The Grand Duchy of Irvernia

The Realm:

The Provinces:

--While the best way to see these provinces will be the interative map, below is a map with broad descriptions of the type of govenments that exist in the provinces.

For information on Irvernian Geography, see Geography of Irvernia

-- For specific names of each province, go to the maps page, click the book in the bottom right hand corner, and follow the links and instructions to the interactive map. The flat maps provided do not include province names and the only way to hover over each one and see the names/types of local goverment is the interative map located off site.

Orange- Earldoms

All organized provinces within Irvernia are in the form of an Earldom. Similar to Counties or Barrows in other feudal systems, The Earldoms are realms that rule over a landed nobility. There are 6 Earldoms in Irvernia, and therefore 6 Earls. There Earls are more autonomous than in other realms, and exercise their own authority within their lands.

Government:

The lands of Irvernia are organized in to a Grand Duchy. As such, it is helmed by a Grand Duke. This Grand Duke is bestowed this title through heriditary succession. The Grand Duke is also the Earl of Montbeliard. This is no coincidence, as Montbeliard and its surrounding Earldom occupy an imposing strategic position within the realm. This Earldom is the only province within Irvernia that lies directly on the coast, in addition to Montbeliard itself being situated at the confluence of the Staghorn and Dravenhall Rivers. From these locations, the Grand Duke is able to hold sway over nearly all the transit and commerce that flows up and down the realm. Such leverage is necessary, as the 5 other Earls of Irvernia have power and economic might themselves, and are nearly constantly maneuvering against the others for power, wealth, and influence. Irvernia is perhaps the feudal realm most prone to in-fighting in all of Aurmera. Court intrigue, assassinations, and even open conflict among the Earls is common. This is mostly due to a lack of authority and power centralized into the office of the Grand Duke. While the Grand Duke has enough strength to hold onto his title, and is able to keep his competitors away from his own holdings, the state lacks the unity or might to keep them from competing amongst each other.
People and Culture:
In the heart of the fertile Staghorn River Valley, the Irvernians flourish as masters of agriculture. A people deeply connected to the land, they have shaped their culture around the bountiful harvests, territorial strife, and the artistry of brewing and winemaking.
The Irvernians are organized under a feudal Grand Duchy, a realm characterized by a web of Earls vying for better lands, economic gain, and prestige. The Earls engage in constant rivalry, their skirmishes echoing across the picturesque hills that border the Staghorn River. The struggle for dominance weaves a tapestry of both conflict and a delicate balance of power.
The heartbeat of Irvernian civilization is the Staghorn River, winding its way through the expansive valley. This lush land, bordered by green and rolling hills, serves as the cradle of their prosperity. The fertile highlands or the upper staghorn, where a particular breed of sheep roams, provide not only exceptional wool but also a unique terrain for their agriculture.
The Irvernians are adept farmers, reaping bumper crops of nearly every imaginable food and cash crop. The rich soil of the Staghorn River Valley, combined with their agricultural expertise, allows them to cultivate a diverse array of produce. However, the crown jewel of their agriculture is the high-quality wool from the specially bred sheep in the highlands, coveted for its softness and durability.
With the abundance of crops, the Irvernians have mastered the art of brewing and winemaking. Their ales, meads, and wines are renowned throughout the region for their craftsmanship and unique flavors. Festivals celebrating the harvest and the artistry of brewing and vinting mark the changing seasons, bringing communities together to revel in the fruits of their labor.
The constant jostling among Earls for better lands and prestige creates an undercurrent of rivalry within Irvernian society. The territorial disputes are not only a test of might but a complex dance of alliances and strategic maneuvers.
The highlands of Irvernia are home to skilled shepherds who tend to the unique breed of sheep. These animals provide not only wool of exceptional quality but also serve as a symbol of Irvernian resilience and adaptability. The wool, spun into fine textiles, becomes a sought-after commodity traded within and beyond their borders.
Irvernian culture finds expression in vibrant festivals celebrating the changing seasons and the cycles of agriculture. These events showcase the richness of their harvests, the artistry of brewing, and the camaraderie forged within their communities. The people come together, adorned in traditional garments crafted from the prized highland wool, to revel in the prosperity that the land has bestowed upon them.
Despite the ongoing struggles among Earls, the Irvernians share a deep-rooted connection to the land and an understanding of the delicate balance required to sustain their prosperity. The Grand Duchy stands as a testament to their collective identity as lords of the harvest, stewards of the Staghorn River Valley, and custodians of a culture woven from the threads of abundance and strife.

Notable Trades and Industries:

As previously stated, the irvernians are adept farmers, ranchers, and herders. From grape vines to wheat and from cattle to sheep, the fertile valley and hills that make up Irvernia provide bountiful harvest year after year. Additionally, due to their excess yields, they have mastered the art of wine, beer, and mead making. The vinters and brewmasters of Irvernia are renowned across Aurmera, putting to shame even the high quality beverages brewed in Seretia. Also of note, is their herbal industry. Due to not every acre available being needed to feed its people, the agriculturalists in Irvernia also grow the a varied mix of herbs and flora that can be refined into a varierty of elixers, perfumes, medicines and more. 

History:

For a description of the events that took place across the continent during The Great Split, read A Brief History of Aurmera 

In the annals of Aurmera, the Dalor were once a unified people, dwelling harmoniously north of the formidable Pellum Mountains. A great darkness, however, descended upon the Dalor, shrouding their once-peaceful lands and propelling them on a perilous journey southward, across the treacherous mountain ranges.
In their ancestral homeland, the Dalor lived as a triumvirate, a harmonious alliance of three regional cultures. The first were the sea people, navigating the vast waters with finesse and expanding their influence across coastal regions. The second were the clans of horsemen, masters of the open plains, skilled in mounted warfare and guardians of the nomadic way of life. The third were the agrarian farmers, cultivating the fertile lands and river valleys with diligence and reaping the bounty of the earth.
A great darkness, its origins lost to time, descended upon the Dalor's ancestral lands. It swept through the triumvirate, casting shadows over their once-thriving cultures. As the forces of darkness consumed their territories, the Dalor faced a choice – submit to the abyss or flee southward, across the imposing Pellum Mountains.
The Dalor, united by a shared destiny, embarked on a harrowing exodus across the nearly impassable Pellum Mountains. The journey was fraught with peril, as they navigated treacherous terrain, faced fierce weather, and encountered unknown threats. Yet, the unity forged in their triumvirate proved to be their strength, guiding them through the challenges that sought to break their spirit.
Upon crossing the formidable mountain range, the Dalor found themselves in a new realm, the eastern lands of Aurmera. Here, they discovered the imposing woodlands, river valleys, and swamps. The horsemen were found wanting for open space. The seamen quickly migrated to the coast in search of natural harbors. The farmers settled immediately in the valley and hills of the Staghorn. They saw potential in these lands, a canvas upon which to rebuild their lives.
In Aurmera, the Dalor adapted to their new surroundings, reimagining their triumvirate as a renewed means of providing for eachother. The seafaring people continued their maritime pursuits along the southern coasts, while the horse clans followed the rivers into the eastern coastal swamps and found a new terrain to adapt their mounted skills upon. The farmers, skilled in cultivating fertile floodplains, continued their age-old practices along the picturesque landscape of the Staghorn River.
Despite the changes brought by their migration, the Dalor preserved the essence of their triumvirate legacy. They continued to cycle the title of Kingship between the three cultures, ensuring a balanced rule that drew from the strengths of each. The unity that had guided them through their exodus became the cornerstone of their collective properity. Eventually, these Dalor cultures organized into the Principality of Gamarak, the United Hordes of Ofenland, and the Grand Duchy of Irvernia. All distinct, but all equal.
The history of the Dalor, marked by the triumph over darkness and the resilience in migration, became a living testament to the strength of unity. The seafaring, horsemen, and agrarian cultures, while adapting to new landscapes, retained their distinct identities within the broader Dalor Triumverate. Their triumph over darkness and unity in diversity became a cultural legacy, passed down through generations.
Not all unitfied people are destined to last as one. The Great Split did not spare the Dalor, just as it did not spare the Elves or the Anor. The treachery of the Drow, and the deep resentment caused by the subsequent conflict among the Dalor thoroughly divided the Dalor cultures into their own states. The Triumverate was dissolved, and animosity between the states remains to this day, with each viewing its own claim to the unification of the Dalor as the most legitimate. The lack of the title of King in all three of the modern realms of Gamarak, Irvernia, and Ofenland stands as a testiment to what was lost.

Religion:

@ Irvernian Patrons   The Irvernians are deeply religious. They praise the gods for their bountiful harvest and never miss a festival, tribute, or day of worship for their patrons. The Irvernians do not tolerate disrespect to the gods, should it cause them to grow dissatisfied and affect the bounties of the land. 

Language:

The Irvernians speak Dalor Common, a variation of Common. Anor and Dalor common are different enough to make it difficult to communicate at times. Enough time has passed since the migration of the Dalor, that regional accents and terminology now divide the old Dalor language. While Irvernians, Ofenlanders, and Gamaraki all share a root language, their dialects have evolved nearly to the point of their own languages. Notably, due to sharing multiple river routes into the Dwarven lands, many Irvernians are also fluent in Dwarvish.