Kingdom of Reintal

The Kingdom of Reintal was a royal realm that lasted for just over two centuries before collapsing and being absorbed in Nevarra. It formed in the secluded mountain-valley — now known as the Reintal Valley — remained small and isolationist until successive struggles with neighboring powers led to its demise.   The mythos surrounding it has grown into an important living part of the valley-people's, carried on primarily through oral traditions. Despite never seeming to amount to anything more than rumors, every few years, hushed whispers begin stirring of a desire to rebel and rebuild the Reintal-that-was.  

History

Early History

After the discovery of this unspoiled alpine mountain-valley by an Imperium explorer in the middle-to-late Steel Age, it didn't take long to discover the cradling mountains were rife with salt and silver veins. Mines were carved into the mountains, worked by slaves sent there to die. The valley became known as Khirbet, as it developed into an interment camp where egregious slaves were sent to die.   No one knows how long this endured, but slaves eventually rose in rebellion and expelled their masters. Legends claim they only succeeded because of a mystical pact with the "Witches of Khirbet", who granted them the land on the condition that they never stop creating and learning.   For over a year they celebrated their freedom, many of them having been enslaved for decades, and tales say that goats and sheep joined them on two legs to dance and drink. But a terrible winter storm followed, bringing with it famine and mass death.   During the dredges of these times, a woman of the valley sat each day by a pond where she'd speak to her reflection. She'd ask what wrongs had been done. Her eloquence one day convinced her reflection to help, and it reached out to offer her a golden lyre and a silver crown. It said that her voice, when joined with the lyre, could charm beasts, tame the skies, coax rocks to dance, and divert the course of rivers. It continued that she must wear the crown, as it would cause blood to dribble down her face when she lied.   She strung the lyre with her own hair and began to play. She convinced the snow to melt, the rivers to awaken, and the valleys to bloom. She then convinced the stone to build her a humble castle in the valley such that all could hear her play, and she became loved by her people. Moved by her wisdom, she became known as Damaria the Philosopher — first king of Reintal.  

Isolation and Collapse

With only one path out of the valley, which led to the Imperium, Reintal grew in isolation. With none of the slaves having known how to read or write, Damaria developed a new language to teach them. Similarly, she inspired them to share ideas and celebrate art, song, and philosophy. Her daughter, King Eirania the White, finished this task of turning slaves to artisans after Damaria's passing.   A century later, explorers carved a pass southward through the mountains and began trading with neighbors, namely the city-state of Nessum. The kingdom primarily traded the works of their silversmiths and brick-makers. Prosperity bred ambition; Nessum demanded fealty and sent an army through the pass, but diplomacy instead forged a marriage treaty between the king's daughter and a high-born man from Nessum. Peace held until the Nessum-born began adding advisory positions onto the king's council for Nessum merchants and soldiers.   When his wife and mother-in-law mysteriously died, he was named regent until his son came of age. Reinmen nationalists seized him and tried to ransom him from the Tower of Prophecy, which led to Nessum's army marching through the pass. Winter halted their conquest, but Reintal never fully recovered. Soon, a new king took over the throne and found a secret police to root out foreign influence.   Nessum retaliated by hiring Nevarran mercenaries to destabilize the realm. Before either side could claim victory, Nevarra itself expanded northward and absorbed them both. Though its clear the kingdom of Reintal fell, much of the story around this period of time has become incredibly unclear and hazy.  

Culture and People

Artistry

Despite the often dreary climate, Reinmen were a people of art and spirit. Poetry, music, and philosophy thrived even among the poor. Many still say the witches watch the valley, ensuring this part of their ancient compact is upheld.   Many of these sentiments towards the arts still exist among the valley-dwellers.  

Mysticism

To this day, Reinmen still say: "For any who possess the Lyre and Crown of Reintal, the valley is theirs to rule by right". These two mythical objects have been lost to time. Outsiders claim they never truly existed.