NOTE: This area of Alusia may be out of date, given the campaign events - The Drow Invasion.

**Aladar**

Vassal of	The Western Kingdom
Status	Duchy
Location	South of Aquila.
Area	112,700 sq miles
Geography	Varied but mostly hills.
Population	~5.8 million
Urbanisation	8%
Languages –Folksprach –Common –Reichspiel –Others –Literacy	90% 40% 15% 10% 6% (mostly urban)
Exports
Imports

Aladar is a large duchy, which along with Aquila and Bowcourt, comprise the bulk of the Western Kingdom.

The land is mostly rugged hills with poor crop-land, and so the bulk of land is used for grazing animals. Situated on the coast to the south of Aquila it's wealth comes from the volumes of Aquilan goods that transit the roads and rivers before being shipped to distant lands and it is a popular destination for foreign traders.

Due to it's history and the recent war, the people of Aladar are often clannish and strongly nationalistic, priding themselves on resilience strength at arms and have a disdain for the courtly graces of Aquilans.

Places

The Duchy comprises one county, eight viscountcies and two shires.

Counties

County Grobbety, ruled by Count Grobbane Schaefer Eldest Son and designated heir of Count Grobban who died in Summer 800 and head of the Schaefer Family.

Viscounties

Ferezilv, ruled by Viscount Tomm Froggatt of the Froggatt Family, Lord Warden of the Marches.
Clyfland, ruled by Viscount Hargon de Vonge of the de Vonge family.

Nouveau Zumalar. This Viscounty has been created as of Winter 823wk and reflects the changes wrought after the Drow Invasion of 813wk. Ruled by Viscount Xavier Sartoris, the old Viscounty of Zumalar
Baltheim, ruled by Viscount Ulysses Manglesdorff who became Viscount of Baltheim on the 5th of Thaw 812WK when his grandfather Viscount Vladimir Mangelsdorff I of the Mangelsdorff Family stepped down.
Southern Barrety, ruled by Viscount Blitzkrieg
Westmarch the westernmost march in Aladar and bordering Brandenburg, Cauldersfield etc. It is ruled by Viscount Daviich Falkenhayn. Oldest surviving son of Count Byron who died in Autumn 801). There was a number of family accidents in the summer of 801 where the 3 older sons and the two oldest daughters died in various hunting accidents, bandit attacks, ill fated robberies etc. There are still 6 surviving children in the Falkenhayn family (in addition to Daviich) and they live across the Western Kingdom. The capital of the realm is Hurrell
Norwmarch the march in the North West of Aladar and bordering Aquila and Cauldersfield, ruled by Viscount Phillipe Amsel of the Amsel Family
Droskyn, ruled by Viscount Haldryn von Habsburg of the Von Habsburg family
Reskyan, ruled by Viscount Augustus Rothschild of the Rothschild Family

Previous or changed Viscounties (these are now removed)

Zumalar, ruled by Viscount Baltmond Alagaad of the Alagaad Family until 3rd of Blossom 806 (Spring 806) when he was replaced by Xavier Sartoris

Shires

Shire Scipleyan, ruled by a Sherriff on behalf of King Ulric
Shire Ferezan, ruled by a Sherriff on behalf of King Ulric

Towns

There are a number of Important_Towns_of_Aladar and a list is provided.

Places of Interest

Freetown

A free town on the southern coast of Aladar. Rich from trade it is the largest port in southern Aladar. It is also known for the School of Magics. The Church and other powers of light are not welcome in Freetown.

County Grobbety

County Grobbety. Notable Baronies are:

Steinhugel. The Barony is in the hills some 70 miles from the coast along the Eastern side of the Grob River.
Midgard. This Barony is held Sabrina and was deeded to her for services rendered - during the Middle Duchies War!

People

Rulers of the Realm

Duke of Aladar

The holder of the title Duke of Aladar had been absent from the Western Kingdom since the Middle Duchies War and it was not until Spring 806 that a new duke took power.

Baltmond Alagaad of the Alagaad Family, Ex-Viscount of Zumalar became the Duke of Aladar on the 3rd of Blossom 806 (Spring 806) after the Aladarian Congress of Lords elevated him to the position.

Duke Baltmond Alagaad is married to Duchess Briana Rothschild

Viscount of Zumalar

On the 3rd of Blossom 806, Duke Baltmond Alagaad elevated Xavier Sartoris to be Viscount of Zumular

Viscount of Baltheim

This was ruled by Viscount Vladimir Mangelsdorff I of the Mangelsdorff Family until he stepped down on the 5th of Thaw 812WK in favor of his Grandson Viscount Ulysses Manglesdorff. Viscount Vladimir Mangelsdorff I had a son Ian Mangelsdorff but he has been sick of late and so passed the mantle to his worthy grandson.

Others of Note

Baron Blitzkreig of Stormguard: Blitzkrieg is Baron Stormguard and Lord High Protector of Aladar. He is married to Lady Catherine, the ex-duchess of Aladar. Catherine is the Sister of the Duke Frederick of Aquila and the marriage we agreed to as part of the Middle Duchies War settlement.

Baron Kern of Steinhugel: Baron Kern Silvercrest of Steinhugel was granted this land for services during the Middle Duchies War where he distinguished himself at the battle of Novalar.

Warden of the Zes Ports: The Warden of the Zes Ports is currently Lludd Vanderzee

Prominent Families

Groups

The Clear Blade of Truth

Around 1500 Michaelines members. The group has most influence within the north east of the Duchy.

Governing Principles

Leadership Post Mortem

Upon the death of any leader within the Duchy of Aladar, they automatically lose their title to the next in line. If they recover then they are expected to keep a low profile, and no longer use their influence that they may have once had. The few times that former leaders of families did rebel against this tradition, lead to the Post Mortem being extended to all by the Duke with popular support. This 'Post Mortem' is a decree that is in effect a stay of death, to former leaders as long as they do not use their influence or try to establish themselves once more as a leader. After the war a lot of families where left with very youthful leaders, and the decree was very lax. The decree does not stop people that have been resurrected from becoming a leader.

Sect of Magic Imprenatibilis

With a dark history of death of leaders from the effects of magic, around 150 years ago a popular defence was found. It is seen as not only a defence by also a test of character. The Aladarian Battle relic from before the Old Kingdom, could be used to 'make people become invisible to magic'.

This harder choice of life is well respected within the Duchy. People that have undergone this Court Ritual often die from complications from battle wounds, gout, syphilis or other infections. The Court Ritual involves pacting to 'Warrior King Alaric', once Duke of Aladar, whose mother was Elven, and who became a demigod and left the mortal realm several generations ago.

Since the Duchy wars many noble families only allow the third or fourth child to approach the court, which is honour bound to accept any noble wishing the 'test' and would be a grave insult if refused. Since the war none have been refused. Attempts in the past to resurrect members have failed. Often members of the Sect are also Michaelines. Within Aladar around 30% of the nobility accept this 'life style' choice, of which more are men.

Resources

Aladar is was known for;

Horses

In particular fine stallions suitable as War Horses

Cattle

History

Events

SPRING 806 - Viscount Baltmond Alagaad becomes Duke Baltmond Alagaad
SPRING 806 - Sir Xavier Sartoris becomes Viscount of Zumular

Pre-War

Before the Middle Duchies War (pre 797) the Duchy of Aladar consisted of the following lesser domains and ruled by:

County Novalar, ruled by Duke Novan IV
County Zumalar-Balthenheim, ruled by Count Baltmond
County Grobbety, ruled by Count Grobban
County Ferezan, ruled by Duke Novan IV
County Droskyn, ruled by Duke Novan IV
County Reskyan, ruled by Count Wessamund
County Walan, ruled by Count Novamund
County Bolar, ruled by Count Bolariich
Shire Scipleyan, ruled by a sheriff on behalf of Duke Novan IV
Shire Ferezan, ruled by a sheriff on behalf of Duke Novan IV

Aladar