Grand Duchy of Aesfrost

The **Grand Duchy of Aesfrost** is one of the three nations in Norzelia and a location in *Triangle Strategy*.

## Profile

The Grand Duchy of Aesfrost is in Norzelia's Northernmost lands, and has a frigid, mountainous landscape. Greathawks, such as the ones Flanagan Groot and Hughette Bucklar ride, are native to Aesfrost's mountains. Most of Aesfrost's profits come from the sale of iron, which is mined from Aesfrost's mountains and caves. Aesfrost's forges and weapons are renowned all across Norzelia, to the point where Aesfrosti soldiers are given the moniker "The Blackirons". Aesfrost is also renowned for The Archives, a library containing books and tomes from all across Norzelia. Aesfrost allows scholars to study freely at the archives, regardless of station or birth.

The Grand Duchy of Aesfrost is led by the current Archduke, and the capital is in Ironstone. Gustadolph Aesfrost reformed Aesfrost's government into a meritocracy, where a person's skill decided their opportunities rather than their birth. Despite this, Gustadolph appointed his younger brother Thalas Aesfrost as Aesfrost's prime minister.

## History

Long before the events of Triangle Strategy, a branch of the Glenbrook royal family known as House Aesfrost defeated bandits in Norzelia's northern mountains. House Aesfrost was rewarded with control and dukedom over these Northern lands by Glenbrook's ruler. By industrializing the smithy skills of native Aesfrostian mountain dwellers, House Aesfrost was able to become an economic powerhouse. House Aesfrost soon broke away from Glenbrook's family line to establish the Grand Duchy of Aesfrost.

## The Saltiron War

The **Saltiron War** was a conflict between the Grand Duchy of Aesfrost, the Kingdom of Glenbrook, and the Holy State of Hyzante 30 years before the events of *Triangle Strategy*. It all began when Archduke Zigmunt Aesfrost grew furious at Hyzante's monopoly over salt. Zigmunt contacted King Regna Glenbrook regarding passage into Hyzante, and asked for an alliance with Glenbrook. Regna agreed to allow the Aesfrosti army to pass through Glenbrook's land, with the catch being Aesfrost must maintain joint control over the Source with Glenbrook once they conquer Hyzante. When Aesfrost first marched on Hyzante, the Goddess' Shield kept the Holy State safe for a while. But what truly drove back the Aesfrosti was a warrior sought out by the hierophant: a warrior by the name of Symon Wolffort. Symon and his clan drove back Aesfrost's forces, and proved themselves to be a fearsome band of warriors.

The war came to a standstill, with House Wolffort and Hyzante fending off Aesfrost and Glenbrook. The standstill continued for years, until King Regna took initiative and met in secret with Symon Wolffort. The two agreed to withdraw themselves from the war, and demanded Aesfrost and Hyzante to do the same. Aesfrost and Hyzante, not wanting to face the combined might of Glenbrook and the Wolffort clan, ceased their fighting and entered into a peace negotiations with Glenbrook. Zigmunt had to hand over the escaped Roselle Orlaea to Hyzante, before Hyzante finally signed the peace treaty and ended the war. The three countries maintain the borders before the war and establish the Norzelian Consortium to fairly manage the trade of salt and iron around Norzelia. However, the Norzelian Consortium places heavy taxes on Aesfrost's salt, meaning that the frigid nation often has to resort to smuggling to survive. This taxation had caused much strain between Aesfrost and the other two nations, and so the Grand Norzelian Mines venture was organized to help unite Aesfrost with the other countries.

## Aesfrost Forces

Aesfrosti MageAesfrosti BlackironAesfrosti Soldier