Herth

**Herth** was a historical region and kingdom that existed from c. 300 NSY to 288 SY. The kingdom ran along the Velosi Mountains, in the region of Ahremia now called Vardunia. The kingdom was one of the few stable political states in northwestern Ahremia during the early years of the modern era. The kingdom held a capital at Enni, and was ruled by a dynasty under the clan name *Ergrod*, a family which had its origin in the collection of horsemen tribes which previously inhabited Vardunia.

The kingdom was founded by the rulers of Enni in about 300 NSY, and grew to encompasses about 2,600 sq. mi. of northwest Ahremia, making it one of the larger kingdoms in Ahremia at the time. By 288 SY, internal fragmentation caused the Ergrod rulers to return to Enni - which soon after became a vassal of the First Ahremian Empire. (Old South Raivon) (McMurrer Middle School) (Anthony Wallace) (Evie Scudamore) (John Baskerville, Jr.) (Woods Elementary School)

## Etymology

Although the people of Herth are no longer found in Ahremia, the existence of this once prominent kingdom is known to most residents of Vardunia today. The current capital and largest city of the province of Vardunia (which includes the former territory of Herth), Falhearth, has etymological ties to Herth. Also modern day place names such as the Herthian Ridge come from the kingdom of Herth.

## History

Herth's history begins with the founding on Enni by Ahremian nomads in what is thought to be about 800 NSY. The city grew under the leadership of a informal government of local chiefs, and by about 500 NSY the city had grown to about 3,500 residents. Around this time, a local dynasty of rulers emerged under the clan name Ergrod. The first recorded ruler is Gunne Ergrod, who campaigned against the Velosi horsemen in the early 300s NSY, in doing so creating the kingdom of Herth.

The Ergrod rulers created a system in which they would pursue local tribes and force their leaders into a vassalage contract, thus giving the Ergrod the right to collect taxes from these peoples, usually in the form of goods - furs, milk, timber, twine and cloth were the most common. In exchange, Herth would provide these people protection from enemy tribes, Raivonian warlords who crossed the Ellingouh Pass, and the occasional attempt by the Sectinian kingdoms to raid the Velosi foothills. During the Buthenian incursion into Ahremia in about 70 SY, Herth was recorded as *Eorth*, and was ruled by a man named Arvid Borgroth, possibly a member of a sub-clan of the Ergrods.

Herth began to break apart as the nomads of Vardunia began to consolidate - until Herth had returned back to only the territory of Enni in 288 SY. Herth saw its last mention in the year 270 SY, by a district governor of Sectinia. Soon after its last mention, Enni was forced into vassalage by the First Ahremian Empire. Enni faded into obscurity over the next two centuries, losing its regional significance to the nearby Falhearth.

### Culture and People

Herth's demographics changed drastically from its founding to its end, with many different peoples and cultures coming under the rule of Herth. The nomads of Vardunia spoke many languages, and ethnically have little relation to Ahremians proper, and certainly modern day Ahremians - nor did they share much in culture and language to other ancient Ahremian kingdoms, such as Urda. Writing existed in Herth, although almost exclusively in Enni. The script used is not decipherable, but if deciphered could tell more about the culture of Herth.

Some is known about the Herthians. It is thought they lived in round or rectangular houses made of stone brick with thatch roofs. They herded sheep, grew vegetables, sewed linen garments, and cooked a variety of stews and casseroles that made up their cuisine. Some of these elements are still seen in some rural areas of Vardunia today, in which some individuals have names with Herthian origins.