Kingdom of Almeron

Directly west of and bordering Stahlheim, Almeron is a country with a proud and hectic nobility. There is little drastic change in Almeron, where there is next to no movement between classes and few improvements can be made due to an inefficient aristocracy and a King often too weak to establish dominance. In peace, each noble represents himself and his interests, proud of each ancestor’s deed and ready to defend his name with sword should it be insulted. But in times of war and great peril, a united Almeronian identity allows for a coherent and deadly foe to assemble. The King’s word becomes absolute law, all those below falling in line to do their part for the sake of their nation. Proud Barons and knights serve alongside rival houses, and men-at-arms and levies are treated with a heightened respect for their duty in protecting their homeland.

Geography
The Kingdom of Almeron is bordered by Stahlheim to the east, the Kingdom of Lleida to the south, and is connected northwesterly to Lorenthal by a oft contested land bridge. It is a land with plentiful forests and arable soil, temperate enough for it to be a farmer’s haven. There are a handful of mountains that dot the landscape, though it is predominantly flat with ample space for horses to roam and prosper. There are a few sizable lakes and rivers, though none so large that they impede the country’s ability to support its population. All in all, Almeron is a kingdom that suffers from little issues pertaining to the land it is built upon and suffers only from a moderately harsh winter.

Economy
The Almeronian economy has always been a balanced one, and though the kingdom is not entirely self sufficient, they will not suffer near as much as their allies should trade cease. They have countless acres of farmland, growing vital crops such as wheat and corn and raising cattle and chickens. Their forests are plentiful and provide an acceptable surplus of lumber and their mines give them necessary precious metals to pay and equip an army. They once relied heavily upon Stahlheimian iron trade, but since the treaty at the end of the Six Years’ War they have not lacked and been able to adequately increase their production to match their population. All in all, the Almeronian economy is strong and looks to remain that way so long as their lands stay healthy and their farmers do not put down the plow. They avoid trade with the Commonwealth of Lorenthal, but have traded moderately with Stahlheim and very heavily with both Lleida and the Varesian Confederation.

Religion
Almeron, like many Estorian countries, officially follows the Church of Ignis. They have many chapters of knights dedicated to the service of Ignis and are a solidly devout people, having to deal with little religious diversity. There are small groups of pagans here and there that do not conform, but they are not troublesome and are either left alone or converted with peaceful methods. The Archbishop of Ignis frequently calls upon Almeronian knights to serve, knowing they are not only devout but also some of the best trained and equipped in the land. Much prestige has been found in this service, and it has heightened the importance and impact of religion in the Kingdom all the more. The only true tradition that nears deifying anything in Almeron is a storied history of respecting ancestors who have passed and attempting to make them proud.

Culture
The people of Almeron are brave and boisterous, always seeking higher glory in the names of their ancestors and country and living life fully in their homeland. Single combat holds a high place in Almeronian culture, wherein a majority of disputes between knights and nobles are settled with one on one duels. Likewise, many battles between Almeronian armies are decided by champion combat, an oddity among all other nations. This demand for individual greatness and glory even in the face of peril translates to the judicial system, one wherein trial by combat is not only accepted but often encouraged. Though this foolhardiness strikes others as strange, it is what makes Almeronian knights so superior and more often than not can lead an otherwise desperate army to victory. Almeronian people find joy in the beauty of their home and in telling stories. They are naturally gifted storytellers and musicians, most often spinning tales of their ancestors or of past heroes who lead the kingdom to greatness.

Politics
Almeron has a hectic political climate, the kingdom’s Court of Nobles holding far more power and influence than the King himself. Rivalries between houses prevent competent efforts to work towards a greater goal, and nobles will block votes on comprehensive reform just to grudge those they are displeased with. In times of war or great peril, however, the people come together and become far more formidable. The King becomes less restricted by the Court of Nobles and every man and woman establishes a sense of unity and patriotism for their glorious country. Sinful pride is cast aside for the greater good and disputes are forgotten in place of a common enemy. It is then that Almeron is truly at their best, their flaws overcome at the threat of defeat. Only very recently has this more coherent Almeron gained a sense of permanence, the recent victory in the Six Years' War pushing the singular national identity to new heights. Men no longer proudly proclaim the names of their ancestors, but shout the praises of their country. The King can rule competently over a balanced legislative branch and comprehensive reform is being passed. This new balance has shifted Almeronian politics to make them much more modern and tenable. Single combat is still considered paramount to Almeronian honor and is often used to settle political votes and disputes.

Military
Though the Kingdom of Almeron has had a storied military past, they are most well known(and perhaps feared) for the sheer quality and quantity of heavy cavalry they can field in battle. Almeronian knights and horses are both more common and more skilled than their counterparts in other countries, and they are brave in face of peril to better make their ancestors proud. The sight of an Almeronian army is one thing, but the thunderous hoofbeats of the force of knights that rides with them is another entirely. Many foolish generals have underestimated these knights and paid for it, assuming legends of their prowess and dedication to be just that. It has not been an entirely alien strategy for Almeronian Kings to simply ride with a force of entirely heavy cavalry, whether it be to shatter an enemy army in a single charge or bring a besieging force to it’s knees with fear. The armies of Almeron cannot rely upon their heavy cavalry entirely, however. They have a solid body of men-at-arms and other well paid foot-soldiers, men and women who form the army’s center and serve as the anvil to the cavalry’s hammer. Almeronians tend to favor crossbows over longbows and are rarely found without several regiments of crossbowmen in their armies. They have only recently started using gunpowder, and for the nonce most of their forces prefer trebuchets when besieging enemies. An unseen advantage of the Almeronian armies, however, is that when the need arises their knights can simply dismount and form a bulk of unwavering heavy infantry. This tactic has famously been used against large armies of pikemen formed to counter the lancers in the first place. The most prestigious and skilled knights in Almeron join the Order of the Dragon, wherein the absolute best of the knighthood and nobility take up arms under a single banner and serve the Kingdom. They are so respected and able that a single Dragon Knight is often sent to resolve situations in the Kingdom, whilst an entire unit of Dragon Knights can change the face of any battle.

History
The people of Almeron originally migrated east from Stahlheim, settling in the midst of the First Era and establishing a strong presence there. They thrived due to the abundance of resources the lands had, and upon the widespread introduction of agriculture Almeron became critical to the survival of not only its own people, but foreigners as well. The land was eventually conquered by the Verilius Imperium and ruled over for some time, though the occupation was a violent and contested one. The Almeronian people frequently united around a King who promised independence and resisted violently against those they viewed as tyrants. When the Imperium finally -did- leave their lands towards the end of the Forgotten Era, the Kingdom of Almeron was fully restored. It has existed as a power ever since, frequently struggling in outside conflicts over resources and honor and becoming war-hardened as a result.

Conflict between Lorenthal and Almeron goes back centuries, with two different cultures fighting over precious resources as well as beliefs. The clash between the former Almeronian worshipers of the Old Ones and Lorenthalian Traditionalists was a bloody one. Though the circumstances of these grudges changed, the vitriol itself did not fade. To this day Lorenthal and Almeron are bitter enemies, and the land bridge that connects the two is one of the most militarized strips of land in the world as well as the most contested.

Recent Events
Recently, Almeron has undergone drastic changes. A shocking victory in the Six Years’ war against the Stahlheimian Empire has brought national pride to new heights, and sweeping changes are being made throughout the nation. The economy grows from dues paid in the form of gold and steel from the Stahlheimian crown, class disparity is slowly fading, and petty disputes between lords are no longer the norm among the Court of Nobles. This change has shifted Almeron from a power that only occasionally shines to one that threatens to topple any enemy that might stand in their path. And with a King determined to cement Almeron into the annals of history, recent victories will only spur on calls for greater glory. Almeron now looks to defend its border against the Commonwealth of Lorenthal, an old enemy with a new government that might prove unruly in the days to come. With relations between the two countries ever tense, war might come at any time.