Bachengart

The Duchy of Bachengart, (formerly the Archduchy of Bachengart), is a feudal vassal state within the Empire of Ischanor. Located in the southeastern continent of Kejafros, it is a culturally vibrant realm governed by Duke Paul II of Bachengart. The City of Bachengart is a religious center within the Ischanic Church, where Daudin, the god of death, is the patron deity of the city that houses his main temple of worship within the Empire of Ischanor. The Duchy is known for its great castle, agricultural exports, and religious extremism.
== History ==
=== Origins and Founding ===
The founding of the Duchy of Bachengart can be traced back to the old Empire of Rugundy, an ethno-state at war with the old Kingdom of Lisvar that occupied the lands of modern-day Bachengart before the Empire of Ischanor. Its culture had some similarities with the Rugundian people and it is said that the first devotees of Daudin originated there. After numerous clashes between Lisvar and Rugundy, a war was declared in which the latter would be wiped off the map and occupied by Lisvar. The now city of Bachengart was razed to the ground, yet only the citadel stood, while the city, its huts, stables, cattle and fields burned.
Before the empire was formed, a commoner by the name of Paul Bumann was born, and through practice and skill, he became a knight, serving Lisvar before becoming a general later on. After multiple successful campaigns, he was awarded the title of Count, and given the land that is now Bachengart, creating in the process the House of Bachengart, named after the unscathed Rugundian stronghold.
=== Reign of Paul I (8-11 VE) ===
In 8 VE, and after the estates around modern-day Bachengart were bestowed to Paul von Bachengart as a County. The old Rugundian keep was revamped, and a city was built around it, and with the help of peasants and artisans, would become the breadbasket of the empire, with golden fields as far as the eye could see surrounding the walls and reflecting the sun. These fields became popular for their export of essential foodstuffs like grain, barely, carrots, and potatoes. This now-famous field is also known as 'Golden Fertilies' by its locals.
=== The Three Brothers' Regency (11-12 VE) ===
After being promoted to the title of Duke, Paul von Bachengart’s mental health began to decline greatly and at a rapid pace. He began to make borderline senile proclamations, including the banning of hats, and more importantly, the disbanding of the Duchy. Consequently his three sons, Ludwig, Rupert, and Hans removed him from power in a bloodless coup, forming a regency council. Duke Paul von Bachengart was placed under house arrest in the aftermath of the coup. A new charter was drawn up for the Duchy by his middle son, Rupert von Bachengart. The charter was ratified by him and his brothers the following day, and a new government structure was devised in which all three sons shared power equally in a regency council. Paul von Bachengart would spend much of his time after the coup attempting to recover from his mental health issues, and being comforted by his pet ducks later dying due to poor health.
=== Reign of Ludwig (12-52 VE) ===
==== The long rule (12-28 VE) ====
After suceeding his father in the aftermath of the regency, the initial rule of duke Ludwig would be peaceful with slow but remarkable growth, later becoming an Archduke (and Candidate-nominee for emperor of Ischanor). Later on, Ludwig decided it was time to revamp the government structure to ease the tasks across his realm, for that, he created the archducal council, in which councilors were appointed. This way the bureaucracy of the realm came to usher the Archduchy into its first Golden Age. Ludwig pushed for reform and administrative expansion, and Bachengart flourished under his rule and the Archduchy even saw its first territorial expansion coming in the purchase of a castle from their old liege, Lorenis.
==== The difficult rule (28-52 VE) ====
Ludwig's reign was not one without controversy however, meeting mishap after mishap, beginning with the secession from the Kingdom of Lorenin and Bachengart serving as an independent vassal under Ischanor. Then the Island Crisis, developing over the claiming of an archipelago of newly formed volcanic islands in the shared bay with the Duchy of Beloslavia, which then became a court case within the Imperial Court of Ischanor, a case in which Bachengart succeeded in the claim of these islands under certain terms of effort to restrict them to a certain area within the ocean. In addition to a second court case that was issued against Bachengart over the issue of its Independence issued by the King of Lorenis, claiming the independence of Bachengart was unconstitutional along with the purchase of Karngard, which was deemed illegal as it wasn't done with the consent of the monarch. The stress of said court cases took a toll on Ludwig, but, he remained strong and fought long and hard in this second case for the existence of an independent Bachengart. This court case ended in Bachengartish independence from Lorenin being recognized, but Karngard was to be returned, as the estate lord did not have the permission to sell it in the first place. The two court cases back to back took a toll on the aging Archduke, falling victim to a spell of melancholy and severe anxiety, almost identical to that of his late father, Duke Paul I. The stress deprived Ludwig of motivation, leading to his decision to resign. The Archducal Council was summoned to vote for a successor to the Archduchy, and the Council narrowly decided to choose a distant cousin, Früginson of Bachengart. 
=== Reign of Früginson (52-66 VE) ===
Früginson's reign was nothing special, as it was filled with maintaining the state which was already in a state of stagnation and then decline from the start, but he made the best he could out of a bad situation. The Archduchy then entered into a period hard decline, leading to the demotion to Duchy and a fall from grace. Duke Früginson then decided that his wisest and most humble decision would be to hold another vote within the Council for a Successor to the Duchy. The now Ducal Council, after a day of deliberation decided to choose Paul II of Bachengart, a reserved and relatively unknown son of Paul I, reported to be a bastard or an illegitimate son.
=== Reign of Paul II (66-present) ===
== Geography ==
The Duchy of Bachengart is located in a large meadow surrounded by beach, eucalypt, and mixed coniferous forests, as well as a large river that runs north. Separating Bachengart from the northwestern realms is a great mountain chain, currently held by Lorenis and Bannover, the west part is conformed by rocky coastal formations that develop into great cliffs, making the construction of a port settlement an almost impossible achievement.
=== Climate ===
The climate of Bachengart is mostly mild and oceanic, with Mediterranean-like conditions along the southern coast of the Duchy. There exist mild winters here, and many crops can be grown. In the northern reaches, however, the weather is subject to high seasonal fluctuations with hot summers and cold winters. Agriculture is not as easy here in this continental climate, but the abundant conifers provide for lots of quality lumber.
== Demographics ==
The Duchy of Bachengart enjoys a relatively diverse range of ethnic groups and cultures residing in the nation after considering its Bachengartisch majority, with approximately 70% of the population being of Bachengarter origin, with the Bjørns coming second at 18% of the population, Rugundians coming third with about 9%, and lastly immigrants from various backgrounds (Bjørns, Korolians, Goanese, Yarubu, ect) representing the remaining 3%.
The reason to which why Bachengart retains such a large majority of Bachengarters is because of large-scale settling and violent and repressive assimilation programs launched by the Kingdom of Lisvar to eradicate any semblance of Rugundian majority, in a bid to tame and discourage the latter from rebelling. An instance of said programs can be told in the fact that the majority of Rugundian survivors that resided in modern-day Bachengart were sent as laborers to Selroa by Lisvar, creating their own sub-group now referred to as the Chevance Rugundians. As a result of such genocidal measures, by the 7th decade of Lisvari occupation of the lands sorrounding the keep, its Rugundian population fell from 90% to 20%
This is not to discredit the tolerance of the Loreni aristocracy to foreigners and people from different ethnic backgrounds living in their realm. With some pushback from the conservatives however, the realm of Bachengart has three different ethnic groups participating in government affairs and day to day tasks of the state, like the Bjørns, owning and managing their Barony, and 2 individuals of foreign origin respectively, working for the court in government jobs.
A great deal of residents living in the city, showcasing how progressively urbanized the realm is. This can be reflected in the sorts of jobs that the majority of commoners work in, including labor, minor scale commerce and small businesses like bakeries, restaurants, inns and herbalists, with only a minority of the rural folk still engaging in farming and herding to supply the basic needs of city dwellers. the rate of urbanisation reached 63% in 62 VE. 
=== Ethnicities ===
Bachengarter/Bachengartisch - 408,630 inhabitants
They make up the majority of residents in Bachengart, including the aristocracy, well landed gentry and a vast majority of Bachengart commoners.
Rugundians - 52,463 inhabitants
What remained of the Rugundians stayed scattered in the southern parts of the realm, a significant minority still resides in Bachengart City, with some disparities mostly being from a very small and wealthy Rugundian land-owning gentry called the Couteaux family, which engages in grazing, herding, and small scale farming given the suitable climate.
Bjørns - 104,926 inhabitants
The Bjørns are group of people currently known for their prominent and somewhat well-to-do diaspora dispersed among the constituent realms of Ischanor, with the latter owning land, part of them (House of Bjørnsvin) are found managing estates given to them for their service by Ludwig in their bestowed Barony of Bjørnsvin, where they engage in the lucrative lumber business, selling it to different parts of the Empire, in addition to maintaining their own construction company across Ischanor.
Migrants/Foreigners - 11,074 inhabitants
The migrants, coming mostly from non-Ischanori origin, are typically found in the capital city, seeking out jobs mostly in the labour and farming in land owned by wealthy noble circles of the state. Although, the majority are not rich, and are mostly struggling to make ends meet. 
== Government ==
=== Structure ===
It is confirmed by the Duke, his brothers and counselors, that Bachengart is a heavily feudal influenced government where the Dule holds all the power and his brothers and councilors help him manage the realm.
The Duchy is between an absolute monarchy and an oligarchic-monarchy in its governmental structure, where the Duke holds supreme authority and can rule on any decision to his wishes, with the barons awnsering directly to him, although they can rule on their realm freely to the Duke's approval. However, and just recently, Ludwig would allow more participants from wealthier and more connected backgrounds to assist him in managing the state, with these being made into "Heads" of certain departments regarding the diverse affairs of the state.
In addition, the Duke retains his own councilor, who acts on his behalf when at times of the former's absence.
=== The Ducal Council ===
The council was established by the duke's counselor to act as an advisory board, it includes 13 councilors, with the latter being mostly barons and appointed heads of state affair departments, with the inclusion of some wealthy and well known people of the Duchy. These Council Members (CM) have assistants (CA) that aid them in decision making and have an acting authority at the time of CM absence. 
The head of said council would be the Ducal Counselor, presiding over the multitude of meetings and looking over any given suggestion by each member, before relaying it to the Duke himself.
The Ducal Council holds NO legislative authority, and CANNOT force decisions into implementation, with the Duke always having the final say about the council's suggestions and advice. They take NO part in party-elections, all council members are thus shown as independent, having NO affiliation to any common interest group or political party.
== List of ruler ==
Name 	Title 	Beginning of Rule	End of Rule
Paul I of Bachengart 	Count/Duke 	8 VE 	11 VE
Three Brothers' Regency	N/A 	11 VE 	12 VE
Ludwig of Bachengart 	Duke/Archduke	12 VE 	52 VE
Früginson of Bachengart	Archduke/Duke	52 VE 	66 VE
Paul II of Bachengart 	Duke 	66 VE 	-
== Notable Cities ==
=== Bachengart City ===
The village of Bachengart was given to Paul Bumann as part of a bestowed estate after his acomplishments in the old Kingdom of Lisvar in summer of 8 VE, it was a small village situated near an old rugundian keep that was in ruins, later on, it would be rejuvenated by the Lorenish people who immigrated to Bachengart, with the citadel as a central point, houses and walls would be erected around it by winter of 14 VE, slowly creating the fortified city of Bachengart. In this city the Lorenish and old Rugundians co-existed together and helped to achieve the prosperity that made Bachengart City what it is now, the city is now centered around the church of Daudin, because of this, buildings and the surrounding areas are decorated in his honour.
== Cuisine ==
=== Food ===
===== Bill Majonaise =====
A savory dumpling dish consisting of a meat, cheese, and vegetable filling enfolded within a doughy exterior. It is often served with a cream based sauce or a gravy, it can be eaten as a side dish or main course.
===== Horse Fleischkäse =====
It simply is a dish containing horse meat served with cheese.
=== Drinks ===
===== Mare Cream =====
An alcoholic beverage made from a Mare’s condensed and sweetened milk, mixed with a strong wheat alcohol. Usually added to sweet warm drinks, such as tea.
===== Bachwasser / Bachwater =====
An alcoholic drink, favoured by young adults. Is Sweet.
== Religion ==
The realm believes in the Ischanic pantheon and centers itself around Daudin, the god of the cycle of decay and renewal.
Local common people are known to leave offerings to Spirits and Daudin in small stone shrines.
Category:Abexilas
Category:Ischanor