Stribrna Joraje

The Duchy of Stribrna Joraje (Silver Joraje), also known as the Duchy of Joraje, or more simply Joraje, is a large state in the north of Juhnvechteya. Bounded to the south by Tanderland, to the west the Westmarch Forest, to the east the Vechtese Sea, and endless trees to the north. It is named for the vast wealth found deep within the mountains and cliffs of the region.

It is constituted by County Kanberk, County Karred, the Margraviate of Credowe and the Margraviate on the Westmarch.

## Geography

The west of the country lay entirely within the basin of the River Ploughwater, excluding the easternmost portion of the country, which empties out into the nearby sea. The entire region lay within low mountains, which encase it to the Northwest (Western Hills), Northeast (Joran Mountains), and South (Stribrna Mountains).

The major river system in Joraje is the Ploughwater Basin, which includes the Ploughwater and the Kanberk Stream. The Ploughwater flows south from a large valley to he north of Joraje, and thence through Joraje, dividing it in half, and emptying over the Tander Falls into Tanderland, emptying by Nordervesting. The Kanberk Stream originates from a spring in the hills near Kostravald, and is swelled by meltwater from the Stribrna Mountains in the South, and the Joran Mountains in the north, flowing west through narrow gorges and ravines, where it eventually empties out into the Ploughwater.

Phytogeographically, the Duchy falls under the Ploughwater Mixed-Boreal region, and is subdivided into four ecoregions, the South-Joran Temperate Conifer forest, in the south, the North-Joran Mixed Conifer Forest, the Westmarch Mixed Forest, and the Coastal Broadleaf Forest in the east.

### Climate

The duchy has a temperate climate, and is located in the transition zone between the Oceanic and Continental climate. It has mild, warm summers and cold, cloudy winters.

## Constituent States

The Duchy is comprised of 4 states in game, Kanberk, Credowe, Karred and the Westmarch, though in the lore, it is divided into as many as 40 counties, the size of the world and the logistics of managing so many disallowing the creation of so many castles and fiefdoms in the game itself.

### Kanberk

Kanberk, fief of House Taepe, the Third Dynasty of the Jorans and the current Dukes, is central to the duchy. It is bounded to the west and south by the River Ploughwater, to the south by the Stribrna Mountains, and the east by the Karred Hills. Kanberk is dominated by forest and woods, the Duke's Forest in the north, and the Boarswrath Wood to the south, which are split by the Kanberk Stream, which carves its way down a narrow gorge from its source in Karred.

### Karred

County Karred is the easternmost fief of the Duchy. It is bordered to its south by the Stribrna Mountains, to the west by County Kanberk, to the north by the high Joran Peaks, and to east by the Vechtese Sea. It is primarily mountainous, with great peaks and crags rising from the earth hundreds of meters into the air. It is also the only state with direct coastal access, and has become wealthy through the mining trade.

### Credowe

Credowe is a large fief in Joraje. It is bordered to the south by the Marches of Tandemy, to the east by the river Ploughwater, to the north by the Westmarch, and west by endless forest. The margraviate is entirely forested.

### The Westmarch

The Westmarch is the westernmost fief in Joraje. It is bounded to its and east and south by the Ploughwater and Credowe, and endless woodland and hills to its west and north. It is densely forested, a wilderness befitting a March.

## History

### Prehistory

The first peoples within the region are unknown. Archeologists have found only small pottery shards, and an occasional flint arrowhead, with no other clues as to the identities or cultures of these prehistoric peoples. These peoples could be related to the Terropond culture, an ancient culture that inhabited the coasts and forests of Juhnvechteya.

### Ancient Jorans

The first Jorans migrated into the region an unknown time ago. Culturally linked to the people of Torador and Shorakia, the Jorans migrated to the region, and split into many smaller tribes, slowly expanding across the region. They would live in this woodland, settling along the Ploughwater and Kanberk streams, and constructing small villages and grods. Little is known about the Jorans of ancient times, though they would slowly develop into the modern Jorans.

### The Kingdom of the First Dynasty

*Main Article: Kingdom of Grander Joraje*

The House of Sabot would rise to prominence in Joraje, after being founded by the legendary hero Jarotajep. The dynasty would rule for 152 years, and would unite all the Jorans into a single kingdom, called Grander Joraje, which controlled lands from the Ploughwater's origins in the north, to Tanderland in the south. The kingdom would be stable throughout most of it's history, though it would occasionally be thrust into instability and civil war, particularly during the times of succession to the throne, such as during *Arakeral's Bidding*.

### The First Anarchy

*Main Article: The Anarchy*

During the reign of King *Lalet "the Weak"*, a sorcerer, called Basamund, would rise in the central region of Joraje, in modern Karred. He would wreck havoc among the Jorans, though he would be eventually put down permanently by the heroic general *Kefasta*. However, soon after Basamund's banishment, a new force appeared on the coasts of Greater Joraje, the Vechtese, lead by Daniel Muntz. The migrants, weary and haggard from a long journey, settled in the south of Joraje, and attempted to found their own kingdom there. Lalet, showing characteristic unresolve, let them have the land, and ceded it to the weaker people, including the vital mouth of the River Ploughwater. The nobility, unhappy with giving away key regions of their kingdom, rose up against Lalet, and, lead by Kefasta, overthrew him and his dynasty. However, before the next ruling house could be decided upon, many of the nobles, including Kefasta, were murdered, and this threw the kingdom into chaos.

Several of the more distant provinces either declared independence or were conquered by other peoples, awaiting reinforcements which would never come. The anarchy lasted nearly a century, and would be one of the bloodiest periods in Joran history. The Anarchy would ultimately be ended when the Asrephald of Loren, with aid from the Vechtese of Tanderland, would defeat the army of Karstel the Clever, at the battle of Haller's Ford, and would be proclaimed as the Duke of Joraje. This would begin the Second Dynasty.

### The Second Dynasty

The Second Dynasty would reign for nearly 250 years, one of the longest ruling dynasties in the history of Sabrim. The population would generally expand, resulting in Joraje becoming one of the most populated states in Juhnvechteya. It was during this time that the first Joranstones were also discovered in the east, which would cause the Duchy to become fabulously wealthy through trading both these green gemstones and the silver found in the same hills. It was during the second dynasty that the famed outlaw Karel the Robber is thought to have lived, and it was during the second dynasty that Werranism first began to spread into Joraje.

#### The Interregnum

The reign of Duke Darrel "The Unable" was one of the worst periods of civil strife during any of the three dynasties. Darrel was a weak liege, and he failed to control his vassals. As such, they began to war amongst themselves, seizing each other's lands and castles. During this time, the Farars began to increase their power, coming to the height of their influence during this time. After the death of Darrel, Duchess Janna I, his sister, would come to the throne, and, with the aid of a band of migrating warriors, the Amastrii-Vechtese House Taepe, would end the rebellions. In thanks for their services in putting down the rebellions, Janna awarded the Taepes with lands, and gave them the license to raise a castle, making them the Barons of Kanberk, following the death of the previous baron during the interregnum.

#### The Golden Rulers

The Golden Rulers was a golden age of Joraje, during the reigns of Duchess Janna and her son, Haret. Joran culture would flourish, with many great literary and cultural achievements would be made, such as the codifying of the mythological tale of Jarotajep. The population would expand greatly, and the averagw wealth of each peasant would rise greatly, so tht even they could afford to enjoy the luxuries and foreign goods that flooded into the country.

#### Latter Second Dynasty

Following the two golden rulers, the Second Dynasty would enter a long, slow period of stagnation, and later on decline. This period was exemplified by the lack of reform, new laws, and cultural advances made by the noble families, the increasing indulgence of the House of Loren, and the slow rise of House Taepe. The period was stable, and few wars and rebellions would happen.

### Second Anarchy

The second anarchy occurred after the death of Duke Fran of Loren, who died childless. Many houses now attempted to claim the throne, such as Revenfeld, Hareick, Janden, and Taepe, who were by now Counts of Kanberk. The Second Anarchy lasted less than a year, for Taepe, using the tactics which had brought victory to Janna I during the Interregnum, succeeded in defeating all their opponents. They had Revenfeld swear allegiance to them, and using the soldiers of their united armies, crushed Janden at the battle of Swertenhall, and destroyed House Hareick at the Siege of Domin Nik. The rest of the houses of Joraje swore to House Taepe, and they became the third dynasty of Joraje.

### The Third Dynasty

Taepe of Kanberk would bring Joraje into a new period, characterized by the introduction of Amastrii court culture to Joraje, and the joining of Joraje to the League of Free Lords. The period would mostly be stable, with few rebellions.

#### The Farar's Crusade

The Most notable conflict was the *Farar's Crusade*, or the *Farar's Siege*, when a Werran Crusade was launched against the city of Buorna, due to a Farar Tomas, who began to preach that the faith was corrupt, and should become more peaceful. The city was besieged by Werrans from across Juhnvechteya, and when they breached the walls, Bishop Feran Grishing is reported to have said *"Kill them all, Arkhas will know the true!"* The entire population of the city was slaughtered, the town put to torch, and the rest of the buildings were torn down.

#### The Second Interregnum

Following the Farar's Crusade, there were 50 years of peace in the region. The wealth of the people would rise once more, and a new period of literacy and culture would come, with new chronicles, religious texts, books of chivalry, and other books would be written and printed. Other Amastrii houses would also settle within the region, such as House *Ishtar-Mariae,* attracted by the similarities of its court to their homeland. However, a civil war was sparked by a sorcerer, claiming to be Basamund reborn. This sorcerer would rouse many dissatisfied houses to his cause, and would wage war against the loyal houses. Eventually, these rebellious houses would be defeated at the Battle of Tandemy Brod, by a combined force of Werran Crusaders and Joran loyalists, under the command of Diviz Taepe.

#### The New Period

Following the Interregnum, Diviz would begin to bring the country out of the destruction the war had reaped on it. He would pass reforms to make the government more efficient, reward loyal supporters with the land and castles of the disloyal houses, and would begin trying to reform the currency, which had become diluted by counterfeit coins and false copies.

Following Diviz's death, the duchy would pass to Johann, his eldest surviving heir, in 605. He would attempt to rule well, but was relatively oblibious to his vassal's dealings with both themselves and foreign states.

#### The Raven's Revolt

In 610, Waldemar of Revenfeld, Count of Zelky Highlands, would revolt against Johann, supported by the Duchy of Predastad. The war would swing in each side's favor repeatedly, culminating in the Battle of the Hundred, where 50 men of each side would meet, and duel. The Highland 50 would be victorious, and the newly proclaimed Duchy of Zarny would be recognized as independent.

#### The Third Interregnum

Following the Raven's War, Johann would be repeatedly beset by assassins, working under the employ of Danyil Fertaepe, a disgraced branch of Taepe. Johann would flee the assassins by leaving the duchy in the care of his uncle, Kunst Tajep, and sought asylum in Amastre with the Emperor. However, Kunst would be killed at the *Council at Harnkal*, by Johann's treacherous cousin Albrecht, who sought to seize the Silver Seat. This plunged the realm into a third interregnum, seeing many lords taking to carving out their own small realms. The future of Joraje is bleak, and uncertain, yet not doomed yet.

## Economy

The economy of the Duchy is primarily based on two aspects, mining and logging.

The forests of Joraje are large, and cover much of the region, and logging the spruce wood for export south makes up a large part of the yearly revenue of the Duchy.

Mining is the largest industry industry in Joraje. Deep in the hills and under the high peaks, silver, iron, and a type of Tektite, called a *Joranstone*, similar in appearance to a Moldavite stone, are all extracted, and they are often exported to other regions, making up most of the outgoing trade. Quarried stone is also a common export, and is sold west to Tanderland along the Ploughwater river, and south to Derlanya along the river Torad..

A surprising industry Joraje is known for is that of Shipbuilding. Countries often hire out Joran shipwrights to come to their country, design, and supervise the construction of their ships. This is due to the expertise of the Joran shipbuilders, who are very experienced in constructing riverine and coastal vessels, such as galleys.

## Literacy

Stribrna Joraje has one of the most expansive literary cultures in Sabrim, with the canon of Joran works being collectively known as the Matter of Joraje.

## Governance

Stribrna Joraje is feudal, headed by the Duke, who distributes and to his counts, who distribute it to their vassals, under a system called the Peerage. The court of the Duke is not set in any particular place, it moves as the Duke does, and travels with him. The Duke's official residence is at Hrad Kanberk, and it is the official location of the court.

The Duke of Joraje is Johann Taepe. He is the head of state and the commander of the Armies and Levees of the duchy