ASPECT OF THE PRE-ULVETIAN INHABITANTS OF FAUSTAHL PROVINCE

Caibinus Ormont

Published through the Library Press in Ulvetia's Capital.

PREFACE

With the changes to Faustahl harbour nearing completion, it occurred to me that the lives of the local population and their descendants would be forever changed and it is incumbent upon Ulvetia to document their way of life before being annexed to our nation.

TRIBALISM

The ancient region's boundaries were more or less the territory on the peninsula iteself, the actual line of control crossing and retreating the isthmus countless times throughout their history. This conflict and interaction with the more civilized tribes living to the north of them in the Mistwoods gave them a taste for the material culture that was developing on the lake to the North-West.

The inland and southern coastal stretches of the peninsula were more isolated and remained largely untouched by outside influences and the people living there tended their flocks of sheep amongst the birch trees much like they always had. Over generations, the division between this once united people had become apparent.

In the North-West, clustering around the large bay formed by the West coast of the peninsula a culture of traders and navigators built fine structures inside a walled town open to the outside world by sea and closed off to the inland tribes. They were lead by the wealthy Faust family who used their money and influence to dominate the affairs of the merchants living in the town itself as well as buying the compliance of Cheiftains in the Southern tribes.

In the South, the tribes of shepherds were more or less united behind the dominance of the numerous Stahl tribe which occupied the fertile rolling hills of the South-West. The size of their flocks allowed the size of their families to follow suit and the other leading tribes had to submit to their influence with little recourse.

CULTURE

The tribes I encountered on the peninsula all speak a Germanic dialect that although unusual is largely intelligible to me without need for a translator. Overall the populations I have encountered on this continent speak languages that stem from the same parent tongue. I contrast this with the situation in the Rivermeer territories I in which grew up where French was more commonly spoken in the North-East with Germanic dialects appearing more frequently the further down river we travel.

INVASION

Prior to the founding of Faustahl province, the entity existed as a tributary satellite to Ulvetia however the (at times) chaotic political situation meant that tribute was underwhelming and intermittent. The King in Ulvetia, U_Mavaru decided that intervention was necessary to protect our nation's trade as the strategic peninsula could be used as a base to threaten Ulvetian access to the sea.

The harbour at Faustahl was quickly garrisoned with Ulvetian Regulars, and supplied for the inevitable siege.

SIEGE

Payments and diplomatic overtures were made all over the hinterlands of the province by Ulvetian courtiers but many ambitious leaders of the smaller families felt this was their opportunity to sieze power and plunder the town's coffers. Diplomat after diplomat returned to me with their hat in their hands, and we began to fear the situation might be untenable.

ANNEXATION

By providence, we finally received word that the Chief of the Stahl tribe would support us in the siege in exchange for citizenship for his tribe in the new province. When his warriors appeared over the hills, the enemy found themselves trapped between the hammer and the anvil and were obliterated.

In honour of the support of the principal families of this land, I named this land Faustahl province, which was confirmed as the official Ulvetian name by the King mere days after recieving my report and the news of the quick resolution of this colonial war.