Duchy of Schielderras

Schielderras was first mentioned as a tributary to Fraspika in the 1100s. During this time Schielderras was more of a geographical region than a country, as the tribes, while related, were not unified. The various tribes payed tribute to Fraspika and after the split they were instructed to pay tribute to South Fraspika; this lasted until 1212. However, they would often raid Fraspika anyways, and various tribes rose and fell from prominence over time due to this. Following the collapse of South Fraspika the various tribes fought with each other, as without Fraspikan dominance they now had more men and more resources. Naturally, they turned these against one another as old rivalries and feuds resumed. Some took over land which was formerly part of the Fraspikan marches, while others sought military dominance of their home region.
While once there had been eleven tribes in the region, by the time Fraspika was dismantled there were eight left, but this number swifty dropped until there were only three remaining by 1241. The Vrilandii controlled most of the marshland of little strategic value after being shunted off the valuable land, and the Triseni were in conflict with Barloem, recently ascendent in the region. Barloem therefore supported the Chieftain of Iskonun, which was powerful enough to subdue their rival Triseni Chiefdom with Barloem's help. Following the destruction of Triseni, Iskonun assumed military suzerainty over the region. The ruling Duke of Barloem, Phillip I, then crowned Chieftain Antonus as Duke Antonus Iskonun of Schielderras in 1248, marking him nominally equal in rank. The renaming of the state to Schielderras represented the establishment of a real state in the region, as both monarchs hoped that Schielderras would go from the military dominion of the Iskonun to a true nation. In order to complete the unification of Schielderras, Antonus went to war against the Vrilandii in 1250. Though troublesome foes, the Vrilandii were unable to fight off the stronger power, slowly being driven deeper into the saltmarsh until their lands consisted of only a few islands. Owing to the fact that these islands were unable to support their population base, Vrilandii's leaders agreed to submit to Schielderras, and they were forced to disperse their petty nobility amongst the Iskonun. It was thought this would weaken their independent streak and deprive any rebellions of their leaders.
While the title of duke had served to placate Antonus and he was quite content, the news that Barloem had declared itself a kingdom in 1261 angered him. Although this was not the case, Antonus felt that Barloem had tricked him into accepting a lower title knowing he would be elevated to Grand Duke. In 1262 Antonus demanded that Barloem's rulers recognize him as a king as well. When Barloemer diplomats claimed that the title was a special case and that it really could not be granted to a minor, marshy land, Antonus was furious. He cut off diplomatic ties with Barloem and declared the Kingdom of Schielderras, claiming that if Barloem would not give him a Grand Duchy he would declare a kingdom and force them to accept his status. Barloem did not, in fact, do so, and so Antonus retaliated by inciting the Triseni to raid Barloem. When Barloemer diplomats demanded an explanation Antonus claimed that he was simply unable to control the Triseni as they would not respect him without recognition of a kingdom. Fed up with his antics, Barloem invaded Schielderras in 1268, occupying the eastern portion of the nation. The Barloemer fleet was also used to great effect, blockading the nation and preventing Schielderras from sea-based trade. Antonus then decided to meet Barloem in battle, but he miscalculated. Trusting the loyalty of his subjects, the king charged fearlessly into battle, while his flanks stood by and watched. What followed was the near-total destruction of the Iskonun ruling class, placing them on the same level as their defeated rivals, who now stood to gain much.
Barloem would negotiate a swift peace with Schielderras following this battle. Schielderras was confirmed as a duchy, but would lose no land in the war. Its new duke would be Fremedhian, but administration of the territories would be left to the tribal groups who were granted broad autonomy. In short, Barloem ensured that Schielderras would be disunited enough to not be a threat but also have enough ties to their country so that they would not continue raiding. The current ruling family, Morrowae, is a distant cadet branch of the Barloemer branch of the Ellice family whose Renvois-Ellice branch leads Fraspika. If things were to go horribly wrong in Fraspika, with the low number of remaining males in the house of Renvois-Ellice, Morrowae could potentially become the ruling dynasty of Fraspika (assuming, that is, that the now irrelevant Barloemer Ellices were ignored).

Schielderras has a fairly small population owing to its modest size as well as the majority of its lands being difficult to inhabit. Consequentially, despite the nation's recent prosperity it can only count 800,000 people as its population. In particular, the various marsh islands are extremely lightly populated; despire making up almost 25% of the land area of the country they only count for 50,000 of the inhabitants.