High Chiefdom of Veletia

The **High Chiefdom of Veletia** (Polabian: *Låbüdegna*; Polabian Pronunciation: /lɒbydɛgna/) is the first sovereign West Slavic country. Its English name comes from the Veleti that had settled in the same place, but its Polabian name derives from the word "*Låbü*", meaning "Elbe" (as in River Elbe), and the word "*degna*", meaning "good". Put this together literally, you have "Elbe good", but it is mostly used as Good Elbe. If you want to say Veletia in general, then you say *Labuganc* (Polabian Pronunciation: /lɒbygants/).

## Map

Map of Veletia in 766 with its puppet state, the Kabaro-Slavic Kingdom

## History (Tribe of Veletia to High Chiefdom of Veletia)

The Tribe of Veletia split from the Veleti Confederation in 605, not long after it was created. Upon the split, a new leader rose to power; Erskă Inga 'the Terrible'. Inga was of House Carvenĕ (an epithet meaning 'red' which was given to her grandfather Philip). Inga is known for having anyone who revolted against her executed by Inging, which is an execution named after her (Inging is quite a horrible non-bloody way of execution). The Tribe of Veletia remained very small until Er Bogüslås så Låbüvaika came to power in 725. Bogüslås reigned for three years where he conquered many small nearby tribes. In 728, Bogüslås had died of the Francian Plague. The same year, Bogüslås' son, Vladislüv had become the Er (or Chief) of Veletia. Vladislüv got the throne when he was 13 years of age. He had no regents. After turning 20, he began the *Låbüstorĕst'ĕ Krigi* or the Veletian Tribe Wars. During 733 to 744, Veletia went on a killing spree; conquering all the nearby tribes and villages. In 744, Veletia grew to a size that occupied what today is South & Central Brandenburg, almost all of Saxony-Anhalt, central Saxony, and a small chunk of Northwest Czechoslovakia. Nearing the end of 744, Vladislüv crowned himself Varxnĕr of Veletia, which would be the end of the Tribe of Veletia and the beginning of the High Chiefdom of Veletia. In 751, Vladislüv married Frida of Svitjod, second cousin to the jarl of Svitjod. This created an alliance between Veletia and Svitjod and cause a religious and fashion change in all of Veletia. Many Veletian women adopted Frida's clothing styles and mannerisms. By 752, much of Veletia had converted to Frida's religion of Odinism. In the same year, Frida gave birth to Francišek Philip Leopold Oskar Boguslaus Vladislüv, the then heir apparent of Veletia.

## The First Baltic War

Veletia was one of the attackers in the Baltic War which was hosted by the Confederation of Svitjod. In the end, the attackers had lost the war, but had gained some land. In 750, the Treaty of Schwerin was signed between Veletia, England, and Avjljíírland.

## Culture & Language

The language of Veletia is Polabian, a West Slavic language heavily influenced by German. Within Veletia's capital of Rekăvaika, many peasants are fishers. This is because Rekăvaika is settled near River Elbe which is home to many fish. You will also find many grain farmers along River Elbe. One tradition used by the Veletians is something they call "Jest" which is a festival held every 20 years where one comes and eat, drink, have fun, and party.

## Administration

Much of the land in Veletia is owned by the ruler, though sometimes the ruler may grant pieces of land to high ranking members of the military. Büyars are at the very top and own 3 homesteads. Raigeŕnĕk are right below the büyars and own 1 homestead. The Våuki (*sing. Våuk*) are the equivalents of knights, but own no land.

## Military

Much like other West Slavs, Veletian warfare is made up of polearms and spears. The sabre is also a common weapon, though mostly used by rulers and büyars.

## Religion

Slavo-Norse Paganism is the most common religion in Veletia. Slavo-Norse Paganism believes in Rod & Odin, only thing is that they were brothers. The stories continue as normal, but each Slavic god helps out a Norse god and vice versa, creating the Slavic and Norse Paganism tolerance in Veletia. However, in 752 (after the marriage of Vladislüv and Frida of Svitjod) Vladislüv converted to Odinism, the same religion as Svitjod.

## Economy

Much of the market is fish, food, and plots of land that are for sale from büyars and raigeŕnĕk. The made thing used to purchase items are gelt, a coin of gold or silver with the ruler's face pressed onto one of the coin's sides.