Kingdom of Galdona

> Eight Generations of Althanian's have taken this crown before me. Each one has dedicated their lives to the betterment of this Kingdom. We did not found this Kingdom, but we have overseen its growth for the 310 years since we took on this duty.
> Today, I continue on this path as your new king. I am your servant, and you are my people. Together, may we all continue to live upon this great land, our Kingdom of Galdona. May it forever live on in grandeur.
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> King Jailith Althania, Coronation Speech

The **Kingdom of Galdona**, also known simply as **Galdona**, is a kingdom in Thrunvol upon the continent of Aolwyn. Settled on the island known also by the name of Galdona, off the western coast of mainland Aolwyn. Formed from the **Century War's** against the Erapol of Calidoren, there have been two forms of the Kindom of Galdona with the current being formed from the remains of the Galdonan Empire.

The current Kingdom of Galdona is ruled by a King, with the first being King Toburn Althan. The kingdom is currently ruled by King Jailith Althan.

## Geography

> To be developed.
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## History

### The First Kingdom of Galdona

Following the Century War's against the Erapol of Calidoren, the Galdonan Agreement between King Wilhelm Marforth and the Elven Council was signed. With this, Wilhelm formed the Kingdom of Galdona. This marked the first known human Kingdom to be formed, with construction of the city of Greatspire, the capital city. The reign of Wilhelm and his predecessors Karvath Marforth and Bugrin Marforth were times of fast growth. Multiple new towns began forming across the unexplored northern regions of Galdona, and Greatspire began to grow.

#### The Ravening

*Year 64, Calidoren Calendar*

In the time where Galdona began growing as a kingdom under King Bugrin, many others followed suit across the world. With such growth, the natural world suffers. With this, the Wildmother Isana, grew displeased. So began a celestial battle between Isana and Erapola, which manifested in the material plane as the growth of extremely hostile fauna across Thrunvol.

Over a period of 40 years, the people of Galdona were forced to take refuge within their towns and cities. Great beasts of the natural world launched erratic and unwavering attacks upon any civilised location, though the lands in which the Elves settled remained safe.

> The fauna of the land has grown suddenly erratic. New, violent, forms of wildlife is appearing from the forests and attacking multiple population centres. The towns of Brunwin and Ythwyn have been evacuated.
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> High Commander Sevrin Bulwark, Formal address given to King Bugrin

The conflict took many lives, with an 8th of Galdona's human population at the time dying from the various attacks. Only a couple hundred elves lost their lives in the period. The attacks seemingly ended without reason on the day of Wild's Gradeur of the 94th year.

Belief is that Isana and Erapola, goddesses of Nature and Civilisation respectively, are a pair that hold a celestial relationship with one another. Their conflicts reflect on the material plane, and the material plane reflects on their conflicts. Many believe incidents such as this are simply caused by arguments between the two goddesses, manifesting as battles between nature and civilisation itself.

#### Anti-Fey Rebellion

*Year 104, Calidoren Calendar*

Following the loses of life during the previous 40 years, and the low numbers of deaths that elven kind faced, many believed that the elves had some portion of blame for what had occurred. For 2 years, various attacks upon elves from human groups took place. King Bugrin was outwardly against these acts, leading to a rebellion in the city of Greatspire. The rebellion was not successful, and Bulgrin would continue to rule for a further 5 years.

#### Growth of the Kingdom

Over the following 52 years, Galdona continued to grow. Expanding into the southern region, with the founding of Arandor and Karnagul, Galdona's strength was growing to fill the land it was settled on. Greatspire had grown to 70,000 people and slowly Galdona was beginning to commune with kingdoms growing on the mainland.

### The Galdonan Empire

> *Main Article: Galdonan Empire*
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*Year 163, Calidoren Calendar*

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.

During this period, Galdona's strength grew to great heights, the Marforth Royal line ended. A new form of rulership, in the High Council formed. Eventually, the Empire died and with is a new form of Galdona was born.

### The Second Kingdom of Galdona

> 460 years ago, King Wilhelm formed this great Kingdom uniting two waring sides. Since that day, Galdona has stood strong as a home for us all. For many years, we have lacked a true ruler. The High Council cannot sustain Galdona, and rulers they anoint cannot face the pressure of such a role. Today, I Toburn Althan, under the watchful eyes of Erapola the Lawbearer, declare Kingship of Galdona. One people, under one banner. One crown, serving all.
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> King Torburn Althan, The Declaration of the new King

Following the collapse of the **Galdonan Empire**, the kingdom faced a period of uncertainty. The High Council that had stepped in to rule after the fall of the Marforth dynasty were vastly different. Many noble houses had migrated to other regions of the former Empire, many that remained were not prepared for such a role.

#### The new Dynasty is born

*Year 474, Calidoren Calendar*

Torburn Althan, a well trained combatant and tactician hailing from a bloodline of well renown soldiers. A man who hailed from the working class, but knew well of the noble's. On the 15th of Eracil, Toburn delivered his final speech of many before taking the throne of Galdona. He faced limited resistance from the nobility, with many believing Erapola herself had blessed him with the throne.

On that day, Galdona gained confidence and a clear way foreword.

#### The Galdonan Civil War

*Year 732-739*

> This is an overview of the Galdonan Civil war (Known to many of the general population of the Brotherly war) , the information here is what would be known throughout the general population of Galdona and its neighbouring regions.
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The year is 732, 42 years prior to the current point in time. A long running feud between King Talisen Althan and his brother Lord Eldric Althan was coming to its greatest height, believed to be fuelled by Eldric's everlasting want to claim power. Through the years prior, ever since the royal union of King Talisen and his wife Lady Raenuthra Silverwing, and the fears of many that this marriage would bring about the removal of Human rulership as their child (King Jailith) would be Human and Elven. This fear grew as the southern kingdoms felt abandoned in the wake of Galdonan's western and northern "diplomatic" efforts.

Using this, Eldric formed the Althanian Sepratists. The Towns and cities of Arandor (Eldric's own city), Karnagul, Halvenreach, Hestermont, Brindlewood and Stonehaven all pledged to Eldric. They wished for separation, some argued they would ask for more in time.

King Talisen didn't waste time in dealing with this threat. Pushing for unification of the Northerland and their pledged support, along with the support of the cities of Polara and Ostarola, and the loyal towns, the Galdonan Military quickly pushed south. The main portion of the was was spent attempting to sever the south western region, where the majority of the Separatist supporters were found, from Arandor.

The siege of Karnagul was especially difficult. The ruins of a once grand Dwarven kingdom, with evidence of surviving sieges of dragons. The siege took 10 months, ending once the King arrived and supposedly toppled the walls with a single punch.

The war ended in Arandor, All Separatist forces remaining quickly surrendered in the face of annihilation. Eldric and his closest supporters were executed for treason within the Arandor Keep, but Talisen wasn't satisfied. As a message to those who wish to crack the stability of Galdona, Arandor and its surrounding area was forcefully abandoned and the land was cursed to never be settled.

#### The Heroic Age Begins

Year 739

Following the end of the Galdonan Civil War, a group known as the Almighty Hex formed. This group was the first modern group of "Adventurers", a now common sight. The group was brought together by the Civil War and would act as the protector of Galdona and its neighbouring nations for 23 years.

#### Coronation of King Jailith Althan

Year 753

With the death of his father, King Talisen Althan, King Jailith Althan was crowned 9th of his dynasty. The first King of Elven heretage to rule Galdona, it was a momentous day across Galdona reflecting a vast change in the relationship between Human and Elven kind through the Kingdom's history.

#### The Fleece Uprising

Year 758-759

The Fleece uprising was a failed Rebellion which occurred within the Republic of Valtir, across the Galdonan Basin. The Republic of Valtir had been apart of Galdona for a long time, first splitting upon the collapse of the Galdonan Empire. The nation remained completely sovreign for many years until [TBC] pushed for the nation to become more connected with the Kingdom of Galdona, with it once again becoming viewed as apart of Galdona.

King Jailith Althan instead viewed the nation as a neighbour of Galdona with strong ties to one another. His first visit was to exemplify this idea, with King Jailith viewing their Prime Lead Niv as an equal. To many, however, the visit was a display of Galdona's hold over the nation. The uprising pushed King Jailith's hand, forcing him to call upon the Royal Military of Galdona for his own safety. As the Royal Military of Galdona fought the rebels back, the Almighty Hex had been sent to investigate reports that Valtir's long dead king was leading the uprising.

This was indeed true, as the Galdonan forces took down the rebel forces, the Almighty Hex fought and defeated the resurrected King Bandam II.

## Politics

### The Galdonan Monarch

Galdona is currently ruled by King Jailith Althan, one of a dynasty of nine Althanian rulers. Galdonan Monarchy has been patriarchal since its inception, though this may change with Elven influence.

### The Guild of the Archanium

> Main Article: Guild of the Archanium
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The **Guild of the Archanium** are a very powerful faction of Galdona and the wider world of Thrunvol. They made themselves public between the years of 274-374, with entire buildings appearing across the world overnight. The guild oversee the "Correct use of Magic and the Arcane" across Thrunvol. They do not face much if any resistance from Galdonan Rulership as they have not shown any conflicting interest.

### The High Council

Once the ruling body of Galdona, the High Council is now simply a place where the **Great Houses** of Galdona will meet to discuss events of Galdona and the wider world, to form agreements on their relations or to plan for events pertaining to members. On occassion, the Council has leeway over the running of Galdona though this is not common.

### The Royal Military of Galdona

The most powerful faction under Galdona, its influence is found in every City, Town and Village in and around Galdona.

##### **General Arkmir Barmenos:**

The General of the **Royal Military of Galdona** is the highest possible position within the group. Only appointed when its predecessor is killed or retires.

General Arkmir Barmenos is the leader of the Royal Military of Galdona, holding the highest authority over how it functions with only the king above him. Even with this, however, Arkmir has the power to overturn or reject any proposals of the king if he believes it necessary.

Holding the position for just over 10 years, following many years of service for the Kingdom, he is a respected and renown leader who has maintained order within the Military and its various ranks. Despite his position, Arkmir does not delegate tasks to his inferior ranking members if he does not require it; finding that apart of his duty to the kingdom and his sworn oath to it means he should undergo many tasks for himself.

Under Arkmir's leadership, the involvement of the Royal Military of Galdona in the affairs of other nations have become more passive.

##### **The General Liutenants:**

Under Arkmir, the following ranks are those of General Liutenants. These are the heads of the Royal Military of Galdona's three sectors: **The Honour Guard**, **The Galdonan Armsmen** and **The Greater Armada of Galdona**. Each of these leaders are renown for their tactical leadership and military prowess.

###### **Lt General Thea Livington-**

Lt General Thea Livington is the head of The Honour Guard, the title that encompasses the various Knightly and Noble orders of Galdonan Troops. The Honour Guard holds the highest ranking and skilled members of the Galdonan Military below the Lt Generals. Each Order within have their own structures of leadership and purposes but all answer to Lt General Livington should she ever call on them.

**The Green Guard**, the personal Knightly order of the Monarch, is personally lead and trained by Lt General Livington.

###### **Lt General Throkk Whiteshadow**-

Lt General Throkk Whiteshadow is the head of The Galdonan Armsmen. This army makes up the majority of Galdona's ground troops. The Galdonan Armsmen can most often be found through the various Cities, Towns and Villages of Galdona acting as town guards, with the remaining troops often on training missions or found in various military encampments. These positions cycle, allowing many of these troops to visit various locations across Galdona through their career.

Lt General Throkk Whiteshadow is responsible for the training of these troops, delegating the management of their positions to his inferiors.

###### **Lt General Durin Genfiddel**-

Lt General Durin Glenfiddel, also known as the Grand Admiral, is the head of The Greater Armada of Galdona. This is the true powerhouse of the Royal Military of Galdona, where the full capability of Galdonan combat is found. Though ranking lower, Lt General Durin Glenfiddel is often placed on an equal standing to his superior General Arkmir Barmenos, with the General often classing him as his equal also. Having held his position of "Grand Admeral" for over 40 years, gaining him large amounts of respect throughout Galdona and wider.

He is usually found within The Greatport, an Dwarven built island port south of the Galdonan Basin, where the Greater Armada of Galdona find their home.