Old Grehk

From BattleMaster Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Old Grehk, officially the Empire of Old Grehk, is a monarchy in north-western Beluaterra. The realm is bordered to the west by Sint, to the south east by Fronen and the north east by Thalmarkin. Old Grehk has its roots in the city of Grehk located in southeasten Beluaterra. Formed in a secession from the Kingdom of Grehk, a realm that no longer exists, Old Grehk is the fourth oldest realm on the continent. Following its foundation the kingdom struggled against both human and undead foes, eventually growing to become one of the dominant powers in Northern Beluaterra. Civil War sent Old Grehk into a near fatal decline, but in the aftermath of the Fourth Invasion it has begun expanding once more.


History

The Early Years

Main Article: Ancient History

Old Grehk, was formed in a secession from Grehk on 20 August 2003, just before the First Undead Invasion. The name was choosen to symbolise that the realm would follow the old way of Grehkians. Originally they had hailed from the city of Grehk in the far south east of Beluaterra. With the newly discovered continent filling up with new colonists, the nobles of Grehk choose to make the Long March north for new lands. Eventually they settled in Keffa. Grehk became a major power in the north and was drawn into a long war with Ar Agyr

As the war with Ar Agyr descended into a stalemate though, unrest arose in Grehk. Efforts by their King to force nobles to worship his personal religion further inflamed tensions. Having failed to revilatise Grehk from within, many nobles left for the city of Gethsemene, where they proclaimed the Kingdom of Old Grehk, ruled by King Karim. Almost immediately Old Grehk found itself at war not only with Grehk itself, but also Ar Agyr, Ashborn, Fronen and Marca de Pantera. Despite the forces arrayed against it, the Kingdom retained it's independence; in the face of stiff opposition, Ar Agyr abandoned the war and Ashborn made peace, then a full aliiance with Old Grehk. The darkest hour came when Grehk made peace with Old Grehk, only to immediately treacherously betray the treaty while many Old Grehkian nobles were celebrating at a tournament. Even this was not enough though.

However, the Grehkian Civil War was to be cut short by the First Undead Invasion in December 2003. As the dead roamed the continent, Old Grehk's armies fought desperately to protect Baqua and the capital Gethsemene. Although Baqua eventually fell to the Vampire-led hordes, Gethsemene itself remained in Old Grehk's hands. When the Kingdom emerged from the invasion in Feburary 2004, it found its position vastly changed. For unknown reasons Grehk itself had split into three parts during the invasion; the original Kingdom based around Keffa as well as Firbalt and Ossmat. Only Firbalt had survived and their lands were so badly ravaged that the nobility despaired and soon left for the south east. The First Grehkian Civil War was over.

Expanding to the south east, Old Grehk took the cities of Ossmat and Vozzessdor, as well as their surrounding regions. After the massive loss of life during the First Invasion and the destruction of Grehk there was little desire to continue fighting, so peace was made with Ar Agyr, Fronen and Marca de Pantera while the alliance with Ashborn remained strong. The Second Age of Beluaterra, as this period would come to be known, lasted for around a year and was mostly spent rebuilding. During this period the royal capital was moved from Gethesmene to Ossmat, where it has remained since.

The Undead were only defeated, not destroyed though. During March 2005 word reached King Goldradir that the hordes were returning and he gave orders for Old Grehk to prepare. Rather than attempt to control the war centrally, each of the three duchies was too see to its own defences. Whilst Old Grehk was far readier the Second Invasion would prove larger than the First. Instead of heading directly for the cities in an effort to destroy humanities centres of power, the undead spend longer ravaging the countryside, leading to widespread starvation as the invasion dragged on. Two important regions in the Vozzessdor Duchy, Yipinalke and Xerus were also lost cheaply early on.

King Golradir stepped down during the invasion, being replaced with Queen Melian, sometimes known as the Golden Feather. Gethesmene eventually fell to the seemingly endless walking corpses, the cities' defenders weakened by hunger and cut off from the rest of the realm. The capital at Ossmat remained firm nevertheless, and the nobles defending the city even managed to keep control of Mekoter and Ffangor, allowing some much needed food to be gathered. While the defences of Vozzessdor were breached on a few occasions, with aid from Ossmat the Undead were driven back from the city.

The Golden Age and the Fall

Old Grehk on February 8, 2007, shortly before the Neo Grehk secession

The hordes of undead and monsters began to ebb in July 2005 and planning for the world after the invasion began. During the invasion, Old Grehk's northern neighbour Ar Agyr had been destroyed, with much of the nobility shifting to Old Grehk. Queen Melian negotiated with Riombara to create a new realm in the now empty lands of Ar Agyr. Under her successor King Vagabond the colony was founded on 26 October and based in Nuzanki. Providing a new home for the former Ar Agyrians and others, it eventually took the name Thalmarkin.

During the rule of King Vagabond Old Grehk embarked on a period of great expansion, beginning what would come to be known as the Golden Age. Gethesmene was liberated from the undead, while the city of Vore and the stronghold of Vatrona were both claimed for the Kingdom. Now one of the largest realms on the continent, Old Grehk provided aid to several allies. Expeditions were sent westwards to Ashborn and northwards to Thalmarkin in order to root out monsters and undead. Varyamo Nolvo, a new colony of Ashborn's in the Tagha desert was defended against efforts by dissident Mesh nobles who eventually formed the real of Vice. Perhaps most significantly though, Old Grehk provided food and the right to use the armourers and blakcsmiths of Gethesmene to the newly founded theocracy of Sint. Made up of nobles from Ashborn, Sint established itself in the city of Fianik.

As a new year dawned, King Vagabond was engaged in negotiations for a new treaty linking the north east of Beluaterra. The result, signed in Februrary 2006 was the Treaty of the Four Kingdoms, binding Melhed, Old Grehk, Thalmarkin and Valentia together. Although both Fronen and Sint would seek to join the Four Kingdoms, no new parties would ever be accepted. Soon afterwards Old Grehk celebrated one thousand days since the Kingdom's founding, former Queen Melian declared her intention to leave Beluaterra, following a feud with Prins Simon and his newly founded cult of Estahsism. She would die soon afterwards in the Colonies. One of the greatest monarchs of Old Grehk, stories about her wisdom would remain popular.

Tragically the Golden Age would end with an attack from within the Kingdom's own ranks. High Marshal and Duke Gias Kay seceded his city Vozessdor to found the realm of Neo Grehk. Before the secession Gias Kay ordered the Old Grehk army into countless slaughters to minimise their chances of them fighting to regain their lost city, plus a huge Daimon Invasion began on the heels of this mighty blow.

Despite the cruel betrayal, Old Grehk strove to fight for humanity and against the Daimons with all their strength. Their grasping neighbours Sint, were quick to deal with the daimons, and when Old Grehk lead the closure a daimon portal within Sintian lands, they used it as an excuse to declare war on Old Grehk. Already losing most of their regions to rampaging daimons (of which Sint conveniently appropriated), Old Grehk was facing overwhelming odds of an unmolested Sint, triple their size, sporting units of daimons in excess of 15k CS. Against all odds and predictions of destruction, Old Grehk fought back with every inch of bravery, driving Sint out of their lands. When the daimons turned on Sint, they were not used to fighting their own wars, even with such overwhelming odds, so they called on Neo Grehk to declare war on Old Grehk and help them. Neo Grehk had 5 days earlier pledged their friendship to Old Grehk, but ever the betrayers, jumped to the aid of their daimon-profiting allies.

With the dawn of a new age and the relative inactivity of the Daimons hosts, Old Grehk was drawn into a long conflict with the Republic of Fronen. While the war went relatively badly for the Grehkian forces, Fronen was unable to secure a decisive advantage, until wider politics intervened. Much of northern Beluaterra had polarised into two competing alliance, one based in the west of the continent and the other in the east. The eastern realms of Avalon, Bara'Khur and Thalmarkin demanded that Old Grekh make peace with Fronen and declare war on Sint, a key member of the western confederacy. King Stephen stepped down, leading to an election between Arch Priestess and Duchess Skye Uceek of Ossmat, who supported the western realms and Duke Alfons Lorganson of Vozzsador, who supported the eastern realms.

The War

Main Article: War of the Nine Realms

Duchess Skye was victorious in the election and crowned Queen, a remarkable rise for one born a commoner. However, not only did Duke Alfons and his supporters switch the allegiance of their Duchy to the realm of Fronen, the Eastern Confederation swiftly declared war. Responding, Sint and Heen entered the conflict on the side of Old Grehk. A combined army from the Eastern Confederation sacked Ossmat for several days before being driven off during the opening stages of the war. Despite the dramatic early defeat, Old Grehk stabilised its situation.

Economy

Note: This information relates to the beginning of the Golden Age

Old Grehk is Beluaterras third largest economy measured by realm income. OG encourages free trade as long as it does not breach the laws of relevant trading realms concerned, and have trade routes established with almost all realms in the Beluaterra. A major issue of concern remains the persistently devastated population in many regions. Thus low population which slows down economic growth and limits tax rate. However the potential of the economy is great and population and production is slowly recovering.

Old Grehk has fertile plains which are have agricultural potential. Good soils and weather are found in regions such as Baqua, Pomatim and Ffangor. However workforce in Baqua and Pomatim is so affected by low population. Currently most food supply in Old Grehk is produced in Ffangor.

As in most other large economic realms, Old Grehk's industrial sector have slowly recovered from the lack of labour and devastated towns. But compared with agriculture Old Grehk have two city remain intact after the invasion - Ossmat and Vozzessdor. Therefore industry is relatively strong Old Grehk is among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of textile, ironworks, tools and consumer goods, as well as a world leader in the weapon crafting industry.

Old Grehk cities were able to defend off undead attacks during the war. Many banks continued business and remain strong. The Reserve Bank, The Ossmat and Vozzessdor Banking Corperation (OVBC) remains to be Old Grehk's largest finianical insitituions. Tourism also account to the growth of service sector. Ossmat the newly built, well planned Capital, Gethsemene the historical site of Old Grehk secession and Vozzessdor the lake City are popular destinations. Aside from cosmopolitan sites the Northern Mountains, the Northwest Coast and the Lake Region are also great tourism locations.

The Northen Mountains provides most of the metal ore. The Lake region and the northern coast is rich in marine produce. The Central Plains is great for agriculture. Mekoter Forests provides wood for the realm.

We have the following trade routes established so far, and are always looking for more opportunites to expand it. Contact Vagabond, Royal Treasuer of OG if you have any business proposal or specialities to sell.

Geography

Region Weather

  • North Lowland: Baqua, Ffangor, Fikman, Gemke, Gethsemene, Haji, Junohep, Kell, Mekoter, Ossmat, Rolbury and Sniika.
  • North Tundra: Pomatim, Vatrona, Vore, Yermon and Jedinchel.
  • Central Lake: Iknopata, Xerus, Verdomite, Vozzessdor and Yipinalke.

- by Vagabond of Cheung Family

Map of Old Grehk
Realm-Old%20Grehk.jpg

Politics and Diplomacy

Old Grehk is a monarchy and ultimate power is vested in the Emperor (or Empress). Upon the abdication of a monarch, all nobles within the Kingdom are able to vote to choose the successor, and their votes carry equal weight whether a Duke or a lowly Knight. To assist him, the Emperor appoints two Royal Councillors; the Lord General, who directs the armies of Old Grehk and the Lord Treasurer, who is responsible for managing the Exchequer as well as food supply. As well as directing these two advisors, the Emperor manages the diplomacy of the Empire and serves as Leige Lord to the Dukes and Imperial Counts.

The fourth member of the Royal Council is the Lord (or Madame) Chancellor, an office formerly known as Arch-Priest. The Lord Chancellor is selected by the Emperor, it was previously an elected position. The Lord Chancellor is head of the courts and has responsibility for dealing with nobles accused of crimes against their liege or the crown, overseeing the treatment of all prisoners and ensuring the stamping out of any Daimon worship or other heresies.

Beneath the Royal Council is the Council of Lords, made up of the Lords and Dukes of the Empire. Traditionally the monarch was advised by a slightly larger body known as the Capitolium, but this was split into the modern Council of Lords and Military Council by Emperor Michael.

Documents

Treaties

Military

Supreme command of Old Grehk's armies is held by the Emperor (or Empress), although the degree of actual involvement they have in military affairs varies not only between individual but during the reign. The ruler also appoints a Lord General, who is responsible for directing the armies and their Marshals, as well as formulating strategy. Assisting the Lord General is the Military Council, a small body made up of the Marshals, Dukes and some select advisors. At present there are two armies, designated as Legions. The Grehkian Legion, sponsored by Ambassador Askarn, is the primary force, while the White Tiger Legion, sponsored by Lord Treasurer Nidor, serves as an expeditionary force for campaigns beyond the Empire's immediate borders.

  • Units
  • Battles - Tribute to those fallen in service
  • Armies - Of largely historical interest

Society

Newspapers

Religions

  • Church of Humanity - A New Religion to Old Grehk, brought over from the East Continent but now dominant and main religion of Old Grehk. Dominant religion of the Kingdom of Westmoor.
  • Order of the Golden Feather - Worshipped by the vast majority of the population, the Order of the Golden Feather is the previous dominant religion. Founded in Vatrona by Dominicus "Silverhawk" Tyr-Sog, the Order spread to Thalmarkin and Fronen.
  • Church of Estahsism - Prior to the rise of the Golden Feather, Estahsism was the largest faith in Old Grehk. Many adherents, both common and noble were won over by the younger religion and the Church collapsed. The religion was created by Lorgan and Prins Simon and interestingly was also founded in Vatrona.
  • Daishi - Brought to the north by refugees, Daishi has recently established a presence within Old Grehk.

Families and Clans

Note: all families follow naming convention 
ExampleName Family|NameFamilyMember

Miscellaneous topics

Old Grehk Symbols

Flag of Old Grehk Duchies and Regions of Old Grehk Flag of Old Grehk
Duchy of Lake Salaman
Ircymbar | Verdomite | Vozzessdor | Xerus
Duchy of the Northern Bay
Ffangor | Junohep | Kell | Mekoter | Ossmat
Duchy of the Western Marches
Gemke | Rolbury | Vatrona | Yipinalke