Bastion

Bastion, the capital of the Westerlands Steadfast and loyal [Ruled by Mordring]

History

The Kingdom of the Westerlands is an independent, predominantly human nation located around the western part of Tahn encompassing a region known to the descendants simply as ‘The Westerlands - a cold, mostly barren land wild and untamed. The heart of the Kingdom is located in a thick boreal forest.

Construction/Discovery

At the request of Leopold of Marna, his nephew Emperor Philip Frederick I released Leopold and his garrison of their vows to the Holy Orenian Empire so that they could continue their fight against the Sunless Sanctum in the year 1594 which was reaffirmed soon after by the Pax Occidenti, commonly referred to as the Peace of the Sun’s Smile made between the Axios Coalition and the Westerlands which resulted in White Peace.

Without hesitance and with the help of the Company of the Westerlands and Imperial refugees from Johannesburg in the year 1595, Leopold was able to rally a strong enough force to safely venture deeper into the boreal forest and establish a new permanent wall in preparation for his expansion plans to house his people. Soon after he stylized himself as Leopold Francis I, King of Vandoria and the Westerlands. His new seat of power, replacing the weathered fort Death’s End, was the city of Bastion - something the King thought symbolic to the integrity and sacrifices humanity has made to survive even in the most inhabitable of lands.

Location event

As the capital of the Westerlands it is the hub of all of the Westerlands activity, and a safe haven to those fighting the hordes of undead beyond its walls.

The Fall

In the year 1606 Bastion fell under the ire of the Dragaar Lich Mordring and his legions of Undead Minions. Mordring saw Bastion as an encroachment on his lands as it stood near the entrance of the Sunless Sanctum, his home and place of rest. This came to a head in the year of 1608 when Mordring attacked the bastion, Sacking the once proud city and leaving nothing more than rubble. The Bastion of the Westerlands now stands broken, inhabited only by the Undead it once kept at bay in an ironic twist of fate.

Geography

McGrubor’s Woods' - A massive boreal forest located in the southeast quadrant of the Westerlands region. It is the heart of the kingdom as the forest provides at least some shelter from the harsh climate and for the most resourceful is bountiful in game and goods needed to thrive in the region. The capital city of Bastion is located at the conjunction of the River Noumenon and the River Piscatoris which forms the bigger River Salv that feeds into the western ocean. There are plans for future, smaller settlements such as House Rovin’s hold to be called Arnheim.

Notable Figures

• High Sovereign - His Majesty Caius Sigismund of House Horen
• Crown Prince - His Highness Lucas Adrian of House Horen
• Archchancellor - Ludwig of House Nil
• Prefect of the Interior - Her Majesty, Annabel Victoria of House Horen
• Prefect of Eccumencial Endeavors - Lord Arminus von Aesterwald
• Prefect of Apostolic Endeavors - Arch Lector Adalwulf Toov
• Prefect of Logistics - Gansem Thersist
• Royal Exchequer- Farouk Al-Jahwad
• Court Mage - Vacant
• Royal Physician - Ser Elrach

Government

The Kingdom of the Westerlands has an Absolute Monarchy style of government with King Leopold Francis I as the sole ruler of the nation. Under him is a privy council that acts as his advisors and enforcers in different aspects of the realm. They carry out his will and see to the implementation of his desired policy. Unlike other Privy Councils, the Westerlands lacks a standing Lord Marshal. In times of war, it is the King that inherits the role of Lord Marshal and he may delegate it temporarily to another at his own discretion.

Society

Due to the harsh environment, resources are generally limited and rationed. Those who work hard and provide for the people are rewarded for their efforts and the government continues to seek new ways to reward those who display model behavior through both words and action.

Economy

The Kingdom of the Westerlands uses multiple forms of commerce such as the universally accepted mina and resources of equivalent value. The government has plans to issue a reward system known simply as ‘Vandermarks’ which can be used to buy luxury goods, pay rent or buy drinks and food at the cantina.

Military

The military of bastion is mostly common folk who join the army to fight the undead.

Culture

The Westerlands is a melting pot of Human cultures with heavy Imperial, Kaedreni and Waldenian influences which puts humans above the other descendants as they believe humanity is the chosen people of the Creator. One of the unifying aspects of the Westerlands is the Vander Code - an ancient code of conduct dating back to the Aegisian Era that has helped shape and form other codes of chivalry since its reemergence in the Anthosian Era.

The Vander Code

Why do Vanders fight?

• † To fear the Creator and maintain His Church
• † To serve the liege lord in valour and faith
• † To refrain from the wanton giving of offence
• † To live by honour and for glory
• † To despise pecuniary reward
• † To obey those placed in authority
• † To guard the honour of fellow Vanders
• † To keep faith
• † To at all times to speak the truth
• † To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun
• † To never to refuse a challenge from an equal
• † To never to turn the back upon a foe

Art

While the people of the Westerlands have made no great contributions to the arts, their prized collection of Thersist portraits can be found all around the city if one were to seek them out. Predominant members of the family typically portrayed are Temp Thersist and his son Brutus Thersist.

Religion

The Kingdom of the Westerlands follows the True Faith, specifically the Owynist sect which derives its teachings from the Exalted Owyn. This particular sect is referred to as Rhoswenii Owynists.

Random Tidbits

• Did you know the Westerlands are plagued by undead?
• The Westerland army is always looking for new members to defend Bastion.
• On a different note, did you know the orcish language is called Blah? Find out more here!