The kingdom of Dorborough

The Kingdom of Dorborough is the dominating force of the badlands of Norenia. Currently ruled by Wymare Blackcolt the humans asserted their dominance over the large island when the Tribe of the First Monolith lost their monolith and left the continent.

### History

#### Early history

The badlands of Norenia proved to be a harsh terrain for the Highlander humans who first settled on this continent. Not much is known as to what attracted these first settlers. The wide variety of cultures clashing as the first settlers went through harsh times in the scorching badlands sun, years of infighting plagued the humans together with the harsh conditions and orcs.

#### Dorborough's Beginnings

Skirmishes were common between the early humans and orcs, as the orcs viewed them as intruders on their land. It was these battles that made the humans realise they had to band together in order to survive. The cultures slowly melted together into a single Norenian identity.

The humans still had no proper leadership, every family just having their own farmsteads. One of these families led by Alwin Mannering managed to put together the funds to build the first Norenian castle, Dorborough Keep. The keep was the height of construction during the time period and thus naturally many of the families flocked to it for protection, forming Dorborough Town. At the same time the people began to acknowledge Alwin Mannering as their dejure king.

#### The First Orcish-Human Wars

Wars between the two factions were common, but none as bloody as the day currently dubbed as Dorborough Day within the kingdom. During this siege the orcs had sacked the entirety of Dorborough town, leaving only the keep standing. The newly founded kingdom found itself in a difficult position fearing another attack. From this moment on in preparation the humans decided to settle within the cliffs above the Keep, forming the new town of Redcliffe, which held a better defensive position up high. The human population grew while the bitterness at the orcs remained. This change of fortune was seen as a sign as a powerful healer was rumored to walk among them. It was around this time that the Church of Sundial was founded. The hatred between the two sides never went away as they clashed for centuries in bloody battles, as Redcliffe evolved into a bishopric.

#### Recent Times (In character happenings)

The Kingdom flourished as newcomers came once again to the continent to seek a new life, under the watchful eye of King Harvey Mannering. These newcomers however, together with the retirement of the Archbishop without clear succession had led to a weakening of the hatred against the orcs amongst the new generation. This was especially noticable when the new generations of humans and orcs united against the orcish warlock Zulga who brought curses to the entire continent in the form of twisted bone monoliths. During these events King Harvey had experienced the death of his son Raignald, which led to deterioration of his mental health.During this period a new archbishop, Cision, was chosen who had a rather unorthodox view. The people had lost faith in Harvey and performed a coup lead by Cision with backing of the orcs which due to unknown circumstances led to his death.

In a state of emergency, the nobleman Ian Valois was made king during this state of interregnum. Dorborough was for the first time left with a king who wasn't a Mannering, many of the old houses doubted this course of direction with the suspicious circumstances of the coup and the orc's involvement, but were content in the end to have a king who didn't seclude themselves and ruled. Tensions weren't increased as even an archbishop was involved and according to sources committed suicide, leaving the seat of the bishopric empty once again.

#### The flood (In character and aftermath)

The orcs and humans who were most influential in the fight against Zulga went to the Gloompoole Tribe to help their defenses as the wood elves found themselves under attack by the high elves. Zulga used this opportunity to deal a final blow against the orcs, destroying their monolith and causing a massive flood, permanently submerging most of the lower parts of the continent, leaving only the higher lands behind.

After these events some of the humans and most of the orcs left to find a new life on Aetheral, while the remaining humans began to dominate the continent with the absence of any orcish power. It was during this time that Ian Valois abdicated the throne in favour of Wymare Blackcolt, who rules to this very day.

Many thanks to Earknight for the base lore.

### Settlements

#### Dorborough Keep

A mighty castle situated on the lower parts of the cliffs, it was one of the reasons the kingdom had formed. The keep is the main seat of power and used to function as a palace until an actual palace was constructed in recent times.

#### Bishopric of Redcliffe

The largest and in recent days the only remaining city in Dorborough, with the weakening of the church after the archbishops retirement the control of the king has improved over the town.