Acrine Hills which left their homeland open to invasion. Ironhold's forces invaded Clerimont the following year, sacking the capital and razing several major settlements. While Clerimont has rebuilt, enmity between the two kingdoms has not faded. Clerimont is ruled by the noble House Mountaigne and is famed for its heavily-armored and well-trained chivalric knights, the best heavy cavalry in Velania.
OLDENREICH
-Infantry Civilization-
Founded by the mythic leader of men Theodur in times immemorial, the Oldenreich is Velania's oldest kingdom. Occupying the center of the map, the nation is at once the focal point of continental trade and a potential punching bag for all the surrounding kingdoms. Because of the wars that have ravaged their lands for centuries, Oldenreichers are tough, dependable, brave, and stalwart. Emperor Olef Vardenkof is the supreme ruler of the Oldenreich and at his command the Imperial Army's legions of elite halberds, greatswordsmen, pikes, and crossbows stand stalwart against all of Velania.
KINGDOM OF SOLABELLA
-Gunpowder Civilization-
Once an imperial protectorate of the Oldenreich, Solabella gained independence in a bloody rebellion in 1022. Known for their cunning in politics and the natural sciences, the Solabellans are Velania's masters of gunpowder technology. While House Ravena holds official executive power, many of the day-to-day governing decisions of the kingdom are handled by the Citizen Senate which functions as an assembly of lords drawn up from the common population. Solabella's armies are known for their mixed pike and handgunner formations and the devastating power of their volley guns.
AL'SHARAM SULTANATE
-Siege Civilization-
Technically invaders in Velania, the Al'Sharam are followers of the Desert Precepts, a religion that most of the Velanians deem to be a heretical offshoot of the Paragonic Communion, the dominant religion of the continent. The Al'Sharam are often known to be shrewd and practical when compared to the other nations and rely more heavily on spies and subterfuge. Their once mighty empire was beaten back by a series of crusades begun in 1044 and ending in 1240 that severely weakened their grip on the continent. Under Sultan Hakim Rouan'si, the Sultanate is marshalling its strength and may be preparing to invade Velania once more. The Sultanate's armies are generally weaker than what Velanian factions can muster, save their camel-riding mamelukes which are excellent against heavy cavalry and their gunpowder artillery which is unparalleled.
TSARDOM OF KOROV
-Skirmisher Civilization-
With lands conisting of vast tracks of steppes and frozen taiga, Korov is at once the largest and most mysterious civilization of Velania. Invading armies in Korov have a track record of freezing to death, and that is when they are not being constantly harassed by Korovian cossacks. Korov's armies excell in fast-moving and hard-hitting cavalry manuevers and hit-and-run tactics. Horse archers and lancers make up the core of their fleet armies, which are supplemented by large forces of light and heavy infantry. In the strange north, Tsar Borovin rules with an iron fist and the slavish Korovians bend to his will. Particular enmity exists between Korov and the Al'sharam Sultanate.
THE KINGDOM OF SVAELUND
-Infantry Civilization-
Fiery men and women from the frozen northlands of Scarva, Svaelunders are masters of the axe and shield. While Espadans may match them in finesse in melee, the Svaelunders excel in brute-force applications of close-combat. Breaking and holding shield walls are the specialty of the Svaelunders. Aside from their skill in combat, they are also traders and navigators who have travelled across the Old World and have traded with distant lands in the far east. In current times, the Althing, the governing council of the Svaelund tribes, has appointed the militaristic Eric Stoutshield as High King who has designs against their historical rivals in the east (Korov) and the west (Halestaff).
THE REBEL CALIPH DEL SOL
-Archer Civilization-
Breaking off from Espada in 1256, Caliph del Sol is made up of former Al'sharam discontented with life under Espadan rule. They have thrown off the shackles of Toleno, led by the charismatic Caliph Ali Aburki. The Solez are famous for their Solez Archers, impressive marksmen who honed their craft hunting sand lizards on the desert dunes of southern Espada. Currently, the Espadans and Caliph del Sol have concluded peace talks, but war seems to loom on the horizon as King Rodrigo Veluca seems ready to reabsorb the upstart colony.
THE FREE CITY OF NUEHEIM
-Infantry Civilization-
Breaking off from the Oldenreich in 1089, Nueheim has been for two centuries a hub of trading and finance in central Velania. The Nueheimic have a reputation as being discerning businessmen and entrepeneurs, and this extends into their military affairs. Nueheimic pikemen and pistoliers are well-trained, well-equipped mercenaries that fight for the highest bidders. Some of the best mercenary captains hail from Nueheim, and Mayor Voltstadt does not discourage the practice.
THE KINGDOM OF IRONHOLD
-Archer Civilization-
The Kingdom of Ironhold is a proud, industrious nation of yeoman farmers and foresters. The capital Ironforge is home to the ruling Steelbrooke family that is well-regarded in their lands and has ruled for generations. Ironhold is the defensive neighbor of the kingdom of Halestaff to the east with whom they share the island of Albion and are close friends with the Kingdom of Svaelund in the frozen northlands of Scarva. Their armies are generally composed of large regiments of well-trained Yeomen Longbowmen supported by solid heavy-infantry.
THE KINGDOM OF HALESTAFF
-Cavalry Civilization-
The Kingdom of Halestaff is the more belligerent neighbor of Ironhold. After an invasion by the Kingdom of Clerimont in 642, the Kingdom of Halestaff was established as a duchy of the Kingdom of Clerimont. In the several hundred years following the invasion, Halestaff has gained independence although they still have deep cultural and familial ties with Clerimont. The ruling House Halestaff has a long enmity with House Steelbrooke from years of intense fighting. Halestaffen armies generally consist of lots of heavy horsemen and heavily-armored footknights supported by crossbowmen.
THE KINGDOM OF ESPADA
-Infantry Civilization-
An ancient kingdom, the current principality of Espada was formed out of the ashes of an uprising against the Al'Sharam Sultunate which once ruled most of southern Velania. After driving the Sultanate's troops into the sea, the Espadans quickly built up a nation rich in artistic achievement, architectural advancement, and cultural fusionism. Espadans are masters of quick swordplay, and as such their swashbuckling rodeleros are some of the toughest hand-to-hand infantry in Velania. The Espadans are ruled by the House Veluca from their gleaming capital in Toleno. Historic allies of the Kingdom of Clerimont, the Espadans are deep-seated enemies of the Al'Sharam Sultunate, especially for funding and supporting the Rebel Caliph del Sol.
THE KINGDOM OF CLERIMONT
-Cavalry Civilization-
Tales of chivalry and knight errantry abound in no land as widely as in Clerimont, a nation obsessed with decorum and the codes of war. While the Clerimontain are widely regarded as unfailingly honorable and noble, they are also brash and quick-tempered. Coming to the aid of their allies in Halestaff in the Albionic Wars of 1140, their knights were disastrously defeated at the Battle of Acrine Hills which left their homeland open to invasion. Ironhold's forces invaded Clerimont the following year, sacking the capital and razing several major settlements. While Clerimont has rebuilt, enmity between the two kingdoms has not faded. Clerimont is ruled by the noble House Mountaigne and is famed for its heavily-armored and well-trained chivalric knights, the best heavy cavalry in Velania.
OLDENREICH
-Infantry Civilization-
Founded by the mythic leader of men Theodur in times immemorial, the Oldenreich is Velania's oldest kingdom. Occupying the center of the map, the nation is at once the focal point of continental trade and a potential punching bag for all the surrounding kingdoms. Because of the wars that have ravaged their lands for centuries, Oldenreichers are tough, dependable, brave, and stalwart. Emperor Olef Vardenkof is the supreme ruler of the Oldenreich and at his command the Imperial Army's legions of elite halberds, greatswordsmen, pikes, and crossbows stand stalwart against all of Velania.
KINGDOM OF SOLABELLA
-Gunpowder Civilization-
Once an imperial protectorate of the Oldenreich, Solabella gained independence in a bloody rebellion in 1022. Known for their cunning in politics and the natural sciences, the Solabellans are Velania's masters of gunpowder technology. While House Ravena holds official executive power, many of the day-to-day governing decisions of the kingdom are handled by the Citizen Senate which functions as an assembly of lords drawn up from the common population. Solabella's armies are known for their mixed pike and handgunner formations and the devastating power of their volley guns.
AL'SHARAM SULTANATE
-Siege Civilization-
Technically invaders in Velania, the Al'Sharam are followers of the Desert Precepts, a religion that most of the Velanians deem to be a heretical offshoot of the Paragonic Communion, the dominant religion of the continent. The Al'Sharam are often known to be shrewd and practical when compared to the other nations and rely more heavily on spies and subterfuge. Their once mighty empire was beaten back by a series of crusades begun in 1044 and ending in 1240 that severely weakened their grip on the continent. Under Sultan Hakim Rouan'si, the Sultanate is marshalling its strength and may be preparing to invade Velania once more. The Sultanate's armies are generally weaker than what Velanian factions can muster, save their camel-riding mamelukes which are excellent against heavy cavalry and their gunpowder artillery which is unparalleled.
TSARDOM OF KOROV
-Skirmisher Civilization-
With lands conisting of vast tracks of steppes and frozen taiga, Korov is at once the largest and most mysterious civilization of Velania. Invading armies in Korov have a track record of freezing to death, and that is when they are not being constantly harassed by Korovian cossacks. Korov's armies excell in fast-moving and hard-hitting cavalry manuevers and hit-and-run tactics. Horse archers and lancers make up the core of their fleet armies, which are supplemented by large forces of light and heavy infantry. In the strange north, Tsar Borovin rules with an iron fist and the slavish Korovians bend to his will. Particular enmity exists between Korov and the Al'sharam Sultanate.
THE KINGDOM OF SVAELUND
-Infantry Civilization-
Fiery men and women from the frozen northlands of Scarva, Svaelunders are masters of the axe and shield. While Espadans may match them in finesse in melee, the Svaelunders excel in brute-force applications of close-combat. Breaking and holding shield walls are the specialty of the Svaelunders. Aside from their skill in combat, they are also traders and navigators who have travelled across the Old World and have traded with distant lands in the far east. In current times, the Althing, the governing council of the Svaelund tribes, has appointed the militaristic Eric Stoutshield as High King who has designs against their historical rivals in the east (Korov) and the west (Halestaff).
THE REBEL CALIPH DEL SOL
-Archer Civilization-
Breaking off from Espada in 1256, Caliph del Sol is made up of former Al'sharam discontented with life under Espadan rule. They have thrown off the shackles of Toleno, led by the charismatic Caliph Ali Aburki. The Solez are famous for their Solez Archers, impressive marksmen who honed their craft hunting sand lizards on the desert dunes of southern Espada. Currently, the Espadans and Caliph del Sol have concluded peace talks, but war seems to loom on the horizon as King Rodrigo Veluca seems ready to reabsorb the upstart colony.
THE FREE CITY OF NUEHEIM
-Infantry Civilization-
Breaking off from the Oldenreich in 1089, Nueheim has been for two centuries a hub of trading and finance in central Velania. The Nueheimic have a reputation as being discerning businessmen and entrepeneurs, and this extends into their military affairs. Nueheimic pikemen and pistoliers are well-trained, well-equipped mercenaries that fight for the highest bidders. Some of the best mercenary captains hail from Nueheim, and Mayor Voltstadt does not discourage the practice.
Current Approved Members:
Erreul Crumbli Emmi General Deth Glitch Agent