Guardian History
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500
In May of 500, the Keeper announced a celebration of the 500th year of freedom from demonic rule in the empire. Guardian's contribution to the celebration was a tournament at arms. There were rumors that the Duke had placed a bet that his heir, Lady Asha Barca, could win the tournament over the Keeper's knights, and that if she did, the Keeper might consent to wed his younger daughter, Lady Chloe. Whether or not the rumors were true, however, became a moot point. Though Lady Asha made it to the final round against Sir Tighe, with both unhorsed, the far-larger knight eventually wore her down and disarmed her. Asha yielded, and Tighe was declared the victor.
In June, the isle was shocked by the return of Lord Greydon Lachlan. Five years before, Lord Greydon had been betrothed to Lady Asha. During an engagement with rebellious tribes, however, he was lost and presumed dead. When he returned, it was revealed that he had been held captive during the intervening years.
In August, Greydon returned to Guardian to confront the tribes that had held him captive. Eldrich Barca, the Duke's brother and Baron of Smithfield, followed after the young lord. Though the tribes were decisively defeated by legions under Aemon Stavros, brother to the Lord of Oreann, both Greydon and Eldrich were killed in an ambush. Aemon burned the bodies of the rebels from the ramparts of Caer Cathartha.
When Duke Damien tries to appoint Marcus Barca the next Baron of Smithfield, the Keeper objects on the grounds that the Duke has already appointed his son Philip Baron of Caerdach. Rather than name another choice, the Duke sets up a council to rule Smithfield. Its members come from the noble families of the barony, the leaders of the guilds, and the mayors of the major towns.
In November, the empire comes under attack from a mysterious pirate who seems to be able to escape the pull of the currents. The Imperial Cousin, Vincente Caprios, and Annabelle Barca join the crew of the ship sent to investigate, eventually bringing in the pirate Alexander Donahue. There are rumors that Annabelle has become romantically involved with the pirate, and a riot almost breaks out in the Plaza of the Keeper when Annabelle and Asha get into a fierce argument over his worth.
In December, at the sentencing of the pirate, it is revealed that he is Prince Xander. No details of his birth are revealed, but the issue of Annabelle's relationship with him is further complicated.
501
In April, the first attack of the People's Empire occurred after the execution of the albino demon-worshipper Snow. The group set the castle stables afire, and those still in the building were rescued by the First Knight Sir Fenris and Lady Asha. The People's Empire demanded that the nobility step down in favor of elected commoners and distribute their wealth to the people. Some rumors suggested that a betrothal between Asha and Fenris might be in the works.
In May, the People's Empire arranged a ruse to draw Duke Damien Barca to a small mining town in Smithfield to examine what appeared to be a new gemstone. When the mine collapsed with the duke inside, the ruse was revealed as an illusion. The duke was critically injured by the collapse, his mind too damaged for him to continue as Duke.
In June, Gateway came under attack from the mysterious Blue Mage, who commanded legions of undead. Wounds delivered by these zombies were fatal unless the flesh around them was excised or burned away. Guardian legions developed methods for fighting these undead, including the creation of firebombs - thin clay pots full of oil with wicks. The wicks could be lit, then when the pot was thrown, the oil would splatter on the victim and be set alight by the fire on the wick.
On July 30, Asha completed her progress through Guardian. During the progress, she visited each lordship and major village, proving herself to her people in tests set by the lord and the barons. In the Tel Girade melee, she led the victorious forces. Upon her return to Gateway, she was confirmed in her position as Duchess by the Keeper.
In August, the head of the People's Empire, a made known as Raven, was finally captured, mostly through the efforts of Marcus Barca. Hasdrubal, the bastard son of the old Duke, arrived on Gateway with a small crew and ship. The meeting between him and Asha was a tense one, but they both emerges unscathed. In a short time, Hasdrubal was named admiral of the fledgling navy.
In November, the Keeper first opened the Barrier. A new current was created, running from Sentinel Spire in the south of Guardian to the port of Gateway. The reasoning for this decision was that any potential attackers must first go through Guardian before reaching the Keeper and Gateway. Construction began on rebuilding the port, neglected since the closing of the Barrier almost one hundred and fifty years before. The Keeper sent a ship with Admiral Hasdrubal and the Imperial Cousin, Vincente Caprios, to explore the world beyond. Just before the ship departs, a betrothal between Asha and the Imperial Cousin is announced.
In December, the first visitors come through the Barrier, having met with the exploratory ship. Though the ship is inspected at Sentinel Spire and found safe, the people upon it prove themselves a danger. Posing as notables of the land of Landry, they appear at a meeting with the Keeper and his nobility. There they attack the Keeper. Asha is unable to stop the pirate Jareth, and the Keeper is left wounded and nearly comatose after using his power over the currents to destroy the pirate. In retaliation, the Empress sends the fleet under Hasdrubal to destroy the population of Landry and claim it in the name of the empire.
While the empress is away in search of a cure for the Keeper, Asha is named regent for the empire. Upon the return of the empress, she surrenders her position with the empire intact.
502
In January, the Keeper awakens from his coma. The betrothal between Asha and the Imperial Cousin is quietly dissolved, as it becomes clear the Keeper will need his cousin's assistance for some time.
In the spring, legions are sent to the other isles of the empire, one cohort per isle to be rotated every few months. This is meant as a protection against the possibility of invasion from beyond the barrier or demon escapes.
In August, Prince Xander and Annabell Barca wed by proxy, as the prince is out of the empire at the time.
In September, Duchess Asha weds Tairell Flint, the legionnaire who won the Tel Girade melee in July. Little is known about the man before his wedding to the duchess, and few have any chance to get to know him. He is found dead in the castle salon the next morning. Many point the finger at the Imperial Cousin, but no formal charges are ever pressed.
In November, a mass of odd creatures, termed weresharks, are said to be approaching Landry. The Imperial Fleet is dispatched with Legionnaires to defend the isle, and the first clash with the weresharks occurs. The Legionnaires under Asha fight valiantly, with a hideous creature of vast size seen at the center of the weresharks. This creature is lured back out to sea by the Admiral's ship. Rumors from the legionnaires say that when some tried to turn and desert, the duchess herself struck them down. The lines subsequently held.
In December, Asha miscarries the product of her union with Duke Tairell under suspicious circumstances. No perpetrator is ever found, but the cause is traced to herbs added to the duchess's massage oil. In the same month, Princess Annabelle is delivered of a son, Lord Lysander.
503
On the eve of the Keeper's twentieth birthday, just before the first of February, the seahost of weresharks and the monstrous creature leading them attack Gateway. With the Keeper embroiled in the ceremonies that will help him come to his full power, the protection of the isle falls to others. While Hasdrubal delays the weresharks outside the barrier, troops are rushed from Sentinel Spire and the other isles to Gateway. Under Asha's command, these troops meet the weresharks first at the docks, then retreat back through the city under the force of the attack, blockading the streets. The sharks are herded to the Plaza of the Keeper, where a force of cavalry attacks in wave after wave, eventually driving what few creatures remain back to the sea.
In October, Asha weds Phaedrus Forester, former Knight and brother to the Empress. A short time later, the pair announce that they are expecting an heir.
504
In March, a greater demon escapes the Gateway along with several lessers. The entire city is involved in the battle. A giant, white creature reputed to be the avatar of Providence rises to the sky to combat Belial, Master of the Game. In the end, Belial is defeated.
In April, the Guardian civil war begins.
Tostig Leona, a general in the legions, murders Baron Egil Absalon of Dun Artan, taking the castle of Caer Cathartha and declaring himself King in Dun Artan. His declaration sets off a wave of rebellions across Dun Artan and Trebachas. Duchess Asha, already at least four months pregnant, sets sail from Gateway to address the threat. She has the support of Baron Eamonn Kilgannon of Crucible, the council of Smithfield, Baron Philip Barca of Caerdach, Baron Trahearn Conway of Trebachas, and Baronet Thorvald, the heir to Dun Artan.
Barca troops under the duchess begin to march into Smithfield on their way to Dun Artan. They are attacked by tribes, taking heavy casualties, though the tribes do not emerge unscathed.
Tarrant Conway takes up the banner of Trebachas, declaring his father, Baron Trahearn Conway of Trebachas, King in his lands. Trahearn leaves Asha's forces to deal with his son.
As Asha grows less certain of Trahearn's loyalty, receiving news of further gatherings in Trebachas, she arranges a parley with Tarrant and Trahearn. Once there, she calls upon the aid of mages to try to capture both father and son. Trahearn is protected against magic by an amulet, but Tarrant is captured. The Duchess interrogates him, then leaves him in the care of the men who survived the attacks in Smithfield. Soon, Trahearn returns to the Duchess to surrender two-thirds of the rebel Trebachan forces in exchange for his son's life. Tarrant soon leaves the gathered forces.
The Keeper sends Duke Phaedrus to Caer Cathartha with the banner of the Champion, and the Empress to the tribes to hear their complaints. No messages are sent to Asha regarding the purpose of either. Marcus Barca is killed in a skirmish.
As the troops continue toward Trebachas, Asha is forced to retire to a hammock in the back of a wagon. Seven months pregnant with twins, she is unable to continue leading the troops with her usual force.
Phaedrus takes Caer Cathartha, brutally executing Tostig and most of his co-conspirators. His mission completed, he returns to Asha. In the meantime, however, Tarrant and his remaining men manage to capture the castle in Tostig's stead. Upon Phaedrus's return to the Duchess, the Duke and Duchess argue before the troops. After questioning her husband's manhood, Asha retires to her tents...with Baron Trahearn. Reactions in Gateway are not pleasant.
In July, the Barca troops finally reach Caer Cathartha. Finding it occupied by Tarrant and his men, and not relishing the idea of a long siege against what is known to be a nearly unbreakable castle, Asha arranges a parley at the walls, arriving unarmed. Tarrant, his confidence boosted by the sway of opinion on Gateway and the Empress's support of the tribes, refuses to negotiate.
As Asha, Phaedrus, and the other nobles supporting her begin to return to their camp on July 10, they are ambushed by the remnants of Tostig's supporters. Asha is struck by several arrows. The last anyone sees of the Duchess, she has been struck in the chest and the forearm and has claimed a fallen sword. No one knows what happened to the Duchess in the heat of the battle, but when it ended, she was gone, presumed dead. Some claim she was claimed by an avatar of Providence, others by the Lord of the Abyss himself.
In the aftermath of the war, the Keeper searches for an appropriate successor. Judging Asha's immediate relations too volatile a choice, he names Eadric Conway, Trahearn's eldest son, Duke of Guardian on the condition that he marry one Arianell Boyd. Arianell is the last descendant of a branch of the Barca family unseated during the reign of Empress Jolene, and has been raised in the fens of Trebachas as a priestess of Providence. A young girl, she is generally liked despite her apparent unsuitability.
In August, Eadric and Arianell are wed, and a few months later announce that they are expecting an heir. Trahearn steps down as Baron of Trebachas to serve as Dux Bellorum for the decidedly unwarlike couple, and Tarrant succeeds him in the position. Thorvald Absalon is named Baron of Dun Artan.
Later in the year, Princess Eleanor and Baron Tarrant participate in several smaller tribal celebrations on Guardian. Soon, a betrothal between the two is announced.
505
In April, a plot against Tarrant is revealed in Sentinel Spire. The Sared family, long lords of the Spire and loyal supporters of the Barcas, are found to have plotted against Baron Tarrant. Poisoned replicas of the baron's clothes are found and produced as proof. When the Dux Bellorum arrives to arrest the conspirators, the entire family resists and is slaughtered. Cael Kilgannon, Baron Eamonn's brother, is named Lord of Sentinel Spire in the aftermath.
In June, Baron Eamonn Kilgannon of Crucible weds Lady Ysora Maritus of Gwencalon.
In September, Lord Garett Lytton, heir to Knife's Edge, dies in a demon attack defending Phoebe Forester.
In November, Baron Philip Barca declares his intention to reclaim the ducal seat of Guardian for his family. Avery Lytton, Lord Knife's Edge, is killed in a skirmish on Guardian. Duke Eadric names Lord Cael Kilgannon Dux Bellorum when Trahearn dies of what appear to be natural causes. Meanwhile, the generals of the legions move toward the port of Gwencalon, closing it until the question of who will be duke can be answered.
In December, Eadric and Arianell step down in favor of Philip Barca. A few days later, Philip is confirmed in his position as Duke, taking his middle name to rule as Duke Aaric Barca. He raises his sister Linette to the position of Baroness of Caerdach, the seat he had previously held. Delora Lytton, Lady of Knife's Edge, dies with her infant daughter, leaving the lordship to pass to a distant cousin raised as a commoner. Eadric places some conditions upon his abdication, insisting that Cael Kilgannon be named Baron of Smithfield as a reward for his service. Aaric complies. With Tarrant Conway gone missing, Aaric appoints Jenoch Morien, former Lord Trickling Dart, Baron of Trebachas, on the condition that he wed Siobhan Conway, one of Trahearn's many daughters. Princess Eleanor dissolves her betrothal to the missing Conway.
506
In January, Oliver Dukane, Lord Tel Girade, dies of a suspicious head wound, leaving the lordship to his pregnant wife Gwyneth Fiedach, a woman of the tribes. Baron Cael Kilgannon is betrothed to Minka Mathos, an imperial tax collector.
In February, Baroness Linette Barca is betrothed to Lord Leon Maritus of Gwencalon.
In March, Lady Vivane Triloch of Fen March, a cousin of Baron Jenoch, is betrothed to Guidhael Fiedach. It is hoped that the union between the lady and the tribes will ease some of the tensions in the land.
In April, the Emperor and Empress confirm the betrothal of Duke Aaric Barca to Shayne Locksley, an intelligence analyst in the legions. She brings several useful connections to the marriage, including the support and friendship of most of the generals. Rumors also suggest that it was Locksley coin that financed Aaric's coup, and that Shayne's father, the affluent merchant Dane Locksley, offered to forgive the debt if the duke would wed one of his daughters.
In May, Lord Ambrose Maritus of Gwencalon passes away after a lengthy illness. He is succeeded by his son, Grear Maritus. Baroness Crucible is delivered of a daughter.
In June, Lady Mildryth Lachlan of Rayder Pass announces a marriage tourney.
In July, on the anniversary of the death of Duchess Asha Barca, a large sinkhole forms in Rayder Pass, causing a massive collapse in the lordship and killing hundreds. The superstitious wonder if this is the revenge of the ghost of the duchess. Lady Mildryth cancels her tournament in light of the calamity. Investigations into the collapse and rescues of those affected take several weeks.
In September, Baroness Linette Barca weds Lord Leon Maritus of Gwencalon
In October, Duke Aaric Barca and Shayne Locksley are wed in a ceremony in the coliseum. The Duchess's begemmed gown causes quite a stir among the spectators and guests. Later that month, weresharks are discovered in Fen March and take a small village hostage. In the resulting rescue attempt, Baron Jenoch, Baroness Siobhan, Lady Vivane, and Lady Jamilah are all killed. In the aftermath of the deaths, legions are marched into Trebachas under General Wilhelmina Conway to maintain order.
In November, investigations into the Rayder Pass collapse spearheaded by the Duchess's analysis of the financial records of Copper Run on the suspicions of Tiege Soranus reveal that the collapse was caused by covert mining on the part of Arcadius Athelstan, Lord Copper Run. The Lord's mines ran under the mountains of Rayder Pass in search of hotter-burning coal, weakening the structure of the pass.
Arcadius confesses and is sentenced to death. His execution, however, goes awry when tribes from Rayder Pass storm the execution platform seeking vengeance for those lost when the mountain collapsed. Nearly thirty are dead in the wake of the attack, among them Lady Mildryth of Rayder Pass.
507
In March, General Wilhelmina Conway, sister of Trahearn and an old legion friend of the new Duchess, is named Baroness of Trebachas.
In June, the Morian family of Trickling Dart is stripped of land, title, and claim by Baroness Wilhelmina Conway of Trebachas, removing the last of the Morien ties to her barony. There is some unrest among the tribes of Trebachas once more as the legions formerly led by the baroness remain in place. Guidhael Fiedach and Evelyn Locksley are sent to gather information about the situation.
In July, Duke Aaric and Duchess Shayne depart for Guardian to belatedly make the traditional progress and accept oaths of fealty from the lords and barons of Guardian, make their own judgments on the situation in Trebachas, and continue the peace talks with the tribes of Dun Artan. Aaric outlines a plan for cultural exchange and relocation involving some or all of the five great tribes and Dun Artan, and a subsequent altercation between tribals nearly injures Shayne, and the offending parties are turned back to the tribes for justice.
In September, Marquis Marcus Damien Barca is born in the city of Gwencalon.
508
In March, Baron Ragnar Absalon is murdered on the eve of a peace negotiation with the five tribes of Dun Artan. The assassin, Colby of the Nitesci, is crucified. The Nitesci emissary Diera is kept prisoner in Caer Cathartha's walls.
In June, Duke Aaric calls all reserve legions to appointed collection stations to pay the Keeper's poll tax.
In July, the summons of the reservists for tax collection is proved to be a ruse when the soldiers are enlisted back into active duty. Baroness Wilhelmina Conway is reinstated as General of the Legions and takes an army to Caer Cathartha to battle the Nitesci. The war is bloody, but the legions emerge victorious.
In September, chieftain Algar of the Nitesci is brought back to Gwencalon in chains and General Conway and the returning legions are awarded with an ovation in their honor.
In October, in the wake of the Great Schism, a tidal wave washed over the warehouse district and poorer parts of Gwencalon, shadowy creatures attacked the Duke, almost the whole of Fen March's population was swallowed by the swamps, weresharks attacked Sentinel Spire, a quake and howling in the deep caused blockages in several of Smithfield's key mines, and Baron Leon Barca was laid to rest among the Barca crypts in Caer Cathartha with no explanation as to the cause of his death.
