Valhus

Valhus was founded on March 11 2008 by Valhalla Valentine in Beluaterra. This was a result of a conscious effort of several former Vlaanderenese nobles to create a realm to rival the daimon ruled realm in central Beluaterra and reclaim the former territories of the Duchy of Wudenkin from the forces of the netherworld. In spite of these lofty aims, the new realm was lucky to survive its first few weeks due to the ravishing of all the agricultural land around Wudenkin, and it was only due to favourable and reliable trade with Heen that the surviving peasantry did not starve and revolt against their new new masters.

At first, the future of Valhus looked promising but she became increasingly isolated due to her unpopular diplomatic positions and increasing internal tensions between the most eminent members of the Valhan nobility. In particular, the deterioration of relations between Emperor Valhalla and Attila Osha, Baron of Pel Mark and Grand Marshal of Valhus, proved in the end to be disastrous for the future of the fledgling kingdom.

In late August 2008, both internal and external tensions came to a head, helping to seal the early downfall of Valhus. The unequivocal support Valhus showed for the Republic of Fwuvoghor during her war against Avalon had eventually led to war with both Bara'Khur and Enweil - two realms who were vastly more powerful than Valhus. After first ravaging Pel Mark and Vale, the foreign armies prepared an assault on Wudenkin itself. There was enough militia in place to survive such an assault, but crucially, a rebellion broke out just days before, with the Grand Marshal dismissing the militia in the capital to aid in the fall of Emperor Valhalla.

The rebellion meant that Valhus was in no state to resist the subsequent assault and occupation of Wudenkin by hostile forces and this effort was further hampered by continuing power struggles amongst the Valhan nobility. The continuing infighting hindered Valhan attempts to reassert control over her territories, with the final straw being the appointment of a peasant named Doctor, as Minister of Defence of the realm by the deplorable new Prime Minister, Electra Khybar. This led to the final exodus of remaining Valhan nobles from the realm and the collapse and ruin of the Kingdom of Valhus.

The banner of Valhus depicted the Phoenix god Gol'dean (or Gol'dan), the God of Rebirth, in whom Emperor Valhalla held strong faith. Despite this, the legend of Gol'dean was never widely accepted by either the Valhan nobility or the Valhan peasantry and the Phoenix god is now all but forgotten throughout Beluaterra.