| The Kingdom of Avern | |
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 The Kingdom of Avern Banner | |
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Date Founded |
2800 B.W (Before War) |
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Founder |
King Rahab I |
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Capital |
Avern |
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Current Leaders |
Queen Jezebeth Kingsmith |
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Location |
Eastern Kingdoms (Far North) |
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Races of the Duchy |
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Settlements |
See Settlements Major Settlements Minor Settlements |
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Faiths |
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The Kingdom of Avern is a cursed kingdom located in the far northern reaches of Lordaeron north of what is now known as the Western Plaguelands. Once considered to be a jewel in the north, and one of the few remaining independent bastions of civilization, it is now a wasteland of ice and shadow due to the unleashing of magics best left forgotten. A kingdom with a long and bloody history, having changed many times over the centuries of its existence, it originally started as a province of the first human empire, only to be turned into a small isolated kingdom ruled by warhawks that sought only conquest. It reformed itself during the Great Wars, gaining strong ties to the Alliance of Lordaeron (to be known later as the Grand Alliance) while also reaching out to new allies which both allowed the kingdom to grow, and also spelled its eventual desolation. The last confirmed ruler of Avern was the noble Zephon Carhagen, who ruled as the Swordmaster of the Kingdom and also acted as the 1st Sword of the Sword Knights of Aella, although as there has been no official word from the Kingdom in some time, it is difficult for any to ascertain what happened to the veteran of the Silver Hand.
Government[]
The current government of Avern is a chaotic one, to say the least. Where once it was considered a bureaucratic autocracy with absolute power held by the Swordmaster, current intelligence reports from the region indicate that governance of the realm is now split between the forces that are tearing the kingdom apart. At least two factions have emerged in the wasteland that was once Avern and each has an iron grip on the territories that were once firmly under House Carhagen's domain. The eastern regions of the kingdom are controlled by the Frostveil Coven, a group of powerful female witches who have cursed much of the land and turned it into a region covered by thick ice and dunes of snow, while the regions to the west are controlled by the Triune of the Void, three powerful and thoroughly evil individuals rumoured to serve the Old Gods or even darker, more destructive entities who exist in the frost-covered regions of the kingdom. Only two bastions of light exist within the kingdom proper, and they shine like beacons in the dark. Avern, the capital of the kingdom which remains unscathed and surrounded by an impenetrable shield of light, and Sword Keep, the headquarters of the Sword Knights of Aella. A military bastion that has yet to succumb to the frost and shadow that covers the rest of the region.
The Frostveil Coven[]
The Frostveil Coven is both a coven of female witches who have mastered control over the supernatural cold and a group of noble families. As such it is lead by Queen Jezebeth, who rules from the city of Diescedar. Her coven controls territories that once included the Archduchies of Diescedar, Wintermark, Otharburg, Hollowmoot and most, but not all of the territory of the Archduchy of the Heartlands. Unlike the Swordmaster, who ruled benevolently over his people, Queen Jezebeth has no such feelings toward her people, and as such, she rules with a cold heart and a tyrannical iron fist. The other members of the coven are no better, although it is rumoured that of all the coven members, Princess Aurelia is the warmest of them all, although being slightly warmer than a blizzard is not much of an improvement.
The Triune of the Void[]
The Triune of the Void was, at first, nothing more than a small fringe cult dedicated to the worship of the Old Gods, specifically N'zoth. Hunted by the Sword Knights of Aella and Zephon himself, they were thought to be all but extinct, but in recent times their power has grown exponentially and when Queen Jezebeth and the Frostveil Coven unleashed their magic to destroy much of Avern, the leaders of the Triune saw their opportunity took control of what territory they could. Unleashing their dark magic, they condemned the regions they controlled to the void and shadow, exposing all the residents to the madness of the Old Gods. The leadership of the Triune remains a mystery, no one knows the names of the three individuals who lead the shadowy cult, and anyone that attempts to uncover the identities of the leaders often meet a bloody violent end. It is for this reason that most individuals who learn of the Triune consider it to be properly led by the Twilight Court, a large council which often votes on matters of importance. Consisting of the former aristocracy that once lived in the regions that are now controlled by the Triune, their exact numbers are unknown, although it is rumoured that there are dozens of members. Each member has their own goals and motivations and while the identities of most of them are unknown, at least for the moment, it is clear that among their number are the former Archdukes of Highmark and Zacrela. Both of these men surrendered their lands to the Triune, and while it is unclear if they did so willingly or under duress, the fact that they've remained within the Twilight Court implies that they are more loyal to the forces of N'zoth than the Swordmaster.
The Avernian Remnants[]
The Avernian Remnants are the last survivors of the former kingdom and are sealed within Avern, the former capital of the kingdom. Protected by a shield which keeps out both the bone-shattering cold and the shadow which has blanketed the kingdom, no one comes in or out of the city from the main gates, although keen observers have spotted sentries on the walls and in the watchtowers, implying that there is life within the capital. As there is no contact with anyone inside the shielded city, there is no way to know who leads the kingdom, although it is presumed that Swordmaster Carhagen is in command and that he is doing what he can to save what remains of his people.
The Sword Knights of Aella[]
Originally a military order that sailed to Avern to aid Zephon Carhagen against the Scourge remnants that remained in his lands, the Sword Knights became a dedicated order defending Avern from all threats. Led by the Swordmaster, who held the title of First Sword, they were a dedicated force of highly skilled paladins and soldiers who used advanced weaponry and tactics to defeat their unholy enemies. Since the fall of the Kingdom to the Frostveil Coven and the Triune of the Void, the Sword Knights have been significantly reduced in number, with many of their ranks killed by soldiers loyal to the other factions. Those that remain have taken shelter within Sword Keep where they are led by Grand Marshal Dumah Carrington, the second in command of the Sword Knights who governs the faction as a soldier would govern a military force, with absolute power and authority.
The Noble Ranks of Avern[]
Before the desolation of the kingdom, Avern had a ranking structure that all nobles within the kingdom adhered to. Sadly this is no longer the case, as the Triune and Frostveil Coven have their unique leadership ranks, as do the Sword Knights. It is presumed, however, at least for now that the Avernian Remnants, if they haven't changed considerably themselves, still follow the old ranking structure which is as follows:
- Swordmaster / Swordmistress: The rank of the ruling monarch after a royal decree from House Carhagen.
- Prince / Princess: A member of the royal family, like with the rank of Swordmaster / Swordmistress.
- Archduke / Archduchess: A hereditary (unless otherwise changed) ruler of one of the seven archduchies within the Kingdom of Avern.
- Duke / Duchess: A hereditary ruler of a duchy.
- Paraduke / Paraduchess: A granted, non-hereditary, non-landed title.
- Archcount / Archcountess: A hereditary ruler of a county. This title provides greater status than a Count/Countess.
- Count / Countess: A hereditary ruler of a county.
- Paracount / Paracountess: A granted, non-hereditary, non-landed title.
- Archbaron / Archbaroness: A hereditary ruler of a barony. This title provides greater status than a Baron/Baroness.
- Baron / Baroness: A hereditary ruler of a barony.
- Demibaron / Demibaroness: A granted, non-hereditary, non-landed title.
History[]
The Kingdom of Avern has a long and sometimes confusing history, during which the nation’s power and fortunes have risen and fallen. Regardless of the period, however, the people of Avern have always been seen as ambitious, with firm beliefs their capacity for success and a strong foundation based on law and order.
The Early History of Avern[]
The earliest records of habitation in the region of what is now the Kingdom of Avern state that the land was once owned by the vicious Trolls of the Amani Tribe. Human and Elven explorers eventually discovered the region through their independent ventures, and as expected the Trolls treated these explorers as hostile entities, striking at them in raids and eventually chasing them from the region entirely. After the foundation of the Arathorian Empire in the year 2800 B.W (Before-War), the armies of the empire returned to the region conquering the trolls that resided in the area and expanding the northern border of the empire to the edge of what would one day become known as the Winter Coast. Led by Commander Diesce (who was honoured by having the city of Diescedar named after him), the Arathorian forces established several settlements in the newly conquered region, including the port city of Winterbreak and the farming settlement of Avern. The Kingdom of Avern was at first nothing more than a small series of settlements, but three hundred years after its founding in 2500 B.W it became a political entity of the Arathorian Empire and was converted into an official province of the empire, with Port Winterbreak serving as the capital until it was later moved to Diescedar in 2489 B.W
Conquest and Early Expansion[]
The first major change in Avern's history came two hundred years later in the year 2289 B.W. It was in this year that the ruling provincial governor—a cunning, yet cautious man named Rahab—declared independence from the Arathorian Empire. During this period, the Empire was collapsing under its weight, with many smaller nations struggling to break free of the nobles from Strom. This chaotic period ensured that the Arathorian Empire was unable to mount any true attempt at reclaiming their lands through military occupation.
Without any meaningful resistance, Rahab declared himself King and placed himself upon the throne of Diescedar, beginning his rule over the small parcel of land which he currently controlled. This move was cautiously welcomed by the nobles who lived in the region, even if they didn't fully trust Rahab or his motivations. For they recognized more than most the value of being one of the founding noble families of a new nation. In the years that followed, as the Arathorian Empire continued to struggle, Rahab pushed for other smaller neighbouring regions to also break free from the constraints of the Empire, mostly through diplomatic activities, but occasionally with military force. The settlement of Otharburg was the first to break free and join the growing nation of Avern, followed shortly by the eastern settlement of Zacrela, although this had less to do with diplomacy, and more to do with the fact that Rahab had sent forces to the border to apply pressure to the local government. The Arathorian Empire, still struggling to hold itself together, could do little to respond to Rahab's rapid land grab, and while strongly worded messages were sent to the upstart King demanding he cease, he refused, expanding his territory even further and turning Avern into a fully-fledged kingdom.
By the year 2150 B.W, King Rahab of Avern was long dead and his granddaughter, Queen Elasia II ruled over the region along with her son, Prince Kalios. While Queen Elasia II was firm in judgment and focused on doing what was best for her people, Kalios saw the neighbouring lands as ripe for conquest. Wanting nothing more than to expand Avern as his great-grandfather had done centuries ago, he assembled forces of the Avern military that were loyal to him as well as some mercenaries before pushing south to the mountains of Alterac. Once there, he attempted to lay siege to the capital of the region, but his attack was met with failure and his men unable to make any significant gains. When the Alterac forces retaliated, they did so with brutal efficiency, cutting down many of the soldiers and mercenaries under the command of the Prince which eventually forced him to withdraw. Ashamed of his loss to what he and the people of Avern considered an inferior nation, Kalios went into self-imposed exile to a small island to the north of the winter coast. Originally inhabited by the last remaining forest trolls of the region, Kalios managed to at least force them off their lands, before living out the rest of his life in shame for his failure. Years after his death, the military moved onto the island and established Fort Kalios, which served as a lighthouse and military bastion, valued by sailors both soldier and civilian for the protection it offered to the waters around Port Winterbreak.
The Warring Periods[]
Following the abysmal failure to capture Alterac, the Kingdom of Avern fell into a peaceful slumber on the world stage, yet, the Avernian desire for land and power would not be so easily quelled. This led to a period of expansion in the year 1920 B.W when King Rahab III launched what would become known as the 'War of Avernian Conquest'. The war lasted for over ninety years, outlasting the King who started it, and during that period, the Kingdom of Avern attempted, with both success and failure, to expand its influence into the still crumbling Arathorian Empire and the surrounding independent territories.
The first target of this new war for conquest was the Arathorian lands of Lordaeron. Like Avern had done centuries ago, they had effectively split away from the larger Empire. But unlike the smaller regions that joined Avern shortly after they freed themselves, Lordaeron had chosen to remain independent, attempting to become a nation of their own. This was something that Rahab III wanted to change. Assembling an army, he invaded the lands of Lordaeron and waged war for ten long years. His battles were met with mixed results, some successes, and some failures, but ultimately the Avern border expanded south, claiming large portions of what would eventually become known in the modern-day as the Western Plaguelands.
Following that successful conquest, the Avern military and leadership were emboldened and continued to push for more land and wealth over the next eighty years. Continuing their aggressive land grab, the Kingdom of Avern sent their forces out on three main fronts. One toward Gilneas, another to Strom, and a third toward the elven kingdom of Quel'thalas. An additional fourth front attempted once more to lay siege to Alterac, although the attempt failed, and was far less effective than even the initial siege waged by Prince Kalios two centuries earlier. Ultimately the warlike efforts of Avern did little in the way of conquering nations. Expansion attempts toward Gilneas ended with a military stalemate, as the forces of Gilneas were able to hold off the Avernian military until a ceasefire and eventual peace were struck between the leaders of both nations. The forces that expanded toward Strom were able to claim much of the Hinterlands, establishing forward outposts in the region and expanding the border of the kingdom, but could do little against the Empire of Strom's military, even in its weakened state. Finally, attempts to push into territories belonging to the elves of Quel'thalas were met with catastrophic failure, as the elven rangers and magi were able to decimate the Avernian armies, forcing them to retreat toward the heart of the kingdom. Finally, in the year, 1820 B.W the War of Avernian Conquest came to a close, with Avern having gained some territory, but at the cost of hundreds of Avernian lives. The reason for the war ending was unclear, but it was rumoured that the wealth gathered to fund the war effort had run dry, and that, combined with the losses suffered, and the death of Rahab III, forced the new ruler of the Kingdom to recall all military expansion forces and cease all outward aggression. With the war ended, the Kingdom of Avern entered a period of relative peace and stability. There were still high tensions abroad, especially with the other human regions that had all been attacked by the Avernians during the previous war, yet none of the nations was willing to attack Avern alone to exact vengeance, nor could they see a reason to unite their forces together, as even with the defeats suffered throughout the War of Avernian Conquest, the Kingdom of Avern still maintained a sizeable, well-disciplined military.
By the year 1620 B.W, the Kingdom of Avern had become a secure bastion of peace led by Queen Lucia I. The Queen was a fair woman, but many of the noble houses within Avern felt that she was too soft, and would ultimately put the future prosperity of the kingdom into jeopardy. Internal rumblings were also growing due to political and social reforms that the Queen and her advisors had implemented, which had created chaos in various regions of the kingdom. As time wore on, the situation only became worse, as riots began in regions where the people of Avern were suffering the most. None, however, could have expected what was to come, and how it would drastically change the future of the kingdom.
Civil War and the Rise of House Kingsmith[]
Three years later in the year 1617 B.W, the chaos that had enveloped the kingdom of Avern finally peaked and resulted in all-out war. It had started as nothing more than a dispute between two noble houses, House Gaspar, a powerful noble family that resides in the Archduchy of Diescedar, and House Kingsmith a relatively minor house which resided in the Heartlands. What started with mere insults however escalated when the head of House Gaspar, Lord Markus, shot and killed the son of Lord Rikard Kingsmith. Enraged at the loss of one of their noble sons, skirmishes began across the Heartlands and Diescedar, with forces of House Kingsmith fighting tooth and nail against the forces of House Gaspar. Other noble houses soon became involved, as the explosive nature of the war ignited a fire which spread rapidly and soon over half of the noble houses within the Kingdom of Avern were fighting each other, determined to not only win their internal conflicts but assist their allies as well until their opponents were defeated.
The Avernian Civil War raged for over fifty years, pitting brothers against sisters, fathers against sons as political differences tore families apart and resulted in nothing more than spilt blood and destroyed futures. Then, in the year 1567 B.W, Queen Lucia was assassinated in her bed chambers by an unknown assailant. As the Queen had no heir and had not married, there was no one left to rule over the Kingdom of Avern. At that moment the civil war escalated to new heights, as now the Avernian crown was up for grabs, and the winner of the war would ultimately be able to become the next King or Queen of Avern. Within a year of fighting, the once disorganized rabble that had fought in the past fifty years had organized into two major factions. House Davalos, whose's allied forces controlled the Archduchies of the Highmark, Hollowmoot and the Wintermark and House Kingsmith, who after defeating House Gaspar had managed to take control of the Heartlands and Diescedar.
It was during this period of civil war, when the Kingdom of Avern was at its weakest, that it ultimately suffered the same fate as the Arathorian Empire. While the Avernian armies and nobles waged war, the nations that had suffered as a result of previous conquests, specifically the region of Lordaeron decided to take back what had been seized from them during the War of Avernian Conquest led by King Rahab III. The Lordaeron armies attacked the southern border of the Kingdom of Avern and gained ground rapidly, as the armies of Avern were disorganized and fighting each other more than focusing on the new invaders. Forced to fall back, the Avernian military retreated into the secure territories of the kingdom, abandoning their holdings in the Hinterlands, and giving Lordaeron free reign to claim what they had lost, securing the Darrowmere Forest and surrounding territories. While Lordaeron reclaimed what they had lost during the previous conflicts, House Kingsmith had gained victory after victory over House Davalos. In one last-ditch effort, House Davalos and their allies launched an all-out assault against the city of Avern where House Kingsmith was based but the assault was a failure. Emboldened by their victory at Avern, House Kingsmith scattered the forces of House Davalos to the wind before capturing and executing the head of the house, thus ending the Avernian Civil War.
Within the next few months, Erys Kingsmith I officially ascended the throne of Avern and took the crown, becoming the King of Avern. This immediately halted the continued aggression from Lordaeron, who now faced a more united front from a once fragmented nation, and yet, King Erys I did not attempt to wage war on Lordaeron, instead, focusing on defending the lands he still controlled while he attempted to bring the Avernian people into line. This began with very draconian and brutal changes to law and order, and also saw the capital of Avern move from Diescedar to the city of Avern within the Heartlands. Moves were also made to alter the written histories, with historians under the employ of House Kingsmith enhancing the influence of their House while drastically limiting, or even removing the names of wartime rivals.
Kingsmith's Fall and the Rise of House Carhagen[]
The last ruling king of House Kingsmith was Viktor Kingsmith II, who ruled well for sixty years until year 20 A.W. His reign unlike many of his predecessors was one of peace and prosperity, as Viktor had no intention of waging war with his neighbours. The Arathorian Empire had long since collapsed and in its place, seven human kingdoms had emerged, including Lordaeron, Gilneas, Stromgarde, and Alterac, who had all been enemies of Avern in the past. Viktor's peaceful reign, however, was marred by the rise of the Orc Horde, who had sacked the human kingdom of Stormwind in the south and was now pressing north. Putting its military might behind Lordaeron, Avern fought against the Orcs during the Second War, and in doing so secured lasting favour with their neighbour nations, excluding Alterac who had decided to ally with the Orc Horde and were destroyed by the Alliance of Lordaeron as a result. Following the defeat of the Horde, Avern settled into a time of peace, and Viktor was able to dedicate more of his time to the upbringing of his three sons: Aretain, Stephan, and Olias.
War, however, would not stay away for long, and in the year 20 A.W a new threat emerged which would become known as the Undead Scourge. This new threat destroyed much of Lordaeron, including the capital city when Prince Arthas Menethil, who had joined the Scourge after a long campaign in Northrend, turned on and killed his father, King Terenas II, before releasing the Scourge on the capital. Unfortunately for the Kingdom of Avern, Viktor Kingsmith II and his wife Queen Lucretia III were both within the Lordaeron capital when it fell to the Scourge and both were killed before they could escape.
The death of both the King and Queen of Avern meant that the crown passed directly to Prince Aretain, the eldest of Viktor's sons, yet he and his two brothers were far from the kingdom, having taken up positions within the Alliance military. Aretain, along with his godfather Zephon Carhagen, had joined the Order of the Silver Hand and were engaged with the Scourge forces in Lordaeron, and Prince Stephan and Prince Olias had both enlisted as foot soldiers, even though they were of noble blood. This left the Kingdom of Avern leaderless, yet unlike during the Civil War, no enterprising noble houses were pushing to take control. The disaster in Lordaeron and the rise of the Scourge had kept the nobles in their place, and so the leadership of the Kingdom was placed in the capable hands of Commander Gregor Doran, leader of the Avernian Military. As the steward of Avern, he kept the city secure and the lands safe from the Scourge to the best of his ability, waiting for the day when King Aretain I would return to take the crown. That day never came, as Aretain never had an opportunity to return to his lands, and during a campaign in Pandaria in the year 30 A.W, he was killed by the Mogu and raised into a form of sentient undeath. With his only son Erys IV having been killed during the war with the Scourge, which had also claimed the lives of Prince Stephan and Prince Olias, there was no one left from Viktor's side of the family to take the crown.
Traditionally, when a King or Queen of Avern had perished with no heir, the crown would be transferred to a relative of the previous bloodline. As Avern did not care for the concept of Male Primogeniture, the crown should have passed to Jezebeth, Viktor's younger sister, who unlike other members of the Kingsmith family was a cruel, inhospitable woman who would no doubt rule Avern with a tyrannical iron fist. Not wanting such a fate to befall his people, Aretain, as his last act as King, decreed via a signed and sealed missive that the crown of Avern, and all of House Kingsmith's holdings, would pass to Zephon Carhagen, Aretain's godfather, who had accompanied Aretain on many of his campaigns against the enemies of the Alliance. This caused considerable chaos within Avern once Zephon arrived with the missive, as it not only took the crown from Jezebeth and her family but also much of her wealth and power. Swearing revenge, she and her daughters retreated into the mountains near Diescedar, something Zephon was content to let them do without interference, as many matters required his direct attention, and he could hardly devote time to chasing down an older woman and her daughters for a slight threat.
Following the coronation, Zephon finally turned his attention to the internal matters of the Kingdom, chief among them the Scourge forces which remained in his lands. Despite the death of the Lich King several years prior, remnants of the Scourge and the Cult of the Damned had hunkered down in the region of Highmark. Initial forays against them were fruitless, as the undead quickly proved themselves to be almost impossible to push out, which unfortunately led to Zephon being forced to search for aid from the various factions which had a presence in the nearby regions. Sadly he could find no one to aid him and hope of pushing out the Scourge seemed to dwindle with each passing month, that was until a merchant's vessel arrived in his waters, bringing goods to trade along with emissaries that belonged to an order known as the Sword Knights of Aella. The emissaries, who were truly warrior-priests similar in nature to the Paladins of the Silver Hand, offered to assist Zephon with his undead problem if he, in turn, agreed to initiate trade negotiations and potential alliance talks with the Luxerois Federation, from where the merchant's ship had initially set sail. Zephon, seeing that few other options existed, agreed to the terms, and several months later, the forces of the Sword Knights of Aella and the military might of Avern would fight in a unified battle which would become known as the 'Battle of Bloody Justice'. The battle ended in victory for the allied coalition, with the Scourge and Cult forces being utterly decimated by the combined armies.
Following the end of the battle, Zephon remained true to his word as King and the Kingdom of Avern entered negotiations with the Luxerois Federation, establishing a lucrative trade agreement between the two nations. In the months that followed the Dutchy of Highmark became a bastion for the Sword Knights of Aella, with the construction of Sword Keep beginning over the blighted battlegrounds where the combined armies had fought and bled together and the religion of the Imbringen Islands known as the Twenty Gods was adopted by the population. Zephon was named 1st Sword Knight of the Lordaeron branch by the senior-most leader of the Sword Knights, 1st Sword Knight Karleigh Marquos, and as a means of unifying the Kingdom of Avern with the Sword Knights of Aella, Zephon signed a royal decree which changed the title of the ruling monarch of the Kingdom of Avern to the rank of Swordmaster.
The 4th War and the Desolation of Avern[]
By the year 32 A.W the Kingdom of Avern was at peace, despite the turmoil that occurred in the world around it. Swordmaster Carhagen had not been idle, answering the threats to the world as he knew it in the best way he could. He sent his military to engage the Burning Legion when they invaded the Hinterlands and the regions of Kalimdor, although it cost him one of his arms, and when the Legion's invasion began in earnest on the Broken Shore, he set about establishing small outposts on the Broken Isles to force the Legion back, even leading a strike force to Argus to fight the Legion on their homeworld. Zephon did everything he could to preserve Azeroth, but it was the war that followed that truly tested his kingdom, his tolerance and his compassion.
By the year 33 A.W Zephon had established his kingdom as neutral ground. He had aided the forces of Azeroth against the Burning Legion freely and used many of his contacts within the Alliance to gain favours and the like, but while he worked with the Alliance personally, his military acted independently as a neutral force, attacking neither Alliance or Horde forces. His lands had become a refuge for those wishing to escape the constant conflicts between the factions. Unwilling to throw them into the fires of war that they had just escaped from, he chose to keep his forces withdrawn when the Horde set Teldrassil ablaze, and he did not send a single soldier to aid in the Siege of Lordaeron or the skirmishes that followed as the Alliance claimed territories of the Forsaken for the Alliance.
This, of course, raised many eyebrows, as Zephon at the time was still a Grand Marshal within the Alliance Military and Avern was still considered to be an ally of the Grand Alliance. Yet it would not remain that way for long. Wanting to put his people first, Zephon approached the newly crowned King Anduin and expressed his desire to remain neutral, for the benefit of his people. Granted leave of his position, he was allowed to withdraw his kingdom from the Alliance, under the strict conditions that neither he nor his forces ever raise a sword against Alliance forces, nor engage in any activity that opposed Alliance interests. Agreeing to the terms, Zephon withdrew Avern from the Grand Alliance, becoming a truly independent kingdom.
It was this change, however, that started the decline of Avern. Withdrawn from the Alliance, many of the trade contracts that Avern had established with the Alliance were cancelled by Alliance loyal merchants who considered Zephon's withdrawal to be an act of cowardice while others saw him as a traitor who harboured the Horde and gave them safe lands to settle. This was especially true among the Night Elves, many of whom were personally slighted by his unwillingness to send forces to save Teldrassil from the Horde. With trade becoming more difficult it was only a matter of time until someone made a move and attempted to right the apparent wrongs that Zephon had inflicted on the land, and this attempt came in the form of Jezebeth Kingsmith, the slighted sister to Viktor Kingsmith II. She had never forgiven her nephew and Zephon for their role in the erosion of House Kingsmith's power and authority within Avern, nor the theft of the crown from her noble head. A powerful witch in her own right, she chose this moment to use ancient scrolls that had been safeguarded by her family since the days of King Rahab. Reading from the scrolls and unleashing the power contained within, she released a curse upon Avern which caused the temperature to rapidly fall until the land outside was below freezing. Rivers froze, crops turned brittle and shattered and those caught in the frost froze to death without adequate protections. Seeing the growing threat for what it was, Zephon hunkered down in Avern, activating the city defences and encasing it in a shield of light which covered the city and protected it from the cold, but the rest of the nation was soon completely covered in ice and snow. Worse yet, magical rifts had appeared throughout the kingdom, likely a side effect from the curse which allowed powerful and dangerous creatures adapted to the new climate to emerge and while they avoided the settlements that survived, they laid waste to and established lairs in the wilds surrounding the settlements, causing the kingdom to become extremely inhospitable to any who dared to leave the protection of a walled town or city.
If that were not bad enough, the situation within the Kingdom only grew worse, for within the Archduchies of Highmark and Zacrela a new force dedicated to the void arose and took control over regions there. Soon to be known as the Triune of the Void, this force, and the Twilight Court that had waited in the shadows took advantage of the chaos and seized lands for themselves. Clashing with the forces loyal to Jezebeth, who had named herself Queen of the Frostveil Coven, the Triune of the Void condemned the territory they controlled to the void and the old gods, specifically N'zoth, who had risen after being released from his prison following the defeat of Queen Azshara. Still frozen along with the rest of the Kingdom, the territories controlled by the Triune also became blanketed in eternal night, and abominations unphased by the colder temperatures stalked and killed all those who had not dedicated themselves to the Triune.
Now cut off from any aid, Zephon and the soldiers that remain loyal to him, continue to wage war against both the Frostveil Coven and the Triune, yet it is clear to all that even if both of these corrupt factions are destroyed, that Avern will never return to the hospitable land it once was. It, like the other northern kingdoms, has fallen.
Relations[]
The Kingdom of Avern had for many long years been a major player in human politics, yet its influence has greatly waned with Zephon's withdrawal from the Alliance and the subsequent desolation of the Kingdom. Other nations now treat the Kingdom of Avern warily depending on their leanings, with the region having great potential for trade, especially under the rule of Queen Jezebeth but also maintaining a supernaturally enhanced military which could be mustered and used for conquest. Thankfully, the Kingdom is a slumbering giant, at least as far as external conquest is concerned, as Queen Jezebeth's attentions are focused on not only eliminating the Triune of the Void, but also the Avernian Remnants and the Sword Knights who remain in the region.
Despite the internal struggles, however, Avern is not without external enemies as well. Being the tyrant that she is, Queen Jezebeth was quick to annul the treaties that Avern had with the Luxerois Federation, which has greatly soured the relationship between the two nations while also propping up support and beginning negotiations with the Kingdom of Inferex which stressed relations with Luxerois even further. Other tense relationships include the Horde, who already had a tense relationship with the Kingdom of Avern due to the nation's history and the Alliance who remain at odds with the Kingdom, even more so now that it has collapsed and is ruled by Queen Jezebeth.
The collapse has also soured many of the friendly relationships that the Kingdom once had, although Queen Jezebeth has been quick to establish relations with other forces which are more in line with her personal beliefs. She has recently established ties with the Kingdom of Inferex, a nation which built upon the such debased practices like tyranny and slavery which keep the poorest and weakest among its citizens thoroughly oppressed. A tyrant herself, Jezebeth has since allowed Inferex ships into her harbours, and it is rumoured that she now accepts and trafficks in slaves, many of whom are former members of the Horde who found refuge in the region under Zephon Carhagen, but have no such protections under Jezebeth unless they're useful to her.
Other organizations have either withdrawn from Avern entirely or remain, but do so on a touch and go basis. The Cenarion Circle, Earthen Ring, Shado-Pan and Kirin Tor have all since withdrawn since the desolation occurred although the Ethereal Protectorate and Steemwheedle Cartel remain, led by Trade-Prince Galzinax and a rather mysterious goblin only known as 'Doc' respectfully.
Society[]
With the recent 'changes' in leadership within the Kingdom of Avern, the values of society have changed considerably. Within Avern itself, and among the Avernian Remnant, the values of the people remain as they always have, just and compassionate, with a focus on the arts and opera, although much of both have been lost since the fall of the Kingdom. Outside of the city, however, things are very different, often to a polarizing degree. Where once the Avernian people were prideful of their lot, now they live with humility and fear as the cold saps away at them daily. Yet they endure as best they can, the hardiness of their lot always visible, even in the most desolate of locales. Law and order are still paramount to their society, but where once the laws focused on being fair and just, now they are enforced by the cruel and the tyrannical, with entire villages put to the sword due to the defiance of one or two who refuse the will of tyrants. For those who rebel and are captured, death is perhaps the best fate they can think of, for slavery has become a pillar of Queen Jezebeth's reign, and slave markets can be found at the port cities, selling openly to the debased and the cruel who visit her shores.
Yet the people are not without their vices and their culture, despite the fear and hardship that they endure. The arts remain strongly appreciated within Avern, even among the lowborn serfs and commoners, although less is available to them due to the cold, as only the richest museums and opera halls were spared from the cold that has covered the region. The opera itself is still the most popular form of art, although, under Jezebeth's reign, much of the content has changed. Now opera can be heard in more infernal tongues, which makes many of the common folk uncomfortable, yet they dare not speak out, lest they end up in the markets to serve as chattel.
Religion remains another aspect of society which the Avernians attach themselves to but it too has changed since Jezebeth took control of the region. Where once the darker religions were hidden away in secret shrines, they are now practised openly, particularly in and around the slave markets and other locations of debased activities while religions that were once seen as good and holy are now hidden away and only practised by the most desperate of folk. This also means that celebrations are incredibly rare. Where once it was common to find a celebration on almost every day of the week in one corner of the kingdom or another, now the cheerful voices are silent or dead, and those voices that remain do not cheer on days of celebration, but mutter in depressed and fearful tones.
Avernian Timeline[]
The timeline for the Avernian people is a fairly simple one and has two direct measurements of time. As with the other nations surrounding them, they adopted the idea that the First War be considered the central point in the timeline, year 0, with all events occurring before the First War being marked with the letters B.W meaning Before the War, and all events after the First War being marked with the letters A.W meaning After the War.
Early History[]
2800 B.W - Commander Diesce establishes the city of Port Winterbreak and the farming settlement of Avern on the northern coast of what would become known as the Eastern Kingdoms.
2760 B.W - Trolls from the neighbouring Amani tribes begin raids on the newly established settlements. Some are fought back and stopped, but both settlements are significantly hampered.
2580 B.W - The Arathorian Empire sends soldiers to wipe out the remaining trolls in the region surrounding Avern and Port Winterbreak, hundreds of forest trolls are killed in the conflict and many villages and tribal sites are destroyed.
2576 B.W - The city of Diescedar is built and named in honour of Commander Diesce who helped create the frontier region.
2500 B.W - The Arathorian Empire officially declares Avern to be a political entity of the empire instead of a frontier settlement project.
2489 B.W - The Capital of Avern is moved from Port Winterbreak to Diescedar. This is mainly done as a means to further honour the late Commander Diesce, but the city of Diescedar is also built in a highly defensible region, which also assists in the making of this decision.
Conquest and Early Expansion[]
2289 B.W - Rahab I declares Avern's independence from the Arathorian Empire and becomes the first King of Avern. Within months, Rahab annexes the nearby settlements of Zacrela and Highmark. Arathorian influence within Avern and the surrounding region crumbles.
2150 B.W - Under the banner of Prince Kalios, the forces of Avern attempt to lay siege to the region of Alterac but are pushed back and defeated. Ashamed, Prince Kalios goes into exile on an island north of Port Winterbreak.
2130 B.W - Queen Elasia II dies of natural causes, passing the crown on to Prince Eranor, the newborn son of the Queen, who is named King but watched over by stewards until he comes of age.
The Warring Periods[]
1920 B.W - King Rahab III attempts to expand the Kingdom of Avern by beginning the War of Avernian Conquest. Avernian forces invade the region of Lordaeron.
1910 B.W - The Lordaeron forces are pushed back and lose the territory that will one day become known as the Western Plaguelands.
1883 B.W - Attempts to conquer Gilneas and Strom end with a stalemate as neither Avern or the invaded nations can push the other out. An uneasy peace is finally declared between the invaded nations and Avern.
"'1860 B.W'" - King Rahab III attempts to invade the elven lands of Quel'thalas but fails spectacularly. Elven rangers and magi decimate the Avernian forces until Rahab is forced to withdraw his forces.
1819 B.W - King Rahab III dies after a prolonged period of life, having lived to the magically-enhanced age of 103, he leaves the throne to his grand-daughter Queen Elasia III.
1810 B.W - Queen Elasia III officially ends the War of Avernian Conquest.
1747 B.W - Queen Elasia III dies at the age of 94 after a 72-year reign. The crown is passed to King Reynald I.
1690 B.W - King Reynald I dies in his sleep. The crown passes to his son, King Eranor II
1644 B.W - King Eranor II dies during a hunting trip, after having his throat torn out by a wolf. His daughter, Queen Lucia I takes the throne.
The Avernian Civil War[]
1620 B.W - Queen Lucia I brings about sweeping reforms, causing anger among the populace and inadvertently helps start the Avernian Civil War.
1617 B.W - The Avernian Civil War begins when nobles of House Gaspar and House Kingsmith come to blows. Within months half the noble houses of Avern are involved in the escalating conflict.
1567 B.W - Queen Lucia I is assassinated, the Civil War escalates as nobles scramble for the crown and the power it provides. In the ensuing battles, House Gaspar is crushed by the forces loyal to House Kingsmith, and the remaining nobles unite behind House Davalos.
1557 B.W - Lordaeron takes advantage of the Avernian Civil War and invades the southern regions of the kingdom that were claimed by Rahab III during the War of Avernian Conquest.
1556 B.W - Avernian forces withdraw from the Hinterlands and move to reinforce the core regions of the Kingdom.
1550 B.W - House Kingsmith defeats House Davalos during a failed siege on the city of Avern. With all major resistance crushed, House Kingsmith claims the crown of Avern and places their first king, King Erys I on the throne which is moved from Diescedar to Avern.
1560 B.W - King Erys I adopts an isolationist policy, focusing on improving Avern rather than antagonizing their neighbours. This policy is kept in place for centuries with no contact is made with outside nations for 380 years.
1557 B.W - King Erys I is assassinated by agents of what is left of House Davalos. His successor, Erys II, immediately targets and executes every last surviving member of House Davalos, and strikes their name from the history books of Avern.
1472 B.W - King Erys II dies from illness, his daughter Queen Abrosia I takes the throne.
1430 B.W - Queen Abrosia is killed under suspicious circumstances. Her cousin, Markus I takes the throne and declares himself King.
1360 B.W - King Markus I vanishes and is never heard from again. Rumours swirl that he was assassinated by a third party but these rumours are never validated. King Erys III, the son of Queen Abrosia I takes the throne.
1270 B.W - King Erys III dies of old age, having reigned over Avern for 90 years. His son, King Rikard II takes the throne.
1210 B.W - King Rikard II dies while feasting at the dinner table, leaving the throne to his son, King Viktor I.
1180 B.W - King Viktor I breaks the isolationist policy of his ancestors and reaches out to the newly formed kingdoms in the surrounding areas, offering trade and friendship. Quel'thalas refuses to engage in trade, but the human kingdoms, especially Lordaeron, Gilneas, Kul-Tiras and Dalaran all begin trading with Avern. These trade deals mark the beginning of a peaceful period between the human nations which lasts for over a millennium.
1130 B.W - King Viktor I dies peacefully. He is recorded as the last of the Kingsmith line to die of natural causes. The throne passes to his cousin, Teristas I.
1100 B.W - The murder of King Teristas I by his brother, Markus II marks the beginning of the Age of Sudden Kingship. This period in history is marked with multiple short reigns as the Kingsmith family uses various methods to kill off their rivals to secure power for themselves.
10 B.W - The Age of Sudden Kingship ends with the death of King Vladimir I and the start of the reign of King Viktor II, no other member of the Kingsmith family is killed by a political rival but throughout the millennium that passed, over thirty kings and queens of Avern were killed, either through prepared 'accidents' or direct assassination.
The Rise of House Carhagen[]
0 B.W / A.W - The First War begins in Stormwind. Avern does not hear about the conflict until refugees from the Kingdom arrive in Lordaeron.
6 A.W - The Second War begins. King Viktor II places his military support behind the Kingdom of Lordaeron. Battles are waged across the eastern kingdoms, with King Viktor II personally leading the Avernian military alongside his best friend and Captain of the Avernian Guard, Zephon Carhagen.
8 A.W - The Second War ends for the Kingdom of Avern, King Viktor returns to Avern to lead. His sons all join the Alliance military in some fashion, with Zephon Carhagen being sent to watch over the eldest, Prince Aretain I to ensure his safety.
20 A.W - The events of the Third War begin. Prince Arthas Menethil unleashes the Scourge on Lordaeron which kills King Viktor II and Queen Lucretia III. Prince Aretain I is named King but cannot take the throne as he continues to fight the Scourge in Lordaeron. The Kingdom of Avern is placed under the stewardship of Commander Gregor Doran who holds the crown in trust until King Aretain can return to lead.
30 A.W - The Pandaria Campaign begins. King Aretain I is slain by the Mogu and reanimated into undeath. Unwilling to see his lands under the control of his tyrant of an aunt. Aretain passes the crown to his Godfather, Zephon Carhagen, making Zephon the King of Avern. Chaos is caused in Avern as a result of this change with Jezebeth Kingsmith, sister to Viktor II, enraged. She flees with her daughters, swearing revenge.
31 A.W - King Zephon I seeks aid to remove the remnants of the Scourge and the Cult of the Damned that remained in his lands following the events of the Third War. He is unable to gain assistance from any of the local factions. Emissaries from the Sword Knights of Aella arrive in Avern and promise aid on the condition that Zephon reach out to the Luxerois Federation, which Zephon agrees to do. Several months later the Sword Knight and Avernian forces unite in the 'Battle of Bloody Justice' which eliminates the Scourge presence from the region. Following the destruction of the Scourge forces, King Zephon institutes the religion of the Twenty Gods of Imbringen as the official religion of Avern but does not forbid the worship of other religions, giving the people the freedom to pick and choose what they wish to worship. He designates Sword Keep as the primary headquarters of the Lordaeron branch of the Sword Knights of Aella and changes the title of the monarchy from King / Queen to Swordmaster / Swordmistress.
32 A.W - The Legion invades Azeroth and Swordmaster Carhagen rallies the military power of Avern and the Sword Knights to push back against the invading armies. Outposts are established on the Broken Isles and military gains and losses are suffered throughout the gruelling campaign, including a lengthy campaign on the demon world of Argus. By years end the Legion is defeated and a new conflict begins to bubble to the surface in Silithus. Seeing tensions rise between the Alliance and the Horde, but wanting no involvement in the conflict to come, Swordmaster Carhagen withdraws from the Alliance and officially declares the Kingdom of Avern to be independent.
33 A.W - Jezebeth Kingsmith reads from ancient scrolls in an attempt to take revenge on House Carhagen for usurping the power and authority of the Kingsmith House. The resulting magic curses Avern and turns it into a desolate icy wasteland filled with monsters and other foul creatures which Jezebeth declares as hers, crowning herself Queen. During the chaos, Zephon Carhagen activates Avern's defences, covering the city in a shield of light to protect it, while in the western reaches of the Kingdom, the Triune of the Void and the Twilight Court take control, dedicating themselves to the Old Gods, although more specifically N'zoth.
Geographic Location & Architecture[]
The major settlement of Port Winterbreak.
The Kingdom of Avern lies on the northernmost coast of the Eastern Kingdoms, in a region that borders what is now known as the Western and Eastern Plaguelands. It is a large landmass which at one point contained many forests, verdant plains, and mountainous regions which dominate the southern reaches of the Kingdom. However since the curse was unleashed on the Kingdom, it is now little more than frost and ice. The forests are all but frozen solid, along with the lakes and rivers. The verdant farmlands are barren, the crops long since dead. Even the great bay that was once a powerful trade port is solid ice, although there are laneways which are cleaned by magic to allow some ships to pass through.
Architecturally, Avern and the surrounding settlements are very industrial. Buildings and bridges are constructed out of wood or brick although many are now permanently covered with frost or snow. Factories that produce weapons and armour cough up plumes of smoke into the air when the furnaces burn and the sounds of machinery can often be heard running throughout the day and especially at night when many of the workers in the factories crowd around them seeking warmth from the bitter cold.
Geographically, the kingdom was originally divided into seven regions or archduchies, although that has since changed. Now the kingdom is divided into territories controlled by either the Frostveil Coven or the Triune of the Void. These territories, made up from the former archduchies are:
The Frostveil Coven[]
- The Archduchy of the Heartland (Only Avern remains uncontrolled by the Coven)
- The Archduchy of Diescedar
- The Archduchy of Wintermark
- The Archduchy of Otharburg
- The Archduchy of Hollowmoot
The Triune of the Void[]
- The Archduchy of Zacrela
- The Archduchy of Highmark (Only Sword Keep remains uncontrolled by the Triune)
Under the current land divisions, there would normally be seven Archdukes or Archduchesses within the Kingdom of Avern, one for each of Archduchies that exist within the region, although now that the land has changed hands, many of the former Archdukes and Duchesses have lost their positions and authority with other leaders being appointed in certain cases. The leaders of each region are as follows:
Avern[]
- Swordmaster Zephon Carhagen - Avern
The Frostveil Coven[]
- Queen Jezebeth Kingsmith - Diescedar
- Princess Aurelia Kingsmith - Wintermark
- Princess Morgana Kingsmith - Otharburg
- Princess Yasmina Kingsmith - Hollowmoot
The Triune of the Void[]
- Archduke Andreas Markgraaf - Zacrela
- Archduke Helmar Bukhalov - Highmark
The Races, Fashion and Food of the Duchy[]
Several races inhabit the Kingdom of Avern and manage to keep it running at a decent pace, all things considered. While under Swordmaster Zephon there were no racial requirements to settle within the lands that the Kingdom controlled, under Queen Jezebeth being able to settle is much more restrictive, if not downright impossible. Humans, Dwarves, Gnomes and High Elves make up the bulk of the current residents under the Queen's reign with other races not being nearly as common. Night Elves and Draenei, at least those that remain are often captured and sold as slaves and the races that make up the former soldiers of the Horde such as Trolls, Blood Elves, Orcs, Goblins, Tauren, and Forsaken are more often than not put to the sword, although many have proven themselves useful (especially among the Goblins) and either serve the Queen as loyal subjects or serve other families as slaves.
This of course changes within the capital itself, which is still rumoured to be governed by Zephon, where all races are treated equally, and it also changes within the Archdutchies of Zacrela and Highmark where there are no racial restrictions, provided they are loyal to the Triune or the Twilight Court.
Fashion has also changed considerably. Where once the only restrictions were to prevent indecent exposure, now restrictions are heavily enforced if only to ensure that those who struggle to survive in the Kingdom don't freeze to death. Thick garments are extremely common, and many races with long extremities (such as elves with their ears or Draenei with their tails) have such things hidden by swaths of cloth to prevent frostbite from causing problems.
As far as food is concerned, the meals within the Kingdom are scarce, to say the least. Basic food supplies which were once common such as bread, cheese, potatoes, and, onions are now imported via trade and distributed on a 'needs' basis, which often leads to many individuals going hungry, although not to the point of starvation. Fresh meat is a rare delicacy that is extremely expensive if it is not fish, as most livestock within the kingdom were killed by the bitter cold and only the richest individuals can afford fresh meat cuts from trade. For drinks, the most common drink is simple water, often melted from ice that is collected from frozen rivers or lakes. As with meat, beer and spirit blends are extremely expensive due to import costs, although strong moonshine can be found in the bars and taverns that remain open, giving those desperate for a hard drink something to wet the tongue and dull the senses.
The Landscape of Avern[]
The Landscape of Avern is divided into seven regions, each with major settlements, as well as a multitude of minor cities, villages and hamlets.
The Archduchy of the Heartland[]
The Archduchy of the Heartland was the name implied, the heart of the Kingdom of Avern before the cold desolated the region and it was considered for the longest time to be the most well-developed province within the Kingdom. Where once it was filled with fertile farmlands, vineyards and dairy fields it is now nothing more than barren icy fields, the white frost only being broken up by the occasional dead tree or ruined building. The Yedron, a once-grand river which provided fresh water to the region is now completely frozen over, providing no sustenance except for those who are desperate enough to carve out chunks of the ice for melting, and yet it is not all bad for the region, as the mines within the Granitepeak Mountains, which are still overseen by skilled dwarven craftsmen and stonemasons yield various precious metals, ores, jewels and stone including silver, gold, iron and marble which is sent to the markets whenever the cold allows.
With the river frozen over, trade in the region is now handled by land routes which lead to Port Winterbreak, the primary coastal settlement of the Kingdom. Additionally, there are two land routes into the Archduchy which handle trade from outside the kingdom. These are known as the Trader's Pass and the Granitepeak Pass. The Trader's pass leads through the mountains, and at one point into them through wide tunnels, into the Kingdom of Lordaeron, while the Granitepeak Pass provides a land route into the Elven realm of Quel'thalas. Both passes were guarded by the Avernian Fortresses of Hammerpeak and Helmdorf respectfully, which were initially built by Queen Lucia I but were left unfinished after her assassination. Following the end of the Avernian Civil War, both fortresses were completed by King Erys I as a means to prevent any invasions from the still angered nations of Quel'thalas and Lordaeron, although neither nation attempted to invade and they did not see much in the way of military action until the Second and Third Wars. With the intense cold and eternal winter that now covers the Kingdom, only Trader's Pass remains open, yet the bitter cold ensures that very few if any individuals pass into the Kingdom via that route.
Locations of Note[]
Avern: The former capital of both the Archduchy of the Heartland and the Kingdom of Avern, since the reign of Queen Jezebeth it has been covered in a shield of light with no visible way in or out. Rumoured to be governed by Swordmaster Zephon Carhagen and the Avernian Remnant, it was also the home of the Archduke Council, where all the Archdukes assembled to discuss important affairs of state, though no such meetings have occurred since the desolation.
Tescani: A small town which was the home to the Tescani Asylum, a place which housed patients who are either mentally ill or criminally insane. After Queen Jezebeth took over control of the region she sold those within who were still capable, including the staff of the facility before turning the Asylum into an internment camp where individuals captured for slavery are 'broken in' to serve their new masters.
Vrancea: An ancient fortress city that was initially built by the Arathorian Empire. It was sacked by King Rahab I during the early days of his push for independence and became a modest settlement and popular destination for historians up until the desolation. Now it is nothing more than a frozen ruin. Rumours, however, circulate that the ruins of the fortress city are haunted or inhabited by all manner of foul creatures.
Cidreag: A major, well-guarded trading settlement that was established at the foot of the Granitepeak Mountains. It is home to the dwarves who work the mines of the region and stores all mined goods before they are sent to other markets. Given the raw amount of wealth that this settlement holds on to, it is one of the most heavily guarded settlements in the Archduchy and remains so even after the fall of the kingdom to the curse. Of interest to scouts is the fact that the dwarven guards that control the settlement do not seem to swear loyalty to any of the major factions that fight over Avern, but appear to be completely independent, making Cidreag quite an anomaly.
The Archduchy of Diescedar[]
The Archduchy of Diescedar was seen to many in Avern, as one of the vital regions of the Kingdom. If the Archduchy of the Heartland was considered to be the brains of the Kingdom, then the Archduchy of Diescedar was the beating heart which brought life and trade into the entire Kingdom. Now the Archduchy is the primary bastion of the Frostveil Coven and while it is still considered to be the main hub of industry and engineering for the entire region, the work is now done by the impoverished or slaves. Pincered between the Granitpeak Mountains to the east and Blackspear Mountain to the west, the land that Diescedar is built on was chosen not for its industrial potential, but rather for its defensive qualities, although exploration and prospecting in the region uncovered much more than just a defensible location. Mines in the region uncovered not only vast quantities of iron but also rich veins of mithril, thorium and sulphur which boosted the industrial expansion of the Archduchy. Sadly while the mines still provide a great deal for the archduchy, the desolation has all but destroyed the local fur trade as few hunters remain who are keen to hunt in the bone-shattering cold that surrounds the region.
If one were to travel to Diescedar today, they would quickly find themselves surrounded by the titans of industry, although where there were once men and women proud to work, now they are forced to, often with the whips of overseers lashing their backs. The forges of Diescedar work day and night creating powerful weapons and armour for the Frostveil Coven to use or sell, along with black powder weaponry, artillery and even major weapons of war. It is the home to the Avernian Engineer's Guild, the Avernian Gunnery School and Carrington Arms, one of the largest weapon suppliers in the north.
Locations of Note[]
Diescedar City: Once considered to be the heart of all industry and engineering in Avern, the Desolation saw Diescedar City turned into the capital of the Frostveil Coven. It is ruled by Queen Jezebeth, who governs with an iron fist and a stinging whip.
Berestye: Once a medium-sized settlement nestled in the forests surrounding the Blackspear Mountain, the village of Berestye was razed to the ground by Queen Jezebeth when its inhabitants, led by the former Archduchess of the region, attempted to rebel against the Coven. Now all that remains of the village are iced-over ruins and frozen corpses, the dead not even given a proper burial, which has allowed all manner of scavengers to establish their lairs as they feast on the frozen remains.
Lazuri: A bustling and well-guarded port settlement, Lazuri is the home of the warehouses of Carrington Arms, the Avernian Gunnery School and the Avernian Engineer's guild. Shipments of weapons, armour and artillery are sent via ship to other regions of the Kingdom and beyond. Now ruled by Queen Jezebeth, nothing much has changed at Lazuri save for additional warehouses having been built to house captured slaves before they are sold on the open markets.
The Archduchy of Wintermark[]
The Archduchy of Wintermark is the home of Port Winterbreak, the largest coastal settlement in the Kingdom of Avern. A primary trade hub, it exists as the entry point for all sea-bound trade coming into and leaving the Kingdom and it is a task that the people of Port Winterbreak take very seriously with inspectors rigorously checking all incoming and outgoing goods to ensure that no illegal goods are being smuggled into or out of the region. It is also the home of the Avernian Shipyards and Military Dockyards.
The primary industries outside of trade flowing in or out of the Archduchy is fishing and shipbuilding. Fishmongers on the docks sell their freshest produce while doing their best to adhere to the demands of Princess Aurelia although it is not easy. While she has a warmer heart than her mother and is not as strict, she is still known for her cruelty if she is wronged and for that reason, those in the town are careful not to displease her.
Locations of Note[]
Port Winterbreak: The largest coastal settlement in the Kingdom and the home of the sea-trade and Avernian Navy, it is ruled by Princess Aurelia of the Frostveil Coven. As with her mother, she rules with an iron fist, although she is slightly more tolerant of mistakes than the Queen herself. Under her rule, Port Winterbreak established multiple slave markets and allowed the creation of an Embassy for the Kingdom of Inferex and the Knights of the Lash, who protect their interests, mostly slaves, from any outside interference.
Giseladorf: A coastal settlement built near a large number of rock pools and reefs, Giseladorf is a fishing village that specializes in the capture and sale of local oysters and lobsters. It also has a small pearl industry which helps keeps the village afloat, especially during off-seasons. Following the desolation, it has been rumoured that a group of freedom fighters is operating out of Giseladorf, but despite multiple raids by both Princess Aurelia and the Queen, no evidence of the group has been found, which is the only thing that has allowed the village to remain standing.
The Archduchy of Otharburg[]
The Archduchy of Otharburg is one with a somewhat troubled history. Originally formed during the foundation of the Kingdom, it was ruled by House Davalos up until the Avernian Civil War which saw House Davalos opposed to House Kingsmith. The resulting war saw House Davalos crushed and that would have been the end of it, however, assassins from the noble house cornered and murdered King Erys I which sparked a demand for retribution from his son, the newly crowned King Erys II who immediately targeted the Archduchy of Otharburg and sent in his forces to purge the region of any members of House Davalos and its agents. The resulting events were cumulatively known as the Davalos Massacre and saw the streets of Otharburg run red with blood. To this day, Otharburg remains a shadow of its former self, as the surviving citizens, centuries onward, are reminded constantly of the time when the King of Avern purged their lands with blood and fire and have never truly given up their resentment of the ruling class that aided the massacres. While future Kings and Queens of Avern did try to mend fences with the citizens of Otharburg, it was never truly enough, which is perhaps why the region devoted themselves to the Frostveil Coven as a means of rebellion against the Avernian leadership.
Locations of Note[]
Otharburg: The capital of the Archduchy, Otharburg is a decently sized settlement, but far from what it once was during its prime. Ruled by Princess Morgana, she took command of the city effortlessly, forcing out the former Archduchess and her loyal supporters without much effort, although there was more than enough blood spilled in the doing. As for the former Archduchess, known as the 'Black Baroness', very little has been heard of her, although rumours state that she is within Avern, aiding the citizens and acting as Zephon's spymaster.
Androchel: A small settlement located in the vast plains of Otharburg Fields, Androchel was the home of the Otharburg Stables, which bred horses for the Avernian military and nobles alike. Sadly the curse, when it ripped through the region, caused all the horses, even the ones not exposed directly to the elements, to freeze to death and so the stables have since been abandoned, with any surviving employees of the stables finding refuge elsewhere.
Sirenea: A small settlement located near the Otharburg Woods, this logging settlement provides a healthy amount of lumber which is sent to both the Archduchy of Wintermark and other Archduchies around the Kingdom. Since the desolation, demand for lumber has swiftly increased, but sadly the number of workers willing to go into the Otharburg Woods are few, given that the woods are now home to extremely hostile creatures that feast on any they find wandering through the trees and scrub.
The Archduchy of Zacrela[]
The Archduchy of Zacrela, of all the Archduchies in the kingdom, has the worst reputation. It was the ancestral home of the Kingsmith family before they moved to the Heartlands, and it still has strong ties to the ancient family even to this day. Located to the far west of the kingdom, deep within the region known as the Ash Forest, the Archduchy is dogged with accusations that the upper ruling class and many of the nobles have turned to the dark arts of necromancy and the void to gain power. And while they were naught but rumours before the desolation, they became indisputable fact afterwards when the region devoted themselves to the Triune of the Void.
Locations of Note[]
Castle Zacrela: Castle Zacrela is the capital of the region and the location where the Triune of the Void and the Twilight Court rule over the regions they control. Once the home of the noble Kingsmith house, the region was given to the stewards that were loyal to the family after they moved to the Heartlands. During the reign of the Kingsmith line, the stewards were elevated into true nobility, and they became the caretakers of the castle and its surrounding lands, including the many mausoleums and funeral cities that were built in the region.
The castle and surrounding lands, once ruled by Archduke Andreas Markgraaf, are now controlled by the Triune of the Void and the Twilight Court, of which Andreas Markgraaf is a devoted member.
Voetenu: Voetenu is a medium-sized town located on the border of the Archduchy and exists to serve as the entry point. All roads into and out of Zacrela run through Voetenu, and it is here where funeral parlours and cathedrals can be found to honour and prepare the dead before they are taken to the mausoleums and funeral cities located in the Ash Forest.
Valchid: Valchid is not a settlement in its own right, but exists as a collection of mausoleums which serve as burial sites for the deceased of the kingdom. Covering a wide area, there are at least a thousand mausoleums located within the area in various conditions, from extremely old and decrepit to freshly carved and maintained. The region is looked after by the Ghost Monks of Valchid, once an order of caretakers, but now converted into an order of necromancers who use the corpses of the interred for their dark rituals.
Dranov: Dranov is one of many Funeral Cities located in Zacrela and is by far the largest of them. Compromised of many large towers which are in a constant state of construction, within the funeral cities of Zacrela, the dead are interred both above and below ground, with massive networks of caverns and chambers, all housing the dead in one fashion or another.
The Archduchy of Highmark[]
The Archduchy of Highmark is one of the oldest territories within the Kingdom of Avern, as it was one of the first conquered by King Rahab I along with the Archduchies of Wintermark and Hollowmoot. A small region nestled on the plains near the Archduchies of Wintermark and Yedron, it was once known for its grain shipments but after the Scourge invaded during the Third War the grain fields of Highmark were forever tainted and abandoned. Rather than grain, the region is now known for being the site of the Battle of Bloody Justice and for the presence of the Sword Knights of Aella who have established a fortress-monastery in the region. Following the desolation, the region, as with the Archduchy of Zacrela, devoted themselves to the Triune of the Void, save for the remaining Sword Knights who inhabit their keep that is constantly under siege.
Locations of Note[]
Highmark: Highmark is the regional capital and is a heavily-fortified city that sits in the shadow of Sword Keep, the fortress-monastery constructed by the Sword Knights of Aella to serve as their primary headquarters in the Kingdom. The city and the Archduchy beyond are ruled by the Triune of the Void and the Twilight Court, of which the former Archduke, Helmar Bukhalov is a devoted member. Rumours state that Helmar may be one of the leaders of the Triune, as the faith of the Old Gods was allowed to spread under his watch, an act that he aided while seeing to his duties as the Arch-Lector of the Kingdom.
Sword Keep: The fortress-monastery of the Sword Knights of Aella. This massive fortress is constructed from purified white marble and shines like a beacon when hit by the rays of the sun. Within the fortress, the Sword Knights of Aella train, pray, eat and sleep, all while serving their goddess, Aella. Forges within work day and night, forging the powerful weapons and armour used by the Sword Knights in battle, and the Cathedrals within use resonance crystals to play uplifting music with strong beats for those who choose to enter within the holy halls. All of these activities continue now that the region has fallen to the frost and the void, as Sword Keep is one of the last remaining bastions of purity that exists within the entirety of Avern, the only other place being the capital itself. What forces remain within the Keep fight every day to survive. Their forces harried by not only soldiers dedicated to the Triune, but also those dedicated to the Coven, although thankfully for the few that remain, both the Triune and the Coven are also at war with each other, and most skirmishes often end with the two major forces wiping each other out, rather than uniting against their common enemy.
The Bloody Fields: This pockmarked and damaged region of the Archduchy was where the forces of the Scourge dug in during the battles that were waged during the Third War. When Zephon Carhagen returned from Pandaria as the new King of Avern he and the Avernian military attempted to break the undead, but to no avail, as their position was too strong. It wasn't until the Sword Knights of Aella arrived from across the sea, that circumstances began to change. With a combined army and units specifically designed to crush the undead and all other evil creatures, the Sword Knights and the Avernian Army crushed the Scourge in what became known as the Battle of Bloody Justice. Many Sword Knights and Avernians lost their lives on that field, and so the Sword Knights chose a nearby location to build their fortress-monastery of Sword Keep so that they could keep an eternal watch on the former battlefield, and keep it preserved so that those who see it in the future know what happened at that very spot.
The Archduchy of Hollowmoot[]
The Archduchy of Hollowmoot was unique within the entire Duchy as it existed as an almost exclusive home for shorter races, specifically dwarves, gnomes and goblins. Located in a region nestled between the Archduchies of Wintermark and Diescedar, it was land that possessed an extremely fertile soil, which made it vital for the growing of food that fed large regions of the Kingdom. Sadly with the desolation, the fertile fields that once provided so much in the way of crops and tobacco have since become unworkable, and many of the inhabitants of the villages have either been killed or sold into slavery, leaving the Archduchy to be nothing more than a shadow of what it once was.
Locations of Note[]
Livadea: The regional capital of Hollowmoot and the main hub of trade in the region. It is ruled by Princess Yasmina, who despises the shorter races, seeing them as inferior to her in every possible way. Her cruelty is far worse than even her mothers, and so it comes as no surprise that she actively enjoys the depraved acts of torture and slavery, often engaging directly in public displays of the former, which often end in bloody, gore-filled messes when she's done with her 'toys'.
Rothberg: A large settlement located at the mouth of a series of caves. Rothberg is the mushroom capital of Hollowmoot. The caves are heavily used by mushroom farmers who grow produce large enough to feed a family for a week from a single mushroom. Sheltered from the cold, it survived the desolation mostly unscathed and has thankfully been ignored by Princess Yasmina, although the smallfolk who live in the village have done their best to keep a low profile.
Barcani: A small settlement located on the border of Hollomoot. The owner of the fields around Barcani, Copper Hollowpipe, was a master tobacco farmer and before the desolation, provided enough tobacco through his fields for not only his personal use but also the rest of the kingdom and beyond. Now his fields are ruined, as is his trade, yet he stubbornly holds onto his lands and resists any attempts by outsiders to make him move, regardless of the reason.
The Avernian Military[]
The Avernian Military was formed up from a combination of loyal soldiers and knights, who either served in the Avern Military directly or worked with Swordmaster Carhagen as part of the Sword Knights of Aella. Once loyal to the Swordmaster and the Swordmaster alone, now the army, much like the Kingdom itself, has split into factions, each loyal to their masters. The Avernian Military as a whole demands excellence from its high expenditure, so each soldier is well armed and armoured, and ready for service at a moments notice. The units within the Avern Military are as follows:
Infantry[]
- Sentinel: The Sentinels are part of the rank and file of the Avernian Military Infantry and are considered to be the front line of any engagement fought by the Kingdom either in defence or offence. As such they are equipped in a fashion that allows them to excel at their chosen duty often to perfection as is expected. Each Sentinel wears a standard set of steel armour, although this is customized so that it fits the size of the wearer and consists of a breastplate (worn over a chain shirt), cuisse, gauntlets, greaves and a curved great helm to protect the face. For weapons, what they are given changes depending on what role they are needed to perform on the battlefield. They can come equipped with the following:
- A longsword and medium-sized heraldic shield.
- A single spear that is used in both hands.
- A short spear and medium-sized heraldic shield.
- A large two-handed halberd.
- Greatsword Legionnaire: The Greatsword Legionnaires are elite soldiers of the Avernian Military. Each Legionnaire is a fully armoured soldier, garbed from head to toe in heavy steel plate. Trained by Blademasters, a profession which was first mastered by the Orcs, the Legionnaires wade into battle with large double-edged greatswords which they wield with deadly precision and ferocity.
- Captains: The Captains of the Avernian Military are the commanding officers of each armed force. They are the best of the best, skilled not only in the art of killing the enemy but also in leading men into battle and directing them as needed. Each Captain is equipped with a Warhammer, which they wield with brutal efficiency and is protected with a full suite of plate armour, much like the Greatsword Legionnaires.
Ranged Infantry[]
- Crossbowmen: As the name implies the crossbowmen are the ranged support in the Avernian Military. They are more lightly armoured compared to their fellow soldiers on the front lines, with the only steel present on their bodies being a breastplate (worn over a chain shirt) and a sallet to cover the head. The rest of their armour is constructed from leather brigandine and includes a set of boots, gauntlets and a set of leggings. Often staying far behind the front line infantry, the crossbowmen provide fire support from their signature weapon, the crossbow. Constructed from fine wood and steel, each crossbow is a lever-actioned device capable of being reloaded at a relatively quick rate. While slower than the standard bow, each crossbow bolt is fired with considerable strength and easily able to pierce through the heavy armour or thick skin of most enemy combatants. Should an enemy get close, however, they are not entirely defenceless, with each crossbowman being able to draw a short sword for protection in the melee.
- Handgunners: Another form of ranged infantry support provided to the Avernian Military, Handgunners are well armoured. Well-crafted steel covers their body, protecting as many of the vital areas as possible. When engaged in battle, the Gunners will form ranks, between two to four depending on how many gunners are available. Once they've assembled and the enemy is in range, they will fire volley after volley of high impact steel shot. Should the enemy start to close in on the ranks of the gunners, several well-armed and armoured defenders will move to cover them, blocking the advance of the soldiers with long a wall of sharp pikes until the formation is ready to fire again.
Cavalry[]
- Knight: The Knights are the cavalry of the Avernian Military. Heavily armoured with what could be considered a full set of steel plate, they excel at charging into battle with a heavy, reinforced lance. Each thrust from the rider's lance can break through shields and armour alike, the force of the weapon carried not only by the thrust from the Knights lance arm but also from the momentum provided by the horse itself. For added protection, each Knight is equipped with a large kite shield. Once they engage in the melee and find the larger weapon unusable, they can discard it and draw a well-crafted long sword for close-range fighting while remaining on horseback.
- Avernian Guard: Knights who are brought into the direct service of the Swordmaster of Avern are promoted into a unique corps known as the Avernian Guard. As they are directly responsible for the safety of the Swordmaster they are given the best magical armour and weapons, and even their horses are fully armoured to the point where they could charge into a rank of spearmen without suffering much in the way of direct casualties.
- Pistoliers: The Pistoliers are a basic form of ranged cavalry consisting of young, relatively unseasoned riders. Equipped with basic light plate armour, they ride into battle on the back of their horses while wielding two single-shot pistols. Once shot, the pistols need to be reloaded, so the pistoleer must be skilled enough to reload the pistol while riding at speed. This means that they must adopt skirmish tactics, with the riders urging their horses away from the enemy until they've reloaded and can fire again.
- Outriders: Once a pistoleer has earned their stripes and served for a time, they are promoted into the ranks of the Outriders. These men and women are some of the best riders in the Avernian Military, having proved themselves capable of directing a horse while reloading their weapons with ease. Once a Pistolier has been promoted into the Outrider Corps they are given access to new weapons created by the Avernian Gunnery School such as:
- A repeater rifle which does not require to be reloaded after a single shot, allowing for multiple rounds to be fired at the enemy.
- A powerful single-shot mortar cannon which delivers a powerful explosive blast, but can only be fired once before needing to be reloaded.
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- Longship: The Aboleth Class Longship is a long but relatively thin boat with a single mast and a square sail. The relatively flat base of the boat allows for it to travel up rivers that larger boats would be unable to move along. This in itself gives the soldiers within more freedom and allows them to sail upriver to plan ambushes and raids against enemy forces. Each longship has a single deck, with some storage, and is capable of holding a maximum of 40 soldiers. Because of its lightweight design, the Aboleth Class Longship does not hold weapons of any sort.
- Warship: The Marid Class Warship is a large ship designed for naval skirmishes. Each Marid Class Warship has two decks and is capable of holding 160 soldiers. Equipped for speed more than heavy combat, it is still quite well-armed, but not nearly as well as the Shaggoth Class Galley. The weapons on the Marid Class Warship are as follows:
- 20 Standard Cannons - These are set in banks of 10 on the port and starboard decks.
- 6 Heavy Cannons - These are set in banks of 3 on the port and starboard decks.
- Galley: The Shaggoth Class Galley is the largest ship the Avernian Military has in its arsenal thanks to the Sword Knights of Aella, with the superior nature of this galley outclassing the Orca Class which the Avernian Military had employed before allying with the Sword Knights. Each Shaggoth Class galley has three decks and can hold up to 250 soldiers. It is also extremely well-armed with each ship equipped with the following weaponry:
- 40 Standard Cannons - These are set in banks of 20 on the port and starboard decks.
- 12 Heavy Cannons - These are set in banks of 6 on the port and starboard decks.
- 1 Battering Ram - An optional armament designed for destroying ships on the open sea or sea-based fortifications like docking gates.
- 3 Firing Platforms - Another optional armament. Located on the fore, aft and amidships. These firing platforms are capable of holding a single standard cannon.
Air Support[]
- Armored Gryphons: Taken from the gryphon nests in the mountains of the region when they are young. The Armored Gryphons of the Avernian Military are trained from a young age to act as shock troops, a form of aerial cavalry. Equipped with fine armour, which protects the beast from most ranged weapons, the armoured gryphons swoop down on their opponents from above, raking them with their talons and beaks while their armoured riders shoot with bows or attack with the lance.
- Unarmored Gryphons: Far larger in number than the armoured gryphons, the unarmored gryphons serve as a form of mobile siege unit, and rarely if ever, leave Avern as a result. When called into service, the gryphons will fly over the enemy and drop large boulders or bombs onto the enemy in large numbers. This serves two purposes. It scatters or breaks up formations as the enemy need to react to falling debris, and it creates unstable terrain on the battlefield, making it more difficult for enemy cavalry to manoeuver.
Siege Weaponry[]
- Great Cannon: Almost identical to the cannons used by the Alliance military, the great cannons of Avern are usually larger than their alliance counterparts and are often crafted in multiple pieces which require assembly before they can be used. When fired, these cannons often release gouts of flame as the 30-pound cannonball is shot from the barrel, which has given the cannons the nickname of the 'Devil's Mouth'.
- Mortar: Resembling large cauldrons, the mortars of Avern act like dwarven mortars and deal damage by sending their ammunition in a high arc which can pass over troops and even castle walls. Due to the way the mortars fire their ammunition, this means that they are usually far from enemy lines, where they can fire their payloads without interruption.
- Rocket Battery: The Rocket Battery is a unique siege weapon that was created through a combined effort from the Avernian Gunnery School and the Avernian Engineers Guild. Created through the modification of a firework launcher, the Rocket Battery is upscaled and equipped with far more destructive 'fireworks'. Sadly the rockets fired from the Rocket Battery are not guided and have no magical assistance and as such, they can be highly inaccurate and oftentimes, dangerous, so to ensure that the Rocket Battery hits the target, the weapon has been designed so that it fires enough rounds so that accuracy is not a concern.
- Volley Gun: The Volley Gun is an extremely volatile piece of siege weaponry which has proven to be far more dangerous to its crew than the enemy that it's fired at. A large machine with twenty-seven barrels, the barrels are separated into three banks of nine, which are rotated around with a single crank. Due to the way the weapon is designed, it is not the most reliable weapon, and is prone to jamming, misfiring and explosively malfunctioning.
- Steam Tank: The pièce de résistance of the Avernian Gunnery School and Avernian Engineers Guild, the steam tank is a lumbering hulk of metal and firepower. It is slow to move but armoured in such a way that blows from standard weapons or average firearms bounce right off. The large wheels crush anything that it rolls over. The steam tank has two primary weapons, a large cannon on the front of the tank, and a rotating steam gun on the top of the tank which shoots gouts of scalding hot steam on any enemy that approaches the tank. Additionally, several viewports are on each side of the tank which can be opened allowing the crew to throw small explosives or use basic firearms while inside the tank.
Army Size[]
The Avernian Army is a large one, but rather than just being created from regiments of rank and file soldiers, the Army is split into smaller forces, each led by a Lord and supported by a Captain. The forces of the Avernian Army are often mixed so that there are no obvious holes that can be exploited by the enemy. Sadly with the desolation, the once largely united Avernian Military is now divided among the various factions which control the regions of Avern, although, before the desolation, the military of Avern was arranged thusly:
The Knights of the Raven[]
This army group is unique because it is the force that accompanies Swordmaster Carhagen into battle when he is involved in a full-scale war. The Knights of the Raven number 1,172 and consist of the following:
- Swordmaster Carhagen
- Archmage Alenor Rizen
- 450 Sentinels (270 with Swords, 180 with Spears)
- 270 Crossbowmen
- 135 Avernian Guard
- 135 Knights
- 180 Outriders (90 with Repeater Rifles, 90 with Mortar Cannons)
First Infantry Regiment: 1,620 Soldiers, 1 Officer
- Brigadier General Jordan Rainier
- 720 Sentinels (270 with Swords, 270 with Halberds, 180 with Spears)
- 270 Greatsword Legionnaires
- 360 Crossbowmen
- 180 Handgunners
- 90 Pistolliers
Second Infantry Regiment: 1,620 Soldiers, 1 Officer
- Colonel Elezabeth Hawes
- 720 Sentinels (270 with Swords, 270 with Halberds, 180 with Spears)
- 270 Greatsword Legionnaires
- 360 Crossbowmen
- 180 Handgunners
- 90 Pistolliers
Third Infantry Regiment: 1,620 Soldiers, 1 Officer
- Colonel Geoffrey Bryant
- 720 Sentinels (270 with Swords, 270 with Halberds, 180 with Spears)
- 270 Greatsword Legionnaires
- 360 Crossbowmen
- 180 Handgunners
- 90 Pistolliers
First Cavalry Cohort: 855 Soldiers, 1 Officer
- Lieutenant Colonel Allan Giffard
- 405 Knights
- 360 Outriders (180 with Repeater Rifles, 180 with Mortar Cannons)
- 90 Pistolliers
Second Cavalry Cohort: 855 Soldiers, 1 Officer
- Lieutenant Colonel Bridget Maleta
- 405 Knights
- 360 Outriders (180 with Repeater Rifles, 180 with Mortar Cannons)
- 90 Pistolliers
First Artillery Company: 50 Siege Weapons, 2 Officers
- Captain Harry Willmot
- Archmage Zebine Ivae
- 15 Mortars
- 15 Great Cannons
- 12 Rocket Batteries
- 6 Volley Guns
- 2 Steam Tanks
Second Artillery Company: 50 Siege Weapons, 2 Officers
- Major Cole Rolant
- Archmage Aurora Allabis
- 15 Mortars
- 15 Great Cannons
- 12 Rocket Batteries
- 6 Volley Guns
- 2 Steam Tanks
First Naval Fleet: 20 Ships, 1 Officer
- Admiral Marcus Hammond
- 10 Longships
- 7 Warships
- 2 Galleys
Second Naval Fleet: 20 Ships, 1 Officer
- Admiral Rodrick Barret
- 10 Longships
- 7 Warships
- 2 Galleys
Third Naval Fleet: 20 Ships, 1 Officer
- Admiral Dumah Thomlin
- 10 Longships
- 7 Warships
- 2 Galleys
First Air Regiment: 1305 Gryphons, 1 Officer
- Brigadier General Christopher Holger
- 405 Armored Gryphons
- 900 Unarmored Gryphons
Second Air Regiment: 1305 Gryphons, 1 Officer
- Colonel Richard Gaillard
- 405 Armored Gryphons
- 900 Unarmored Gryphons