✷ Kingdom of Altalusia

The Kingdom of Altalusia

Languages:

Common, Altalusian

Biome:

Highlands, temperate forests, bogs and marshes, fertile valleys, coasts

Allied with...

A smattering of petty barons and march lords, some free states

In Conflict with...

the Dwarves, the wilds, the Northlands, some free states

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“Where the stone meets the sea. There Altalusia shall be. Bright blade upon the sky, singing for all who try.
To reach her. ”

— Ser Valtameri, Knight Captain of the Shimmering Hold.​

An old and proud kingdom that holds on fiercely to its independence, Altalusia is caught betwixt the machinations of the Free Cities to its south, and raiding parties from the north. Add to that a contentious peace with the dwarves of the mountains, and a constant struggle against the beasts of the bale wood, and you find a people who are no strangers to conflict and hardship.

But were the pastures not so green and the hills of the high country not so rolling with promise, mayhaps the smallfolk would have abandoned their homes long ago. Might be then, that the First King, would not have woven the Blade Tower of Altalusia, united with the hedge wizards, and wood witches that would become the first Ring of Weavers.

Now, with the passing of King Reynault til Alexandros II, it is left to the young Queen,Suryodaya til Alexandros, first of her name to steward her peoples through the tests of future history. So nascent a ruler, one must wonder, which way doth the winds of destiny whisper?

Governance​

A feudal monarchy, where the Crowned Sovereign holds final authority, and delegates matters of significance to their Inner Council. While most members of the Inner Council are of the most endowed nobility, the seats of the First Mason, First Shipwright, and First Weaver are not bound by landship or title.

Seats of the Inner Council​

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Minister of Agriculture​

Minister of Commerce​

Minister of the Fleets​

Minister of War​

The First Mason​

The First Shipwright​

The First Weaver​

Landed nobles act as vassals to the Sovereign. Warden being the most exclusive title of nobility beneath the Sovereign, with only three Wardens holding the title. Warden of the North, Warden of the South, and the Warden of the Waves. All noble titles are granted by the Sovereign, by edict or ceremony.

Warden​

Margrave​

Count​

Viscount​

Baron​

March Lord​

Knight​

Culture​

Rivers run through verdant valleys, and run long across windswept country before they pour into the sea. While forests far older than any castle spread wild across much of the realm, and wetlands, like bogs and marshes pock the land. It should come as little surprise then, that the peoples of Altalusia are no strangers to living off the land and sea. Fishers, hunters, foragers are all marked with honor in their steads, but so too are the fieldhands and gardeners that work the soil to yield crops for the realm.

So close to the high mountains and so near the sea, Altalusia is famous for its potatoes, colloquially referred to as papas, as well as its sea food. Windmills and waterwheels are also common sites across the countryside.

Ask the vale folk, however, and you'll find a deep sense of pride in the butter and cheeses produced by milk from their prized cows. Visitors to the vale lands soon discover that in the pastoral villages and townships, cows are treated with great reverence, lovingly referred to as second mothers to whole families. In these places, consumption of beef is near criminal.

Proud masons, and shipwrights, Altalusian engineering and craftsmanship places an emphasis on tried and true traditions that have withstood the test of time. Strong walls and tall towers, worked into the hillsides and crags of the high country, act as bulwarks against raids from the north, ambitious nobility, and unrest in turn. Whilst on the sea and in the air, Altalusian ships are seen as mobile fortresses, acting as staging points for smaller craft to sail further and farther beyond.

Major Cities/Landmarks​

Crown's Hold​

The capital city of Altalusia, said to be where the First King gathered the First Ring of Weavers, and carved the city from the stone of Mount Misericord during the Era of Many. Along with the Blade Tower of Altalusia.​

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In the modern era, the reigning Sovreign presides within Crown's Hold, alongside their Inner Council. The city is a densely populated settlement, a hub of trade and culture that almost seems to be bursting out of the old stone walls that mark its long history. Most recently, refuges from far flung conflicts have begun to gather outside of the City proper.​

The Blade Tower​

As important a fixture in Altalusia as Crown's Hold itself, the Blade Tower is said to be woven from Armonium laden stone, which shimmers with the light of the moons in stars even through the darkest night. It is within the Tower's halls that the Sovereign meets with their Inner Council, and where in the First Ring of Weavers resides.​

Cloud's Keep​

A modern city, nestled amidst the southern mountains of Altalusia. It is heavily influenced by the culture of the Free Cities further south, as well as dwarven traditions from the west. Cloud's Keep is home to a major Sky Shipwright. Countess Lavienrose presides over this key settlement, and is said to have an intense rivalry with the Margrave of White Port.​

Aurochs Rock​

A great stone crag, which rests at the heart of the Vale Lands. It is said to be the ancestor to all Altalusian cattle, who laid down to rest after a long journey about the world. Its resemblance to a cow is striking.​

White Port​

The marque port of Altalusia, presided over by the Margrave of White Port, and home to the premier shipwright in the realm. From merchant and fishing vessels, to naval carracks and galleons, if it cuts the sea, chances are it was wrought in White Port. The First Shipwright is also given holdings within White Port, and historically, presides over the production of Altalusia's sailing fleet. A bustling hub of trade and commerce, it rivals Crown's Hold in size and its influence over the realm.​

The Balewood​

A twisted and ancient wilderness that grows across the Northern border of the realm. A vast forest that spans across bog, vale, and climbs across peaks. Many are the fable and folktale that warn of the dangers that lurk within the curling darkness gathered beneath the branches of the Vayd Tree. Just as many that tell of heroic deeds and legends born there in. No story without the touch of horror and hardship, for there in the Balewood, the corruption known as the Blight grows near as deep as the roots of the very forest.​

5. History​

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EoM 970​

• Said to have been founded at the close of the Era of Many, by the First King who gathered the Covens of Witches and Wizards to carve the Blade Tower atop Mount Misericorde.
• The First King titles the First Weaver.
• During the Reign of the First King, smallfolk settled among the hillsides and valleys beneath the Blade Tower’s gleam. Word spread quick of the King and his First Ring of Weavers, and more folk followed.

EoM 1000​

• The First King passes into death. He is succeeded by his heir, Victorian til Altusan.

EoU 020​

• The War of the Ten Penny Barons shatters the peace of the realm.
• King Victorian is slain in the field of battle. Queen Alexandria til Altusan claims Sovereignty.

EoU 035​

• Queen Alexandria’s campaign sees the Ten Penny Barons quelled. Many heads of houses are put to the sword, their lands given to loyal vassals.

EoU 43​

• Queen Alexandria passes into death. She is succeeded by her heir, Leonel til Altusan.

EoU 108​

• The First Mason is titled and tasked to found the Walls of Crown Hold.

EoU 220​

• The First Shipwright if titled.

EoU 312​

• White Port is Founded, at the mouth of Unicorn Bay.

EoU 544​

• Raids from northland fleets pepper fishing villages along the north eastern coasts of the Realm.
• A Sovereign Edict is declared, all able bodied sailors are tasked to defend against the northland incursions.
• In the naval battles of Unicorn Bay, dredge horrors wash along the eastern coast. With many of the able bodied adrift at war, the blighted creatures spread their corruption, quick across the land.
• Sage Weaver of the First Ring, Marani Taltuya, calls for a Sagemoot. The Rings of Weavers gather to discuss the Dead Wave.
• Droves of the small folk flee to Crown’s Hold.

EoU 562​

• The Dead Wave recedes.

EoD 100​

• It is declared that the last of the Dead Wave’s blight has been purged from the lands.
• Corruption and blight still clings to the land.

EoD 161​

• The War of the Petty Barons breaks out across the realm.

EoD 200​

• Queen Arvena til Alexandros brokers peace.

EoD 350​

• King Reynault til Alexandros II passes into death. He is succeeded by his daughter, Queen Suryodaya til Alexandros.