Galdonan Empire

The **Galdonan Empire** was a once expansive empire that spanned across a reasonable portion of Aolwyn. It lasted for a large portion of Galdona's history, before its eventual fall and return to the Kingdom of Galdona.

## History

With Galdona's Growth, came stability. King Bingus Marforth set his sights on the seas. Galdonan expansion began, and it was successful. Beginning with their closest neighbour's, Choris, directly to their east. Here, they would spend 16 years strengthening their hold on this portion of Aolwyn. With a substantial military force in the mainland, expansion began.

By the Year 270, the Galdonan Empire controlled an area of the mainland over 5 times the size of its land upon its island. It's most valuable region was to the north, at the time unnamed the region was home to giantfolk which became the backbone of the Galdonan military and construction on the mainland. Despite Galdona's success in it expansion, not all would remain so stable.

#### New Rulers

*Year 273*

Seven generations of Marforths continued to rule during this expansion, with Emperor Karvath Marforth II becoming the last of their line of succession. Taking a much more active duty in the expansion of the Galdonan Empire, unlike his predecessors. During an attempt of expansion into a land known as Solamor. It's ruler, Chief Roddik Stoneheart was no regular foe. Wielding great power, he slew Karvath II in battle. The Galdonan forces continued to push into Solamor, eventually taking it over, but their ruler was gone.

With this came a period of instability. Without a lead, the Noble houses of Galdona came together to form a council which would lead. With this, the High Council was formed.

#### The Second Expansion

Year 280-294

The High Council settled into their position of power before mending the bonds of the empire, and beginning to expand the Empire once again. Therae was their target, with them beginning on the western coastline of what is now Anterra. This region was vastly different to the land of Aowyn. The land was dry, the weather was warm. Expansion into this land proved more difficult that expected, with most success occurring on the various islands off its coast.

#### Formation of Zenithal

*Years 302*

With the Galdonan Expansion halted, the High Council decided to instead focus on strengthening the hold they already had. In this time, Greatspire was renamed to Zenithal as a "Beacon to Galdonian Growth". The Guild of the Archanium also revealed themselves within Galdona. Their fortress appearing within Zenithal after apparently being there all along.

#### The Third Expansion

Year 375-792

With the unsuccessful expansion in Therae, Galdona returned to its expansion within Aowyn, taking over land along the Liberty Channel up to the Dawnstride Sea.

#### The Draconic War

*Year 392-399*

Galdona's second expansion was cut short by a threat from Therae. Dragons? The colonies on Coastal Anterra were quickly abandoned as wyverns and their Dragonborn legions quickly ravaged them. Followed by the splitting of the newly taken land from the main portion of the Galdonan Empire as these foes charged through. Diplomatic requests were attempted by the High Council, with no response.

This army was simply known as the Draconic Forces. Over 3 years, they had invaded a 3rd of Galdona's lands. The losses began causing other regions under Galdonan control to rebel. By the 397th year, less than a 3rd of their land remained in their control, and no sign of the Draconic invasion ending showed. It was in this time that the first envoy from within this army came to the High Council.

> To those whom rule Galdona,
>
>
> My name is Noldra Navyre. I am one of the wives of Emperor Dramtel Baldrinn, and tactical advisor of our armies. We are the Drak'harth, hailing from south.
>
>
>
> I wish to meet, I will sail to your province in secret. I believe this was must end.
>
> Noldra Navyre, Letter to the High Council of Galdona

Documentation of this meeting does not exist. However, following it, the High council appointed a new Monarch. Emperor Jon Malham, was formally coronated. The first Emperor of Galdona in over 20 years. Following his coronation, he quickly acted to fortify the land which Galdona controlled further. When the armies of Drak'harth attacked, Galdona held them back and under the command of Emperor Malham, began pushing into Drak'harth land. Rumours spoke of divine power held by Emperor Malham, aiding in the Galdonan counter attack.

After a further 2 years of battles, Galdona had regained a small portion of their lost land. It was at this point that news of the death of Emperor Dramtel Baldrinn as he had apparently attempted to gain infernal power. With this, the Drak'Harth armies began to pull back to Therae as Galdona slowly regained control of much of their land along the Liberty Channel.

#### The Fall of the Empire

Year 415

Emperor Malham continued to rule for 20 more years. As time passed, his capacity to maintain the Galdonan Empire reduced exponentially. Rebellions across Galdonan controlled territory waged. Emperor Malham became more and more unstable and eccentric. By his final days, Galdona only held Chorus. With his death, the Empire died.

### The Unruled Age

Following the death of Emperor Malham, Galdona faced it darkest period. With the complete fall of the Empire, the mainland of Galdona struggled to get by. With huge amounts of economic loss, thousands of soldiers lost, and many of the lords leaving the nation for Aolwy. The High Council did their best to hold the Kingdom together, with only the Northerlands separating.