Sachstein

Sachstein is the one of five major kingdoms in Madan no Ou to Vanadis series. It is a rival kingdom to its neighboring kingdom, Brune, and used to allied with its another neighboring kingdom Asvarre.

Overview
Sachstein is mainly comprised of mountains and forests, and received its nickname "The Nation of Mountain and Forests" because of this feature.

Due to the geographical separation, Sachstein used to be divided into numerous small countries, with local lords being the "king" of their countries. They only unite to defend against attack from their neighbour, Brune or Asvarre.

It wasn't until 250 years ago, Grimwald, a man who was not even one of the kings, defeated all the local lords and united the land as one kingdom.

However, many local lords still treat themselves as the decedent of their ancestral kings, and hold low loyalty to their actual king.until the current king in both timelines scared the crap out of them and solved the issue permanently and know know what’s up there loyalty will never be in question

In the Michelia series, Sachstein's regalia sword is Balmung, which emits the same mysterious presence as Durandal and Caliburn, hinting it is also related to the demons. The sword is thought to be lost, until it ends up in the hand of Valtraute von Leverens, one of the local lords. King Augusto acknowledged her ownership of the sword rather than demanding it to be returned to the royal family.

The symbol of Sachstein is a huge white eagle, it appeared on every of Sachstein's war banner. The eagle is based on Hresvelgr, the giant white eagle who take soul of the dead, so it's best to not carelessly threaten eagles in this kingdom.

Their belief system is based on Germanic Norse Mythology. The three major gods worshipped are Wotan the god of knowledge, Thor the god of thunder, and Tyr the god of war. There are also old gods from before Sachstein kingdom is united.

Many generals also wear winged helmet to resemble war maiden Walkure.

Culinary
The mountainous feature of Sachstein made their land unsuitable for agriculture. This means their staple food consist of sturdy potatoes that can grow in harsh soil, and pigs that can be feed with pretty much anything they can find in the forest. This gives the stereotype of Sachstein as people who eats nothing but sausage and potatoes.

Common menu includes wurst (pork sausage), boiled potatoes, and sauerkraut (sour fermented cabbage). Other menu such as bean soup, herb soup, baked bread with innards. Beef and lamb meat are usually too expensive for commoners.

Rather than wine or liquor, beer is the common drink in Sachstein, served in glass jockeys. The Sachstein beer known in neighbouring countries are black in colouration and have strong bitter taste, giving the impression Sachstein people prefers bitter beer. Of course, they also have other types of beers.

Feud with Muozinel and Defeat
Sometime before the actual plot began, Sachstein feuded with Muozinel by launching a navy invasion against Muozinel with its 1000 ships against Kureys's 200 ships. Unfortunately, even with its far superior number, Sachstein Army was outwitted by Kureys's cunning war strategy and defeated. Due to this Sachstein nicknamed Kureys as the Red beard.

Border Harassment to Brune
While feuding with Brune, Sachstein Army made numerous time to invade Brune's western boarders and battle against Brune's elite knight squadron, the Navarre Knights, which were quickly outmatched by Roland and his knights's might.

Large Scale Invasion on Brune
Main Article:Battle of Plainville

However, the truce between Brune and Sachstein was short lived when Thenardier met his demise in Mereville Plains. Three years after the death of Brune three heroes (Faron, Roland and even Thenardier), Sachstein resumed its invasion towards its Eastern kingdom with 70,000 troops to take Nice and Nemetacum however later it was foiled by new Brune heroes Tigre and his new army, Moonlight Knights along with betrayal of Asvarre led by Tallard Graham.

Sachstein-Asvarre War
After the defeat on Prowirl because of Tallard's betrayal by attacking the supply troops that was raiding the village. Leonhardt return to Sachstein and later he was promoted as Sachstein Supreme Commander to invade Asvarre and King Augusto warn Leonhardt that he will not allowed to set foot on Royal Palace until he can bring Tallard's head. Thus, war between Sachstein and Asvarre begins.

Current Figures

 * Augusto Benedikt von Rothschild Sachstein (King of Sachstein)
 * Leonhardt von Schmitt
 * Simon (Mercenary that was hired by Ludra on Asvarre Civil War)

Former Figures

 * Hans von Klugel

Other Figures

 * Valtraute von Leverens (Michelia series). Head of Leverens family, one of the strongest local lords in Sachstein. A woman who inherits the family from her assassinated father. She is the holder of Balmung, the regalia sword of Sachstein. Four years ago, she refused a marriage proposal from Atries.
 * Atries Augusto von Rothschild (Michelia series). Only son of the current king of Sachstein, entrusted to command over city of Hannover, front line of conflict between the Royal Family and local lords' faction. A prince who doesn't act as a prince, he is loved by the people of Hannover as their friendly ruler.
 * Goldbelger (Michelia series). Major lord in Sachstein, competing with the Leverens. An aggressive man wanting to confront the Kingdom. Has smaller territory and less wealth than the Leverens, but his attitude towards the kingdom made him liked by other lords compared to the Leverens who are cooperative with all sides.

Trivia

 * According to the author, Sachstein is based on Germany.
 * Relationship between Sachstein and Asvarre is very terrible. It is said that 1 of 2 encounters between people of Sachstein and Asvarre ends with insults between both, and 1 of 2 encounters ends with fight.
 * It's rumoured King Augusto of Sachstein told his minister Asvarre is "the dumping ground of all filth of this world, although it is hidden by the mist", while King Zacharias of Asvarre said to his aide "I use Sachstein as a vocabulary to describe countryside or the outbacks".
 * "Kind hearted people call that country as "Kingdom of mountains and forest", but those who has the courage to say the truth calls it like this, "Kingdom of sausage and potato". Father even calls it "the slag stuck between two teeth called Asvarre and Brune". Anyway, if you are heading to that country, be prepared to have nothing to eat other than beer, sausage, and potato. All the people who ever visited there said so." - Guinevere to Mila