The Kingdom of Mansguard

In the dense verdant reaches of Pyrennia, along the mid-life stretch of the BIG RIVER juts a magnificent stone castle. Suspended high above the bustling river town in it’s shade, is Greatstone, the mighty capital of Mansguard, and home of the Guardians.
“Mansguard, O’ home, where beastly men and mannish beast cannot go. It is a land of legends and saviors, holding back the dark any where’st you go. O’ Mansguard, my home, never waiver to keep your children safe and still, for we will fight for you and die for you on any hill.” - Sir McCalvar, Legendary Bard of Greatstone Court
Mansguard is defined by conflict and adventure. From every angle a different threat harries the territory.
To the east lies the savage Confederacy, a conglomeration of displaced goblinoids hell-bent on pillaging any vulnerable homestead, settlement, or traveller. For centuries these roving bands of bloodthirsty raiders have warred with the knights of Mansguard, and many crusades have been formed to plunge into Confederacy lands.
To the north runs Mansguard Wall, a massive fortification separating the staunchly xenophobic Guardsmen and the agressive and territorial Dwarven Holds. For hundreds of years war ravaged the land between these two powerful forces, until even these two stubborn foes could agree that peace, though a strained peace, was preferable.
In it’s deepest southern reaches, the deadly Lockjaw Gnoll Pack causes havoc to farmers and trade caravans.
Most troublingly, in it’s heartland a mysterious portal to the feywilds was opened, unleashing all sorts of strange and dangerous monsters into the adjacent thickets. The primary theory to this emergence is thought to be a response by the Fey over the horrible pollution of BIG RIVER by the dwarven forges and labs to the north. Purifying waters spill from the misty portal, meeting the river and cleansing it of all material waste.
Mansguard is a member of The Pact of the Fist, the five-membered human alliance, though they are the most likely to sue for independence due to the increasing threats to their borders and the lack of aid from the other pact members.
Mansguard is ruled in feudal tradition by Queen Gertrude, holding the royal throne of Greatstone. Her authority is absolute, but tenuous due to organized resistance from a cabal of wealthy nobles scattered through the territory, who could elect to replace her at any time, if they were capable of agreeing on a successor.

Structure

Mansguard is ruled by an absolute Monarch seated at Greatstone. This Monarch is chosen by a small council of High Lords who rule over the regions of Mansguard. The choice is historically centered around whose region is under the most duress from outside forces. This switches every once in a while, especially if a certain threat from a specific direction is intensified.
The House seated closest to the threat often gains power. Within a High Lord's castle, titles and seats of power are passed by blood, but in the capital rule over all of Mansguard is never passed in this way.
Currently Queen Gertrude of House Foebal of the lost town Reedstone sits on the throne of Greatstone. Reedstone was invaded by fey beasts once the Mist was unleashed upon the inner forests of the region, with very few citizens escaping. This has garnered sympathy amongst the nobility towards House Foebal, allowing it to exist on the throne until the current monarch retires.
However, the loss of power has not gone unnoticed. No husband nor blood heir of House Foebal remains, and the current queen, while effective, is haggard and unappealing. Her strong impulses towards breaking convention, her abrasive personality, and her house's bleak future have put her in a perilous position. While the current High Lords of Mansguard still agree that the Fey invasion is the current primary threat, amongst themselves they bicker over replacing Queen Gertrude.

Type

Geopolitical, Kingdom

Demonym

Guardian

Government System

Monarchy, Elective

Economic System

Traditional

Currency

Gold

Controlled Territories

• Greatstone
• Lentoe Range

Neighboring Nations

• Sangovy Province