Bernick Kingdom
The Bernick Kingdom is a thriving realm thanks to a popular lineage, strong and well-equipped army, and fair rule of law. The Kingdom enjoys a veil of peace as danger lurks in the neighboring wildwood, where the twisted remains and ancient roots of the Mad Druid King await.
After overthrowing the Druid King, the Bernick Empire rose to power, encompassing the following civilized lands of the Northern Wildwood.
Bernick Lineage
King Aglarion Bernick (Reign 438 – 488 EoIF)
Known as the Grandfather, Aglarion Bernick led the rebellion against the Druid King. Famous for being a champion of the commoner, Aglarion established the laws of the kingdom, much of what has carried on to the present day.King Nathaniel Bernick (Reign 489 – 543 EoIF)
Son of Aglarion, Nathaniel Bernick is famous for his wartime prowess and for testing the strength of the Knights of the Five Roses. When the Broken Tusk clan descended upon Port Altran in a bloody conflict, the war machines of Bernick defeated Chieftain Aznarr. After their defeat, the Broken Tusks agreed to a peace treaty which has been maintained until the recent death of Chieftain Graaer Deathbrand.Queen Sorina Bernick (Reign 544 – 602 EoIF)
Daughter of Nathaniel, Queen Sorina is famous for her efforts to aid the Shatterstone Dwarves of the Crestfallen Mountains. Known for her hospitality and compassion, Queen Sorina accepted Dwarf refugees after the Shatterstone Dwarves were attacked and lost their once great city, Dusk Gorge, to the vile Thrall uprising.King Varin Bernick (Reign 602 – Present)
Son of Sorina, Varin Bernick is known for his love of history. Bearing a striking resemblance to the “grandfather” King Aglarion, Varian is unfortunately known best for the death of his first wife, Fianna and late son, Samuel. Even with this hardship, Varin has led Bernick to wealth and prosperity during his reign after remarrying the now queen, Lavena.Government
The Bernick Kingdom is ruled by the head of the Bernick royal family, with absolute power over the law and the kingdom’s resources. As a ruler, the head of the family can award land and titles of nobility to loyal subjects.
The Bernick royal family represents tradition and stability, something the people of Bernick continue to cherish.
Knights of the Five Roses
Established by King Aglarion Bernick during the kingdom’s founding, the Knights of the Five Roses pay tribute to the Order of Five Roses and their efforts to aid Bernick in overthrowing the Druid King. Titles of knighthood were granted to five noble houses for aiding King Aglarion in the Northern Wildwoods rebellion. Over time, the five families have expanded their influence and fortune with each generation.
While the title is prestigious and each family vows fealty to the crown, they represent a significant individual power with enormous responsibility. Only Knights of the Five Roses are permitted to raise an army, with each family tasked with maintaining and accepting the call of action should the Royal Family call for aid.
Current Knights of the Five Roses
Culture
Languages
Erenel Languages in the Bernick Kingdom derives from the sheer size of their neighboring kingdom, the Krovian Empire. While not particularly religious, commoners continue to speak "The Word" mainly for its ease of use and deep roots. As a people who traveled from the Krovian Empire to the Northern Wildwood centuries prior, the Igrati language is interwoven in the region. However, since the romantic language of the Krovian Empire has an enormous vocabulary, Igrati is typically only spoken by nobles who can afford to send their children to university or have in-home tutors.
Occasionally, the Awean language is spoken by outsiders or travelers with a druidic background. Evolved from the Ancient Elvish dialect Xil’vi, Awean is more prominent in the Southern Wildwood and is looked unfavorably upon in its Northern counterpart, mainly due to how the language ties to the Mad Druid King.
History
Before the Great Sacrifice, the Ancient Elf kingdom, Xil'vari, called the Northern Wildwood home. Following Erenel's reawakening, the ancient kingdom seemingly vanished and in its place, a powerful Elatan known as the Druid King rose to power. With the aid of his druidic council, the Order of Five Roses, the Druid King expelled those deemed harmful to the wilds, closing the forest's borders and directly opposing any who sought to harvest its natural wonders.
Alone and unbeknownst to his druidic council, the Druid King was ill-prepared for the arrival of Sebastian Vaneras, the First Vampire, succumbing to the vampire's corrupting influence. Disgraced to nothing more than a vampiric pawn, the Druid King slipped into madness, twisting the Northern Wildwood in Vaneras's image. Watching the destruction of their home, the Order of Five Roses were forced to turn on their beloved king, allying with a human rebellion led by the charismatic Aglarion Bernick. After a short and bloody war won by the rebellion, Aglarion Bernick was crowned, forming the city that bears his name.
Founding Date
438 EoIF
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Alternative Names
Rose Fields
Location
Controlled Territories
Related Ethnicities
Crownwarden
Founded by King Nathaniel Bernick, the Crownwarden are paladins who swear a lifelong oath to protect the Royal Family and the Bernick Kingdom. Strenuous training begins at a young age as squires who would become Crownwarden are taught various forms of protective magic and martial techniques. Held in high esteem throughout the Northern Wildwood, a Crownwarden acts as a personal guard for the Royal Family, protects Farborough Castle, and serves on the frontline alongside the Knights of the Five Roses in times of war. The Crownwarden is led by and reports to the Lord Commander, a title awarded by the Royal Family to a veteran Crownwarden who exemplifies their lifelong oath.Red Sword Lawkeepers
Established during King Aglarion’s reign to uphold the law and provide equitable treatment to the common folk, the Red Sword Lawkeepers are stationed in all cities under Bernick’s influence. Each Red Sword member is highly regarded and has served alongside a Knight of the Five Roses for at least five years. By law, each Knight of the Five Roses must enlist members of their army to join the Red Sword and uphold the rule of law. Lacking a rigid structure, Red Sword Lawkeepers solve situations as they see fit and can only be overruled by their city ranking officer or a Knight of the Five Roses. This freedom means a Red Sword can make their own judgment, so long as it is considered fair and loyal to the law written by the Royal Family. To battle corruption, Red Sword Lawkeepers face harshes consquences and more severe sentences. A Red Sword convicted of lawlessness is a title worse than a criminal in the Bernick Kingdom. Red Sword Lawkeepers are distinguished by their red cloak, red hilt longsword and amulet engraved with their name and title.
by Dean Spencer