Editing Exploring the Halls of Arden Vul (section)

=The Archontean Empire=
The Archontean Empire was formed nearly 3000 years ago on the island of Mithruin with the Compact of Ennius (0 AEP), and colonized lands east to the Grain Islands, north to a foothold in the Borealios islands, and west to the continent of Irthuin.

Its first period of colonization was from 850 AEP to 1680 AEP, thirteen hundred years ago, before the Empire retracted into a dark age from 1900 AEP to 2400 AEP after a civil war. It shrunk its holdings back to Mithruin and the Grain Islands, losing much of its ancient knowledge in the process. A period of military expansion in 2450 AEP saw it re-enter a colonial period, returning to the Irthuin continent in 2639 AEP and re-establishing its dominance in Arcturos and Narsileon. 

The year is now 2993 AEP (AEP = 'from the pact of Ennius'), 350 years after the Archontean return to the continent.

===Greater Detail===
====[[Exploring_the_Halls_of_Arden_Vul:_Archontean_Empire | People and Cultures]]====
====[[Exploring_the_Halls_of_Arden_Vul:_Institutions | Institutions and Organizations]]====
====[[Exploring_the_Halls_of_Arden_Vul:_Exarchates | Exarchates of the Empire]]====
====[[Exploring_the_Halls_of_Arden_Vul:_Titles | Hierarchies & Titles]]====
====[[Exploring_the_Halls_of_Arden_Vul:_Deities | Deities]]====
====[[Exploring_the_Halls_of_Arden_Vul:_Writing | Languages & Writing systems]]====

==Burdock's Valley==
[[Exploring_the_Halls_of_Arden_Vul:_Burdocks_Valley | the Geography of Burdock's Valley]]

===Gosterwick (Vetucaster)===
The tiny Thorcin community of Gosterwick located at the base of the cliff and falls of Arden Vul was claimed by Lady Alexia Basileon and a sept of the Knights of the Azure Shield in 2968 AEP (25 years ago). The knights restored an ancient fortress, naming it the Azure Keep. Lady Alexia renamed the community Vetucaster and expanded it rapidly, offering residence, citizenship, and services to merchants, craftsmen, and adventurers. The current population bears a high proportion of adventurer-oriented businesses: sellers and buyers of curios, general sutlers, trainers, etc. 

Population: 2,211 (40% Archontean, 40% Thorcin, 15% Wiskin, and 5% demi-human [primarily halflings and imperial goblins]).

[[Exploring_the_Halls_of_Arden_Vul:_Gosterwick | Gosterwick map and key]]