Fiction:The Firmament/Ritterland

"Do not be fooled, we are not pompous and full of ourselves like the nobles of Aynach. Our deeds and reputation is well-earned; there is no room for fanciful tales in the defense of this land, and Ritterland's mighty knights stand at the top, holding the bulwark against the threat of the north. Not without help, of course, but who do you think leads the charge, hm?"

- Wilburg Viermetz, the Majestic, current lord of Ritterland

Ritterland is a country located in the northwestern shore of Dryadala. One of the four great human nations which make up the Confederation of Lechner, Ritterland is most known for its knightly culture and emphasis on mounted warfare.

History
The men of the Lechnerlands all share the same history; arising into prominence following the end of the Great Eondrassana War, tribes of primitive men begun to inhabit the ruined former lands of the elves, eventually becoming five great tribes: Vuk, Mar, Natch, Wold, and Riet. Led by ancestral chieftains, these tribes founded permanent towns, which became villages, and then true cities. By 4,000 years ago, these five tribes were now five nations, ruled by monarchs who sought to expand their influence.

Decades of territorial conflicts raged in the region, with no side ever being truly victorious over their rivals. However, all changed when a new force attacked from the sea; tribes of men unknown to these Dryadalans, calling themselves the Ruscs, arrived to raid and pillage the weak southlanders, leading to decades of bloodshed. It continued until the rise of Wolfram Lechner, king of the Vuk, whose military genius served as a banner for all forces to unite against the Rusc threat. After thirty years of war, the northlanders returned back to whence they came, and the monarchs, believing Wolfram Lechner to be a vessel of the gods themselves, all bowed to him, accepting him as their new ruler.

Wolfram became the first Emperor of the Confederation of Lechner, named after him and his feats, while the tribe of Riet was reformed into a duchy known as Ritterland, pledging itself to the Emperor. Through the years, the nation became famed for its military prowess and victories over dark forces who threatened their neighbouring lands.

Geography
Ritterland is the second largest of the Lechnerian territories, being made of lush extensions of grasslands hills and forest. Located at the northwestern shores of Dryadala, it borders Volkland to the west, Eryliana to the east and Waldland and Eondrassana to the south.

Government
The great nations of the Lechnerlands, as per the treaty which declared the rise of the Confederation, adhere to a similar form of government among themselves. Each is led by a duke, who is followed by a number of counts who serve as local governors across their land. Among these dukes, alongside other important figures such as the Grand Priest of the Church of Lechner, is chosen an Emperor to serve as the highest authority of the Confederation through a vote every generation; this Emperor's duty is to seek the counsel of each duke and ensure the Confederation's interests are being properly followed.

Religion
Ritterland, like the rest of the Confederation of Lechner, follows the religion of their tribal ancestors; the Lechner Pantheon. This collection of deities, with most being cultural gods led by the greater goddess Aldirei, serves as the main religious focus of the humans of the Lechnerlands. Other deities found in the region include Aether, Eondrassla, Kumyus and Skasdrumri.

Inhabitants
The Ritterlanders are among the most famed horseriders of Dryadala, generally competing for that title with their fellow human knights of the nation of Aynach (something which leads to typically friendly competition between the two nations). With fair skin and light brown hair, the Ritterlanders are known for being the first line of defense against any northern intruder who manages to slip by the land of Eryliana, becoming known as fierce warriors among their countrymen as a result.

Ritterland is also inhabited by dwarves, gnomes, lizardfolk. Ashen elves are very common in the nation as well due to their close links with Eryliana - as are half-elves of Ritterlander and Fyasan descent. The wilderness of Ritterland is plagued by the likes of goblins, ogres and kobolds.

Relations
Ritterland is among the more easily approachable of the Lechnerian nations, as their governing body prefers to have strong allies at hand to battle the dark forces of the north.


 * Positive relations
 * Confederation of Lechner - The men of the Lechnerlands are united under their great confederation.
 * Meerland - Ritterland sees great profit in working alongside their southern siblings.
 * Volkland - Volkland and Ritterland are both the military heads of the Confederation, leading to equal brotherhood and rivalry.
 * Waldland - Waldland's preachings of the human gods are well welcomed in Ritterland.
 * Aynach - A friendly rivalry exists between Ritterland and Aynach over who has the best knights of mankind. These generally do not escalate.
 * Eryliana - Ritterland is very close to the ashen elves, with the two fighting together against northern invaders very often.
 * Khargramnir - The dwarves are valuable friends of Ritterland, being one of their strongest trading partners.
 * Merovaren - Lizardfolk caravans pass through all Lechnerlands with exotic goods, providing good trade.


 * Ambivalent relations
 * Aelvana - While diplomatic ties between the Ritterland and the high elves exist, the distance between them leads them to not interact often.
 * Eondrassana - Despite their close links to the Fyasan, the Ritterlanders are seen with suspicion by the Eorsan.


 * Negative relations
 * Druacatakh - Ritterland is humankind's shield against the barbaric hordes of the Greenskins.
 * Duskwood - The knights of Ritterland vow to one day cleanse Natchland of the walking dead.
 * Ruscland - Raiders of the arctic still plague Ritterland's shores to this day.

Notable inhabitants

 * Royals and nobles
 * Wilburg Viermetz - Current duke of Ritterland