Kingdom of Khandurus (The Servant)

The Kingdom of Khanduras, currently the Holy State of Saint Leah, is the smallest and youngest of the Western Kingdoms. Khanduras previously existed as a general region of freeholds, loose confederations, and tiny states without any overarching control. That ended with the coming of Leoric in 1258, who proclaimed himself king and formed the modern Kingdom of Khanduras. Years after his ascension, he was corrupted by the demonic influence of the Prime Evil Diablo, leading to the Darkening of Tristram and subsequent fall of the kingdom. Following the Great Demonic War, the kingdom has been reformed under the guidance of former war-hero Albert.
It is bordered by the Gulf of Westmarch to the west, Westmarch to the south, the Sharval Wilds to the north, and is separated from Aranoch by the Tamoe Mountain Range. Khanduras is best known for the events surrounding Diablo's return and the darkening of Tristram.
== History ==
=== Pre-History ===
The original land of Khanduras was settled by several small tribes, usually considered to be of barbaric origin, around -2000 AK. 
These tribes established small controlled territories, and frequently warred with each other for centuries. Unlike in the lands of Endstieg, no major kingdoms or states formed, with constant tribal upheaval in the region as new invading tribes and peoples poured into the land, which became known as the "Borderlands" or Khanduras in the native tongue.
Khanduras entered into a era of petty warlords and minor kings following dramatic social and political upheaval with the arrival of the Araybi peoples, displaced by the Kehjistani Empire in the east. This began a long warlord era, with minor chieftains able to form petty empires that crumbled upon their death. This period of history is very poorly defined, and created a lengthy period of constant political and social struggle.
This period of history generally ended around 200 AK, leading to the gradual formation of numerous tiny confederations, city-states, freeholds, and numerous collectives of minor states that stretched across Khanduras. Conflicts and political machinations would continue, but a general lack and peace endured throughout Khanduras during this time, lasting for centuries.
A series of deadly plagues and major wars in the 9th and 10th centuries saw a dramatic death-toll in Khanduras, with hundreds of thousands dying. Most major urban areas were greatly affected, causing a large urban to rural migration. This had the effect of wiping out most major states and kingdoms in Khanduras, and turning Khanduras to a largely isolated agrarian and rural location, with most residents simple farmers who resided in local villages and towns. Several urban centers and cities remained, but were drastically reduced in influence and power.
=== Pre-Leoric Khanduras ===
Years after the last of the Horadrim had died, a great and prosperous society grew in the lands of the West. While Rakkis formed the kingdom of Westmarch, the land of Khanduras saw a slow but steady economic growth. 
As time wore on, many Eastern pilgrims settled in the lands surrounding and within Khanduras and soon established small, self-contained kingdoms. A few of these kingdoms bickered with Khanduras over holdings of property or routes of trade. These squabbles did little to upset the lasting peace of the West, and the kingdom of Westmarch proved to be a strong ally of Khanduras as the two lands steadily engaged in ventures of barter and commerce. During Khanduras's long range of peace, most towns and cities agreed upon a standard gold coin to use in trade as new urban communities were formed.
During this time, a bold, new religion of the Light known as Zakarum began to spread throughout the kingdom of Westmarch and into many of its northern principalities. Zakarum, founded in the Far East, implored followers to enter into the Light and forsake the darkness that lurked within their souls. The people of Westmarch adopted the statutes of Zakarum as their sacred mission in the world. Westmarch began to turn towards its neighbors, expecting them to embrace this new beginning as well. Tensions rose between the kingdoms of Westmarch and Khanduras as the priests of Zakarum began to preach their foreign dogma whether they were welcomed or not.
=== Coming of Leoric ===
It was in 1258 then that Leoric came unto the lands of Khanduras and, in the name of Zakarum, declared himself king. Leoric was a deeply religious man and had brought many knights and priests with him that comprised his Order of the Light. Leoric and his trusted advisor, the Archbishop Lazarus, made their way to the city of Tristram. Leoric appropriated the ancient, decrepit monastery on the outskirts of the town for his seat of power and renovated it to match its time-lost glory. Although the free people of Khanduras were not pleased with being placed under the sudden rule of a foreign King, Leoric served them with justice and might. Eventually, the people of Khanduras grew to respect the kind Leoric, sensing that he sought only to guide and protect them against the oppression of darkness.
=== The Awakening ===
What Leoric didn't know was that his throne of power was right above where Diablo, Lord of Terror, had been sealed by the Horadrim centuries ago. After being freed by Lazarus, the demon chose Leoric as his mortal host. Leoric kept this a secret, convinced that his piety would allow him to overcome the ordeal, but nonetheless, Diablo was able to influence the king's behavior. His rule became increasingly tyrannical, and the people took to calling him "the Black King." Lazarus, who was secretly in league with Diablo, attempted to remove Leoric's closest allies by convincing the king that Westmarch was plotting against him. The paranoid monarch thus ordered that his armies march on Westmarch and his advisors be sent as "emissaries." It was a war that no-one in Khanduras wanted, but nonetheless, his armies were bound to serve their king and marched to battle.
The outcome was a boon for the demon lord. Khanduras's army was torn apart by Westmarch's superior numbers and defensive positions. In Tristram, Leoric was left with no-one, his wife dead by his own deranged orders, his elder son gone with the army, and his younger son now Diablo's host. The knight Lachdanan, having returned from the disastrous war, confronted his king. Beyond salvation, Leoric fell to Lachdanan's blade.
Thus, Khanduras was left without a ruler. Darkness came to Tristram and the surrounding countryside, with Diablo unleashing his demons upon the land. Eventually, Diablo was defeated, by a returned Aidan, along with two other heroes. Yet the cost included Albrecht's life, and after attempting to bind the Prime Evil within himself, Aidan's soul.
=== Returning Light, Returning Darkness ===
Diablo's acts had a foul legacy on Khanduras—his journey to the east left Tristram destroyed in his wake, the Sisters of the Sightless Eye temporarily lost their monastery, and demons and khazra roamed the countryside. Yet in the years following the defeat of the Prime Evils, merchants slowly began to return to the region, looking to profit from adventurers who plumbed the depths of the Tristram Cathedral. The town of New Tristram arose, but fell into decline.
Without a king to stand as a strong central authority, Khanduras quickly fell apart, becoming a dangerous landscape where bandits, demons, and vile khazra roamed free. Most villages and towns quickly began independent, with charismatic nobles or strong former soldiers rising to power. Towns such as Ashwold, Havenwood, or Waystruck struggled to survive, organizing their own defenses such as the Ashwold Watch, and managed to persist to the modern day. Other places were less fortunate, destroyed by cultists or bandits (such as Wortham or Blackstone village) or abandoned (such as the small town of Holbrook).
Twenty years after the defeat of Baal at Mount Arreat, evil once again touched Khanduras. The Coven had infiltrated the region, and with the fall of Tyrael from the High Heavens, the dead themselves rose to attack the living. Ultimately, New Tristram and the surrounding countryside were saved, but not without cost to its people. Months afterwards, roving packs of demons could be found roaming Khanduras.
=== The Ravaging ===
Khanduras became the epicenter of most remaining demons and a surge of dangerous cults and madmen, leading to a period known as the Ravaging. Already divided and weak, the land of Khanduras was beset upon by packs of demons that attacked caravans, merchants, and minor settlement, coupled with the threat of roving bandits. Former soldiers and captains formed their own mercenary companies, adding to the chaos of the era.
Out of this, however, one man began to work to save his nation. A minor bandit, the warrior known as Albert displayed incredible military skill, and his band of followers quickly grew. He grew famous of his exploits in stopping demons and helping small communities. and over the years garnered influence and control over the few remaining settlements in Khanduras.
Thanks to his efforts, most of the countryside was purged of demonic taint, and he set his eyes for the throne. In 1291 he claimed kingship over Khanduras, and with the aid of other nations, set about rebuilding his kingdom.
== Government ==
Khanduras has been radically restructured since its restoration, based upon the principle monarchical model employed by King Leoric during his hey day. 
== Geography ==
=== Landforms ===
* Cave of the Moon Clan
* Caverns of Araneae
* Den of Evil
* Den of the Fallen
* Festering Nest
* Fleshpit Grove (cut content)
* River Talsande
* Vile Refuge
* Weeping Hollow
=== Regions ===
* Black Marsh
* Blood Marsh (western reaches)
* Blood Moor
* Cold Plains
* Dark Wood
* Festering Woods
* Fields of Misery
* Northern Highlands
* Southern Highlands
* Stony Field
* Tamoe Highlands
* Wortham Bluffs
=== Roads ===
* Justinian Road
* Traders' Road
=== Structures ===
* Ashwold Manor
* Eastgate Keep
* Drowned Temple
* Forsaken Grounds
* Forgotten Tower
* Highlands Crossing
* The Lyceum
=== Towns ===
* Ashwold
* Blackstone Village (destroyed)
* Havenwood
* Holbrook (abandoned)
* New Tristram
* Old Tristram (destroyed)
* Waystruck
* Wortham (destroyed)
=== Other ===
* Ashwold Cemetery
* Rogue Encampment
* Sanguine Ruins
== Culture & Society ==
Category:The Servant