Radenstadt

Emblem of the Grand Duchy of Radenstadt in 4E 776

**Radenstadt** is a nation located on the eastern coast of Almeras, across the water from the Aldwyran Empire. It is a land of mountains and valleys, evergreen woodland and rocky cliffs. It is renowned for scenic beauty and magnificent landscapes, but it is also known for the deadly fog that often rises in the areas outside its borders, both on sea and land, trapping any who attempt to travel through it without guidance. The fog goes hand in hand with the clouded skies and frequent rainfall that are a staple of most of the region.

 Society

### Culture

Radenian culture is split into three distinct groups. The original inhabitants of the greater peninsula were a nomadic people known as the *Radeni*, for whom the lands that would eventually become Radenstadt were a safe haven kept protected by the surrounding fog. At some point in their history, the Radeni discovered secret ways to navigate the fogs, and remain the only people capable of entering Radenstadt overland. A colourful and welcoming people, the Radeni own no land or territory, but remain a frequent sight travelling across eastern Almeras atop their caravans of ledge wagons, making a living through craftwork, horse rearing, and trading wares across warring nations. Radeni have a rich musical culture, passing their varied teachings through stories and songs across the generations.

From Radeni heritage, various families with strong sorcerous bloodlines (known as *Drakensang*, or dragonbloods) settled permanently into the Radenian valleys, eventually becoming powerful spellscale families that nowadays control the duchies south of the Maren river. In these duchies, arcane talent is given great importance, and all facets of their culture reflect that. Art, music, theatre, and many parts of high society in general are only appreciated when accentuated through magical means, with grandiose and flamboyant displays of artistic magic a common sight. Most noble families employ a variety of arcane practitioners even for mundane matters such as transportation or entertainment. Those members of the family with particular arcane prowess climb quickly through the ranks, and these families are very particular about mingling blood with anyone that does not demonstrate sorcerous heritage for fear of diluting their family's potency. In fact, most political manoeuvring is made to secure unions that result in stronger sorcerous bloodlines for future generations.

The third and final major cultural group can be found in the northern duchies, controlled by the second major opposing power in Radenstadt: vampire families. Though not lacking considerable arcane prowess of their own, these families have a stronger focus on more material wealth and influence. The ageless lifespans of vampire-kind allow for the accrual of immense amounts of such things, and heads of families will often remain in power for centuries, toppled only through inter- or intra-family conflict. Much like their counterparts across the river, these families are very particular about keeping the bloodline within the nobility. Since vampires are overall less prolific than spellscales, this causes issues with families crumbling due to a lack of heirs. While the trappings of high society are similar to those around the world, a unique feature of vampiric aristocracy is the collection of blood. Powerful families will often have "herds" to indulge in, or even favoured "courtesans" from which they prefer to draw. Different families favour different tastes of blood.

The capital city is Marenhof, a sprawling metropolis built along both shores of a massive lake valley in the very centre of the nation. The southern bank of the city is controlled by House Reventlow, the predominant spellscale family in Radenstadt. The northern bank is controlled by House von Emreis, their direct opposing counterpart on the vampire family side.

### Demographics

The territory's population is largely human, in a mixture of varieties and descents. Despite that, there is also a significant presence of spellscales and vampires (largely amongst the upper crust of the population), more so than any other nation on Ygdren.

By 4E 776, Radenstadt is one of the major powers in Almeras, with good relations to the Aldwyran Empire and stable control of the south-eastern part of the continent. Its wealth and political influence have ensured it remains a neutral party above the conflicts over territory and resources that are common in the region.

### Politics

Radenstadt uses an Aristocracy form of government, where power is shared between the heads of the six major ducal families. Each family rules a single duchy and has a number of more minor families under their purview that are given control of smaller sub-territories known as baronies.

The three duchies south of the Maren river are controlled by the three head spellscale families:

* **House Reventlow:** Renowned for extravagant parties and balls with magnificent displays of arcane practice, as well as their unique blue, white, and black scale colouration, this house is the leading power of the southern duchies. Their seat of power is in Marenhof, the capital city.
* **House Alderflecht:** A strong, militaristic family that provides much of the military backbone for the southern duchies, protecting their allies from threats both without and within.
* **House Richthofen:** A powerful merchant family with economic ties to most other duchies, even across the river, they keep power due to the general reliance of Radenian economy on them doing so.

The three duchies north of the Maren river are controlled by the three head vampire families:

* **House von Emreis:** The foremost and most ancient vampire family in Radenstadt, of rare Vahrblud lineage, this family has kept absolute power in the northern duchies since the birth of the nation, through a mixture of extreme wealth and ruthless politics. Their seat of power is in Marenhof, the capital city.
* **House von Schleier:** A comparatively young vampire family of mixed Alpr and Bruxae lineage, this family is renowned for their ambition and aggressive expansionism, preferring the use of blades in the dark and careful manoeuvring to slowly assert control over more territory.
* **House von Reuss:** An elder vampire family of Hexenwald lineage, this family has a reputation for keeping to themselves. Though not individually the wealthiest or most influential of families, their particular arcane talents afford them the full backing and support of House von Emreis.