The Kingdom of Vlandia

The Vlandian Kingdom traces its roots to a coalition of diverse tribes and mercenaries who arrived in Calradia from across the sea. Led by the formidable warlord Wilund the Bold—known in Calradic as Valandion—these early Vlandians sought fortune and adventure in a land embroiled in the waning power of the Calradic Empire. Initially employed as mercenaries to protect the Empire's frontiers from the unruly tribes within, the Vlandians became renowned for their heavy cavalry and formidable crossbowmen.

As the Empire's financial resources dwindled, its leaders offered land grants in lieu of silver, allowing the Vlandians to settle along the western coast. This pragmatic decision, though initially beneficial to both parties, sowed the seeds of future conflict. The Vlandians established farms, built fortresses, and intermarried with local populations, gradually asserting their influence over the region.

During a period of imperial instability, the charismatic leader Osric Iron-Arm rose to prominence among the Vlandians. Seizing the opportunity, he declared himself King of Vlandia, effectively uniting the various barons and counts under his banner. Osric captured the imperial city of Baravenos and extended his control over the western lands, marking the formal independence of Vlandia from the Empire.

Osric's leadership style was both strategic and shrewd; he recognized his loyal lieutenants as barons and counts, granting them suzerainty over their territories. This system fostered both unity and rivalry, ensuring that the barons remained powerful yet dependent on the king's leadership in times of war.

The Vlandians prided themselves on their martial prowess and chivalric values, with a society that revolved around feudal loyalties and knightly honor. The heavy cavalry, comprised of noble knights clad in sturdy armor, became the backbone of the Vlandian military, supported by disciplined crossbowmen and shield-bearing infantry. These formidable forces played a crucial role in defending their territories and asserting their dominance over neighboring regions.

Fueled by a fervent desire to spread their faith, the Vlandians launched an unprecedented holy war against the Sultanate of Aserai. This decade-long crusade, marked by fierce battles and unwavering determination, aimed to convert the desert-dwelling Aserai to the Vlandian faith. Although ultimately unsuccessful, remnants of this crusade endure in the form of monasteries and Vlandian enclaves north of the Qirhaat River, serving as a lasting testament to their religious zeal.

Under King Derthert, the great-grandson of Osric Iron-Arm, the Vlandian Kingdom maintained a tenuous alliance with the Calradic Empire. This alliance, forged in exchange for the Empire's recognition of Vlandian autonomy, was marked by mutual suspicion and underlying tensions. When the Empire called upon Vlandia to assist against the Sturgians and Battanians, Derthert hesitated, resulting in a costly battle at Pendraic where Vlandian forces sustained heavy losses.

Vlandians hold deep pride in their culture, emphasizing chivalry, feudal loyalty, and religious devotion. Their society places a strong focus on lineage, with noble families tracing their ancestry back to the earliest days of their settlement in Calradia. Cultural festivals, jousts, and tournaments celebrate their martial heritage and reinforce bonds of loyalty among the nobility.

Determined to spread their faith, the Vlandians remain resolute in their mission to expand their influence, whether through diplomacy or force. This unwavering commitment to their religious and cultural values continues to shape their interactions with neighboring factions, positioning the Vlandian Kingdom as a formidable power in the region.