The Grand Duchy of Skanderberg
Capital Kavje
Ruling hereditary Family
Markgraf Ferdinand II von und zu Skanderberg
Forelle
Main geographic feature of the district are the five lakes - the Starnberger See and Ammersee, as well as the smaller Weßlinger See, Wörthsee and Pilsensee. The lakes were formed by the glaciers of the last ice age. Hence the district is also called Fünf-Seen-Land (five lake county). Excellent trout fishing is found in these lakes along with duck hunting. Great hunting can also be found Wild pheasant, boar and deer abounds in the woods.
The Herrenchiemsee is a complex of royal buildings on the Herreninsel, an island in the middle of the Ammersee, Skanderberg’s largest lake, 60 km south east of Kavje. The Augustine Monastery Herrenchiemsee, later converted into the Old Palace (Altes Schloss) and Herrenchiemsee Palace, also known as the New Palace (Neues Schloss) are the most famous of these buildings and are the biggest of Otto von Skanderberg’s palaces.
The Forelle region supports the largest Geworfene (commoners) and is the main trading centre of the nation. It also raises the most infantry and specialist arms.
Vore
The mountainous Vorsicht ranges are steep and treacherous mountains and home to very tough people. It is renowned for Andechs Abbey, a Benedictine monastery that has brewed beer since 1455. The winter palace was built by Burggraf Ferdinand I, Baron of Skanderberg in 1576 who ordered to re-construct the great Burg of Vore controlling the mountain passes. It was the venue of numerous battles also under his successors. The Duchy recruit’s a lot of its light infantry from this region, as they are tough and independent men and are excellent marksmen. The great winter hunt also occurs in the wild mountains and woods, men of nobility hunt for the groß Ziege (the great Goat) and de berg Wolfe and the rare der weißer bar (the white bear, who’ s pelt is used for the grenadier officers and regimental drummers bearskins)
Kreuzung
The wide plains of Kruezung make for excellent horse breeding and the grass plains for raising of livestock, it is also the breadbasket of the nation, a great trade of wheat, legumes and cabbage is done in the “crossroad” city. Many foreigners have nicknamed the city Kreuzung the windy city which tickles
the Geworfene (commoners) to no end. The majority of the battle line cavalry and some light cavalry are also raised in this region
History
The first known document of the Skanderberg’s from 30 September 1360 for Wyker Frosch in Mainz. The Skanderberg’s wereBriefadel (newer nobility) receiving their Nobility by patent after the gallant defence of the pass of Vore against the Ottomans in 1456. The Skanderberg’s have since that day controlled the Vore and the Forelle, only later conquering the Kreuzung from the Muslim invaders.
The Nation of Skanderberg has mixed ethic and religious views, the Forelle is entirely Catholic and the Vore mountains are a mix of Catholic, Orthodox and the plains of Kreuzung are a good mix of Catholic, Orthodox and Muslim. The ruling Nobility have recognised that the Muslims are better traders and horse breeders so have turned a blind eye to the Muslim religion in the Kreuzung valley, whereas the Muslim and orthodox religions are somewhat persecuted in Forelle.
The army is quite mixed with the Forelle Infantry and Artillery being somewhat European in Uniform and drill whereas the Mountain troops who in the majority are orthodox, dress in a eastern style with long robes, always armed with muskets and Nadziak (short axes) and in Kreuzung, the cavalry have three types: - Hussaren, Lancers and Reiter (heavy cavalry) and some Geworfene infantry mostly in eastern dress, they mostly fight in the eastern style and are almost indistinguishable from ottomans in dress and weapons.
The Officer corps is small but well rounded and educated in the art of war due to the constant border trouble in the east
The Skanderberg’s have always looked towards the emperor for leadership and almost follow his lead every time.
see you on the feild!
