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"Shield of the people and protector of the lands"
Warden Erik Krast
Warden of the West, Archduke of Westmarch
Description
Erik is the very definition of a man from Westmarch being tall, athletic, and handsome. Erik is a young man with short military-cut hair and a face absent of any scars or blemishes betraying his years of service and combat. Unlike many lords and nobles of Adanion, Erik is of mixed blood. As with most citizens of Westmarch, Erik is able to trace his family line back to the first tribes, the newcomers of Loyst, and even the nomadic tribes of the steppe. Not one to wear formal attire often, Erik prefers to wear his armor, or some variation thereof.
Claimant
Anyamara- Erik has publicly stated his support of the princess and her right to the throne over her competitor. Though she may show signs of brutality, Erik believes that it is strength and power that are required to lead the people and to protect them.
House Name: House Taranis
House Motto: "Strength forged in fire"
House Sigil:
Reputation
Erik is a proud and headstrong warrior at heart who holds his honor and duty in high regard. Being raised in a marital territory has tempered Erik to the art of war and honed him into a deadly warrior and a brilliant tactician. For all his ability and skill as a warrior and a general, Erik lacks a greater understanding of political intrigue and politicking. Though Erik understands the basic concepts of spying and the game of courts, he views many of these actions to be both cowardly and dishonorable. Erik prefers to place trust in one's own strength and that of steel to defend not only himself but the citizens he has sworn to protect. With this Erik takes his oath to be the warden of the west very seriously and believes it is the duty of those born into power to lead, rule, and defend those below.
Ambitions
Erik is not an ambitious man by normal standards. He does not seek power or wealth beyond that of which he has earned or is required for the defense of the country. This also applies to his support of the princess in her claim to the throne over her competitor. Erik does not much care for the politics of the eastern counties and would much rather keep to himself and focus on defending his people and prevent the nomads from entering from the steppe. This should not be confused with inaction however, Erik believes that should power be placed to the wrong person, the crown will not last another generation.
Aptitudes
- Martial Prowess - Being born to a noble of Westmarch means that martial skill is not a privilege but a duty. Erik took that teaching to heart and has since birth trained his body and honed his skills into the perfect soldier.
- Brilliant Tactician - Though Erik is not the wisest of lords when it comes to the sciences, arts, or math, what his brain is made for his warfare. Not simply the strategies of a one on one fight, but the knowledge of army formations, tactics, strengths, and weaknesses of armies, and the supply lines used to fuel them. Though he doesn't read much, Erik has spent hours and hours reading over the journals and tomes left by his forefathers on the art of war practiced bypassed wardens.
- Horsemanship -Like many of the highborn of Westmarch, Erik was drilled in the art of horseback riding. Though not as graceful as the nomads, Erik has learned the best methods for his heavy armor and how to best use the strengths of his horse's heavier armor. Outside of combat, Erik will usually ride his horse for travel as both a status of his position and due to his disdain for carriages.
Vulnerabilities
- Politically Naive -Erik for the most part is unable to fully understand the concept of backroom backstabbing and underhanded deals. He understands that they play a role in the courts of the capital and most holds, but he himself holds no skill for the “art”. Erik believes such tactics to be dishonorable, cowardly, and an insult to one's pride. This is exemplified in his belief that those most suited for a position should be placed in the role, not those who married into it.
- Holier than thou -The lords of Westmarch are often seen as kind and selfless for their devout practice of protecting the common peasant. This selflessness is not simply done purely out of generosity, however. The lords and Knights of Westmarch see themselves as above the common folk, believing it is the duty of the lower classes to serve the higher classes or those able to work themselves into the upper echelon. To balance this, however, the lords of Westmarch see it as their duty as higher borns to protect the lesser classes who serve them.
- Brutal -Through his reign, as Warden has been short Erik has already earned himself a reputation as a brutal military leader. Erik believes firmly in crushing one's opponents into complete submission even if that goal requires less than savory tactics. As Erik sees it the laws of Westmarch are simple, Traders and merchants are welcome to pass but any army or hostile will be met with the full force of Westmarch. And though torture is not explicitly legal within Westmarch, executions of prisoners are a common occurrence.
Misc Info
"Grand city of Edoras. The seat of House Taranis and Bulwark of the west. "
Archduchy of Westmarch
Duty and Honor
Description
Westmarch is the largest of the 7 regions taking the form of a vast sprawling steppe that sits on the doorstep of the western nomad lands. The cities of Westmarch are home to great stonewalls and keeps that aid in the defense of the cities scattered through the land. In addition to these massive fortresses, cities are the use of signaling towers made of cheap wood, designed to be easily ignited should a scout spot raiders entering the land.
People of Westmarch
The people of Westmarch are hardy ones who take great pride in their task as defenders and warriors. They are typically tall and lean with athletic builds allowing for strength in their strikes but mobility on horseback. This has come as the result of not only the people's mixed blood but also their constant conflict and martial training. Upon turning 14 all sons of Westmarch are required to undergo military training for 2 years to ensure the defense of the realm. After completing these training years the recruits are then given the option of remaining as part of the standing force or pursuing a trade beneficial to Westmarch. Those few that show exceptional potential are brought up to train as knights and awarded such titles upon completion of their new training. Those who do not continue in service of the military continue on with their lives as any other region's common folk. The main distinction however falls on the lack of farmland leading many to find professions as either smiths or masons.
Strength and military
Westmarch’s biggest claim to fame is the strength of its military. The core of their military revolves around the combination of both heavy cav, plated in armor, and more nimble cav arches. By mixing the two cultures and doctrines of war Westmarch is a fast and efficient fighting force able to cover large swaths of land quickly. Outside of open field battles, Westmarch relies on their heavily armed knights to act as the bulwark for the archers who no longer have the mobility of horses. Though the standard Knight is a common sight in Westmarch, those members of the royal knights stand apart from their fellow knights by occasionally sporting metal wings on the backs of their armor. these "wings" are both a symbol of their position and skill, while also serving as an added fear factor due to the noise they produce while the knights charge forward towards the enemy. (Think of the Winged Hussars from Poland)
Major Holdings
Edoras -The capital city of Westmarch. A large circular city surrounded both by a massive stone wall and endless pastures. Like many of Westmarches cities, Edoras is one large fortress. This is further exemplified by the massive structure known as castle Drachenfel that rises out of the city's center. The city also serves as the main gathering point of most smiths in the region who work constantly on repairing armor and weapons or forging new sets from scrapped old ones for new recruits.
Castle Drachenfel - The center of Edoras. The massive keep was designed to serve as the last and impenetrable fortress of both the city and Westmarch should the city walls be breached. Besides its defensive nature, the keep also serves as the bureaucratic center of the region housing both the Council of Westmarch and the Warden himself. Within the throne room, itself rests the massive skull of a Dragon so claimed to have been slain by the great ancestors of house Taranis.
Dragons Graveyard- Southern edge of the region. Dragons Graveyard is one of the few places almost strictly forbidden to the people of Westmarch. Though deep within the tall jagged mountains lyes vast sums of wealth and minerals, the path to such resources is perilous at best. Though there have been several attempts by past wardens to set up work in the mountains all have failed miserably and were abandoned before any progress could be made. This combined with the mythicized tales of dragons and their connection to house Taranis lore, Dragons Graveyard remains untouched by the people of Westmarch.
