Brenoux

**Ærkehertugdømmet Brenoux** is a feudal monarchy.

## **Culture**

**Brenoux**culture is based around the principles of duty, hierachy and order. Villagers are bound by serfdom to stay and serve their overlord, they are also forced to serve within the military. Levies make up the primary force of the army, while a few hired men-at-arms and knights serve the vassals and Archduke. While many see their service to the Archduke as an honourable duty, others wish to break free from their serfdom.

## **Coat of Arms**

The coat of arms is comprised of two crowns and an eagle. The two crowns represent the royal binding of the house Adler and Kronenburg, aswell as symbols of Thymmera and the legitimacy of their rule The purple background of the crowns symbolizes nobility aswell. The eagle symbolizes the watchful nature of the regent and the overseeing of all his subjects, like Anzuna that watches from the sky. Yellow symbolizes honor, hope and loyalty.

## **Economy**

The economy is mostly driven by the serfdom. Agriculture and the extraction of natural materials from the country make up most of the tribute gathered by the vassals of the Archduke. While there is a small middle-class of merchants and artisans within towns and cities, the majority are poor serfs. There are many poor people in Brenoux, but all have a role within the economy.

## **Goverment**

**Brenoux**is a feudal monarchy. The monarch is **Archduke Leopold Adler-Kronenburg**. All land of the archdukedom is owned by the archduke and by the regent extended to vassals to rule over.

## **Races**

Not all races are born equal within Brenoux, but neither are men. Anthropomorphic races are seen as lesser creatures, often used as beasts of burden. However through excellent military service all can achieve glory within the Archdukedom.

### Ederan

Agriculture and birth are central to Brenoux society. Worship of Ederan is widely spread among serfs that hope from a bountiful harvest and children.

### Hadur

Hadur's most important aspects are duty, protection and strength. All are taught these lessons from a young age to instill a purpose within the serfdom.

### Thymmera

Oaths, Order, Rulership and Hierachies are among the primary principles worshiped and taught in Brenoux. The archduke rules by divine right and makes sure that their vassals are bound by oaths. This way a social hierarchy is justified by Thymmera.

### Ghukran

While not all worship Ghukran. Many still seek the blessings of Ghukran to burn and purify the land of Brenoux of the terrible creatures that lurk. The worship of Ghukran in Brenoux dates back to the origins of the country, when Bren, the Lord of Flame, began the purification of the countryside. Though the worship fell drastically after the Bren family was ousted and Malfurus the Wrath of Flames attacked the country.

## **History**

### **The Land of Bren**

In the early first century of the Age of the Reconquest only few tribes of men lived in the rainfilled valleys of Brenoux. These nomadic tribes shared the country with large monstrosities and evil spirits. Not much is recorded of their history, but that of the Tribe of Bren. A gifted sorcerer from a small tribe began the purification of evil from the country. Wreathed in burning fire, Bren, the Lord of Flame sent the beasts fleeing, rid their caverns and burned their forests. The tribe prospered as the Followers of Bren could live in safety, with many followers claiming him to be the divine heir and offspring of Ghukran. Order was created in the Flame.

### **Elven Horselords and the Birth of Malfurus**

As the vast and dark forests covering the land was burning down and cut for lumber to the newly formed cities as tribes settled, elven horselords began roaming the country. While some fought with ferocity and lay claim to land, others settled and taught the men of agriculture bringing grain from their lands. Men and Elves lived in prosperity together, but not for long. By divine right, the Heirs of Bren ruled and created order, those who disagreed would be given the Baptism of Fire, a rebirth in flame to learn from their mistakes. The Eagle of Kelkenberg, Lord Hieronymus Adler, also known as The Iron Serpent, who was the main producer of iron and weapons, supported a rebellious effort of Elven warriors and Franz, who would become the Archduke of Brenoux. Lord Adler sought only to remain a powerful man and made a contract that no one should ever be a King to rule over him. The Heirs of Bren were invited to show a magnificent display in Lord Adler's Foundry of Destiny. Malfurus, son of Bren came to see the display. Secretly, Lord Adler had ordered a dagger of flaming frost to be created by his master dwarves, it appeared to glow with flame, but was bound in cold. Laying in the foundry was the sword Frostflame, when Lord Adler asked for Malfurus to come nearer and witness the dagger, The Iron Serpent grasped the blade and struck down Malfurus. Struck in the heart, Malfurus grew bitter with anger and flaming hot with wrath. His body twisted and bent as his soul was corrupted. And thus Malfurus, the Flaming Wrath, was born.

### **Malfurus and the Sword of a Thousand Suns**

Malfurus had now become a demonic creature, his body twisted and wreathed in flames, wings of ash and soot extending from his back. He began to terrorize the country, destroying entire villages and draining the souls of the villagers. The being clashed with armies and soldiers, but nothing could stand in its way. As it sucked their life, binding them to his flaming whip of souls, In a small village on the outskirts of Benitz, an elven warrior turned farmer prayed to Edéran to protect him and his family. When Malfurus came to enslave and burn, the guards were destroyed. In a desperate attempt to save what he held dear, he took a sword from a fallen soldiers and charged the demonic being. The ashen covered skies cleared as Velatharim charged the demon. Light reached down from the skies, as blinding radiant light made Malfurus cower, and the demon was struck with the light of a thousand suns and disappeared. Though he saved the people of Bren, he could not save his family.

### **The Founding of Kronenburg and Rigskorpset**

Order needed to be established. Franz I was crowned Archduke of Brenoux, and married the elven woman Quenyas, and laid the foundation of the Kronenburg dynasty. Lord Adler, was crowned Duke of Kelkenberg, and given the title Lord of Iron. Loyal families and powerful people became lords and nobles of the towns and cities of the Archdukedom. Though power vained from the seat of Kronenburg, the lords and people held too much power. There could never be allowed for such magic to control the land again and so the use of magic was banned. The worship of Thymmera was widely pushed. Temples of Thymmera was built to help establish the heirarchy and the chaos was blamed on the Rebellion of the Gods. Like Thymmera heirarchy was needed for a prosperous society, Hadur was used as an example of duty and protection.

A standing army was founded and named Rigskorpset. The Archduke was the Absolute Leader of Rigskorpset, the Captain of Rigskorpset, his second in command. This gave the people of Brenoux a chance to prove their worth and forge a new destiny and honor for their families.

### **Witchhunt**

As magic was banished, a quest of supression was led by Rigskorpset and an order of mageslayers known as Arcanum Maleficium. People who showed magic capabilites was taken from their families, some fought back but stood no chance. Others fled, many joining the remnants of the Heirs of Bren, a group that became known as The Last Flames. Some migrated south crossing the Wurmfelle Alps and settled in the wild and warm countryside of Haagen. Controversy came when the royal family of Kronenburg showed signs of innate magic, so did many other royal families. After centuries of extermination, disconent had grown in the countryside. Many families bittered after being punished and losing loved ones, but even more supported the witchhunt. It wasn't until Archduke Karl II the Merciful, that magic was allowed. A group of royal mages founded the Circle of Mages, and only by becoming a member of this stateauthorized group were people allowed to practise magic in the service of the Archduke and the protection of Brenoux.

### **The Expansion of the Archdukedom**

Under the leadership of Archduke Jocham, Brenoux expanded its borders. The wild lands south of Wurmfelle Alps were slowly conquered and new lords were established to rule over the populace. While the homelands of Brenoux was primarily populated by humans, elves and dwarves. This new land was teeming with different races and monsters. The people who had migrated during the witchhunts lived freely with these savage races. These savage races were treated poorly, but was allowed to stay within the lands only to be exploited. Efforts were also made to claim the Saltmarsh as the small city of Salzland was established in the sulfur smelling lands of salt and marsh.

### **The Starving Rebellion and the Binding of Adler-Kronenburg**

The years between 1256 and 1259 was known as the Year of the Floods. Heavy rain and harsh weather decimated the crops. The grain storages of the nobility was primarily used for themselves and the people of the homeland. In Haagen only men, elves and dwarves were given rations of grain. People starved and died, disease spreading throughout the lands. The discontent people of Haagen rose up in 1259, when on the 9th of Cimm, over one hundred people were hanged for theft. The undersupplied Rigskorpset tried to fight back against the rebellious populace, but were met by thousands of angry villagers and mages. The Archduke was desperate and in need of supplies and weapons. The sly Duke of Kelkenberg Franz Adler VI had through alliances and blackmail with other lords formed a blockade of supplies. In a letter to the Archduke he asked for the binding of their dynasties to rule together. Incapable of fighting both a rebellion and several dukes and lords, the Archduke agreed and their families were bound together in matrimony and the dynasty Adler-Kronenburg was founded. Unable to quell the rebellion completely, Haagen was ceded in 1270 on the 11th of Thymos, when the Republics Unified Constitution was signed and Nove-Haagen was established.

### **The Golden Alchemist and the Invention of Gunpowder**

In a remote village of Salzland, Gerhardt an aspiring wizard and alchemist was born. From humble means, he grew to become one of the most prominent wizards of Brenoux, if not the world. He quickly became on of the five mages in the Circle of Mages. In his study of alchemical practices he learned great secrets of magic. He became a Master Transmuter and is the only alchemist known to be able to produce gold. Researching in Salzland on behalf of the Circle of Mages, he learned to produce gunpowder from the sulphurus earth. In work with Rigskorpset, Gerhardt manufactured weapons of destruction, using his alchemical and arcane knowledge of fire and metals. For his contribution to Brenoux, he was awarded his homelands and the title of Arkan-Markgreve of Salzland. Whether blessed by Ghukran or given arcane secrets from Vynas, The Golden Alchemist remains a mystery.

### **Ulvehjerte and Spejderkorpset**

A simple hunter from the village Herwick near Erhartzen named Manfred, lived a simple life of huntergathering. His life changed when a frozen wyrm, the white dragon Glaufang or Frostbid, attacked his city while he was out hunting. He ran home only to find all he knew frozen and broken by the White Wyrm. Manfred tracked the beast to its lair, set up traps and strung his bow. At the entrance he howled with fury like a wolf luring Glaufang out. He shot his arrow and then pounced on the great wyrm. The beast and the wyrm wrestled and fought, until Manfred was thrown off. Glaufang preparing its breath, Manfred drew a final arrow and felled the wyrm. Legend says he entered a man, but left a wolf. Others say he was raised by wolves. Upon hearing the legend at a feast, the Archduke Leopold sought out the hunter. The Archduke offered Manfred Ulvehjerte to become a member of Rigskorpset, but the hunter denied this prize. Instead he was allowed to have full control over a small band of scouts to protect the realm, called Spejderkorpset. A small inner circle within this corps became Ulvehjertes trusted wolfpack. In Spejderkorpset all was allowed based on their merit, making for a diverse group of many different races.