Reingard

General Overview
Basic Info: Reingard (now called New Reingard) is a city in the south part of the Sparwood continent, within the state of Leythe. The Norse/Viking-themed city is currently run by Jarl Drake Von Marux. Reingard's origins were that of a small nation that was primarily situated on a collection of island territories on the northern continent of Sparwood.

Reingard had initially been styled after the British Empire with some German Elements intertwined throughout its Government and Institution, but after the move to Southern Sparwood, it was decided that Reingard would return to its Nordic roots. The given name 'Reingard' is of Old High German Origin that means "Resolution, Destiny and Protection."

New Reingard has two Languages, Travelers Tongue and Runic. While Travelers Tongue verbal/written communication is most often used by Reingardians and Ashen, from time to time, Runic is used for communication (usually through signs or books). The Runic alphabet goes as follows: A-ᚪ B-ᛒ C-ᚳ D-ᛞ E-ᛖ F-ᚠ G-ᚷ H-ᚻ I-ᛁ J-ᛡ K-k L-ᛚ M-ᛗ N-ᚾ O-ᚩ P-ᛈ Q-q R-ᚱ S-ᛋ T-ᛏ U-ᚢ V-v W-ᚹ X-ᛉ Y-ᚣ Z-z

Locations:
New Reingard: The city is situated along the north coast of the Leythe State. Reingard had initially been established from the remains of a long since abandoned settlement, with a small fortress being only a largely intact structure within the ruined settlement. New Reingard was built from the ground up, without pre-existing buildings for its foundation.

Territories: Reingard was initially situated on a collection of Island Territories on the Northern Continent of Sparwood. They only had a tiny slither of territory on Mainland Sparwood Nation (Arxella), but as it currently stands, it's situated in Southern Sparwood, Leythe. The land Reingard settled on was initially barren of any trees and had been littered with the remains of old homes. After a while, the land began to flourish, but only a little; there's still more work to be done.

Buildings/Landmarks/Historical:
New Reingard is full of various buildings, while some are simple regular buildings. Some have historical value or have since become landmarks for Reingardians.

The Black Forge Church: A holy place, the church stands as the center of worship for followers of the "Church of the Stahl Riesa." Built on top of a black stone Vulkan forge, the church currently stands as the tallest building in Reingard.

Lone Tower: The last remaining tower from the original village is situated between the church and canal. The tower was built after the original wall was set up and offered guards a 360-degree view. The tower is open for the public to climb to the top.

The Court: The largest room in New Reingard, the Court is an underground courtroom that was dug out in the center of the original village. Easily able to fit over a hundred people, the Court is only used for law & order. However, if needed, the Court can be used for political needs should they arise.

Justice System:
Reingard uses the Ashen justice system. When someone is arrested for a crime, they will be brought to court. The Jarl (or Earl), Law-Speakers, and a public audience will be present. The defendant's crime will be read out before the court, after which he may choose someone to act as his lawyer. The rest works out as a regular court trial with the Jarl (or Earl) and Law-Speakers acting as the Judge and the audience acting as the Jury. When all the evidence is presented and any witness testimony is finished, the Jarl (or Earl) and Law-Speakers will have the audience vote. Upon which a decision will be made and, if needed, a punishment. If found guilty, the defendant can be given a wide range of penalties, all with different severity. Lesser crimes will usually result in a fine with a max of 8-10k or a creative punishment. However, more severe offenses may result in imprisonment, outlawing (banishment [temp or permanent], no support or equipment, free game to your enemies while in this state), or death by Holmgang/execution.

Religion
The Official Religion of Reingardains is ‘the Church of Stahl Riesa’. The belief is a polytheistic religion that centered around the worship of Vulkan, a steel giant considered to be the God of Creation, Craftsmen, Blacksmithing, and Metalworking. He has 7 Children who poses inportant roles within the world, and an 8th who's purpose is the worlds destruction. The religions is primarily worshipped in New Reingard, and villages spread out worldwide. The religion was officially announced to the world on (21/5/21).

Culture
Reingard Is a Ashen City, so their culture is the same as any other Ashen. The base of Ashen culture is Viking, with a few differences thrown into the mix to add a little flavor. (Only listing a bit about the culture here)

Declaring War:
Reingardians will usually declare war on a neighboring group through two methods. 1st is the all common formal declaration, writing or declaring for the world to hear that you're going to war. Then there's the Axe way, where the Jarl will send an axe to said village or nations leader, at which point receiving the axe, the other leader can choose to keep it or send it back. There will be no war if the axe is kept unless declared through a formal method. If the axe is sent back, it will indicate that the other leader has accepted the declaration.

Holmgang:
Holmgang (best pronounced as "home-gang") is the act in which Reingardians will settle their disputes through dueling. This practice is used for disputes, marriage counseling, and general sport.

Marriage and Families:
Reingardian weddings are the same as worshippers of the Church of Stahl Riesa. Rather than the traditional wedding, the couple will come together in a (natural or artificial) underground cave/room or in the forest at midnight. The only participants should be the couple and a priest; anyone else isn’t necessary. The Priest then speaks, after which he will ask the two if they will accept each other. Upon accepting, the couple will then be declared wedded.

Reingardian families will often live together in large groups. This includes Parents, children, and grandparents. Depending on the family and hut size, they may dig out more space beneath their home to accommodate. When members of the family go raiding, it is the responsibility of their spouse to take on their husbands/wifes' roles until they return.

The Mark of the Jarl:
The Mark of the Jarl is a red mark thats painted onto a warriors helmet. Apart of Reingards and Ashen’s military culture, the only people who possess the mark are members of the Ulrik and people who prove themselves worthy.

Gallery
Banner & Flag

Lore
The Meaning behind the Flag

Flag: The flag of Reingard holds a special place in the hearts of Reingardians, Each of its colors and emblems represents different aspects of its people. The colors represent Red-strength, Black-determination, and White-hardiness. The original design was the eagle emblem representing victory, pride, and royalty, and the Iron Cross representing honor and bravery. The anvil represents the Ashen, their pride of smithing and religious beliefs, while the half chakra wheel (meant to represent a sun) represents a new beginning.

Secretive Founding
[Date: May 19th-21, 2021]


 * Reingard is founded by Former Soldier Drake Von Marux who settled in an abandoned settlement, although the nation has not yet been made public. Drake Von Marux would later make his Nation known to the World on May 19th, 2021.

The Arxellan Dispute
[Duration: May 22nd, 2021 - May 30th, 2021]


 * The Vassal Kingdom of Arxella began a minor dispute over the ownership of the Islands. However, this minor dispute largely went nowhere with no blood being shed. In the end, Reingard would be given an ultimatum to pay a sum of 35,000 or face the wrath of Arxella over some "Irrelevant, Unused, Ruined structures". Drake, in the end, would acquiesce to the demand made with him spending three days gathering enough ores to sell and reach that target sum. Thereby ending the Arxellan Dispute and securing Reingard’s Independence to Arxella’s begrudged acknowledgement.

Official Independence
[Date: May 31st, 2021]


 * Reingard officially becomes a recognized independent Nation. With Drake Von Marux and his subjects beginning to settle into the officially acquired land. After officially became an independent nation, Reingard has since made strides towards becoming an industrial nation, even with the beginnings of a brewing business in Progress.

Reingard Joins the CSS
[Date: June 12th-July 7th, 2021]


 * After being threatened with Invasion by Niedea, over an attempt to purchase land, Reingard Join the CSS, gaining a seat in their senate and further establishing diplomatic relations with most of the nations on Sparwood as well as being given 'military protection' from the CSS. Although never mentioned or required to sign official documentation, Reingrd was considered a member nation. This would not last long, however, as the CSS would dissolve almost a month later, being referred to as 'dead'. (Reason has yet to identified and may never will) .

The Frosmyre Debate
[Date: July 8th-9th, 2021]


 * Following the collapse of the CSS, Reingard now once again needing an ally to rely on for its existence, debated on whether or not to join Frosmyre, a previous associate to the CSS they will decide on this one day after. Drake upon coming to a final decision would announce to all his citizens that Reingard would be joining Frosmyre as a state, with the hopes of laying the foundations of a Sparwood Empire, additionally, they would benefit from a better economy, a more powerful and better-equipped military and new citizens that can come and go as they please between each territory, better resources, as well as being given the choice of leaving Frosmyre if Reingard deemed it necessary, as long as there is no 'bad blood' between the two nations.

Unfortunate events, downfall and reform
[Date: September 7th-16th, 2021]


 * Upon returning home from traveling, it was discovered that Reingard had been robbed in the middle of the night. While most of its people and homes were not affected, the same cannot be said about the castle. It was discovered that someone had climbed over its walls and taken everything of value from within. Upon this discovery, fear spread throughout the state as no one knew whether the thieve(s) would return to finish the job. As a result, left with no other choice, Drake would ultimately abandon Reingard. Some would split from the main group for unknown reasons, never to be seen again. While the rest set out to find a new home. After speaking with one of the leaders of the new Frosterium Empire, a new land down south was provided for Drake and his people. They were placed in the state of Leythe, where they started building a village called New Reingard. They would discover a sizeable Vulkan forge and develop quite a decent town.

Changing Nations and war?
[Date: October 10th-December 21th, 2021]


 * On 10/22/21, the Frosterium empire had collapsed into various states. Upon this, New Reingard was officially placed within the newly formed nation of Paradise. However, this was not to last. On 11/04/21, the high queen of Paradise stepped down from her throne and merged the country with the socialist state of Tovarisha. A month later, Leythe was sold to the New Avarian Republic, but with widespread anger from the Tovarisha Public. (Long story short, the owner of Leythe sold the state to Avaria, a majority of the Tovarisha government didn't like this. After the first Khadirs died, the new one declared sale illegitimate and banished the original state owner and her group from Tovarisha.) Things calmed down a little after 12/18/21. Half of the Leythe State will be given to Tovarisha and the rest to Avaria; however, war seems inevitable. With a possible war on its way and an increase in bandit activity in the area, It was decided that New Reingard must be ready. Using a winter peace to their advantage, the Raingardians began building up walls, setting various defenses, and stocking up on equipment.

The Great Expanse
[Date: January 15th- February 24th]


 * The Great Expanse. A plan that would lead New Reingard down the path of turning the quiet village into a grand ashen city. The people's goals were set in place on (1/15/22) with the first step was to replace the old wall with a larger and stronger wall to encase the entire area. It took weeks, but the wall was to be completed in due time, with a canal to separate the original village from the new. The next step was constructing a better port with a drydock and plans for improved housing. Over the next couple of weeks, members of Reingard would continue to develop and grow the village into a city. They had built stables, shops, a market, a considerable port, a fighting arena, upgrades to the church, and a redesign to the old town.

Joining Borhammar
[Date: March 26th ]


 * On 3/26/22, during the early morning hours, it was discovered that the Avaria government had merged with a foreign nation. While the country was going downhill recently, joining another nation was an extreme step. However, it was then announced that the Leythe state would be handed over to the neighboring country of Borhammer, a pirate nation with ties to Tortuga. While it was unexpected and a shock to Reingard and the people of Leythe, it was soon welcomed.

References & Further Reading
Sources


 * 1) Chronicles of Rathnir

Witnesses & Testimonies


 * 1) Drake Von Marux

Related Pages


 * 1) Arxella
 * 2) Kartek Horde
 * 3) Niedea
 * 4) Frosmyre
 * 5) Confederate States of Sparwood
 * 6) Sparwood
 * 7) Church of the Stahl Riesa
 * 8) Kingdom of Avaria
 * 9) Tovarisha