History of Aodh

This is the official, Aodhian history book version of Aodh’s past. This is what characters have been taught, and what they believe to be true.

## Early Days 700-873

### King Iniga 700-731

As the first ruler of modern Aodh, King Iniga is credited with establishing the city, naming the first nobles, and instituting slavery. She was a good, understanding and gentle ruler, but capable of being stern when needed. She was, in many ways, exactly what the war torn land needed, and most of her reign was spent on building up a nation from nothing.

### King Ea 731-769

Inheriting a country that was now on a firmer footing, Ea’s reign was focused on strengthening New Valore in whatever way possible. She personally led raiding bands that would subjugate the surrounding vagabonds and minor city states, increasing the size and population of her territory. Towards the end of her reign, New Valore controlled southern Eithne up to Drakefire Woods.

### King Paru 769-795

Their first act upon becoming King was to marry the Prince of Bloom, uniting the two states into a single nation that was now known as Aodh. This merger brought in the plentiful lumber of Drakefire, led to the rediscovery of Faeries and Phoenixes by the residents of New Valore - but most importantly, to the rediscovery of authentic kirin artistry and architecture, both of which were eagerly adapted.

### King Sholeh 795-847

King Sholeh’s time saw an increase of hostility and demands from the militant Serora herd in the south. Most of Sholeh’s reign was peaceful, and she was able to focus on the intellectual development of the herd, favoring scientists and thinkers, and founding the University of New Valore. Her peaceful reign came to an abrupt end in 845 with a declaration of war from Serora. Sholeh remained in power for two more years, but abdicated in favor of her son when the skirmishes became more frequent.

### King Uriel 847-851

A wartime King, King Uriel was beloved by his soldiers, and considered an excellent strategist and warrior. No one really knows what kind of a King he would have been, as governance fell largely on his Advisers while he handled military matters. Uriel died in battle defending his homeland.

### Interregnum 851-871

The 20 years when Aodh did not have a King, but was instead ruled by a council of nobles who acted as regent for young Prince Titus. Considered an unremarkable time, although the council managed to end the war in 852, and stabilized Aodh after - little else was achieved, as the Houses squabbled with one another for power.

### King Titus 871-873

King Titus had a short reign colored by extremely strong anti-Seroran sentiments. He systematically destroyed any nobles who supported any interaction with Serora, or who tried to grab power from the young King. Many suspect that had he lived, he might have ended up disassembling nobility entirely.

## Ignacio's Return & Foundations of Modern Aodh 873-1110

### King Vukan 873-920

Vukan was a more moderate King, and more measured in his approaches in all things but one: religion. He oversaw the construction of Ignis Sanctum (named after his firstborn), and created the rank of Flamen. Under his rule, Aodhians became increasingly devout, and it is his efforts that are considered key in bringing about Ignacio’s return in 884. The almost 40 years after were ones of prosperity, growth and great devotion. Aodh was again at peace, and grew to hold power over almost all of Eithne.

### King Ignitis 920-950

Perhaps even more religious than their father, King Ignitis sought to further strengthen their bond with Ignacio, and the religious life of Aodh. They established Fernos Sanctum as a sister to Ignis, and some years later Azar Sanctum (whose original name has been forgotten). King Ignitis’ reign saw an increase in the power and influence of the Flamines, and the King was very active in personally helping to establish religious custom. Their arguably greatest feat was a military victory in northern Eithne, and the establishing of the town of Opulence - actions which finally brought the whole Eithne under Aodhian control.

### King Houri 950-988

Inherited a stable and rich Kingdom, but proved a weak and easily influenced King. Houri loved to spend time in the newly established town of Opulence, and made wine into the household drink it is today. The most notable things about her reign are the founding of many wineries to support the increasing demand, and the development of a more hedonistic, indulgent culture.

### King Kallai 988-1015

In every way unlike her mother, Kallai was an extremely stern and serious King; something that her reign reflected. She overhauled Aodh’s legal system from an archaic single court to the modern three court system. Pursued more consistent taxation, especially of luxury goods (like wine). A strong ruler who put effort into improving New Valore’s infrastructure, and created many new housing projects.

### King Elek 1015-1035

Elek’s reign is best remembered for the virulent plague that swept through during it. Victims included many prominent nobles - including some of Elek’s own children - but it struck heaviest on the labor force. To combat the diminishing number of slaves, laws were passed that allowed Vagabonds to be captured and imported into Aodh as slaves; before then, slaves had been exclusively homegrown, or prisoners of war. The rank of Slave Traders in their modern form is born.

### King Fintan 1035-1090

King Fintan’s efforts helped Aodh rise again from the hard years of plague. Offered monetary incentives for people to have more children, and established the first public primary schools to spread education among the population. Founded Vatros and Enya Sanctums to encourage the masses to learn about their God. A golden age for Aodh.

### King Widald 1090-1110

A frivolous King whose entire reign was shadowed by monetary issues. Established the town of Haven as a holiday resort for himself - a project which ate up incredible amounts of money. Sold away many public buildings, including several hospitals and the Crucible, to several wealthy noble families to pay his debts. The privatization of Aodhian infrastructure, and free capitalism began to truly bloom during his reign.

## Growing Pains 1110-1435

### King Orzala 1110-1140

Inherited the unenviable task of trying to drag the kingdom back from years of mismanagement and monetary issues. Their reign saw a slow but sure re-emergence of a powerful monarchy. Often had to contend with their unruly nobles. Was unable to stop class divides from deepening - the gulf between noble and commoner was now wider than ever before. An unremarkable but stable reign.

### King Rikke 1140 (7 hours)

The shortest reign in Aodh’s history. King Rikke died during his coronation ceremony, falling head first out of the Royal Box at the Crucible.

### King Raksha 1140-1178

Rikke’s younger brother had not been groomed to rule, but made for an unexpectedly competent king. His reign was one of stability and advancements - considered very progressive. Raksha invested money into modernizing Aodh’s infrastructure, including repaving many older roads, building new bridges and maintaining roadways to other parts of Eithne. The town of Harborside was established during his reign.

### King Seraphine 1178-1200

Seraphine legalized and popularized drug trade; specifically the use of opium. Taxation of the drug trade grew coffers, but money went mostly to the King’s own expensive habits. This era saw the establishing of many of Aodh’s opium dens, as well as the rise in popularity and number of brothels. Seraphine was known to be extremely temperamental, and would throw people out of court on a regular basis - executions weren’t unheard of, either.

### King Keegan 1200-1240

Famously unpopular King. Happened to rule during an unusually cold period in Eithne’s history, and refused to budge in taxation, causing many smaller farms to go under all across Eithne. Resulted in nobility gaining immense amounts of land, massive increases in the prices of food, and several famines during their reign. Poverty becomes a real problem in Aodh, especially New Valore.

### King Niran 1240-1280

Continuing where Raksha had left off, Niran redistributed unclaimed farmland cheaply to commoners, decreased taxation on agricultural goods, and strengthened trading relations between the various settlements in Eithne. Reforms ended the cycle of famines that had plagued the herd for years. Held in high regard by lower classes.

### King Tarsa 1280-1313

Tarsa was an eccentric ruler with a fondness for “foreign flavors” and splendid luxuries. Silently approved of bringing in slaves from other herds, and added many to her own “collection”. Servile Slave breeding became popular, as did many difficult-to-get, exotic spices, drugs and delicacies. Those with the means to participate in luxury trade became very wealthy. Established many strange laws (such as requiring everyone in court to wear Aodhian Amber on Fridays), which were strictly upheld, and dismantled by later rulers.

### King Vahni 1313-1350

Fancied themselves a military King, and would embark on various crusades against emboldened Onean border clans, large Vagabond troupes, and the occasional unfortunates she just didn’t happen to like. Spent a lot of time away from the capital, and was uninterested in ruling; a stagnant period.

### King Atesh 1350-1400

Inherited a complete mess of a kingdom. Reign was largely spent dismantling weird laws set up by Tarsa, repairing relations with various noble families Vahni had pissed off, while also keeping up the appearance of strong rulership for the masses. Quiet slave sympathizer and the establisher of the decency laws.

### King Brand 1400-1435

Came to the throne as a child of 9. Proved a cruel, capricious King with very little common sense, and even less empathy for the lower classes. Unremarkable reign marked by high taxation, many lavish parties and celebrations. Brand used the military as an iron hoof to subdue dissent. Was always a center of court drama, and often had displeasing eminents, advisers, consorts and envoys summarily executed.

## Going Global - Aodh as a World Power 1435-1700

### King Brenton 1435-1473

The last great military King, Brenton put a bloody end to the aggression of the Onean clans in a war that lasted from 1441 to 1442. He achieved great military victories by modernizing Aodh’s army. The newly reformed Chevaliers not only won battles, but also increased the safety of Aodh’s cities and caravans with their presence. After the war, Brenton’s reign was peaceful, and although he was not a very remarkable King when it came to courts, his reign was a safe and stable one. He had a special fondness for Opulence, where he established a military academy.

### Kings Ursula & Kai 1473-1510

A golden age for Aodh. Kings Ursula and Kai increased the life quality of all Aodhians with their efficient governance, governmental restructuring, opening of global trade and tax reforms that allowed the development of a wealthy, non-noble merchant class. They passed many laws that decreased corruption within the systems that run Aodh, and were known to be extremely shrewd and farsighted in their plans.

### King Azar 1510-1539

Azar was a catastrophic ruler who pursued her passion for art, and cared little for governing. Her time saw the tearing down and full reconstruction of Hearthstone Palace, and establishing of the modern Artisan District, as well as the increased status of Artisans. For common people, her reign showed itself mostly in the countless new public art displays that popped up around New Valore. Azar was rarely present at court, and taxation was heavy during her reign.

### King Calida 1539-1583

King Calida’s reign was, to most commoners, completely unremarkable. The government ran well - better than during Azar’s time. Nobility, however, remember Calida differently. She made it her life’s work to chase out the criminal organizations and corrupt nobles who had taken over the Crucible, and brought the arena back under Crown control. This endeavor made her extremely rich, but also garnered her many enemies. Atmosphere in Calida’s court was often tense; especially after the first assassination attempt.

### King Mishal 1583-1593

10 years of uncertainty, fear and violence. Religious freedom was completely removed, with Ignacio being the only accepted god. Mishal would doggedly pursue anyone, no matter their status, who was suspected of being a heretic. This became abundantly clear when he personally oversaw the “purging” of Vatros and Enya Sanctums in 1584, and the zealotry of the King and his close circle saw many more victims in those years. Aodh’s state affairs were run by the King’s advisory cabinet, and any progress - governmental, scientific or otherwise - stagnated in the oppressive environment.

### King Edna 1593-1641

King Edna was a stern, efficient ruler. She completely destroyed the Inquisition, reinstated religious freedom (including the worship of Alya), and rebuilt the Sanctums of Enya and Vatros. After her father’s life’s work had been completely wiped from the face of Hireath, Edna focused on political matters. She was especially interested in sciences and education. As a King, she was fair but merciless. Most commoners would remember her time as an upwards trajectory, where the chaos of the first years of her reign was soon replaced by peace and progress.

### King Remiel 1641-1676

An extremely stable time in Aodh’s history. King Remiel pursued no great change nor advancement; under his reign, Aodh was stagnant but peaceful. Noble tax reductions (which Solaris would later upturn) led to a widening gap between the nobility, and the non-noble upper classes, but unhappiness never escalated to action.

### King Solaris 1676-1699

The reign of King Solaris was a golden age for Aodh. Trade blossomed, and diplomatic contacts with other countries were nurtured; War Forged became a closer ally than ever, and relations with Serora and Umare Breim improved and provided prosperity via trade. She established a public railroad, and sought to lessen the suffering of lower classes with new humanitarian efforts and laws. Advocated for slave rights. She was beloved by her subjects, but less cherished by some of the old noble families.

## End of an Era - Last of the Soleils 1699 to modern day

### King Amadeus 1699-1700 (14 months)

King Amadeus’ reign is not remembered fondly. In his short time on the throne, Amadeus managed to start a war against Serora, and completely squander the goodwill built by Solaris between Aodh and Umare Breim. Amadeus’ short reign also saw the most horrific terrorist act in Aodh’s history when Vindicators attacked and blew up the Crucible. Last Soleil King.

### King Isador 1700-1702 (21 months)

The reign of King Isador was marked by instability, great challenges and constant upheaval. Under his leadership Aodh won a war against Serora and severed diplomatic ties with Talori. Frustration with the status quo and the worsening slave rights led to several riots in 1701 and civil protests in 1702. The war with Heralds of Ash has led to a refugee crisis and horrific loss of life. Isador was a strong, charismatic King with very traditional values cursed with a difficult time on the throne, and his eventual downfall was his strict view of what it means to be *Aodhian*.

King Isador was killed in a coup organized by his successor and then-Adviser, Aleksei, in June 1702.

### King Aleksei 1702->

The brother of the dead Crown Prince Alduin, and stepson to King Solaris, Aleksei reclaimed the throne from Isador in a public coup in June 1702. The young King inherits a splintered kingdom, while the threat of kirins looms large on the minds of every Aodhian.