Foehn
| Foehn | |
|---|---|
| |
| Capital | Arwyn |
| Culture | Foehnic |
| Government | Jarl's Lordship |
| Leader | Jarl Deidru Vergliez |
| Religion | Silurian |
| Date of Founding (IRL) | May 23rd, 2025 |
Foehn /foʊən/ is an island nation, being the largest island in the lakes of Mondego, currently inhabited by a cultural isolate in the Foehnic peoples. It's a feudal land that's operated under a lord, bestowed with the title of Jarl. With little in the way of regulations or laws, the Jarl is instead bound by the respect of the people. The Foehnic people were embraced by Aranna before its collapse, and temporarily sheltered in Thundra before the breakout of the Coalition War, wherein Foehn regained independence, and quickly formed a union with Malkavia.
History
The island now known as Foehn was previously owned by Nautica and then Marisol for a substantial amount of time, but hand never been properly inhabited in this time, having remained a fringe borderland. When Marisol fell, it became wholly unclaimed, an empty swath of land in the middle of Ashenheim, and the perfect respite for a desperate population.
Pre-Arrival and the Sojourn
The Foehnic people originate from a distant land that they refer to as 'Veltr', a barren land to the far north that has become desolate in the face of increasingly intense winters. The Foehnic people were survivors of this, with nigh-all of their cultural siblings having been wiped out due to starvation and conflict over limited resources. Discontent to simply be eradicated, the chief of the Foehnic's, Deirdru Vergliez, accompanied by his childhood friend and housecarl Mattias Lindgren. The two would lead the remnants of their people on long voyage, guided by the tailwinds of Siluria, across the oceans. This trek whittled their numbers even more, and diary entries from the two men recall stories of monsters and cursed lands. Specifically, they tell of a cursed mine where dozens died attempting to gather their resources. But with persistence, the survivors arrived in Aranna, and were greeted kindly and warmly by the Kaiser. From there, they moved to the island which they found empty and began the process of settlement.
Pre-Coalition, First Years of Foehn
Under the Kaiserreich of Aranna, the people of Foehn went to work, developing empty lands into a humble living space. Knowing they needed protection, to stand for themselves, they began to gather stone and steel alike. After much toil, the endeavor lead by Jarl Vergliez resulted in Foehn's first major landmark, Fort Vergliez, which served as a bastion of protection for the wayward people. With newfound safety, Mattias Lindgren was assigned the task of facilitating the development of the island as the Jarl handled diplomatic affiars.
For, while the people of Foehn desired safety over independence, the choice was soon made for them. The Arranese Empire collapsed, dissolved by royal decree, and as such the stumbling province of Foehn was elevated to independence. Sensing danger, Foehn attempted to join the Confederation of Mistensia, but an untimely revolution in Barbacena foiled this plan. And then, the defining moment in Foehn's history came, with the invasion of Aranna by the Empire of Thundra. Imperator Magnus sent his aide, Peasant, who used threats of war and extermination to secure land. Foehn was able to avoid their initial targeting and secure a border deal, but this agreement was betrayed when the Imperator, Magnus, later demanded more land. Sensing that his home could be next, and potentially wiped out if he attempted resistance, Jarl Vergliez made his move; to offer vassalage to maintain autonomy. While the people of Foehn despised Thundra, Jarl Vergliez decided it was the way to preserve the land they struggled so much to settle. And so, Foehn became a province of the Empire of Thundra.
Battle of Interdam and the Coalition Era
Foehn's first and last major act as a province of Thundra was to lend its forces to the First Batlle of Interdam, part of the Ritannian Civil War that would later develop into the Coalition War. Jarl Vergliez personally led his men onto the battlefield, however, this would not be a mark of pride. The First Battle of Interdam would play out as a slaughter, as the forces of Thundra tore through the unprepared guards and began to rip through civilians. This battle left a sickening mark on warriors of Foehn, who already distrusted or outright despised Thundra and their imperialism.
Then a spark of hope shined, as the Coalition formed to rebuke Thundra and prevent their imperialism from ruining Ashenheim. With unanimous consent from his people, Jarl Vergliez went to the Malkavian Union (A sister state born when Aranna disolved), and shared his vision. To enter the coalition together, and fight to reclaim Aranna together. With this land they could make a new nation together, uniting under a new banner. Malkavia agreed, and Foehn joined the Malkavian Union to stand together in the war effort. In doing this, they betrayed Thundra, getting their independence as turning their swords against their former lords.
Foehnic warriors would fight in the Second Battle of Interdam, help pave roads to defend Rishev, and trained for the Battle of Viconi; fully committed to the war effort. Even as other nations left the coalition, Foehn stood as a firm supporter, seeking to strike back at Thundra for their crimes in Aranna. At the same time as the war, Mattias Lindgren finished the construction of a Longhouse that heralded the city of Arwyn as the city of the Foehnics, built up from nothing.
This longhouse would serve as the meeting ground for attempts at peace with the Treaty of Rishev. Foehn began to connect with its international allies in this time, gaining recognition on the world stage as it grew close to its comrades in arms.