Duchy of Kordon

Orthodoxy of the Holy Light

The Duchy of Kordon was a strict feudal society which ruled over the Borderlands. It was succeeded by the Kingdom of Kordon following the creation of the Duchy of Sorland in 496 A.E. The Duchy of Kordon title still is active as it contains the Barony of Odretski, County of Kordolinska, and the County of Varnava.

## **History**

### Founding

The Duchy of Kordon was founded by Nicomedes Dion and Salazar de Luna with the focus on becoming a financial hub in the realm. With merchant-focused values such as private property and defined tax brackets for the social classes. Initially, there was unease amongst the citizens of the new nation when the two nobles were discussing on who would assume to role of Duke, however, Salazar suggested that Nicomedes should take the title, and he would continue his ambitions as a merchant focused noble.

(More history to be filled in)

## Reign of Nicomedes Dion (488 A.E. - 492 A.E.)

### Early Years

The beginning of Nicomedes reign was relatively uneventful, as the focus of the new nation was on the construction of the would-be capital Kordolinska. The construction was slow and tedious, taking a little over a year to complete.

### The Stengarian Wager

Following the completion of most of Kordolinska, Nicomedes began focusing the nation's efforts onto international diplomacy. Seeing a worsening political situation between the Greenland nations, Nicomedes feared a united force that would risk the sovereignty of Kordon. Stengarian King Jack Stewart, formed the Empire of Kritigia, a seemingly united Greenlands that bordered both the Duchy of Kordon and the Jarldom of Tyrakir. Knowing their shared situation, Duke Nicomedes called for diplomatic talks with Jarl Aelthred of Tyrakir. However, these talks ended with obscenities being hurled between the Tyrakirian diplomat and the men of Kordon. Their confidence lost in the tribesmen, Duke Nicomedes began securing relations with Emperor Jack Stewart, wagering Kordon's future, supporting Emperor Jack Stewart.

(placeholder)

During this time, by order of Jarl Aelthred Grandrein, an important nobleman of Stengar, Sir Alek Dondarian, friend of Kordonian nobleman, Salazar de Luna, was ambushed and killed in the Borderlands on a road leading to Kordolinska.

Swearing vengeance and justice for the death of a friend and nobleman on Kordonian territory, a plan was devised to kidnap Jarl Aelthred and bring him to Kordolinska for justice. The plan was successful, and the Jarl was imprisoned, tortured and executed within the walls of Kordolinska in an act of what Kordonians believe to be retribution.

### Sack of Kordolinska

*Main Article: The Sack of Kordolinska*

In the year of 492 A.E the capital of the Duchy of Kordon, Kordolinska, was besieged and sacked by an Alliance of Northern realms spearheaded by the Jarldom of Tyrakir.

   Following the capture and execution of Jarl Aethelred Grandrein by the Kordonians and Stengarians, High Jarl Sigrid Almarn landed in port of Tyrakir only to immediately be informed that his compatriot had been killed. Swearing an oath of vengeance against those responsible, High Jarl Sigrid rallied the allies of the Jarldom and marched an army to Kordolinska.

In response, Kordon and it’s allies hastily mustered an army of Kordonians, Reverians and Merkan mercenaries. Despite amassing a force of 800, the Southern forces were outnumbered by the force of 1300 Tyrakirians, Kaltlandans, Libertians and Mardock mercenaries. This difference in numbers led to Kordon deciding time yield the countryside and instead garrison and defend Kordolinska itself.

After several days of siege preparation, the Tyrakirian led alliance proceeded to bombard the rear of the city In order to gain direct access into the keep. Even while under heavy fire by the cities garrison, a breach was created directly into the throne room, allowing for a direct assault into the core of the keep. However, hundreds of the attackers fell under the hail of arrows and blades of the defenders who resisted wave after wave with fierce determination. After several more days of resistance, it became apparent that the defenders could not effectively continue their defense with so many dead and wounded. Seeing this, the attackers led an all-out assault on the last level of the keep, brutal close-quarters fighting ensued, but inevitably the city garrison was overwhelmed and cut down in a valiant last stand with only the wounded and those forced to surrender left. The remaining defenders, along with Duke Nicomedes Dion and Count Salazar de Luna met in the streets of the city of Kordolinska to hear the fate of the survivors and the capital. Knowing his involvement in the execution and torture of Jarl Aethelred, Count Salazar decided that he would not risk potentially sharing the same fate as Aethelred, and assaulted the High Jarl with Duke Nicomedes joining in soon after. After a long struggle of fighting between the three, Duke Nicomedes dealt a mortal wound to the High Jarl moments before his personal guards interfered and slayed both Duke Nicomedes and Count Salazar.

## Reign of Alexandre Televara (492 A.E. - 498 A.E.)

### Succession

Following the deaths of Duke Nicomedes Dion and Count Salazar de Luna, Kordon was left without its nobility and no clear leader. The survivors of the Sack of Kordolinska decided upon a civic regency of the Duchy with Alexandre Televara serving as Lord Protector and Regent of Kordon.

### Reconstruction and Expansion

Rebuilding efforts and policies went into effect immediately in order to reclaim the power, glory and prosperity the Duchy had lost following the war. By strictly centralizing industry and agriculture, Kordon was able to recover from most of it’s losses relatively quickly. Plans for expansion were implemented soon after, Kordolinska’s defenses were strengthened, it’s economy rebuilt and reformed, flexible social class changes, as well as new settlements across the Borderlands brought Kordon to a new age of prosperity. During this time, the late Count Salazar de Luna’s only son and heir, Alfonso de Luna, was being raised by the Lord Protector acting as his father figure and guardian.

### An Uneasy Peace

Despite this newfound prosperity in Kordon, the looming tension between the Grand Alliance and the Southern Realms persisted, and at times fluctuated to the point of a resurgence in the war. However this tension was abruptly ended with the Dissolution of the Grand Alliance.

### Ducal Succession Crisis

With the threat of war with the Grand Alliance ending, the issue of Kordonian succession became the next priority among the nobility of Kordon. The primary contenders for the throne was the then Lord Protector Alexandre Televara, and Count Alfonso de Luna. In order to avoid a civil war, it was mutually decided that House de Luna would support the coronation of House Televara as the 2nd Duke of Kordon in exchange for political favors and the raising of the de Luna's as an Elder House. With Count Alfonso's support, Alexandre Televara was soon after coronated as the new Duke of Kordon.

### Solyrian Confederation

Following the Ducal Corornation of Alexandre Televara, Duke Alexandre called for the council of all the sovereign leaders of the Southern Alliance that was the primary opposition of the Grand Alliance. With the Grand Alliance dissolved, it was officially agreed upon all the members of the Southern Alliance to reform into the Solyrian Confederation with the same intention of mutual defense and cooperation between the Southern Realms of Askalar. The members of the Confederation consisted of the Duchy of Kordon, County of Reveria, the Holy Order of Entitism and the County of Hippolyta (who joined soon after the Dissolution of the Grand Alliance).

### Annexation of Hippolyta

After the formation of the Solyrian Confederation, the County of Hippolyta, the newest sovereign member of the Confederation, suddenly abandoned the city of Hippolyta and migrated it's denizens North East into the Republic of Tyrakir under the safety and protection of The Highlands Empire. This sudden decision to leave the Confederation and their ancestral homeland was viewed as a insult to the Duchy of Kordon and King Alexandre Televara, who personally accepted the Hippolytans into the Alliance. With the abandonment of their city, King Alexandre took immediate action to occupy it before looters, bandits or rivals could.

### Valagence Border Dispute

In the middle of 496 A.E. construction of a house began on the nearest hill directly north-west of Kordolinska, in the Telvran Mountains, overlooking the city. Being worked on by Valagenic men, overwatched by Lord of Valagence, Mallark Jaedeus Romana. Confronted by a retinue of Duke Alexandre Televara of Kordolinska, the construction was claimed to be an estate, which Mallark wished to retire to after his reign had ended. Upon being told to halt any further construction until traveling to Kordolinska to speak with the Duke, Mallark refused, stating that the Duke would have to ride to him if he wished him to stop construction. After a brief argument between the parties, Mallark fled the site, being chased and attacked by Duke Alexandre's retinue. As it became apparent that men were beginning to die, Mallark's retinue fled their lord, leaving him to fend for himself. Mallark made a brief attempt to hide within a nearby mine, but was soon dragged out by the Kordonian soldiers. Mallark was then brought back to Kordolinska as a prisoner.

#### Imprisonment of Mallark Jaedeus Romana

**(Some major information ahead that very few characters know, do not use any of this to metagame.)**

After being imprisoned, Duke Alexandre presented Mallark with his demands, for Valagence to recognize Telvran Mountains as rightful Kordonian land and that they are to withdraw their men from the region at once. However, Mallark refused to accept these terms, and stated that the Telvran Mountains belonged to the Greenlands. Over the next months Mallark still refused to accept the terms for his release, and not even any of Valagences representatives would accept the terms either. One of these talks with the representatives became so volatile that after the occasion, Duke Alexandre Televara and Duke Agustin Laetitia IV brought Mallark to a torture room and proceeded to break each of his kneecaps with a hammer and club. Duke Alexandre made the decision to let Mallark stay imprisoned with no further attempts to offer him terms for his release, and instead would pursue military action against the Valengian men in the Telvran Mountains. Within a few days of learning of this plan, Mallark Jaedeus Romana, Lord of Valagence, was found dead in his cell hanging from a hook in the wall with a rope that was used to bind his arms.

#### Kordonian-Valengian War

*Main Article: Kordonian-Valengian War*

Early 497 A.E., after over half a year of imprisonment and refusal of the Kordonian demands to cede the Telvran Mountains from both the imprisoned nobleman as well as representatives of Valagence, Duke Alexandre called upon the support the Duchy of Cortarium to muster a force to occupy the Telvran Mountains.

*Main Article: Battle of Telvran Mountains*

With the combined forces of Duke Alexandre Televara, Duke Agustin Laetitia IV, and Count Alfonso de Luna the force marched north to fight the Battle of Telvran Mountains. Outnumbering the defending Valengian host three-to-one, the battle was very brief, and ending in the killing or capturing of more than 250 of the 300 defenders, while the attacking host of 1000 men lost only ~25 of their soldiers. Following their victory, the force went back to Kordolinska for a feast in celebration.

Following the feast, Duke Alexandre rode to Valagence and entered into peace talks with the representatives of Valagence. Ceding their claim to the Telvran Mountains and becoming a tributary state of Kordon, the Kordonian-Valengian War ended after only a few months of conflict.

### Merkan Deposition

*Main Article: Merkan Deposition*

Following the marriage of Alfonso de Luna, head of House de Luna, to Eris de Luna (Eris Bronte), sister to Jericho Bronte, leader of Merka, Alfonso began supporting his wife's claim to Merka, in wake of Mayor Dale Myer's death. With the construction of a Kordonian barracks in the central district of the city, hundreds of Kordonian soldiers loyal to Alfonso were present to aid when he demanded Jericho Bronte relinquish his claim of Merka to his sister. Jericho, accepting the demands, gave to House de Luna the title of Merka, officially becoming a County under the Duchy of Kordon.

### Banishment of Flynn Stewart

In response to the multiple hostile actions to Kordon at the hand of Emperor Flynn Stewart and the even more numerous failed peace talks between the Empire and the Confederation, Duke Alexandre Televara promptly delivered an ultimatum, the banishment of the Emperor, or the invasion of the Empire. After much wait, the Emperor had finally agreed to being banished to save his realm from the wrath and ruin of war.

### Coronation to King

Following the Emperor's banishment, Kordon directed its attention to reforming the most recently acquired domains, the County of Merka and Hipploytus. The newly established Duchy of Sorland was created out of these two Counties, with Alonfso de Luna being raised from Count to the Duke of Sorland. With there now being two duchies within Kordon, the Duchy was reorganized into the Kingdom of Kordon, with Duke Alexandre Televara being crowned as the First King of Kordon. One of Alexandre's first acts as King was to establish peace between the Confederation and the Empire and its new Emperor, Alaren Bearclaw. Although wary, the Emperor agreed to terms of non-aggression and the opening of free trade and travel between Imperial and Confederacy lands.

## Culture

Kordonian culture is influenced greatly by various nomadic traditions and ideas, as the people are a recently settled nomadic tribe within the past century. Valuing both personal property and responsibility, the state exists mainly as an authority on matters such as the minting of coin, and foreign relations. The commoners of Kordon are more or less expected to make their own way in life, with little to no support from the state. Even in matters such as the military, citizens of Kordon are expected to arrange for their own arms and armour for times of war.

### Social Classes

Kordon also has a distinct social hierarchy, although class mobility is possible.

#### Nobles

The nobles of Kordon are mainly ancestors of the previous tribe chieftains of the previous nomadic peoples. They are given various privileges, of these, being apart of the Duke's council, advising him on various matters of the state is among the greatest. They also have the privilege of owning serfs, which they can force to do whatever work the nobleman desires. While rare, it is possible for a commoner to be raised to nobility, but only the Duke may raise one to nobility.

#### Citizens

A man who is wealthy enough to own property, a horse, and is fully equipped for war may be granted the privilege of a citizen. Citizens have the ability to pursue their own ventures in life, with less reliance on local Nobles for living their day to day life.

#### Serfs

Serfs enjoy very few freedoms within Kordon, as they are usually in direct service to a nobleman. They are not expected to procure full military gear, as the nobleman they serve will usually provide them spare equipment for the duration of a military campaign or raid.

## Settlements and Titles

### County of Kordolinska

Kordolinska - Capital city and seat of the Dukes if Kordon

Dion Keep - Seat of power of Kordon, named in honor of Duke Nicomedes DionBarony of Odretski - Barony guarding the Telvran Mountains north of Kordolinska, Seat of House Vidovich

### Barony of Odretski

Vyshka Castle - Seat of House Vidovich that guards the narrow passes in the Telvran Mountains north of Kordolinska.

### County of Varnava

Lunos Keep - Seat of House de Luna overlooking the village of Varnava

Varnava - Small farming village along the Iskyn River

### County of Hippolytus

Hippolytus - Former capital of Hippolyta, renamed into Hippolytus after it’s annexation

## Military

   Kordonian military traditions and tactics remain largely the same after many years due to it's effectiveness in battle. Citizens and serfs levied into military service often carry both spear, axe, sabre and bow into battle on horseback, with poorer serfs usually being given lesser spare equipment and or horses by their liege lord for them to use in battles and raids. Hit-and-run skirmish tactics are commonly deployed with deadly effect on disorganized and undisciplined enemies, who often retreat under the hail of arrow fire, only to be cut down by the better equipped and trained citizen soldiers and noblemen.