Chronicle of the Southern Realm Confederation (Warhammer Fantasy/ Fire Emblem: Three Houses)

[thanix01]

The Founding legend of the Holy Southern Realm Confederation
​

The founding of Southern Realms was shrouded in Mystery. According to the legend Seiros and the four saints appearance was as mysterious as their strange power. Both Menogoth and Merogen legend claim that the saints emerge within there land, though no historical record can confirm whether which story is true. What is undisputed is that these strange figures hold tremendous power in both strength and magic, while the tribes of man were distrustful of them at first that opinion would not last forever.

During that time large army of Greenskin began to ravage the land of the Southern tribes, the Saints offer to help them deal with the Greenskin. Both the Merogen and Menogoth saw that they alone can't deal with the Greenskin and accept the offer. It was said that with the aids of the Saints, the two tribes was able to cleanse their land of the Greenskin. The leader of the two tribe after witnessing unimaginable power of the Saints declared their loyalty to the Saints and in return they are granted with the fraction of the Saints's power in form of crest. Thus the Merogen king Henroth and Menogoth king Markus became the first crest bearers. King Henroth received the crest of Seiros while King Markus received the crest of Indech. With both human tribes under their guidance the Saints began their attempt to unify the tribes of man.

Next tribes to be incorporate was the Brigundian. The Brigundian king Siggurd was distrustful toward the Saints due to their strange power and unnatural complexion. This change when the Saints rescue Siggurd's son from the Dragon Ogre Skaranoak from certain death. It was said that the prince's wound was grievous yet he was saved when Saint Cethlean perform her miracle to restore him from the brink of death. King Siggurd became extremely grateful for this action and offer his loyalty toward the saint. Prince Helge was granted the crest of Saint Cethlean, while King Siggurd was granted the crest of Saint Cichol.

At the same time our first Emperor Sigmar was in the process of fighting off the Norsii and gather Cherusen, Taleuten, and Udoses under his banner. The Teutogen was later brought into the fold after Sigmar slayed their king and thus by right of conquest assimilate the Teutogen into his empire. The next to be tribe to join was the matriarchical Asoborn, after personally negotiating with the Asoborn queen Freya, the queen agree to join the tribal alliance.

However, all is not well some Asoborn tribe member disagree with Freya action and spit from the tribe, led one of the tribe strongest warrior Gertrude. They migrate Southward and met the Saints. It was said that after witnessing her power the Asoborn exile under Gertrude declared their loyalty to Seiros directly (rather than the saints as a whole). With this action Gertrude was granted the crest of Seiros.The Asoborn splintered came to see Seiros as goddess that walk on Earth, Gertrude even goes as far as to abandon her name and take the name Seiros given to her. Gertrude is no more and Themis took her place. The wild Asoborn is no more, under the view that Seiros is goddess that walk on Earth they change themselves to whatever their goddess deem as civilized.

Not long after the Asoborn splintered joining the Saints, the news of largest Greenskin horde ever known gathering beyond the Black fire pass was spread. The Dwarve King Kurgan Ironbeard send his envoy to urge Sigmar and the mysterious Saints to prepare for the oncoming invasion through the Black Fire pass. It was this time that Sigmar first met the Saints. During the meeting King Marbad of the Endal tribe declared his loyalty to Sigmar, other tribes leader follow in declaration. However, Seiros only stated that she would work beside him and not as his follower, thus the Southern tribe make the same declaration.

Following the meeting the battle of the Black Fire pass soon took place. The battle happens on scale never seen before by the tribes of men. Dwarves and Man stood side by side to fend of the greenskin. Sigmar charge fourth into the fray and fought and slew the Orc warlord. At the same time the saints use their strange power and strength to lay waste to the Orc army. In the end the Orcish horde were scattered. Seeing the strength and bravery of Sigmar, Seiros offer him her blood. However, the first emperor refuse for reason only known to him and Seiros. In the end the threat of Greenskin was dealt with and Sigmar and tribes loyal to him declare the founding of the empire. However not all tribes choose Sigmar, tribes that sworn alegience to the Saints did not choose to join the Empire. They follow Seiros and the Saints and migrate down south through the black fire pass.

The tribes that move southward will soon form the Holy Southern realm confederation with Church of Seiros as the highest authority within the land. While the tribes that remain north of Blackfire pass would form the Empire.

• Excerpt from "The Founding legend of the Holy Southern Realm Confederation" within Altdorf University archives.

Author Note: First time writing what is essentially fanfiction. I am really bad at writing conversation, so I will try to write this in style of historical record. Never see a fic that took place in this time period so I decide to take a stab at it.

 

[thanix01]

Early colonization of the Borderland
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After the battle of Blackfire Pass, the tribes loyal to the Saints migrate south through the Blackfire pass. At the Southern exit of the pass the first settlement was created, it was named Caeddun. The early settlement is far cry from the mighty fortress that guards the Blackfire pass in the present day. Early Caeddun is not so different than other tribal settlements, though its dwarfs' other tribal settlements in size and population due to it hosting the population of 4 human tribes. While the settlement has no imposing stonewall, its inhabitant are fierce warriors capable of defending the settlement.

The nearest river to the settlement was the skull river. This river would play vital role in the defense and development of the Southern Realm. The river got it name from the Skull-headed Piranha that inhibits the river. Swimming in the river is not possible, and any crossing of the river is a dangerous task. Skull-headed Piranha swarm can strip flesh from the bone of unfortunate individuals who falls into the river in mere minutes. Thus Skull-river becomes a considerable obstacle for the early settler.

As time passed settler learn to live with the condition they are given. In the present day Skull River become an excellent defensive location against invading army that came from the east. As seen when the Orc Waagh under Warboss Durzugg Jowlrippa try to cross the river, the Southern Realm army manage to set the Orc fleet ablaze. Thousand of Orc fell into the river, and is quickly shredded apart by swarm of Skull-headed Piranha. Skull-headed Piranha also became major food source for the settler, due to it strong taste it is often smoked and seasoned with spices. It was said that Saint Cethleann herself consumes the skull-headed Piranha to convince the human tribes that it was safe to eat. Smoked Skull-headed Piranha soon became a delicacy of the Southern Realm, and are often the prefer food source when their army are on the campaign.

Another threat to the early settler lies within the Forest of Gloom on the eastern bank of the Skull River. The forest was infested with Greenskin in form of Forest Goblin tribes. While it is true that on any open field battle the Saints and the tribes of men are able to win with ease, such battle rarely happens. The forest Goblin regularly raids various small newly established settlements in small Warband, then quickly retreat into the forest of Gloom when the Saints gather army to crush them. The dense coverage of the forest proves to be extremely difficult to traverse, often time the army of men was ambush and slaughter when trying to pursue the goblin raiders.

The threat of the forest Goblin persists for years until the Saint decided that they had enough. It was said that saint Seiros retreat into isolation to commune with her goddess Sothis. Her prayer was answered, the tribes of men heard a thundering roar over the horizon. The great white dragon emerged, it was said that the "The Immaculate one" burn down the forest of gloom with great fury. The tribes of men assist her by setting the forest ablaze, while the other saints assisted them by fighting off any Greenskin foolish enough to retaliated. In present day the damage of the event can still be seen, what was once the forest of gloom is nothing more than grassy hills and ancient burn mark scorched into stone. What was once the Forest of Gloom is now knowed as the Scorched Hill, it is consider on of the most sacred place for the Church of Seiros, it is a testament to the power hold by the Saints as well as proving that Sothis protect her faithful follower. In the teaching of The Church of Seiros, dragon are viewed as divine beings and the servant of the one true god Sothis as well as the guardian of the faithful.

 

[thanix01]

Square with cross = Cities
Fortress = Fortress/Fortification/Castle
Filled Square = The Monastery
Diamond = Dwarven Karak

Map of modern day settlement and fortress location within the Southern Realm Confederation.

 

[thanix01]

Government​

The Holy Southern Realms Confederation is a loose collection of various self-governing kingdoms. Each province is ruled by a King or Queen. These monarchs have the ability to govern their land however they see fit, but all must answer to the Church of Seiros. All of the monarchs can trace back their lineage to ancient tribal Kings and Queen who sworn their loyalty to the Saints and were rewarded with the crest. However, due to the small land they hold, they are often referred to as petty King or queens by outsider. These provinces are referred to as Kingdoms due to all of them still being considered sovereign nations, ruled by the descendent of nobles who follow the saints.

While Crests is an inheritable trait, it is not guaranteed that a descendent of Crest bearing line will have a Crest. Thus, while it is preferable for the monarch to have a crest it is usually not a requirement. However, each province has their own set of rules. The bloodline of Queen Themis, for example, views Crest as Divine's Right thus only Crest-bearing individuals can be heir to the throne.

Once every half a decade a Great Council is held, all Kings and Queens of the Realm will make their way to the Church Monastery to discuss the matter of the Realms. Arch-Bishop of the Church can call a meeting at their will if they deem that there is an urgent issue that needs to be discussed.

During the early days of the confederation Saint Seiros commission Saint Macuil to forge five "Sacred Weapons" for each tribal leaders that sworn their loyalty to the Saints. These weapons serve a similar role as our Empire's own Runefang. It serves as a symbol of legitimacy and prestige for the various petty Monarchs of the Southern Realms. Unlike the Runefang, these weapons are not limit in form of a Sword, Sacred weapons from Southern Realm are in many forms such as bow, sword, shield, spear. The true power of these Sacred weapons is only made apparent when it is wielded by Crest Bearer with the corresponding crest. Since not all monarchs are Crest Bearer, it is usual for monarchs to entrust a close relative who is a Crest Bearer with Sacred Weapon.

The Church of Seiros
​

The Church of Seiros is the Southern Realm's most powerful institution. It operates its own army as well as serving as the de facto ruler of the Holy Southern Realm Confederation. Its influence is vast, and its authority is unquestionable. The Church's duty is to spread the word of the one true goddess Sothis. Arch-Bishop of the Church can dismiss Kings and Queen at their will, however, such action is rarely taken and was invoke only once in the recorded history of the Southern Realm.

Sothis is the only God that can be legally worshiped within the Southern Realm border, however, enforcement of this policy differs in various provinces. While all provinces allows the worshipper of other faiths to travel and lived within it border, proselytization by other religion is strictly prohibited. Some province may allow construction of other faith places of worship while other forbidden it even if it is just private household shrine.

While the Church doesn't usually involve themselves in various everyday affairs of its vassal Kingdoms, it is not impossible for the Church to take direct action when events that concern them arise. The threat of the Dark Gods are ever present across our world, Southern Realm is no exception. Thus, often time the Church took their own initiative against the worshipper of Ruinous power when the local ruler fails to deal with them.

The selection of the Arch-Bishop of the church is shrouded in mystery. The church keep the process a secretive affair. However, some scholars have suggested that the Arch-Bishop title is inherited through bloodline. Throughout the ages many Arch-Bishops of the Church of Seiros bear similar appearance to the Saint Seiros herself, thus some suggest that all Arch Bishop of the Church are direct blood descendent of Seiros. However, it must be pointed out that these are mere rumors. Many times, throughout history the Arch-Bishop bears no resemblance to the saint, thus such an idea should be dispelled.

 

[thanix01]

The Knight of Seiros
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To most who heard the name knight of Seiros, the image of Knight in shining plate armor atop equally armored steed came to mind. However, such an image may not accurately describe the Knightly Order. The Knights of Seiros are not just knights in shining its member include any kind of warrior, from archer to mage. Their purpose is to defend the Church as well as enforcing its will. However the most renowned and prestigious knight are those that bear crest, these knights are called Holy Knight due to them bearing a fraction of the saint's power.

The Knight of Seiros is considered to be the largest Knightly order in the old world, its members are enough to act as its own army capable of performing military campaigns without the assistant of the Realm many Monarchs. While some may compare Southern Realm Knight to that of Bretonnia, one different stands above all. The Knight of Seiros accept all gender into its rank, the knightly order is unique in the regard that it contains a large number of female knights.

Its member is recruited from all walk of life, from commoner to noble. It is mostly funded by taxes paid to the Church. Though many noble houses regularly contribute extra resources to the order in hope of garnering good wills.

Knight of Seiros influence within the Southern Realm is vast, most of the Southern Monarchs would not dare to question the Knight's action. The Church grants them the ability to traverse the realm without restriction, monarch would offer their supply to the Knights when they are on campaign to gather the Church good will. Every province hosts its chapter keep, however, the Knight's headquarter is located at the Monastery of the Church.

The Knight of Seiros most common duty is to act as a quick response force to deal with the various threats that encroaches the realm, such as Beastmen and the Greenskin. The decentralized nature of the Southern realm means that mobilizing armies of the various monarchs can be a slow process. The Knight of Seiros will thus be those that respond first. Its Pegasus and Wyvern knight can quickly relocate themselves to any region in need, any foes that seek to threaten the realm will find themselves harassed by knights atop flying mounts within a day of their invasion.

The Knight also perform other less chivalrous duty. While the Church may deny this, those who live within the Southern Realm know that the knight is not just the church blade, the order is also the Church dagger in the dark. The Knight's spy exists in every town and village within the Southern Realm, its agent operates both inside and outside of the Southern Realm. It is believed that the Knights agents are embedded as far away as the icy land of Kislev, and even across the ocean in the port of Lothern. Seditious or heretical noble can be quickly dealt with while the Realm remains oblivious.

Furthermore, the Knight also holds similar duty as the Holy Order of Templar of Sigmar. They are tasked with the duty to hunt down worshippers of Ruinous power and Rogue mage. Due to their organization's vast resources, a knight undercover hunting heretic can quickly request the force of the local chapter of the knight. Thus they can move in silence as well as bringing the full wrath of Sothis upon heretic without alerting them.

In the end, we can see why the Griffin Sigil of the Knight of Seiros, brings both respect and fear to those who witness it.

• Anonymous Imperial Scholar on "The Knight of Seiros"

 

[Takoe]

Pretty rough on the pure language front, but this is interesting thus far. I'm curious to see how what you'll do with magic, given how volatile that tends to be in the setting.

 

[thanix01]

Pretty rough on the pure language front, but this is interesting thus far. I'm curious to see how what you'll do with magic, given how volatile that tends to be in the setting.

Click to shrink...

Yeah English is not my first language and I really have a hard time with Grammar.

As for magic I am thinking of separating warhammer magic and fire emblem magic.

While Fire Emblem magic is much safer and able to be learn by anyone with enough determination it will never match the raw power and sheer destructiveness of wind of magic based magic.

This lead to Fire Emblem mage being use in groups so they can coordinate their spell for more destructive power.

If you play warhammer total war. Fire emblem mage would not be like single entity mage of that game and more like range infantry that deal magical damage.

Saint Macuil is the one who teach man Fire Emblem magic. Though I will need to justified it somehow since he clearly dislike human in the game.

 

[thanix01]

Establishment of the Avon Caer Monastery
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With the threat of the Forest Goblin dealt with the tribes of men can once again settle the Borderland unimpeded. Traversing southward along the western bank of the skull river the human tribes found another settlement at the command of Saint Seiros where the Skull river and its tributary met. A small fort was built, its name was Avon Caer. This small fort would soon become Saint Seiros's seat of power, and eventually, her Church's headquarter.

The location was chosen both due to the ease of travel between it and Caeddun and having Skull River as a natural defense line against the Greenskin from the Badland. The early settlers would travel down the Skull River in primitive boats from increasingly overpopulated Caeddun and become part of its growing population.

The settler of the region begins to grow and farm crops at the behest of the Saints who foresaw that food supply will be important in order to support settlement efforts. Skull-headed Piranha of Skull River also become an essential food source of the region due to its abundance. Trades with dwarves of Barak Var also begin during this time, as time past dwarves of Barak Var will play an important part in the economy of the region.

As Avon Caer grows, its security becomes more of a concern. Saint Seiros order the creation of a stone wall to protect the settlement. Quarries are set up around the region and stones are mined. The stone that came from these mines are white in color, thus the first stone wall of Avon Caer was recorded to shine white in contrast with the landscape of it surrounding. The future Southern Realm architecture would also be built with this hardy white stone. The majestic white colored castles and fortresses Southern Realm would come to be known for would all derive their design from Avon Caer.

However, another conflict began to brew. This time from within the rank of the Saint's followers. The monarchs of the Southern Tribes began to squabble over whose word carries more authority. Unlike the established territories they used to rule in what is now The Empire, the Southern tribes territories in borderland are not clear. While small villages might declare their loyalty to certain monarch major settlement like Caeddun was not ruled by a single monarch and their authority is instead shared with one another. The conflict between King Henroth and Queen Themis was noted to be particularly severe from various legends. King Henroth view that he is the first man to be entrusted with the Saint's power and thus should be the one to lead. Queen Themis's view that her devotion to Saint Seiros as well as being monarch that Seiros favored most should be the one to carry out Seiros's will.

Seeing the increasingly dire prospect the Saints call the first of the Great Council at Avon Caer. After heated debate and with the monarch seemingly unwilling to share their power, the Saints decide on a decision that would change the way in which Borderland will be settled as well as how the political structure of Southern Realm will operate.

The decision was that all monarchs of the southern realm will be sovereign in their own right. No monarch authority triumphs over one another. Instead of sharing the land that was already settled the Saints suggest that any land yet unclaimed are lands that they can settle and create their own realm without needing further approval of the Saints.

Thus begin the expansion of the realm East and Westward. The Greenskin tribe still plagues the region, thus the Saints decided that they will accompany the human tribes in their quest to claim new territory. The eastern frontier is vast and thus three Saints Cichol, Cethleann, and Macuil will accompany the tribes eastward. The area to the west while small in comparison. It is however infested with far greater concentration of Greenskin. Thus the stalwart Saint Indech was tasked to help the human tribes pushing the Greenskin away from the region. Saint Seiros would remain in Avon Caer and ruled over the previously settled land.

Note: I am really bad with time scale, I probably need to go back and specify what year each event is taking place in.

 

[thanix01]

Eastern Expansion​

The eastward expansion was considered to be much more arduous than its western counterpart. The presence of Greenskin tribes was concentrated in much greater numbers than anything the Southern tribes had ever encountered.

The Eastern expansion was guided by the Stalwart Saint Indech along with King Markus of Merogen tribes. King Markus of Merogen believed that it would be foolish to further divide the realm through participating in the squabble for the leadership of the realm. Thus he joined his patron saint in his mission to push the green skin back East and secure the border.

The tribe of Merogen was considered to be one of the most experience Greenskin fighters due to their constant fight with the Greenskin in their homeland. Thus other saints have no objection when King Markus offer to venture east alongside Saint Indech.

The subjugation of the land east of the Skull river would prove an arduous task taking decades to completely pacified the Greenskin, even King Markus him selves would not lived to see it completion after succumbing to his wound after a duel with an Orc warboss. The rest of the campaign would be carried out by his two sons Frederick and Eric who were both granted the crest of Indech by the Saint who have come to view them as his own children.

The initial subjugation of the area would result in the expulsion of Greenskin tribes from east of Skull river to the world edge mountain. However, the area south of Howling River would remain out of reach for the Southern Realm for a few more centuries.

The most well-known settlement in the region would be Oirtheargarts. Oirtheargarts is less a city and more of a fortress. Situated on the western exit of Mad Dog pass, the fortress guarded the realm against Greenskin tribes from the Darkland. A great stone wall stand stalwart blocking the pass against would-be invader, the keep of the fortress is carved into the side of the world edge mountain capable of withstanding assault by invader even when the wall of the pass failed.

During the invasion of Warboss Durzag Jowlripper from the Darkland the wall of the pass was breach yet the keep remains standing and resist Greenskin long enough until the news arrived that Durzag met his demise trying to cross the skull river to assault Avon Caer. Oirtheargarts also play vital role during the Invasion of Gorbad Ironclaw, who have managed to breach the string of fortress alongside the Howling River the "Howling's locket". The fortress allowed the Knight of Seiros to base their Wyvern and Pegasus knight that they used to raid Gorbad waagh behind the frontline.

The people of the far eastern province has become accustom to the use of bow due to their preference of raining down arrow on the incoming Greenskin force assaulting their fortification. However, their swordsmen's are also just as renowned. After all, range weapon alone can't help you when Greenskin breach your line of defense. All of this culminates into the creation of one of the most iconic troops of the Southern Realm "The Southern Bow Knight". Knights clad in heavy plate armor armed with warbow, these knight are capable of harassing enemy formation with hails of arrow and quickly retreat on their heavily armoured cavalry. Enemy missile fire often prove to be ineffective due to the knights' heavy armor. These knights are often task with venturing into the Badland and Darkland to purge greenskin before their number became too great.

Bow Knight that are crest bearers of Saint Indech are even more capable. Due to their inhumane strength, these crest-bearing knights often use steel or iron reinforced bow capable of unleashing arrows often heavy as spear against their enemy. Crest of Saint Indech also allow these knight to unleash arrow barrage at inhumane speed, stunning the enemy forces.

In the modern era, the eastern province's land is rule by house Friedrich-Ericson, a dual monarchy formed through the joining of house Friedrich and Ericson after the invasion of Durzag Jowlripper destroyed much of their holding that both house can't survive by themselves.

The economy of the eastern province largely came from the trade with Cathay through the treacherous Ivory road due to the infertile soil of the region. The trade route bring House Friedrich-Ericson a great amount of wealth and exotic item, though the wealth brought by the ivory road waxed and waned due to its danger. Caravan travelling through it often does not return, but those that did brought tales of land far to the east where dragon rules over men and great wall protected it inhabitants from the ruinous power. The Celestial Empire of Grand Cathay seems to greatly interest the Church, leading to the Church of Seiros funding many diplomatic mission with the Eastern empire.



Note: Woops I realize I forget to crosspost this chapter.