Head of State: Emperor.
Form of Government: Imperial, strong nobility.
State of the Nation in 1393 AUC: Vestad is a kingdom on the defensive, guarding long river borders (called "the Shore") against the Goblins of Krarth, the Petkenaks, and far-ranging raiders from the Khanates. It has long ago given up its claims over the former Selentine lands to the west of the Marick River, to western Teran, and to Murrell, and does not compete with Teran for regional dominance.
Races: mostly Humans, some Centaurs, Dwarves and Elves.
Religion: Selentine True Faith.
Description and History: Antoninus Valens, a provincial Duke at Orviet on the Elten River, started the collapse of the Selentine Empire when he declared himself Emperor in 979 AUC. After about a century of warring with other successor kingdoms to the east and north, the emperors turned their energies to expanding south and west, building new roads and cities. Unfortunately, the resources of Imperial Vestad were not growing to match the demands placed upon it, and the resurgence of Krarth foreshadowed the end of Greater Vestad.
After Teran intervened to save Vestad from conquest by the Mogabai Khanate, Vestad declined further in prestige, until it is now little more than a well-armed buffer state between Teran and Krarth. Still, Vestad is a wealthy agricultural nation, providing grain, fruit and alcohol to the Elves of Sperrin and the Dwarves of Dorrain and Thurander in exchange for weapons and armour. The country seems to be in a state of perpetual siege, waiting for the next attack to break on or wash over "the Shore".
Antoninus III Valens, reigned 979-995 AUC
Antoninus declares himself emperor in 979 AUC.
Irene III Valens, reigned 995-1005 AUC
Sebastianus II Valens, reigned 1005-1018 AUC
Melanie Valens, reigned 1018-1045 AUC
The First Vestadian-Teranian War (1035 to 1038) ends with the establishment of the modern border between the two countries and a guarantee of independence for the kingdom of Murrell.
Sophia III Valens, reigned 1045-1051 AUC
Sophia IV Argyrus, reigned 1051-1053 AUC
Leo I Palagos, reigned 1053-1055 AUC
Eulalia I Phocas, reigned 1055-1059 AUC
Leo I Palagos, reigned 1059-1086 AUC
Vestad occupied Valan after the Second Vestadian-Teranian War (1061 to 1063), but lost the strategic city after the Third Vestadian-Teranian War (1072 to 1076).
Theodora II Palagos, reigned 1086-1130 AUC
Theodora changes the direction of Vestad's expansion from north and east to south and west. She renamed her empire "Greater Vestad".
Leo II Palagos, reigned 1130-1135 AUC
Greater Vestad has difficulty maintaining control over the new provinces, particularly the western ones.
Leo III Palagos, reigned 1135-1162 AUC
Leo begins the withdrawal from the western provinces. The infrequent battles of the Fourth Vestadian-Teranian War (1152 to 1169) are ultimately inconclusive.
Michael IV Palagos, reigned 1162-1169 AUC
Aurelia II Palagos, reigned 1169-1181 AUC
Michael V Palagos, reigned 1181 AUC
Vestad had contracted to its modern borders.
Leo IV Damion, reigned 1181-1203 AUC
Theodora III Damion, reigned 1023-1220 AUC
Theodore II Damion, reigned 1220-1229 AUC
Eulalia III Damion, reigned 1229-1242 AUC
The Mobogai Khanate invaded Vestad in 1234, and was defeated after the intervention of Teran.
Iris Damion, reigned 1242-1267 AUC
Fabian Damion, reigned 1267-1286 AUC
Theodore III Damion, reigned 1286-1290 AUC
Theophila Colomund, reigned 1290-1312 AUC
Michael VI Colomund, reigned 1312-1313 AUC
Lecapenus II Colomund, reigned 1313-1359 AUC
Constans Colomund, reigned 1359-1374 AUC
Pertinax Colomund, reigned 1374 AUC to present
The Emperor Pertinax (personal name Richard) is supported by his chief ministers, Henry Torrel (treasury), Estella Casimir (military), and Robyn Enright (court). Vestadian nobles concentrate on military appointments as provincial governors and army commanders, while administrative and bureaucratic appointments are open to commoners on the basis of personal competence. Members of the court generally owe their positions to Imperial favour rather than birthright, and are generally loyal to the Emperor. Military commands are traditionally passed down between members of an extended noble family. The court does not regularly intervene in provincial administration, except to ensure that the Selentine tradition of carrying out military service far away from your home region continues.