The Wayfarers Guide to Darala Chapter 3: The Haxony Protectorate
Posted: Mon May 15, 2023 10:54 pm
This is a little fan filler for the upcoming series "Raven's Flight" featuring Kallista. Here is the background on the Haxony Protectorate and it's Captial City Haxonburg, where the majority of the story will take place.
THE HAXONY PROTECTORATE
written by Gloria Seacombe, Travel Correspondent The Stormward Herald
During my travels throughout Athenas, I have visited many strange and wonderful places, I have rubbed shoulders with the Sword Masters of Far Eastern Hi-Chan, sampled the finest whale fillet washed down with the warm brandy of my homeland. I have even braved the darkness of Nocturne, the realm of the vampires. But nothing prepared me for the time I spent in the intriguing yet secretive Haxony Protectorate. A nation we are currently at war with, over their rampant expansionism. I was lucky to get permission to visit the militaristic nation, on account of being a proud Stormwarder I had to go through at least 3 separate security checks just prove I was no spy. I hope in this chapter of the Wayfarers Guide, to present an accurate picture of the Haxony as I saw it from street level. So without any further ado.
Geographical information
Being the largest of the original three colonial kingdoms of the continent of Darala, Haxony itself is a land of extremes. From frozen tundra on its North Eastern border with the Stormward Reich, and along its Northern polar reaches to lush rolling alpine meadows in its centre, suitable for farming. To the east is Haxony's border with Nocturne, along the Blizzard Peaks home to the Dwarven holds. Here the country is mostly temperate, alpine woodland forever guarded by Fort Greymark, Haxony's first line of defence from incursions from the Vampire Nation.
There are currently four major cities in the Protectorate, Haxonburg the capital city, main trading hub and seat of the Lord or Lady Protector, on the west coast. Volkaburg, in the Northern reaches. Resnaburg in the central plains, on the mighty Haxon river. The garrison city of Kalinda's Rising , the spiritual home of the People's Revolution and training centre for the Protectorate Army, located in the eastern alpine forests. And finally Deisberg, located in the south near Haxony's border with the Holy Lands of the Church of Eve. Here the country is mostly arable farmland and fenlands.
Historical Information
Haxony's history is a long tale of blood and violence that stretches back from the time of the colonisation over 600 years ago. Originally the Kingdom of Haxony, the country was ruled by 15 generations of the same royal house the Von Rohmers. Once a family of noble kings and queens, the Von Rohmers became cruel and ruled their people with an Iron Fist. Until 50 years ago, a young female elven slave Kalindra the Bold led an uprising of humans and elves to overthrow the cruel tyrannical King Wilhelm V. Over a period of 4 bloody years, a civil war where Kalindra herself was slain in the Battle of Haxonburg, the abolitionist movement won out but paid a steep price for their victory. In an event known as the Grand Defenestration, the Royal Palace was stormed and the King butchered by an angry mob before his corpse was thrown from his window, landing onto the streets below. This began the rule of the Haxony Protectorate.
Political Information
Now ruled by a republican council led by a Lord or Lady Protector, Haxony still suffers from injustices large and small. The current ruler of Haxony is Lady Protector Jessamina, the first elf to lead the Republic. While most are considered equal under the law, each much earn their place as a citizen by contributing to the vast Haxony war machine or be cast into the frozen north to fend for themselves. The prime goal of the Haxony Protectorate is to spread the Word of Kalindra to the rest of Darala, through force if necessary. Uniquely, unlike Stormward there is no division between elfs or humans and intermarriage between the races is permitted. The same cannot be said for vampires however, Haxony shows a deep mistrust for vampires, just as strongly as they distrust the Holy Church. Vampires are not welcome in Haxony and it is the law that any vampire that enters Haxony should be killed on sight. Therefore it is strongly recommended that Stormward's Vampires avoid Haxony at all costs.
Officially, the Government of Stormward does not officially recognise the Haxony Protectorate nor its leaders, declaring the former kingdom a rogue state. The Church of the Sacred Eve as also declared them potentially irredeemable, despite still maintaining an Holy District within Haxonburg's walls. With the downfall of the Vampire Nation, Haxony forces have been seen marching into Nocturne occupying the territory once held by arch fiend Gisella.
Military information
Unlike Stormward, where the Guard serves as both the military and civil defence force, Haxony as its own armed forces separate from its police forces. Each city in Haxony as its own dedicated Civic Guard who serve as it's civilian enforcers. The most highly trained is the Haxonburg Civic Guard, clad in matching bottle green uniform and armed with the latest in dwarven made firearms. As with the Haxony Protectorate Army and Navy, men and women serve on an equal footing, with Elf's being allowed to join serving in all combat roles with the potential for advancement. It's perhaps this progressiveness that sets it apart from its Western Neighbour, Stormward and goes a long way to explain why many elves from our beloved Reich flee across the border, each year to swell it's ranks.
There is also the secret police, the Protectorate Commissariat which serves as the intelligence arm of the Republic and is also infamous for dragging off dissident citizens who begin to question the regime into something called "Re-education." While what happens in these camps is a matter of intense speculation, what can be certain is that those who return become loyal workers once more without a trace of their former dissatisfaction.
We are currently engaged in the fifth year of conflict with Haxony and the recent Nocturne Crisis, as made them bolder in their attacks seeing our recent losses as an opportunity to launch deeper incursions into our territory. Our only line of defence being the impregnable Fort Razorcat. There however have been recent overtures of peace from the office of the Protectorate, whether or not these can be trusted is up the office of the High Chancellor to fathom.
Summary
Haxony remains a puzzle tied into an enigma. The country itself is beautiful, bountiful with much arable farmland . It's people hardy but mistrustful of outsiders, told by their leaders that the outside only seeks to take away the Republic that their grandparents fought so hard to achieve, to return them to the dark days of absolute monarchy. The Stormwarder in me would warn you to stay away from this repressive state, but the explorer in me would definitely recommend the trip. If only just to see how fortunate we are in Stormward for our freedoms and our benevolent High Chancellor.
Next Chapter- The Holy Land of the Church of the Sacred Eve.
THE HAXONY PROTECTORATE
written by Gloria Seacombe, Travel Correspondent The Stormward Herald
During my travels throughout Athenas, I have visited many strange and wonderful places, I have rubbed shoulders with the Sword Masters of Far Eastern Hi-Chan, sampled the finest whale fillet washed down with the warm brandy of my homeland. I have even braved the darkness of Nocturne, the realm of the vampires. But nothing prepared me for the time I spent in the intriguing yet secretive Haxony Protectorate. A nation we are currently at war with, over their rampant expansionism. I was lucky to get permission to visit the militaristic nation, on account of being a proud Stormwarder I had to go through at least 3 separate security checks just prove I was no spy. I hope in this chapter of the Wayfarers Guide, to present an accurate picture of the Haxony as I saw it from street level. So without any further ado.
Geographical information
Being the largest of the original three colonial kingdoms of the continent of Darala, Haxony itself is a land of extremes. From frozen tundra on its North Eastern border with the Stormward Reich, and along its Northern polar reaches to lush rolling alpine meadows in its centre, suitable for farming. To the east is Haxony's border with Nocturne, along the Blizzard Peaks home to the Dwarven holds. Here the country is mostly temperate, alpine woodland forever guarded by Fort Greymark, Haxony's first line of defence from incursions from the Vampire Nation.
There are currently four major cities in the Protectorate, Haxonburg the capital city, main trading hub and seat of the Lord or Lady Protector, on the west coast. Volkaburg, in the Northern reaches. Resnaburg in the central plains, on the mighty Haxon river. The garrison city of Kalinda's Rising , the spiritual home of the People's Revolution and training centre for the Protectorate Army, located in the eastern alpine forests. And finally Deisberg, located in the south near Haxony's border with the Holy Lands of the Church of Eve. Here the country is mostly arable farmland and fenlands.
Historical Information
Haxony's history is a long tale of blood and violence that stretches back from the time of the colonisation over 600 years ago. Originally the Kingdom of Haxony, the country was ruled by 15 generations of the same royal house the Von Rohmers. Once a family of noble kings and queens, the Von Rohmers became cruel and ruled their people with an Iron Fist. Until 50 years ago, a young female elven slave Kalindra the Bold led an uprising of humans and elves to overthrow the cruel tyrannical King Wilhelm V. Over a period of 4 bloody years, a civil war where Kalindra herself was slain in the Battle of Haxonburg, the abolitionist movement won out but paid a steep price for their victory. In an event known as the Grand Defenestration, the Royal Palace was stormed and the King butchered by an angry mob before his corpse was thrown from his window, landing onto the streets below. This began the rule of the Haxony Protectorate.
Political Information
Now ruled by a republican council led by a Lord or Lady Protector, Haxony still suffers from injustices large and small. The current ruler of Haxony is Lady Protector Jessamina, the first elf to lead the Republic. While most are considered equal under the law, each much earn their place as a citizen by contributing to the vast Haxony war machine or be cast into the frozen north to fend for themselves. The prime goal of the Haxony Protectorate is to spread the Word of Kalindra to the rest of Darala, through force if necessary. Uniquely, unlike Stormward there is no division between elfs or humans and intermarriage between the races is permitted. The same cannot be said for vampires however, Haxony shows a deep mistrust for vampires, just as strongly as they distrust the Holy Church. Vampires are not welcome in Haxony and it is the law that any vampire that enters Haxony should be killed on sight. Therefore it is strongly recommended that Stormward's Vampires avoid Haxony at all costs.
Officially, the Government of Stormward does not officially recognise the Haxony Protectorate nor its leaders, declaring the former kingdom a rogue state. The Church of the Sacred Eve as also declared them potentially irredeemable, despite still maintaining an Holy District within Haxonburg's walls. With the downfall of the Vampire Nation, Haxony forces have been seen marching into Nocturne occupying the territory once held by arch fiend Gisella.
Military information
Unlike Stormward, where the Guard serves as both the military and civil defence force, Haxony as its own armed forces separate from its police forces. Each city in Haxony as its own dedicated Civic Guard who serve as it's civilian enforcers. The most highly trained is the Haxonburg Civic Guard, clad in matching bottle green uniform and armed with the latest in dwarven made firearms. As with the Haxony Protectorate Army and Navy, men and women serve on an equal footing, with Elf's being allowed to join serving in all combat roles with the potential for advancement. It's perhaps this progressiveness that sets it apart from its Western Neighbour, Stormward and goes a long way to explain why many elves from our beloved Reich flee across the border, each year to swell it's ranks.
There is also the secret police, the Protectorate Commissariat which serves as the intelligence arm of the Republic and is also infamous for dragging off dissident citizens who begin to question the regime into something called "Re-education." While what happens in these camps is a matter of intense speculation, what can be certain is that those who return become loyal workers once more without a trace of their former dissatisfaction.
We are currently engaged in the fifth year of conflict with Haxony and the recent Nocturne Crisis, as made them bolder in their attacks seeing our recent losses as an opportunity to launch deeper incursions into our territory. Our only line of defence being the impregnable Fort Razorcat. There however have been recent overtures of peace from the office of the Protectorate, whether or not these can be trusted is up the office of the High Chancellor to fathom.
Summary
Haxony remains a puzzle tied into an enigma. The country itself is beautiful, bountiful with much arable farmland . It's people hardy but mistrustful of outsiders, told by their leaders that the outside only seeks to take away the Republic that their grandparents fought so hard to achieve, to return them to the dark days of absolute monarchy. The Stormwarder in me would warn you to stay away from this repressive state, but the explorer in me would definitely recommend the trip. If only just to see how fortunate we are in Stormward for our freedoms and our benevolent High Chancellor.
Next Chapter- The Holy Land of the Church of the Sacred Eve.
