Halstead

Geography

A moutainous land of long harsh winters and short summers located on the empires northeastern border, Halstead is at the limits of where large scale, organised agriculture is possible. (Think the Baltic states for the summer, Siberia for the winter.)

Regional History

Halstead is formerly one of the six provinces of the prefecture of Cytheria (along with Gallice, Mysilia, Evencreek, Venthald and Cythius), and was the fringe outpost at the northern reaches of the Kurathene Empire. Thus, though it was in an isolated region, with few natural resources, it tended to dominate the strategic thinking of both the prefects of Liandyra and Cytheria.

During the Imperial Era it was populated primarily by Imperial soldiers, usually of the Third and Seventeeth Legions, centered around the impressive stone battlements of Fort Halstead and anchored by the irrigation provided by the River Gald. It also contained the Kurathene northern port city of Port Masteus, which was the starting point of any iron convoys coming from Galdos since the 15th century.

As its strategic importance increased with the advent of Galdosian River Route, settlement was encouraged during the 16th and 17th centuries through the advancement of land claims to military veterans, and eventually the majority of the civilian population were clustered from the ranks of the Imperial Army, and the rather humble city of Port Masteus later became known as "Garrisonville" by Imperial Navy officers due to the large numbers of Imperial Army soldiers who had settled there after 20 years of service.

The fall of the Empire deeply fragmented Halstead itself, Port Masteus remained in the hands of the Imperial Navy, though Fort Halstead became its own fortified retreat for the remnants of Imperial Order officers serving in Halstead at that time. Traditionally ruled by the legion commander of the fortress, the region became more and more isolated from the rest of Kurathene...

the first post-Imperial garrison commander, Legate Lord Warner va'Klaren believing that he commanded the final bastion of Imperial tradition. (Though his successors knew this to be false, as they traded with the Imperial North Seas Fleet stationed in Port Masteus) This reinforced the innate conservatism and strength of the local populace, and in many regards made them far less likely to accept foreign support to maintain both the fort and it's elaborate system of siege weaponry designed to protect it from marauding barbarian hordes.

As for Cytheria, originally Halstead was treated as a break-away province. (Think, Taiwan vs China) But eventually they understood two things. First, they didn't really have the power left to project it into Halstead and take Fort Halstead by force. And second, whatever they lost from letting va'Klaren and his legion hold the fort, they gained by not having to pay for it themselves. It was basically that they were getting a free ride in the area, so why bother?

Around 60 years ago there was a dramatic fall in the number of barbarian incursions into the region and a corresponding increase of trade. This long period of peace, broken by sporadic barbarian raids that were easily dealt with resulted in a vastly increased sense of security.

A shift in priorities then occured under legate Magnus va'Klaren as ever scarce resources were diverted away from the upkeep of the fort - by that time one of the most powerfull fortresses in existance - into improving and extending the mines and agriculture upon which Halstead depended for survival.

This policy, intended to make Halstead fully self-sufficiant, was continued into the present time by the last fief lord Willem va'Klaren, along with a continuing gradual deteriation of the forts defences and fabric.

This period culminated in the fall of Fort Halstead in 2142 (rough date), to the forces of the Giant King Orgoron.

Currently, Halstead is almost entirely lawless, with small sprinkled Imperial villages holding out against the newly settled barbarian hordes. The only exception lies near Masteus, where the Imperial Navy's North Sea Fleet and its cannon keep the hordes at bay. The pragmatic nobility of the region have generally accepted that they require the assistance of 9th Legion's Expeditionary Unit sent to protect Masteus.

The Remnants of Seventeenth Legion, now calling themselves Klaren's Martyrs, having refused the help of the I.N. have reformed as a roving army of fifteen thousand, protecting the remaining Imperial settlements in the region and attempting to retake it from the clutches of the barbarian hordes. Time will tell if they are successful, or they wind up truly martyred as their name implies.

Life and Culture

The culture thus was an odd mix of communal ties (reminiscent in fact of army camps), and a transplanted original culture of Toranism mixed with the army habits of the settlers. In spite of, perhaps because of their distance from Kuras, they took great pains to maintain as much of their cultural cohesion as possible, though eventually trade with the local barbarian tribes did introduce relatively distinct family structures into Halstead society.

Politics

Halstead, from it's creation first as a military outpost of the empire and then as an imperial colony in all but name, has evolved into a military dictatorship run on strict Toranite principals.

Traditionaly Halstead is ruled by the senior member of the Va'Klaren clan, which can trace it's lineage back to the Proconsul of the 17th legion originaly assigned the task of securing the empires northern border by the emperor.

Halstead has an unusual form of government in that the senior male member of the Va'Klaren line commands the army and is responsable for the defence of the prefecture while the senior female member of the Va'Klaren line is responsable for the prefectures civil administration.

Army

The 'Klaren's Martyrs' legion (the old imperial 17th) which in its organisation, tactics, drill and traditions is somewhat akin to a living, but still very formidable, fossil. Reduced from 60,000 to 42,000 men.(15,000 of which are still holding out in the Gald river flood plain, the rest are now in camps along the Cytherian border.

The Martyres are supported by the auxilary militia, which was a localy raised defense force to protect the villages and settlements of Halstead, but later became to be seen as a conscripted extention to the legion.

Although service in the military is not prohibited, very few women are to be found serving in the army. Those that do are traditionaly restricted to service as medical orderlies or within the army administration, thereby freeing up manpower to serve in *front-line* combat units.

Legal system

The legal system has it's origins in the old Imperial military law, adapted over the years to better reflect the needs of a civilian society, although most outsiders are generaly unable to reconise the suble differences between the two.

Crime, which is rare in such an ordered society, is normaly punished by a fine, with a period of service in a military penal battalion for those who can't, or will not pay. The death penalty, although it exists, is rarely enforced and condemned prisoners simply exiled for life.

Religion

95% of the population are Toranite, and although the worship of other gods is not illegal, it is generaly frowned upon. The edict enacted during imperial times outlawing the worship of Aarilax and Maleki are still rigorously enforced.

The only exeption is the worship of Toblin due to the high regard in which the Dracon are held.

Trade

Exports: These consist of iron, silver, hard gems, coal, marble & other decorative stone. Plus trading with the Tyedu (during the peaceful years).

Imports: Food, lumber, textiles and luxury goods form the bulk of imports.

Current Events

Currently, Halstead is almost entirely lawless, with small sprinkled Imperial villages holding out against the newly settled barbarian hordes. The only exception lies near Masteus, where the Imperial Navy's North Sea Fleet and its cannon keep the hordes at bay. Though the pragmatic nobility of the region have generally accepted that they require the assistance of 9th Legion's Expeditionary Unit sent to protect Masteus...