[hider=House Amrothan]

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[b][color=2E8B57]House Name:[/color][/b] House Amrothan

[b][color=2E8B57]Head of House:[/color][/b] Bannerlord Lothar Amrothan

[b][color=2E8B57]House Speciality:[/color][/b] House Amrothan has always styled itself first amongst the banner lords, greatest of the "horse lords", since such a notion could hold weight. It has thus found its purpose in rearing, training and charging their vast troop, team, harras and herd's of varied horse breeds across the eponymous "triangle plain". From the faithful farmyard helper to the rare Adelpferd prized highly in equestrian circles, all can be found or purchased from the Amrothan.

[b][color=2E8B57]House Ancestral Artifact:[/color][/b] The "Einhorn" is a "lance" that is often coupled with a kite shield, though no uncommon qualities are ascribed to the latter. The Einhorn is a seemingly traditional, older style wooden lance inlaid with silver strands that has been passed down by the Bannerlord from generation to generation, rumoured to be able split any shield, topple any creature and, consequently, assure the success of any charge, it is always carried into battle by the Bannerlord. Largely unwieldy on foot, the lance also seemingly looses some of its lustre when wielded upon the ground.

[b][color=2E8B57]Important Members:[/color][/b]

Bannerlord Lothar Amrothan, Age 41 - One of the Bannerlord's whom has not seen the saddle as a necessary duty to rule, Lothar has maintained a rugged handsomeness that comes about from a life spent half in the saddle and half in the intrigues of court. Regarded as a just ruler, if sometimes harsh, but fair, in judgement, Lothar has maintained a realm in a manner that even detractors would be hard pressed to describe as anything other than competent, if at times uninspired.

Prince Reimar Amrothan, Age 20 - The heir apparent to the Bannerlord, Prince Reimar has come into his own as an accomplished rider and near equal of his father. While, at the very least, having an aptitude for leadership, his concerns seem to be about getting as far away from the affairs of life at court as possible for as long as possible.

Princess Adelheid Valian (née Amrothan), Age 18 - he most recent scion to fully come of age, Adelheid is the eldest daughter of Lothar and by far the most beautiful, though none of the Bannerlord's daughters could be called any less than pleasant. Adelheid, unlike her brother Reimar, revels in the affairs of court and matters of intrigue. Somewhat headstrong but not brash, Lothar was inclined to defer to his daughters wishes regarding her future, but marriage waited for no noblewoman of high standing.

Princess Charlotte Amrothan, Age 16 - Charlotte is the second daughter of the Bannerlord and is described as "pretty but plain" by most. She has come to be known as an amateur scholar in the halls of Reiterburg, perusing the collections of Amrothan history and snippets of genealogy and other facets of world history with a great curiosity. Nevertheless, like all Amrothan, she is at worst a competent rider.

Leopold, Elise, Rosaline (6) - The triplets that were born to Lothar and --- were the final, and arguably greatest gift bestowed by Lyriel to the next growing generation of the direct line of Amrothan nobles. Although a testing and dangerous birth, all were ultimately born without difficulty, and although still young and defining themselves, all three share a great bond with each other and an almost greater curiosity. 

[hider=Notable Others]
Siegfried Amrothan (Deceased) - Brother to Lothar, Siegfried became the faithful husband of Varminia of House Tallurian, cementing a blood bond alliance with the neighbouring kingdom and noble house for some time to come.

Yvonne von Ostermarz (44)
Wife of Lothar and member of the Ostermarz nobility, the marriage between Lothar and Yvonne ended a brewing rivalry between the new money nobility growing in the east and the old nobility of the west with Amrothan caught between. The Marriage, whilst one of politics, blossomed into one of love and mutual respect, with Yvonne coming to be a competent member of Amrothan court and a voice of reason in the east.

Dieter Amrothan (32)
The youngest brother of Lothar Amrothan, Dieter became the representative of Amrothan to the Prime Estates in the capital, having proved some measure of competency in the courts of Reitenburg and guild halls of Flusstadt. Loyal to the bonds of family and a firm grip of Dreibene values he has consequently proved able in the affairs of the Prime Estate, at least as Dreiben judges them. His time away from the Prime Estate is largely spent socialising and forging partnerships in the necessary duties of capital poltical life as well as assisting Amrothan and Dreibene merchants and dignitaries. A handsome man of fiery red hair and the ruggedness of an experienced rider, the fact that Dieter has not yet married is a question largely avoided by House Amrothan.[/hider]


[color=2E8B57][b]Nation/Realms Name:[/b][/color]The Kingdom of Dreiben

[color=2E8B57][b]Flag:[/b][/color] [hider][img]http://i.imgur.com/a3BRfZ5.jpg[/img][/hider]

[color=2E8B57][b]House Motto:[/b][/color]"Forever Onward"

[color=2E8B57][b]Region on map:[/b][/color] Sea Green (East)

[color=2E8B57][b]Race name:[/b][/color] Dreibene

[color=2E8B57][b]Racial appearance:[/b][/color] The Dreibene are generally a light-skinned people, predominantly light in hair colour with a distinct section of the western population known for red and blonde hair predominantly, while lighter shades of brown prevail elsewhere. While a varied people, both in height and build, Green eyes are dominant amongst the Dreibene.

[color=2E8B57][b]Racial traits:[/b][/color] The Dreibene are known for their strong bonds with their horses, and to own any beast of burden or companionship is almost a primal obsession among many circles. Dreibene who show an aptitude will consequently often take the Druidic path, while by and large most Dreibene can be considered somewhat wild by other standards, they are immensely loyal to those with whom bonds are forged.

[color=2E8B57][b]Capital:[/b][/color] The Capital of Dreiben rests in the riverside Reiterburg, nestled in the foothills of western Dreiben. The largest city in western Dreiben and the second largest Dreibene city after Flusstadt, Reiterburg is a city of wood and stone seemingly built with its streets more concerned with horse-drawn traffic than any other. Reiterburg consequently radiates outwards in wide open streets around the central stables, Spire of Rhiannon and Einhorn Castle, seat of the Amrothan House, before its walls meet the floodplains and more difficult hilly terrain.

[color=2E8B57][b]Capital Population:[/b][/color] 70,000

[color=2E8B57][b]Other Major Settlements:[/b][/color] 
Flusstadt: 94,000
Nordstrom: 22,000
Halb: 6,000
Talveldt: 16,000
Öffnungberg: 5,000
Seeburg: 7,000
Prachtvoll: 52,000
Messanhöhe: 35,000
Wasserstelle: 6,000
Nordreiten: 7,000
Sudreiten: 14,000
Kreuzung: 9,000
Wassergrad: 8,000
Sudmarsch: 4,000

[color=2E8B57][b]Population:[/b][/color] 1,250,000

[color=2E8B57][b]Culture:[/b][/color] The Triangle Plain has birthed and preserved an equestrian culture since before the time of the Empire, though surely never one as unified as the present. It has been a place of veneration of the working beast, as well as the noble steed, and its various historical nations where predicated on a love of the horse and a respect for the druidic arts. Consequently, the Driebene have been at times nomadic, but always returning to the safe places that have now become the stalwart cities of modern Dreiben.

Bonds are important to Dreibene culture, promised by agreement long negotiated, forged from marriage or created between horse and rider over time, all carry significant weight in society. While Dreibene may sometimes abrogate agreements - particularly where they feel they have been mislead, Dreibene will judicially adhere to the word of an agreement, and can always be relied upon to satisfy the demands of blood bonds no matter how inconsequential. Dreibene consider bonds as they see them as different to oaths and simple loyalty, though a bond will cement both. This is a subtlety that is sometimes lost elsewhere. 

Sometimes wild, yet decidedly loyal, the Dreibene are not simply horse-folk, with a seasoned history of study and institutions based upon such knowledge in as many fields as one would find elsewhere in the Empire, though the true heart of the Dreibene lay in livestock, the food to feed them and themselves, and the horse.

[color=2E8B57][b]Type of Government:[/b][/color] Drieben was once a myriad of realms ruled by the Bannerlords, brought to heel under a electoral system by the Bannerlord of House Amrothan many a time ago. While the electoral system for the purpose of ruling Drieben was largely abolished under the Imperial System - and the realm is ruled as a typical feudal system - elements of the electoral systems persist in village life and in general dealings between the nobility and associations that represent the cities, guilds and grand stables.

[color=2E8B57][b]Influence and relations:[/b][/color] 

WIP

[color=2E8B57][b]Military[/b][/color]
The Dreiben military is, as most, based on the raising of levies and marshalling of nobility as needed. Nonetheless, a strong equestrian tradition dominates and a reasonable standing retinue of Bannerguard, primarily cavalry, is maintained by House Amrothan and paid for by the personal profits of Amrothan stables.

[b]Unit demographics:[/b] 
[b]Totals[/b]
Heavy Cavalry: 2,000
Light Cavalry: 4,000
Heavy Infantry: 1,000
Light Infantry: 1,250
Ranged Infantry: 1,500

[b]Standing[/b]
Heavy Cavalry: 425
Light Cavalry: 515
Varied Infantrymen including archers, but predominantly light infantry: 290

[color=2E8B57][b]Landscape:[/b][/color] Dreiben is dominated by the vast plains that make up the dominant terrain of the realm. Dotted with small villages, the occasional rolling hills and ever graced by herds of livestock and horses, the plains make up the majority of Dreiben and are sheltered by a number of rivers that ensure the land remains suitable for small scale farming and grazing.

In the west, the mountains and foothills give way to some of Dreiben's great settlements and its major interior river system, whilst in the east, the largest city and greatest area of agricultural activity is found amongst the Ostenmarz and its two river systems and its small forests and hill ranges.

[color=2E8B57][b]Wildlife:[/b][/color] Dreiben is home to largely domesticated animals or wild breeding stock, with the occasional migratory herd's or unique visiting wildlife. Of note is the Adelpferd, a horse breed unique to the western foothills of Dreiben that is generally stronger, a degree smarter and more suited to greater bonds with its riders than even the most valued traditional breeds.

[color=2E8B57][b]Economy:[/b][/color] The Dreiben economy is based on three aspects, the extraction of mineral wealth from the west, to varying degrees of success, on agricultural produce, largely serving to meet domestic need for food and animal feed, and primarily upon its husbandry. Dreiben consequently invests much of its economic activity in the other aspects internally, providing large quantities of edible livestock, animals suited to work such as draught horses and oxen, and luxury and military needs such as with its varied horse breeds.

[color=2E8B57][b]Religion:[/b][/color] The various traditions of times long past were decidedly of the primal path in Dreibene, there was, and always has been, a respect and tradition of veneration of the deity that would became known as Lyriel, though despite no direct attachment to the beasts upon which so much rested, that which was necessary for them to survive was very much in her influence. The presence of Rhiannon, a uniquely Dreibene deity, is largely presented as a white horse under the guidance of Lyriel, though in times past Rhiannon was a very much individual and dominant theistic presence.

With a recognised tradition that was not too much of an unknown and somewhat recognised, if not particularly codified religious sphere centred around Lyriel, the various conflicts and theistic re-evaluations that ordered most of the faith around Kemmeth caused only minor issues in Dreiben. Nevertheless, The people of Dreiben were, after all, "wild" even in their adherence to faith, but had forged a bond common enough in trying times to forego any such issues ever becoming a pressing problem. Nonetheless, the common folk of Dreibene take a relaxed approach to their faith and put a greater emphasis on their interpretation of Lyriel than any other of the gods and consequently tend to be far more lenient to minor theological transgressions. A history of live and let live pervades, and it is rare to see "heresy" that does not border on the overt, politically damaging or murderous attract too much undue attention.

As such, the adherence to matters of religion is largely an individual decision, primarily centring around Lyriel and , Kemmeth, and in the east, a small subset of primarily Allurian orientated religious groups. The importance of bonds put some emphasis on Helistar upon his more widespread introduction from Xandrian origins, but has always remained somewhat of minor importance comparatively.

[color=2E8B57][b]History:[/b][/color] 

[list][*]Prior to "Unification", the plains were home to several varying Dreibene realms of varying degrees of centralization, having ended nomadic traditions some time before. House Amrothan would ultimately win several military and diplomatic successes and unite Dreiben under an electoral monarchy. House Amrothan will ultimately fall out of rulership several times, particularly as unification approaches and differing ideals present themselves.[/list]

[list][*]Dreiben, despite the great odds, resists unification for some time, but is ultimately defeated. House Amrothan remains one of the few viable houses in Dreiben and ultimately comes to rule Dreiben once more. With a weak nobility the electoral system is disestablished, and House Amrothan become vassals of the growing Empire.[/list]

[list][*]Dreiben did things and stuff happened. This was The Great Drathii War.[/list]

[color=2E8B57][b]Strengths:[/b][/color]

[b]Equestrian Tradition:[/b] With a strong equestrian tradition, it is easy and somewhat more economical, particularly with widespread training and lesser, but noticeable horse ownership, to recruit cavalry, particularly of the light variety, from the populace at large. Such traditions also feed a greater availability of heavy cavalry and skill amongst the nobility.

[b]Another Beastial Bond:[/b] Maintaining a tradition of raising working animals and livestock has endeared the stalwart dog in the hearts of the Amrothan and Dreibene at large. Many families will have at least one canine companion, whether it is utilized in herding or other working capacities or as a simple companion. Dogs also form a component of Dreibene cavalry formations both military and luxry, making up part of a shock element or standard hunt, while Shepherds have come to breed some of the most loyal and hard working dogs to be found anywhere.

[color=2E8B57][b]Weaknesses:[/b][/color]

[b]Everyone A Cavalryman:[/b] With its predisposition towards preparing for a life on horseback, it can be difficult to find men of good quality who are willing to serve out of the saddle. Consequently, recruitment suffers in other fields.

[b]A Demand for Animal Feed:[/b] While possessing a not inconsequential agricultural sector and exporting some agricultural goods not suited for it, the vast livestock and husbandry sector demands a great deal of base animal feed. A tradition of not skimping on such matters further drives demand for good quality feed.

[color=2E8B57][b]Export:[/b][/color]

[b]Tin & Copper:[/b] Tin and Copper are the predominant ores extracted from Dreiben's mines, and as such, are far more than could ever be used at home.

[b]Silver:[/b] Silver is extracted in reasonable quantities from the western foothills and mountains, and much finds itself exported to satisfy demand elsewhere in the empire. 

[b]Horses & Working Animals:[/b] Working animals and horses are always in demand from many different avenues of society, Dreiben has these in abundance, and some of its prized horses go for a small fortune abroad.

[b]Livestock:[/b] For purposes of breeding or consumption, Dreiben exports a great number of livestock to other realms, particularly those without any large livestock sector or husbandry tradition of their own.

[color=2E8B57][b]Import:[/b][/color]

[b]Iron:[/b] While Dreiben produces a reasonable quantity of ores, it does not satisfy demand for iron. As such, the smithies and armourers and other industries that make use of such ores must import.

[b]Luxury Goods:[/b] While the Bannerlord's and assorted nobility traditionally abstain from ostentatious dining and decoration, there is still an appetite for such things and in particular a growing one amongst the growing merchant and other middle elements of society reinforced by Imperial cultural standards. The best luxuries that are not equine, of course, are ones from abroad.

[b]Agricultural Goods:[/b] A demand for varied foods and in particular, a need to satisfy the demands for animal feed continue to grow, as such, Dreiben imports far more of these than it exports.

[b]Lumber:[/b] Dreiben lacks any area of vast forest, largely reserved to a few small areas or copses built to break up the plains and provide windbreaks, as such, it must import a reasonable quantity of lumber from elsewhere. 

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