Tmanator
Author and Historian
Out of Character Information
- Objective: To codify the lore, history, and features of Ostrisia's seat of power that was originally recorded in the original version of this site.
- Category: Fortified Luxurious Residence
- Image Credit: Generated by Nefadar using ChatGPT with prompts provided by Tmanator
- Development Thread: N/A
- Permissions: N/A
General Information
- Name: Castle Wienberge
- Classification: Castle
- Affiliation: Archduchy of Ostrisia; Mechthilde von Steyrberg; House von Steyrberg
- Description: This castle appears out of the stories and tales of myth. Its stone is bright white that makes it almost seem like a shining pearl atop its mountain. The design of the castle is intentionally made more elegant than imposing. The pearly white walls are adorned with towers and structures with blue painted rooftops. A winding path up the mountain is the only pathway in or out of the castle grounds. Along the sides of this path are cliffs that choke most approaches to only wide enough for two wagons to ride abreast. While it is well maintained, defenders of the castle have been known to exploit the overlooking cliffs and ledges to this path in times of defense. Once through the gates of the castle, the grounds are adorned with luxurious gardens that make all pathways through the grounds an organized affair. Everything is kept in proper order, and ornate sculpture adorn garden patches with images of falcons, gryphons, knights, or beautiful men and-or women. The main hall is a sunlit space that looks far larger than it really is due to the large windows and high vaulted ceiling. Banners and tapestries adorn the columns, and a bright blue runner rug is placed along the main path people would tread from the doors of the hall to the throne itself. The throne is made from white stone that is very well polished, has sculpted images of gryphons beneath the armrests facing forward, and adorned with bright blue cushions made from wool. The rest of the main keep is home to the castle kitchens, granary, extremely large wine cellar that is home to what Ostrisians claim to be the largest wine barrel in Eroba, as well as quarters for both courtiers, guards, and servants. Guest apartments can also be found within the main keep at higher levels. The buildings along the perimeter walls are used as guard barracks as well as armory facilities, as well as the castle stables. A small keep is separated from the rest of the castle by being perched atop a rocky outcropping along the mountainside. A white stone bridge connects it to the rest of the castle, where it has its own gardens, kitchen, granary, wine cellar, guard quarters, servant quarters. However, what makes this keep most important is that it is the living quarters for the ruling family of the castle. Whoever rules Ostrisia is set to live in this keep, known as the Falcon's Nest colloquially, is where they will find their living quarters and apartments.
Overview
- Function: This is the seat of power and residence for the ruling family of Ostrisia. Regardless of family, Castle Wienberge has held such significance since the conquest of Marloman the Great.
- Accessibility: For those who are not invited to the castle by those who own, and rule from, the castle is among the most inaccessible locations in Ostrisia. For those who are invited, your station dictates your access. Guests are only allowed to their apartments within the main keep, and certain rooms relevant to their stay depending on the reason why they are visiting. Staff (guards and servants) have total access to all parts of the castle at one time or another in order to perform their duties. The ruling family has complete access due to this being their residence. Courtiers are only freely permitted to have access to main keep but must have explicit invitation from the ruling family if they are to go to the Falcon's Nest Keep.
- Demographics: This castle is the residence for the only sovereign Wandenman realm in Eroba. As such, Wandenmen are the majority population found here. However, there may also be Ostrien and Merelaisean dignitaries at a given time, as well as dignitaries from the Empire of Great Goravolst. Additionally, there may be some courtiers from neighboring lands. Lastly, people of Pannhurin culture and ethnicity are present due to the castle being the seat of power for the Archduchy that (as of this post) controls the territory of Koronafold.
- Wealth: High - This is the seat of power for a realm that was wealthy to begin with before it became sovereign. As such, it gets the lion's share of the Archduchy's gains through either trade, commercial purchases, and taxes.
- Safety Measures: High - While elegant, Castle Wienberge has both elaborate and substantial fortifications, easily defensible geography, and a large force of guards.
- Protective Features: High - While elegant, the seat of power in the Archduchy of Ostrisia is still well defended due to its significance. First, it is perched high atop a sharp mountainside where only one way exists to enter or leave the castle grounds. Such a natural feature has been well exploited by the defenders. This geography also makes the castle extremely difficult to lay siege to. Towards the side of the mountain one can feasibly climb with a sizable force, the walls are thick and high with many towers that are just as adorned as they are capable fortifications. There are few sallyports only known to the residents of the castle. Meanwhile, there are many arrow-loops adorning towers and segments of the walls, hefty merlons along the length of the walls or heights of turret towers, heavy portcullises at each gate equipped with murder-holes as well. Lastly, as the seat of power for a sovereign realm, there is a sizable force of guards that are employed to defend the castle, and its residents, with their lives.
Further Information
- Winding Path: This is a pathway that leads up to the castle from the valley and river below. It is the only way to enter or leave Castle Wienberge. It twists and turns up the mountain, but is well maintained and wide enough for two wagons to ride abreast. Yet, the lightly forested sides of this path going up the mountain may often be exploited by rangers for the defense as a means to harry attackers during times of attack.
- Outer Bailey: This is the first castle section one would walk through when entering. Unlike other castles, Wienberge's Outer Bailey is designed like a garden. Clear pathways are outlined to force carriages, riders, and those entering to go along particular paths in an organized and precise path. To mark these paths, garden beds of flowers, small trees, and ornate white stone statues adorn the gaps. Buildings are attached to the outer walls that are used for barracks, stables, and storehouses.
- Main Keep: This is the primary structure of the castle where most of the facilities are found. This houses the kitchens, apartments for servants of the castle, apartments for members of the court, as well as apartments for guests to the castle. The great hall, described previously in this post, makes up the bulk of the structure found within the Main Keep. The Main Keep also houses the wine stores for the castle including, what those of the castle claim to be, the largest wine barrel in Eroba.
- Castle Gardens: Towards the more internal parts of the castle, but out of doors, the Castle Gardens are found to be an elegant display of life there. Just like the Outer Bailey, ornate statues and sculptures are surrounded by arrangements of trimmed bushes and trees. However, flowers are also planted within these grounds, and places to sit on benches or in small pavilions are large enough to house a small amount of people gathered.
- Falcon's Nest: This is a smaller keep that is separate from the rest of the castle and located most removed from the approachable side of the castle. It is perched high atop a rocky outcropping and only accessible by a white stone bridge from the Castle Gardens. It is known as the Falcon's Nest in reference to the original ruling dynasty of Ostrisia having its sigil as a falcon. As such, the ruling family of Ostrisia and the Castle of Wienberge has its apartments within this keep alongside its own kitchen, barracks, and servants apartments. It also has its own spaces for potentially entertaining guests, as well as its own wine storage.
Historical Information
The history of Castle Wienberge is tied to the foundations of Ostrisia as a Duchy itself. In the times before the Merevingian Empire's Conquests, the mountaintop and its outcroppings was used as a place for pagan worship and rituals. The Tribes that had called the lands that would be Ostrisia home would find themselves perched atop there to read the stars and perform acts of animal sacrifice. It is stated in the old tales that Human sacrifices may have been performed, but no Human remains were found in the vicinity when the castle was being constructed after the conquest. These times of early history are mostly forgotten, and only known of from any records that exist from the conquest of the region by Knights of Marloman the Great's Merevengian Empire. As such, these times are nebulous in present age memory (as of this post). However, this former place of pagan worship would later be transformed into the seat of power for the future Duchy of Ostrisia.
The Conquest of Marloman the Great lead the Merevingian Empire to charge from the West in a tidal wave of military victories against the Pagan Tribes that called such lands home initially. Ruling a land of reformed Pagans himself, Marloman understood what would be necessary to integrate such lands into his Empire, but also wanted to assure the dominance and supremacy of his throne. As such, Knights of his realm would be sent East in order to accomplish this great work of Imperial domination. Among these Knights would be a cousin to his own House, the Hosterling Dynasty. Under a particular Knight of this House, Ser Bartholomieu du Hosterling, forces of the Merevingians would rush into the lands of the Eastern fringes of what was known as Ostermannia. It was the gateway to the Pannhurin basin, and thus strategic to secure for the Empire of the West. As such, Ser Bartholomieu lead other Knights and respective soldiers to this frontier. They would find the land rugged but lush. Much of the valley that was found between the mountain ranges enclosing this land, as well as the forests, were captured as they were open rolling hills. The forests would fall afterwards, with the Knights flushing the heathen Tribesmen out of their wooded hiding places. All that was left were the highlands of the Northeast and center of the region. The Pagans held it strongest of all, and the geography hampered the ability to trample their foes under horses' hooves. The Knights would spend much time taming this part of the region. All the while, the rest of Southern Ostermannia was being taken by other bands of Knights sent by Marloman, which provided allies for Ser Bartholomieu and his forces.
As the other lands were secured, men and supplies were sent to those in the Eastern march of Southern Ostermannia. With more men, arms, and food for both men and horses, the forces of the Merevingian Empire began to press on the last redoubt of the Pagans. The march was slower than other conquest efforts, but successful. Day by day, the forces of the West gained more ground and would find the last Pagan Chieftain in a fortified encampment along a shelf of the mountains with rocky outcroppings overlooking the central river valley of the region. It was a hard place to siege with winding game trails making the primary path of passage to the top where the Chieftain and his forces were entrenched. A siege was next to impossible due to rugged and steeper terrain closer to the top of this mountain within the highlands region. Attempts would be made to starve out the Pagans preventing them from leaving their encampment, and making them prisoners in their own wooden palisades. Skirmishes would continue along the slops of this peak between Pagans and Westerners. However, they would soon be starved. When the Westerners saw there was no more smoke coming from the encampment at the peak, they marched forward. The ambush from the starved and desperate Pagans that followed would forever been known as the Charge of Dead Men. Word from those on that day said that their foe looked like skeletons wearing flesh as if they were cloaks. Their hair was thin, their teeth rotten and falling out. Every bone and joint was said to be visible where their bodies were exposed. The charged as the Western forces with reckless abandon as it is found they had nothing left to lose. It was a massacre, but one in which Ser Bartholomieu and his band of Knights would be celebrated as victors. As reward for leading the conquest of this region, Emperor Marloman himself would decree that Ser Bartholomieu would be made the first Duke of Ostrisia, and that House Hosterling shall rule the Eastern March of Southern Ostermannia under the will of Theos Himself permitting.
Other Knights that participated in this conquest would gain titles of Counts of the newly declared Ostrisia, named for the old Priman Ruins that existed on Southern banks of the river that was known as Ostrisium. Ser Karl "the Bold", satirically known as "the Old", who was a Knight from the region of Bourgon, was rewarded with the Northeastern Highlands referred to as Steyrberg. As such, his lineage would take on that name. Meanwhile, other noteworthy Houses would come in the form of Counts who trace their heritage back to the first Knights of the Merevingian Empire conquering the land from heathens. Yet, Duke Bartholomieu saw an opportunity to assert full power. He chose to place his keep, his throne over the region, at the place of the victory that granted him the claim over it. On the mountain that serves as a peak within an arm of the Northeastern highlands of Ostrisia that stretched towards the middle was the place that a new castle shall be built. For how difficult it was to besiege the peak when it was merely a Pagan encampment, the Knight made a Duke saw the perfect place for his castle. Where once stood a proud last stand for heathens of the Southeast of Ostermannia would eventually stand a proud and fortified residence to exert power over the lands of Ostrisia for the rest of time. Around it, the river valley would produce grapes for wine that grew naturally along the slopes of the mountain overlooking it, as well the hills that are carved within it. As such, the Castle was known as Wienberge, the town founded at its based would also be referred to as Wienberge, and the County that was encompassed by its domain would take on the name of both.
Time would pass though, and Castle Wienberge took on a more luxurious tone to it. It was never attacked. It was never besieged. All it knew as it stood after the conquest of the land it stood on was peace. As such, the Dukes that lived within it expanded it and made it more ornate and comfortable. Cellars would be expanded and towers would reach higher to the heavens. Gardens would be planted in spaces that used to be just open baileys as a way to make the grounds more pleasant. However, the imposing walls provided optimal protection for the castle's position. Yet, heathens still lurked in the woods. Not all Pagans were driven from the land in the conquest. As such, resentment brewed and fermented into a bitter poison that was soon acted upon by remnants living in the depths of the Grauenwald, and crevices of the highlands of Steyrberg. A plan was hatched that would change everything in Ostrisia from that point on. In the dead of night, in times of more recent historical memory, Pagans would storm the Town of Wienberge in the valley below. All the while, a band of them would sneak into the castle. While the town was being put to the torch with men, women, and children being butchered, the section of the castle known as the Falcon's Nest that housed the ruling family of the Duchy would be found. They would impersonate servant staff, find the family alone in their chambers. The entire family would be killed and that section of the castle would be the first to burn. Next, they would escape with the rest of the survivors to then successfully set the Main Keep alite. After that, they would to kill all in their path until they themselves would be killed. The ruling family's corpses were found burnt if they were not utterly mutilated, and many residents of the town below too would be killed by the rest of the heathen men. This event would forever be known as the Burning of Wienberge, and would mark the end of House Hosterling's dynasty by extinguishing the entire lineage in one night.
The Councilors for the Duchy were all sent back to their homes in other Counties. However, when word reached them all that the seat of power in the Duchy was burned, and that the entire family of the Duke, Berchtold von Hosterling, had been slain, the Court Steward at the time, Count Maximilian von Steyrberg, would summon all the other Councilors to Wienberge. With that, the Duchy was ruled by the late Duke's Council with Count Maximilian taking the lead. Under this Ruling Council, Castle Wienberge, as well as the town below, would be rebuilt and order would return to the Duchy of Ostrisia. However, one question remained, who would become the new Duke. There were concerns that one of the late Duke's relatives in other lands would be named the new Duke and potentially rule from afar leaving Wienberge empty still. Meanwhile, the Councilors entertained if the King would recognize one of them for the task of ruling. The answer came when King Karl I of Ostrien named the Court Steward as the new Duke when it came to light that a correspondence between the Steward and the King was established following the Burning of Wienberge to report this scenario to the King and marked how he took charge of the survivors to make a provisionary rule. Not seeing much of a reason to promote someone not of the Duchy when the Councilors clearly labored to keep the peace as he wished in Ostrisia, the King saw it as an easier solution to name Count Maximilian the new Duke of Ostrisia. As such, House von Steyrberg would ascend to rule the Duchy from Castle Wienberge under the young bachelor Count, now bachelor Duke.
First, he would beseech House de Hautjardin in the Duchy of Bourgon citing his family's heritage originating from a Knight who hailed from such lands and valiantly served Emperor Marloman the Great in his conquest generations ago despite his advanced years. Seeing the opportunity to gain allies with a Duchy as rich in resources as they were, and thus a sizable dowry, House de Hautjardin would agree, and the new Duke living the castle was soon married within its reconstructed Great Hall. Under Duke Maximilian, the reconstruction of the castle would see it become even more luxurious and ornate than before. Effigies of falcons from House von Hosterling were soon replaced by the gryphon of House von Steyrberg. Soon, his dynasty's mark would decorate all parts of the castle to the point where even the throne in the Great Hall sports carved gryphons in a perched position as carvings on the armrests of it. The statues in the Castle Gardens became more ornate and features more gryphons than falcons but many of the original falcon statues were preserved. By the time the castle was fully rebuilt, what was once a frontier fortress that was slowly transformed into a luxurious residence became far more palatial and ornate. Yet, within the reconstructed halls, even in the present day, rumors and stories tell of shadowy figures that walk in them at night. Some could hear voices of agony screaming out in empty halls in the dark of night. Sometimes lights have been known to glow brighter than they should, as if someone was intensifying the flames. Some servant staff have even felt as if they were being either slashed at or pushed by unseen forces. While many dismiss these ghost stories as rumors and fantasies to make children scared while telling stories around a hearth, the ruling family of the castle to the present day (as of this post) do have the local Priests come to bless the castle grounds regularly every year.
In even more recent times (as of this post), this castle has been host to many things that have been not just impactful for the Duchy of Ostrisia, but the known world too. In the War of Eastern Secession, otherwise referred to as the Eastern Rebellion, the Ceshemian Rebellion, or the Eastern Revolt, it would be in this hall that Ostrisia declared that it was to join as an ally of Ceshemia and the rest of the Eastern Marches after perceived neglect from the Emperor under Duchess Mechthilde von Steyrberg. The war that followed this proclamation of alliance was short but brutal. Yet, the Eastern Marches, including Ostrisia, were victorious after capturing Duke Otto von Annenfeld at the Battle of Napraze. Following that, the Duke would be held in house arrest by the Ceshemians to then be transferred to Wienberge for when the Holy Osterman Emperor, Karl von Osthaus, returned from the crusade for Iskandria in Masrypt. With his uncle captured by the rebels, and most of his army either killed, scattered, or fatigued but present after the Crusade, he conceded to the rebels demands. The Wienberge Accords would thus be the treaty declared to end this war. Ceshemia, Pomegratia, and Preussen would become their own new nation known as the Kingdom of Ceshemia that would later become the Empire of Great Goravolst following the marriage of King Martin z Martincz and Lady Naerys Athravaegon of the Bakuronian Freeholds. Meanwhile, Ostrisia would be made independent as its own realm to serve as a point of mediation between the two nations of Ceshemia and the Holy Osterman Empire. This castle stands in the current times (as of this post) as the seat of power in the newly proclaimed Archduchy of Ostrisia where Archduchess Mechthilde von Steyrberg pursues to create a realm of peace and culture for the people of Southern Ostermania. Lastly, in terms of historic events, the wedding between the Archduchess and Lord Armand Narrdrenn of Dragodova in the Bakuronian Freeholds would take place becoming another instance of Taoar and Human marriage at a noble level alongside that of the Emperor and Empress of Great Goravolst. However, while the Imperial example of such a marriage would be seen as a heathen affair returning to the Pagan ways of old, the marriage that took place in the halls of Castle Wienberge was an elegant affair that saw the two souls bound in the Light of the Curia.
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