Hochland
Hochland, officially known as the Grand Barony of Hochland, is one of the founding Imperial Provinces of the Empire. Situated in the midlands, extending into the southlands, Hochland shares its untamed wilderness and a portion of the Acades mountains with its neighbor, Sigenstein.
Long ago, Hochland served as the crucial gateway between the empire's prosperous midlands and the beleaguered southlands. The midlands, with their expansive fertile lands and bustling cities, represented the heart of the empire, radiating wealth and stability. In contrast, the southlands were poorer and perpetually under threat. Hochland embodied aspects of both worlds. Benefiting from the wealth generated by trade routes and enjoying a period of peace, Hochland thrived, though it never quite reached the affluence of its neighbor, Sigenstein. However, Hochland's considerable size, being twice that of Sigenstein, provided it with abundant land and resources to work with.
However, with the Great Waaagh! everything changed. Hessmark and Triaus, the two imperial provinces of the southlands, were destroyed by Waaagh!. Although Hochland wasn't completely destroyed, it didn't survive unscathed. The Orc Horde decimated Hochland before being defeated by Emperor Ragenardus III. With the orc leader felled, his hordes fled in terror. Hessmark and Triaus were wiped off the map, and half of Hochland's lands shared their fate. This led to the creation of the Badlands, a desolate area now inhabited by orcs and nomadic tribes. Hochland transformed from the gateway province into the frontier province, becoming the empire's bulwark against the tribes attempting to penetrate its heartland.
Hochland has remained poor ever since, and much like the rest of the empire, has never recovered. The once vibrant trade routes that brought prosperity have been severed, leaving its cities and towns in a state of economic stagnation. The fertile lands that once produced abundant crops now lie barren, and the infrastructure that supported commerce and growth has crumbled. The constant threat from orcs and nomadic tribes in the Badlands has forced Hochland to divert much of its remaining resources to defense, further straining its economy. The population has dwindled as people flee the dangers and seek better opportunities elsewhere, leaving ghost towns and abandoned farms in their wake. Hochland's once proud status as a thriving gateway province is now a distant memory, and it struggles to maintain even a semblance of its former glory amidst the relentless challenges that beset it.
Long ago, Hochland served as the crucial gateway between the empire's prosperous midlands and the beleaguered southlands. The midlands, with their expansive fertile lands and bustling cities, represented the heart of the empire, radiating wealth and stability. In contrast, the southlands were poorer and perpetually under threat. Hochland embodied aspects of both worlds. Benefiting from the wealth generated by trade routes and enjoying a period of peace, Hochland thrived, though it never quite reached the affluence of its neighbor, Sigenstein. However, Hochland's considerable size, being twice that of Sigenstein, provided it with abundant land and resources to work with.
However, with the Great Waaagh! everything changed. Hessmark and Triaus, the two imperial provinces of the southlands, were destroyed by Waaagh!. Although Hochland wasn't completely destroyed, it didn't survive unscathed. The Orc Horde decimated Hochland before being defeated by Emperor Ragenardus III. With the orc leader felled, his hordes fled in terror. Hessmark and Triaus were wiped off the map, and half of Hochland's lands shared their fate. This led to the creation of the Badlands, a desolate area now inhabited by orcs and nomadic tribes. Hochland transformed from the gateway province into the frontier province, becoming the empire's bulwark against the tribes attempting to penetrate its heartland.
Hochland has remained poor ever since, and much like the rest of the empire, has never recovered. The once vibrant trade routes that brought prosperity have been severed, leaving its cities and towns in a state of economic stagnation. The fertile lands that once produced abundant crops now lie barren, and the infrastructure that supported commerce and growth has crumbled. The constant threat from orcs and nomadic tribes in the Badlands has forced Hochland to divert much of its remaining resources to defense, further straining its economy. The population has dwindled as people flee the dangers and seek better opportunities elsewhere, leaving ghost towns and abandoned farms in their wake. Hochland's once proud status as a thriving gateway province is now a distant memory, and it struggles to maintain even a semblance of its former glory amidst the relentless challenges that beset it.
Culture
The people of Hochland, now a rugged frontier province, are a resilient and resourceful folk shaped by centuries of hardship and conflict. Once known for their prosperity and vibrant trade, they now embody a spirit of endurance and grit. The inhabitants, a blend of traditional Hochlanders and settlers from various parts of the Empire, are known for their deep connection to their land and their unwavering determination to defend it from external threats. Despite their hardships, they hold tightly to their cultural heritage, valuing community, self-reliance, and a fierce sense of independence. The harsh realities of their environment have fostered a tough and pragmatic outlook, with a society that has adapted to survive in the face of constant challenges.
Assets
Major Exports:
Leather Goods
Rare Herbs
Tools
Leather Goods
Rare Herbs
Tools
History
During the Era of Turmoil, the southlands of The Empire of Man united as one. It followed Dyre, and the main power was Hochland as it was called the Hochen Empire. For most of their lifespan, the empire fought the tribes of the Dunbad and would sometimes clash with the other empires.
Around 4000 years after the devastation wrought by the Great Waaagh!, the Empire faced the undead legions during the Great War of Undeath. The empire teetered on the brink of collapse as undead legions surged across its lands, threatening to extinguish its light forever. In this dark hour, Emperor Hogan the Wise emerged as a beacon of hope. His strategic brilliance and unyielding resolve turned the tide of war, leading a campaign that would become legendary.
Hogan the Wise, determined to reclaim the lost territories and restore order, launched a daring southern campaign into the Badlands, a region ravaged by the undead. Through a series of decisive victories, he not only repelled the undead invaders but also conquered and secured the desolate lands once held by the former provinces of Hessmark and Triaus. These lands, though barren, were strategically important for halting the resurgence of nomadic tribes and bringing stability to the Empire's southern frontier.
To consolidate his gains and streamline administration, Hogan dissolved the old province of Hochland, renaming it Granland. Under this new designation, Granland encompassed both the reclaimed Badlands and the traditional territories of Hochland. For several centuries, Granland thrived as the southern bulwark of the Empire, maintaining a fragile peace and asserting control over the tumultuous region.
Although it is not known when but sometime after the Aasimar Conquest in 9666 AC, Granland was disbanded. The name Hochland was resurrected, and the Badlands fell once again under the control of orcs and nomadic tribes, leaving Hochland to contend with its renewed and ever-present challenges.
Around 4000 years after the devastation wrought by the Great Waaagh!, the Empire faced the undead legions during the Great War of Undeath. The empire teetered on the brink of collapse as undead legions surged across its lands, threatening to extinguish its light forever. In this dark hour, Emperor Hogan the Wise emerged as a beacon of hope. His strategic brilliance and unyielding resolve turned the tide of war, leading a campaign that would become legendary.
Hogan the Wise, determined to reclaim the lost territories and restore order, launched a daring southern campaign into the Badlands, a region ravaged by the undead. Through a series of decisive victories, he not only repelled the undead invaders but also conquered and secured the desolate lands once held by the former provinces of Hessmark and Triaus. These lands, though barren, were strategically important for halting the resurgence of nomadic tribes and bringing stability to the Empire's southern frontier.
To consolidate his gains and streamline administration, Hogan dissolved the old province of Hochland, renaming it Granland. Under this new designation, Granland encompassed both the reclaimed Badlands and the traditional territories of Hochland. For several centuries, Granland thrived as the southern bulwark of the Empire, maintaining a fragile peace and asserting control over the tumultuous region.
Although it is not known when but sometime after the Aasimar Conquest in 9666 AC, Granland was disbanded. The name Hochland was resurrected, and the Badlands fell once again under the control of orcs and nomadic tribes, leaving Hochland to contend with its renewed and ever-present challenges.
Strength in Suffering, Unity in Defiance
Type
Geopolitical, Duchy
Capital
Demonym
Leader
Leader Title
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Constitutional
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Parent Organization
Location
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
Comments