Hastyria

Hastyria_Map.jpgIEW
Hastyria is a country in the northern hemisphere of Aramar

It was originally inhabited by tribes who called the land Kheltica.

It is named after Hastyr the Conqueror, who conquered first Gallika after crossing the Neck from the south then invaded Keltica in 46 BH. The campaign was complete 8 years later, due to fierce resistance from the native tribes. It was Hastyr's northern most conquest after which he sailed east to the great archipelago later named the (1).

EARLY HISTORY
Following the death of Hastyr during his campaign in the (1), his massive empire quickly dissolved into rival states. The focus of the disputes were Hastyr's prosperous and wealthy conquests on the great southern continent collectively known as the Southlands. Almost forgotten, Hastyria fell into the hands of Hastyr's nephew, Drakmyr, who renamed it in his uncle's honour.

Drakmyr established a new kingdom, ruled from the city of Regalis. The kingdom was bordered in the north by a vast mountain range and a smaller range in the south, known as The Wall, which stretched from sea to sea, save for a small portion in the west, which became known as the Gap.

Drakmyr expanded his domain to encompass Gallika in the south, effectively controling all of Hastyr's significant conquests in the Northlands. Drakmyr ruled for 53 years before dying of an unknown illness in his capital at Regalis. His descendents took the name Drakmyran in his honour. Over the course of centuries, through a combination of mispronunciation and erroneous recording, the name had changed to Drakmarien.

His kingdom passed to his eldest surviving son (the firstborn had been killed while on a boar hunt), Sedryd.

Realizing the difficulty of ruling a kingdom effectively divided by mountain range, Sedryd appointed his younger brother Lokyr as Lord Steward of Gallika.

Over the course of Sedryd's reign Hastyria grew in wealth and prosperity, largely due to it's massive natural deposits of valuable metals such as gold, silver, copper and iron. Meanwhile, Lokyr's province was plagued by famine and internal dissent as thousands of refugees fled across the neck to escape the devastating wars between the various successor states. Although Gallika was the link between Hastyria and the prosperous Southlands, trade across the Narrow Sea had almost ground to a halt due to war.

Lokyr became jealous and resentful of his elder brother, eventually invading Hastyria through the Gap, sparking a bloody civil war. Lokyr quickly captured the area unofficially known as the Pocket, before pushing deeper into hearthland of Hastyria, capturing most of western Hastyria (save for the mighty fortress at Berion). Sedryd delivered Lokyr's first defeat at the Battle of Lake Vasna. The conflict devolved into a bloody and devastating stalemate, with neither side able to gain the upperhand. 5 years after the Battle of Lake Vasna, King Sedryd was killed during an attack on his tent by an unmarked band of soldiers.

Upon hearing of his brother's death, Lokyr declared himself ruler of Hastyria, even participating in his own coronation ceremony at Solosa. However, Sedryd's eldest son, Tarkyn, declared the coronation invalid and was soon crowned himself. Tarkyn, having come of age during a period of war, proved himself a capable commander and a fearsome warrior. He pushed Lokyr back until only the lands south of Valar were in enemy hands.

It was at this time that Lokyr died in mysterious circumstances, his lands falling to his son Lokyr II. Lokyr II proved less greedy than his father and soon sued for peace with his cousin. Tarkyn and Lokyr II met in a small village just to the east of Valar to discuss terms. Lokyr agreed to cede all lands north of the Gap in exchange for the independence of Gallika. Both men agreed that the Wall River, which ran across the Gap, was the border.

Currency
Coins are the official currency of Hastyria, usually minted by the king. However, bartering is not uncommon in smaller towns and villages. One can usually buy a plain steel suit of armour, not including the under garments, for around about 20 gryphons, or 500 crowns.

A good quality sword usually costs around 6 or 7 gryphons, or 150'' crowns. ''The more expensive swords can cost up to 13 gryphons.

The prize for winning the melee at the Royal Tourney is 75 gryphons, while at most other tourney's the prize money will usually around 40 gryphons.

People will usually be able to purchase a meal and ale at a tavern or inn for 2 or 3 hands.