Highlands of Veyrun
Overview
The Highlands of Veyrun, a rugged and untamed realm nestled within the shadow of the Valpine Mountains, is a land of towering peaks, sweeping valleys, and resilient people. Shaped by centuries of struggle and survival, the Veyrians are a proud, independent people whose culture embodies strength, honor, and an unyielding spirit.
Once a contested frontier between warring realms, Veyrun has emerged as a bastion of freedom, forged through bloodshed and defiance. Its misty highlands and fertile lowlands are home to a culture that values tradition as much as it does survival.
Government
The Highlands of Veyrun is a feudal monarchy ruled by the Cairne, who delegates power to his vassals, titled Tiarne.
Each Tiarne governs their own lands, overseeing taxation, law enforcement, development, and the raising of banners in times of war. Beneath the Tiarne are the nobles, titled as Thane, who assist in local governance and maintain smaller estates.
The monarchy is hereditary, though a tradition rooted in their old Heimer heritage allows a Cairne to be challenged for the throne. If deemed unfit, a Tiarne may issue a duel of honor to claim the crown, a practice that prevents civil wars when opposition to the ruler is strong.
Ruling Dynasty
The current Cairne is William O'Brien II, a staunch isolationist who harbors deep distrust toward outsiders. Lynora has made numerous attempts to reclaim the mineral-rich highlands of Veyrun, lost during the 4th Heimer Incursions, but they have consistently failed to breach Veyrun’s defensible highlands.
William’s great-grandfather, William O'Brien I, gave his life defending the kingdom from invasion. His son, Emer O'Brien, vowed to ensure the highlands would never again be vulnerable, fortifying the borders and establishing a fire-beacon warning system. This era of resilience laid the foundation for the dynasty’s enduring legacy.
Cairne William II inherited the throne from his father, Conor O'Brien, who upheld his ancestors’ directive to "Hold your ground". In honor of his great-grandfather, Conor named his firstborn William, anticipating the continuation of their lineage’s great achievements.
Culture
Origins
The Veyrians are the product of two distinct cultures: the Jermane settlers who founded Lynora over a thousand years ago and the Heimer invaders who claimed the highlands during the 4th Heimer Incursions. The Heimer pushed the Lynoran settlers into the northern lowlands, holding the highlands until Lynora and its Sturmgard allies launched a bloody counteroffensive to reclaim the region.
Though Lynora regained control, it came at a heavy cost. The occupying Heimer were reduced to little more than servants under Lynoran lords, despite outnumbering the settlers five to one. Lynora encouraged immigration to solidify its hold, granting land and even Heimer servants to willing families.
Initially, animosity between the groups was intense. The Heimer were oppressed and exploited, while Lynoran settlers saw themselves as victims of their hostile environment. Over time, however, both groups began to adopt aspects of each other's culture. The Heimer embraced Lynoran tenets of civilization, and Lynorans adapted to the resilience and resourcefulness of the highland clanfolk. This cultural fusion gave rise to the unique Veyrian identity.
As Lynora continued to exploit the highlands, resentment against the lowlanders grew among both the Heimer and Lynoran settlers. They united in their shared suffering under lowland rulers who extracted wealth without giving back. Over generations, their customs and language melded, forming a collective identity that sought freedom.
The Uprising
The Veyrians’ rebellion was swift and brutal. United under their new identity, they overthrew Lynora’s garrisons and declared independence. Though Lynora attempted to reclaim the highlands, Sturmgard refused to aid them due to their reputation for harsh treatment.
Faced with a determined enemy and no allies, Lynora was forced to negotiate. Veyrun gained independence and territorial concessions along the mountains, creating a buffer zone. A peace treaty mediated by Sturmgard formalized Veyrun’s sovereignty.
Today's Veyrun
Today, Veyrun stands as a proud, independent realm with a wary eye toward outsiders. While its people do not widely follow the Faith of Light, they have joined the Pact of Light to defend Arboria against external threats, particularly against the encroaching Vallerian Empire.
Veyrian culture reflects its resilient and rugged origins, celebrating its independence while maintaining a strong distrust of foreign powers.
Religion
Veyrun is the only Human nation in southern Arboria that continues to follow Humanity's ancient faith, simply referred to today as "The Old Gods". This faith is shared only by their distant Heimer cousins to the north across the Nord Sea and a few pockets of Slaya sub-cultures in the far east.
The Old Gods represent a pantheon of deities, both benevolent and malevolent, each holding dominion over specific aspects of life. Among the most widely revered are the benevolent gods who govern essential elements of daily life, such as rain, the sun, the earth, luck, love, and health. While their worship centers on improving the lives of their followers, the darker deities are also acknowledged and respected, often to appease their wrath.
This religion is deeply shamanistic, emphasizing rituals, ancestral connections, and reverence for the forces of nature. Shrines and sacred groves can be found scattered across Veyrun, where shamans and priests serve as intermediaries between mortals and the divine.
Geography
The geography of Veyrun is defined by its dramatic variations in elevation. The heart of the kingdom comprises wide coastal valleys that narrow significantly as the Liffe River flows down from the rugged highlands. These highlands account for the majority of Veyrun's terrain, characterized by scattered valleys, plateaus, small lakes, and countless springs feeding into streams that ultimately converge with the Liffe.
The lowlands, where Veyrun’s two largest lakes, Lake Wester and Lake Ester, are located, host the kingdom’s most fertile plains and the bulk of its agricultural activity.
Veyrun’s dense forests, which cover large swaths of its hilly terrain, support an impressive lumber industry. This is complemented by its rugged, mountainous features, which not only provide valuable resources but also serve as a natural defensive barrier. These geographical advantages have been pivotal in allowing the Veyrians to triumph over technologically and numerically superior foes in the past.
Borders
Veyrun shares borders with Lynora to the north-east, Ezrenhelm to the east, and Lithayne to the south.
Major Locations
The most notable settlement in Veyrun is its capital, Veyrun, from which the kingdom derives its name.
Though the city is modest in size compared to the bustling metropolises of other modern realms, it serves as a vital seat of power. Strategically situated on a defensible hill above the surrounding lowlands, Veyrun exemplifies the kingdom’s pragmatic approach to survival and governance.
The city is divided by two defensive walls. The lower city houses the lowborn who labor in the fields and forests, while the upper city is home to the highborn: merchants, administrators, and bannermen. At the very top of the city, the royal family resides in a traditional Heimer-style great hall, a symbol of their cultural heritage and authority.
Military
Doctrine
The military of Veyrun is built around the concept of bannermen, regional levies comprising ordinary citizens who train during peacetime while tending to their daily work. Each region's bannermen are commanded by a Bannerlord, typically a noble (or Thane) whose family earns their keep through land ownership. These leaders dedicate their lives to honing their martial skills and maintaining order in the towns and villages under their care.
During wartime, the Cairne issues the call to arms, summoning these bannermen to fight for the kingdom. While the men march to war, the underaged and women left behind take on their duties, ensuring life continues in their absence. However, not all men are considered fit to bear arms; those selected for service are often those of proven skill, strength, and resilience.
The Veyrian army is known for its unwavering discipline and adaptability, utilizing the rugged terrain of the Highlands to its advantage. In defensive battles, they rely heavily on guerrilla tactics, ambushes, and the natural barriers of their homeland, making them a nightmare for invading armies.
Veyrun's military might is limited by its smaller population and scarce resources, forcing it to rely heavily on defensive strategies and guerrilla warfare. Their isolationist policies have also left them technologically behind in some respects, making them reliant on ingenuity and sheer determination to overcome better-equipped foes.
Specialties
The Veyrian warriors are a sight to behold, embodying a fierce and fearless fighting spirit that stems from their Heimer ancestry. In battle, they often form tight phalanxes or loose skirmishing groups, depending on the terrain. Their versatility allows them to operate in both open plains and dense woodlands. Many carry round shields and axes as weapons, with a particular focus on swift, overwhelming strikes.
Their elite units, known as Claymores, are highly trained specialists who serve as shock troops and wield unique Highland Greatswords. Clad in sturdy chainmail and reinforced leather, they charge headlong into enemy lines, carving a path through even the toughest formations. Their raw strength and discipline make them invaluable in both offensive and defensive engagements. These warriors, often donning tartan-patterned kilts in their house colors, charge into battle with unparalleled ferocity, their cries echoing across the battlefield to instill both fear and awe in their enemies.
Navy
Veyrun's navy is relatively primitive compared to its southern neighbors, primarily consisting of Heimer-style longships, vessels designed for speed and shallow waters. In recent years, the Kingdom has constructed a few modern ships inspired by Lynoran and Sturmgard designs, though these are modest in size and capability. Veyrun's maritime forces remain focused on coastal defense rather than offensive campaigns.
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