Oestmarken

History

The Oestmarken people arrived in Barovia in the second migration wave from the old world. They landed on The Bleak Coast and were the first known explorers and pioneers to pass through The Slumbering Mountains via Edwin's Pass. These early pioneers braved The Sha'ad Wastes, and crossed over into Oestmark, founding many settlements there. The Oestmarken tend to be excellent horsemen and farmers, embracing the open lands they primarily inhabit. Those who remained in the wastes now call themselves the Sha'adi, and founded their own separate state, and, depending who you ask, a separate religion as well. The Oestmarken people worship Enlil exclusively. The Sha'adi worship both Enlil and his son, Marutuk. The Oestmarken worshipers of Enlil belong to The Temple of the Sun, so called because Enlil is the sun god. The Oestmarken who made it all the way to the east coast founded The Duchy of Oestmark, the capital of which is Omundstead; named for Sir Omund, whom founded the small village which quickly grew to a bustling city. As the Oestmarken civilization grew, frontiersmen pressed ever southward into the resource rich southern Barovia; steadily deforesting Aerelith and taking advantage of the abundance of natural resources in the region. Lake Alistair was founded as a center of administration for these colonies, and quickly grew into a magnificent city. The Oestmarken colonists quickly found themselves gaining more and more autonomy as they no longer required supplies from their patron nation, and the desire for independence grew. Under the banner of King Alerik, the colonies fought and won a war against Duke Baderich of Oestmark, and founded the kingdom of Moraulden. Though The Duchy of Oestmark and Moraulden are now two distinct realms, the people within remain very much the same. Many families were split apart in this great conflict, and there are mixed feelings among the common folk of both realms toward one another.