SOLASTA Crown of the Magister WORLD OF ALAS - History of the Realm of Rongwen

HISTORY

The Realm of Rongwen was originally one of the territories that belonged to the ancient Empire of Eglas, a powerful Magocracy that ruled over a vast portion of the continent until almost 400 years ago. The dating of the realm begins with the birth of the kingdom, breaking away from the empire, and today we find ourselves in the year 397 A.R. (After the Realm's Foundation).

The Eglasians had held the natives of Rongwen (fierce tribes and clans of valiant humans similar to the Celts of our world) under their dominion for several centuries. They were not treated as slaves but were still considered second-class citizens compared to the pureblooded Imperials, with more duties than rights. The natives of Rongwen perceived this dominion as an oppressive yoke, but they lacked the strength to challenge the power of the Empire. Nevertheless, the resistance of the natives and their underground activities, though weak and inconsequential, never ceased, along with their contacts with similar "discontented" individuals from other nations under Eglas' rule.

The Empire of Eglas was a Magocracy whose members were highly powerful enchanters. However, their chaotic, individualistic, and loosely united nature made them less interested in diplomacy and the bureaucracy of "public affairs." The government was left in the capable hands of Empress Nathbastee, who formally had to rely on the advice and votes of the so-called Council of Sages before taking action. In reality, her influence over the council members (who were not particularly interested in governance matters) gave her free rein, and her rule remained unchallenged. Nathbastee was and has always been the name of the Empress of Eglas. Present-day historians do not agree on whether she was different individuals (or members of the same family) assuming the same name or a nearly immortal singular figure.

Within the mountain chains of the northern region, there existed at that time the Great Dwarven Kingdom of the North (as it was called in the Common language), a significant ally of the Empire of Eglas. The alliance between the Empire and the dwarves was based on a pact of trade and cooperation, with each side supplying goods and services to the other. The combination of exquisite dwarven craftsmanship and the enchantments of the Magocracy gave rise to some of the most powerful magical artifacts ever seen in Alas. In exchange for this collaboration, the Empire granted the dwarves their autonomy under the solemn promise to never violate the territories and jurisdiction of the Dwarven Kingdom or interfere in their internal politics.

Eglas had been in dire diplomatic relations with another powerful empire in Alas, the Cyredur Camaen, commonly referred to as the Cyredur Dominion or the Fae Dominion. The Cyredur are a semi-immortal race of beings whom humans simplistically refer to as "elves" or "fae." Indeed, they possess elven features and characteristics, but they are less open and benevolent compared to the elves we have come to know in other traditions. Closed, egocentric, and nationalist, they consider themselves superior to other living beings, justifying their dominance and guardianship over them. Although some of these elves have deviated from this tendency over the centuries, mingling with other races in Alas and becoming more akin to traditional elves, the majority of Cyredur maintain their distance and pursue their own goals (sometimes incomprehensible, if not sinister) to the detriment of other populations.

At that time, the Cyredur Dominion was an immensely powerful empire, possessing formidable magical weapons and abilities through their connections with the supernatural fae realm and (it is said) through pacts with chaotic, mysterious, or demonic entities with whom they allied to gain favors and power. It was only natural for two such powerful and ambitious dominions to eventually clash.

In the year 52 B.R. (Before the Realm's Foundation), the strained relations escalated into bitter conflicts, and finally, in the year 10 B.R., erupted into an all-out war. Although initially the two factions seemed evenly matched, the power of the elves soon prevailed. The Cyredur, thanks to their ties with dark lords of chaos, maneuvered behind the scenes to unleash a massive horde of humanoids, inciting them to invade the mountain chains where the dwarves resided. Eglas' most loyal and powerful allies were thus engaged in defending their homes against the invasion of orcs, goblinoids, trolls, and other servants of evil.

After years of conflict, which resulted in heavy losses for both sides, the Empire of Eglas was brought to its knees. The dwarves, now decimated, had lost a significant portion of their fortresses. Some abandoned the Dwarven Kingdom before the defeat, while others were killed by the humanoids or captured by the Cyredur. The Great Dwarven Kingdom of the North had come to an end.

It was then that, taking advantage of Eglas' weakness, the subjugated populations rebelled, joining forces with the elves to free themselves from their oppressors. Eglas crumbled; the empire was dismantled, with its territories partly absorbed by the Elven Dominion and partly returned to the native populations. The citizens of Eglas were relentlessly persecuted: imprisoned, executed, or summarily killed. Only a few managed to escape the wrath of the Cyredur and, especially, the natives they had once ruled.

The empress and several high-ranking members of the Eglas aristocracy, as well as powerful sorcerers and enchanters, vanished. They were presumed to be scattered and likely killed in the war. Numerous legends and speculations arose about their fate, but after several centuries, no one has heard of them again, and they are no longer considered a threat, except in the form of eerie stories and legends meant to frighten children.

FOUNDATION OF THE REALM OF RONGWEN

With the fall of Eglas and the dispersal of its dominion, a new era began for the land that would eventually become known as the Realm of Rongwen. The native populations, along with their elven allies, seized the opportunity to establish their own sovereign realm, free from the oppressive rule of Eglas and the Cyredur Dominion.

Led by a coalition of tribal leaders, elven nobles, and visionary figures, the foundation of the Realm of Rongwen took place in the year 1 A.R. (After the Realm's Foundation). It marked the birth of a new era of self-governance, where the rights and aspirations of the diverse inhabitants were recognized and celebrated.

The establishment of the Realm of Rongwen brought a renewed sense of hope and unity among its people. The scars of the past were not forgotten, but the focus shifted towards building a society based on principles of equality, justice, and cooperation.

In the following centuries, the Realm of Rongwen flourished, embracing cultural diversity and promoting the pursuit of knowledge, magic, and the arts. Its borders expanded, and its influence grew as it forged alliances with neighboring realms and engaged in diplomatic relations with various races and civilizations.

The birth of the Realm of Rongwen symbolized the triumph of freedom and resilience over oppression. It became a beacon of hope and a land where all individuals, regardless of their background, could strive for a better future.)

BIRTH OF THE REALM OF RONGWEN

One of the regions where the rebels were most active, a region known as Rongwen, established itself as a kingdom (naturally in the year 0 A.R.), calling itself the Realm of Rongwen. They elected as their sovereign the hero and commander who led the rebellion, Kayne Cadeyrn (intelligent + battle king), who married and made his companion in a thousand battles, Ethne Eghanan (fire + fiery), his queen. He always kept by his side his right-hand man and wise hero, Conall Duberur (wise + black eagle), who had distinguished himself in the war of liberation and is considered one of the great heroes of Rongwen. The aforementioned triad of heroes is still worshipped today by the faithful of Rongwen as patrons, elevated alongside the great God Alas. In honor of the immense contribution made to the cause of Rongwen by the three commanders, it was stipulated in the Kingdom's Constitution Charter that the monarchy would be hereditary and passed down to the descendants of the Caderyn family for centuries to come. All this was done with the tacit consent of the Cyredur Dominion, with whom Kayne Caderyn had been a good ally during the war. Since then, and even now, the Realm considers the Dominion as a valuable ally, while the elves of Cyredur Camaen see Rongwen as a kind of "protectorate," endowed with significant autonomy but still under their influence. This difference in perspectives occasionally leads to some "misunderstandings," but for the time being, the relations between the two nations remain friendly, and the interference of the elves is tolerated by the current government to avoid problems (see the Superintendent's purposes later on).

INFILTRATIONS AND MIXTURES

The few survivors of Eglas who did not flee or fall victim to slaughter gradually assimilated with the natives over the decades, diluting their blood and origins and becoming full-fledged citizens of the kingdom. However, not all Eglasians forgot their origins and the humiliation suffered by their people at the hands of the elven usurpers and the clans of Rongwen.

In some families of more fanatic Eglasian descendants, Eglasian blood is preserved uncontaminated, avoiding any mingling with the "impure" natives and maintaining the purity of their race. In these families, grudges and desires for revenge against the nations that humiliated and usurped the glorious empire were secretly passed down from generation to generation.

If that were not enough, many members of the Eglasian nobility who fled or went into hiding at the time of the empire's fall are still alive. Many of them were powerful necromancers and sorcerers who possessed secrets that allowed them to survive through the centuries, plotting and planning for vengeance, inciting scattered Eglasian families throughout the realm, organizing covert forces, and infiltrating every layer of Rongwenian society. At the head of all this, unknown to all except the most trusted leaders of the movement, is none other than Lady Nathbastee, the (former) Empress of Eglas and a powerful immortal lich. See Order of Historians and Cabal of the Black Rose for more information.

THE AMBUSH

For several generations, the Cadeyrn family ruled over Rongwen, prospering the kingdom and working to make it safe by gradually reclaiming territories from the wildlands. However, far away from the cities, especially in the mountains where the dwarves once dwelled, there were still extremely dangerous places, dominated by tribes of humanoids and all kinds of monsters. And it is within this scenario that the drama unfolded, leading Rongwen to its current situation.

In the year 370 A.R. (After the Rise), the four-hundredth anniversary of the birth of the national hero Conall Duberur was being commemorated. Conall hailed from a village called Riryan. The heir to the throne, a brave and spirited young man named Kinnon "Fair-born" Cadeyrn, supported by the trusted King's Advisor, Doy Morfran, persuaded his father King Teyrnon Cadeyrn to celebrate the occasion with a grand festival throughout the kingdom and a pompous ceremony in honor of the hero. In the village of Riryan, a statue was erected in honor of Conall, with a space in the pedestal designated to hold the urn containing the ashes of the war of independence hero. After a majestic ceremony held in the capital city of Ruadhan, an expedition would depart towards Althais in the north of the realm, and from there, they would head to Riryan, a village situated on the edge of the dangerous wildlands. In Riryan, the hero's ashes would be returned to his hometown and placed within the statue/mausoleum as a gesture of gratitude. From that symbolic act, the reclamation of the surrounding areas would commence, aiming to wrest them from the dominion of the humanoids. Given his nature as a warrior and adventurer, Prince Kinnon insisted on personally accompanying the expedition on behalf of the royal family. His sister, Muriel "Sun-Born" Cadeyrn, was no less determined. Muriel was a splendid girl with radiant blond hair, always cheerful and smiling, yet strong and proud. Always at odds with their father, she rejected any hint of arranged marriage, yearning for independence and freedom, and refused to lag behind her brother simply because she was born female. If Kinnon was granted permission to lead the expedition, she would go as well, even if it meant running away.

King Teyrnon was highly doubtful. The lands surrounding Riryan were rife with dangers, and he hesitated to expose the only two heirs to the kingdom to such risks. Elderly and ailing, he saw the end of his days drawing near, and his priority was to consider the succession to the throne. He pondered the possibility of personally accompanying the expedition; after all, he had experienced his fair share of adventures and battles in his youth. However, his physicians categorically forbade him. The journey was too long and arduous, and it would deal a fatal blow to his frail health.

Thus, the persistent requests of Kinnon and Muriel, and above all, those of the Advisor Doy Morfran, overcame his fears. It was a ceremonial of great importance for the Kingdom of Rongwen, and the presence of the royal family was essential. To desert the commemoration or not participate in the journey would send a signal of weakness and fear that the House of Cadeyrn could not accept. After all, it would be sufficient to ensure that the prince was accompanied by an adequate military contingent, large enough to ensure security and deter any temptation from humanoid raiders, along with a chosen escort of royal guards who would keep a watchful eye on the young prince day and night.

The king was convinced and approved the expedition, but he did not yield on one thing: putting both heirs in danger would be foolish. The succession to the throne had to be ensured. Therefore, Muriel was not allowed to accompany her brother on the journey. Thus, on the 1st of Maherd (May) 370 F.R., it was a day of festivities, celebrations, and grand ceremonies, and the following morning, the expedition set off for Althais with Prince Kinnon at the forefront. It was on that very night that the indomitable Muriel, 'radiant as the sun,' as she had promised, fled, perhaps with the intention of catching up to her brother's expedition. The next day, upon discovering her disappearance, the king sent swift explorers to reach the expedition and bring the princess back, but she had not joined the caravan, and no one saw her again. From that night onward, neither of the two princes set foot in Ruadhan.

On the 10th of Maherd 370 F.R., as the caravan neared Riryan, it fell into an ambush. The humanoids had amassed overwhelming forces and enjoyed the unexpected aid of powerful sorcery. Clearly, it was not merely a raid by bandits, but an attack prepared by well-informed enemies, designed to defeat that strong contingent without risking failure. When the citizens of Riryan realized that the expedition was significantly delayed, they sent their best scouts to meet the prince. These scouts found only the remnants of a great battle. The expedition had been attacked while traversing a valley surrounded by wooded hills. It had been a massacre. The assailants' potent magics had laid waste to the vegetation, and to this day, nothing grows in that accursed clearing. There was no trace of Prince Kinnon or the urn containing Conall's ashes.

The king wasted no time in sending his best scouts to search for clues and uncover the fate of Prince Kinnon and Princess Muriel, but nothing came to light. Furthermore, the scouts had little time for their investigations. Suspiciously timed, an ancient volcano named Mount Wolosko, dormant for centuries, decided to awaken during those very days. The volcano was distant enough from the village of Riryan to avoid direct impact from ash, lava flows, or glowing embers. However, the earthquakes accompanying the eruption demolished much of the town's buildings and drove away its inhabitants. For months, the area was deemed too dangerous to dwell in, and the search efforts were halted. The ash raining from the sky covered any remaining traces, and time took its toll. Riryan became an abandoned village, and by the time the search could resume, the trail had gone cold. No evidence was found regarding the fate of the princes of Rongwen or how things had unfolded. Some scholars today suspect that the eruption was not natural but caused by powerful sorceries. Other sages disagree, asserting that there are no known spells powerful enough to cause such catastrophes. However, there are those who still suspect that forgotten enchantments from past eras were employed, rituals so potent that they left permanent marks on the land. This would explain why the area, for dozens of kilometers around Riryan, is considered cursed. Everything seems imbued with sinister magical energies; spells sometimes surprise practitioners with their power or unexpected effects.

Moreover, the area is densely infested with supernatural beings, creatures from beyond the grave, and restless spirits, perhaps created and bound to the land by the strange magic that permeates it. The few travelers who dare to venture into the area are advised never to stray from the main paths, as those who do risk disappearing, swallowed by the forest. Sometimes, even staying on the beaten roads is not enough to avoid perilous encounters.

THE AFTERMATH

Twenty-seven years later, there is still no idea of what happened to Prince Kinnon and Princess Muriel. In the months following the ambush, the elderly King of Rongwen saw his illness worsen, partly due to the pain and worry over the loss of his children. Now a widower and unable to father any more heirs, aware that his hourglass was pouring its last sands, he saw the end of the Cadeyrn lineage looming and an uncertain future for his beloved kingdom. The only remaining hopes were tied to the fact that the disappearance of his children did not constitute proof of their death. The faint hope remained that one day they might be found and return to take the reins of the realm. King Teyrnon wanted to find a way to preserve the throne for his children and, at the same time, prevent the kingdom from descending into anarchy and chaos.

Guided by the advice of experts and sages at his court, the king decided to entrust the kingdom to the capable hands of a temporary Regent. For this role, he chose his trusted advisor, Doy Morfran, despite Morfran's reluctance to take on such responsibility. The king trusted only him, believing that he was the only one who would care for the kingdom as he himself would. After all, who had always advised King Teyrnon throughout his years of rule? Although there were rumors of discontent among those who believed Morfran was partly to blame for the disappearance of the princes (having strongly advocated for the ill-fated expedition), no one dared to question his good faith, and the king designated him as Regent. He would govern the kingdom for 30 years in the name of the Cadeyrn lineage.

If after the expiration of the 30 years no trace of the heirs was found (or earlier, in case evidence of their death was discovered), the Regent would have had to step aside and allow for the regular election of a new monarch. A few months after making this decision, King Teyrnon Cadeyrn died, and the Kingdom of Rongwen passed into the hands of Regent Doy Morfran.

DOY MORFRAN'S REGENCY

With the death of King Teyrnon Cadeyrn and the ascent of Regent Doy Morfran to power, the Kingdom of Rongwen entered a new era of governance. Morfran committed himself to maintaining the stability and prosperity of the kingdom during his regency. Under his leadership, wise and balanced policies were adopted to preserve the Cadeyrn legacy and maintain order in the realm.

Regent Doy Morfran established an advisory council composed of wise and expert individuals from various spheres of Rongwen's society. This council had the task of assisting the regent in governing decisions and ensuring broad representation of the people's interests. Morfran made sure to maintain good communication with the citizens, listening to their concerns and seeking appropriate solutions.

During his 30-year regency, Morfran worked to develop the kingdom's economy, promote culture and education, and preserve public order. He also pursued an active defense policy, strengthening the military forces to cope with external threats and incursions from humanoid and malevolent creatures in the wild lands.

Despite his commitment to govern with wisdom and justice, Morfran's figure was not immune to controversy. Some citizens continued to suspect his involvement in the disappearance of the princes and accused him of hiding the truth. However, there was no concrete evidence to support such accusations, and the Regent continued to fulfill his role with integrity.

At the end of the 30-year period, if no trace of the heirs had been found or if concrete evidence of their death had been provided, Regent Doy Morfran would have relinquished power and allowed for the regular election of a new sovereign. This provision had been established to ensure the legitimacy of governance and the possibility of a legitimate successor to the throne of Rongwen.

Thus began the regency years of Doy Morfran, a transitional period in which the kingdom sought stability and hope for the future, while the mystery of the fate of the princes of Rongwen remained shrouded in darkness.

RONGWEN TODAY

Today Despite the King's trust, the Regent does not seem to have lived up to his task. Although, even now, just 3 years away from the deadline for the election of a new sovereign, the Regent always declares the best intentions, and his speeches always sound full of hope and inspiration, in reality, the Kingdom has descended, during his regency, into a spiral of corruption and decay, both material and moral.

The armed forces appear to be insufficient or insufficiently motivated to maintain control of the territory. Only in the vicinity of major population centers can one consider themselves safe, while the majority of lands far from urban areas are now considered wild, in the hands of monsters, humanoids, and bandits. The major cities are almost isolated from each other, and the central government has little influence over them, limiting itself to nominal territorial control. The only true governance that remains is over the capital, Ruadhan. Instead of a cohesive kingdom, Rongwen is now a mishmash of city-states, each with its own local rulers and rules, not necessarily aligned with those of the capital.

In the cities themselves, corruption, depravity, and decay have spread rampant. The authorities seem incapable of reining in the activities of criminal organizations, often being in collusion with them. Thieves, beggars, murderers, secret and criminal associations – the true power seems to lie with the criminal underworld and corrupt plots, while at the highest levels, a secret war is underway with no holds barred to secure favorable positions when the new sovereign is to be elected.

In Ruadhan, the capital, in particular, a series of maneuvers have been taking place for decades, leading to the formation of a privileged circle of families and another of disadvantaged families, if not outright excluded from the race for power.

During the Regent's rule, some families that were considered "minor" during the reign of the Cadeyrns have gained importance and influence. It is said that these families are in the Regent's favor, and in turn, he relies on them to consolidate his power. There are rumors that he is even seeking enough political support to compete in the election for the new king himself.

Since the most important and loyal families to the previous king were the ones who didn't look favorably upon Doy Morfran's rise to power, the Regent maneuvered events in such a way as to slowly shift the political balance in Rongwen. The old and traditionally powerful families of Rongwen were attacked economically, socially, and politically, using cunning strategies and patient maneuvers. Gradually, the traditionally weaker families emerged, gaining more power, holding more positions, mysteriously becoming wealthier, while the families loyal to the old king suffered economic losses, bankruptcies, catastrophes, family tragedies, scandals, mysterious deaths, accidents, or outright assassinations. It is said that in Ruadhan, thanks to this wave of power plays, a guild of assassins managed to establish itself (although there is still no definitive proof of this), an unprecedented event in the Realm.

Today, political and economic power is firmly in the hands of the families loyal and favorable to the Regent. The corruption and decadence of the court in Ruadhan are now proverbial. The noble families connected to the old monarchy have been largely marginalized. Troublesome figures have disappeared from circulation. The court indulges in plots, scandals, and debauched revelries. Chaos reigns in the nation, which simmers like an overflowing cauldron ready to boil over.

Source: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3091658341

WORLD OF ALAS - History of the Realm of Rongwen