Cadenach
Skald of Ambiguous Renown
Name: High County of Vallachkya
Age: The modern nation was formed roughly 600 years ago as a loose confederation amongst the various steppe tribes, hill clans, and independent duchies that rebelled against the diminished Dagymar Empire. In ancient times, it's said that an entire tribe of giants and a wandering elvish clan settled the land together and interbred, creating several hybrid races collectively referred to as Kolumsai. The Kolumsai founded a great empire that extended from the craglands of Walak (as south-western Vallachkya was then known) south to the Great Causeway (where they built the city of Dag Mara to guard the mouth of the river Lankaoa where it meets the Abyssal Bay), west as far as the great mountains of Hann, and east as far as the Kulamn Plateau which lies halfway between the great southeastern sea and the eastern shore of Lake Byajak. When the human Buyjir tribesmen first arrived from the north-eastern steppes several thousand years ago, they warred with and interbred with the Kolumsai. Which created a progenitor race believed to be the ancestors of the Alit'yarai tribesmen. The Kolumsai eventually lost their empire due to encroaching tribes, internal schisms of clans, and a costly war with the western Hanmar Empire. As the Kolumsai began to emigrate or be absorbed into the tribes of the Alit'yarai, the Hanmar Empire annexed their territory. Ruling via the tribute system, they allowed a number of local city-states to control the area. The Alit'yarai at this point were a considerable nuisance to these city-states and came into conflict with the Republic of Jutta and its allies. As the Eastern Hanmari Republics, led by Jutta, began moving into Alit'yarai lands, the Alit'yarai rallied behind the legendary warlord Hast. Hast pushed the Hanmari Republics and their reinforcements from the main empire almost to the shores of the Abyssal Bay. However, Hast was accidentally killed by his young wife when she fed him poisonous berries. The story is often used in modern times to warn against choosing a beautiful but foolish woman. With Hast dead, the Alit'yarai were soon routed by the forces of the Empire. They fled to the east, all except the Iljayzi tribe, who hide in the craglands of Walak and became ancestors to the people there. There, in the east, they came upon a great sea and skirting it to the north, entered the vast steppes of Arak. Settling there, they became one of the dominant races in the region and in due time gave birth to the Altyar and several others races, which migrated back west many centuries later to escape the growing power of far eastern kingdoms. By the time the Altyar and their kinfolk returned to their homeland, they found that the Hanmar Empire had dissolved into a number of smaller nations. Settling in the land that came to be known as Val Akiyar, they warred with the Ijasz peoples and the city-states to the south. It was around this time that the city-state of Dag Mara began its rise to power. Taking the place of the Hanmari, they founded the Dagymar Empire and conquered Vallachkya and many lands to the south. For hundreds of years, the different peoples of Vallachkya either rebelled against or fought for the Dagymar Empire. It was about 600 years ago when the Vyodh of Bughara, Alykzyandyr II, finally forced off the yoke of the Dagymari. He rallied the many tribes of the Altyar, Ijasz, Altai'a, Holzuk, Conmar, and Hevak into a powerful army and pushed almost all the way to Dag Mara itself before brokering a peace. He took the heartlands for the Altyar and half the Conmari clans, the craglands to the other Conmari and to the Ijasz, and the eastern plains and hills for the Hevak. The Altai'a and Holzuk refused to give up their nomadic ways however, and went back to the northern and northeastern steppes, though not as far as their ancestors once journeyed. Eventually, the Altyar absorbed most of the Conmari and Hevak peoples, with only the Ijasz retaining their unique traditions.
Type: A monarchy whose power is considered absolute. However, the tribal roots of the people have created a cultural tradition of overthrowing any leader too weak to unite the different racial groups.
Racial Profile: Mostly descendants of the various tribes of the Alit'yarai peoples, the Altyar are the dominant race and are known for their large size, resistance to cold, and dark shamanistic magic. The Ijasz live in the southwestern craglands and western forests along with small pockets of Conmari peoples. The Hevak like on the eastern plains before the steppes and many of them are wandering gypsies. Few non-humans live here, and most of those that do are elves, trolls, or dwarves from the west. This land lies at the crossroads of the eastern lands, the western human and dwarven heartland, and the southern deserts and jungles beyond the Dagymar Empire and the Abyssal Bay.
Trades: Traditionally, shepherding, horsebreeding, and bowmaking. Recently, mining and metalworking have become the dominant economic niches. The discovery of new smelting methods and the rediscovery of how to forge Ketosan Steel (considered the finest swordmaking steel in the world) made Vallachkyan metal, arms, and armor exports highly sought after for their purity and effectiveness.
Standing: Currently neutral, Vallachkya exists in a state of heightened tension with all of its neighbors and many of the states that formerly made up the Dagymar Empire. Strong economic ties to non-adjacent nations exist though. Currently, the socio-political future of the country is very malleable. No one has declared war yet though, due to fears of Vallachkyan industry being turned to support other rivals.
Specifics: The country is roughly oval shaped, with borders defined by the Hann mountain ranges to the west, the Dagymar Empire and Abyssal Bay to the south, and the Kulamn Plateau to southeast. Lake Byajak makes up the northeastern border, and the northern edges of the country eventually extend into open steppe, which also dominates the northern half of the country. The western part of the country has many thick fens fed by rivers that come out of the Hann Mountains. The southwestern portion is mostly rocky basalt crags and highlands. Stark and lifeless in the winter, yet often filled with moss and flowers during the spring and summer. The central heartlands are rolling hills punctuated by sporadic copses and small solitary mountains that slowly turn into open plains and eventually the endless grass of the steppe as one moves east. Around the shores of Lake Byajak, the plains become marshlands. The great Lankaoa river runs south from lake Byajak to the Abyssal Bay, feeding small tributaries along the way. One of which extends west into the heartlands and feeds Lake Turgil. On the western shore of Lake Turgil sits Bughara, the capital city. Built between the eastern slope of Mount Hast and the shores of the lake, it is a great city. Filled with distinct architecture, canals in the eastern district, and imposing palaces, churches, temples, and forts in the western half. The city is known as the birthplace of Gollems (created by a claymaker from the west who lived in exile), and even though the art was lost long ago, six great Gollems still guard its gates today. Bughara is a glittering city of copper roofing, red and grey stone, and tall tiered spires. The small river Gyurin runs through the center of the city from Mount Hast to Lake Turgil, and is named after one of the sons of Hast who is said to have founded the city. While most of the country may be dark and forbiddingly grey, Bughara is the bright contrast to the country's morose reputation. It is said that while Mount Hast may make the sunsets rather short, that they are the most beautiful one can ever witness as the purple, orange, and fading red paints the copper roofs and cast the mountain in a backdrop of purple somberness.
The military of Vallachkya is mostly comprised of land forces. Only recently establishing a navy in order to ensure traffic of goods along the Lankaoa from the island colonies the recently acquired in the southern sea. The Army is organized under a central authority but has a number of distinct "branches" that have different rules, functions, and places within society. The Vallemyrch are primarily traditional heavy cavalry and men-at-arms drawn from the nobility that make up about 3 regiments, the Alit'krygr are mostly light and medium cavalry from the steppes drawn into 5 mixed regiments formed of many clans. While the individual clans themselves have their own forces, the Alit'krygr are under the direct control of the centralized Council of Generals who are in turn under the control of the Vyodh. The rest of the army is formed into 16 combat regiments with composite force compositions similar to a Roman Legion, 8 support regiments, 3 regiments of household guards, and 2 military police regiments. These regiments can be organized into different Armies and deployed as mission requirements dictate. Of particular note are a few elite units. The "Hussars of Valichye" are an elite cavalry force that are about 300 men strong and are a proof of concept for the institution of mixed cavalry tactics in the army. The "Spears of Bughara" are a special order of footsoldiers that was established from the militias that successfully defended Bughara from an invasion by the Dagymar Empire 200 years ago. They carry copper-plated spears and are viewed as an elite fraternity for commoner soldiers. Then there are the infamous "Cragwolves", a unit rumored to be almost exclusively drawn from the Ijasz peoples that conducts special forces operations in dangerous terrain. Also of note are the Hakjyki Drolmons. These are the shamans and magic wielders organic to each unit. They are particularly valued in cavalry units for their abilities to calm and invigorate horses before a battle. The greatest asset the Vallachkyan military has is its cavalry. Vallachkyan cavalry forces are divided into three categories: Heavy, Medium, and Light. Heavy cavalry are traditional western knights. They are probably the fewest in number, but are valued as shock-troops and for holding the center of a cavalry charge. Most Vallachkyan cavalry is of the medium variety. This is a recent transition. By incorporating the fighting styles of light steppe cavalry with heavier armor and lances, they are a very versatile force. The typical Vallachkyan cavalryman wears a thinner gambeson than most and is covered in chainmail with plate only on the forearms, thighs, and chest. This allows for better movement and speed. They also wear the silk shirts of light cavalry forces to increase survivability from arrow or crossbow bolt wounds. They wear full-helms of fitted metal with hinged masks and cheek pieces or open helms for those who prefer extra visibility over protection. With a saddle-bow, hooked halberd-like lances, basket-hilted backsword and an ovular cavalry shield, they combine the impact of heavy cavalry with the maneuverability and versatility of light cavalry. Of course, most of the Alit'krygr are still traditional light cavalry who wear riveted-plate in leather brigantines over silk shirts, open-faced helms, two recurve saddle-bows with extra saddle quivers, simple ashwood lances, and the single-edged heavy chopping swords plainsmen are known for. The thing that makes their cavalry truly deadly, are their horses. Specially bred by the Kolumsai ages ago, the Alit'eppa breed is massive, yet nimble and intelligent. These horses are a highly sought after commodity and are really the only horses capable of carrying a fully armored Altyar into battle.
Age: The modern nation was formed roughly 600 years ago as a loose confederation amongst the various steppe tribes, hill clans, and independent duchies that rebelled against the diminished Dagymar Empire. In ancient times, it's said that an entire tribe of giants and a wandering elvish clan settled the land together and interbred, creating several hybrid races collectively referred to as Kolumsai. The Kolumsai founded a great empire that extended from the craglands of Walak (as south-western Vallachkya was then known) south to the Great Causeway (where they built the city of Dag Mara to guard the mouth of the river Lankaoa where it meets the Abyssal Bay), west as far as the great mountains of Hann, and east as far as the Kulamn Plateau which lies halfway between the great southeastern sea and the eastern shore of Lake Byajak. When the human Buyjir tribesmen first arrived from the north-eastern steppes several thousand years ago, they warred with and interbred with the Kolumsai. Which created a progenitor race believed to be the ancestors of the Alit'yarai tribesmen. The Kolumsai eventually lost their empire due to encroaching tribes, internal schisms of clans, and a costly war with the western Hanmar Empire. As the Kolumsai began to emigrate or be absorbed into the tribes of the Alit'yarai, the Hanmar Empire annexed their territory. Ruling via the tribute system, they allowed a number of local city-states to control the area. The Alit'yarai at this point were a considerable nuisance to these city-states and came into conflict with the Republic of Jutta and its allies. As the Eastern Hanmari Republics, led by Jutta, began moving into Alit'yarai lands, the Alit'yarai rallied behind the legendary warlord Hast. Hast pushed the Hanmari Republics and their reinforcements from the main empire almost to the shores of the Abyssal Bay. However, Hast was accidentally killed by his young wife when she fed him poisonous berries. The story is often used in modern times to warn against choosing a beautiful but foolish woman. With Hast dead, the Alit'yarai were soon routed by the forces of the Empire. They fled to the east, all except the Iljayzi tribe, who hide in the craglands of Walak and became ancestors to the people there. There, in the east, they came upon a great sea and skirting it to the north, entered the vast steppes of Arak. Settling there, they became one of the dominant races in the region and in due time gave birth to the Altyar and several others races, which migrated back west many centuries later to escape the growing power of far eastern kingdoms. By the time the Altyar and their kinfolk returned to their homeland, they found that the Hanmar Empire had dissolved into a number of smaller nations. Settling in the land that came to be known as Val Akiyar, they warred with the Ijasz peoples and the city-states to the south. It was around this time that the city-state of Dag Mara began its rise to power. Taking the place of the Hanmari, they founded the Dagymar Empire and conquered Vallachkya and many lands to the south. For hundreds of years, the different peoples of Vallachkya either rebelled against or fought for the Dagymar Empire. It was about 600 years ago when the Vyodh of Bughara, Alykzyandyr II, finally forced off the yoke of the Dagymari. He rallied the many tribes of the Altyar, Ijasz, Altai'a, Holzuk, Conmar, and Hevak into a powerful army and pushed almost all the way to Dag Mara itself before brokering a peace. He took the heartlands for the Altyar and half the Conmari clans, the craglands to the other Conmari and to the Ijasz, and the eastern plains and hills for the Hevak. The Altai'a and Holzuk refused to give up their nomadic ways however, and went back to the northern and northeastern steppes, though not as far as their ancestors once journeyed. Eventually, the Altyar absorbed most of the Conmari and Hevak peoples, with only the Ijasz retaining their unique traditions.
Type: A monarchy whose power is considered absolute. However, the tribal roots of the people have created a cultural tradition of overthrowing any leader too weak to unite the different racial groups.
Racial Profile: Mostly descendants of the various tribes of the Alit'yarai peoples, the Altyar are the dominant race and are known for their large size, resistance to cold, and dark shamanistic magic. The Ijasz live in the southwestern craglands and western forests along with small pockets of Conmari peoples. The Hevak like on the eastern plains before the steppes and many of them are wandering gypsies. Few non-humans live here, and most of those that do are elves, trolls, or dwarves from the west. This land lies at the crossroads of the eastern lands, the western human and dwarven heartland, and the southern deserts and jungles beyond the Dagymar Empire and the Abyssal Bay.
Trades: Traditionally, shepherding, horsebreeding, and bowmaking. Recently, mining and metalworking have become the dominant economic niches. The discovery of new smelting methods and the rediscovery of how to forge Ketosan Steel (considered the finest swordmaking steel in the world) made Vallachkyan metal, arms, and armor exports highly sought after for their purity and effectiveness.
Standing: Currently neutral, Vallachkya exists in a state of heightened tension with all of its neighbors and many of the states that formerly made up the Dagymar Empire. Strong economic ties to non-adjacent nations exist though. Currently, the socio-political future of the country is very malleable. No one has declared war yet though, due to fears of Vallachkyan industry being turned to support other rivals.
Specifics: The country is roughly oval shaped, with borders defined by the Hann mountain ranges to the west, the Dagymar Empire and Abyssal Bay to the south, and the Kulamn Plateau to southeast. Lake Byajak makes up the northeastern border, and the northern edges of the country eventually extend into open steppe, which also dominates the northern half of the country. The western part of the country has many thick fens fed by rivers that come out of the Hann Mountains. The southwestern portion is mostly rocky basalt crags and highlands. Stark and lifeless in the winter, yet often filled with moss and flowers during the spring and summer. The central heartlands are rolling hills punctuated by sporadic copses and small solitary mountains that slowly turn into open plains and eventually the endless grass of the steppe as one moves east. Around the shores of Lake Byajak, the plains become marshlands. The great Lankaoa river runs south from lake Byajak to the Abyssal Bay, feeding small tributaries along the way. One of which extends west into the heartlands and feeds Lake Turgil. On the western shore of Lake Turgil sits Bughara, the capital city. Built between the eastern slope of Mount Hast and the shores of the lake, it is a great city. Filled with distinct architecture, canals in the eastern district, and imposing palaces, churches, temples, and forts in the western half. The city is known as the birthplace of Gollems (created by a claymaker from the west who lived in exile), and even though the art was lost long ago, six great Gollems still guard its gates today. Bughara is a glittering city of copper roofing, red and grey stone, and tall tiered spires. The small river Gyurin runs through the center of the city from Mount Hast to Lake Turgil, and is named after one of the sons of Hast who is said to have founded the city. While most of the country may be dark and forbiddingly grey, Bughara is the bright contrast to the country's morose reputation. It is said that while Mount Hast may make the sunsets rather short, that they are the most beautiful one can ever witness as the purple, orange, and fading red paints the copper roofs and cast the mountain in a backdrop of purple somberness.
The military of Vallachkya is mostly comprised of land forces. Only recently establishing a navy in order to ensure traffic of goods along the Lankaoa from the island colonies the recently acquired in the southern sea. The Army is organized under a central authority but has a number of distinct "branches" that have different rules, functions, and places within society. The Vallemyrch are primarily traditional heavy cavalry and men-at-arms drawn from the nobility that make up about 3 regiments, the Alit'krygr are mostly light and medium cavalry from the steppes drawn into 5 mixed regiments formed of many clans. While the individual clans themselves have their own forces, the Alit'krygr are under the direct control of the centralized Council of Generals who are in turn under the control of the Vyodh. The rest of the army is formed into 16 combat regiments with composite force compositions similar to a Roman Legion, 8 support regiments, 3 regiments of household guards, and 2 military police regiments. These regiments can be organized into different Armies and deployed as mission requirements dictate. Of particular note are a few elite units. The "Hussars of Valichye" are an elite cavalry force that are about 300 men strong and are a proof of concept for the institution of mixed cavalry tactics in the army. The "Spears of Bughara" are a special order of footsoldiers that was established from the militias that successfully defended Bughara from an invasion by the Dagymar Empire 200 years ago. They carry copper-plated spears and are viewed as an elite fraternity for commoner soldiers. Then there are the infamous "Cragwolves", a unit rumored to be almost exclusively drawn from the Ijasz peoples that conducts special forces operations in dangerous terrain. Also of note are the Hakjyki Drolmons. These are the shamans and magic wielders organic to each unit. They are particularly valued in cavalry units for their abilities to calm and invigorate horses before a battle. The greatest asset the Vallachkyan military has is its cavalry. Vallachkyan cavalry forces are divided into three categories: Heavy, Medium, and Light. Heavy cavalry are traditional western knights. They are probably the fewest in number, but are valued as shock-troops and for holding the center of a cavalry charge. Most Vallachkyan cavalry is of the medium variety. This is a recent transition. By incorporating the fighting styles of light steppe cavalry with heavier armor and lances, they are a very versatile force. The typical Vallachkyan cavalryman wears a thinner gambeson than most and is covered in chainmail with plate only on the forearms, thighs, and chest. This allows for better movement and speed. They also wear the silk shirts of light cavalry forces to increase survivability from arrow or crossbow bolt wounds. They wear full-helms of fitted metal with hinged masks and cheek pieces or open helms for those who prefer extra visibility over protection. With a saddle-bow, hooked halberd-like lances, basket-hilted backsword and an ovular cavalry shield, they combine the impact of heavy cavalry with the maneuverability and versatility of light cavalry. Of course, most of the Alit'krygr are still traditional light cavalry who wear riveted-plate in leather brigantines over silk shirts, open-faced helms, two recurve saddle-bows with extra saddle quivers, simple ashwood lances, and the single-edged heavy chopping swords plainsmen are known for. The thing that makes their cavalry truly deadly, are their horses. Specially bred by the Kolumsai ages ago, the Alit'eppa breed is massive, yet nimble and intelligent. These horses are a highly sought after commodity and are really the only horses capable of carrying a fully armored Altyar into battle.
Last edited by a moderator:
