Estrevenya

Old Estrevenya was an ancient kingdom of the Vechtese, and was one of the largest of their realms. The kingdom was to the east and south of Amastre, along the coast of the Vechtese Sea, and extended several hundred miles inland. It was destroyed by the armies of Amastre in ancient days, and many of the ruling houses in Juhnvechteya can trace their lineages back to the nobility of this kingdom. A few minor Amastreii houses also have partial ancestry in Estrevenya, though they are no longer culturally Vechtese. Estrevenya, in modern vernacular, is now the name of a region to the south of Amastre. 
=== History ===
It is unknown when Estrevenya was founded, but by its destruction it was already considered ancient. Few records have survived the years between its disillusion and the modern day, with most having been either forgotten or burned. Only vague legends and myths tell of its ancient past. 
Around 900 years ago, the kingdom would become the single largest state in Fejuhn-Vechteya. It would become involved in several wars on its marches during this time, against both petty states in the east and northwest and tribes from the southern mountains. During this time, they would go to war with a coalition of tribes lead by the Alemanyi, an ancient, savage tribe of Vechts to their east, and they would utterly destroy them, killing the men and taking the women and children as slaves. 
400 years ago, Estrevenya would become imbroiled in conflict of an ever increasing scale against the rising Amastre, which sought to expand both eastward and southward. Throughout the decades, the two would clash repeatedly, culminating in a great war, the likes of which wouldnt be seen again for many centuries. On the field of battle, the High King of the Estrevenyans would fall, and his army would route, resulting in the complete and total victory of the Amastreii. 
From this point, the kingdom would split into various petty states, each of which with their own king, and they would slowly be conquered and incorporated into Amastre. Many Estrevenyans and other Vechts would flee across the Vechtese Sea to the west, to the region known as Juhnvechteya, and there they would found new kingdoms for their people. Most of the Estrevenyans who remained either converted and assimilated into Amastreii culture, or would degenerate into raiding hill clans and tribes, living on the marches of Amastre and Reyellea, and in the high hills in the south. 
During the Amastrii Civil Crisis, the Vechtese, both of Estrevenyan and eastern origin, would rise up, and seize much of Amastre. 
=== Structure ===
Estrevenya had a unique structure among kingdoms, for it was not entirely united. The kingdom had many kings, known collectively as the Kings in Estrevenya. These Kings in Estrevenya would rule over their own domains within the kingdom, and would be lead by a High King, who would be appointed each year from among the Kings in Estrevenya. 
Below the various kings of the region were the nobility. The nobles, like the kings, titled themselves as "The (Duke, Count, Baron, etc) in (Region)", rather than the more traditional "(Noble title) of (Region)". Often these nobles would rule like kings themselves, and would govern the local regions with a light touch. 
Under the nobility was the rest of the population, ranging from the knights to the farmers. For the most part they could do as they wished, so long as they followed the laws and customs of the kingdom. 
=== Legacy ===
==== Juhnvechteya ====
Juhnvechteya is perhaps one of the greatest legacies of Estrevenya. The region, across the Vechtese Sea from land where Estrevenya once stood, was settled primarily by Vechtese refugees from Amastre's conquest of the region, lead by High King Daniel Muntz, the last True King of Estrevenya. Though there had been small colonies of Vechts in the region before the conquest, along the southern coast, after the fall of the kingdom, many thousands of Vechts would flee across the sea, and settle the new region. They would slowly push inland, tp find new lands for themselves, until the region would be covered, from coast to coast, in Vechtese Settlements.
==== League of Free Lords ====
The League of Free Lords is another of the legacies of Estrevenya. A political entity of Juhnvechteya, the League follows the old tradition of Estrevenya, with nobles ruling large swathes of territory, and electing a single King to lead the league in times of great strife. Many of the houses and member states of the league can trace their lineage back to an Estrevenyan noble. 
=== Estrevenyii ===
The Estrevenyii are the remaining Estrevenyans, who continue to live in isolated groups in the south and east of Amastre. fragmented into clans, their have deteriorated culturally to the point that they have become settlers in the last of the untamed wilds. In the crags and highlands, little grows, so they are mainly pastoralists and herders, and they raid to sustain themselves in harsh times.
=== Houses ===
There are many noble houses, both in Amastre and among the Vechtese, with connection to Estrevenya, through blood and marriage both. These houses may take pride in their heritage, or they may try to hide it. There are also many clans of Vechtese, descendant from Estrevenya, who claim descent from the old kingdom, who live throughout the hills and mountains of the region. 
==== Houses claiming descent from Estrevenya ====
Aranie of Hart (Eastern Amastre Marches)
Asfer of Kerrae ( Southeastern Amastre Marches)
Ereth of Lipzen (Southern Marches of Amastre)
Fertaepe of Alt-Rothern Hall (Southern Marches of Amastre)
Grifting of Brancony (Brancony)
Fon Jerafbaurg of Elkaterith (Brancony)
Fon Tordmark of Elkaterith (Brancony)
Harille of Ardrochk (Amastre)
Jaeger of Ploughwood (Tanderland)
Meher of Juhnlant ( Southern Amastre Marches)
Molansky of Credowe (Joraje)
Muntz of Tanderland, House of Daniel (Tanderland)
Revenfeld of Kostravald (Joraje)
Senfilt of Jarenhell (Eastern Amastre Marches)
Taepe of Hrad Kanberk (Joraje)
Tajep of Joraje (Joraje)
==== Clans claiming Estrevenyan Descent ====
Clan Aaeru
Clan Arelman
Clan Ayent
Clan Brunkyle
Clan Calnnen
Clan Drastem
Clan Duoll
Clan Gedetotan
Clan Hersent
Clan Illetz
Clan Juhnduoll
Clan Jolen
Clan Lelot
Clan Molleyt
Clan Nallan
Clan Sverter
Clan Skjert
Clan Tenannet
Clan Yillend
Clan Zablakyle
Category:Lore