Styria

## Location

Current Extent of the Styrian Empire (Blue)

*"Stubborn. Tenacious. Monstrous. Styrians are of brittle steel - they would rather break before they bend." - Lukon Tzmantouros*

*"Hear my words, and witness my vows; I shall see no retreat, I will see no surrender, and I shall never see defeat."*

*- Styrian Kingsman Oath*

## Overview

Wrestled from the fate of permanent slavery, Styria's history cannot be separated from the Merovingian Dynasty. Originally an integral province of the Prolesian Empire, the Styrium Prefect was the first to be liberated after the Great Catastrophe. Many Generals opted to conquer the land, but none were as successful as Merovius - a Styrian-born.

Through a dozen campaigns the entire lands of Styria were liberated from the Kherjians. By the end of his conquest his army swore loyalty to him, and the many Styrians desired Merovius to be crowned Emperor. With the only army on the mainland, nothing could stop Merovius. His coronation is ironically viewed as the official end date for the Prolesian Empire (11 MK), however the Myzaean Empire around this time still proclaimed itself the Prolesian Empire.

While Valhynia was shaken by the Kherjian Invasions, Styria stood like a wall against waves. The Battle of Marne somewhere between 16 MK and 35 MK, which holds few records of how it was fought, was the killing blow for any Kherjian attempt into eastern Edafos. Since the Marne, Styria is seemingly the only Empire the Kherjians do not dare fight.

Styria stands as the great proprietors of the Prolesian Empire, and due to their stubbornness on holding to such a claim, they still recover from the centuries long wars between the Myzaean Empire. While victorious in the wars, their ruler Rubin III had perished without a male heir — forcing the Imperial Diet to legitimize his bastards; Lothair Martell, Louis Lakard, and Lobert Salwyn. However, Rubin III's daughter had produced a son whom of which is of the powerful Dracheryon dynasty.

Styria hangs in the balance, and the fate of the realm is in the hands of boys with the blood of Kings.

## Geography

### Landmarks

**Plodorov Fields**

An inlet which the Valhynian Plains bleed into, the Plodorov Fields are maliciously infertile lands for crops. The surprising infertility is possibly the result of Kherjians during their first invasions of Prolesia years before the collapse. The land by extension is scant of life. To the superstitious, Valhynians priests cursed the land so that no man can colonize what they had lost.

**Black Forests**

The Black Forests are key to Styria's success. Thick forests which hold little sunlight below the canopies of pines. The Black Forests hold a variety of villages inside, and a section of the Black Forest known as the "White Eye" holds an incredibly fertile isolated plain. The Black Forest Ash, or simply "Black Ash" is used to make incredibly durable crossbows.

**Styrian Valley**

The heartlands of Styria, the Valley itself holds the most development for any Empire across Edafos. The valley was once known for its wild horses, and the Styrian Destrier, a breed of horse which is strong enough to not only plow fields but carry chainmail. The valley's extensive development is thanks to the natural protection around it.

**Lake Merovius**

A mighty lake which acts as a barrier against the west is filled with a variety of bass and carp. The island in the northern region of the lake, Little Sister, is shaven of life and acts as a rest-stop for fishermen or navies, more-so the former than the latter.

### Cities

**Vedunia**

Vedunia was the beachhead of reconquest long ago. Mighty yet rudimentary Prolesian walls are aging at the center of the sprawling domain, but more extravagant structures coat the fringes of the city. Home to the Merovingian Dynasty, Vedunia's gothic structures are colorful with gilded battlements at every corner. Flags of every Electoral Duke cover the entrances, coloring the city in a beautiful array for the eyes to see. Simply, the Styrians often refer to Vedunia as the "Imperial City".

**Styrnburg**

A younger city, Styrnburg rides on the heavy river of Styrn and spreads the wealth from the great trading lanes across the Styrian Valley. The city holds mighty archways which climb over the river. Lift bridges split the city in half, and due to the width of the Styrn River, massive harbors fill the fringes of the riverside. Double-walled, Styrnburg is home to one of the mighty Electoral Dukes.

**Rothanburg**

Known to be the closest the Myzaeans got to the Imperial City, Rothanburg is surrounded by old Prolesian ruins torn down by the fresh Styrian structures. Ever-expanding, Rothanburg attempts to cover its old Prolesian strategic importance for a more civilian apparatus. The city is the crossroads for many routes across Styria, and thusly is one of the more blossoming holdings.

**Adaldorf**

The mighty city of Adaldorf was originally the Styrium Prefect's capital, however since Merovius' coronation it was reduced to a mere trading city. Adaldorf acts the economic powerhouse of the ambitious Drachen Dynasty. The entire lip of the Adaldorf penninsula is surrounded by walls, and Adaldorf is famed for its sailors. Adaldorf is home to the Electoral Dukes of Drachen.

**Hohenburg**

The High City, Hohenburg was once known as Svyatgorod, but was taken by the Styrians sometime during Merovius' conquests. Hohenburg is one of the great cities which guides many merchants through to Varandia, and Andalonia. Strangely enough, Hohenburg still holds its domed buildings which are made of solid gold. Many Valhynians still live in this city, and is home to one of the Electoral Dukes.

**Meravon**

Meravon is rumored to be the home of Merovius. Its original name is unknown, however it is filled with Merovingian loyalists. The smallest city in Styria, it is virtually a castle with stewards around it. Meravon is triple-walled, one of the only constructs with that trait except for Myzaea. Meravon's walls are noticeably tall with its jutting towers peering high above its walls. These towers are the cells for those who have selectively wronged the Merovingian Dynasty.

**Sudenplatz**

The Southern Place, Sudenplatz is also referred to as the "Black City" with how much smoke comes from it. The city is known for its unique belief of the Great Prophecy. Witch-hunts happen regularly here, and Elves are entirely outlawed within the city. The superstitious cling to the belief that the ash the Kings will inherit must be pure, and burning of the sinful will somehow cleanse the ash.

**Bergenstadt**

Bergenstadt is a meek city where rural Lakonian merchants go to trade. Bergenstadt climbs a hill, which one of the Electoral Dukes resides in. The city itself is known for its unusual stone pillars which surround the city and hillsides. These natural formations are famed as being wards for the city, as few creatures attack it.

**Konigstadt**

The King's City, this red-walled city hangs on the brisk and brackish waters of Lake Merovius. Home to the Kingsmen Order, Konigstadt is exclusively forbidden to vote on Imperial affairs due to their ties to the Emperor. Many famed artisans and blacksmiths hail from Konigstadt, and these men and women are typically loyal to the Merovingian Dynasty.

**Manning**

Manning is humble to the eyes. The city has never seen a siege, and is famed for its markets and civilian participation. Nobles from Manning are often side-by-side with the population, and the great farms of Manning seemingly feed most of the Empire. The city was founded on the most fertile lands in the Styrian Valley. Manning is home to one of the Electoral Dukes.

**Midendorf**

The city of Midendorf is known for being surrounded by more Myzaean and Styrian bodies than anything else. The city has seen its name change from Midepolis, back to Midendorf more times than even the people could remember. With victory during the Third and Final Lakoni-Styrian War, the city of Midendorf has a variety of statues of the many heroes made during the war. One in particular surrounds the bazaar - though the name of the hero itself is entirely unknown.

**Marne**

A city of war. The Marne, as it is referred to, is home to many soldiers and Kingsmen. While the Kherjians may never truly invade Styria, they reap the outgoing traffic bleeding eastward, and the Marne is one of the last western cities still clinging to Styrian control. Valhynian bogatyr are commonly seen through the city, and many sections of the city are practically owned by either syndicates, lords, or Valhynian exiles. The Marne has an extensive sewage system like many in Styria, however the system itself is so large and expansive that underground societies exist.

**Blackgrass**

Blackgrass is strangely surrounded by blackened grass which surprisingly isn't burnt. Due to the land once holding an extreme wealth of dragons, the land around the city has never recovered from the ashen tint. While entirely farmable, the people of Blackgrass prefer working the harbor and coastline. Blackgrass is home to great shipbuilders and fishermen. The city is directly ruled by the Dracheryon dynasty.

### Towns

**Beyern**

Beyern is a small village which has a nearby pond of trout. The village is mostly known for its tanners and blacksmiths.

**Weissfeld**

A peaceful abode that is surrounded by colorful flowers and Prolesian structures now irrelevant to the region. White Orchard is named after the "White Eye" of the Black Forest. Military families often desire to live here after their services, and a peaceful life is easily found in and around the village.

### Forts

**Loyzig**

Loyzig is a white-painted castle with wooden extensions spanning the entire wall. The bailey inside is small, but just large enough for the retinue of the lordly House who resides inside. Glass-pained windows cover the keep depicting Merovius' conquests.

**Mutzen**

Mutzen is home to House Mutzen, the castle itself spans the entire rushing river with a bridge which separates the castle. The main keep is in the center of the river, an incredibly unusual design for a structure. The castle overall is rather minimalist, but integral for crossing into White Orchard.

**Wismar**

Wismar Castle prides itself of being quite ancient, and hosts a variety of structural scars which reveal its history. A quarter of the castle has seemingly been melted apart by a dragon's breath, and as the story goes - the Lords of Wismar lost their Matriarch to the dragon, and ever since the family hunts down these beasts that occasionally terrorize the valley.

**Ostburg**

Surrounded by swamps, Ostburg is a guarding tower which keeps the Kherjians, and Shu out. The castle is extremely remote, and many residents feed off of the local wildlife to sustain themselves. While Styria rides on horse, those in Ostburg traverse through boat.

**Rusevollen**

Rusevollen Castle is home to House Rusevollen. The castle is quite expansive, and from a far-away glance it could be mistaken for a city. Rusevollen is colored quite beautifully in reds, blues, and whites. Rusevollen Castle was constructed specifically to guard against Varandian incursions.

**Drachenhal**

The capital of the infamous Dracheryon family, Drachenhal is a bleak structure carrying many dragon heads all around its walls. The founders of Drachenhal were Dragonslayers, rescuing the Empire from hellfire. The castle's foundation stands atop one of the remains of the rumored dragons. Drachenhal is heavily weathered by the constant rains and storms that lick the coastline.

## Politics and Information

### Summary

Since the ending of the Lakoni-Styrian Wars, Styria has become prideful and drastically more peaceful. The victory against the Myzaeans proved to the many Lords, Dukes, and even Emperors that they are the true hegemons of the Mare Umbilicum. War, Disputes, and Grievances are forgiven on "Victory Day", the day which the Styrian Empire had victored against the Myzaean Empire.

Victory Day is a week long celebration of carnival games and jousts. It also hosts a great tournament which all across Edafos often participate in.

While immensely powerful, the Styrian Empire fragments its power to the Electoral Dukes, an institution to keep the greedy fed whilst the Emperor keeps power. These Electoral Dukes all adhere to the Electoral Diet, an assembly building within Vedunia separate to the Imperial Palace. The Diet itself replicates the Prolesian Senate Assembly Building, but needlessly complicated. Usually the representative of the Electoral Dukes carries the title of the Estates General, often referred to as the "Lord Protector".

Political factions grow and blossom as the Empire grows more developed. To outsiders, the Styrian Emperor need only wave his hand and whatever needs be done will be, however in reality the Emperor delicately plays to keep their power. The Merovingian Dynasty is not nearly a divinely acute as once thought, and now are the Merovingians reduced to merely a few fiefs whilst their subjects fatten off of the wealth of cities.

The Kingsmen is one of the important institutions within the Styrian Empire. These people were originally a group of loyal nobility who deliberately swore immortal fealty to the Merovingian Dynasty, a clear distinction from the Styrian Empire. A Kingsman is a noble, high or low, who has revoked all his titles to the Merovingian Dynasty, and serves as their personal stewards and retinue. The Kingsmen are given permanent sanctuary in Konigstadt. These loyal men and women soon culminate into the Sunset Guard, infamously unbreakable units holding the greatest swordsmen in Edafos.

Currently, the young Emperor Lothair IV aut Meroving controls the Electoral Diet, and though he controls it now - the ambitious Drachen family seeks to expand the Electoral power back to the Elector Dukes.