Sherpmel
Overview
Sherpmel is a small province surrounded by Veircourt to the West, Romborn to the South and East, and Amersham to the North in the Nation of Grouce. This small province is made up of a conglomeration of highly populated small towns spiraling outwards from its city of Belvan.
Before the War of Unification , Belvan was a strong republic that controlled most of the trade between the smaller nations of the continent. With a heavy cultural influence, strong military power, and physical prowess, their unofficial rule of the area was widely accepted; being seen as both a strong protector and a brutal dictator depending on who you spoke to. During the war, Sherpmel put up the largest fight against unification out of all of the nations. Because of their unwillingness to surrender or come to a peaceful resolution like so many other nations had, the armies of Amersham were forced to launch a full assault on the nation. This resulted in countless casualties and the lands of Belvan being all but destroyed. Upon Belvans surrender in what became 0 AU, much of their land was given to the provinces around them, and harsh restrictions were placed upon its people.
Belvan now exists as a stepping stone on some paths and an endless abyss on others. The central city of Belvan is home to the College of Recht, the foremost place for aspiring generals and politicians to learn. Most who now hold positions in high society can trace back at least a few of their younger years to time spent at the college. The region also acts as a training ground for would be nobles to learn how to govern and many aristocrats of Grouce spent time ruling part of Sherpmel.
For those not in a position to attend the college or leave the province, life can get much harder. Those able to fulfill the role assigned to them by the Amershem appointed Platinum Council are able to make a living inside the city proper while contributing to the wellbeing of the nation as a whole. Those who cannot are declared “Inhospitable” and are forced to move into the towns surrounding the city or out of the province, though most Inhospitable find it difficult to leave once they land themselves in The Dregs.
History
Founding
The region now known as Sherpmel has been the longest continually populated area in Grouce. While much is not known about the inhabitants that first called the land home, there is archeological evidence to show that at least three civilizations came and fell in the region before recorded history. The earliest records of civilization in the area come from the personal diary of Augustus Sherp dated back to 4319 BU. The diaries tell of when he married the queen of a neighboring city state and formed the country of Sherpmel. Augustus's journey details his rise to power and the founding of his kingdom. Augustus conquered a total of 19 tribes and cities, taking a wife in each new region and growing his family and might to brutally rule over the area.
When Augustus died he left in his will that the region would go to which ever of his sons could best the others in combat and make the region submit to them as he had made it submit to him. Augustus's sons proceeded to have a bloody civil war as brothers aligned themselves with and betrayed each other, all to gain control of the lands their father left. When the fighting settled Augustus's son did as his father did. He expanded the territory he controlled and raised a brood of offspring. Just as his father before him when Augustus's son died he left the same criteria for rulership to his sons. For generations the cycle continued. The peoples of Sherpmel became accustomed to battling for their place in the social hierarchy, not only in matters of sovereignty, but in day to day life.
Societal Heights
Generations of fighting left the society that formed a culture of hardened and powerful warriors. Families knew from birth what awaited them at the end and so alliances were made early and loyalty was as valued among the people as leadership skill and strength. The constant struggle and deep trust of allies created a people who hated outsiders or those who opposed them and were quick to expand their territory as few could stop them. While brother would fight brother to gain status within their own hierarchy, the people of Sherpmel held a deep respect for warriors and were quick to make themselves the top of the regional hierachy.
As Sherpmel conquered more land and people, the society grew. They brought more peoples they subjugated into their barbaric ways and within generations those who were once proud independent nations were partaking gleefully in the same practices that subjugated them in the first place. The only positive to come from the sweeping dominance Sherpmel had was the unification it brought. By the time of Harion Sherp, fifty six former citystates had fallen and become part Sherpmel's empire.
Time of Peace
Harion Sherp was born the third son of his father. From birth he was destined to be subservient to his older brothers. However, his eldest brother Marcus Sherp changed the fate of Sherpmel and Harion. Marcus decided he did not want to rule Sherpmel but instead wanted to follow a woman he met in his travels named Sarah Ooster. Sarah was from a city named Oosterhof. While Marcus initially thought of trying to conquer her homeland and taking her as his bride as his ancestors had done for generations, he found her out of his grasp.
To conquer Oosterhof, not only would Marcus need to conquer several orc tribes that had given his family trouble for the last several generations, but he would also need to conquer Oosterhof itself. Marcus travelled to the city under the pretense of diplomatic relations and to celebrate their new lord Kain Ooster after his brother's untimely death. However, when he arrived to meet Sarah's cousin he understood the threat that stood in his way. While Sherpmel trained elite soldiers to overtake people and expand, the people of Oosterhof and the whole region fought to survive. Every man, woman, and child of the land was trained to defend themselves and their homes from all manner of threats, both human and monster alike.
In order to marry the woman he loved, Marcus made a deal with Kain. He would help him fulfill his goal of uniting the lands in exchange for Sarah's hand in marriage. Kain and Sarah agreed, and so Marcus was given Kain's blessing. Before helping Kain gain control of his lands, Marcus travelled back to Sherpmel to announce his choice and ensure the safety of his new home. With the help of a traveling merchant, Marcus slaughtered nearly the entirety of his brothers leaving only Harion alive. He told Harion that Sherpmel would no longer expand it's borders, instead they would train in their own lands and keep the other nations in check.
Many of the people of Sherpmel resisted the idea of changing their way of life, but Harion explained the issue they would soon run into without his brothers warning. To the North powerful mages lied in wait, passive for now but who knew for how much longer. Dwarves sat in fortified lands to the North and East and with the combined power of Kain, Marcus, and the rest of its hardened population, the region to West was a formidable land in its own right. The South held a swamp that could not be conquered and the West held merchants with deep enough pockets to hire an army that posed a great threat. Without risking a war that would drag the entire region into a bloody conflict there was no more land to conquer. While some still resisted,the people agreed and so the lands of Sherpmel found peace and founded a new capital named Belvan to represent their new mindset.
War of Unification
While Sherpmel spent it's time training and in peace, they were still the most powerful nation in the region. However Amersham sought to change that dynamic and so they worked with Veircourt to unify the whole region into one nation. The war was dubbed the War of Unification and was started on 2nd Reise of Zufallig, 13 BU. When Amersham launched their inital strike outside of Belvan, the Council of Masters unleashed magic of a previously unseen strength and unleashed a devastating storm on the area while meteors struck the ground. Sherpmel responed to this attack by declaring war on Amersham and Veircourt and starting the bloodiest conflict in continental history. While Sherpmel was stronger than either nation individually, with the monetary and military support of Veircourt, Amersham was able to slowly overwhelm Sherpmel. They started by closing Sherpmel off from the coast and any hope of aid from any nations across the sea. As Sherpmel continued to get pushed back they looked for support from the other countries in the region. Romborn and Sherpburg both chose to stay neutral at the beginning of the conflict.
Eventually, due to a blunder on Amersham's part Vinmur came to the aid of Sherpmel. With the help of Vinmur's Dwarven Centurions, the 9th legion, the most elite group of Sherpmel soldiers, were able to deal several deep blows to Amersham and start a counter offensive. However victory was short lived as eventual alliances with the orcish tribes and Sherpburg led to Sherpmel's eventual defeat. In order to inspire the other nations to accept their new rulers and to punish the nation that put up the largest fight, Sherpmel was severely punished after the war.
Post War
After the war, Sherpmel was harshly punished. Many of the people of the country were forced into Belvan and the surrounding lands as their homes were given to other provinces as war spoils. Eventually a man named Anton Prodrick tried to organize the people of Sherpmel into a force to try and once again fight back against the oppression they now faced. Prodrick had been a noble in Sherpmel and a soldier in the 9th legion before being sent home because of an injury. From his home outside of Belvan he started organizing a force and started an uprising. When Amersham found out about the rebellion they sent a unit of powerful mages to put down the rebellion.
While the specifics of how the rebellion was eliminated are unknown, as the documents have all been redacted and there were no known witnesses, the attack accomplished Amersham's goal. The entire rebellion was wiped out in one night. Prodricks home and estate were turned in to the College of Recht where Amersham now trains its generals and aristocrats as they over look Belvan, the once proud city. Amersham took extra measures to tighten it's grip on Sherpmel after the rebellion including installing the Platinum Council to govern the area.
Geography
Sherpmel has been greatly reduced in size since the War of Unification. It now exists as the smallest of all of the provinces. The restrictions placed on Sherpmel and lack of funding from them have led to the infrastructure of the province falling behind the rest of Grouce. The Southern border of the province follows the Flach river The other borders of the province are all drawn by the Beresto Mountains and leave little land of value within the province's borders. The province is within the foothills of the mountains and is marred by large cold water swamps that have been overtaking the land.
Adjacent Provinces and Countries
Climate
Sherpmel's climate is marked by a seasonal rain from the Effinigan Ocean. Sherpmel receives snow in the winter coming down from the Beresto Mountains and the province is often one of the coldest in Grouce. The area is also covered in dense forests where the people have not expanded their cities. The forests are maintained with several dirt roads for moving supplies to the densely packed cities but the wet swamps and persistent rain commonly wash out the roads making the movement of goods difficult.
Major Cities
The majority of Sherpmel's citizens call one of the province's seven cities home. The space between cities has been a notorious hunting ground for bandits and many of the areas civilian population have moved to cities to gain reprieve from the attacks. The province's capital of Belvan is the only city of note for most people of Grouce. The other cities in order of population are, New Sherpmel, Dregin, and Preeth.
Belvan is the largest of the cities in the province and the fifth largest city in Grouce. Belvan is home to the College of Recht where many of Grouce's elite are trained at a prestigious military academy before moving on to another location. As Belvan is the largest city in the province it has the largest dregs or ghetto of all of the cities, and it is highly encouraged that if you are traveling to the city you are accompanied by a guard or security force. Luckily, by this point, those who find themselves in the dregs of the various cities know not to cause trouble lest they face the consequences.
Demographics
Over 95% of those who live in Sherpmel are native to the province. The only people who are not native to the province are those sent from other provinces to learn at the College of Reicht, govern the area, or those who are hiding from their responsibilities in their home provinces. The vast majority of the province is human with some half-elves and half-orcs making up most of the remainder of the population. There are few exotic races found in the province. Those that are often call Veircourt home or are stopping through on their way to somewhere better.
Administration
Sherpmel is ruled by the Platinum Council a governing body established by Amersham after Prodricks Rebellion. The council oversees the province and runs the social programs, as well overseeing job placement for the people. Each citizen of the province takes a placement exam upon reaching adulthood and is assigned a job based on the tests results. If a member of society is dissatisfied with their vocation they are welcome to try and get hired in another field. However, many business will only accept those with recommendation papers given by the Office of Vocational Assignment, Reporting, and Infrastructure.
Economic Capability
The majority of Sherpmel's economic might circulates within the province. The province is the economically weakest of Grouce and people of Sherpmel often find it difficult to afford to leave the area. The majority of Sherpmel's exports are mass produced goods and the trained bureaucrats that come from the college. The province imports nearly all of it's food, skill crafted tools, and luxury goods.
Culture
The majority of Sherpmel's cultural identity has slipped away from it people. What remains are traditions held onto by families, looking to teach their children the old ways while making a life for themselves in their current circumstance.
Literature and Myth
The literature of Sherpmel that is internally created is primarily manuals and forms. Books are a scarcity in the province and rare to find outside of aristocratic society. The people of Sherpmel will still tell the stories of their former glory and the strength they once had. In recent generations these stories have started to fade as more people accept the place they now hold in society.
Food
Food in Sherpmel is often described as bland and light. While the peoples' nutritional needs are met and everyone is provided for, a lack of proper infrastructure means that most food brought into the province has already been preserved. While those who are training for nobility and status are taught proper dining methods, the lower classes of the region often do not have the means to afford higher quality food.
Music and Visual Art
Music is the most common form of entertainment for the people of Sherpmel. Traditional music of the province still lives on and is often sung at community events and celebrations. Graffiti is the most common form of visual art found in the province as traditional visual art requires money and resources as well as training that is not widely available to the people of Sherpmel.
Sports
The people of Sherpmel love a variety of sports and physical entertainment. They have been known to crowd into arenas to watch Grouce Gladiatorial Combat matches and traveling Brick Ball teams, as well as inventing several competitive running and climbing games. The most popular and widely practiced sport in the province is Jelrin , a mix of competitive martial arts and multi-terrain movement.
Religion
The most commonly practiced religion in the region is Servants of Heiliger. SoH has been practiced in Sherpmel since coming to the region shortly after it arrived in Amersham. The Followers of the Ode have, however, started to gain traction in the region. As time has gone on, people have started to value the sense of moral duty over a sense of communal obligation. It has taken hold mostly in the South and West of the province.
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