Fiction:The Firmament/Meerland

"Yes, well, I don't know about you, but I can afford to do whatever I want since I'm the richest man this side of the World's Pinnacle Mountains. So scoot, I've got business to attend to."

- Henry Fenchel, the Opulent, current lord of Meerland

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 Mar was reformed into a duchy known as Ritterland, pledging itself to the Emperor. Through the years, the nation became one of the largest economic power of Dryadala and the main naval force of the Lechnerlands.

Geography
Meerland is the second smallest of the Lechnerian territories, being made of an extensive coastline followed by lush portions of grassland with few mountains, though hills and plateaus also dot the landscape. Located at the central shores of Dryadala, it borders Waldland and Ritterland to the north, Eondrassana to the east and Duskwood to the west.

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
Meerland, 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 Meerlanders are olive-skinned sailors who hold the title of greatest seafarers among the Lechnerians. They are stereotyped as shrewd merchants and traders, something which they embrace wholeheartedly, for they are the commercial heart of the Confederacy and are well-aware of how much their countrymen need their invaluable navy, be it to protect their lands from sea invaders or to trade with other lands. Meerlanders are often described as a jolly and artistic folk who love great feats of architecture.

Meerland is also inhabited by dwarves, gnomes, lizardfolk, and a significant population of merfolk can be found across the shoreline. The wilderness of Meerland is considered among the most peaceful of the Lechnerlands, though populations of goblins, ogres and orcs are known to prowl it.

Relations
Due to their monetary interests, Meerland is open to most nations, as they always seek profit from trade and to have allies to back them up in the event of a conflict. That is not to say Meerland has no teeth of its own; it holds the largest navy of the Lechnerlands and is not afraid to use it if needed.


 * Positive relations
 * Confederation of Lechner - The men of the Lechnerlands are united under their great confederation.
 * Ritterland - Ritterland's trade with Meerland is strong.
 * Volkland - Meerland profits much from Volkland's arms industry.
 * Waldland - Commodities are the most frequent export to Waldland.
 * Aelvana - The sea trade between Meerland and the high elves leads them to be the closest human duchy to Aelvana.
 * Aynach - A friendly rivalry exists between Ritterland and Aynach over who has the best knights of mankind. These generally do not escalate.
 * Eryliana - Eryliana sees constant visits from Meerlander caravans.
 * Khargramnir - The dwarves are among the strongest strongest trading partners of Meerland.
 * Merovaren - Merovaren is both Meerland's strongest partner and strongest rival.


 * Ambivalent relations
 * Eondrassana - Meerland considers wood elven crafts exotic and valuable, but find them veyr difficult to barter with.


 * Negative relations
 * Duskwood - Meerland is attacked by the undead constantly, and the land's corruption slowly sips into Meerland.
 * Ruscland - Raiders of the arctic still plague Meerland's shores to this day.

Notable inhabitants

 * Royals and nobles
 * Henry Fenchel - Current duke of Meerland