Kingdoms and Empires
World Map
General History
First Age
Yarowyn was once widely inhabited by a race of Elves known in the Ancient Nordic Texts as the Meðalsnotr Álfr (Wise Elves) but now commonly known as the Meoalfr. The great forest spread over most of Yarowyn. During the first age elf culture flourished across the land architecture, art and music were at a high point. A few wars broke out over the 1,000 year reign, most notable was the war of 4 Sons when the Elven King died and no successor was announced. A few uprisings also occurred especially in the time of Oppression. Apart from these events an aura of peace lasted across Yarowyn.
Second Age
Later an early seafaring race of Nords landed on the frozen northern shores. This started the second age. The Meoalfr hadn’t settled in the snowy lands but had explored the area throughout the first age. Throughout this time the nords we’re very tribal and skirmishes and feuds between them were commonplace. During this time one of the tribes known for their short stature, strong upper body strength and fiery red hair escaped complete annihilation by fleeing to the mountains caves. The other Nord tribes thought dark magic was the cause of the deserted town and tales of sightings of short bearded beings wandering the mountains became commonplace. They became known as the Dvegrsál (Dwarf Souls) as shortly after being seen they would disappear. The Jarls sent men to find the cause of these myths and sent to a cave entrance. When the men didn’t returns the Jarl sent more men only to find the cave entrance was completely gone and the men's armour and supplies were left as if they had simply disappeared. No sign of struggle could be seen and there we’re runes burnt into the rock reading “Only the dead walk these mountains”.
Centuries later the Nord tribes banded together under the great shield maiden Freya Ragnar and the Snærbiǫð (Snow Land) marched south on the Meoalfr. The Elves were taken by surprise and the Nords were able to push hard into the Elven homeland on the open battlefield. Once Freya’s army reached the great elven forest however the war changed and the Nordic army was decimated through guerrilla warfare.
An agreement to cease hostilities was signed and the war came to an end. As part of the agreement, the Elves gifted the sparsely populated west coast of Yarowyn to the Nords. Knowing full well that there had been a rising of a dark power on the volcanic islands to the north west and an attack was imminent. In return for the land, the frosty north island of Saldamor was given to the Elves, trade routes were set up between the two nations and culture was shared. The construction of the great wall across the gap of {Insert Name} was also undertaken during this time at the displeasure of the Nords.
People came from the east on strange looking ships with red sails and landed on the island chain east of Yarowyn. The Meoalfr weakened by the war with the Nords decided to fall back to the lesser eastern islands rather than confront the potentially new threat. As the great wall wasn’t finished the Elves didn’t want to open themselves to another war with the Nords.
Around 100 years later the great Volcano on {Insert Name} erupted and the Great Orc Chief set his ships to sail on Yarowyn’s west coast. The orcs hit hard into the newly formed western nordland. The Nords of Snærbiǫð and the Meoalfr sent the full force of their armies in a united effort to push back the Orcs. They we’re able to hold the majority of the Iron Mountains but they we’re losing a war of attrition.
During this war the druidic order was formed across nations from those with a background in magic to better share knowledge and help in the war effort. This ranged from healing to illusion and destruction magic. The order helped but was still in its infancy and the orc horde continued to push east and closer to the Elven heartland and landing on the North West frozen coast of the nords.
The Dwarves had previously been in complete isolation, they were only known in Nordic Myths. A Nordic druid by the name of Ustigast was tasked with finding if there was any substance to the myth and if they could be called on as an ally in the war. He spent weeks in the frosty high peaks until he came across a strange rune cut into the rock, It was barely visible to the naked eye but glowed red when Ustigast’s glowing staff was near. It was very clear to Ustigast that it was a magic doorway, one like no druid had ever set eyes upon. He spent days studying the myths. What could open the door, then he remembered the ancient tale of the Dvegrsál (Dwarf souls) and spoke the words in an older dialect or Norse “Only the dead walk these mountains”. The door opened and down a small passageway an immense city lay before him with short stout creatures. He was apprehended by guards and brought before the king. A deal was struck, the dwarven armies would join in return for the {Insert
Name} mountains, the dwarven populated had grown too much and created squalor
among the citizens.
The Dwarves were heavily armoured they incredibly well trained, they provided high quality armour to the Elves and Nords and together they held the line. Over a period of 5 years they pushed the Orcs back hard which led to the death of the great Orc Chief and eventual defeat of the horde. Most of the western great forest had been burned by the orcs in their conquest. The Dwarves were granted the mountains, and the west nords returned to their country. The Snærbiǫð Nord veterans demanded land and they settled in the fertile lands west of the heartlands where the great forest had been burnt. The Meoalfr were unable to challenge this, their power was truly diminishing.
Third Age
The third age had begun, the Nords we’re no longer united and more chiefs raised themselves to the title of Baron, Lord or King. Wars were once again breaking out over Western Yarowyn. Alliances were formed and broken and over time kingdoms started to arise from the chaos.
Near the middle of the third age the Kalandrian Empire arose. They swiftly conquered Aurelia and moved in on Aelon. Giving themselves unparalleled control of the west heartlands and vast amounts of resources. They built up, consolidated their control on Aurelia and Aelon over 5 years installing special advisers who essentially ran the Kingdom.
They marched on Vagonbrei. Vestrsker send its forces in alongside and they formed the Westfold alliance. They held back Kalandria but the war took heavy losses and food was short. With the men on the frontlines there wasn’t enough people in the fields. Whereas Kalandria controlled the fertile lands to the south and drafted fresh recruits from it’s puppet Kingdoms into forced military service.
Vagonbrei started to be taken quickly and Vestrsker took a tactical retreat to the Firot and Iron mountains. Vagonbrei fell soon after to the Kalandrian warmachine. The remaining Vagonbran army split into an underground groups within towns and cities and also lived in the mountains raiding supply lines.
The northern region of Vestir Firot fell to the Kalandrians. The Orc chief heard the news of the fighting and sailed forth onto Yarowyn once more slamming into both nations with force. Kalandria and Vestrsker broke the front lines to face the orcs. They were able to hold them off but Vestrskers forces were decimated by the attack.
Kalandria beat back the Orc horde on the land and the remaining Vestrsker fleet fought the orc ships coming in to land, this left the fleet in tatters. Kalandria turned south taking fort after fort along the Iron coast. They reached the walls of Highgarde and started a long siege. Although Highgarde’s walls were never breached the young King surrendered as the city was starving.
Fourth Age
Time had passed with Kalandria ruling the West. Many Emperors had come and gone. Some tried to expand into nord land, the dwarven mountains and into the east, all without noticeable success and costing the Empire men and resources. Orc and nord raids had become more common and this stretched the empire thin on it’s borders.
Discontent was brewing within the Kalandrian Empire and Vestrsker started a full blown rebellion. The other nations joined and rose up one by one causing Kalandria to destabilize and be stretched even thinner. Eventually the Kalandrian Empire collapsed.