Austeron

**Austeron**

Size: 10, 920 square miles

Population: 973 000

Capital: Corian

Leadership: Queen Niamh Bellestable

Official Languages: Common (Austeronian), Dwarvish, Gnomish, Atolemic Handspeak

Demonym: Austeronian, Austeroi

Demography: Human (74%) Dwarven (12%) Gnomish (4%) Tortle (4%) Warforged (1%) Vedalken (0.8%) Other (4.2%)

Common Deities: Gond, Tyr, Moradin, Chauntea

Currency: Austeroi Crown Marks

**Establishment and Early History**

Prior to the Great Rupture, the Austeronian landmass is believed to have been located within the heart of Colhar, evidenced by ancient Shadowmarks discovered in the Clearbolt Mountains. Early settlement in Austeron began on the coast, with the oldest villages being located along the shores of Olcaster Bay, primarily around what is now know as Port Hysler. While records of the first century of Oud V'harian history are scant, it is believed that the Rupture began with the sudden displacement of all inhabitants of Colhar and Eritreme, most people finding themselves awakening in lands far displaced from where they had been prior to the Rupture. As a result, the circumnavigation of Oud V'har began, for most, with the new settlers exploring their immediate surroundings. However, historians also believe that Port Hysler was the point of departure of the fleet which settled Nikkemis, which, prior to circa 210 PR was likely uninhabited.

The Clearbolt mountains were also a point of early exploration, first traversed by Sir Brayer Altross in 174 PR. He established the town of Lastacre, and on return to the then-capital of Hymarck noted the fertile land located in the Alehova Foothills. He claimed first rights to the area, and later gifted them to the Bellestable family as a dowry, following his marriage to the then-princess, Matilde Bellestable. In 346 PR, following several years of flooding in the lowlands around Mallowpine Ridge, the crown officially relocated to the Alehova Foothills and established Corian as the new capital.

**Leadership**

Since the formation of Oud'Vhar and the Oud Council, Austeron has existed under the uninterrupted rule of the Bellestable Dynasty. For just over 1000 years, the crown has passed to the oldest Bellestable child, with the notable exception of Neville Bellestable, father of the current monarch, who took the mantle of King after his elder sister married into the Khorr family, becoming the King's Consort in Selrune

During the early fifth-century, as the populace of Austeron spread further across the region, and minor villages began to transform into towns and cities, the Bellestables appointed a selection of Lords to govern individual communities. Lordships are inherited, and thus most Lords are at least distantly related to the Bellestable family. Citizenss. pay their yearly tithes directly to their Lords, and Lords preside over monthly town hall meetings to settle local disputes.

**Military**

The Austeroi military has two wings; The Bellestable Crown Guard and The Atelmos Legion

The Bellestable Crown Guard is responsible for the protection of the people and leadership of Austeron, maintaining public order and defence of the regional borders. The high-command of the guard is traditionally held by second-born Bellestable child, currently Prince Gieron Bellestable. Its numbers are estimated at 80,000 soldiers, with 60,000 belonging to the infantry and 20,000 to the navy.

The Atelmos Legion is far smaller (although its exact size is unknown) and has a single duty: the security of the area surrounding the Minor Terror, known to the average Austeronian as the Well Of Songs. Most Atolemic soldiers are not Austeroi citizens, and are instead automatons built by the Guild of Mechanists at the request of the royal family. Atolemikc automatons do nstot speak, and communicate using only Atolemic Handspeak . Further, the small contingent of the Atelmos Legion made up of living creatures are required to take a vow of silence. The reason for this is unknown.

**Currency**

The Austeroi Crown Mark consists of five denominations, each bearing the image of one of the five original members of the Bellestable Family.

Atiors : The highest value coin, it is palm-sized and ivory in colour, bearing the portrait of the first Queen, Rhiannon Bellestable. Often referred to as "White Ladies" or "Nines"

Mhiens: 1/10th of an Aitor . A thick, black coin about the size of a chicken's egg. Bears the portrait of King Nicholas Bellestable. Often referred to as "Nicks"

Caits: 1/10th of a Mhien. The same size as a Mhien, but half as thick and dull red in colour. Nicknamed "Goats" after the portrait of Prince Kieran Bellestable on its obverse side, who wears an admittedly goat-like beard.

Cendars: 1/10th of a Cait, purple and about the size of a grape, bears the portrait of the famously-beautiful Princess Raine Bellestable. Often called "Violets", "Sweets" or in some circles "Whores" (it is not clear whether this is in reference to the Princess, or due to the fact that a Cendar is about the price of an evening companion in the provinces)

Qotts: 1/10th of a Cendar. Bronze and, unlike the larger denominations, crescent-shaped, with a notoriously sharp edge. Bears the newborn portrait of the ill-fated Prince Doric Bellestable, who died in infancy. Often referred to as "Princes" or "Biters"

**Geography**

Austeron is geographically diverse, with the Clearbolt Mountain range to the north, dense woodland to the east, central marshes and a long coastline, source of much of the industry in the region. It has temperate, if humid, summers and long, wet winters. There is snowfall year-round in the mountains although there is little elsewhere, even in the winter.

**Major Towns And Cities**

Corian

Red Cairn

Port Herald

Inrith

Wildfjord

Hymarck Citadel

Port Hysler