Astren (The Kingdom of)

Ancient History
As the Elven Empire's power began to wane, several small villages began to tire of their overlords and band together to form a resistance. Their power base slowly grew through guerilla warfare as the elves lost their influence, the majority of their supporters found in the (then-tiny) port city of Uld. The resistance was relatively insignificant, however, until the impassioned speeches and military leadership of a man named Heinrik Jäger united the various factions. Eventually, the men of Astren overthrew the rule of the elves, and in the following chaos, Jäger managed to conquer and gain control of much of the land. Soon he proclaimed himself the first King of the Kingdom of Astren. Posessed by vanity, he styled himself like a God-King sent to free their peoples by The Divine, his deity. After a brief ensuing war, the Jägers' forces overpowered the last dregs of resistance in the city of Ebruck, rendering his power complete.

Recent History
In the years and the eras since its violent foundation, Astren has had a relatively more peaceful and benign history, and has enjoyed trade from its plentiful supply of coal and iron. The line of Jäger still remains in control to this day, though complaints and grumbling runs through their subjects about its weak leadership and over-militaristic ideology. Under their strict rule, the rights of the dwarven minorities as well as the lower classes have steadily been reduced, and a growing divide has been surfacing in Astric society.

Foreign Policy
Dismayed by its past conflict with the Elven Empire, Astren has never had warm feelings towards the elves, but remains largely neutral in foreign affairs. King Wilhelm XII is instead too focused on his personal finances and economic stability to otherwise become involved in conflicts.