Brausau

*The Shield of the West is worth fighting for. Danger lurks around every corner, but the vast armies of Brausau should inspire hope that the light of civilization will penetrate the darkness of barbarism. Whatever antediluvian darkness lurks below the sands, we must fight to keep it at bay, no matter the cost or who stands in our way!* ~Sir Orstom's speech to his troops before leading the assault on Arkadia.

## History

### Fall of the Thruhmuth Empire

After the Thruhmuth Empire collapsed, Brausau was one of the first kingdoms to rise from it's ashes. The modern populace claims that Brausau is the true lineage of Thruhm, and some even consider the kingdom to be an unbroken continuation of that empire. What can be said of this lineage at the very least is that Brausau has long craved the conquest that Thruhmuth once held.

Brausau survived the early years of it's existence through sheer force and savagery. When the empire collapsed there were many regions at war trying to carve up the corpse of the empire for its vast riches. Brausau was no stranger to this conflict, and was one of the few nations to survive. It quickly armed its people and fought countless bloody wars until the modern borders were burnt into the map.

### Valencia

In spite of the near constant warfare that Brausau was birthed in, the nation has always had it's eye on Valencia. Over calculated centuries, Brausau forged alliances with the nations surrounding it and built its war machine. Various forays into INSERT KINGDOM 11 HERE were met with valencian resistance. Skirmish turned into battle; battle into all out war. It wasn't until the Death that the conflict between the two nations simmered down into the conflict over INSERT KINGDOM 11 HERE that it is today.

### The Death

The death caused massive casualties in Brausau. A schism grew in the brausaun military over what the cause of the disease was. Some believed that it was dark valencian magic used to kill off the great shield of the west and end the conflict. Others believe that it was antediluvian forces unearthed by the shifting sands of the Black Desert. In either case, the leaders of Brausau have sworn to destroy Valencia; either as retribution, or as a last desperate act to contain the desert.

### The Assault on Arkadia

In one final effort before the collapse of war between the east and west, Brausau attempted to take the vast powerful stronghold of Arkadia. With Arkadia under brausaun rule, the Argos Pass would allow Brausau to at the very least keep the havoc of the antediluvian tombs in Valencia from spilling out into the rest of the world. The siege of Arkadia was nearly won when a contingent of valencian soldiers came to Arkadia's aid. Even with might of valencian armies paired with the devastating strength of arkadian weaponry, the city stood to fall at Brausau's might. Using either dark desert magic, antediluvian technology, or a mix of both though, the valencians slaughtered the great general Orsom, devastating the morale of the army.

## Geography

Brausau a wide land full of bountiful terrain and climate. The land is divided into four primary regions.

### Southern Brausau

The southern region of Brausau is composed mostly of grasslands and wetlands. The region borders with Eylstrana, Nytharial, and INSERT KINGDOM 9 HERE. It extends west to the Ouvirie river, south to the edge of the Voltara mountain range, and encompasses the region south of Aarven lake. This region is well known for its vast tracks of farmland. Bountiful crops are harvested every year and shipped throughout western Aruna.

### Central Brausau

Central Brausau is crisscrossed with waters flowing from the Zweiwagen mountains that feed the many lakes that dot the region. Through these waterways Brausau is able to move goods and people throughout the kingdom with ease. The capital city of the old empire, Thruhm sits on the largest of these lakes, lake Aarven. Brausau's current capital, Gorhofen is nestled in a river fork just south of the Gorheim lake from which it gets its name.

The region's northern borders are shared with Stralová and INSERT KINGDOM 6 HERE.

### The Brausau Plains and Zweiwagen Mountains

Northern Brausuau is a vast flat area of prairie. Much like southern Brausau, the land is fertile and grows a significant amount of food. Things are less ideal for growing here though, as drought or frost hits the crops harder. The region is shielded from INSERT KINGDOM 7 HERE by the Zweiwagen mountains and forest. From the forest Brausau sources much of it's lumber, but relies on imports from INSERT KINGDOM 9 and Eylstrana. Iron however is bountiful in the mountains, and many mining settlements exist to extract the precious iron which feeds Brausau's war engine.

### The Hills of Unterstein

A small section nestled below the Brausau plains and wetlands of central Brausau is composed of rolling hills. Hill giants and cyclops are abundant in this region, with scholars claiming these being the decendents of the ancient cyclops empire. Between the added difficulty of marching armies across the uneven terrain when the northern plains offer smoother travel, and the abundance of powerful giants, the Unterstein hills creates a perfect barrier for INSERT KINGDOM 9 HERE.

## Government

Brausau's government is modeled after that of the Thruhmuth empire. Ten senators are elected every ten years to their government. These senators elect an emperor to preside over their meetings and ensure that the senate doesn't become locked in a useless stalemate while deliberating and voting. Emperors can be dethroned by the senate through a vote of no confidence but requires a two-thirds majority to accomplish. Typically, an emperor will reign until their physical or mental health forbids it or death takes them.

## Economy

Much of the nation's economy is driven by its diverse range of food crops. The most notable is the opal apple, colloquially known locally as the opple, an iridescent, white skinned apple with a surprisingly sweet-and-tart flavor. The opal apple exclusively grows within Brausau's temperate central wetlands on bushes with immense root systems.

Its central position on the continent makes it a booming center of business and trade with many well maintained caravan routes winding across the landscape.

## Religion

Brausau's people carry on the Thruhmuth tradition of worshiping a wide pantheon of deities who represent different aspects of life.

## Culture

The citizens of Brausau take politics very seriously and are deeply involved in the political process. Not participating in elections is shameful and by law employers must allow their employees the time off needed to vote.

Thinking themselves quite culturally sophisticated has lead Brausau to host a robust entertainment scene that ranged from the fine arts to spectator sports. Perhaps the most popular events are the gladiatorial combats that take place in massive arenas.

## Inhabitants

Brausau's population consists primarily of humans with a generous peppering of other races integrated into communities throughout the nation.