The Ironhorn Marches
Geography & Culture
The Ironhorn Marches stretch across the rugged highlands of north-central Drania, framed by the Ironhorn Mountains that give the region its name. These jagged peaks loom darkly over sweeping valleys dotted with fortress-villages, terraced farms, and ancient watchtowers. The climate is harsh and unpredictable—cold winds sweep in from Nortland, and spring thaws often bring dangerous rockslides and floods. Yet the land is rich in minerals, particularly iron, silver, and blackstone, and its forges burn night and day. The people of the Marches are known for their stoicism, discipline, and martial pride. Generations of border skirmishes with Breania and internal Dranian rivalries have shaped them into a hard-edged folk who revere strength, loyalty, and honor. Storytelling in the region is sparse and somber, often revolving around heroic sacrifices and grim victories. Traditional Ironhorn cuisine is hearty and utilitarian—salted meats, dark breads, and bitter herbs dominate the table, though hearty ales and strong liquors from the mountain distilleries are renowned across Drania.Politics & Power
The Ironhorn Marches are the ancestral seat of House Drausthal, one of the oldest and most powerful of the Elector Houses. Their rule is defined by rigid hierarchy and military authority. The Ironhorn legions are considered some of the finest infantry in Drania, forged through brutal training and unyielding discipline. House Drausthal’s grip on their territory has historically been ironclad—literally and figuratively. However, their authority has been challenged in recent generations. The Lichtenwald Crisis—a bloody secessionist conflict—led to the loss of the fertile Eastern Lichtenwald March, which now enjoys Elector status of its own. This territorial fracture remains a deep wound to Drausthal pride, and tensions simmer just beneath the surface. In the Elector Chamber, the Drausthals remain powerful but increasingly embattled, often clashing with more mercantile or coastal powers like House Velostra or House Marzfeld.Identity & Tradition
Drausthal culture is steeped in a legacy of honor, oaths, and martial excellence. Squireship begins young, and even minor nobles are expected to prove themselves in battle before gaining rank. The family motto—“Steel is Loyalty”—is etched above the gates of every fortress they control. Knightly orders and militias alike swear fealty to this ideal, and betrayal is among the greatest cultural taboos. Ancestral relics are revered, especially weapons and armor passed down through generations. Funerary rites involve sealing a warrior's weapon in stone or melting it into the next generation’s arms—a symbol of legacy and renewal through strength. Despite their rigidity, Ironhorners are fiercely loyal to those they consider kin, and many commoners take pride in their martial heritage. Songs sung in deep halls echo of iron, fire, and blood—always blood.
Type
Geopolitical, Principality
Demonym
Ironhorn
Ruling Organization
Leader Title
Notable Members
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