Duchy of Kolstein

Introduction

The Duchy of Kolstein is a Province of the Autrichien Empire located in the western part of the continent. Founded by Emperor Sigismund the Explorer during the events of the Great Swamp Expedition. After Port Evergreen had been established as a foothold in the Great Swamp Sigismund returned home leaving the expedition in the hands of Herrman Kolstein. As governor he founded a Dukedom, establishing a dynasty which still maintains a firm grip on the Duchy today.

Founding

In the year 1407 AC, Emperor Sigismund the Explorer launched a campaign to invade and settle the Great Swamps. Encountering vicious natives, the Empire engaged in the first Trog War lasting almost a decade. The end result was an Imperial victory, and they seized the northern and western coasts as their own. At this time, Emperor Sigismund gave reign of the new territory to Sir Herrman Kolstein, appointing him the Duke of Kolstein in 1416 AC.

Expansion

Duke Herrman, age 24 then, continued to settle more and more inward through the Great Swamp. The common trend for the next several years was newcomers arriving at the coastal towns of Port Evergreen, Worricksburg, and Sigisburg. The settlers would either stay in the ports or move to even newer settlements, which inflated the population of the first towns and aggravated the Trogs, with whom the Empire had a shaky truce. -to be continued-