Kingdom of Vebastonne
A kingdom of chivalry, honor, and danger
Structure
At the top is the king, who rules as the sovereign ruler of the land. He makes laws as he wishes with his noble courtiers, and is not bound by the laws. While this would raise a worry for corrupt kings, only a king who is both a Lillian Knight and wield the sword of Aetherius can become king, and so every king is a shining example of virtue and chivalry. Below the king are the dukes, who rule over the dukedoms. These dukedoms have been given their land by the king himself, and they are entrusted with the defense of it. Under them are Barons, who hold land directly from the king, but are not dukes themselves. Barony act as legally independent as they don't take orders from Dukes but only from the king and his royal court themselves. Below the barons and dukes are lords, nobles who hold land from a lord other than the king, like a duke. They are subject to both royal law and ducal law of the dukedom. These lords form the overwhelming majority of the ruling class of the Vestoni. The lowest rank of nobility are knights, who hold no land and serve nobles in return for food and lodging. It is important to note that most if not all nobles are knights themselves, but those knights who hold no land occupy the bottom of the noble pecking order.
Culture
The Vestoni culture is one of honor and fealty, as well as sacrifice. The peasants work hard but honest lives, toiling away for their noble lords. However while one might expect corruption to be rife amongst the land, that is not the case. These knights and lords have sworn oaths as strong as steel to defend the weak and those beneath them, and so the peasants are often respected and valued for their work. Corruption is rare if not nonexistant all together, and the corruption that does exist is mainly from nobles or welathy individuals who do not take up quests of knighthood. This is because that to earn anything in Vestoni society, one must earn it. A child can be born of the nobelist blood, but if they do not quest and prove themselves a worthy knight, they are owed almost nothing, and shunned by their peers.
Another aspect of Vestoni culture is action over words. Rather while they aren't stupid, they much prefer to solve a problem now and worry about the next one when it comes up rather then plan for the problems of the future. Why wait to solve an issue when you can work hard and solve it right away. Magic is also a fickle thing to find in some Vestoni towns. For whatever reason, Vebastonne is a place where magic is a bit harder to truly get working, or more prone to going out of control. As such, not many wizards spend much time in the towns of the Vestoni, though clerics regularly travel from town to town in hopes to give mercy and comfort to the hard working peasants.
The Vestoni people are staunch traditionalists, for many tales and legends exist throughout the land. From the use of armor styles that may seem slightly outdated, to most of their culture, many see the Vestoni as stubborn like dwarves. While not to the same extent, its simply the way of things that tradition and culture are seen as a permenant fixture of Vestoni society. Tales and songs of great chivalrous heroes are told for ages and ages, while knights and adventuerers try to earn themselves a place in the fables and tales of the land. However this is not to say that Vestoni society has never changed, for example with the blessing and valour of Orlena de Vienne, women have gone from simply political and magical roles to combat roles such as men at arms and even knights. It is a curious case that Vebastonne was later to embrace more eggalitarian gender roles, but for the most part this change has seemed to go mostly unopposed, and the simple passage of time has outlasted the few grumblers. There could be an entire article written about the politics of such cultural norms and expectations, but regardless.
While one may think that it is the perfect place to live, Stable and Secure, it is a land of pure danger. Garuk Blood, Ogres, Orcs, Goblins, Brigands, and even Demons (if the wailing of madmen can be believed) constantly maim and butcher the Vestoni. The greatest theme of all for the Vestoni, is tragedy, for despite the knights swearing oaths to answer every call for aid, and sacrifice themselves to save others, in the end, not every call can be answered. Knights fight a battle they cannot win, for quite simply there are too many threats to the nation all at once. At the end of the day, they will lose in their goal of trying to make the land a perfectly peaceful place: people will die, they will die, and no matter how many monsters they kill, they keep coming back. Every time they die, they make way for the next wave of knights to take their place and fight off the enemies of the Vestoni, and it is a terrible tragedy indeed. But this does not weigh heavily on those knights who ponder this conundrum, for while theirs is a tragic tale, it is a beautiful one. As a knight rides out, the people will weep for them as they ride out as well as celebrate, for they are seen as walking out to their death. But these knights view this as the highest honor, to give their lives for those that cannot defend themselves. To die for a cause higher then themselves, and to strive to live a life, however brief, of honor, chivalry, and virtue. Thus they are not a land of doom and gloom like the Rustil lands are to the north, for they wear this badge of honor with a smile on their face, and the name of their families and the twin goddesses on their lips
History
Long ago, the plains of Vebastonne would be inhabited by the Vestoni tribes around 25EC, migrating from what would become Ashenfeld. These tribes would fight and die for territory and conquest against one another. Eventually these tribes would become small "kingdoms" and would continue to fight and kill each other. However one day on the year 400EC a roaming band of Vikingir would attack the tribes, pillaging and enslaving the people when they could. To make matters worse, Orc warbands would pick up on this opportunity and attack as well. Even Goblins and Ogre tribes would join in on pillaging the Vestoni lands. The kingdoms would be left in disarray, squabbling and fighting each other as they would attempt to fight the enemies and themselves.
This would continue for months, many villages burning down, until one day a warrior would ride out from the Viercon Forest. This knight was the mighty Gilles d'Allee, the Slayer of Monsters, who had become famous among the Marroux territory for slaying one of the largest dragons ever to raid the local villages, one named Malibag, the Destroyer of Men, which was incorporated into his personal heraldry. As he traveled to the mightiest tribe in the land, that of the castle Courzeiu, he would rest with his fellow warriors nearby a lake. He was worried that this would be his final battle, but then mist surrounded his men, and soon he was alone. Suddenly, a heavenly voice would be heard, as he looked and saw a woman of otherworldly beauty rise from the lake, and following her a raven that turned into another beautiful woman. The Lady of the Lake, Lilia, would beckon Gilles to come fourth, and when he knelt in front of the two he would simply ask: "My ladies, wouldst thee bless my men?" Such a gallant act of worrying for the rest of his men other then him made the two woman smile, and Lilia with a nod from her sister Morgina, would give a golden grail to Gilles while Morgina blessed his army. As the army found themselves standing before Gilles as he supped from the grail, he felt himself become reinvigorated, and his old wounds and scars vanished. Lilla would then move to the side and show in the center of the lake, was the fabled sword in the stone, Aetherius. This sword was told in many prophecies for being the one sign of a true ruler and untier of the Vestoni, if they were worthy to wield it.
He would step through the lake, walking across the water as with his army, who had among them some of the warlords of the main tribes, and the twin goddess, he would grab the hilt of Aetherius, and it would come out of the stone with no resistance whatsoever. His army would be in awe by this event, and with his men blessed and him gifted not only the sword Aetherius but also a new set of shining, blessed armor. they would ride out to Courzeiu. A massive army of Vikingir was besieging the castle, and all hope seemed lost until a massive tide of knights with lances couched and with their other warriors following close behind, they crashed upon the besieging army like a tidal wave of holy wrath. There Gilles would challenge the enemy champion, one Bior Rognvaldsson "The Cruel", and for 2 hours straight they fought till Gilles struck him down when he opened his guard. After routing the siege, Lilia and Morgina would show themselves again and give the grail to the six other warlords, and name Gilles King of the Vestoni. They would also impart onto Gilles the ideals and philosophy of Chivalry, and swear that they will always be watching over the Vestoni, and then leave. With Gilles as king, he would form the round table, where the other warlords and other noble lords of his court would rule over the Vestoni. After this was quickly done, they scoured the land of the invading orcs, goblins, and ogres in many great battles, and soon the land was free of their taint, or at least any concentrated number of them save for those that escaped deep into the forests.
The Kingdom of Vebastonne is a land of ancient fables, fey magic, and honor, but also of danger. Vebastonne has fought in countless wars against those that would seek to loot its riches, such as the War of Green, the last great war against the orc tribes, and the Two Great Elven Wars, with the Third Great Elven War now ravaging the land. The knights of the Vestoni have died in droves time and again, but there are always those brave and noble souls who take their place and fight on, no matter the odds. For their constant sacrifice and service, the kingdom remains strong and stable, in all its guts and glory.
Demography and Population
While humans are one of the largest populations amongst the land, one can find any manner of different races amongst the land, for due to the profitable trade routes draws many different races to visit the lands and even stay amongst its people. Dwarves, half-elves, elves, and orcs are common throughout the land, as well as many fey like races.
Military
The military of Vebastonne is levied as needed, with the only real standing force being the guards each lord maintains over their city, and of course the large retinues of knights and trusted warriors. Knights are always eager to prove themselves, and so can be seen patrolling the land regurarly, though even this is not enough to keep the roads completly safe. When times of war befall the land, recruitment drives are opened for the non-knighted massess to be levyed into bands of men-at-arms and other such troops. Pilgrams and religious fanatics also regurarly follow armies to prove their devotion to the Twin Ladies.
Religion
The official religion of the land is the two goddess Lilia and Morgina. Lilia is also known as The Lady of the Lake, and Morgina is known as The Great Enchantress. They are the twin patron goddess of the land, and through them they bless the many warriors and citizens of Vebastonne. Lilia embodies Honor, Martial Prowess, and Light, while Morgina embodies Magic and a Good Life. While they are the official deity of Vebastonne, other gods are worshiped openly, some ditties that have a large following are:
- Rudvite, the goddess of mercy is popular amongst the peasantry as while the life of the peasant can be back breaking work to make ends meet and pay local tithes to the nobles, especially if bad harvests and other outside factors affect the harvest. Life is also incredibly dangerous from the many threats from the forests and the mountains, and so many seek Rudvite's divine mercy.
- Inos, God of the Hunt is popular amongst the hunters of Vebastonne, for dangerous game lurks in the wilds of Vebastonne and so perhaps the divine is the only protection those brave hunters have
- Aslir, God of love and fertility, for obvious reasons, Aslir is popular amongst the land of Vebastonne as well as the rest of the nearby kingdoms, for Aslirbrings comfort to women in labor and helps to weave the tapestry of love amongst mortal beings
Foreign Relations
With the High Elven kingdoms, the Vebastonne know mostly conflict, for the Great Elven Wars have been some of the largest wars in Vebastonne's long history of warfare. These wars were mainly due to situations involving trade ships being fired upon and the accusation of the elves planting spies into Vebastonne to sow discord "for the humans own good". Whether these accusations are true or not is of little relevance now the Third Elven Wars have begun, with Vebastonne being invaded by Iadith forces but now launching a large counter attack to drive the High Elven forces out of their land.
With Ashenfled, Vebastonne has a complicated history. While not exactly allies, they both share many of the same values, and so most conflicts in history were minor border conflicts that in the end didn't change much in the wider political sphere. However the worrying destabilization of Ashenfeld means that now Vebastonne simply wishes to be left out of the chaos. While Vebastonne were once proud and close allies of the dwarven kingdoms in the mountains, now the Goblin Bandit Kingdoms, and so they know only war with that region. However, while reclusive, Vebastone still keeps a positive relation with some of the Dwarven Sky Kingdoms that remember that once the Vestonni were their close neighbors. With their neighbors to the north, The people of Rusilyvania are very territorial and defensive, and so quite simply the Vestonni leave Rusilyvania alone
Raise the Fleur on High!
Maps
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Vebastonne
An ancient and fey enchanted kingdom of chivalry and honor. The Noble Kingdom of Vebastonne is known for its knights, and the uncountable dangers that they must face in their realm.
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Demonym
Vestoni
Leader
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Judicial Body
Local institutions supported by the local lords help carry out the interpretation of law inside Vebastonne
Official State Religion
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
- Clarivre de Chambonnay, High Prophetess of Vebastonne
- Fleur de Bordeleaux, The Guardian of the Mist-Shrouded Chapel
- Galtier de Saintyon and Patsy "The Brave"
- Gilles d'Allee, First King and Founder of Vebastonne
- King Artur d'Courzeiu
- Lady Aquitaine le Veston, The Mother of Vebastonne
- Lancenet d'Arden "The Scourge of the Sands"
- Queen Guinevere d'Courzeiu
Related Myths
