Herutzisk Folksric

Herutzisk Folksric (High Adalweric: Herutziske Folksrīhhe), commonly known as Herutziskland is a proud Adalweric Empire in the middle of the Aiward, ruled by Waltan Adalrīhh III of House Hirtzung.

The Lands of the Herutziskers are vast and differ in appearance. Highlands and forests dominate in the south, whilst vast plains and bogs are typical in the north. The population of cities and towns is growing every year, yet most folks still inhabit the farmlands.

When it comes to war, Herutziskers are one of the most fearless and hardy warriors. They praise Honour very highly and, like other Adalwerians, believe in a tradition of the judicial duel that can solve petty arguments and great wars alike. In case of their opponents would not share their values, they are very able to protect their fatherland. Both the Herutzisk Infantry and Cavalry are renowned for their accomplishments and valour in war.

War with the Imperium and creation of Folksric
By the end of 1st century DC the Adalweria was divided into many independent tribal states. The most significant and most powerful of them were the Herutakrigos and the chieftain of that tribe named Hiruzhertz. In 105 DC, Imperial legions passed the Canus Mountains to invade their homeland. Hiruzhertz took the initiative and began forming a great confederation of tribes to repel the invaders. He also ventured north for a whole year to gain support Dwergish Waldan Thunrazdainaz II himself. By 108 DC, Most of the Western and Southern tribes were persuaded by him to join. Finally, in 111 DC, with great efforts and the blessing of Tziu, they overcame the Imperials. That day, 7 Adalwerish tribes and contingent of dwergish infantry faced five Lucerenic legions in a mighty battle on the sides of Rötstein Pass.

After the battle, the chieftains of all tribes had hailed him the holy protector of the Adawerians, and with the blessing of the Gods and Dwafen Waldan, he was crowned as a supreme leader. Hiruzhertz used all this influence to merge the other tribes into one greater state. First, Hochmuotz was held at the top of the Herutburgs Rock with all the other Diotans and chieftains present. The goal was to create a new uniform state and government with the Waltan as its head. New titles and offices were made, and the laws unified. That night on 11th of the Winter Coming 111B DC the Herutzisk Folksric was born.

Following those events, Hiruzhertz began preparing his new realm for an eventual counter-attack from the Imperium. He invaded the northern tribes that did not help in the war efforts and forced them into the Folksric. New Diotanstats were created from their lands. He deemed that the only way to keep the Adawerians safe and strong was to keep them all together and seize other independent states. Of course, not all Adalwerians did approve of the aggressive actions of the new Waltan.

Death of Hiruzhertz
In 125 DC, Hiruzhertz, when crossing the Northern Markan Mountains, is led by his presumed allies from the Herodanis tribe into an Imperial Ambush. The Heruskers fight until the end to protect their Waltan, but Hiruzhertz dies in the combat from sword wounds.

This most unfortunate event forces Hochmuotz to elect a new leader. Most of the Diotans, in their wisdom, respected Hiruzhertz's death wish and chose his son Ötacher as the new Waltan. As the new leader of the Herutziskers, Ötacher continued the work of his father. He established new military offices and city founding laws. In 130 DC. He spent most of his reign on reinforcing the stability and security of the realm. In Winter 159 DC, after a long reign, Ötacher dies in peace.

His son Sigimari was proclaimed the new Waltan by the Hochmuotz in 160 DC. Hew started new military and social reforms. He introduced the new social classes based on wealth and status and the system of Hunds in the army.

Regions
Folksric is divided into ten provinces called Diotanstats. Here is the list of all of them:

Langbartland
It's the most northern territory, bordering Myrctland. Local Furistos are known for having very long beards, and their soldiers are very fond of characteristic long-bearded axes. Sjótlingas often take those lands as a target of their raids. Folks around here used to be untrusty of strangers and always waiting for a fight, but Dwarfs are very much respected.

Galantland
Folksric's north-eastern region. It has a long coast and many small fishing towns. Most of the commerce here turns around sea trade and fishing.

Krigsahsland
It's located in the North midlands of the Folksric and is known for its excellent metal workshops and great war-knives called Krigsahsen, which are common among their mercenary soldiers called Lantknehts.

Herutland
The largest region and the heart of the Folksric. Here lie the Herutburg and court of the Waltan. Woods and highlands are dominant in the south whilst the northern part is much friendlier for agriculture.

Tartland
The region is situated on the highland beside the Markan Mountains, bordering the Kingdom of Fríaland. It's quite a fruitful land with dense forests on the south. It's the homeland of the Ritters of Fría.

Roggeland
Lands are excellent for farming with fertile soils and plenty of water sources. Farmers around those parts mainly specialise in farming rye. Izarn Sea also provides good trade connections and fresh Sea Fruits and Fish.

Osterland
Osterland is a relatively poor province often struggled by war and raids from the Wenidians. In recent years Bohskalans and Lechiyans made peace with the Folksric, allowing the locals to catch a breath finally. Now people of Osterland slowly return to their regular day to day lives, trying to repair the war damage.

Waranland
It Lies on the South-west of the Herutziskland. People there have lengthy martial traditions, and their soldiers are one the best trained in the Folksric. Dense highland forests coat the landscape with a few defensive burghs picking out on the tops of hills and bergs.

Heidaland

Heidaland is most famous for its outstanding breweries.

Gelpaland

Gelpaland is the home of once-famous champions and dragon slayers. The grand order of holy slayers of Thunar was founded here. The most gracious days of those people are long past, but the spirit of the tall tales of old is still strong here.

Government
During the Times of Hiruzherz, Adalweric Tribes didn't have a singular social and governmental structure. Only the Southern states were already developing a working uniform system, which after the unification and conquest of the Hiruzhertz, was improved and spread over the rest of Adalweric lands.

The governing system that the Folksric developed is a unique take on a republic. The common assemblies and democratic voting play an essential role in the society of the Heruskers, yet leaders they choose seem to rule over them have a dictator like authority. The ruler of each administrative unit has two main functions, that of the Judge and the Priest.

The smallest administrative unit in the Herutziskland is the Skira, land that belongs to a clan. The collection of those is called Folkskaft.

Folkskaft is led by the assembly of Füristo's (Clan Fathers), which is called the Muotz (around 100 Füristos). The Muotz would usually gather fortnightly or monthly, depending on the situation.

Each of the Folkskafts chooses one Gröz Füristo, who will represent them on the Höch Muotz. After the Social reform from the 2nd century, Groz Furisto would be only chosen from among the Adalungas.

Grözer Muotz is the assembly of the province called Diotanstat, and there the Gröz Füristos choose from among each other the leader called Diotan. He fulfils his office until death and is the de facto ruler of the state.

After the unification of all Adaweric states by the Hiruzhertz, a new office of Waltan was created, named after the titles of Dwergish rulers. A new assembly was formed, called Waltan's Muotz, and all Diotans became the members. There they aid and advise the Waltan in times of need, and when Waltan dies, they choose a new one from among themselves. Even tho' the Diotans could determine other Waltan, the tradition has it that it should be the Diotans of the Herutland that must be the one to lead them as they are of the Hiruzhertz's sacred blood.

The Diotans had strayed from this rule only once, resulting in a civil war and a great decline in the Folksric in 453 DC.

Society of the Herutziskers
The most significant social changes in Adalwerric society began after the great war with the Imperium and the formation of the Herutzisk Folksric. During this time, centralisation of power, growing urbanisation and spoils of war resulted in the natural creation of the new social classes.

After the Death of Hiruzhertz, his son decided to organise the developing society of the Adalwerians and officially legislated the new social classes. That was meant to secure a just and stable governing system all over the Folksric.

The new classes were: Wealthy Furistos, Soldiers and Merchants who hold the real political power - Adalungas, The Free folk that live in towns or own farmland - Karls, and the slaves brought with the war to serve the other two - Trekils.

As mentioned, Adalungas are the wealthier clans with more political influence but are obliged to provide more financial and military support for their state in times of war and need. Karls still hold all the rights of free men as the poorer commoner clans, but some political paths are taken from them. Trekils can be a property of both higher classes but still own few rights to prevent abuse. They must serve until their masters deem it worthy of realising them from the thralldom, yet law forbids them from killing a Trekil or forcing them to kill someone else.

Army
Herutzisks' army is based on units called Hunds which contains 100-120 soldiers. Each of the ''Folkskaft is obliged to provide at least one Hund for the Diotans army. If Diotan cannot lead the army himself, an Herizog is appointed who follows the orders of the Waltan or Waltan's Ubarherizog. Waltan has absolute power over the military, and all Diotans and Herizogs are obliged to his commands during the war.''

The war and peace can only be declared when all Diotans and Waltan agree on it unanimously.

Tactics
Herutzisks' army Depends on a good composure of the Foot Infantry, crossbowmen and Heavy Cavalry. Each of the Herutziske Diotanstaat's has its state army, whose commander is the Herizog. All Herizogs are taking orders from the Ubarherizog, the personal military advisor and strategist of the Waltan.

Most of the footsoldiers are Karls, and they are the core of the Herutzisk army. When it comes to cavalry, those from Adalungas, rich enough to buy armour and a horse, serve as horsemen called Rīttari.

Arms and Armour
Mail is the dominant covering among Herutzhiskers' Infantry. They also wear metal caps in the fashion of so-called kettle hats, but other kinds are also present. The most common weapons are spears and large shields. Some two-handed weapons like great knives and halberds also appear on the battlefield.

The Adalungas almost always appear in the battle on the mount, despite mail usually wear coats of plates or other kinds of simple plate armour. They also pose so-called great helms that are typically worn over smaller skull caps. Despite that, Bascinets with klappvisors are also becoming popular among the Ritters and Captains. On horseback, they carry long lances and smaller shields than those of Foot Soldiers.