The Kingdom of Vallanna
The Kingdom of Vallanna is a large nation on the north-west of the continent of Aetrun, on the world of Altea, bordered by The Kingdom of Ashalla to the immediate south-west, the Kingdom of Aeralia to the south, over the Ice Spine Mountains, and The Empire of Ruvaad to the east, across the inhospitable Auric Wastes.
The Kingdom contains several large regions, broadly corresponding to ancient kingdoms and regions which have been subsumed into the nation over the centuries -
The Northern Coastal Kingdom, as it is now known, ruled from the capital city of Valliné, is the original Kingdom of Vallanna; renamed in the wake of the union with the Duchy of Laranna, itself now known as The Middle-Lands, which heralded the birth of the modern nation of Vallanna.
South of the Middle-Lands lies The Southern Baronies, (originally known as the Barony of Serenal), which joined the nation shortly after its formation, and is home to the third of Vallanna's major cities, Serenal.
To the west of The Southern Baronies can be found the breadbasket of Vallanna, The Golden Plateau - a broad expanse of farms and small villages along the border with neighbouring Ashalla.
Vallanna's mountainous west-coast is split between the semi-autonamous Kingdom of the Grand Hall, ruled by the Dwarves from their subterranean city of Steinstad, and the mountainous expanse of the Windward Peninsula, jutting northwards into both the Sea of Vallar and the Sea of Whispers.
Least populated of the regions of Vallanna is The Amethyst Isles, a magically-infused island group off of the nation's northern coastline. In addition to these major inhabited regions, a large proportion of The Auric Wastes lie within the borders of Vallanna, although by and large, they remain uninhabited, due to the hostile environment and unpredictable magical damage which persists through the region. The Dwarven capital city of Steinstad enjoys a degree of autonomy, although still technically being situated within Vallanna's borders. The same can be said of the Elven capital of Seorsa'Emel, situated at the heart of the Forest of Serenity, in The Southern Baronies. Both the dwarves and the elves extend this autonomy to a swath of other settlements and, in the case of the elves, ancient forests, both large and small, across the land. Deference and co-operation with the central rule of Vallanna is shown, and respect for their ancient cultures is given in return.
South of the Middle-Lands lies The Southern Baronies, (originally known as the Barony of Serenal), which joined the nation shortly after its formation, and is home to the third of Vallanna's major cities, Serenal.
To the west of The Southern Baronies can be found the breadbasket of Vallanna, The Golden Plateau - a broad expanse of farms and small villages along the border with neighbouring Ashalla.
Vallanna's mountainous west-coast is split between the semi-autonamous Kingdom of the Grand Hall, ruled by the Dwarves from their subterranean city of Steinstad, and the mountainous expanse of the Windward Peninsula, jutting northwards into both the Sea of Vallar and the Sea of Whispers.
Least populated of the regions of Vallanna is The Amethyst Isles, a magically-infused island group off of the nation's northern coastline. In addition to these major inhabited regions, a large proportion of The Auric Wastes lie within the borders of Vallanna, although by and large, they remain uninhabited, due to the hostile environment and unpredictable magical damage which persists through the region. The Dwarven capital city of Steinstad enjoys a degree of autonomy, although still technically being situated within Vallanna's borders. The same can be said of the Elven capital of Seorsa'Emel, situated at the heart of the Forest of Serenity, in The Southern Baronies. Both the dwarves and the elves extend this autonomy to a swath of other settlements and, in the case of the elves, ancient forests, both large and small, across the land. Deference and co-operation with the central rule of Vallanna is shown, and respect for their ancient cultures is given in return.
History
The Kingdom of Vallanna can be said to have come into being in its current form, in the opening years of the Age of Unification, first with the joining of the original Kingdom of Vallanna (now known as The Northern Coastal Kingdom) - then consisting of lands north of The Drakeseat Mountains, terminating in the west at The Lifeblood River, and in the east at Riftview - in 5 AoU with the Duchy of Laranna (which came to be known as The Middle-Lands), south of the mountains, and later, in 14 AoU with the even more southerly Barony of Serenal (which would become known as The Southern Baronies).
This alliance of three kingdoms laid claim to all lands east of The Lifeblood River, as far as the edge of the Auric Wastes, which at that time were considered impassable, due to the high levels of volatile background magic infusing them. Over the centuries, although the danger from this magic has not noticeably lessened, various expeditions were conducted into the wastes. Some distance to the far east, one such expedition was to meet representatives of The Empire of Ruvaad, and after much negotiation, a border between the two nations was established in the wastes themselves.
Just over one hundred years after the unification of the three kingdoms, during the reign of King Tormon, in 116 AoU, the people of The Amethyst Isles joined Vallanna, which up until that point had been merely a close trading partner for livestock and other goods. Being brought into the fold gave them extra security from the scourge of piracy on the Sea of Whispers, as well as seasonal raids by the inhabitants of the frozen continent of Arctirime. The people of the isles have had little cause to regret joining the nation since that time, enjoying much greater security and trading opportunities since their union.
As the centuries have progressed, the border of Vallanna has moved ever westward, as various baronies, duchies, and fiefdoms have pledged themselves to the King of Vallanna, forming the regions of the Golden Plateau, Windward Peninsula and Kingdom of the Grand Hall. Now stretching from the Sea of Vallar in the west, to the desolate border with The Empire of Ruvaad in the wastes, it has become a truly great nation.
To the south-west, Vallanna's second border was soon established with the proud people of the The Kingdom of Ashalla. The two nations have had their disputes over the centuries, ranging from small disagreements to outright wars on occasion, with the border moving back and forth many times as each nation gained control of swaths of land and villages.
Beginning In 1240 AoU, the country was to face perhaps the greatest time of strife in its long history. Following a series of unexplained demonic incursions into the Prime Material Plane, a multitude of a demon-worshipping cults revealed themselves and began what became known as The Demon War. The land was plunged into chaos, with destruction and death stalking the land. Many towns and villages faced siege and annhilation. Several prominent figures of the day were assassinated throughout the course of the war; communications and passage between different parts of the kingdom broke down, and many proclaimed, with seemingly good reason, that the end-times were upon them.
The war was brought to an end and peace restored after over 7 years, when the young prince regent, who would go on to become King, Aegic Enarren, along with a band of intrepid allies, The Azure Chain, won a series of key victories against the cults, before leading a combined army of both Vallannan and Ashallan forces deep into the Auric Wastes, to Auricheim itself, where they defeated and banished the Arch-Demon Val'Gorath , putting an end to the conflict.
Following the Demon War, relations between Vallanna and Ashalla have been more friendly than the have historically, with both nations brought together against their common foe during the War.
Founding Date
1 AoU
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Demonym
Vallannan
Leader
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Traditional
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Comments