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A Brief History Of Bewickshire And Ithron |
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The year 0 of the calander is marked by the historical event known as �the signing of the pact� in the holy lands far to the east of Ithron.On the Ithronian mainland in the centuries that followed, tribes and clans settled into seven kingdoms of which Lirron and Berwickshire were but two examples; in turn were loosely ruled by a high king. However in the year 678 the Axirian empire made its third and successful invasion of Ithron. Berwickshire became the frontier of this mighty empire as the Axirians were unable to conquer Lirron. Ithron�s old system of religion, government and practice of magic was forever lost. Furthermore, the racial hatred of the Axirian invaders had severed the co-existence of humans and non-humans, and much of the bad blood between races stem from this time. Even now non-humans have little in the way of power and status within Ithronian society. Land was divided among the leaders of the conquering army and even today many of the Dukes and powerful noble families proudly claim Axirian heritage. In place of the King of Berwickshire the north was ruled by a steward placed by the Empire; Lord Farron while in the west Carlech and the Marches became the lands of Earl Hightower, a Black Knight who quelled an uprising there a few years after the invasions. These two families ruled in their respective lands throughout the Axirian occupation. |
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In the year 764 the city of Norham was established and the lands of Ithron, Sotho and Lirron were known as the province of Norham under the leadership of an Axirian military governer. After years of peace and stability Norham province was given its own form of self rule. However to prevent a resurgence in power by the old Ithronian noble families the day to day governing of the province was given over to a council made up of professional guilds.
In 956 the crusades had been established and almost all of the occupying forces of Axir retreated from the province as their eastern holy lands were under siege by the marauding Konn. It was therefore left to the Guildcouncil to maintain the safety and stability of the province in the absence of a standing army. Thus the guild of mercenaries and scouts were established, private solders regulated under rules that maintained Guildcouncil power and kept these common swordsmen in line. These military guilds managed to keep the cities and settlements safe but savage foulspawn and the lawless were allowed to thrive in the wilderness and things began to stir in dark places. It was during this time that the curious tradition adventuring was established. The Guild council had little choice but to hire small bands of private individuals to strike at the core of any threat to the populace. It was the guilds that maintain safety that held sway over the Guildcouncil and those individuals willing to risk their lives for the safety of Ithron that would gain power within the Guildcouncil. |
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It was clear that Axir�s grasp on Ithron was slipping and in 991 the direct descendant of the King of Berwickshire, Earl Berwick returned from exile. He overthrew the Axirian Farron household and in the years that followed expanded the army of Berwickshire from 50 to 1500 men. Newcroft itself became a prosperous and thriving city second, only to Norham; thus reflecting the pride and independent spirit of Berwickshire folk.
In the year 993 the then governor of the province declared himself Godking and sole ruler of Ithron. His heresy descended Ithron into civil war. Axir was unwilling to come to the aid of the province but proclaimed that if the Godking was overthrown by the populous then Ithron would be granted its freedom. The Emperor was true to his word and when the Godking�s forces were defeated Ithron became a kingdom and the nobility, although powerful land owners, were at last allowed power over the nation as a whole with the formation of the duke�s congress. However the Guildcouncil and the churches still retain a great deal of power. |
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At that time Berwickshire was under crisis as the ancient great white liche of the north had returned and the county was betrayed by the Necromancer known as Anthrax who himself embraced lichedom. Both were destroyed, however in the year of 995 the Liche was freed once more and this time decimated the once proud city of Newcroft with an army of undead. The Liche was defeated once more and the task of re-building the once proud city begun. The treachery of Athrax and others led to ban being imposed on the practice of necromancy and demonology within Berwickshire; a by-law still in force today. During that time Earl Hightower who, controlled the marches and the city of Carlech, was slain by Lirronesse raiders; the resulting dispute of land ownership by the local nobility descended into bloodshed.
Earl Berwick returned to war in the holy lands, never to return and was replaced by Thane William De Villaret. |
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In 999 another blow came when Berwickshire was invaded by the Lirronesse hoards led by the Reclieth and Frenith clans and traitors from the dwarven stronghold of Dun Mhurdo. Ithron came to Berwickshire�s aid and Newcroft was saved from invasion, and the heretical savages were driven back to their lands. However the city of Carlech was occupied by Robert Dougal, head of the Dougal clan. It was believed that Dougal was willing to negotiate the return of Carlech but instead handed it over to Richard Sommerville-Black who claimed himself Thane of Carlech and leader of the marches. Thus began a bitter civil war that split Berwickshire in two.
The year 1000 saw the re-signing of the pact here in Ithron, establishing the kingdom as the new holy land. However many among the clergy claim that this had come at a cost and those who have been long imprisoned are now released.
In the year 1004, after a co-ordinated effort, Carlech was taken by Thane De Villaret and Berwickshire was whole again. Following this, the lands of Berwickshire were redistributed among the noble families loyal to Lord De Villaret who stepped down from the position of Earl to personally see to the rebuilding of Carlech.
Currently Berwickshire is run by Earl Rennick under Duke De Lelaney. However the infant king of Ithron and his steward has been assassinated and the crown is under the claim of a madman who has brought the knowledge and worship of the dark gods to the masses. |
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Continue to a more detailed history |
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Return To Main Page |
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