Chrichheim

*"I like Chrichheimers. They're honest. Level and straight, not like the men from some of the other counties. And their spirits are some of the best in the Empire. Piss water compared to ours', of course, but at least you won't choke on it!"* - A Dwarf merchant

## Chrichheim

### Main Exports

Cattle, Leather Goods, Spirits, Textiles

Chrichheim, more formally known as the Duchy of Chrichheim, is a county and Representative State in the Empire of Man that lies in the south-eastern corner of the country. It's economy is largely based on the raising of livestock, most notably sheep and cattle, and the goods that can be created from it. Chrichheim is defined by the swaths of large, grassy hills that encompass its local geography. Though the soil is perhaps not the most fertile in the Empire, it makes for excellent grazing land.

Chrichheim translates roughly into 'border land', an appropriate name given the county's close proximity to the Vampiric Union. It was in Chrichheim where the hardest battles of the First and Second Vampiric Wars were fought and, to this very day, locals still have to contend with rogue undead that wander into their lands from across the border.

The county is also a popular raiding target for the Orcs and Goblins, likely due to the large number of relatively-unprotected livestock. This concentration of immediate dangers have made many Chrichheimers hardened, blunt people - though most cannot help but respect their honest attitudes.

## **History**

Before it became the Duchy of Chrichheim, the people that would later populate the county existed not as a united group at all, but rather a collection of bickering clans and rival chieftains. This division and infighting made these clans desirable and easy targets for marauding Orcs and predatory monsters. However Kylune, the Empire of Man's founder, was able to use a combination of shrewd diplomacy and military force to unite the clans against these existential threats - at least temporarily. However, after the the Battle of the Black Forest and the Orcs were driven out, the clans finally realised that they were stronger together. However, more conflict was to come before Chrichheim as we know it was founded.

Though all the clans agreed that they were stronger together, there was actually very little discussion on what a system of united clans would look like. This disorganisation resulted in inevitable disagreement and, from this, two kingdoms emerged. To the north existed the Kingdom of Albran. Albran was led by Albert of Dunedyn, a militaristic but noble man who had led the united clans at the Battle of the Black Forest. To the south existed the Kingdom of Stradclod. Stadclod was led by Rynhart the Pious, a traditionalist and deeply religious warrior-king. Despite both men agreeing in an Imperial county of united clans, they would disagree on practically every other aspect. Albert believed in expansion across the frontier with a focus on public works at home. Rynhart, however, argued that expansion through force and conquest was preferable. His strict adherence to 'the old ways' also led to tension. For about 20 years the two would-be counties engaged in a 'cold war' with neither side willing to make a decisive move against the other. All that changed, however, when Albert finally launched a huge infantry-based offensive. Though Rynhart's cavalry-based army was famous for their stamina in battle, the Albran army had caught them in the middle of a great feast. Drunk, they were unable to offer effective resistance. And so, in less than a week, Rynhart was captured and Stradclod was absorbed into Albran. The exact fate of Rynhart remains a mystery to this very day and, frankly, much of his history remains shrouded in legend and myth.

With the conflict over, Albert wasted no time in signing the Treaty of Fairwood. This document, perhaps the most important in all of Chrichheim's history, formally united the clans and officially ratified the Duchy of Chrichheim as a county of the Empire. That being said, despite his great military and political victories, the now Duke Albert would not last much longer than his rival. Not even 4 weeks after signing the Treaty of Fairwood, he would fall off a cliff to his death - during a night ride atop his horse. With no known children, Albert's wife, Margaret, would come to power. Though the specifics are lost to history, the young Duchess would eventually remarry and it is these descendants that make up the ruling Hamilton line today. In the following centuries Chrichheim flourished and expanded rapidly, establishing villages across the frontier and even engaging in the occasional small border clash with their Dwarven neighbours.

However, the Imperial decline after this brief golden age would see Chrichheim's expansion stagnate. Many of their newly-founded settlements would never grow beyond small villages or hamlets, even to this very day. Monster attacks increased in regularity and crime took hold in the cities, an unfortunate trend that was similarly experienced across the rest of the Empire. During the Emergence War against the Arachi, Chrichheim was the location for many battles. Perhaps most famously was the Siege of Dunedyn, a decade-long siege that, shockingly, saw the county capital hold firm against the Arachi swarm despite never-ending attacks and dwindling resources. Chirchheim, like much of the Empire, was hit hard by the Emergence War and, in the centuries following, the county would be a popular target for rogue undead and Vampires.

During the Imperial Civil War Chrichheim took a strictly neutral stance, the result of clan uncertainty and infighting. Simply put, the clans could not agree as to which side was correct or which side to support. As a result, in the subsequent Republic years, the county was looked down upon as cowardly and indecisive. This reputation would not change until the Second Vampiric War, where Chrichheim was once again a popular battleground for both sides. It's resilience against the undead onslaught proved, undeniably and forever, the courage and resilience that Chrichheim possesses.

In modernity, with the monarchy restored and the wars subsided, Chrichheim is in a period of recovery. Many of it's settlements still have stagnated growth and its geographical position means that attacks by vicious monsters and wandering undead are fairly common. This, consequently, makes the county a popular destination for adventurers, who see the recovery process as an excellent opportunity for work.

## **Geography**

Like most of the Imperial counties, Chrichheim controls the entirety of one particular province. More specifically, The Lowlands, a hilly province comprised of grassy plains, small woodlands, and rolling hills. The city of Dunedyn is easily the political and economic centre of the county. But it is also the only city in the county and, outside of a few sizable towns, a majority of the settlements in Chrichheim are small to medium-sized villages and hamlets. These places are typically no more than a few hundred people in size, at most, and are usually reliant on the local agricultural industry. Across the wilderness, travellers will find hidden glens and deep caves. There are also many clan castles across the county, constructions that once belonged to Chrichheim's many historical clans. Though some of these castles have been renovated and turned into beautiful noble estates, many now lie in ruins and make great safe-havens for bandit gangs and packs of wild beasts.

Chrichheim translates roughly into 'border land' and it certainly earns that name, for it shares many borders with both other counties and foreign powers. To the west, Chrichheim has a large border with Konigheim. To the north, Glasheim and Isernheim (both of which Chrichheim has a friendly rivalry with). To the south, the county has a border with the Dwarves of the Monav Urngorr and they even have a trade agreement with the neighbouring Dwarven clan. But it is their border to the east that is perhaps of most note. This border is shared with the Vampiric Union, an ancient enemy of the Empire of Man, and it is not uncommon for a rogue vampire or a small horde of undead to shamble their way across this border and into Chrichheim itself.

## **Politics**

The Duchy of Chrichheim is a constitutional monarchy. It is led by a Duke or Duchess, who represents the county at essentially all national and international events. However, even though the Duke or Duchess is the head of the county and holds a lot of administrative power, they are prevented complete domination of the county by the Chrichheim Parliament. The parliament is an institution comprised of the nobility, clergy, and various officers of state. They give consent to the rising of taxation and play an important role in justice, policy, and legislation. Therefore, a leading Duke or Duchess of Chrichheim must ensure that the parliament remains content with their rule.

Historically, Chirchheim was a disunited land of various clans. These clans fought and bickered over land and influence for many years, up until the first uniting of the Empire. When the county of Chrichheim was formally founded, the Chrichheim Parliament was created as to keep the clans in check. In modernity, the clans have become the local nobility and are united under the banner of Chirchheim - at least officially. In reality, they still bicker and fight just as much as they did before, just in a more 'gentrified' manner. The leader of one clan will call in political favours so they can screw over the leader of a rival clan, for example. This makes effective ruling of the county difficult, as they must balance both the parliament as a whole and the subtler rivalries taking place beneath the surface.

The current ruler of Chrichheim is Duke James Hamilton. The only son of Duchess Mary Hamilton, the previous ruler, he was groomed from a young age to succeed his mother upon her death. Despite still being a relatively young man, at only 35 years of age, he has been the official leader of Chrichheim since the age of 11. The reputation of Duke James is mixed, to say the least. His supporters claim that he is an incredibly intelligent leader, able to balance and control the needs of the parliament and the ever-bickering clans with expert skill. He is also a great patron of the arts and sciences, for it is under his rule that the 'Chrichheim Enlightenment' began. Duke James is even a scholar in his own right, with many poems and novels credited to his name. His most famous work is, arguably, *A Pretence in the Divine Art of Poetry* (often shorted down to *Rules and Cautions*), a thesis detailing what Duke James believes the true Chrichheim style of writing is and what separates it from its contemporaries. Despite these positive traits, however, Duke James' opponents claim that he is a lazy and unregal leader - too fixated on his own scholarly pursuits to effectively lead the county. He has been accused of financial irresponsibility in his patronage of the arts, for example. This reputational dichotomy has led Duke James to be nicknamed 'the wisest fool in the Empire.'

## **Economy**

Chrichheim's economy is largely built around a few key industries - most notably livestock, textiles, and brewing. Historically, Chrichheim has made several attempts to shift their economic focus towards industry and production, similar to how Isernheim operates, but these efforts have always fallen through due to a combination of the county's lack of natural resources as well as the citizens' unwillingness to abandon their traditional way of life.

Chrichheim's primary industries revolve almost entirely around it's agriculture. That being said, a very small minority of Chrichheim's land is considered arable; the terrain and lack of soil fertility make growing the mass-cultivation of crops incredibly difficult. The areas that are able to be cultivated typically grow cereals - mainly potatoes, wheat, and barley. Other areas, particularly those in the west, grow soft fruits like strawberries and raspberries. The largest and most important primary industry, though, revolves around livestock. Sheep-raising is especially important in less arable parts of Chrichheim, resulting in the production of wool, mutton, and lamb. Cattle rearing is also commonplace, resulting in the production of dairy goods, leather, and (especially) beef.

Chrichheim's secondary industries tend to revolve around goods that can be produced by the county's local agricultural sectors. For example, a large number of leather goods are produced in Chrichheim that are then sold around the rest of the Empire - including bags, saddles, and clothing. Chrichheim's whisky is perhaps it's most famous secondary industry, making up about a quarter of its total industry revenues. These beverages are normally made from the grain that is grown locally and multiple breweries own their own farms for the expressed purpose of growing grain for whisky. The county also has a thriving textile industry. Historically this was based around animal hides and wool - and certainly a majority of the trade still does focus on this. However, more recently, the production of linens has been growing in prominence and has the potential to overtake the local wool trade entirely.

## **Culture**

Chrichheim is, stereotypically, a hardy county that is filled with hardy people. Citizens of the county have a reputation as honest, cool-headed people that are not afraid to share their opinions with others. At their best, Chricheimers are passionate, generous, and open. If something upsets them, you'll know. If they find a funeral amusing, they'll laugh. Always up for a laugh, they are known to be great storytellers. But, at their worst, Chrichheimers are stubborn, contradictory, and hot-headed. The older members of the county, in particular, are said to be especially easy to offend and slow to embrace change. You can see this dichotomy in the local culture.

Historical traditions are also very prevalent in Chrichheim. Though the local language of old Chrich is no longer spoken or really used in any major way. it is still seen in many local words and names. Traditional galley boats, known as lymphads, are still constructed by local commoners for use in fishing and transport across the county's waterways.

Stereotypically, the culture of Chrichheim reflects the tough and hardy nature of its people. This is best exemplified by the county's traditional food and drink. Traditional Chrichheim dishes include haggis (sheep meat cooked in the animal's stomach), bannock (a type of flatbread), and stovies (a potato dish). These foods are rarely eaten outside of Chrichheim itself and the citizens of other provinces often joke about how unappealing the concept is. Nevertheless Chrichheim is also well-known for its alcohol, which has spread outside of the local county. In particular, it's beers and grain whisky - also known as Chrich Whisky.

However, Chrichheim is also a county of progress, science, and art. Many famous Imperial writers were born and/or lived in Chrichheim, such as Richard Ashe (a poet and songwriter), Dame Wendy Carpenter (an author of many classic short stories), and Robby Lewis (a novelist most famous for '*The Case of the Conflicted Courship*'). It was writers and poets such as these who helped forge a united Chrichheimer identity and are greatly revered today. Chrichheim is also undergoing a period of scientific progress known as the Chrichheim Enlightenment. This has resulted in the emergence of many great thinkers and scientists that have contributed to multiple scientific breakthroughs and new theories. Most famously, the Imperial Society of Dunedyn is a non-profit organisation of thinkers and academics that work to improve knowledge in multiple fields such as economics, philosophy and natural science.

## **Notable Locations**

### **Settlements**

* **Dunedyn** - the county capital city of Chrichheim. Famous for being an educational and cultural centre.
* **Noclehad** - one of the largest towns in the county, Noclehad is a significant crossroads for Chrichheim's local trade routes.
* **Stella**
* **Obarthain**
* **Fort Angus**
* **Cladamor**
* **Fairwood**
* **Two Towers**
* **Nockmar**
* **Fort Thicket**
* **Clearglade**
* **Beettainn**
* **Specklechurch**
* **Chriban**
* **Dog's Hollow**
* **Caladain**
* **Duncan's Point**
* **Horuna Abbey**
* **Thrus**
* **Bailebart**
* **Martair**
* **Week** - a decently-sized fishing village located on the shore of Loch Mor. Though a culturally notable settlement, it struggles to say relevant due to the presence of other settlements on the loch.
* **Tarvosa** - a large fishing village and notable trading port located on the shore of Loch Mor. Many of the local businesses are old, traditional locations that have been passed down for generations.
* **Toonhead**
* **Foichan**
* **Monamaol**
* **Tatrona**
* **Little Glen**
* **Cloompool**
* **Snowcleft**
* **Sleat**
* **Shingle Shore**
* **Noclais -** a medium-sized hamlet, found in the north-west of Chrichheim. It is a place focused primarily of sheep-rearing and the wool trade, but also gets a surprising amount of visitors from travellers.
* **Slate Pit -** a small hamlet, found in the north-west of Chrichheim, built solely for the mining of slate. Despite it's small size, it is rich in Old Chrich history and tradition. It also experiences strange day-night cycles, depending on the season.

## **Behind the Scenes**

Chrichheim is primarily inspired by Scotland. You can see this inspiration in multiple ways, from their thriving alcohol industry (which mirrors the real-life scotch whisky industry) to the large number of 'clan castles' which modern-day Scotland also has a large number of. To parallel the Empire of Man's 18th century foundation, Chrichheim is undergoing the 'Chrichheim Enlightenment.' This mimics the real-life Scottish Enlightenment that took place during the 18th and early 19th centuries.

The Duke of Chrichheim, James Hamilton, is inspired by the real-life Scottish king James VI (known as James I in England) and this inspiration is also reflected in much of Duke Hamilton's interests and reputation. Even his nickname 'the wisest fool in the Empire' parallels King James' real-life nickname.

The history of Chrichheim also makes reference to a couple of old kingdoms from Scotland's history. More specifically, the Kingdom of Alba and the Kingdom of Strathclyde.