Kingdom of Highreach

The 'Kingdom' of Highreach is a controversial title at best, for only six months prior it was a Grand Duchy and a province under the control of the Stahlheimian Empire. Highreach has been a part of the Empire for nearly two hundred years, operating with far different customs and even different ideas on religion. Though it had often butted heads with the Empire on several occasions since becoming a province, the thought of secession was an entirely alien one until the events of the Six Years' War. The Archduke of Highreach, Manfred Reinhardt, provided a large amount of support to the Empire during the war, committing gold, soldiers, and the exceptionally valuable gryphons native to his home. In return for his exceptional contributions he was promised reparations at war's end, as well as a larger say in how the province served the Empire. When the Kingdom of Almeron won the war, however, Emperor Albrecht II was unable to keep his promise and repay the Archduke. This lead to great animosity between the two, with much of the Highreach nobility and common folk calling for secession. When the Archduke threatened to leave the Empire, the Emperor raised an army and warned that any attempt to do so would be considered treason and met with no mercy. Archduke Reinhardt was proclaimed King of all Highreach the next day, and though he has yet to be recognized by any other country, the civil war has progressed relatively well for him. The Kingdom is currently fighting to exist as a nation, though should it succeed there is little telling how relations will change with the rest of Stahlheim.

Geography
Highreach the most northern province of Stahlheim and consists almost entirely of rocky, mountainous terrain. The soil is too hard and rarely arable, the mountains rise high and form natural borders on all sides, and vegetation is rather rare. The mountainous terrain does serve to protect Highreach, however, forcing any would-be attacker to pass through several chokepoints and treacherously steep mountain passes. There is only one entrance into Highreach by foot, a well-fortified fortress built into the mountainside known as the Bloody Talon. The land's capital, Gryphon's Roost, is exceedingly difficult to reach by foot and essentially impossible to have any more than three men walking abreast when on the path to it. Beyond the mountains of the north is a relatively flat coastline suitable for harbors, though due to the logistical difficulty of reaching it this area has yet to see much use. It is also connected to the Kingdom of Vasteras in the north, though the impassable nature of the northern mountains have kept the two nations largely separated.

Economy
The economy of Highreach is truly reliant upon one thing: the lucrative mining industry that continues to flourish and once was the heartland of Stahlheim's wealth. Though it is the only known home of the noble and rare gryphon, these creatures are considered companions and are almost venerated within Highreach, the country completely unwilling to sell them. There are small patches of land throughout suitable for farming, and a fair amount of lumber can be taken from the towering pine trees of the province. Trade has proven difficult for Highreach in its short tenure as a Kingdom, for though their gryphons can fly and surpass trade routes on the ground no country has yet recognized their sovereignty. There are rumors, however, that Almeron has secretly been trading grain for gold and iron.

Religion
Religion in Highreach is a complex thing, for prior to joining the Stahlheimian Empire the region had its own unique identity, culture, and beliefs. The people of Highreach worshipped neither Ignis nor the Old Ones, instead deifying gryphons. They believed the creatures they had taken up as their companions to be sacred and worshiped a dozen different gryphon demigods that each represented a different aspect of life. When Highreach joined the Empire, however, the spread of the Church of Ignis caused a split among the people. In the centuries since then the dynamic in Highreach has largely shifted, with a body of clergy and a large amount of the higher classes supporting the Church of Ignis and their spread within the region. After splitting from Stahlheim, however, a surge in the worship of gryphons has returned to the nation and even some among the noble class are beginning to openly change their beliefs. This religious diversity has proven far less problematic than in Lorenthal, most likely due to the tendency of war to fully unite a nation behind their leader.

Culture
Highreach culture is a mixture of old rites and rituals and traditions slowly ingrained from years under the rule of the Stahlheimian Empire. Whereas the rights of nobility are clearly defined in Stahlheim, it is expected that a prospective ruler earn the respect of their people before taking up their throne in Highreach. During any sort of coronation in Highreach, the prospective noble must pass a series of trials that will prove to their constituents they shall not fail them. They are expected to hear concerns from the gathered citizens/lesser nobility and eloquently absolve them of their worries. Perhaps most strangely, every noble in Highreach is branded with the sigil of their house before they are officially crowned. If the prospective noble cries out during this process, it is seen as a black mark during their reign. The people of Highreach are considered hard working and very defensive of their ways. They do not like outsiders impeding upon their ways and it has only been at the threat of great bloodshed that they have buckled.

Politics
Politics in Highreach are centered around a powerful ruler, though not overtly so. Although the King(formerly Archduke) holds the majority of power, the nobles beneath him can work to veto laws he wishes to pass or even prevent his assent to the throne should he fail a series of trials at his coronation. There is very little power abuse among the nobility of Highreach, for it is not considered a crime to overthrow and arrest a Lord who has been overtly cruel to his people. Those among the lower and middle classes do not vote, but should they serve in their Liege's army for five years they are given a suitable pension and other such benefits.

Military
The armies of Highreach are considered to be professional and high quality, frequently ranked as some of the best Stahlheim could field. Apart from levies and Knights provided from each lord, there is a standing army composed predominantly of footsoldiers. These men and women are generally well armored and carry with them spears and shields or halberds. Highreach soldiers favor crossbows over bows and it is standard issue for each soldier to be equipped with one in addition to their usual weaponry. In combination with this, knights from Highreach are renowned for their skill and the unique quality of riding gryphons instead of horses. These Knights of the Roost are much more maneuverable and versatile than regular knights due to their ability to fly high above a battlefield in formation before striking. A charge from gryphonback with lances is absolutely devastating and can cripple entire units of soldiers. Gryphons are a highly valued and vital part of the war machine of Highreach, though their rarity means they cannot be wasted.

History
Highreach is a land that has been settled nearly as long as Stahlheim itself, initially discovered by the nomadic Clan Reinhardt out of a need for shelter and a place to call home. They braved the nearly impassable mountain pass and discovered the valley within, finding not only that it would make a suitable home but the legendary gryphons as well. Previously thought by most to be myths, their discovery and the bond between the two parties that was formed soon after became vital to the development of Highreach as a stable power. No known land in the world save for Highreach was home to gryphons, giving Highreach traders and soldiers a completely unique advantage. This saw the people of Highreach prosper, and their relative isolation from Stahlheim over centuries allowed them to develop their own unique culture and remain distant from world politics.

Highreach warred with the Stahlheimian Empire several times after its formation, the armies of Aldhard the Great crashing against the mountain passes of Highreach and finding no purchase against armies supported by well trained gryphon riders. Battle found no purchase, and it was only 65 years after the formation of the Stahlheimian Empire that Highreach was finally made a province. In the Stahlheimian War of Annexation, Aldhard the Great's successor brought war to Highreach's door once more, demanding unity for the Empire. What followed was a drawn out conflict, the numerically and technologically superior Stahlheimian armies marching deep into Highreach but taking heavy losses as they did. Upon reaching the capital of Gryphon's Roost, it became clear that taking the capital would be far too costly to be justifiable. With his men tired of fighting, the Stahlheimian Emperor convinced the King of Highreach to come to the table. A treaty was signed that finally brought Highreach within the Empire, though in return it was given special privileges unique to its province. Highreach was subject to far fewer Imperial restrictions, largely operating autonomously under a newly entitled Archduke and contributing to the Empire with soldiers and minerals.

This relationship continued until the events of the ongoing Stahlheimian Civil War.