The Hinterwald

The Hinterwald is a Duchy of the Kingdom of Whytehold, which borders the wild Hinterlands. It is a mostly forested province, interposed by large regions of heath. The Hinterwald is the kingdom's first defense against the monsters of the Hinterlands. The people of the Hinterwald are renowned as being brave and tough, even more so than the rest of the kingdom, due to the deadly nature of the region.
The best hunters and marksmen in the Kingdom come from the Hinterwald.
The region is also sometimes known by its historical name of Albavayn, though this term is more commonly used to refer to the independent nations which have ruled the Hinterwald.
The Capital of the Hinterwald is the city of Kilzig.
== History ==
The first civilisation to inhabit the Hinterwald were the Rune Kingdom, whose capital of Dasa was located in the northern Hinterlands. In those times, the Hinterlands were not the wild dangerous forests that they are now. The most notable remnant of their time in the region is the ancient city of Runea, or Runeholt.
After the collapse of the Rune Kingdom in the late 7th century, the Vylatean Republic took ownership of the region. It was during this time that the region became known as "Albavayn".
In the 9th century, the Athelings migrated from the north and began to settle in the region. At first they were oppressed by the Vylateans, until the mid 10th century when many of the surrounding tribes rose up against the city of Vylatea, to tear down their dark tyranny. This was successful, and as a result, the Athelings were given independent rule over the region of Albavayn. Over the next few centuries, various clans and kingdoms rose and fell, and were known as the "Atheling Petty Kingdoms".
In 13.65, King Raymund the Mad of Whytehold drove his armies north and decimated the forces of the Athelings. He burned down their capital of Tor Ynver, killed their royal families, and built a colossal fortress known as Raymundsfort, where he briefly ruled his kingdom from. After his death shortly afterwards, the kingdom maintained a small military presence in the region, centred around the Raymundsfort, while the rest of Albavayn fell into chaos and dispersed into small clans again.
Over the next few years, a settlement began to be built around the Raymundsfort, as the native Athelings sought the safety and security provided by the Whyteholder soldiers. When residents of this settlement began to trade rare furs and other resources with the southern nations, the people of Ebenreich and Silvershire realised the potential riches of the Hinterwald, and some also began to move north. The settlement rapidly expanded, and became the city of Kilzig.
The new city of Kilzig was nominally an extension of the White Kingdom, but was so far from Whytehold that it had complete autonomy. The city began to expand its territory and influence, easily conquering the small clans surrounding it. Kilzig's armies were a powerful combination of Whytehold knights and Albavayn hunters, and they learned from the people they subjugated. From the native Athelings, they learned how to navigate the forests, and how to fight the monsters of the Hinterlands.
The real consolidation point for the region came in the mid 15th century, when a group of holy warriors serving the White Kingdom and Sollan Temple arrived in Albavayn to convert the region to the Light. They bolstered the armies of Kilzig, and upon seeing this massive force, most of the pagan clans then either converted, or fled north. As a result, Albavayn came fully under the control of a Light-worshipping force of Whyteholder culture. One of these crusaders, Lord Melvich, named himself the Archduke of Albavayn, and established a unified government for the region, centred in Kilzig.
In the 17th century, Albavayn was one of the many regions which allowed itself to come under the control of the Great Sturvandian Empire. The term "Hinterwald" came about during the reign of this empire, it is Old Tyrranean for "region on the edge".
After the collapse of the Sturvandian Empire in 18.26, the Hinterwald split into two; the Archduchy of Albavayn, and the Kingdom of Ceredynon, when a Dark Warlock named himself king of Runeholt and claimed the west of the Hinterwald. This dark kingdom fell apart when the warlock died in 18.62, and was swiftly retaken by Albavayn.
Albavayn remained an autonomous region ruling over the Hinterwald until 20.30, when the burgeoning new Kingdom of Whytehold forced them into vassalage.
== Geography ==
=== Cities & Settlements ===
The provincial capital of the Hinterwald is the city of Kilzig. Kilzig is a large city, and is the only city in the region, home to the Order of Outrider Knights, and the Sect of Demon Hunters. It is also home to the largest menagerie of beasts in the Kingdom.
The second-largest settlement is the town of Vorderstadt. Vorderstadt is right on the front line, pushed up against the Hinterlands, in the province of Dyrne.
The only other major town in the region is Kincarnon, in the Southern Hochlands.
There are many castles in the region, such as Vankirke Castle, Castle Valoignes, and Fogwarden.
=== Provinces ===
The Hinterwald is split into four provinces, each of which is ruled by a Huntsmarshal.
The largest is the central region of Torfain. In the middle of Torfain is the regional capital Kilzig.
To the east of the region is the Southern Hochlands province.
The west of the region is the Ceredynon province.
To the north of Torfain is the small yet important Dyrne province, which sits at the edge of Loc Dyrne, and between the rivers Bright and Bael. It is the frontline against the Hinterlands.
== Politics and People ==
=== Government ===
The ruler of the region is technically Duke Heinrich Syldergeiss, however, due to his age he has split his responsibilities.
The titles of Grand Huntsmarshal, and High Commander of the Hinterwald Rangers, has been given to Lady Ivanna Jägerhund, who was already Marshal of Vorderstadt.
=== Albans ===
Despite the name "Albavayn" no longer being used, the people of the Hinterwald are referred to as "Albans". They are descended from a mix of Whyteholders, Thassalians, and the native Athelings.
Category:Regions