Westphalia

Claimant: Marcus

General

Westphalia, as its name implies, is the westernmost human region in D'hennex. Once, it was the central capital for the unified An-Yneaith's religion, but ever since the fall of the Emerald Dragon, that soon changed. As it came to pass, these core beliefs faded from Westphalia, soon replaced by its own religion which was developed over time. Nowadays, it is something akin to a theocracy, governed strictly by the same individuals that preach their religion. It is also considered one of the friendlier human lands in the continent, often pushing for diplomatic solutions instead of outward battling, unlike some of the other regions around them.

After the invasion of Cassandra Litvyak, whereupon she assaulted Garlan and tore apart the priests' summoning of their three goddesses, Westphalia has seen some exceedingly fundamental changes. Immediately after it saw itself in the throes of a civil war, with many of its denizens clamoring for reform, once they saw their deities being ripped apart by a mere mortal demon summoner. However, with its way of life threatened, the theocracy rallied behind the banners of three of its greatest houses, and soon enough a brief yet bloody conflict ensued. Later texts would call said conflict the Thrice Song of the Heavenly Faithful, even if in truth the three great houses organized a massive genocide of every living being they branded as a heretic.

Since then, the country finds itself divided between the Holy See of Westphalia and the lands of those that refuse to leave their home country and seek reform, even through conflict. Their lands have been termed as the Denarian Wastes, even if in truth it is fertile and arable enough to allow small patches of settlers to live in.

Geography

As stated before, Westphalia stands at the western edge of D'hennex. In reality it's more of a northwestern location, considering that it's not that close to the borders of the swamp lands that are the undead's domain, the Drovinian Reaches. The name Westphalia can most likely be construed as "west plains", for during the generations when An-Yneaith was united, it stood in the western plains of D'hennex only. But, ever since the Thrice Song of the Heavenly Faithful, Westphalia has seen some major changes. Retreating further upon itself, the Holy See of Westphalia has taken a monumental militaristic and religious approach right down to its core. Most of its major cities have been reinforced into durable fortresses. Many of them have been surrounded by a vast chasm carved into the earth by manifold magics, with a massive wall ringing said chasm to ward off invaders. Beyond them are several smaller encampments, and of course the Denarian Wastes.

• Denarian Wastes: These lands are largely unaffiliated. Those rebels that wish to topple the Holy See or at the very least seek a more peaceful reform live in the Wastes. Among them may live true heretics, but all have been branded as such, and have been exiled by the Holy See. Skirmishes spring up from time to time between both factions, remnants of the Thrice Song of the Heavenly Faithful, pointing to a conflict that may very well never end. The Denarian Wastes are not badlands at all, and thus many villages thrive in them. Without the protection of the Holy See, they are more vulnerable, and have grown accustomed to developing their own powers and magics in order to defend themselves. The Wastes are largely unaffiliated, yet boast a sizable, albeit spread, population.

• Cuthbert Keep: Several miles on the main road from the Gates of Judgment, Cuthbert Keep stands tall as a city-fortress meant as a staging area for the Holy See's armies. Most of the time the Keep serves as a central hub as it dispatches Overseers and/or contingents of knights against the so-called heretics of the Wastes.

• Camp Vi Castis: Once merely a thriving mining community, Vi Castis has also been fortified and repurposed for the Holy See's machinations. Using its seemingly endless mining resources, the Vi Castis mining community has become a thriving manufacturer of magical technology to fuel Westphalia's war machine. Known as the Holy Manufactury of the Triumvirate, Vi Castis specializes in creating a myriad of airships for the Holy See's use; mostly to serve as small staging platforms in the wall's defense. Otherwise, Vi Castis continues to harvest precious metals and minerals for all manner of uses.

• The Raging Fury: The term that most Westphalians use for the massive chasm that the Holy See's priests carved via magic. While there seems to be nothing raging within, many an urban legend had sprung around the Fury. Most of them tell of how the demon Litvyak's demons will rise from within on judgment day to finally lay waste to the heretics beyond. The Holy See does not endorse such stories.

• The Gates of Judgment and the Steps Toward the Most Heavenly Arcs: The Gates of Judgment stand as a massive and heavily reinforced portal through which any traveler must enter and leave the Holy See of Westphalia. Any that attempt to enter its borders via flight will encounter a warding spell that at best holds invaders at bay, and at worst alerts the guards where and when someone is attempting to enters its borders. Entrance via land is a more sensible choice. The Steps Toward the Most Heavenly Arcs are a massive bridge spanning the great chasm that divides the Holy See from the Wastes, possessing several checkpoints and more defensible positions.

• The Wall of Faith: The massive wall that spans the entirety of the chasm surrounding the Holy See. Westphalia has become highly militaristic and reclusive in its nature since then. Massive contingents patrol its borders.

• The Arc of the Humble: The cities and towns closest to the Wall of Faith are collectively located in the Arc of the Humble. These locations have seen the worst of the Thrice Song of the Heavenly Faithful, and the subsequent heretical attacks since then. Undead raids, draconic attacks, heretical plots, and even rival nations' insurgencies have hammered the Arc of the Humble for some time. With most of the knightly contingents concentrated in the inner arc, and most of their skilled fighters counted among them, the Arc of the Humble is in a constant state of flux. Thus, faith might be more shaken than in the inner arc, spurring more Overseer activity within its area.

• The Arc of the Worthy: The inner arc, home to the wealthier houses of the Holy See. The Arc of the Worthy has seen its fair share of warfare, yet counts on rapid responses from the defenders of their theocracy. Within the Arc of the Worthy stands the Apostolic Observatorium of the Circle, a secretive tower from which magical scryers and psychic diviners observe much of the goings on of the Holy See. It is oftentimes commandeered by the Holy See's Overseers to aid in the rooting out of heretical factions and questioners of faith.

• Garlan, the Golden City: Garlan stands at the innermost section of the Holy See of Westphalia. It is a sprawling city-fortress that houses many of the Holy See's most important headquarters, as well as the three main houses' own manors.
  • House Aringarosa
  • House Cuthbert
  • House Pendragon
  • The First Dicasterial Vault of the Holy See: More commonly known as the Vault, it is an underground fortress from which the Holy See's Overseers operate. The Vault also doubles as a vast repository for heretical artifacts, and even triples as a prison for its more hardened heretics as they await trial in the Tribunal.
  • The Sacred Tribunal of Triumvirate Doctrine: The fates of many an accused heretic have been decided within the Tribunal. Priests and Bishops alike perform the tasks of judges, juries, and executioners. Very rarely do the accused meet an end that does not involve fire.
  • The Eternal Throne of the Holy See: Easily the grandest and most majestic of all of Westphalia's structures, the Eternal Throne stands as the Holy See's last bastion against heresy. From within, the Three Great Houses administer political, legislative, and executive law, all the while the Archbishop of the Eternal Throne lords over the entire Holy See and its doctrines.

Economy

In the past, Westphalia had boasted a thriving economy and a largely happy people. Ever since The Fall, and the subsequent Thrice Song of the Heavenly Faithful, the country has been split in two. Embroiled in a seemingly eternal civil war, the Holy See and the Wastes seem more concerned with battling each other instead of furthering their economy. However, the war machine keeps churning, and thus both the Holy See and the Wastes have become all the stronger, even while poverty continues to rise among the weakest.

To any of the other human lands that would accept this, the Holy See of Westphalia offers trade with them.

Governmental and social organization

The Holy See of Westphalia possesses a split-government administered by the Orthodox Church of the Holy Triumvirate and the Three Great Houses. While the Houses administer most of the day to day tasks, write many laws, and deal with all manner of socio-political situations, it is the Orthodox Church which holds the real power over the people. Thus, advancement within the Holy See may be achieved by being born in one of the great houses, or furthering the honor of a house through heroic and worthy deeds; or by joining the Church of the Holy Triumvirate.

Noblemen and noblewomen are born into their positions, or furthered through feats of honor. They are largely land owners, and administer the day to day grind of the daily lives of the people. Ultimately they answer to the Church, and must yield some of the taxes they collect to the Holy See and its war machine. Every noble house has its own contingent of soldiers and knights. These may be lent to the Holy See in times of need, but otherwise are simply utilized to defend the assets of their own house. The greater the house, the greater its knights. Collectively they are all known as the Circle Blades, even if such a common term is usually scoffed at by them; they are much more concerned with being associated with their own houses, so as to further increase their honor through their deeds.

The Orthodox Church of the Holy Triumvirate possesses a simple hierarchy: the Archbishop stands as both lord sovereign and religious leader of the land; the three Bishops of the Holy Triumvirate oversee the Humble, Worthy and Garlan arcs, including its military and economic assets as well as their religious beliefs; the Priests of the Church administer the Triumvirates' day to day tasks, such as holding masses and leading military squadrons into battle.

The Denarian Wastes hold very little political structure. They are merely comprised of a collection of towns and cities scattered throughout the land. Few of them retain semblances of noble houses, though some exist. Mostly, each town administers itself in its own way, giving each one an individual enough flavor.

Religion

Westphalians worship three deities, and are fervent believers of equality. On the other hand, their beliefs have led them to believe that the only true enemy of humanity are the undead. They have long since voiced and pushed for the notion of a temporary truce between the human lands so that they can rise up as one and one day eliminate the Drovinian threats.

The three deities are Illeanya, the matron of nature; Azhara, the matron of the mind; and Laisha, the matron of the spirit.

Military

The military in Westphalia is divided into three distinct forces. These are the Templar of Sorrow, the Apostle Circle, and the Trinity Knights. Despite having three wings to their army, as with the rest of the country's traits, while they are of excellent quality, they aren't exactly numerous.

• Trinity Knights: Bishop Romerald Cuthbert spearheads the Knights. This is the largest wing of the Westphalian military, and is charged with its defense. They serve as both soldiers and lawkeepers, ensuring the safety of the citizens from all angles. The Trinity Knights claim to evoke Laisha's mercy and wisdom, harnessing the power of their spirits when needed. All of its soldiers are proficient in using their ki in battle, though only a few of them are notably known to exhibit incredible powers.

• Apostle Circle: While the Knights are the largest wing of the nation's military, the Circle is the smallest. Their matron is Azhara, she who oversees the mind. The Apostle Circle, led by Bishop Sasarai Aringarosa, are charged with diplomacy and spywork at the same time. The Trinity Palace despises the use of spies, but also acknowledges that they're a necessary evil at times. As far as anyone outside of the government knows, the Circle is comprised solely of diplomats.

• Templar of Sorrow: The Templar are led by Bishop Arielle Pendragon. Their forces number somewhere between the Circle and the Knights. They are the polar opposite of the wing led by Cuthbert, favoring offense over defense. They are the official military wing of Westphalia, usually employing magic as their main weapon. Not surprisingly, Illeanya of nature is their matron. During times of need, though, all of the three wings can act in unison, and have often done so. (Note: their name doesn't mean that they live to spread sorrow, but, you know, to prevent it)

• Redemptionists: The Redemptionists are led by Rey Czupryna. Their forces number in the handfuls, currently consisting of at most fifty members. The Redemptionists are a sort of police within the military of Westphalia, they are the ones who hunt down and destroy the heretics and the corrupt within the other organizations, the politicians, and the populace. They are a secret organization, those outside of the Westphalian military and political machine do not know they exist, only hearing rumors of 'red cloaks.' They recruit based more on zeal and willingness to do whatever it takes than skill, but they are not bloodthirsty maniacs. Just pragmatists. If they must kill 100 to save 1000, well it is an acceptable loss.

Minor Population Details

Most Westphalian citizens are low-grade power wielders, and as such are completely defenseless against higher powered individuals. While the capacity to wield Ki is a potential that many have, not everyone builds up on it. Most that do end up joining the Trinity Knights. There is an even lower percentage of psions in the western country, and those that are born with the potential are pursued by the Apostle Circle, eagerly urged to join their ranks. Magic is the most prevalent form of power in Westphalia, though mostly people possess minor spells to aid them in their day to day tasks. Those that wish to pursue a more powerful form of magic are almost usually found within the Templar of Sorrow.

While its tastes in powers is diverse, Westphalia will always actively pursue and attempt to destroy any kind of craft involving necromancy and the undead. Their beliefs center around the purity and harmony of nature in all its aspects, and anything that disrupts that cycle must be destroyed for the greater good.

Humans and demihumans are the prevalent race in Westphalia. Aliens are frowned upon for the most part, and may be met with minor hostilities if they attempt to live within its borders, but people don't exhibit a rabid hatred for them like they do for the undead.

Foreign Affairs

Being a break from the norm, Westphalia has always been considered the friendliest of countries in D'hennex. Rather than being horribly hostile or selfish, the theocracy has always maintained a policy of being friendly to neighboring countries, unless any of these ever show hostile actions against it of course. While being fairly optimistic, Westphalia should not be believed to be a country of fools. Nevertheless, they have always pushed for an alliance between all human countries to unite against the terrors of the Drovinian Reaches, though no interest in rallying under the banner of An-Yneaith has been shown.