state colours: black and white
Elector: Valmir von Raukov
Provincial capital: Wolfenburg

The province of Ostland is one of the least hospitable in The Empire. Dense forest covers much of it, the desolate Middle Mountains making up the remainder. To the north is the border with Kislev, and not so far beyond are the Troll Country and the Northern Wastes. As a result, Ostland is the least populated province in The Empire, but its people are regarded as some of the toughest and most determined.

The Forest of Shadows covers a huge area of the province. It is an eerie place filled with grotesquely-distorted trees and weird fungi. Forest Goblins, Beastmen, giant spiders and worse monstrosities of chaos proliferate here. The Middle Mountains, the highest point in The Empire, are a refuge for bandits and chaos warbands, though it is also home to many Ogres. These Ogres often serve in Ostland’s state army and are much feared for their tremendous strength and ferocity.

The villages of Ostland exist at subsistence level, and are notoriously inbred. It is a common joke in more sophisticated provinces that an Ostlander is more than likely his own uncle, though it would be unwise to say such a thing to his face. Ostland villages are more like large, extended families, and this closeness extends even to the larger towns.

What money does flow into the province comes from the fur trade, since Ostland is well supplied with game. Ostlanders have a tendency to squander any disposable income on expensive status symbols – ornate armour or impressive firearms being particular favourites (double-barrelled pistols and hunting rifles are very popular). As a result, they are very loathe to ‘waste’ money on hiring unreliable mercenaries – Ostlanders are self-sufficient above all.

Valmir von Raukov is the Elector Count; the title passed from the von Tassenicks on the death without heir of Count Hals, ten years ago. Valmir has spent all his life fighting the chaotic creatures that beset his land from within and without, and he is more warlord than politician.

Ostland’s symbol is the bull, and a bull’s head is a very common motif on banners and shields.

Ostland was hit harder in the recent chaos invasion than anywhere else in The Empire. Wolfenburg was raised almost to the ground, and so many died both in the war and in the famine and plague that came after that Ostland is now but a shadow of its past self.

A Map of Ostland

See also A Plague of Laughter: a folk tale of Ostland