FEF8/10 Lore: Nations

KINGDOM OF ANGEBORTEN:
Coat of Arms: Three oak trees silver on red field
Predominant Religion: Seven Sisters
Official (and Common other) Language(s): Gothian (Gallian)
Cultural Counterpart: Francophone Low Countries (Belgium, Luxembourg etc)

Landlocked and not very urbanized, Kingdom of Angeborten occupies the fertile valley where most of Vulnberries grow in the wild. Angeborten Valley was site of many battles, both to conquer the precious herbfields as well as secure the strategic mountain passes into Gallia and Herzgottia. After the Seven Years' War in the middle of the last century, the native Albertine dynasty was replaced with Sachsen monarch, Friedrich; his grandson, the elderly Friedrich II, is the current ruler of the nation, his only child and heiress being Princess Sophia von Sachsen-Angeborten, bethrothed to Joachim Lichteisen, a son of one of numerous local noble families. The ruling family enjoys some popularity amongst its subjects, although it is constantly challenged by Seven Sisters' clergy (on the grounds of being too progressive) and plutocratically-minded merchant class (on the grounds of being too feudal in its politics), sometimes leading to domestic problems of varying size and severity.
In the last 25 years, Angeborten has been ruled by iron-fisted 'Consorts' of Queen Sophia, who is locked in The Rose Palace, being a face to the oppresive regime. In the earlier days, various rebels tried to break the power of the first Consort, Arnulf Dermaut, but they all failed (with the Berg-Boore Revolt being the most disasterous to the country and resulting in near-annihilation of the two families). One fateful day, Consort Dermaut found himself killed by the captain of the guard, who became the next Consort for about four years. Then he was killed by the head Treasurer, who took his place, only to fall to an assassination plot staged few days later by his former aide-accountant, Adriaan van der Dergen. Much to the chagrin of the hard-line royalist rebels, Consort van der Dergen is a cunning populist who, by lowering of taxes and dealing with 'corrupt noblemen and the Church', became people's favorite. However, his grip on power has been recently challenged by the rumor that a young man, apparent cousin of Queen Sophia, is rallying support in the countryside to free his aunt and restore the monarchy.
POST FEF8: With the fall of the corrupt and evil Queen Sophia, Cedric of Tatalia has taken control over the country. Albeit riding on the wave of popularity for his 'common roots' and backing of nobles and Sisters' Church that were disgruntled with Consort-Rule, his failings as a monarch have already destabilized the country somewhat and those that once supported him now sow seeds of discontent. Cedric's numerous marital scandals and discovery of bastard children does not help keeping the Kingdom stable anyway.

HERZGOTTIAN EMPIRE (defunct):
Coat of Arms: Sitting golden lion on black field
Predominant Religion: Sigismund the Man-King
Official (and Common other) Language(s): Gothian
Cultural Counterpart: Germany

Once a large nation-state comprised of many feudal townships and noble holdings, it was ruled by the ambitious and greedy Bayernlohe family for almost a hundred years, the backbone of its army always the mighty and terrifying Wyvern Riders. Often, Herzgottian Empire clashed with Kingdom of Gallia, and one of the exhaustive wars, know as 'The Half War' saw collapse of Herzgottia; Grand Duchy of Herzgottia, Republic of Nurn and Kingdom of Sterlitz are its current-day remnants.

GRAND DUCHY OF HERZGOTTIA:
Coat of Arms: Field divided silver and black, diagonally upper-left to lower-right
Predominant Religion: Sigismund the Man-King
Official (and Common other) Language(s): Gothian
Cultural Counterpart: Central Germany (Hesse)

Whatever did not become independent or was annexed by Gallia or the Tiberrine City-States, remained with Herzgottia, which ruler was now elected amongst the Lords of the Grand Council, the greatest monarchs of all time like Karl Sober or Ulrich von Altenburg rising to power only due to the Lords' support. Over the decades, however, the Council lost its influence and its main job nowadays is to affirm the basically-hereditary rule of von Sachsen family.
With the crisis that befell Angebortian Kingdom, the Grand Duchy faced its own slew of usurpers and dictators, which caused the security on the border to weaken. The Grand Duchy fell victim to invasions of Nurn, Tatalia, as well as the establishment of Norgemark-backed Kingdom of Inselkonige on the northern shores. However, von Sachsen family is still on the throne, with Ludwig II von Sachsen being viewed by his people as a competent and loving ruler (although his two brazen, hot-headed and crude sons are often the topic of a joke or several).
POST FEF8: Recently, Ludwig II has managed to peacefully integrate Kingdom of Sterlitz and launched an anti-Norgemarkian campaign, clearly seeking to recover the lands grabbed by Inselkonige. Some whisper that he might be holding ambitions to restore the Old Herzgottian Empire, even.

KINGDOM OF TATALIA:
Coat of Arms: Silver pegasus rearing on blue field
Predominant Religion: Seven Sisters
Official (and Common other) Language(s): Kostspraak (Gothian)
Cultural Counterpart: Netherlands

Tatalians were always a peoples similar yet different from the Herzgottians; whereas Herzgottians looked proudly upon their Wyverns and prefered conquest of land, Tatalians cultivated their maritime ties and maintained their prized Pegasus stables. First a close affiliate of Herzgottia, it was then bound together in marriage, then in vassalship, before being integrated into the Empire; after its fall, Tatalians gained independence once more. Currently the maritime kingdom is known for its trading prowess and of course the Pegasi mercenaries. In Tatalia, the King (of Diest dynasty) and his family wield mostly ceremonial power; the ruling power lies within the Lord-Protector and Tatalian Plutocrats.
Whilst the central and southern lands were suffering from rebellions and other disasters, Tatalia grew and prospered, having won a war against Grand Duchy and even the Empire of Gallia. Even more importantly, the most recent Diest dynasts curbed the power of Plutocrats, and became major political players on the continent, whose influence reaches even to the Tiberrine Republics.

REPUBLIC OF NURN:
Coat of Arms: Black lion on golden field
Predominant Religion: Seven Sisters
Official (and Common other) Language(s): Gothian, Tibberian
Cultural Counterpart: Southern Germany (Bavaria)

A small republic, ruled by Council of Lords, which numbers are determined both by elections and hereditary appointage. Considered 'the trade hub' of Herzgottian Empire, its wealth allowed not only to buy itself an independence from Gallian occupation, but also to raise and maintain a defensive force. Nurnians consider themselves 'successors' of Herzgottian Empire, leading to certain dose of hostility (fortunately, often cold rather than hot) between them and the Grand Duchy. Otherwise, the Republic keeps to itself, albeit the Council keeps amicable ties with the Kingdom of Angeborten.
In the past 25 years, Republic of Nurn became the major trading partner of the emergent Kingdom of Lechitia, and fought a war against Grand Duchy of Herzgottia and Kingdom of Sterlitz, increasing its own lands on expense of the former - only to suffer a disastrous split when the noblemen supporting Church of Inviolable Light created their own nation, Republic of Regen.

REPUBLIC OF REGEN:
Coat of Arms: Golden lion facing rightways on black field
Predominant Religion: The Inviolable Light
Official (and Common other) Language(s): Gothian, Tibberian
Cultural Counterpart: Austria

A small republic, recently created when Nurnian noblemen and worshippers of The Inviolable Light decided to throw a revolt and declare independence. Backed by the powerful Niccoli family from Vancia, the rebels quickly seized control over several cities and fortresses, and managed to bring Nurn to the negotiation table. For the past five years, the young Republic devoted its time and resources for development of land and establishment of political ties, although some snicker that most of Regenian politics are influenced (or even controlled) by the Tibberine Kingdom of Vancia.

KINGDOM OF STERLITZ (defunct):
Coat of Arms: Green fire-breathing wyvern on silver field
Predominant Religion: Sigismund the Man-King
Official (and Common other) Language(s): Gothian
Cultural Counterpart: Northern Germany (Hannover)

Proud and ancient Kingdom, first ruled by Sigismund the Man-King, Mountain-Eater and Dragon-Slayer, himself. The first dynasty long gone, its successor rulers were Bayernlohe family, who came to wield great power and rule Herzgottian Empire. After the fall of Empire, the reverence of Sigismund diminished across the continent, but people of Sterlitz remain his most faithful of worshippers. Agricultural in its makeup and peppered with thick forests and uncharted mountains, it would be considered a backwards land of poverty, fortunately 'Sons of Sigismund's' (Man-King's theocratic council) charitable donations as well as the income from local gold mines keep Sterlitzian peoples well fed.
POST FEF8: After a long period of independent rule, Sons of Sigismund agreed to a diplomatic merger with Grand Duchy of Herzgottia, adding their small but powerful army to King Ludwig's, allowing him to begin several ambitious campaigns.

EMPIRE OF GALLIA:
Coat of Arms: Five golden stars on blue and black checkered field
Predominant Religion: The Inviolable Light
Official (and Common other) Language(s): Gallian (Tibberian, Kostspraak)
Cultural Counterpart: France

Since time eternal, Gallians were ruled by Sanspeur family. Through numerous branches and marriages between cousins (always at least thrice-removed), the ancient dynasty was kept both healthy and alive. The internal stability led to economic prosperity, and that economic prosperity allowed foundation of powerful military giant. In Age of Strife, Empire of Gallia fought often with Argeboten, Tiberrine City-States and Herzgottia, finally leading to collapse of the last one. Nowadays, Gallians have to contend with some nomads from beyond Southern Deserts, preoccupying the minds and armies of Gallians for the time-being. They're also renowned for their rich vineyards and literature, with repetitive epics, 'les mysteres' and vengeance dramas being renowned across entirety of the continent, with recent Gallian Emperors, being an active patron of arts. Recently however, the encroachment of the Arramahid Monarchy through Sands of Light upon Gallian borders might force the Gallians into another war.

TIBERRINE REPUBLICS:
Coat of Arms: varies
Predominant Religion: The Inviolable Light
Official (and Common other) Language(s): Tibberian
Cultural Counterpart: Italy (Naples)

Comprised of twenty-one republics varying in size from city-states to expansive nations, the Tiberrines live on a peninsula rich in fertile farmlands and rich hillsides surrounded from three sides by Tiber Sea. Sometimes, Tiberrines fight against each other over petty issues, but when presented with outside threat, they are capable of quickly putting aside their differences and fight alongside each other. After dissolving Herzgottian Empire, the Tiberrines next dealt a crushing defeat to Empire of Gallia, establishing 'Hundred Years Truce'. Nowadays, the lands of Tiberrines are lands of milk and honey, arts and sculpture, gold and jewellry... but internal politics of the alliance are shaky at best, with rampant corruption and mysterious murders, the peninsula became a battlefield for three most influential of republics: Nicca, Floria and Vancia. The political balance quickly went to the dumps when Vancian power grew, resulting in most of the peninsula conquered and the ruling family of Arnolfo crowning themselves Kings of Vancia.

KINGDOM OF VANCIA:
Coast of Arms: Four silver circles arranged into a cross on red field
Predominant Religion: The Inviolable Light
Official (and Common other) Language(s): Tibberian
Cultural Counterpart: Italy (Lombardia)

In the past 25 years, Vancian Republic expanded its political and territorial influence, until the fateful War of Five Houses, which saw most of the southern Republics crippled and the Vancians triumphant. The ruling family of Arnolfo (headed by Giovanni Paolo Arnolfo di Vancia) then decided that they don't have to share power with anyone, and subsequently established Kingdom of Vancia. Since then, it is ruling over the rich, northern parts of the peninsula, effectively restraining the weak and small Republics to the southern, less developed parts.

KINGDOM OF NORGEMARK:
Coat of Arms: Divided into four parts, three golden wyverns on blue field in top left and bottom right, a red longship on silver field in top right and bottom left
Predominant Religion: Sigismund the Man-King (coastal cities), Norgemarkian Animism (inland)
Official (and Common other) Language(s): Nordic
Cultural Counterpart: Scandinavia (Denmark)

Back in the days of Herzgottia, Norgemarks were considered lowly island dwellers who had nothing to offer but fish and furs. But once they mastered shipbuilding and begun raising Wyverns, boy, the Tatalians and Herzgottians were in a bad time. For past two centuries, Norgemarks raided the coasts, with tales of the conquests, pillaging and fearsome strength scaring many people as far as Gallia. Nowadays, Norgemark has changed; its ruling dynasty, the Sjeborg family, tracing its roots to Bayernlohes of Herzgottia, it also adopted its culture and religion, albeit wildsmen and hunters of inland Norgemark keep true to worship of divine beasts and ancestral spirits. Coastal cities are not very different from ports on Herzgottian side of Suderbund Sea; Temples of Sigismund are surrounded by thatch-and-brick townhouses, whilst Wyvern hatcheries bring tons of profit into local merchants' pockets. Norgemark is currently ruled by King Olaf V, who, deciding with his brother that their kingdom is not large enough for both of them, waged a war to establish a Norgemarkian domain on the other side of the sea. This resulted in crippling of Herzgottian power and creation of a new Kingdom. More recently, Norgemark has established rather amicable ties with Lechites, creating several trade routes to Lechitian port towns via Suderbund Sea and The Amber Waters.

KINGDOM OF INSELKONIGE:
Coat of Arms: Golden mermaid holding a sword and a shield on blue field
Predominant Religion: Sigismund the Man-King
Official (and Common other) Language(s): Nordic (Gothian, Kostspraak)
Cultural Counterpart: Northernmost Germany (Holstein)

After the death of Faldmar VI 'Iron-fisted', his eldest son, Olaf, was crowned King Olaf V. His equally-capable younger brother, Erik, wanted a part of the kingdom for himself. Tensions rose and war seemed inevitable, until a Sigismundian priest and oracle, Svein, prophesied that 'there will be death for two kings of one kingdom, but prosperity for two kings of two lands'. After hearing that, Olaf offered to help Erik establish himself on the mainland, an offer that Erik happily accepted.
It took nearly twelve years of warring against Grand Duchy of Herzgottia before Kingdom of Inselkonige, a Norgemark-ruled Gallian monarchy, was established. It rules over the northern coasts, making Herzgottia for first time in its long history a landlocked country. Compared to wild and verdant Norgemark, Inselkonige's inheritance of Gallian territory and townships set its economy towards trade and production of crafts. Nowadays, Inselkonige is a melting pot of Gallian, Tatalian and Norgemarkian peoples, with Animist cultists, Sigismundians and worshippers of Sisters all living and thriving within the country's borders.

KINGDOM OF LECHITIA:
Coat of Arms: White horseman wielding a lance and a shield on red field
Predominant Religion: Lechitian Pantheon (Lechites), Seven Sisters and Sigismund the Man-King (Gothians)
Official (and Common other) Language(s): Lechite (Gothian)
Cultural Counterpart: Poland

Once upon the time, small settlements of Gothians with rather large amount of autonomy lived in the 'far east' of Herzgottia and Nurn, peacefully tending to the crops, their territories being called 'Freelands'. Then came the Lechites, a horse-riding peoples with hair longer than that of majority of women and an equal aptitude for both trade and conquest. The independent Gothians accepted the rule of Lechites and then educated the Lechites, giving them codices of laws, principles of architecture and Gothian alphabet. The Lechites mellowed out and their leading chief, Bortislaw, was acclaimed as King Bortislaw the First (grandfather of the current monarch, Kasmir). Lechites adhere to their own, alien religion based on a pantheon of nature-gods - of which there's sixteen or so - with Svabosh, The Rider of Thunder, Mstislov, God of Underdark, and Rada, Goddess of Fertility, being considered the most important. Unlike most of the churches out there, Lechites are quite tolerant of the western religions, and most of the cities on the border have different temples all lined up on the same street, door-to-door.
The most important - and startling - result of the cultural exchange was the discovery of Lechitian runes, used by their Anima mages. The runic inscriptions were very similar to the ancient Tiberrian and Gallian texts on Anima and Dark magics, although the vocabularies differ, with some of Lechitian inscriptions being simply indecipherable. It also made it obvious that the magical Runes passed down in families of noblemen and magicians of the West originated in the East, although many question how the once-nomadic Lechites would be able to manufacture such ancient devices of growth and power by hundreds, or why would ancient mages of the West use Eastern script for their arcane texts. All the new information uncovered by scholars (who nowadays emigrate easternly in large groups) brings more questions about the ancient times than it does answers.