Island of Vanar

= The Land of Vanar =

Vanar is a fictional land, the setting for the novel "Vanity of Vanities" by Martin Bertram.

The Three Kingdoms of Vanar

Kingdom of Rorq

The greatest of the kingdoms of Vanar, Rorq was founded by Zacharias, the wealthy merchant whose ship first landed upon the island. A major exporter of mineral ore of all kinds, Rorq is even better known for its powerful navy. Though Castle Rorq is the political capital of the kingdom, the city of Watersmeet stands unparalleled among the cities of Vanar. Known for its splendor and its economic strength, Watersmeet has been effectually titled, 'The Jewel of the Isle'.

Kingdom of Devlorn

An ancient ally of Rorq, Devlorn became a sovereign nation three generations after Zacharias, when the King of Rorq gave the southern lands to his brother as an unmerited gesture of his love. As a result of constant aggression from the eastern lands, Devlorn quickly developed a formidable military, ultimately becoming an effective buffer between Rorq and the east.

Kingdom of Vanar

The newest of the three kingdoms, the 'Kingdom of Vanar' was forged by Reymus, the brother of King Marcus of Rorq. When their father chose Marcus instead of Reymus to be the next king of Rorq, Reymus left to the east with most of the army which was loyal to him. For the ten years that followed, Reymus conquered the different eastern provinces, uniting them as under him as he proclaimed himself "King of Vanar". Reymus' kingdom maintains almost no foreign relations, however, and has little recognition beyond its own borders. To the rest of the island, the east is still known as the Vanarian Wastelands.

Deltyr

The southern-most province of the new kingdom, Deltyr meets the kingdom of Devlorn on its western border. Ruled for hundreds of years by the family of Deltyr, a lineage of ill-repute for their conniving ways, the province of Deltyr has always been a thorn in the side of Devlorn. Since being conquered and brought under the rule of Reymus, however, hostilities have ceased between the two countries; although Lord Rodney Deltyr remains in control of his territory, under Reymus' authority.

Baumer

The oldest of the eastern provinces in its conception, Baumer is the province of Lord Edmund Baumer, of a family line closely tied to the royal family of Devlorn. Under the leadership of Lord Baumer, this land is probably the strongest of all in the east.

Korsch

The province of Korsch was founded by an exiled baron from Baumer whose life was spared though he was discovered in the act of conspiring to assassinate his lord. A violent and treacherous territory, the leadership of Korsch is always in flux.

Welling

Originally an extension of the kingdom of Rorq, the land of Welling became sovereign several hundred years ago when the king of Rorq desired to honor his most loyal general after successfully repelling a large-scale Viking invasion. The general, whose name was Sir Boaz, became the first Lord of Welling. The rule of Welling remained with the family of Boaz until the conquest of Reymus, when Count Gresham of Welling conspired with Reymus to overthrow Lord David. Reymus then took the northeastern portion of the land for his own purpose, and allowed Count Gresham to rule over the rest in return for his fealty to Reymus.
* The land of Welling was named for Jamie Welling, a high school friend of the author.

Reymus

The province of Reymus was once a part of Welling. Now it serves as Reymus' capital in the new kingdom.

External links

* [http://www.vanityofvanities.com/vanar.html The Land of Vanar]
* [http://www.vanityofvanities.com Official Website]