Westmarch (The Servant)

The Kingdom of Westmarch is one of the major Western Kingdoms, possessing a major maritime and naval presence in the area. Founded by the great Zakarum conqueror Rakkis, Westmarch remains one of the preeminent powers in the Western Kingdoms, and Sanctuary as a whole.

Early History
In what would be called the Gulf of Westmarch resided nine warring clans, residing along its southern edge. who had arrived prior to the events of the Sin War, or before -1809 AK. These clans frequently participated in local wars with each other. During this period, a variety of cultist also worshiped the demon Astrogha. Around -1200, a small civilization on Greyhollow Island formed, establishing a tiny but efficient little empire that mysteriously fell apart after several centuries.

The Vizjerei Clan made their way to Westmarch around 60 AK, over 1000 years before Rakkis made his way into the land. They established some ties with the local clans, which, building and residing in the port city of Ransim.

The Creation of Westmarch
This state of affairs came to an end in the 11th century, with the coming of Rakkis. An extremely skilled tactican, Rakkis, tasked with bringing the Zakarum faith to the West, knew that moving against the clans in force would unify them into a combined front. Instead, he lived among them, learning their language and culture. All the while, he subtly spread the Zakarum faith to anyone who would listen. Through an arranged marriage, Rakkis bound himself by blood to the Ortal Clan, which was the third largest in the region. Using this standing as leverage, he brought four of the lesser clans under his banner.

Allegiances secured, Rakkis launched his combined forces against the Hathlan Clan, the largest and most hostile tribe in the region. The battles that followed were bloody, and the stench of decaying corpses were carried along the winds as far as Khanduras. However, at the Battle of Dyre River, Rakkis's forces dismantled the remnants of the Hathlan and slew the clan's leader. The Hathlan, in addition to the clans that had abstained from taking sides, submitted themselves to Rakkis's rule, declaring him to be their one true king.

In honor of his crusade, Rakkis named the territory "Westmarch," so named as it marked the westernmost point of his conquest. He rallied his subjects to the faith of the Light, replacing their former belief systems. In particular, the Sons of Rakkis rooted out any demon worship, specifically followers of Astrogha.

A New Kingdom
The subsequent years saw Westmarch flourish. New roads, cities, churches, and infrastructure sprung up throughout the land, and due to plentiful access to the sea, the nation quickly became a formidable naval and mercantile power. Rakkis ruled with a strong but fair hand, and gained the admiration of his people. However, the Zakarum Church maintained a large amount of influence within the country, even as rulers came to the throne that were more interested in power than faith. It was a state of affairs that would last well into the 13th century.

Years after founding the nation, Rakkis launched further incursions against the Barbarians to the north, but failed to make any true gains. In addition, he led attacks against the monks of Ivgorod, but found his armies outmatched due to the different terrain, and while weakening the city-state, was unable to conquer it.

Rakkis ruled for several years until he died of stroke in 1081, and was succeeded by his son, Korsikk, who continued his father's rule and turned Westmarch into a bastion of the Zakarum faith. He continued his father's wars against the northern tribes by constructing Bastion's Keep. After years of military disasters, the frustrated king led a large army out of the fortress and into the north to conquer the Barbarians once and for all in 1111. None of them returned. Bastion's Keep itself remained manned however, standing vigilant against any tribal incursion.

Korelan, grandson of Rakkis, would be the last of the original line of kings, for when he died in 1129, he left behind no heirs. The crown passed to Justinian I (through "a somewhat convoluted interpretation of Zakarum scripture"), beginning the Justinian Dynasty.

The Justinian Dynasty
Seen as usurpers by many, the Justinians suffered nearly constant challenges to their rule. Justinian himself reigned for almost 40 years, but dealt with nearly a dozen different uprisings of various scales during this time. The development of the Westmarch navy was started and completed during his reign, and the maritime power of Westmarch began to developed under Justinian I. He died in 1168.

Justinian II took the throne in 1168, and ruled for several years. An important reformer, he centralized and organized Westmarch, removing some of the power of outlying lords and nobles. The most infamous event of Justinian II's reign, is, however, the Plague of 1200, which ravaged the city of Westmarc itself. The king was forced to order General Arenton to burn and cremate the plagued bodies of the victims with the Furnace, placing their corspes in the Repository. Despite these efforts, the plague spread to the king himself, and he died that year, along with most of his family.

Justinian III, the last and youngest son of the previous king, took the throne in 1200, and reigned for the longest time in Westmarch history. In the 12th century, Khanduras was settled by Eastern pilgrims, and King Justinian proved to be a strong ally, with much trade between the two regions. However, brigands based in Khanduras often crossed the border into Westmarch for plunder. During this time, Westmarch priests preached the Zakarum faith in Khanduras, regardless of whether their dogma was wanted or not. Further conflicts and rumors of oppressive lords in the saw the King declare numerosu minor crusades, allegedly to protect their Zakarum brothers and sisters.

As part of the Zakarum Reformation, the kingdom received missionaries from Kehjistan in the mid-12th century. In the mid-12th century, turning the Time of Troubles, the Order of Paladins pledged their allegiance to Westmarch, distancing themselves from the Hand of Zakarum.

The Cartolus Insurrection
While Justinian III saw a very long reign in Westmarch, his rule was upended by the most devastating civil war in Westmarch history. In 1249 insurrection broke out in the outlying region of Cartolus. Led by a woman known only as Tyrra, who claimed to be descended from the Sons of Rakkis, and roused the people of Cartolus. Countess Julia, the ruler of Cartolus, attempted to put down the insurrection with her own personal guard, in an attempt to impress Justinian III. The effort failed miserably, as her guard was slaughtered and the uprising spread. Only the countess's enchanted cameo enabled her to survive this folly. It did not save her life, however, as King Justinian was so displeased, he had her tortured and then executed.

Westmarch was consumed by civil war, with numerous disgruntled peasants and common folk rising up against the nobles. Despite being largely a peasant's revolt, numerous disgruntled nobles offered aid to Tyrra, helping the revolt to spread further. In 1250, the uprising reached its head when the peasants managed to storm Westmarch's royal palace. The peasants grabbed anything they could find, and killed the more oppressive members of the royal retinue (including the executioners). King Justinian III was brutally murdered, and most of the royal family killed.

Tyrra seized control of Westmarch and declared herself empress. However, her rule did nothing to quell the civil war and continued on for several years. Tyrra herself began to go mad, her rule becoming more and more unstable, until she died by the plague in 1254. Cornelius, grandson of Justinian III and the primary opponent to Tyrra, used the opening to crush the rebels once and for all and become the new king that same year.

Rebuilding and the War with Khandurus
King Cornelius I spent most of his reign rebuilding the kingdom, aided in a large part by the administrative skills of Bishop Henry. Cornelius, as a capable and skilled king, managed to restore much of Westmarch's economy and infrastructure, and reorganized the military to be more efficient.

In 1258, the nearby region of Khandruas was claimed by self-proclaimed King Leoric. Cornelius and Leoric quickly established good relatinons with each other, with Khanduras helping Westmarch rebuild and Westmarch aiding in the construction of a new kingdom in Khanduras.

However, despite initially good relations, the peace between Westmarch and Khanduras was shattered when King Leoric of Khanduras (under the influence of Diablo) declared war against Westmarch, sending his army against the western kingdom in 1263. Westmarch had the advantage of numbers and defensive positions however, and the Royal Army of Khanduras was easily repelled. At around the same time, King Cornelius pulled the country's navy back into port, spooked by the sighting of a demon at Tauruk's Port. Dissent grew among cities that had previously relied on the navy for protection, pirates grew bolder, and northern cities no longer curried as much favor with the kingdom.

With the chaos emerging in Khanduras, thousands of civilians fled, and Cornelius was forced to deal with both the refugees as well as growing dissent between the nobility and the growing middle-class cities.

Two years after the war, Justinian IV came to power after the death of his father. Subsequently, with the revelations of the corruption that had plagued Zakarum, it completely eroded any influence the church had over civil affairs within the country. Faith in the church diminished within the populace as well.

Golden Age
During the 1270s, Westmarch experienced a golden age. It attempted to open up trade with the merchants of the Shassar Sea, but the creatures prowling the region (such as the lacuni) made this impossible. It offered bounties to clear them out, but adventurers in Westmarch refused to take bounties that would take them to the region. King Justinian IV oversaw the expansion of the Westmarch economy and sea trade, with merchants travel across all of Sanctuary.

The Reapers
The Westmarch Golden Age was brought to a sudden end in 1285. Though largely spared the demonic troubles of other nations, Westmarch citizens were abducted by Phantoms as part of Malthael's plan to gauge the defenses of Sanctuary. The kingdom was attacked by the Reapers shortly afterwards, resulting in an estimated 100,000 deaths across Westmarch. Its capital was itself a major target, but during the chaos the Nephalem and the citizens successfully defended Westmarch, despite heavy losses. However, during the chaos Lord Wynton, a descendent of Rakkis, killed the king and attempted to claim the throne, but was killed by the Nephalem.

Regency & the Reign of Justinian V
With the death of Justinian IV, political power in Westmarch fell upon the unwitting General Torion, who quickly set about forcibly reintegrating rebellious lords across Westmarch. Torion ruled as a regent for Justinian's young son, Justinian V. The young king was forced to quickly adjust to his new rule, with much of his country in open rebellion or disorder,

By 1290, the aging General Torion has secured Westmarch, with King Justinian working to restore Westmarch to its former glory. During this period, he took an interest in events in the east, notably the Second Reformation in Caldeum and the coming of the Servant. Justinian recognized the threat of the Prime Evils, and was one of the first supporters for the White Concord. During the Diablic War, Westmarch saw numeorus demonic and cultist attacks, but proved to be very capable against such threats.

Currant Status
Westmarch has become a major faction in the years after the end of the Diablic War, establishing a widespread and lucrative naval hegemony. Justinian remains the king of Westmarch.

Government
See: List of Kings and Queens of Westmarch

Westmarch is an absolute monarchy, ruled by the reigning king or queen of Westmarch from the namesake capital city. The monarch possess unlimited power over the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. Following the laws of primogeniture, the eldest male son of the previous ruler can ascend to the throne upon their fathers death.

Administration
Westmarch is divided into numerous petty domains, with powerful nobles having administrative influence over their own territories. These include duchies, baronies, and other fiefdoms. Another type of divisions are the numerous small but growing counties. These counties are typically run by a ruling council from a major settlement or city given its own charter, granting it self-rule and command over the local territory.

Conflicts between the middle-class urban counties and the territories ran by the nobility are quite frequent, with most nobles working to prevent the creation and spread of further counties, seen as a threat to their own power. The continuing process of "countying" has worked to centralize Westmarch, a process which is still ongoing.

Military
Westmarch employs one of the largest and most effective militaries in the world, or at least in the West. During the reign of King Cornelius I much of the army was reorganized and refitted. The main military force of Westmarch is composed of a standing army of well-trained and well-equipped paid soldiers. During periods of war, the nobility of Westmarch are able to call upon additional troops from the local populace, with the various counties doing the same.

The Westmarch Army focuses largely on shield-wall and spear formations, employing them into battles while their skilled archers are able to release volleys of deadly arrows. The Westmarch Navy is one of the best in the world, nearly unmatched, but largely is employed to protect coastal towns and trade ships.

The Knights of Westmarch are a famous and major faction within the Westmarch military, founded after Rakkis' conquest of Westmarch. The Knights serve as the preeminent elite force in Westmarch, extremely skilled holy warriors frequently used in commanding positions. The Knights accept any and all into their ranks, and are able to act as mobile shock troopers.

The city of Westmarch itself has its own city guard, the Rakkisguard noted for their wolf pelts and sigils.

Geography
Westmarch is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Westmarch, to the east by the Tamoe Mountain Range and Khanduras to the east, the Great Ocean and the Skovos Isles to the south, and the Great Ocean to the west. The kingdom's southeast is sparsely populated. Its lowlands are quite fertile, and are the envy of the Western Kingdoms. The lowlands were originally the heart of the land before the coming of the Sons of Rakkis, now the agricultural center of Westmarch. Numerous rain-drenched ports exist along the southern coast. Running through the middle of the nation are the Hawk's Beak Mountains, a part of the Tamoe Mountains. The northern tip of Westmarch consists of the Grey Isles, inhabited by culturally distinctive peoples. Greyhollow Island, in particular, was once home to a long-lost civilization.

Towns

 * Bramwell
 * Corvus (ancient nephalem city, ruined)
 * Duncraig
 * Hillsfar
 * Kingsport
 * Ransim (ruins)
 * Tauruk's Port (abandoned)
 * Westmarch (capital)

Other

 * Blood Marsh
 * Cartolus
 * Glooming Moors
 * King's Road
 * River Dyre
 * Tomb of Rakkis
 * Unearthed Ruins

Culture & Society
Westmarch is a kingdom that thrives on commerce and maritime trade. While founded in the name of Zakarum, faith has waned of late, and Westmarch is now a forward-looking civilization. Westmarch was one of the healthiest, most vibrant kingdoms left in Sanctuary, having been spared the numerous troubles of the east, until the coming of the Reapers.

The people of Westmarch are considered to be a proud people, with a largely divided society between the commoners and nobility. Theater is prominent part of Westmarch culture, with a vibrant folklore about the demons, angels, and the Great Evils.

Modern Westmarchers have gone through turbulent times, but remain a forward-looking people, constantly seeking to expand the horizons of possibility.