Unterland

The easternmost region of the Bürach Empire, Unterland is a warrior society that seeks to broaden the Empire’s reach and renew its flagging momentum. Of all the provinces, Unterland holds a particularly bitter rivalry with their neighbor across the Grey Spine, the Ostoyan Empire.

History

Unterland began as its own city-state long before the other provinces had united under one banner.
Once a weak tribe of hunters living among the marshlands, the Unter people had the misfortune of being surrounded by hostile tribes. With their best soldiers lost to countless skirmishes, the Unterfolk raised their prayers and offerings to the heavens and begged for salvation. It was the god Maligant who answered them.
Maligant proved to be a god of strategy and intelligent warfare. Under his tutelage, the Unters selected adept generals to lead their troops. They learned to forge strong alliances and dissolve them when they were no longer useful. They also learned to win with surgical precision instead of relying on brute force and to break the enemy’s spirit as well as their armies.
Their greatest conflict was undoubtedly the Etienne War when the Vorkan tribe marched across the border to try and take their lands. However, the Vorkan made the mistake of invading during the wet season. While the Vorkans camped beside a river, the Unterfolk released the water from their dam to flood the banks. More than half the invaders drowned, and the rest were forced to retreat. Thus, the Unterfolk won the Etienne war without losing a single soldier.
Soon after, the allied Unter tribes consolidated under one territory: Unterland. They founded their capital of Olstenburg, where rose their most important institution: The Academy of Swords, where the citizenry could learn the military sciences. Every able-bodied youth was sent to the Academy for two years of training and military service.
Thus, Unterland managed to grow a trained citizen army that they could field at a moment’s notice. Like the other provinces, Unterland joined under one empire when Indorious I came into power. They served a critical function: to defend the nation and expand its borders. In battle, the Unterfolk fielded their heavy cavalry and infantry composed of pikemen, swordsmen, and crossbowmen. When needed, they also employed their hunters to wage guerrilla warfare in forested regions. Theirs was a fighting force without compare.
However, there were some in Unterland who refused to follow the Empire, seeing it as a form of imprisonment. They left Unterland, crossing the Grey Spine into a new land that they called Ostoya. Their secession would plant the seeds of bitter conflict.
The Unterfolk sage who joined in the assassination of Emperor Leopold was named Dmitri Speir, a retired general who formulated the plan and led its execution. Once the deed was done, he wrote a signed confession before committing suicide with his own sword. The Hearthkeepers named him a traitor, but defying their edict, Speir’s countrymen buried him with full honors.
Of all the provinces, it was Unterland that suffered most after the Gods' End. With the chaos that came from the death of the Four Divines, soldiers were needed more than ever to protect the Empire from both internal and external threats. This led to a diaspora that saw thousands of men leaving to fight wars or keep the peace elsewhere.
First and paramount among the Unters attention was the new nation across the Grey Spine. Under the Empire's orders and with the pretext of disciplining erring citizens, they invaded Ostoya and set up outposts there. Unfortunately, their initial momentum did not last; eventually, Ostoya counter-attacked with armies of the living dead, pushing the Empire back behind the Grey Spine. Knowing that to lose here would mean losing face throughout Etharis, the Bürach did not relent. The years would see a long war of attrition that would weaken both sides.
Today, Unterland's reputation for military power is significant but tarnished, as it is pulled into more and more battles it has no choice but to fight.

Economy

The Unterfolk are skilled hunters and trackers, capable of living off of the wilds--a necessity given the limited arable land in the province. Their tracking skills have been sought for mercenary work, even by foreign nations.
Raised by Maligant to be the most powerful of warriors, the Unterfolk have made soldiering their main profession. Such is their ability that even common foot soldiers from Unterland make good combat instructors in other provinces. Notable Individuals Lord General Vassily Roemer — The current leader of Unterland, Lord General Roemer is a staunch follower of the imperial government. Selected for his loyalty, military record, and bravery in battle, the wiser of the Unterfolk note that he is not as capable as his predecessors at recognizing the threats within his own province— specifically, the Cult of Tormach. Instead, Lord General Roemer’s greatest concern is winning the war against the Ostoyans, who have long defied imperial rule, but he is distracted by demands to hunt down and destroy the Beast that has been plaguing the provinces. Speaker Coran Schlei, Leader of the Cult of Tormach — In Maligant’s absence, a new deity of war, Tormach, has taken on the fallen god’s followers. But Tormach is a daemon of wrath and brutal force, a blunt weapon compared to Maligant’s keen blade. His perpetual demand for sacrificial bloodshed has kept Unterland at war for years. Speaker Schiel dreams of putting the entire province under his rule but must bide his time and curry favor with the imperial government first. Many fear he will try to undermine General Roemer’s command.

Type

Geopolitical, Province

Capital

Ulstenburg

Demonym

Unterfolk

Head of State

Emperor Aratron II

Head of Government

Lord General Vassily Roemer

Power Structure

Semi-autonomous area

Deities

• Maligant