The Kingdom of Greyhollow
The lands of Greyhollow and the Origins of the first Kaiser of the Mists are a mystery to most. Where did he come from? Is the question most ask about this nation. The start of the nation of Greyhollow is shrouded in as much of a mist and a fog as the Kaiser. The sleepy colony of Ravenholdt, one of the major colonies of Eddlebrook, was rather separated from the rest of the lands that were claimed. As the world went into ruin around them, this rather quiet colony found itself attacked by legions of undead abominations. The colonists fought bravely to survive and fend off the threat. Their lord fought bravely to defend his people but he fell in battle and was turned against them. All seemed lost until a figure armored in ebony wearing a red and black tabard with a howling wolf on it appeared. He claimed he could solve their problems, but they had to listen and follow his commands. They accepted the help reluctantly at first till they saw how successful he was at driving off the undead hordes. As payment this was to be his realm now…The land of Greyhollow
Structure
Chancellor: Leader of the Council of ten, chosen amongst his or her peers to be head of state and first among equals.
Baron General: The most skilled military mind is chosen by the Council and given the title and command over a significant force and is considered the Chancellor right hand.
Prefects: The land of Greyhollow is divided into 8 prefectures. There are three heartland prefectures, three in the north, and two in the south. They are ruled by Lord/lady Prefects who are members of the Council and they also are left to administer the prefectures.
The Crimson Court: A creation of Kaiserin Alexa, this institution was made to judge dhampires and vrykula for crimes against the state and its citizenry. This court is very special. There are five judges and one chief judge. Two of the five judges are human, and the chief judge can be human if chosen by their fellows in the court. They have power to punish the nobility for any crimes.
Public Agenda
Rebuild, Improve, and Unite the populace under the new more benevolent nature of the council.
History
The colony of Ravenholdt, was a sleepy little colony whose position was more of a rest stop and spot for merchants and travelers to rest their heads. Nothing much ever bothered them, nor threatened their existence. When the gods battled both in this realm and the heavens, this time of peace ended. The death of the Raven Queen brought about a flux of the undead rising from the graves to strike at the living. The colony of Ravenholdt fought for months, till their Lord was slain in battle, and then things began to turn sour. It was only by the arrival of the armored individual who referred to himself as Lord Greyhollow, that hope would be restored and the undead would be beaten back, but only if they promised to repay him.
This man kept his word and beat back the hordes of undead besieging Ravenholdt. In return for his service he demanded payment. His payment was their subservience and the lands to become his personal realm. The people of Ravenholdt agreed to these terms only with questions on how he intended to rule, and that he show his face to the people. He removed his helmet and the people did see his pale face and his red eyes. He informed them of what he was. He was not a vampire, but a Dhampire. He told them his beliefs rather plainly and did not hide his ideas. The strong rule because they are strong and the weak will do as the strong will. He explained that this was not meant to be malicious and that he would not abuse his power, and that he merely wanted to make Ravenholdt great and expand its borders so its people and country may flourish. The people of Ravenholdt were a practical people if nothing else and accepted this turn of fate.
Lord Allistaer Greyhollow, also known as the Harbinger of Mists was a shrewd and clever tactician. The land that Ravenholdt could immediately claim as its own was rather miniscule. This would not do, to alleviate this Lord Greyhollow began to muster an army. He employed rather clever tactics and strategies while invading north of his capital city, since he wished to claim a seaport as his own. The four now bickering city states to the north made perfect prey. One by one the city states fell. Within two years he had full control over the north and several seaports at his disposal. Pleased with this turn of events he began to set up his ruling elite. Full blooded humans could not suffice, and ultimately he wanted like-minded people in power.
He began to gather and summon other covens of Vrykula and Dhampire to make up his noble class. Being the soldier at heart, he believed that all of his nobles had to be competent military commanders. If they wished to be noble they needed to be able to command military forces. He sorted through picking and choosing based on presented strategies and mock battles. Those who could not make the cut were sent away. Those who did were given titles, land, and military positions. Humans could serve as lesser officers as far as he was concerned. When he began to administer his land at this point in time he decided to change his title to that of Kaiser, or emperor due to the many cultural groups within his nation. To ensure a line of succession, just in case. He adopted a younger Dhampire as his daughter.
Kaiser Allistaer ruled for two hundred years before disaster struck and ended his life much earlier than expected. During a battle to expand his southern holdings towards the young state of Estervall, a vampire hunter from Lightbay hunted him down while in his camp and killed him in his own command tent. With his death the campaign came to a screeching halt and a great deal of cloak and dagger intrigue had begun to unveil itself in the capital. The Expected Kaiserin Alexa ‘Vilmont’ Greyhollow proceeded to assassinate and butcher any of her competition to make sure her seat of power was assured. After securing her place in power, her first order of business was to finish what her adoptive father did not finish. She showed that while she was not of the same blood, she was well taught by Allistaer. She proved this by conquering the southern cities near the forest and the rivers and formed two new prefectures to organize the land.
Despite the Kaiser being an intelligent man, he was so distracted by some aspects of rule such as conquest, war and the creation of his noble class. There was no one unified law code or system in which to punish or bring criminals to trial. Each city had been allowed to keep their own methods, laws, and codes. Kaiserin Alexa worked to make one unified law code which could apply for the nation as a whole. She also worked on cracking down on Vrykula and Dhampire feeding on innocent citizenry. Until now they were sort of allowed to go ‘shopping’ and just grab which ever human they desired. This could not stand as people were growing more and more resentful. She introduced punishments for perpetrators of these acts. While introducing the punishment of being fed upon for certain crimes committed to appease her nobility as well.
The Kaiserin recently passed due to a very unfortunate disease. Now her adopted son. Cedrik Rivain Greyhollow rules. Kaiser Cedrik eager to prove his worth to both his people and nobility has declared war on the Dwarven nation of Ashkeep and in the process made enemies in Karak vengryn. Some of his nobles are worried he might be spreading resources thinly though as he now also threatens Esterval in an attempt to get them to surrender land without a fight.
Cedrik led his nation into more wars against Esterval and Lightbay. Unfortunately with popular support for his reign vanishing as he tried to centralize the state more under his own rule. Eventually a coup d'etat led by the noble houses which his predecessors depended on occurred. He was captured, found guilt and he and his heir were executed. Shortly after they would proclaim a new ruling government known as the council of ten. with the leader being named chancellor for a period of ten years.
Education
Education is not uncommon among the human or mortal population. But it is not freely offered. Therefore the ruling elite still possess an advantage on this front.
Order and Discipline will lead us to a greater future.
Founding Date
55 N.E
Type
Geopolitical, Stratocracy
Capital
Alternative Names
Greyhollow
Demonym
Greyhollower
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Stratocracy
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Gold Raven
Major Exports
Lumber, Agricultural goods, weapons.
Major Imports
Agriculture, Coal, Metals, artisan goods
Legislative Body
The Council of Ten
Judicial Body
The Crimson Court
Location
Controlled Territories
Comments