#the road to raetia

[darkelfchicksick]

So where *is* Tassing, actually?

Obviously it’s nowhere. But actually, it’s also several specific places in a specific area.

As someone who lives and has lived in several parts of Oberbayern, I'm so tickled by placing Tassing on a map. While trying to find a region it would fit in with all the clues the game gives, I also found several monasteries that probably contributed to the way Kiersau was written and created.

Names

Tassing fits a common naming scheme in Oberbayern. Places with an -ing name in Austria and Altbayern (roughly congruent with the present-day administrative districts Upper Bavaria, Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate) were founded in a specific time frame, the Baiuvarian Settling of the Alps. Up until the 7th century CE, the alpine landscape was inhabited by slavs, but from the 7th to 9th century, the Baiuvarii, a germanic group of people, moved into the area and ended up either displacing or integrating the slavic people into their own society. Examples of Baiuvarian -ing names in Upper Bavaria include Pasing (With the people of Paso/Paoso/Poso/Poaso), Menzing (With the people of Menzo) or Poing (With the people of Piuwo). Tassing might have been re-settled, founded or just be associated with a man named Tasso, and should be located somewhere in Altbayern.

Kiersau is a strange name to me and finding an etymologically-based interpretation, like for Tassing, is harder. (In general, trying to find etymologies for place names is often more educated guessing than anything else.) The Bavarian meaning of Au (or Aue) is a flat piece of land with meadows and forests located near a river (also: floodplain). The problematic part is Kiers. I'm choosing to put it down as Kirsche, cherry. Why? Well, cherry trees were brought across the Alps by Romans, and the Roman past of Kiersau and Tassing is important to the story. It might also just be a reference to Hirsau, a famous Benedictine monastery in the Black Forest.

None of the first or last names of the peasants, merchants or craftsmen in Tassing give any kind of hint as to where the place is located. Names like Bauer (farmer), Gertner (gardener) or Zimmermann (carpenter) are extremely common, and the more uncommon ones, like Alban, don't help narrowing it down either.

Area

We get one look at an Early Modern map of Europe, with a few mountain ranges, rivers, some of the most siginficant trade roads, and Tassing marked on it. We know that Tassing is part of the Prince-Bishopric of Freising in 1518 and borders directly on Tyrolia. We know it's in Bavaria, which I'm deciding to identify as the Bavarian territory of the Holy Roman Empire. I'm not getting into the true borders of Bavaria on my overly researched Pentiment post. We also learn that one of the Roman trade routes, possibly relateed to salt, was built to run past Tassing, and that Tassing is located somewhere in the province of Raetia. To identify and overlap all these areas, I have committed a horrible cartographic crime in Photoshop!

I have marked Raetia in yellow, the Roman roads in red, the Prince-Bishopric in brown and the Bavarian territory in blue. This first map shows these areas in a European context.

This one is a closer shot of the whole possible location of Tassing. Now, you might have noticed a little red dot in the lower right, outside of any of the possible areas, right there in Eastern Tyrolia?

Unfortunately, that is where the Pentiment map placed Tassing. Now, the in-game map is mirroring many a Early modern maps (I'm just glad they put a modern North-South axis on it, ngl), and is. Not Very Reliable. This part of Austria cannot be interpreted as Upper Bavaria by even the most lenient mapreaders, and I am electing to ignore it. Sorry.

I’m also locating Tassing west of Munich, not east, because I’m too familiar with the area around Rosenheim/Wasserburg and I’m just not getting Tassing vibes, even though Perchtenläufe are far more common today in the area.

Anyway, on to the last map. You'll notice there's a nice Roman road leading through the big pink area west, leading north towards Augsburg, and a second to the east that crosses into non-Freising territory and then passes (or crosses, my Roman roads map reference isn't super exact) a Freising enclave. 

When I first zoned into this map, I got really excited, because there IS a Benedictine monastery on the West road! Kloster Ettal - which is unfortunately mostly famous for a sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic boarding school that's part of the monastery. Yikes.

Kloster Ettal (1)

It was founded in the 14th century, so rather late, by Emperor Ludwig IV. The sanctuary features a small marble Madonna. Ettal remained rather unimportant until the 18th century. Pro: Right next to a Roman road, close to a small river, securely inside my possible location area and located on a hill. Con: Founded too late and not by a person comparable to the foundress of Kiersau. Not culturally significant before or during the time of Pentiment. No reference to any strange reliquiaries.

Epfach (2)

This is a small village near Denklingen. It's not significant for having a monastery, because there is none. However, Epfach used to be called Abodiacum, and it was located at an important intersection between the Via Claudia and the salt road between Salzburg and Kempten. Since the fall of the Roman Empire, it has lost meaning, and today Epfach is a village with a rich past. The coat of arms depicts a roman lamp with the Chi Rho, emphasizing the merging and mixing of pagan Roman and Christian influences in the area. There have also been several archeological finds, among them the Venus of Epfach, and you can visit a Nymphaeum near the school. I'm not rating this one pro and con, since Epfach doesn't have a monastery. However, I think the area may have been one of many inspiring places in Upper Bavaria that went into the creation of Tassing. I was especially tickled by the Nymphaeum and the murals that are on exhibit in the former fire station.

Beuerberg (3)

A double monastery, founded around 1120 by a local Noble, Berta von Iringsburg and her sons. It was widely known for its library and school, and it was ravaged by fire several times, which also destroyed parts of the library. Pro: Founded by a woman, double monastery, a history of fires. Con: Not a Benedictine monastery, not in the target area, most places burn down over the course of 800 years, and also I literally added it exclusively because my grandparents used to live here.

Wessobrunn (4)

Originally founded in 753 by Duke Tassilo III. near another Roman road, it was presumably the proprietary monastery of a family by the name of Wezzo, who according to legend led Tassilo to a spring he had dreamed of. The monastery was pillaged by Hungarians in 955 and rebuilt in 1065. A recluse, Diemut, a famous scribe, worked here after the monastery was rebuilt, although she wasn't part of an order. Wessobrunn became a double monastery in 1130 and burned down in the early 13th century, once again being rebuilt. It became known for its library, and as a local parton of art, especially stucco in the 18th century. Pro: Double monastery of Benedictines, located on a hill, had a famous female scribe and library, history of destruction by fire. Also, Tassilo could have inspired a place name like Tassing. Con: Never had a scriptorium, not in the target area, actual story of Tassilo founding it is considered ahistorical by most historians.

Benediktbeuern (5)

Located at the Via Raetia, this monastery was founded once again by Tassilo III. and was gifted, among other things, a salt mine in Tyrolia and several villages. It received an arm reliquiary of St. Benedict in the late 8th century, and head reliquiaries of the martyr Anastasia. Benediktbeuren was a double monastery until the 14th century, with the women's convent located north of the men's convent. Like Wessobrunn, Benediktbeuren was destroyed by Hungarians and rebuilt. Before and after this event, the monastery was home to a famous scriptorium, a famous library and it also had a parish church dedicated to Mary close to the monastery itself. The main part of the monastery was destroyed by a fire in 1490 and then rebuilt. Pro: Double monastery of Benedictines, famous scriptorium and library, connection to Tassilo, parish church dedicated to Mary, lead by a man called Matthias in the early 16th century, destroyed by fire, a hand reliquary and ownership of a salt mine. Con: The salt mine was days away, not in the target area, located on a plain.

Polling (6)

Founded as a Benedictine monastery in the late 8th century, once again connected to a myth of Duke Tassilo III. In this one, he's hunting and spots a doe that's scratching the ground. Digging up the spot, he finds three crosses and other treasure, and decides to build a monastery there. Polling was also destroyed by Hungarians, and was a a double monastery until 1300, when the nuns moved to Benediktbeuren. Since the early 12th century, Polling was an Augustine monastery and home to an important school. It also had lots of pilgrims coming in for the holy cross. Pro: Double monastery, located next to one of the Roman roads, parallel name to Tassing and connection to Tassilo, the doe Con: Not in the target area, not a Benedictine monastery, not known for a scriptorium.

Conclusio

You might ask yourself now, well! What was all that for? And the answer is, of course, to show how realistic and at the same time completely fantastic Kiersau and Tassing are. You can find something of Pentiment's locations in all of the places I've mentioned, and yet none of them are a perfect fit, because the story that Pentiment tells needs the combination of all these things to work.

There's no one place that Tassing mirrors, but I think my favorite find were the many monasteries founded by Tassilo, and the connection of Tassing via the place name - With the people of Tassilo. I love how closely the Roman history of Upper Bavaria, especially Epfach, is picked up, fractured and then condensed in Pentiment. I might write a follow-up on this about the local Pagan practices that we see from Ottilia, Sick Peter and Ursula, but I think I'm a bit too cynical to write about those in a fun way.

Sources:

Etymologies: Senseless searches on Wikipedia and Wiktionary.

Map of Raetia: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raetia#/media/Datei:Droysens_Hist_Handatlas_S17_Germanien.jpg

Roman roads in Germany: https://www.altwege.de/roemer-und-kelten/interaktive-karte.html (Bernhard Schwade)

Bishoprics in Germany: https://www.historisches-lexikon-bayerns.de/Lexikon/Bistumsorganisation (map by Sonja Schweiger)

Map of Europe: google babey

History of the monasteries: https://www.hdbg.eu/kloster/ and a wide array of the monastery websites, Wikipedia and Wikimedia.

Ettal: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kloster_Ettal#/media/Datei:Ethal_(Merian).jpg

Epfach: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hirte_mit_Schafen_-_r%C3%B6mische_Plastik_in_Abodiacum_(Epfach),_2020.jpg

Beuerberg: https://bildsuche.digitale-sammlungen.de/index.html?c=viewer&bandnummer=bsb00063022&pimage=678

Wessobrunn: https://bildsuche.digitale-sammlungen.de/index.html?c=viewer&bandnummer=bsb00063022&pimage=644

Benediktbeuern: https://api.digitale-sammlungen.de/iiif/image/v2/bsb10802259_00025/full/full/0/default.jpg

Polling: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wening_Polling.jpg

[rogergreenawalt]

Augustus dramatically enlarged the empire, annexing Egypt, Dalmatia, Pannonia, Noricum and Raetia, expanding possessions in Africa, and completing the conquest of Hispania, but he suffered a major setback in Germania. Beyond the frontiers, he secured the empire with a buffer region of client states and made peace with the Parthian Empire through diplomacy. He reformed the Roman system of taxation, developed networks of roads with an official courier system, established a standing army, established the Praetorian Guard as well as official police and fire-fighting services for Rome, and rebuilt much of the city during his reign. Augustus died in AD 14 at age 75, probably from natural causes. Persistent rumors, substantiated somewhat by deaths in the imperial family, have claimed his wife Livia poisoned him. He was succeeded as emperor by his adopted son Tiberius, Livia's son and also former husband of Augustus' only biological daughter Julia. (at Pasadena, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmpfcTxv079/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[theinsomniacsdnd]

The Road to Raetia Part II: Rise

[Previous Chapter]

Tears streamed down Ireena’s cheeks as she passed through the gates of Vallaki for the last time, but she kept her eyes on the road ahead.

They rode for hours, passing only a few people. A couple seemed to recognize her, but no one tried to speak to her. She stopped only once, at the crossroads leading to the Village of Barovia, and she quietly to take in the sight of it in the distance and the crumbled ruins of Castle Ravenloft looming above. After a moment she spurred Little Boy on, further down the road. A few hours later she paused again as they came to the edge of where the mists once separated Barovia from the rest of the world. Word from travelers coming to Vallaki from the outside world was that the change was startling, but she was unprepared for this. On her side, the trees were small and stunted, the beginnings of new buds only just forming on their branches, but on the other the trees were healthy and in full summer bloom. It was like someone drew a line down the middle of the forest. With a deep breath she swung off Little Boy’s back and took his reins in her hand. “This is it,” she said. “The rest of the world lies beyond this. Beyond this line.” She shut her eyes for a moment, her heart racing, and took a step forward. She opened them on the other side, and felt nothing different. She took another step, then another, Little Boy trailing dutifully behind, until they reached the top of a ridge that looked out over a lush valley, the sun high in the sky overhead. The wind rustled her hair, and Little Boy nuzzled under her arm and she scratched his ears, staring down at the vast world below. “Well,” she said. “We’re here. I don’t know where we’re going, but… we have to start somewhere, right?” He whickered in acknowledgement, and she gripped his mane swung back up onto his back. “This is as good a place to start as any. Let’s go.” She squeezed his side with his legs, and he took off at a gallop, kicking up dust in his wake. She leaned down to grasp his mane, a smile spreading across her face as he thundered down the ridge and into the forest. He leapt over a log, and she let out a whoop, raising her arms over her head and laughing as he barreled through the trees, and a flock of birds, startled by the noise, took flight and flew above her, their iridescent feathers catching the sunlight like hundreds of jewels. They rode for hours until the sun started to dip below the horizon, and settled down in a clearing just off the road. After taking off Little Boy’s saddle and bridle and giving him some water to drink from a nearby stream she pulled the flint out of her park and set up a campfire, and Little Boy settled down on the ground next to it as she warmed some rations by the fire and gazed up at the stars. “It’s beautiful,” she said. “I remember Qadira mentioning the stars. I don’t know what happened to her soul, but I hope it’s free and out there somewhere now.” She sighed and leaned back against Little Boy. “You’ll keep watch, right?” He whickered softly and nuzzled her. “Thanks,” she said, and settled her head into the warmth of his belly. She awoke to Little Boy softly lipping her face, and she opened her eyes to find the first rays of the sun just breaking over the distant mountains, and standing before her, a male figure clad in white and gold. The man’s face was as familiar to her as her own. She gasped and scrambled forward onto her knees, her head almost touching the ground. A hand, as light and soft as sunlight, rested itself on her head. “Be at peace, my child. Rise, for you should bow to no one.” She stood shakily, keeping her eyes on the ground, but a gentle hand under her chin tilted her face up to meet his eyes, the same brilliant gold as his hair. “Ireena Kolyana,” he said warmly. “It is my pleasure to meet you at long last.” “My Lord,” she swallowed. “I… I don’t know what to say.” “You don’t have to say anything if you don’t wish. I just wanted to thank you for what you’ve done, for accomplishing what I had been unable to for centuries. You freed the land from Strahd’s curse and restored the land against nearly impossible odds. I can’t say enough how extraordinary that is.” “I didn’t do it alone,” she said quickly. “No, I couldn’t have done it alone. It was my friends who helped me. Without them I…” she sniffed. “I never would have made it. And My Lord, I…” She covered her face with her hands. “I doubted you. I was ready to cast off your symbol from my neck because I felt abandoned. I was so close to giving up...” He took her into his arms, his warmth and light surrounding her. “But you didn’t, my child. And the truth was I could not reach you, for the Dark Powers within Barovia had blocked my sight. But you persevered, not because of anything I did, but because of the strength within you. That is true faith.” He stepped back and put his hands on both of her shoulders. “And that, Ireena Kolyana, is why I am asking you to be my Champion.” “I…” she dropped to her knees. “I-I’m honored, My Lord. But I am not worthy of this.” “And that’s exactly that which makes me want you as my Champion,” he smiled and knelt down so he was at level with her. “It is your choice, my child, but with all the good you have done without me I would be honored to have you when I can actually help you.” She pulled her holy symbol out from under her shirt and stared at it, running over the rays of the sun with her fingers. Finally she looked up and grasped it tightly. “I will do it, My Lord.” “Excellent, then rise with me.” They both got to their feet, and Lathander placed his hand on her head. “Ireena Kolyana,” he said. “My Cleric and my Paladin, I hereby declare you my Champion. And I give you two boons. One is the power to call down my light to slay your enemies, and the other is your choice.” “My choice?” “Yes. Whatever you wish.” She thought for a long moment, her hand drifting to her neck. “I want to make sure no one can ever do what Strahd did to me again without paying dearly for it. I want my blood to burn anyone who tries to drink it.” He frowned. “I can grant you this boon, if that is what you truly desire. But it will be dangerous to you. A human body is not meant to channel that much power. I will give it to you, but you must activate it deliberately, and I ask you only do so as a last resort, because it could kill you.” “I promise, My Lord.” “Very well,” he touched her forehead, and she felt a warm golden light wash over her. She shut her eyes, feeling it seep into her very bones. “May the dawn bless you, Ireena Kolyana,” Lathander said. “Go forth as my Champion. Bring light to the world.” When she opened her eyes again he was gone, and the sun shone down upon the valley over the tops of the mountains. She turned back to Little Boy, who stood quietly as he lifted his head in her direction. “Well,” she said. “That just happened. I… guess I’m a Champion now?” Little Boy snorted and put his head down to nibble on the grass at his feet, and she sat down heavily next to the remains of the campfire. “I suppose… we should find some sort of civilization?” Little Boy looked up from the grass and whickered. “Yeah, I agree. I need a bath. We’re bound to hit something if we keep going, right?” She gathered up her belongings and saddled him back up, slapping his stomach lightly when he tried to puff up as she tightened the girth, and swung up onto his back as they set off again.

[Next Chapter]

[munichasia]

Bicycle tour at the river Isar in Munich,Germany 🇩🇪🍻🥨😊📸 Greetings and have a great day all. 🤗 Save, Share and Tag this pic. 💾 I love to hear your comments. ✒ ~~~ Isar The Isar is a river in Tyrol, Austria and Bavaria, Germany, which is not navigable for watercraft above raft size. Its source is in the Karwendel range of the Alps in Tyrol; it enters Germany near Mittenwald and flows through Bad Tölz, Munich, and Landshut before reaching the Danube near Deggendorf. At 295 km (183 mi) in length, it is the fourth largest river in Bavaria, after the Danube, Inn, and Main. It is Germany's second most important tributary of the Danube after the Inn. It is quite likely that the Isar was used as a trade route, even in prehistoric times, to transport wares from the Alps and even Italy towards the Danube with rafts. An existing trade road from the Inn valley across Seefelder Pass into the northern foothills of the alps was built up and called Via Raetia by the Romans. The town of Mittenwald thus became an important trade post in the Werdenfelser Land. . . #welovemunich #visit_munich #ilovemunich #münchenistschön #igersmunich #muenchenstagram #instamunich #munichgram #visitmunich #mymunich #munichgermany #munichgreatshots #geheimtippmünchen #meinmünchen #bayernliebe #germany_fotos #germanytoday #germanylife #germanyphotography #germany_greatshots #worldtravelphotography #worldwithoutborders #stadtansichten #riverisar #munich_germany #exklusivmuenchen #simplymunich #munich_notes #Munichworld⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #geheimtippmünchen (at Munich, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTZ4zlosIOR/?utm_medium=tumblr

[faburzashot]

Between 35 and 6 BC, the Alpine region was gradually integrated into the expanding Roman Empire. The contemporary monument Tropaeum Alpium in La Turbie celebrates the victory won by the Romans over 46 tribes in these mountains. The subsequent construction of roads over the Alpine passes first permitted southern and northern Roman settlements in the Alps to be connected, and eventually integrated the inhabitants of the Alps into the culture of the Empire. The upper Rhône valley or Vallis Poenina fell to the Romans after a battle at Octodurus (Martigny) in 57 BC. Aosta was founded in 25 BC as Augusta Praetoria Salassorum in the former territory of the Salassi. Raetia was conquered in 15 BC (wikipedia.com) • Aplage Per Rosset by FABURZASHOT Megeve, France • #leica #leicaimages #leica_club #leicaworld #leicasociety #leicastreet #leica_fotografie_international #ourstreet #lifeisstreet #streetcolor #streetphotointernational #leicastreetphotography #leicainternational #street_photographer #leicaimage #streetstories #streetstorytelling #streetstory #ig_streets #streetsvision #allstreetshots #streetgram #streetpic #streetpics #urbanshots #urbanphotos #ic_streetlife #streetcommune #everybody_street #everybodystreets — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/32W2bwF

[siegbertpinger]

Fachwerkhäuser in Meersburg am Bodensee. Meersburg liegt am Übergang vom Obersee zum Überlinger See auf einer Höhe von 400 bis 500 Metern. Allein zwischen Unter- und Oberstadt besteht ein Höhenunterschied von 40 m. Mein Bild zeigt einen der Wege von der Unter- in die Oberstadt. Die Burg Meersburg geht auf eine merowingische Befestigung am Fähr-Übergang der wichtigen Straßenverbindung von Oberschwaben über Konstanz nach Rätien zurück. Die Königsburg, war seit der Mitte des 11. Jahrhunderts in der Hand von königlichen Lehnsträgern und ging dann in den Besitz der Bischöfe von Konstanz über. Übrigens verstarb am 24. Mai 1848 Annette von Droste-Hülshoff in ihrer Wohnung auf Schloss Meersburg. Zu der gehörte auch ein Turm mit gigantischer Aussicht auf den Bodensee. Den Turm zeige ich Euch beim nächsten Mal.⁠⠀ Half-timbered houses in Meersburg on Lake Constance. Meersburg is situated the transition from the Obersee to the Überlinger See at an altitude of 400 to 500 metres. There is a height difference of 40 m between the lower and upper town alone. My picture shows one of the ways from the lower to the upper town. Meersburg Castle goes back to a Merovingian fortification at the ferry crossing of the important road connection from Upper Swabia via Constance to Raetia.. Incidentally, Annette von Droste-Hülshoff died in her apartment at Meersburg Castle on 24 May 1848. This included a tower with a gigantic view of Lake Constance. I will show you the tower next time. ___________________________⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀ #srs_germany #meindeutschland #deutschland_greatshots #alluring_deutschland #deutschlandkarte #raw_germany #ig_deutschland #topgermanyphoto #sharegermany #visitgermany #europstyle_germany #phoenix_germany #batpixs_germany #travel_drops #my_german_views #germanysworld #german_landscape #amazing_shots #alluring_villages #best_germany_photos #meinedeutschlandliebe @about.germany @deutschlandviews #deutschlandmylove #prettygermany_ #be_one_houses #houses_phototrips #houses_ofthe_world #KINGS_VILLAGES #alluring_villages #fever_buildings #fever_old_stones — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2rNGheR

[swipestream]

Wargame Wednesday: Liechtenstein

Excerpt of photo taken in 1896 of veterans from the Liechtenstein military contingent, with medals for the 1866 campaign. © Liechtensteinisches Landesmuseum

During a visit to the National Museum of Liechtenstein I saw an exhibition on Liechtenstein’s involvement in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, the subsequent end of compulsory military service and disbandment of the army in 1868.  While looking at the exhibition’s center piece group photo of the 1866 veteransI admit to having feelings of conceit but it didn’t take long to see through my conceit and realize how lucky a people were to avoid the ideological wars of the 20th Century and how lucky those veterans were to serve in a campaign that consisted of a hike, guard duty and a trek home in which a company of 85 returned with 86.

What does all that have to do with war games?  It doesn’t and I’m 100% certain there isn’t a war game featuring this country, let alone filling a hex on a board game map. Despite that, let’s discover what we can about Liechtenstein’s military history and potential war game material.  The principality’s geography provides fertile ground for historical and semi-historical scenarios from ancient times up to fictional scenarios such as the opening stages of Operation Tannenbaum. As for fiction, let’s just say my imagination was in overdrive during my visit. 

Search online for info on Liechtenstein military history and you’ll find three main themes:

85 soldiers went to Italy and came back with one Italian (some references say 80 returning with an Austrian liaison officer)

a Swiss unit on night exercises inadvertently found itself 1km inside Liechtenstein before realizing their mistake

the Ottoman Turks razing Valdez Castle on two occasions.  I

This post will have tourism related info, links to nice pictures, and start the military history section with the Swabian War.  Next post will begin the Principality’s role in the wars with revolutionary France. By the time we are done we’ll be journeymen historians of Liechtenstein’s military history. 

Tourism

If you decide to visit the best way is by car. When renting a car be aware that both Switzerland and Austria require road tax stickers to drive on their expressways.   Tourists can buy 10 day vignettes in Austria and also need them in Switzerland. If you rent your car in Switzerland (and maybe in Austria) then the vignette is already included. If you rent a car in a third country then they are available at any petrol station. Reminder that the vignettes are only needed to use the expressways.  

Hotels in Liechtenstein are pricier than those across the Rhine in Switzerland or over the Austrian border in Feldkirch.  

Don’t make the mistake of not looking up holidays before your visit. I arrived on a Sunday, the next day was a national holiday and Tuesday was a religious holiday.  I was all primed for my first meal in Liechtenstein but all I could find open on either side of the Rhine was a kebab shop or McDonalds…. Next day I found a better option but research in advance will pay dividends before visiting on a Sunday or holiday.

One last note in this tourism section. There are quite a few references online to the Ottomans laying siege to Vaduz castle in 1529 and 1683. The confusion is with Liechtenstein Castle, located near Vienna. This can serve as a litmus test if the author you are reading is cutting and pasting for content. 

I won’t speculate on which tribes held and fought over this territory prior to the Romans establishing the province of Raetia but start about 200 years prior to the territory becoming a principality within the Holy Roman Empire.  I’ll provide a link to each period of conflict and conduct a search for any relevant wargames.  

Swabian War 1499-1500

Click on the map for larger image at Infogalactic.

Swabia refers to a linguistic and cultural region of southern Germany.  The Swabian War, also known as the Swiss War was fought between the Habsburgs and the Swabian League against the Swiss Confederation. The end result was a Swiss victory and de-facto independce from the Holy Roman Empire, which would finally be acknowledge in the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. 

As can be seen from the map excerpt to the right, the territory of the future principality was a battlefield with the Battles of Triesen and Frastanz in 1499.  I can’t find much information on the Battle of Triesen but found an excerpt from Wilhelm Oechsli’s History of Switzerland 1499-1914:

“The treaties of 1497-98 signified the cutting off of the Grisons from the Austrian sphere of influence and its adhesion to Switzerland. The immediate consequence was the outbreak of the “Swabian War”. In…..1499, the Austrian rulers at Innsbruck sent troops into the Munsterthal…and called upon the Swabian League for help..”  

Oechsli then describes the opening campaign:

“In a moment the Swiss and the Swabians took up arms against one another and along the whole line of the Rhine….they measured their strength in a number of battles and skirmishes. The forces of Austria and South Germany…came off badly everywhere against the hardy Swiss, who gained victory after victory. In February, 1499 they routed a Swabian army at Triesen in the Vorarlberg, and annihilated a second army at Hard near the Lake of Constance”. 

Notice the diagonal lines indicating the zone of looting on the map and it won’t be the last time this territory will experience it.  

As for wargames I couldn’t find anything at Boardgamegeek when searching for the Swabian and Swiss Wars.  Military miniatures are the best bet to game this war.  I found this box set of 13th Century Swabians under Frederick II.

More next week. 

Wargame Wednesday: Liechtenstein published first on https://medium.com/@ReloadedPCGames

[athenaltena]

Going back and editing some of the Road to Raetia chapters and man I am bad about using passive voice. Definitely need to work on that.

I’m going through and replacing all the instances of “had” I can just as a start.

[shiro-absence]

Prehistory[edit] Paleolithic[edit] Further information: Paleolithic Europe, Mousterian, and Aurignacian Neanderthal presence is known from the caves of Wildkirchli in the Appenzell Alps, dated to about 40,000 years ago.[1] Anatomically modern humans reached Central Europe 30,000 years ago,[2] but most of what is now Switzerland was covered by glaciers during the Last Glacial Maximum (Würm glaciation). The ice-free parts, northern Switzerland along the High Rhine and part of the Aar basin, were exposed to permafrost. Human habitation in the Swiss plateau can be shown for the beginning Mesolithic, in Wetzikon-Robenhausen beginning around 10,000 years ago. 　 Neolithic to Bronze Age[edit] Further information: Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps and Linear Pottery culture Further information: Bronze Age Europe, Beaker culture, and Urnfield culture The Neolithic reaches the Swiss plateau before 7,000 years ago (late 6th millennium BC), dominated by the Linear Pottery culture. The area was relatively densely populated, as is attested to by the many archeological findings from that period. Remains of pile dwellings have been found in the shallow areas of many lakes. Artifacts dated to the 5th millennium BC were discovered at the Schnidejoch in 2003 to 2005.[3] 　 In the 3rd millennium BC, Switzerland lay on the south-western outskirts of the Corded Ware horizon, entering the early Bronze Age (Beaker culture) in step with Central Europe, in the late centuries of the 3rd millennium.. 　 The first Indo-European settlement likely dates to the 2nd millennium, at the latest in the form of the Urnfield culture from c. 1300 BC. The pre-Indo-European population of the Alpine region is typified by Ötzi the Iceman, an individual of the late 4th millennium BC found in the Austrian Alps (some 25 km east of the Swiss border). 　 Iron Age[edit] Further information: Iron Age Europe, Hallstatt culture, La Tène culture, Gauls, and Rhaetian people The Swiss plateau lay in the western part of the Early Iron Age Halstatt culture,[4] and it participated in the early La Tène culture (named for the type site at Lake Neuchatel) which arose out of the Hallstatt background from the 5th century BC.[5] 　 By the final centuries BC, the Swiss plateau and Ticino were settled by Continental Celtic speaking peoples (Gauls): the Helvetii and Vindelici inhabited the western and eastern part of the Swiss plateau, respectively, and the Lugano area by the Lepontii. The interior Alpine valleys of eastern Switzerland (Grisons) were inhabited by the non-Celtic Raetians. 　 The distribution of La Tène culture burials in Switzerland indicates that the Swiss plateau between Lausanne and Winterthur was relatively densely populated. Settlement centres existed in the Aare valley between Thun and Bern, and between Lake Zurich and the Reuss. The Valais and the regions around Bellinzona and Lugano also seem to have been well-populated; however, those lay outside the Helvetian borders. 　 Almost all the Celtic oppida were built in the vicinity of the larger rivers of the Swiss plateau. About a dozen oppida are known in Switzerland (some twenty including uncertain candidate sites), not all of which were occupied during the same time. For most of them, no contemporary name has survived; in cases where a pre-Roman name has been recorded, it is given in brackets.[6] The largest were the one in Berne-Engehalbinsel (presumably Brenodurum, the name recorded on the Berne zinc tablet[7]), on the Aare, and the one in Altenburg-Rheinau on the Rhine. Of intermediate size were those of Bois de Châtel, Avenches (abandoned with the foundation of Aventicum as the capital of the Roman province), Jensberg (near vicus Petinesca, Mont Vully, all within a day's march from the one in Berne, the Oppidum Zürich-Lindenhof at the Zürichsee–Limmat–Sihl triangled Lindenhof hill, and the Oppidum Uetliberg, overlooking the Sihl and Zürichseee lake shore. Smaller oppida were at Genève (Genava), Lausanne (Lousonna) on the shores of Lake Geneva, at Sermuz on the upper end of Lake Neuchatel, at Eppenberg and Windisch (Vindonissa) along the lower Aar, and at Mont Chaibeuf and Mont Terri in the Jura mountains, the territory of the Rauraci. 　 Roman era[edit] Main article: Switzerland in the Roman era In 58 BCE, the Helvetii tried to evade migratory pressure from Germanic tribes by moving into Gaul, but were stopped and defeated at Bibracte (near modern-day Autun) by Julius Caesar's armies and then sent back. In 15 BCE, Tiberius and Drusus conquered the Alps, and the region became integrated into the Roman Empire:[8] the Helvetii settlement area became part first of Gallia Belgica and later of the province of Germania Superior, while the eastern part was integrated into the Roman province of Raetia. The following 300 years saw extensive Roman settlement, including the construction of a road network and the founding of many settlements and cities. The center of Roman occupation was at Aventicum (Avenches), other cities were founded at Arbor Felix (Arbon), Augusta Raurica (Kaiseraugst near Basel), Basilea (Basel), Curia (Chur), Genava (Genève), Lousanna (Lausanne), Octodurum (Martigny, controlling the pass of the Great St. Bernard), Salodurum (Solothurn), Turicum (Zürich) and other places. Military garrisons existed at Tenedo (Zurzach) and Vindonissa (Windisch).[8] The Romans also developed the Great St. Bernard Pass beginning in the year 47, and in 69 part of the legions of Vitellius used it to traverse the Alps. The passes were expanded from dirt trails to narrow paved roads.[8] Between 101 and 260, the legions moved out of the region, allowing trade to expand. In Raetia, Roman culture and language became dominant.[8] Nearly 2,000 years later, some of the population of Graubünden still speak Romansh which is descended from Vulgar Latin. In 259, Alamanni tribes overran the Limes and caused widespread devastation of Roman cities and settlements. The Roman empire managed to reestablish the Rhine as the border, and the cities on Swiss territory were rebuilt. However, it was now a frontier province, and consequently the new Roman cities were smaller and much more fortified. Christianization and post-Roman era[edit] Main article: Alemannia In the late Roman period in the 3rd and 4th centuries, the Christianization of the region began. Legends of Christian martyrs such as Felix and Regula in Zürich probably are based on events that occurred during the persecution of Christians under Diocletian around 298. While the story of the Theban Legion, which was martyred near Saint Maurice-en-Valais in Valais, figures into the histories of many towns in Switzerland.[8] The first bishoprics were founded in the 4th and 5th centuries in Basel (documented in 346), Martigny (doc. 381, moved to Sion in 585), Geneva (doc. 441), and Chur (doc. 451). There is evidence from the 6th century for a bishopric in Lausanne, which maybe had been moved from Avenches. With the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Germanic tribes moved in. Burgundians settled in the Jura, the Rhône valley and the Alps south of Lake Geneva; while in the north, Alamannic settlers crossed the Rhine in 406 and slowly assimilated the Gallo-Roman population, or made it retreat into the mountains. Burgundy became a part of the Frankish kingdom in 534; two years later, the dukedom of Alemannia followed suit. The Burgundy kings furthered the Christianization through newly founded monasteries, e.g. at Romainmôtier or St. Maurice in the Valais in 515. In the Alaman part, only isolated Christian communities continued to exist; the Germanic faith including the worship of Wuodan was prevalent. The Irish monks Columbanus and Gallus re-introduced Christian faith in the early 7th century. The Bishopric of Konstanz also was founded at that time. 　 　 Switzerland in the Middle Ages[edit] 　 Early Middle Ages Under the Carolingian kings, the feudal system proliferated, and monasteries and bishopries were important bases for maintaining the rule. The Treaty of Verdun of 843 assigned the western part of modern Switzerland (Upper Burgundy) to Lotharingia, ruled by Lothair I, and the eastern part (Alemannia) to the eastern kingdom of Louis the German that would become the Holy Roman Empire. The boundary between Alamania, ruled by Louis, and western Burgundy, ruled by Lothar, ran along the lower Aare, turning towards the south at the Rhine, passing west of Lucerne and across the Alps along the upper Rhône to Saint Gotthard Pass. 　 Louis the German in 853 granted his lands in the Reuss valley to the monastery of St Felix and Regula in Zürich (modern day Fraumünster) of which his daughter Hildegard was the first abbess.[9] According to legend this occurred after a stag bearing an illuminated crucifix between his antlers appeared to him in the marshland outside the town, at the shore of Lake Zürich. However, there is evidence that the monastery was already in existence before 853. The Fraumünster is across the river from the Grossmünster, which according to legend was founded by Charlemagne himself, as his horse fell to his knees on the spot where the martyrs Felix and Regula were buried. 　 When the land was granted to the monastery, it was exempt from all feudal lords except the king and later the Holy Roman Emperor (a condition known as Imperial immediacy or in German: Reichsfreiheit or Reichsunmittelbarkeit). The privileged position of the abbey (reduced taxes and greater autonomy) encouraged the other men of the valley to put themselves under the authority of abbey. By doing so they gained the advantages of the Imperial immediacy and grew used to the relative freedom and autonomy.[9] The only source of royal or imperial authority was the advocatus or vogt of the abbey which was given to one family after another by the emperor as a sign of trust. 　 In the 10th century, the rule of the Carolingians waned: Magyars destroyed Basel in 917 and St. Gallen in 926, and Saracenes ravaged the Valais after 920 and sacked the monastery of St. Maurice in 939. The Conradines (von Wetterau) started a long time rule over Swabia during this time. Only after the victory of king Otto I over the Magyars in 955 in the Battle of Lechfeld were the Swiss territories reintegrated into the empire. 　 　 　King Rudolph III of the Arelat kingdom (r. 993–1032) gave the Valais as his fiefdom to the Bishop of Sion in 999, and when Burgundy and thus also the Valais became part of the Holy Roman Empire in 1032, the bishop was also appointed count of the Valais. The Arelat mostly existed on paper throughout the 11th to 14th centuries, its remnants passing to France in 1378, but without its Swiss portions, Bern and Aargau having come under Zähringer and Habsburg rule already by the 12th century, and the County of Savoy was detached from the Arelat just before its dissolution, in 1361. 　 The dukes of Zähringen founded many cities, the most important being Freiburg in 1120, Fribourg in 1157, and Bern in 1191. The Zähringer dynasty ended with the death of Berchtold V in 1218, and their cities subsequently thus became independent, while the dukes of Kyburg competed with the house of Habsburg over control of the rural regions of the former Zähringer territory. When the house of Zähringen died out in 1218 the office of Vogt over the Abbey of St Felix and Regula in Zurich was granted to the Habsburgs, however it was quickly revoked.[9] 　 The rise of the Habsburg dynasty gained momentum when their main local competitor, the Kyburg dynasty, died out and they could thus bring much of the territory south of the Rhine under their control. Subsequently, they managed within only a few generations to extend their influence through Swabia in south-eastern Germany to Austria. 　 Under the Hohenstaufen rule, the alpine passes in Raetia and the St. Gotthard Pass gained importance. Especially the latter became an important direct route through the mountains. The construction of the "Devil’s Bridge" (Teufelsbrücke) across the Schöllenenschlucht in 1198 led to a marked increase in traffic on the mule track over the pass. Frederick II accorded the Reichsfreiheit to Schwyz in 1240[9] in the Freibrief von Faenza in an attempt to place the important pass under his direct control, and his son and for some time co-regent Henry VII had already given the same privileges to the valley of Uri in 1231 (the Freibrief von Hagenau). Unterwalden was de facto reichsfrei, since most of its territory belonged to monasteries, which had become independent even earlier in 1173 under Frederick I "Barbarossa" and in 1213 under Frederick II. The city of Zürich became reichsfrei in 1218. 　 While some of the "Forest Communities" (Waldstätten, i.e. Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden) were reichsfrei the Habsburgs still claimed authority over some villages and much of the surrounding land. While Schwyz was reichsfrei in 1240, the castle of Neu Habsburg was built in 1244 to help control Lake Lucerne and restrict the neighboring Forest Communities.[9] In 1245 Frederick II was excommunicated by Pope Innocent IV at the Council of Lyon. When the Habsburgs took the side of the pope, some of the Forest Communities took Frederick's side. At this time the castle of Neu Habsburg was attacked and damaged.[9] When Frederick failed against the Pope, those who had taken his side were threatened with excommunication and the Habsburgs gained additional power. In 1273 the rights to the Forest Communities were sold by a cadet branch of the Habsburgs to the head of the family, Rudolf I. A few months later he became King of the Romans, a title that would become Holy Roman Emperor. Rudolph was therefore the ruler of all the reichsfrei communities as well as the lands that he ruled as a Habsburg. 　 He instituted a strict rule in his homelands and raised the taxes tremenduously to finance wars and further territorial acquisitions. As king, he finally had also become the direct liege lord of the Forest Communities, which thus saw their previous independence curtailed. On the April 16, 1291 Rudolph bought all the rights over the town of Lucerne and the abbey estates in Unterwalden from Murbach Abbey in Alsace. The Forest Communities saw their trade route over Lake Lucerne cut off and feared losing their independence. When Rudolph died on July 15, 1291 the Communities prepared to defend themselves. On August 1, 1291 a Everlasting League was made between the Forest Communities for mutual defense against a common enemy.[9] 　 In the Valais, increasing tensions between the bishops of Sion and the Counts of Savoy led to a war beginning in 1260. The war ended after the Battle at the Scheuchzermatte near Leuk in 1296, where the Savoy forces were crushed by the bishop's army, supported by forces from Bern. After the peace of 1301, Savoy kept only the lower part of the Valais, while the bishop controlled the upper Valais. 　 The 14th century[edit] Further information: Growth of the Old Swiss Confederacy 　　 　 High Middle Ages With the opening of the Gotthard Pass in the 13th century, the territory of Central Switzerland, primarily the valley of Uri, had gained great strategical importance and was granted Reichsfreiheit by the Hohenstaufen emperors. This became the nucleus of the Swiss Confederacy, which during the 1330s to 1350s grew to incorporate its core of "eight cantons" (Acht Orte) 　 The 14th century in the territory of modern Switzerland was a time of transition from the old feudal order administrated by regional families of lower nobility (such as the houses of Bubenberg, Eschenbach, Falkenstein, Freiburg, Frohburg, Grünenberg, Greifenstein, Homberg, Kyburg, Landenberg, Rapperswil, Toggenburg, Zähringen etc.) and the development of the great powers of the late medieval period, primarily the first stage of the meteoric rise of the House of Habsburg, which was confronted with rivals in Burgundy and Savoy. The free imperial cities, prince-bishoprics and monasteries were forced to look for allies in this unstable climate, and entered a series of pacts. Thus, the multi-polar order of the feudalism of the High Middle Ages, while still visible in documents of the first half of the 14th century such as the Codex Manesse or the Zürich armorial gradually gave way to the politics of the Late Middle Ages, with the Swiss Confederacy wedged between Habsburg Austria, the Burgundy, France, Savoy and Milan. Berne had taken an unfortunate stand against Habsburg in the battle of Schosshalde in 1289, but recovered enough to confront Fribourg (Gümmenenkrieg) and then to inflict a decisive defeat on a coalition force of Habsburg, Savoy and Basel in the battle of Laupen in 1339. At the same time, Habsburg attempted to gain influence over the cities of Lucerne and Zürich, with riots or attempted coups reported for the years 1343 and 1350 respectively. This situation led the cities of Lucerne, Zürich and Berne to attach themselves to the Swiss Confederacy in 1332, 1351, and 1353 respectively. 　 As elsewhere in Europe, Switzerland suffered a crisis in the middle of the century, triggered by the Black Death followed by social upheaval and moral panics, often directed against the Jews as in the Basel massacre of 1349. To this was added the catastrophic 1356 Basel earthquake which devastated a wide region, and the city of Basel was destroyed almost completely in the ensuing fire. 　 The balance of power remained precarious during the 1350s to 1380s, with Habsburg trying to regain lost influence; Albrecht II besieged Zürich unsuccessfully, but imposed an unfavourable peace on the city in the treaty of Regensburg. In 1375, Habsburg tried to regain control over the Aargau with the help of Gugler mercenaries. After a number of minor clashes (Sörenberg, Näfels), it was with the decisive Swiss victory at the battle of Sempach 1386 that this situation was resolved. Habsburg moved its focus eastward and while it continued to grow in influence (ultimately rising to the most powerful dynasty of Early Modern Europe), it lost all possessions in its ancestral territory with the Swiss annexation of the Aargau in 1416, from which time the Swiss Confederacy stood for the first time as a political entity controlling a contiguous territory. 　 Meanwhile, in Basel, the citizenry was also divided into a pro-Habsburg and an anti-Habsburg faction, known as Sterner and Psitticher, respectively. The citizens of greater Basel bought most of the privileges from the bishop in 1392, even though Basel nominally remained the domain of the prince-bishops until the Reformation it was de facto governed by its city council, since 1382 dominated by the city's guilds, from this time. Similarly, the bishop of Geneva granted the citizenry substantial political rights in 1387. Other parts of western Switzerland remained under the control of Burgundy and Savoy throughout the 14th century; the Barony of Vaud was incorporated into Savoy in 1359 and was annexed by Berne only in the context of the Swiss Reformation, in 1536. 　 In the Valais, the bishop of Sion, allied with Amadeus VI, Count of Savoy, was in conflict of the Walser-settled upper Valais during the 1340s. Amadeus pacified the region in 1352, but there was renewed unrest in 1353. In 1355, the towns of the upper Valais formed a defensive pact and negotiated a compromise peace treaty in 1361, but there was a renewed uprising with the 1383 accession of Amadeus VII, Count of Savoy. Amadeus invaded the Valais in 1387, but after his death in a hunting accident, his mother, Bonne de Bourbon, made peace with the Seven Tithings of the upper Valais, restoring the status quo ante of 1301. From this time, the upper Valais was mostly independent de facto, preparing the Republican structure that would emerge in the early modern period. In the Grisons, similar structures of local self-government arose at the same time, with the League of God's House founded in 1367, followed by the Grey League in 1395, both in response to the expansion of the House of Habsburg. 　 See also[edit] Charles Guillaume Loys de Bochat Prehistoric pile dwellings around Zürichsee

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_history_of_Switzerland

[roman-emperors-en-blog]

Augustus (16.01.27BC — 19.08.14)

This article is about the first Roman Emperor. For other uses, see Augustus (disambiguation). "Octavius" and "Octavian" redirect here. For other uses, see Octavius (disambiguation) and Octavian (disambiguation). For other people with similar names, see Gaius Octavius or Gaius Julius Caesar. Augustus (Latin: Imperātor Caesar Dīvī Fīlius Augustus;[note 1][note 2] 23 September 63 BC – 19 August 14 AD) was the founder of the Roman Empire and its first Emperor, ruling from 27 BC until his death in AD 14.[note 3] He was born Gaius Octavius into an old and wealthy equestrian branch of the plebeian Octavii family. His maternal great-uncle Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, and Octavius was named in Caesar's will as his adopted son and heir, then known as Octavianus (Anglicized as Octavian). He, Mark Antony, and Marcus Lepidus formed the Second Triumvirate to defeat the assassins of Caesar. Following their victory at Philippi, the Triumvirate divided the Roman Republic among themselves and ruled as military dictators.[note 4] The Triumvirate was eventually torn apart under the competing ambitions of its members. Lepidus was driven into exile and stripped of his position, and Antony committed suicide following his defeat at the Battle of Actium by Octavian in 31 BC. After the demise of the Second Triumvirate, Augustus restored the outward facade of the free Republic, with governmental power vested in the Roman Senate, the executive magistrates, and the legislative assemblies. In reality, however, he retained his autocratic power over the Republic as a military dictator. By law, Augustus held a collection of powers granted to him for life by the Senate, including supreme military command, and those of tribune and censor. It took several years for Augustus to develop the framework within which a formally republican state could be led under his sole rule. He rejected monarchical titles, and instead called himself Princeps Civitatis ("First Citizen of the State"). The resulting constitutional framework became known as the Principate, the first phase of the Roman Empire. The reign of Augustus initiated an era of relative peace known as the Pax Romana (The Roman Peace). The Roman world was largely free from large-scale conflict for more than two centuries, despite continuous wars of imperial expansion on the Empire's frontiers and one year-long civil war over the imperial succession. Augustus dramatically enlarged the Empire, annexing Egypt, Dalmatia, Pannonia, Noricum, and Raetia; expanding possessions in Africa; expanding into Germania; and completing the conquest of Hispania. Beyond the frontiers, he secured the Empire with a buffer region of client states and made peace with the Parthian Empire through diplomacy. He reformed the Roman system of taxation, developed networks of roads with an official courier system, established a standing army, established the Praetorian Guard, created official police and fire-fighting services for Rome, and rebuilt much of the city during his reign. Augustus died in AD 14 at the age of 75. He may have died from natural causes, although there were unconfirmed rumors that his wife Livia poisoned him. He was succeeded as Emperor by his adopted son (also stepson and former son-in-law) Tiberius. More details Android, Windows

[theinsomniacsdnd]

The Road to Raetia Part IV: Guardians

[Previous Chapter]

Ireena awoke in the morning to the sun streaming in the window. She threw the covers over her head to try and get a little more rest, but after a time decided she was already awake and got up. Glancing in the mirror, she was horrified by the state of her hair and got to work brushing out the tousled curls, and once it looked halfway presentable she changed into a fresh set of leggings and a white shirt before putting on her holy symbol and making her way downstairs.

Fergus was behind the counter and looked up as she came downstairs. A few locals were seated at tables drinking tea and making small talk, but only a few turned towards her as she made her way up to the counter and took a seat.

“Mornin’,” he said cheerfully. “I hope you slept well”

“I did, thank you, and the tub was lovely.”

“I figured you’d like it, especially after being on the road. What can I get you?”

“Some tea would be lovely.”

“Sure! Anything to eat? I have some fresh scones I just took out. Made with local berries.”

“That sounds delicious, I’d love one.”

He smiled and disappeared into the back room, returning a moment later with a steaming cup and a hot buttered scone on a plate. He placed them in front of her and watched as she took a sip of the tea, and she shut her eyes to savor the flavor.

“This is good!” she said. “We had tea in Barovia, but it was a luxury item. You could only get it from the Vistani. My dad was fond of it but I always found it too bitter. Maybe my tastes have changed.”

She glanced down at the wood grain of the counter and trace patterns with her finger. Fergus nodded and began puttering behind the counter again, glancing up at her occasionally.

“So,” he said once she seemed finished. “What’re you plans from here?”

She set the empty cup down and frowned. “I don’t know, to be honest. I really don’t know much about the world.”

“Well,” his eyes fell on the holy symbol around her neck. “I know Lathander has a big Temple in Waterdeep.”

“Waterdeep?”

“It’s one of the biggest cities on the continent. Right on the western coast. Huge trade port, lots of folks from all over the world. Might be a good place to start.”

Ireena nodded. “You wouldn’t happen to have a map, would you?”

“Let’s see… give me a moment.”

He disappeared into the back room again and returned with an aged, wrinkled piece of parchment that he unfolded in front of her. She leaned over to see better as he pointed at a spot in the middle of the continent.

“We’re here,” he said, then moved his finger to a large dot on the western edge. “And this is Waterdeep.”

“Wow,” Ireena ran her hand over the dot representing Margine. “So we were in the middle of things all along? I never knew… How long would it take to get to Waterdeep?”

“At a moderate pace? A couple months. If you stay on this road here it goes straight west all the way to the Sword Coast.”

Ireena nodded, her eyes lingering on the area east of Margine marked “Land of Mists.”

“Well,” she said after a moment. “It’s as good a start as any.”

“So you’ll be leaving us?”

“Yeah, I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”

He laughed, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Believe me, my dear, I would be more than happy to have you stay, but I understand. Lydia’s out in the barn with your beastie if you want to check with her.”

“Thank you,” she stood up and left a few coins on the table. “I’ll grab my things and then go check on them.”

She went upstairs to grab her bags and put on her armor, then headed downstairs and out back towards the stable, finding a small single story structure. A few horses and goats roamed about in a pasture behind it, and as she stepped inside she paused to take in the smell of leather and hay. In one of the stalls she spotted Little Boy, his mane done in a series of elaborate braids and Lydia seated on a crate beside the stall.

Little Boy lifted his head proudly and shook it, the braids flailing about, and Ireena nearly doubled over laughing. Lydia smiled and glanced up at him.

“He’s a great horse,” she said. “He didn’t protest at all when I did that. He likes being pretty.”

“Yes he does,” Ireena wiped away a tear. “And he’s the prettiest horse in the land right now.”

Little Boy snorted and went back to his hay. Lydia watched him for a moment and then turned back to Ireena.

“He’s not a normal horse, is he?”

“... No. He’s not.”

“I figured,” Lydia played with the end of her braid. “He’s amazing.”

Her dark eyes turned towards Ireena.

“My Pop says you’re from Barovia.”

“I am.”

“Is it true what they’ve said? That He’s gone?”

Ireena let out a breath. “Yes, it’s true.”

Lydia looked away. “Good.”

Ireena stepped forward, taking the girl into her arms. Lydia hugged her back, and when Ireena stepped back and saw she was crying.

“Thank you,” Lydia whispered.

Ireena wiped her own eyes and gathered up her packs, placing them on Little Boy and leading him out to the front of the Inn. As she saddled up Fergus came to stand by his daughter, his hand on her shoulder.

“Take care, Ireena Kolyana,” he said. “May the Gods bless ye.”

She nodded in his direction and squeezed Little Boy’s sides, setting off on the road again. Fergus and Lydia watched her go until she was out of sight, then headed back into the inn.

She rode for most of the day but encountered few people, mostly farmers and a few who looked like traders. Most appeared human but she recognized some elves, more of the smaller people she had seen in the village, and a curious individual who looked like a humanoid cat. The landscape shifted from forested hills to grassy plains to back again, until they reached a thick section of woods where the sun was almost blotted out by the branches above their heads.

She heard them before they saw them, a rustling in the undergrowth and whispering she couldn’t understand. She turned and looked over her shoulder and saw something retreated into a bush. Little Boy snorted and pawed at the ground, but she held tight to his reins and kept riding. The rustling continued and her hand drifted to the handle of her axe where it lay strapped to the saddle.

“Come out,” she said. “I know you’re there.”

More rustling, then a high-pitched chittering as a group of small creatures stepped out of the undergrowth. They appeared to her to be some sort of lizard, almost dragon-like. The group staring her down was dressed in simple clothing and carried spears, and one of them, the apparent leader, gestured to the holy symbol around her neck.

Her hand gripped it, and she narrowed her eyes at them.

“Absolutely not,” she said. “Back away now and I won’t hurt any of you.”

They chittered among themselves for a moment, and even without speaking their language she understood the gist of it. There was only one of her, and a dozen of them. She sighed and unstrapped the axe from the saddle, and Little Boy pawed at the ground impatiently.

“Last chance,” she said. “Back off. Now.”

The leader met her eyes and hissed, gripping his spear, and the rest of his band charged forward, holding their spears out in front of them and aiming for Little Boy’s legs.

“May you burn into The Morninglord’s Light!” Ireena called, grasping her holy symbol, and a swirling vortex of glowing figures sprang up around her. The kobolds cried out in surprise as the figures turned towards them and began to attack, swinging at them with glowing swords. Little Boy rose up on his rear legs and struck out with his hooves, kicking one in the chest and sending it into a nearby tree, where it lay motionless, its face frozen in an expression of surprise. Ireena swung her axe and cleaved the head clean off one, sending it flying into the bush, and the leader took a step back, his eyes wide. One of the glowing figures lunged at him and he jumped back, yelling out to his party and retreating into the bush. The others turned and ran, but a few more fell to the spirits and Ireena’s axe before they could make their escape.

Ireena watched as the last one fled into the bush and flicked the axe over her head to clear the blood from it and stowed it again on the saddle. She turned Little Boy back towards the road and found that three of the spirits remained. They were an older man with a beard and glasses, a young white haired man, and a huge, hulking bald men.

“No…”

Kolyan and Ismark smiled at her, and after an elbow in the ribs from Izek forced a smile too.

“No! You’re free! You’re not trapped anymore!”

Kolyan gestured to the three of them and then to her.

“No! Don’t stay with me! You three should… you should…”

She held her head in her hands, and warmth surrounded her as the three spirits floated over and embraced her.

“Damn it,” she said. “I miss you Dad… Ismark… Izek…”

She sobbed, and Kolyan’s spirit lightly brushed her cheek, the way he used to whenever she was crying. Ismark reached out to ruffle her hair, and Izek hung back, glancing between the other two.

“Well, at least you’re all together, right?” she looked up at Izek. “And maybe you can learn from these two.”

Izek shrugged.

She wiped her eyes and laughed. “I guess I can’t really do anything about this, if this is what you want. And honestly? It feels good to know you three have my back.”

Kolyan smiled, placing his hands on her shoulders, and then the three faded, leaving her alone in the forest with Little Boy again.

Little Boy turned his head to look at her, and she wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

“Come on,” she said. “We’ve got to keep going.”

[theinsomniacsdnd]

The Road to Raetia Part III: A New World

[Previous Chapter]

They rode for most of the day, passing no other travelers, until Ireena spotted smoke on the horizon. As they moved closer she began to make out the tops of thatched roofs poking through the trees, and then a small wooden gate with a hand painted sign welcoming them to the Village of Margine. It was a small settlement, made up of only around a dozen houses, but there was a cobblestone square in the center of town with a few stalls selling vegetables and handmade goods.

She stopped Little Boy at the edge of town, watching the people move about the square until he turned his head and gave her a look.

“I know,” she said. “Just give me a minute, please?”

He snorted, but waited patiently as she took a deep breath and then swung off his back. She took the reins in her hand and lead him into the square, his hooves clacking against the stones.

It was mostly humans in the crowd, but there were a few shorter figures she at first thought were children. As she looked closer she realized they were like Nala in Jarek’s group, adults but just very very short. There were also a few very tall, burly, green-skinned humanoids with pronounced tusks.

A few people gave her curious glances, probably because of her her shiny armor. She paused and took a shaky breath, and Little Boy nudged her gently towards a building at the edge of the square, with a sign out front reading The Silver Cleaver Inn.

“Well, you’re right,” she said. “That is an Inn. Might as well go inside.”

There was a hitching post outside, and she tied him to before loosening his saddle and taking the bit out of his mouth. As he shook his head out she pointed a finger at him and looked him in the eye.

“You behave.”

He snorted in response, and a woman at a nearby vegetable stand looked up and cocked an eyebrow.

Ireena opened the door and entered the inn, and as her eyes adjusted she saw that the common area was small, with only half a dozen round tables scattered around a large hearth and a large wooden bar in the back corner. The only other patrons were a few of those green-skinned people around a table in the back corner, and they were laughing uproariously at something and paying no attention to her. She smelled woodsmoke and some sort of meat roasting which made her mouth water, and as she approached the bar a silver-haired head poked over the top and a stout, bearded man came into view. He reminded her of Travik in Jarek’s group and smiled broadly at her.

“Welcome! Haven’t seen ye in these parts before. M’name’s Fergus, this is my place. Can I get ye something, lass?”

She blinked and forced a smile. “Oh, thank you very much. Yes, I’m new here. I was wondering if you had any rooms for rent?”

“Aye, two silvers a night. And if ye want to have your beastie out there stabled it’s an additional copper, and my girl will even polish the tack and give him a good brushing.”

Ireena glanced out the window and saw Little Boy, still tied to the hitching post, lifting his head playfully in the direction of a few children gathered round.

Fergus studied her for a moment, his eyes traveling across her armor and then to the axe on her back.

“Y-Yes,” Ireena turned back to him. “I’ll take a room for the night and stabling for my horse.”

“Aye, so that’ll be two silvers and a copper,” he slid a key across the bar to her. “Ye can take room 4. It has its own bathtub too.”

“T-Thank you,” she reached into the pouch at her belt and withdrew a few coins, her hands shaking as she placed them on the counter.

“Can I get ye anything else?” he said. “Food? Drink?”

“Oh!” she took a seat at the bar. “Yes, what do you have?”

“Well, I’ve got rye bread, a pork roast, some ale and some fresh vegetables I got at the market this morning. All local. The Margine Special, so to speak. 4 copper will get you all of that.”

“That sounds lovely, I’ll take it.”

“Wonderful. I’ll call my girl to get yer beastie all settled.”

He grunted and disappeared by behind the bar with a small thud, and as she leaned forward she saw the stool he had been standing on.

“Lydia!” he called. “Got a customer for ye!”

“Yes, Pop!” a voice called, and a moment later a brown-skinned girl with long black hair done in a braid appeared. She glanced between Fergus, Ireena and then out the window, her face lighting up as she saw Little Boy.

“Give the beastie a good brushing,” Fergus said. “And the tack too.”

Ireena smiled at her. “Just watch out for his tricks, he’s too smart for his own good.”

Lydia nodded and headed outside, carefully undoing the hitch and leading Little Boy off.

“Now then,” Fergus said. “Let me get that grub for ye.”

He disappeared into a back room, leaving Ireena alone at the bar and acutely aware that the conversation at the table in the corner her tapered off. Out of the corner of her eye saw one of the green-skinned people approaching, and when she turned to look and saw he was well over 6 feet tall, about as tall as Glaedr, with prominent tusks protruding over his lower lips.

“Hey,”

“H-Hi,” she said, trying to smile.

“Just wanted to say,” he broke into a broad grin. “That your axe is the coolest weapon I’ve ever seen! Where did you get it?”

She had totally forgotten it was strapped to her back.

“It... It was my brother’s.”

“That’s awesome! Family heirlooms are the best! Anyway, I think your food’s coming. Enjoy your time in Margine!”

He smiled and turned back to his friends as Fergus reappeared, a tankard of ale in one hand and a plate full of meat, bread and vegetables in the other.

“He wasn’t bothering ye, was he, lass?” he said as he set the food down in front of her.

“Oh no! Not all all, he was just complimenting me on my axe.”

Fergus chuckled. “That does sound like Rupert. His ma’s a smith, you see. If he and his friends do give ye any trouble let me know. They’re good kids, known ‘em since they were babes, but they can get a bit rambunctious sometimes.”

She started on the bread first, and shut her eyes as she savored how it was still warm from the oven. Fergus got back up on his stool and started wiping down some glasses, until she was done with the food and finishing off the ale.

“Yer from Barovia, aren’t you?” he asked.

She carefully setting the tankard down, staring at the polished wooden surface of the bar.

“How did you know?”

“Well, we’ve had a few come through these parts lately. Ye’ve all the same look in yer eyes when ye come in here,” he held up one of the coins. “That, and the money’s a dead giveaway.”

As the light glinted off the coin she realized, for the first time, that it bore the visage of Strahd von Zarovich. Her breath caught in her chest.

“I’m sorry, lass,” he said, putting it away.  “I didn’t mean to make ye uncomfortable.”

“It-It’s okay, and you’re right, I’m from Barovia.”

He picked his rag again and began to wipe the bar.

“My girl there, Lydia? Her family was Vistani. Their caravan used to come through all the time, then they were attacked by bandits just down the road a few years ago. Lydia hid under a cart and ran back to town. She was the only one who made it out. She was pretty little but she told me a bit about Barovia and what it was like. Rough place, or at least it used to be. Used to be just the Vistani coming out, but now we’re getting all sorts like ye. Apparently it’s because that prick Strahd finally died. Never heard a good word about him, good riddance.”

Ireena stared at the floor, gripping the edge of the bar.

“Anyway,” Fergus held out his hand. “Welcome to the real world.”

“T-Thank you,” she took his hand and shook it. “Oh! I never told you my name, did I? It’s Ireena. Ireena Kolyana.”

“Pleased to meet ye, Ireena. If ye need anything at all, just let me know, alright?”

“Y-Yes I will.”

“Good. I’ll be out back cutting wood for the fire, so just holler if ye need me.”

He jumped off the stool again and toddled towards the back. The group at the back table gathered up their things, still laughing as they left coins on the table, and once they were gone she was alone in the Inn.

She headed upstairs, pausing in front of the door of room 4 as she unlocked it. Inside she found a large bed covered with a down comforter, a small desk, a bathtub, and a lit a candle on the nightstand. Outside there was a rhythmic thunk, and she walked up to the window and watched as Fergus methodically placed logs on a stump and split them with an axe almost as tall as he was.

She turned away from the window and set her pack down on the floor, then rested the axe against the wall and carefully removed her armor. Now in just her robes, she walked over to the bed and flopped onto it facedown.

The sound of wood being split ceased, and  she turned over and stared at the ceiling. She sighed and got up, crossing over to the tub and turned on the water to the hottest she could get. As it filled she stripped off her clothes, set them aside and then climbed in, sinking into the water up to her chin. She took a deep breath and ducked her head under, her heart pounding in her ears, before she came back up and let the water run down her face and hair. She floated on her back and watched the steam rise lazily into the air.

The water was so warm and comforting that she nearly drifted off, but she shook herself awake and climbed out, grabbing a towel on a nearby rack to dry herself. She grabbed a nightshirt out of her pack and pulled it over her head as she reached under the water to pull the stopper out of the tub. Once it was empty she climbed onto bed, blew out the candle on the nightstand and huddled under the covers, falling into a deep and dreamless sleep.

[Next Chapter]

[theinsomniacsdnd]

The Road to Raetia Part I: Departures

[This series is intended as a bridge from the events of Fellowship of the Raven and will be posted in parts as I complete them]

In Vallaki, Ezalor woke to the sound of Ireena screaming. He sat up quickly and turned to look at where she lay beside him on the bed, thrashing about in the grips of a nightmare. He grasped her shoulders and shook, hard, and her eyes snapped open as another scream tore out of her. She lay there, gasping for breath, and stared up at him as tears formed in her eyes.He didn’t have to ask what the nightmare was about. He already knew. He lived with her for over a year since the defeat of Strahd, but he still haunted her dreams.“Ireena,” he said. “It’s okay, he’s gone. We killed him, remember? You’re safe.”She sobbed and put her hands over her face, turning on her side away from him. He lay down next to her and took her into his arms, and she trembled as he rubbed her back.“It’s okay,” he said again. “You’re okay.”But she shook her head, her eyes screwed shut.“I’m not, and I can’t… I can’t stay here anymore. Everywhere I go I see reminders. I walked by that fountain today, where Ismark died, and I… I couldn’t stop hearing his scream in my head!”He kissed her forehead gently.“We can go somewhere else,” he said. “We don’t have to stay in Vallaki if it’s too hard for you.”“Not just Vallaki. I mean… I mean Barovia. I can’t stay in Barovia.”His breath caught in his chest, but he forced it out and reached up brush the hair out of her eyes. “Ireena, it’s late. We should…”“Don’t tell me I need sleep!” she yelled. “I can’t sleep! That’s the problem! I… I can’t do this. I’m sorry.”He drew his hand back. “Please think about it. Please.”She met his eyes, breathing hard. He took her hand and squeezed. “Ireena, please.”Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment as she tried to catch her breath. “Alright, fine… we can talk in the morning.”She laid down, her back to him. He put his hand to his mouth and sat quietly, thinking, and then settled down beside her and put his arms around her. He felt her tense, but then she relaxed and after a few minutes he felt her slip back to sleep. He lay awake for a long time, breathing in the scent of her hair and taking in as much of her as he could. When he awoke in the morning she was gone, and he felt a jolt until he saw her armor and weapons were still there. He stood up and padded out into the hall and towards the chapel, where he saw her kneeling before the altar, her eyes on the icon of the rising sun. Her holy symbol was clutched in her hands, and he knelt down beside her.“I’m sorry,“ she said.His head dropped. “Your mind is made up.”She nodded.He sighed and looked up towards the vaulted ceiling.“I know this seems sudden,” she said. “But it’s not.”He bit his lip. He knew, on some level, how bad it was. Every time it was foggy at night she would struggle to sleep, and sometimes as they walked through Vallaki he would catch her staring, her eyes hollow. And lately he was waking up in the middle of the night and finding her asleep in a chair by the window, curled in on herself and so exhausted she didn’t even stir when he carried her back to the bed. And yet, whenever he tried to bring it up she would insist it was nothing, forcing a smile to reassure him and changing the subject.“I’ve tried, Ireena,” he said, his voice cracking. “I know… I know you’ve been struggling. But how can I help if you won’t even tell me what’s going on?”She cringed, burying her face in her hands.“It’s not your responsibility.”“Bullshit!” he said. “I love you, of course it’s my responsibility!”Her eyes narrowed. “You make me sound like some sort of goddamn charity case.”He threw up his hands. “Then what am I supposed to do, Ireena? Just sit here and watch you suffer?”She shrank in on herself, her head grasped in her hands.“I don’t know,” she whispered. “But I can’t keep doing this.”She rose to her feet and stepped towards the altar, her cheeks wet with tears.“I keep thinking about what Tatyana said. That my life was mine to live. And I haven’t… I haven’t done much with it, with this gift she gave me. There’s an entire world out there I’ve never seen, that I’ve never had access to.”She took a shaky breath and clutched her holy symbol, her knuckles turning white.“And I know you have responsibilities here, so I’m not… I’m not going to make you give it up. Not for me.”There was a lump in his throat that he tried to swallow, but there was nothing else he could say.She turned to look at him. “I should start getting ready.”“Ireena, does it… does it have to be today?”Her shoulders shook. “Yes. I don’t want my courage to fail me.”“It never has before.”She let out a short, humorless laugh. “It only has to once.”She walked away, leaving him alone in the chapel. He stared up at the icon, thinking how he’d always thought they would be married in front of it one day, but every time he brought it up she always dodged the question or said she needed more time. He thought it was just the association with weddings and marriage and the one she was nearly forced into on this very spot. But there was always been something else behind her eyes when he brought it up, and now he knew why.Later that day, as she loaded up Little Boy with her packs, he watched her from the door. She turned and looked at him, her lower lip trembling.“You’re not going to try to stop me?”He threw up his hands. “I know it won’t work.”She rested her head against Little Boy’s neck. He whickered softly and turned his head, meeting Ezalor’s eyes steadily.“I just want you to know,” she said, “that this isn’t your fault. There’s nothing you could have done to make this better or undo what happened. And I know you’ve tried to help and you’ve been way more patient with me than I deserve, but it’s not… it’s not your job to fix me. You can’t. No one can.”They stood quietly, the church bell chiming out the hour, and then Ireena walked towards him and kissed him softly on the lips, standing on her toes just like the first time they had kissed in Krezk.“I love you,” she said. “Please don’t ever doubt that.”And just like that she walked away and back to Little Boy, swinging up onto his back and taking the reins in her hand.“There will always be a place for you here,” he said. “If you change your mind.”She turned in the saddle to look at him, her gaze steady.“Ezalor, don’t wait for me. Please. Move on with your life. I hate the idea of you missing out because you’re waiting for me when I’m probably never going to come back. And well,” she smiled sadly. “This would have happened eventually, anyway. You were always going to outlive me.”His face fell, and for a long moment he stood there, staring at the ground.“What should I tell the others?” She drew in a sharp breath. “Tell them… tell I have too many ghosts here. Too many people I’ve buried. And tell them I love them. But I can’t… I can’t stay here anymore.” She blinked away tears. “Goodbye, Ezalor.”He walked up to the horse and took her hand in his. “Goodbye Ireena.”She screwed her eyes shut, squeezed his hand hard, and then let it slip out of his grasp. She kicked against Little Boy’s side and set off, leaving Ezalor to stare after her until she was out of sight.

[Next Chapter]

[siegbertpinger]

Fachwerkhäuser in Meersburg am Bodensee. Meersburg liegt am Übergang vom Obersee zum Überlinger See auf einer Höhe von 400 bis 500 Metern. Allein zwischen Unter- und Oberstadt besteht ein Höhenunterschied von 40 m. Mein Bild zeigt einen der Wege von der Unter- in die Oberstadt. Die Burg Meersburg geht auf eine merowingische Befestigung am Fähr-Übergang der wichtigen Straßenverbindung von Oberschwaben über Konstanz nach Rätien zurück. Die Königsburg, war seit der Mitte des 11. Jahrhunderts in der Hand von königlichen Lehnsträgern und ging dann in den Besitz der Bischöfe von Konstanz über. Übrigens verstarb am 24. Mai 1848 Annette von Droste-Hülshoff in ihrer Wohnung auf Schloss Meersburg. Zu der gehörte auch ein Turm mit gigantischer Aussicht auf den Bodensee. Den Turm zeige ich Euch beim nächsten Mal.⁠⠀ Half-timbered houses in Meersburg on Lake Constance. Meersburg is situated the transition from the Obersee to the Überlinger See at an altitude of 400 to 500 metres. There is a height difference of 40 m between the lower and upper town alone. My picture shows one of the ways from the lower to the upper town. Meersburg Castle goes back to a Merovingian fortification at the ferry crossing of the important road connection from Upper Swabia via Constance to Raetia.. Incidentally, Annette von Droste-Hülshoff died in her apartment at Meersburg Castle on 24 May 1848. This included a tower with a gigantic view of Lake Constance. I will show you the tower next time. ___________________________⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀ #srs_germany #meindeutschland #deutschland_greatshots #alluring_deutschland #deutschlandkarte #raw_germany #ig_deutschland #topgermanyphoto #sharegermany #visitgermany #europstyle_germany #phoenix_germany #batpixs_germany #travel_drops #my_german_views #germanysworld #german_landscape #amazing_shots #alluring_villages #best_germany_photos #meinedeutschlandliebe @about.germany @deutschlandviews #deutschlandmylove #prettygermany_ #be_one_houses #houses_phototrips #houses_ofthe_world #KINGS_VILLAGES #alluring_villages #fever_buildings #fever_old_stones via Instagram https://ift.tt/2SPnLxN