Kingdom of Ashenfeld
A once noble kingdom, fallen to mortal bickering
Structure
The organization of the Kingdom of Ashenfeld is exactly that of the typical feudal society, with a king on top and his many vassals. However, each Duke/Duchess maintains a warrior legion of their own, and due to the political bickering and strife within the kingdom, these legions regularly get put to war with one another, with the most prominent being the Legion of Iron. These legions are also having ever increasing political influence over each vassal through political marriages and just the reliance on their military prowess, with the worrying prospect of the legions overthrowing the local lords and forming multiple small military dictatorships. These legions are owned and maintained by the Dukes and Duchesses themselves, and serve as a small but professional military force to compliment their typically untrained feudal levy.
Culture
Being a peasant in Ashenfeld can be dangerous. Not only are there they ever present threats of wandering too close to wood elf territory, bandits and brigands, ogre tribes, and so on, neighboring vassal territory can also be a threat. Cities can change hands between different vassals semi-regularly, and many people in the cities consider themselves completely different from other cities which causes tension between one another. This drives many to either become rangers or brave out a life as a bandit to prey on the people who travel between the lands/
Many monsters also stalk the land, and with the Deadlands to the west and the ever xenophobic wood elves to the east, threats are many and safety is a ever rarer commodity. If monsters don't hit a town, or bandit groups, nearby vassals could also attack the towns in attempts to gain more power. As such, the peasants live as happily as they can, not because their situation is good, but because they may not get the chance too. Though this happy demeanor does little to stop the atrocities vassals commit against their fellow vassals, as armies pillage and plunder the cities of their fellow kinsmen on behalf of so called "noble gentlemen". It is truly a far cry for how once mighty the land of Ashenfeld once was, for it was one of the most powerful kingdoms in all the land, with none that could rival its splendor. Now it is a land of bickering and squabbling nobles while peasants die due to their petty schemes
The people of Ashenfeld are a pious lot, for this nation is the birthplace and main stronghold of the Church of the Flame. Though most other religions are not strictly outlawed in Ashenfeld, the Flame is by far the most popular. However, some holdouts of the tribal faiths Heymon and his tribe held to even when Heymon considered himself a champion of the Flame still exist. This group is known as the Sons of Gundobads, and are mostly made up of members living in caves and forests away from society where they can preach their teachings of the ancient gods and wisdoms of the land.
Kinship is important to the Ashfeldians, with families always wanting to stay in contact with one another. Its not uncommon for family members to regularly try to visit one another over the years. Though travel is incredibly dangerous, and sadly many families have lost kin from being ambushed in raids. However from this also spawned a strong warrior culture, for the constant and endless wars of Ashenfeld have led to many men and women to if not be combat veterans, at least be used to the sight of blood and carnage. The civil war has only amplified this warrior culture, where one is expected to be able to defend themselves, or simply die out.
History
Ashenfeld, a land as ancient as Nilush itself. It stands as the oldest human formed kingdoms to exist in the continent of Nilush, and possibly the world. The land is resplendent in past glories and honorable deeds, but has since fallen oh so far from its glory days. Once it was a land that was united, but has since fallen to the bickering of noble lords and ladies, and is now tearing itself apart. Much of Ashenfelds history is gone, but what does remain tells a tale of struggle and triumph.
Long ago, it is said when the world was still of virgin soil, tribes of mortal men and women would migrate from the Ruins of Ishtar, through the treacherous Empty Range mountains and into the mainland of Nilush. The land that would become Ashenfeld was home to many volcanoes that would erupt at times, but while they were said to bring darkness and terror, also brought with it fertile fields and fresh game. The tribes of humanoids would be scattered and disorganized, but were prone to violence and would constantly war with one another. There were even talks of the Empire of Iadith being active at this time, largely avoiding the volcano blasted landscape save for a few outposts. Giants would roam the land but after a time, the giants would all but die. It is believed that in the year -40EC, suddenly massive tribes of mosnters ranging from savage orcs, to ogres and even Drow raiders began to brutally conquer, pillage, butcher, and enslave all they came across, killing many of the tribes or subjecting them to far worse fates. Many of these tribals would crowd around campfires waiting for their deaths to come. Even though they fought back ruthlessly, the enemy was simply too great. That was until one man came to being.
A young man, named Heymon, would make himself known, having hailed from the Gundobad tribe. He was a warrior that carried with him a flaming torch, said to be blessed by the Flame itself after naming Heymon his avatar. With his torch and sword, he would unite the tribes with surprising swiftness. He would wage many great battles against all the enemies of the local tribes, teaching the Drow the price of their arrogance, slaying the gluttonous ogres, and waging a horrific and bloody war against the savage orcs. He fought with the strength of many men, for a fire burned in him that the Flame demanded him too. Wielding not only his torch but the Warhammer known as Shatterskull that was gifted to him by flaming angels, and his sword Orenmir, he would declare himself king. Many tribal leaders would kneel to him, however, a few tribes refused to be ruled under him and so would travel far, forming the tribes that would then make up the other nations of the world. It was in one final battle that would finally secure the newly crowned king's realm, that of The Battle of Vonboro Pass, in southeast Ashenfeld, where one of the largest orc hordes ever recorded would descend upon Heymon and his army of warriors. The battle was fierce, but ended when Heymon bashed the head of the dread Orc Warlord of Warlods named Urmug off his shoulders and held the head up high with a mighty roar. After this battle, Heymon would lay out the foundations of the Ashenfeld Kingdom, and after this would ride out north to the direction of the World Spear, before disappearing from history at the year 0EC. So the Kingdom of Ashenfeld was made, and so it has been.
Ashenfeld as a nation would move on from mourning, but would go through many tough times. From corrupt noblemen to the dreaded War of Green, but by the guiding light of the Flame and the martial might of the Ashfeldians would fend off all enemies. The wars fought in Ashenfeld are too many to name, and the heroes and champions of the nation too numerous to even begin counting. However, all was not well in the venerable nation as the nobility become more corrupt, and the Church of the Flame would amass more and more power. This all came to a head during not just the Fifteen Years War, but the dreaded Crusade of Light, where the Church would call for a crusade into the Deadlands against the vampriic rulers with Aranel the Pureborn Hero. This crusade would end in abjact failure, and lead to a massive loss of life. Not to mention with King Colart the III signing the Treaty of Ashes, many were outraged at him signing a ceasefire with vampires, and soon these grumblings would come to a head as the Great Vassals would splinter and rebel against King Colart III, and to this day the civil war rages throughout Ashenfeld.
Oh, the woes of the age are too tragic to describe. What was once the greatest nation in the continent of Nilush, has now fallen. It is a kingdom only in name, for how can the land be unified when brothers kill brothers, and when the villages and cities burn from the pillaging and looting of their fellow countrymen and morally bankrupt sellswords. What hope existed for any speedy or neat conclusion to the war has long since been forgotten, and now the Kingdom is beset on all sides from threats, outside its borders and within.
Demography and Population
Many races inhabit the kingodm of Ashenfeld, too many to count in some regards, so one can expect to find all manners of different races within Ashenfeld.
Territories
The lands of Ashenfeld are the home of this kingdom, named so for the great volcanos that dot the land. To the west lies the Deadlands, and the east the Great Dale Woods. To the north lies both Vebastonne and Neundorf, and the south lies the Empty Range mountains.
Military
Though the bulk of the military is formed by levied troops, each Duke/Duchess most maintain a warrior order known as a Knight Legion. Though it has the name knight, in truth not all the members have to be nobility, but it is mostly comprised of haughty nobles. These legions are owned and financed by their sponsor, and serve as effectively their private professional military. They can of course be called to join the king in any war he declares, but since the civil war has begun, these legions now fight one another at the order of their sponsor to further their goals.
Religion
While all religions are allowed to preach in Ashenfeld, the biggest religion is the Church of the Flame. However, the faith of Eris is slowly leaking into the lands from Diosia, with rumors of even inquisitors starting to begin covert operations in Ashenfeld against "unholy abominations".
Foreign Relations
Due to the worsening political stability of Ashenfeld, many of their once allies are distancing themselves to simply stay out of the chaos, Vebastonne has always had an estranged relationship with them, and Neundorf has strengthened its border to simply try and stay out of the chaos of Ashenfeld. The Deadlands are a constant threat to Ashenfeld, and so are never to be trusted even with the ceasefire still being in effect.
Trade & Transport
Despite the distancing of their once allies, trade is being ever expanded upon, due to the vassals trying to one up each other and attain more resources
"Our land, by right of the sword"
Maps
-
Ashenfeld
One of the largest and most ancient of kingdoms, now fallen to ruin in the flames of civil war and greed
Founding Date
0EC
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Demonym
Ashen/Ashfeldian
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Legislative Body
The king decrees the laws, and the vassals follow these rules. However with the ever increasing squabbling within the kingdom, some vassals have begun making minor tweaks to the laws.
Judicial Body
Each vassal has its own judges to enforce the laws of the land, which is a highly complex system of laws and courtrooms, leading some to accuse Ashenfeld of having overly complex and confusing legal definitions.
Official State Religion
Neighboring Nations
