Hochlant

Political Structure

Hochlant is part of the Vereint Empire. As such, Emperor Ulric Lanzarisson technically has ultimate authority over happenings in the country. In practice, however, his governance is mostly concerned with religion, and the head of state is Queen Frieda. She inherited the throne in 1021, and has spent much of the time since solidifying her authority.

The Queen is supported in her duties by a council of the four Dukes of Hochlant, the independent Earls, and a number of advisors selected from the remaining nobility. This council and the formality of its composition is a relatively new part of the political structure, being only around 20 years old. Its formation was a requirement of the Grand Charter of Hochlant, which ended the Civil War in 1003, and thus its existence is secured by law and the armies of the duchies.

In terms of rank, the Dukes sit beneath the Queen, then the Earls, then the Barons. A few of the Earls answer directly to the Queen, mostly those overseeing small islands, but all Barons answer to either an Earl or a Duke.

The remaining population of the country have equal legal standing, though there are clear differences in political influence and living conditions between the other classes. Most notable of these is the merchant class, who have recently risen sharply in prominence due to vast loans taken out by the Queen to perform a ritual to reshape the city of Coelwant in 1023. Exactly how this influence will be used remains to be seen.

Culture

The day to day life of citizens of Hochlant is highly dependent on their social class. As a feudal society the most apparent division is between the nobility and the peasantry, though skilled craftsmen live differently to farmers to hunters. Despite the historically strong division between the two main strata, a merchant class has been quickly coming to prominence as an obvious third group; this process was sped up recently, with the Queen making many deals with the non-noble rich to fund her new castle.

Whilst their interpretation of the Holy Truth is different to that on the continent, Hochlant is an Imperial state; the state religion is that of the Church of the Holy Truth, with the Church calendar dictating most high days and holidays. However, sharing borders with the Cold Sea Nations, and Glynry in particular, leads to some other traditions and practices being common. Even for followers of the Imperial Holy Truth many of the Old Ways have been twisted into the religion, with extra saints and respect paid to the locations of old shrines. None of these extra practices or beliefs are heretical, but they do, on occasion, draw the attention of the continental parts of the Church.

These practices also, in turn, lead to a greater willingness to accept heterodoxical interpretations of the Holy Truth within Hochlian borders - things which are not part of the teachings of the Imperial Church, but which do not contradict it either. This openness towards such beliefs leads to an increased number of minor cults and fringe religious groups, most of whom exist peacefully alongside more traditional interpretations. The variety of interpretations across the country and the ways they mix together is a defining aspect of Hochlian culture, as opposed to just Imperial.

The population of Hochlant is predominantly human, though having some elvish blood is relatively common. This manifests as occasional elvish traits such as pointed ears every couple of generations in most of the country. Some representation of all races is found, though they are much rarer and tend to stick to port cities or the capital. The southernmost duchy of Gwenerland has a higher than usual population of elves and people with elvish traits due to its large land border with Glynry. As you travel from the north to the south of the country, more elvish influence can clearly be seen in the festivals and cultural practices of the commoners. Still, the largest divides remain along class and not geographical lines.

Geography

The country of Hochlant is found in the far east of the Vereint Empire, separated from the Imperial Mainland by the Westmeer. While a part of the same landmass, to travel to the Imperial Mainland via foot would involve crossing a deep mountain range to the north, then the Jovan lands. The Deepwoods cover the eastern border of Hochlant, from a short way into the mountains all the way to the Cold Boreasolan Sea in the south. It separates Hochlant from the elven kingdoms of Glynry and Coliaenach, whilst Talamard is found further east still.

The majority of the country is formed of lowland farms, though the terrain gets rockier near the mountains in the south and the east. Across the area one can find deposits of various metals and minerals - including the ever important copper and iron - allowing Hochlant to remain mostly self-sufficient - even if basics must be traded away for the finer goods enjoyed by the nobility.

Coelwant

Coelwant is the capital city, and heart of, Hochlant. A large district of the city centred on the Castle, was recently rebuilt via ritual magic, granting the Queen a new castle in her seat of power. Being the seat of the monarch the city regularly plays host to nobility from across both the country and Empire, in turn attracting a large number of merchants. Whilst most of the population of Hochlant remains rural, Coelwant has the highest population of any single settlement in the country. The Lunar Road also has its nexus within Coelwant.

Branshire

The Duchy of Branshire sits at the heart of Hochlant, with Gwenerland to the south, and Inlihtburgshire and Lechtenwall to the North. Its capital of Clerston is the seat of Duke Lawrence Bael. Other major settlements include Brandkirk, home of Baron Ripley and the closest city to the headquarters of the Ardent Vigil.

Historically, it was not Clerston but Brandkirk which was the seat of power in Branshire. However, during the 940s, the then-Duke publicly decried the Holy Truth. This may have been overlooked, had he repented of the words and had the Eshrevetlan Pontifex’s assistant not been present. He had been there to check on the construction of the Our Lady of Ashes Cathedral, due to be the new seat of religious power in Branshire. Construction on the Cathedral was halted and, in the fallout, the Lords of Brandkirk stripped of their power. The Duchy was granted to House Bael, Lords of Clerston, while House Ripley barely managed to cling to the Barony. The Cathedral was later completed as the Our Lady of Ashes Church but, much like the lords of the city, it is a mere shadow of what could have been.

Branshire is unique among the Duchies of Hochlant, in that it borders every other Duchy, and also in that it has no coastal access; its northern edge meets the Duchy of Lechenwall, and southern the Duchy of Gwenerland. To the west it meets a smaller mountain range than that in the north, and beyond it Inlihtburgshire, while in the east their border touches the thickest part of the Deepwoods.

Despite this limiting access to foreign trade, it puts the duchy in a prime location for dealing in politics and intra-national trade. Most items which pass through the duchy are taxed, a more sensible expense than risking the dangers of the sea. In terms of land usage, much of the duchy is taken up by farmland. In the flatter regions of the north of the duchy cattle farming is common, with livestock farming becoming more common to the south as the terrain gives way to the hills and mountains.

Gwenerland

The Duchy of Gwenerland is the southernmost region of Hochlant, bordering the Feywoods to the east, Branshire to the north, and the sea everywhere else. It is the furthest from Coelwant physically, though remains politically active. It is ruled by Duchess Elizabeth de Tremaine, from her seat in its Capital, Torrfaest. Due to the influence of its Duchess, the counties of Gwenerland are some of the most strictly delineated.

The geography is dominated by large lakes, mountains, and hills, purposed towards agriculture. There are also a large number of mines - particularly copper mines - in the more mountainous areas, though those of Inlihtburgshire are by far the more profitable. A large amount of the land is too hilly or poor in quality for crops, but contains no valuable ores either. As such, it tends to be used for rearing sheep - an animal long associated with the area.

Due to its proximity to Glynry - just the other side of the Feywoods - there are more half-elves among the population than average for Hochlant, and the local culture has significant elvish influences. There are some trade routes through the Feywood, though the chances of having merchandise stolen have led to both peculiar local warding rituals, and a preference for important goods to travel by sea. Despite the lack of direct connection to the Capital, Torrfaest remains relevant by being both a port town and situated on the most commonly used road through the Deepwoods.

Inlihtburgshire

The Duchy of Inlihtburgshire is found in the north-west of Hochlant, and is the economic heart of the country. Currently the Duchy is ruled by Lord Edmund D’Amnis, Duke of Inlihtburgshire, a man who believes strongly in prosperity, but also in just living his own life.

Its capital, Flussfeld, is situated on the river Ell. A thriving port town and the trade centre of Hochlant, it is also home to the seat of Hochlant’s Archbishop of Lanzarius. This city is dominated by the still-forming merchant class, and money flows freely.

This area is particularly rich in natural resources; not only does the river provide easy access to fish and the ocean, but also to particularly fertile land. Farms line the river and its tributaries, which are then surrounded by forests providing sufficient wood for the duchy. Further inland, one can find large tin mines. While iron has become the more popular metal over the years, it was this tin which Inlihtburgshire built its fortune on, allowing it to become the overseas trading hub seen today. To the north of the county is a region of wetlands, the least profitable and, therefore, most commonly ignored part of the duchy.

Lechtenwall

The Duchy of Lechtenwall is found in the North East of Hochlant. The land quality is generally considered poor, and for much of history has been overseen by the Crown; while it is not profitable as a whole, the iron mines are of particular military interest. Since the Civil War, however, the territory has been ruled by House Tolle of Tolleburg. Duke Alfred Tolle, second of his line, is the current duke, having come into the position in the summer of 1023 AI.

The previous Duke, Lord Raedenhard Tolle, was an Earl who maintained neutrality during the Civil War. Thanks to this, his unobtrusive temperament, and his experience with warfare on the Continent, he was raised to the position of Duke. It is thought that the former King meant for him to serve as a balancing force between the duchies of Branshire and Gwenerland.

Due to poor arable lands, this duchy is largely dependent on livestock; sheep and goats are particularly common. The coastline is short, but does provide particularly good fishing spots. The iron in the mountains is the main valuable resource, and as such a large proportion of its citizenry are miners, else otherwise involved in smithing or ore refinement. Duke Raedenhard spent significant time involving himself in Holy Wars on the Continent. It remains to be seen if Duke Alfred will follow his example in this.

Notable Organisations

Societas of the Lunar Road

The Lunar Road is a cult of ritualists specialising in transportation magic. They were formally accepted into Imperial lands in 820 AI, and its members granted the same protections as followers of the Imperial interpretation of the Holy Truth. To fulfil their end of this agreement, they provide their knowledge and services to the Emperor. In internal matters they remain politically neutral, but do contract their services to certain other organisations.

The network of the Lunar Road offers faster travel across the Empire. However, their rituals only work between places connected by roads; Hochlant has its own separate ritual system, with its nodes not connected to those on the Continent. The Hochlian Chapter has its Nexus based in Coelwant, with other Chapters having their own Nexi in each Imperial nation. The headquarters of the organisation as a whole is found just outside of the walls of the Imperial City itself.

The greater tolerance of non-orthodox practices in Hochlant means that the Lunar Road spreads more places. On the Imperial Continent the Lunar Road only connectors major cities, whilst in Hochlant many towns and villages are also on the network.

While their religious practices and methodology are unknown to outsiders, authorities within the Imperial Church do not consider the cult to be heretical.

Ardent Vigil

The Ardent Vigil is a monster hunting organisation found roughly 3 miles from the city of Brandkirk. Its base of operations is found in an old Chapel to Ceressus, and an inn named The Wolf’s Head - the Chapel for important business, and the inn where the hunters hire rooms and gather. It was founded in 898 Anno Imperii. In the century since a hamlet has formed around it, from families of hunters settling and remaining through the generations, and the people necessary for the running of such an organisation - smiths, apothecaries, and so forth.

Traditionally the Vigil itself runs a very lax structure, whereby experienced monster hunters guide the youngers with their hard earned experience and taking care of what paperwork unfortunately finds them. From its founding lasting until the recent few decades the Vigil paid its members a salary paid for from the collection and selling of its trophies and payments.

Under the guidance of Lachlan of Brandkirk the de facto leader of the Ardent Vigil (largely due to his large personality, abundance of ideas, and a necessity for someone to be registered as leader for taxation purposes) this has changed. Since the turn of the millenium the Vigil has instead collected regular dues from its members, their money earnt from splitting rewards and selling the spoils of their work.

Notable Figures

Queen Frieda

Queen Frieda is relatively young for her position, being 26 years old at the time she came to power. She inherited the throne following the death of her father, King Dunstan, and is currently trying to solidify her powerbase. The signing of the Grand Charter by her father has limited the ways in which she can do this, however the rebuilding of Coelwant in dragon scaled-rock is certainly a notable achievement.

The Queen is said to be a reserved person, in contrast to her late father. She was trained in the arts of the Paladin by the Knights of St. Avaline, and is said to have a keen interest in magic, as proven by her considerable funding of education in the magic arts since her coming to power.

The Four Dukes

Duke Lawrence Bael - the Duke of Branshire is well known to be an unpleasant man. It is not a secret that he is cruel to those beneath him, and, at the time of his ascension to his rank, he was ill-equipped to handle a duchy; he was the youngest of his siblings, all of whom were dead or otherwise unable to inherit by the time their father died. He inherited his lands only a few years after the Civil War, the process of rebuilding being only half complete. His skills in leadership have improved over time, though much of the practical running of the duchy is in the hands of his advisors. Duke Bael himself prefers to spend his time collecting hunting trophies and making life difficult for his staff.

Duchess Elizabeth de Tremaine - the Duchess of Gwenerland proved herself on the battlefield. She first came to prominence during the Civil War, leading the troops of Gwenerland against the Crown, and inherited her position in the midst of it, too. Following that victory she spent some time warring on the continent, returning only when demonically inflicted injuries left her disabled and unable to fight. Since then she has applied herself to running her lands, politics, and continuing to train marital mages in her own style. There are well substantiated rumours that she, and mages trained by her, are capable of ritual-casting destruction magic.

Duke Edmund D’Amnis - the richest but youngest of the dukes. He is a strong believer in prosperity and the free flow of money. Whilst he enjoys the finer things and good quality items, he is not usually considered excessive in his spending habits and does understand the meaning of moderation. With the best of the farmland, most of the iron, and the country’s most major port under his command, he rarely sees the need to involve himself in politics or disputes.

Duke Alfred Tolle - the newest of the dukes, and second of his line. He recently inherited his position as Duke of Lechtenwall, a rank his father was promoted to in an attempt to provide a balancing voice between Duke Branshire and Duchess Gwenerland. Duke Alfred has yet to make any significant marks on either the country or his Duchy. It is believed that, once the affairs of the Duchy are in order, he will make for the continent and the crusades to continue his father’s work. It is unusual for someone of his age and rank to have made little impact before inheriting, though his father also made few waves during his life.

Baron of Brandkirk

Harald Ripley, Baron of Brandkirk, was once a young man intent on restoring his lands, fighting where he could and making close alliances across the country. Age and failure has turned him bitter and apathetic: his city has seen little change for his efforts. He is known to spend his days in the company of learnéd folk, collecting trinkets of occult import, aiming to feed his idle curiosity in what time he deigns to spend sober. His reputation is held aloft solely by comparison to Duke Lawrence Bael, Lord of Branshire.

Or so things were, until the return of his forgotten son in 1021 AI by the vigil. Saved from the grasp of the memory-devouring Snaer, the Baron’s son is said to have returned some life to his father’s eyes. In the years since, he has taken a more active role in tending to his subjects’ concerns. Though his manner is still serious, it is now tempered with a little compassion and joy. Ser Wilfrith Ripley himself is said to have begun appearing in public again as of late 1023.

Timeline

Notes: - the timeline is provided for reference, not with the expectation for players to remember it. - where living memory does not exist, dates are given as according to Imperial records. - many other events have occurred. The selected events are ones which either had large effects on the socio-cultural situation in Hochlant, or are particularly famous.

-56 - Birth of Lanzarius, in the area now known as the Imperial Heartland.

-43 - Birth of Saint Avaline, in the lands now known as Hochlant.

-37 - After the deaths of his elder brothers to war and disease, Lanzarius begins travelling the world.

-27 - Lanzarius reaches the land now known as Hochlant. While there he meets the woman who will become Saint Avaline, who joins him on his travels.

-3 - Lanzarius returns to his homeland, claiming the throne and setting about unifying his kingdom following a period of civil unrest.

-1 - Having proven his worth by uniting his homeland, Lanzarius ascends. This occurs on the Winter Solstice. 3 days after Lanzarius’ ascension, Saint Avaline has a vision of him taking the Throne at the Centre of the World. This event is celebrated every 25th December with Lanzariusmas.

0 - In Machuary, the Empire is founded by Saint Avaline.

33 - Death of Saint Avaline.

298 - The first recorded instance of Prince Ysbrant of Branmark summoning undead, an act which would eventually lead to the Ruination of Branmark. As this summoning was performed as a public spectacle, it is likely he had been experimenting with such magics for some time prior. It is understood that he, a devotee of Lanzarius, believed his divine right to rule extended even over the dead.

307 - Prince Ysbrant turns his now large force of ensorcelled corpses from simple labourers to an army, declaring war on the neighbouring countries. Circa 315 - Following a period of great success for Prince Ysbrant’s campaign, the armies of the other Imperial Nations start to slow his progress. In response and not needing traditional supplies, the Prince orders that newly claimed territory be scorched, preventing his enemies from using it resupply should they take those areas back. Following this his pace picks up again for a time, supplementing his fighting force with the corpses of starved civilians.

319 - Prince Ysbrant suffers a major defeat at the Battle of Rozenveld. A few months later came the first reports of demons assisting the Branmark army. As Prince Ysbrant is a known Faith caster, it is deemed highly unlikely that this is accidental. The war becomes locked in a statemate.

347 - The first recorded rumours of Prince Ysbrant using his demons, or perhaps his magic, to artificially extend his lifespan. These are recorded in the journal of one of the Imperial Field Commanders, now preserved at a monastery in Branmark’s capital.

360 - Prince Ysbrant is killed when Imperial forces stormed his Capital, but his undead and demons did not disappear with him. A new Ruling Prince was installed in Branmark, and the next several decades were spent trying to repair the resulting damage. Following the Ruination of Branmark, necromancy is outlawed across the Empire. A cultural shift away from any magic concerning the dead had already been in progress as a result of the war.

Mid-to-late 4th century - Slow arrival of the Hochlian people to the area now known as Hochlant. They form the then-small Kingdom of Hochlant.

383 - King Aelfric of Hochlant announces his conversion to the Holy Truth, the first Hochlian King to do so.

385 - According to tradition, this is the year in which Jarl Johann first met King Aelfric, saving the King’s Hall from demons.

408 - Jarl Johann dies killing a dragon atop the mountain now known as Jarl’s Folly.

420 - The treaty causing Hochlant to become part of the Vereint Empire is signed. Over the years the area the Kingdom covers continues to expand.

820 - Adoption of the Gottfried Calendar, by Emperor Gottfried The Lunar Road gains acceptance and legal recognition within Imperial lands.

867 - The King of Hochlant dies without issue, or otherwise naming an heir. Three claimants within Hochlant declare war on one another. Once all three forces are exhausted a fourth claimant, hailing from the Imperial Heartlands, picks off the remainder and takes the throne for himself. This begins the current Royal House, and many of the Hochlian aristocratic families date from this time.

898 - The Ardent Vigil is first chartered as a Monster Hunting Organisation.

943 - Duke Anna Ripley of Branshire is stripped of his title, following his denouncement of the Holy Truth. The title was given to Lord Wymon Bael, a favourite cousin of the then-King. Lord Alfred Ripley, a son of the deposed Duke, was permitted to take the title of Baron Brandkirk rather than completely disinheriting the family.

947 - Viharos secedes from the Jovan Alliance.

984 - Thekland formally joins the Vereint Empire.

996 - Birth of Princess Frieda, first born of King Dunstan of Hochlant.

997 - A number of nobles, at the urging of former Duke Turbert de Tremaine of Gwenerland, raised flags of rebellion following a series of unpopular economic choices, and the refusal of the King to listen to the nobles attempting to mitigate these effects. The Duke of Branshire remained on the side of the King.

999 - Lord Herbert Bael, heir to the Duchy of Brandkirk, is killed in battle. As the second child, Lord Gilbert, was disinherited upon his marriage to Lady Elizabeth de Tremaine, Lord Lawrence, the third son, takes the position of heir.

1001 - Death of Duke Turbert de Tremaine of Gwenerland. Despite not being formally anointed by the Crown until after the Civil War, his daughter, Lady Elizabeth, takes his duties and begins using the title of Duchess. Holness, seeking to reclaim territory from Snörland, begins a formal war of reclamation. Hostilities had been ongoing for some years prior to this.

1002 - Battle of Derwerth Field, the largest battle of the civil war. The rebellion, under command of Duchess Elizabeth de Tremaine, was victorious, and this battle proved to be decisive. Fighting slowly began to die down as politics took over.

1003 - Signing of the Grand Charter of Hochlant, ending the civil war and forcing the King to make concessions to the nobility. Earl Tolle is prompted by the King to the position of Duke of Lechtenwall, a duchy that had stood empty for a few generations. It is believed that his promotion of a neutral and uncontroversial party to the rank was an attempt to bring more stability to the court.

1004 - Lord Edmund D’Amnis inherits position as Duke of Inlihtburgshire, following the death of his mother, the former Duke D’Amnis. He proceeds to make significant impact on the economic policies both of his territory and Hochlant as a whole. Once the chances are made he quickly retires from being actively involved in Court Politics, determining to focus on his own territory.

1005 - Death of the former Duke Bael. Lord Lawrence Bael, his third born but eldest available heir, inherits.

1010 - Duchess Elizabeth de Tremaine breaks the Siege of Fauksborg to interrupt a major demonic ritual being performed by enemy mystics. In doing so her forces suffer heavy losses, and she herself sustained life-threatening Chaos-tainted wounds. Lord Hendrick de Tremaine, younger brother of Duchess Elizabeth, disappears along with his wife and children. Their last known location was on a hunting trip to celebrate Madame Godiva de Tremaine, his eldest daughter’s, upcoming marriage. Duchess Gwenerland returns home with her forces, having survived her injuries but no longer able to take to the battlefield.

1011 - Formal end of the Reclamation of Holness, though skirmishes continue to this day.

1022 - Death of King Dunstan. Queen Frieda is crowned. Valenia declares war on Westreich.

1023 - Queen Frieda conducts a large ritual in the Coelwant, so as to build her new castle. Whilst the ritual was interrupted by Exalted seeking to summon demons into the capital city, this was repelled. Death of Duke Raedenhard Tolle of Lechtenwall. His eldest son, Lord Alfred Tolle, inherits his title. Invasion of Hochlant by Exalted Forces begins on Lanzarimus with attacks along the entire Hochlian coastline. The Archbishop of Lanzarius is killed upon his Cathedral steps.

1024 - On New Years Day, Duke D’Amnis flees Flussfeld for the Capital. The city is declared lost.