Politics in Ivinia
IBANVAAL, Kingdom of
Location: Central Ivinia
King: Osidar Dagen
The second most populous kingdom of Ivinia, currently ruled by the Dagen of Dagenborg. Ibanvaal may be the most autocratic, and is certainly the most aggressive kingdom in the region. The Dagen tolerates no opposition from tributary clans, maintains a firm hold on revenues gleaned from his domain, particularly the towns of Harling and Pelby, and is presently engaged in a war with the Kingdom of Menglana to the west.
The present war with Menglana is the result of several factors. One is the tacit alliance of Swenway and Jarenmark that has frustrated the Dagen's dreams of southern expansion. The second is the fractious nature of Menglanan politics which has weakened that kingdom. Finally King Hlanakar III of Menglana is elderly and seen as weakening, both from within and without his kingdom. In 808, Osidar led an army through Beneta Pass to attack the Menglanan thran of Froyby. Blocking the river downstream with pilings, he besieged Froyby and was able to fight off frantic Menglanan attempts at relief. Froyby fell in 809. Osidar proceeded to rebuild the keep and man it with a large garrison. With a secure foothold west of the mountains, Osidar is expected to order an attack on Froyaheim in 811 or 812.
SWENWAY, Realm of
High King: Bjan Hargelsen
The name given to the four kingdoms of Balisheim, Gilbenmark, Lokemheim, and Seldenbaal, allied since 743, and the Kingdom of Gelemaar which joined in 773. The election of Swenway's high kings follows a tradition established when the four kingdoms joined. It was agreed that every council member of the four royal clans, each having one vote, would meet on the death of a high king to elect a new one from among their number. But it was never established whether the title would pass fairly from one royal clan to another, or whether the best man would be elected. Each succession has caused dissent among disappointed candidates. Gelemaar members are not eligible to be elected high king, as yet, but they are allowed to vote.
The current high king, Bjan Hargelsen, was elected in 807. The succession council following the death of Garin Hargelsen was the most hotly contended. Ivyrsen of Gilbenmark held that it was his clan's turn to take the dragon throne. Clan Hargelsen argued that Garin had not had a fair term. The Hargelsens were able to win the most votes. The Ivyrsens' resentment is strong and rebellion could occur at any time. The realm of Swenway is (theoretically) the richest and most powerful state in Ivinia, but it lacks unity. The high king has difficulty raising tributary men and funds.
LOKEMHEIM, Kingdom of
Location: Southern Ivinia
King: Bjan Hargelsen
One of the four founding kingdoms of the realm of Swenway. Centered on Suteling, it was founded in 456 by Jarbaan Hargel, and expanded its rule to nearby islands over the next two centuries. The Hargel clan was effectively destroyed in 702 when their fleet was lost at sea during a viking raid to western Lythia. The kingship then fell to the Hargelsens, a cadet branch of the clan. Bjan Hargelsen, the current jarl of clan Hargelsen, is both the king of Lokemheim and the current high king of Swenway.
BALISHEIM, Kingdom of
Location: Southern Ivinia
King: Stavaar Dangeld
One of the founding kingdoms of the realm of Swenway. Centered on the town of Beleka, the kingdom of Beleka was founded in 328 by Clan Belek and came to dominate most of the settlements on the Belekafjord. A tributary clan, the Dangelds of Rogel, seized power in 633, renaming their domain Balisheim after their jarl Balis Dangeld. The Dangelds were instrumental in bringing about the realm of Swenway, convincing the three other kingdoms in the region to attend the Councils of Beleka. One of its kings, Hurust Dangeld, was high king of the united kingdoms from 768-804. The Dangeld of Beleka, king of Balisheim, now pays tribute to Bjan Hargelsen, the current high king of Swenway.
GELEMAAR, Kingdom of
Location: Western Ivinia
King: Jarag Gelem
The smallest of five kingdoms in the realm of Swenway, centered on Endelby. The settlements of this kingdom paid individual tribute to the King of Rogna until 773. In that year clan Gelem of Endelby united them into a kingdom and transferred loyalty to the realm of Swenway to avoid excessive demands for tribute from Rogna. The recently assassinated king, Bulan, was loyal to the Hargelsen of Suteling, high king of Swenway, supporting him in his disputed election to the throne in 807. There is also an ongoing vendetta between the Erlands of Helgeby and the Ralds of Luthby from Menglana. For all these reasons, Geldemaar is a focus of intrigue between Gilbenmark, Menglana, and Rogna.
GILBENMARK, Kingdom of
Location: Southwestern Ivinia
King: Harlmaar Ivyrsen
One of the four founding kingdoms of Swenway. Gilbenmark is governed by clan Ivyrsen and is potentially the most rebellious of the united kingdoms.
SELDENBAAL, Kingdom of
Location: Southwestern Ivinia.
King: Varaal II Ulandasen
Seldenbaal is the most populous and powerful kingdom in the Realm of Swenway. Founded in 15 TR, the kingdom grew up around Ivinia's largest and most prosperous town, Fuhreling. In 743, the kingdom allied itself with Gilbenmark, Balisheim, and Lokemheim, to form the Realm of Swenway, so named because Swen of Seldenbaal was chosen as the first high king.
BESHEA, Kingdom of
Location: Central Ivinia
King: Sighvat Hibjar
A small independent kingdom ruled by clan Hibjar. Beshea lies on the major land route between Ibanvaal and Seldenbaal and is coveted by both these greater kingdoms. Were either to attack Beshea, it is believed that the other would come to her aid. Beshea has maintained independence by playing its stronger neighbors against each other. Beshea is a haven for refugees and brigands, particularly those fleeing the tyranny of the Dagen, king of Ibanvaal.
JARENMARK, Kingdom of
Location: Southeast Ivinia
King: Lygen Klabesel
Jarenmark is one of the major kingdoms of Ivinia. Jaren Cerethys was a Yarili chieftain who united the isle of Bajel against the invading Ivinians c.489 BT. Having defeated the invaders, he forged a kingdom which allowed the peaceful settlement of the newcomers, and won the respect and admiration of both peoples. Jarenmark has planted colonies on the mainland and expanded into the Chazarian Sea. The kingdom claims most of the region of Wubena to the south and parts of Harbaal.
By Ivinian standards, Jarenmarkers have been a peaceful folk, more interested in foreign trade (and plunder) than Ivinian wars. But with the rise of greater states in the rest of Ivinia, the Klabasels have been forced to play a greater role in the region's politics. Since 744 there has been a tacit agreement with Swenway to jointly oppose any southward expansion by Ibanvaal. This led to the joint conquest of Chezaheim in 745 by which Jarenmark obtained Fegevik and Enkoelheim. The two allies are currently discussing their course of action regarding the Menglana-Ibanvaal war. Should Ibanvaal be too successful in this war, they will likely give requested aid to Menglana.
GOVYNA, Kingdom of
Location: East Ivinia
High king: Arlis Ulfesen of Rosby
Govyna lies on the eastern fringe of Ivinia, a position that has lent it a degree of aloofness from the mainstream of Ivinian history. The original kingdom consisted of little more than the settlement of Rosby, founded in 401 by Ulfi Ulfesen. Throughout the next three centuries, the Ulfesens expanded their domain mainly by settlement of unclaimed islands to the east. Further growth came when the rise of Ibanvaal and other states caused Govyna's neighbours to seek security under her protection. In 744, the kings of Gildaar and Pergenmark swore tribute to Bjarlic IV, and have remained fairly loyal since. The addition of these kingdoms gave Govyna sufficient strength to deter any aggressive ambitions harboured by larger Ivinian kingdoms. Subsequent rulers have largely ignored the rest of Ivinia, but encourage trade (and piracy) throughout eastern Ivinia. Independent Govynan clans have founded colonies far up the rivers of Altland, some of which pay tribute to the Ulfesens, some of which do not.
Because their domains are so far flung, Govynan High Kings have found it difficult to rule against the will of their subjects. Few have tried. Govyna has functioned more as a defensive alliance than a unified kingdom. The following table shows the major settlements of Govyna on the regional map. A few settlements in Altland, off map to the east, are not listed.
GILDAAR, Kingdom of
Location: East Ivinia
King: Bork Gilsen
A kingdom in eastern Ivinia, held by the Gilsen of Gildin, which is now part of the Kingdom of Govyna. The kingdom was founded in 418 but opted to give tribute to the Ulfesens of Rosby, High Kings of Govyna, in 744, to protect itself against the aggressive Dagens of Ibanvaal.
PERGENMARK, Kingdom of
Location: East Ivinia
King: Helgi Enheling
A kingdom which elected to pay tribute to Govyna in 744, mainly for protection against Ibanvaal.
ELDESKAAL, Kingdom of
Location: Central Ivinia
King: Paal Beldesa
A kingdom governed by the clerical clan Beldesa, whose stronghold is Molima on Lake Temis. Molima was founded by Djarni Beldesa c.235 when he and a dozen followers came north inspired by a divine vision. They built a clanhouse on the shore of Lake Temis because it was close to Ilbengaad, the holy mountain. Each year, hundreds of residents and pilgrims from all over Ivinia journey to the kingdom and march up Ilbengaad for a three day festival on the summit. Eldeskaal is accorded political neutrality by the other kingdoms of Ivinia. Pious Sarajinians try to make at least one pilgrimage to Eldeskaal before they die.
KUZJERA, Kingdom of
Location: Southeastern Ivinia
King: Inkanar Zynahul
A forested, hilly, and swampy region of southeastern Ivinia. This wasteland is avoided by most humans other than the Yarili. Kuzjera contains the two Dwarven cities of Kondasgel and Harhakeim. The Yarili in the region trade foodstuffs and hides for dwarven products.
