Albran

The Kingdom of Albran was one of two kingdoms that existed somewhat briefly after the Battle of the Black Forest and the founding of the Empire of Man. Albran only existed for about 50 years, encompassing the rule of Aiden of Dunedyn and his son Albert of Dunedyn, who would combine the kingdoms of Albran and Stradclod into the Imperial county of Chrichheim.

Albran included the northern parts of what is now known as the county of Chrichheim. However it did not control the south, which was primarily occupied by the Kingdom of Stradclod.

The name of Albran is a peculiar one. Believed to originate from Old Chrich, the word 'albran' does not have any direct translation into modern Common. Scholars are divided on the origin of the name, with the most popular opinion being that it refers to a clan or ruler that has been lost to history. Shockingly, some argue that the name Kingdom of Albran was never the kingdoms contemporary name at all, instead suggesting that the name was created by Isernheimer historians several hundred years after it fell out of use.

## **Political Structure**

Very little is known about the structure of Albran's political elite, especially during it's earlier history. Nevertheless, we do know that its later structure was very feudal in nature and possessed an interesting fusion of contemporary and distinctly 'traditional Chrich' positions.

* The Steward - head of the household's management
* The Chancellor - head of the chapel and recordkeeping.
* The Chamberlain - head of finances.
* The Constable - head of military resources.
* The Butler - head servant.
* The Marshal - head of military forces.

Many of these positions were known to be typically hereditary, dictated by blood and birth right. It was, of course, not uncommon for the ruling Toísech to appoint his friends or relatives to positions within the court. The most important of these was probably the steward but others included the royal hunters and (interestingly) the cooks.

## **History**

### **Aiden of Dunedyn**

It is difficult to appreciate fully the early years of Albran's existence and, indeed, the early reign of Toísech Aiden. It is known that the kingdom was created in the aftermath of the great Battle of the Black Forest, in which a united army of mankind definitively pushed the rampaging orc hordes out of contemporary Imperial lands. Aiden, alongside many other Chrich Toísech, fought bravely in this battle. Aiden is also credited with growing the Imperial Pantheon in what is now Chrichheim, especially the lands that he would control as Toísech of Albran.

In his later years, Aiden's reign was marked by increasingly good relations with the neighbouring and newly-formed county of Isernheim, intense internal leadership debate and, despite this, successful expansion and consolidation. Some time after Isernheim was officially formed and brought into the Empire of Man, it signed a permanent alliance with Albran (which was not yet part of the Empire). Shortly after that, Albran captured Fort Thicket and assimilated the local clans. The later reign of Aiden also marks the first known tensions between Albran and the Kingdom of Stradclod. Old legends say that Aiden travelled into Stradclod lands and slew the local lord. This is the first definite sign of active hostility between the two sides. Shortly before his death, Aiden had incorporated all of the lands that make up the north of present-day Chrichheim.

### **Albert of Dunedyn**

The rule of Albert was marked by good relations with, and eventually incorporation into, the Empire of Man. It was also a period of expansion for Albran, the time in which they conquered their main rival - Stradclod - and witnessed final unity between the north and south. Nevertheless, though it was a period of great change, it was also a time of continuity. Even after Albran was dissolved and incorporated into the Empire as Chrichheim, traditional culture remained and continues to do so to this very day.

Albert's reign also saw a time of cultural separation between the rich and poor. The common class stayed in touch with their ancient traditions, whilst the wealthy and influential adopted an increasing number of stereotypically Imperial traits. Albert, to his credit, respected and demonstrated both in relatively equal measure.

Some clan leaders, however, were staunch traditionalists and resisted violently against incorporation into the Empire. Though the violence has mostly subsided, some a still bicker thousands of years later.

When Albran finally conquered Stradcold and the south, Albert formally dissolved and yet simultaneously united both kingdoms. Albran and Stradclod would no longer exist, bad blood would be subsided, and in the land would be united under a new Imperial county: Chrichheim.