Kolgrim I

**Kolgrim I** (b. 85 AD - d. 143 AD), was King of Mon Altrya from 114 AD until his death in 143 AD.

## Early life

Kolgrim was born in Anderium in 85 AD, the eldest son of Boda I. Under the tutorship of his grandfather, Nul-Agan I, he was trained in the arts of war from a young age. His early teachers write that he was a short-tempered child that was quick to anger, as was his brother Borwyn and the two would often be seen fighting together against much older boys.

At the age of 16, he accompanied his grandfather and father south in the First Burgodian War and a few later was jpined by his brother Borwyn. It is said that Kolgrim was a fierce warrior, much like his forfathers, but believe that the long war in his young years did little to quell the anger inside him and many believe he was too quick to see blind fury and took too much joy in killing. In the later years of the First Burgodian War, he became famed for acts of bravery and courage, but others said that he was foolish and spiteful in battle.

He was present at the deaths of his grandfather in 108 and his father in 114, who both died of wounds suffered in battle. Kolgrim too had suffered many minor wounds in battle and his face was scarred and marked by war. Upon his father's death and the conclusion of the First Burgodian War, Kolgrim travelled to Altrya for the first time in his life where he received a hero's welcome by the townsfolk. He was officially crowned King in a grand coronation in the summer of 114 and began his early reign, tutored and assisted by the wise Crown Chancellor and great-uncle, Aldarra.

## King of Mon Altrya

Kolgrim settled into life at the Palace of Martyl in Altrya but quickly became bored of the endless Alderman council meetings and only took interest in organising festivals and gladiatorial games. Whilst the city flourished and constant building projects were taking place, crime and disease rose in the peasant quarters. The number of building projects taking place called for a huge number of labourers and by 120 AD the city's population stood at 20,000. Whilst Aldarra tried to address the disease issue with the construction of sewage systems and laws addressing housing standards, he had little interest in dealing with the crime and disorder issue. This eventually came to a head in 121 AD, when rioting broke out in Greyside, a peasant quarter in east Altyra. The riots were said to have come about by the living standards in the poorer areas and the easy access to strong alcohol available in the unlicensed drinking taverns and brothels which would open in every peasant quarter. A further issue was the arrival in the city and popularity of Lion Spice, a recreational drug that when taken would eventually turn the user insane and without boundaries.

The rioting, lawlessness and accompanying fires quickly spread to more luxurious quarters of the city and after the killing of a group of respected merchant men and the rape and murder of Princess Adurin, King Kolgrim stepped in by leading his troops into Greyside and killing the peasants who refused to flea. Hundreds were rounded up and imprisoned and those identified as leaders or committing atrocious crimes were executed.

Kolgrim and Aldarra agreed that a more long-term solution was required and it was decided that Kolgrim's brother, Borwyn, would over-see the creation of a new city guard that would protect and police the city. Thus came about the formation of the Altrya City Paladin Guards.
King Kolgrim, who had replaced his father as King in 114 was to be the fourth and final King that Aldarra would serve under. All four King's had relied heavily on Aldarra as an experienced and wise statesman, however the relationship between Kolgrim and his great-uncle and been tense and difficult in Aldarra's later years. Aldarra attempted to stifle Kolgrim's frivolity and joy of festivals and events and many believed that had Aldarra not have died in 131 AD, the King would eventually have taken matters into his own hands.

## Later reign

In Kolgrim's later years, he began to become a strong supporter of the Adeleyn faith, one matter that Aldarra had been able to impress upon the King. When news arrived in 127 AD in the capital that King Dyrdis of Kellodia had outlawed Adeleynism in Kellodia and had begun religious persecutions against followers of the God's, Kolgrim wrote to the High Patriarch for permission to raise an army and launch a Holy War for Kellodia. The High Patriarch agreed to support the Holy War and sent 100 warrior monks to march with the Altryanese army. The Patriarch of Mon Altrya, Lukara announced that he would also march with the army, as although he was no warrior, he would advise the King on religious matters.

The Holy War of Kellodia was fought for seven years, until Kolgrim defeated King Dyrdis. Kolgrim had Dyrdis executed and placed a Kellodian King on the throne loyal to Mon Altrya and Adelyenism, making Kellodia a vassal of Mon Altrya. The lands of Mon Altrya now spread across the northern lands of North Orentia from the Marinoan Ocean in the west to the Nebulonian Sea in the east.

In 138 AD, construction of Kolgrim's Theatre of Warrior's was completed, a large arena, dedicated to gladiatorial games and warrior events. The arena was hugely popular with the poorer residents of the city who delighted in the weekly bloodshed events.

In 142 AD Ban Tary launched an invasion into Borgadia sparking the beginning of the Second Borgadian War. Kolgrim dispatched his son, Anduldin at the head of his army, due to the fact the King was suffering ongoing health issues.

## Legacy

Kolgrim past from the world at the age of 58 in 143 AD with his son, Anduldin becoming King. For his piety and deeds in the Holy War of Kellodia, Kolgrim became remembered as Kolgrim the Defender.

* Prince Anduldin
* Princess Jalyssa
* Prince Tarlwyn