County of Kozlowka

Horsemen of the Plains

The County of Kozlowka was an independent feudal county under the rule of Count Sokół Aleksander Ledóvowski III. It maintains claims over the center of Sykrovia, in the Zlotovy Plains.

## **History**

### Founding

Upon Sokół Aleksander Ledóvowski III's arrival to Sykrovia via shipwreck, he quickly searched the nearby coastlines for fellow survivors, of the hundreds that came with him, only around 100 survived, and Sokół was the only Noble left alive.

He then reorganized the survivors into an operational group. He declared that he would lead them to glory, survival, and prosperity. They then went off into Sykrovia, looking for a new place to call home. When they stumbled into the Zlotovy Plains, and found the Seroki Lake, they knew they had found a new home, and declared Sokół Count of Kozlowka.

## **Reign of Sokół Aleksander Ledóvowski III 972 - Present**

### Rapid Growth of Kozlowka

Upon settling down near what is now named Seroki Lake, Sokół and his people quickly began to work on what they'd need to survive on this new land. Unknowingly, they had selected an area of Sykrovia that was in the center most crossing point of the land. This lead to immediate high traffic, and as more and more people began to arrive and pledge loyalty to House Ledóvowski, they quickly grew into the highest populated nation in all of Sykrovia.

### Deals and Talks

With all of this expansion, it only was a matter of time until others began to meet with the Kozlowkan County. The first contact was with the City-State Of Holwick, directly south of Kozlowka. As well as the Kingdom Of Novus, to the direct north of Kozlowka.

#### The Pact Of Iron

Only a few months into the County's creation, Count Sokół Aleksander Ledóvowski III was determined to make proper and valuable diplomatic moves with the other nations of Sykrovia. One of the first was with the Kingdom Of Novus. Through Mindaugas Daumantas Wladyslaw Dominykas III's silver tongue, they were able to secure a defensive alliance with the Kingdom. As well as open trade and movement. This allowed Kozlowka to more freely make moves throughout Sykrovia.

#### The Unir River Agreement

After first meeting the County of Holwick, Count Sokół Ledóvowski III met with Count Cynbel Mordha to discuss the borders of their two nations. With this agreement, Kozlowka would have rights to the land east of the Unir River, and the County of Holwick would have all rights to the west of the Unir River. It would also begin a trade agreement between the two nations.

#### Expansion of Trade and Economic Growth

Along with the Foreign Minister Mindaugas Daumantas Wladyslaw Dominykas III. Sokół Aleksander Ledóvowski III rapidly reached out to all of the proclaimed nations of Sykrovia in search of achieving open-trade as well as open borders between Kozlowka and them. Through this trade-based economy, the Kozlowkan economy quickly became incredibly powerful.

#### Vast Border Expansion

As the County became more populated and economically stable, it became necessary to push out and claim more land for future expansion. This was done swiftly and effectively. The claims of Kozlowka went from merely the Seroki Lake, to nearly all of the Zlotovy Plains. This was unchallenged due to the "on-the-service" lack of value the land provided, and how no other major power lived in the plains.

### The Creation of the Voivode

Following this rapid expansion, Sokół Aleksander Ledóvowski III awarded Mindaugas Daumantas Wladyslaw Dominykas III the title of prince, and a small portion of the Zlotovy plains to be ruled personally by Mindaugas, known as the Principality of Arklysija. This was payment for the service Mindaugas had done for Sokół over the time of the creation and subsequent expansion of Kozlowka. However, due to this expansion it was not fit to refer to the overall nation as a simple county. Through this, The County Of Kozlowka was made into the Voivode Of Zykoszyn.

## **Culture**

The Kozlowkan Culture revolves around 3 main things. The hierarchy of nobility, the honor of one's nation and self, and to always be honest. These derive from the state religion of Kozlowka, the Temple of Kroska.

## **Military**

The Kozlowkan military derives its identity from the Stanislowian military, where House Ledóvowski is from. Due to the location of Kozlowka being in the Zlotovy Plains, the horse is the primary weapon of the Kozlowkan war machine.

Nobility is always utilized as the heavy cavalry force, focused more on hammer and anvil charges and horseback combat.

The heavy infantry is made up of veteran soldiers, or peasants who managed to rise up the economic ladder to afford their own plate armor.

Archers and peasant levy forces make up the final parts of the Kozlowkan army. These soldiers are lightly armored and are more utilized to trap enemies in positions where the heavy cavalry can do devastating damage.

## **Settlements and Titles**

Voivodeship of Zykoszyn - Sokół Aleksander Ledóvowski III - Voivode of Zykoszyn

County of Kozlowka - Sokół Aleksander Ledóvowski III - Count of Kozlowka

Principality of Arklysija - Mindaugas Daumantas Wladyslaw Dominykas III - Prince of Arklysija