Governorate of Austland
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Governorate of Austland | ||
Governorate of the Unified Governorates of Benacia | ||
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Nickname: ' | ||
Motto: ' | ||
[[File:|250px|Regional location of Governorate of Austland|frameless]] | ||
Demonym | ||
Area | ||
Population | ||
Union-state | Benacian Union | |
Realm | Unified Governorates of Benacia | |
Circuit | Circuit of Benacia | |
Regional Capital | Gloomburg | |
Official language(s) | Praeta, Istvanistani | |
Official religion(s) | Holodomatic Cedrozurvanism | |
Government | ||
- Type | Constituent Entity of the Unified Governorates of Benacia | |
- Governor | ||
- College of Magisters | ||
- College of Civil Tribunes | ||
Garrison |
The Governorate of Austland, a constituent entity of the realm of the Unified Governorates of Benacia located in central Benacia, was established in 1703 AN following the merger of the Autonomous Bailiwick of Mishagrad, the Governorate of Gloomburg, Northern Tellia, and the Transelwynn. The consolidated governorate was formed as a consequence of the reorganisation of the Benacian Union initiated by the 1703 session of the Congress of Chryse. The Governorate substantially encompassed the Bailiwick of Angularis, a former territory of Elluenuueq surrendered to the UGB in exchange for Mishalan in 1685 AN. Home to a mixed Babkhi, Mishalanese, and Tellian population, the governorate is governed in a colonial manner with the subordinate bailiwicks offering tribute payments to the governor appointed over Austland by the Civil Executive of the UGB.
Geography
Astopov's Dyke
Named for the former Nohsi (Premier) and Minister of Defence Szhmuel Astopov, the eponymous dyke was the, slightly derogatory, name given to a series of defensive fortifications and earthworks constructed by the Republic of Ashkenatza firstly after its occupation of the Republic of Tellia to deter Shirerithian intervention and latterly augmented to provide defence in depth against a feared invasion by the Elwynnese Union when it joined the pro-Babkhan Raspur Pact.
Allowed to fall into ruin after the collapse of Ashkenatza, the 'dyke' effectively marks the boundary between the Forest of Angularis and the Barrowlands.
Barrowlands
The Barrowlands is a region which has been shrouded in mystery for inumerable generations. An ancient land of wide, grassy hilly plains where half-hidden doors in the sides of hills open onto labyrinthine caves that wend their way through darkness to reveal unimaginable wonders and vast treasures deep beneath the earth. There are also numerous barrows - the ancient graves of the Elwys, from which the name of the area has been derived - to be found. The largest barrow, the Great Barrow which is situated in a hamlet called Kalmyn, is said to contain the grave of the Great King of the Elwys who was also known as the First Barrow King.
Notable features and locales included:
- Amuun Redinzean (Royal Mounds);
- Kealim Ereseoon (Lonely Hills);
- Kealim Qorbebeoon (Sheepheads Hills);
- Voozen Riqion Redinzai (Plateau of the Royal Estate);
- Xevai Redinzean (Kings' Graves).
- Kalem Kaskel (Bow Hill);
- The Great Barrow;
- Posada Ridge - scene of the decisive battle marking the culmination of a failed anti-Vanic insurgency in the Vale.
Forest of Angularis
The Forest of Angularis is a large area of woodland and forest which partially contains the Hólmlendar. It is a lush environment which includes stone circles, misty dales, eerie ponds, sparkling streams, mysterious ruins and remains of lost civilizations, enigmatic lakes, secluded grottoes, and expansive, marshy lowlands. It stretches from the hinterland of the Shores of Angularis to the Barrowlands from which it is separated by Astopov's Dyke. Tree species to be found in the forest are elm, beech, ash, oak, olive trees and cedars. In the most primeval parts of the forest there are trees to be found with trunks as wide as castle gates.
The Fifth Forest was one of the favourite holiday and leisure destinations of the Elwynnese branch of the House of Ettlingar Freyu, prior to its liquidation after the Auspicious Occasion of 1651 AN.