Winajaraldum Empire

''Winajaraldum Empire, a place that hosts many of Thanials grandest wonders, such as Temple of Light, Cliffside Citadel, the Powerfull Light Stone or Winajraldum Royal Guard or the legendary Circle of Guardians to the majestic Hirothan, Augul Village, Pikehall or the foggy & peaky Misthaven''

-Father speaking to his children about the Winajaraldum Empire

## Leaders

### Head of Kingdom

Daron Arkinan, Winajaraldum Imperial Family

### Head of Military

Daron Arkinan, Winajaraldum Imperial Family, Maverick Ostaran (Army), Xinnaman Stern (Royal Guard), Sabrina Stern (Rangers), Aland (Marine)

## Societal Information

### Cities

Hirothan, Augul Village, Pikehall, Ordrense, Strongwood Town, Rallyn, Wicker, Hoilen, Qdrast, Meyrena City, Clearwater Town, Aegenshire, Nasckaralasch, Broln, Highale, Cimengoford, Cornvale, Arksall, Varlenshire, Ambershire, Goldriver Town, Lyesgarth, Hailfield, Appleford, Stolaind & Fairvale

### Fortresses

Ardent Watch, Bulwark Keep, Saltsea Keep, Conviction Garrison, Deflection Wall, Autumn Keep, Highguard Keep, Judgement Post, Kings Wall, Retribution Fortress, The Shieldmaid, Silverkeep, Gardekeep, Reach Hold, Temple of Light & Cliffside Citadel

## Historical Information

### Founded

Winajaraldum Tribe 600 - 200 BFA (Before First Age), Winajaraldum Empire 200 BFA - Current

#### History

When human tribes of unkown origin in southern Calandour fled the ravaging Bandits, Grellers, Beast Lords & enslaving Zentharian Empire, they fled north east & the tribes eventually settled in an green rich & fertile land known as Winajaraldum, however, one tribe settled near a long running river, for they had discovered a Lava Sprout & they were safe for now as the enemies decided not follow them.

#### The Founding (Bandit Incurssion) and the Foundation of Circle of Guardians (123 - 124 AFA)

However, surrounding bandit tribes soon caught wind of the new settlers & started raiding them, the Cerendarians struggled as soon as the soldiers arrived, the bandits were gone or they followed them into ambushes, this led to the foundation of the rangers, the rangers trained in ambushes, assassinations, subterfuge, sabotage, scouting, intelligence gathering & messenger duties.

It took long time to train the rangers, but when they were ready, they changed the war as the rangers started using the bandits own tactics against, not being used to it, they struggled to counter this tactic but were not defeated, many of the close bandit tribes united, mustered a great army of 20,000+ & marched to Cerendar, however thanks to the Rangers acts, Aston Arkinan now had a day of extra preparation time, he ordered to set up barricades in the street to force choke them, to build archer platforms.

##### Battle of Cerendar (123 AFA)

A day later, the massive Bandit army appeared on the horizon, when Aston saw that the Bandits had no cavalry, he sent out his own cavalry archers to harass them, when they returned, they had killed a few hundred, the Bandits set up camp, built Escalades and morning broke, the time for the main battle commenced, the Bandits rolling their Escalades up to the wall, the enemy stormed up on the pallisade wall & while the defenders fought fiercly, it was eventually taken, but this was all part of Astons's plan, as now the enemy had to advance through barricaded streets of Cerendar and he cut of many groups of enemies, slowly but surely tearing down many of their soldiers, however, the defenders were exhausted, hungry, thristy and with evening closing in, a chant and marching could be heard from the same direction the enemy came from, it was a small army from the neighbouring Augul Town, seeing as they would flank, he ordered the cavalry to aid them, the enemy was now utterly boxed in and without the possibility to escape, they were almost completely slaughtered, it was a major victory with almost all the 20,000+ soldiers dead.

##### Offensive into Bandit territory (124 AFA)

A few months later after , he struck the first Bandit tribe, destroying their buildings but giving the order that any unarmed men, woman and children that fled were to be allowed to leave, but a few hundred of his soldiers, bloodthirsty with revenge charged them down and killed all of them, when the battle was over, he ordered the disobeying soldiers to be transported deep into Ystain Mountain, there would have their eyes removed and was left to their fate, later they continued striking the Bandit towns and villages and the Bandit captives the Cerendarians took, were allowed to changed their allegience and were welcomed as new countrymen as the Cerendarians knew the women and children had no say to their leaders will.

Althought it had taken a few years, Cerendar with the aid of Augul Town, had won its first major campaign victory & with the discovery of Lava Sprout, trade soon flourished, establishing ties with Grande Reptila, Dwarves, Elves, Ewardan, Inkar & other neighbouring kingdoms, life was good for the avarage Cerendarians and standing on his balcony watching over the tribe, Aston looks to the sunset, his mind cascading with thoughts of a bright and shining future.

But one day , a man in hoods and plate armour approached Aston Arkinan and said that he had made two great discoveries, first being a huge rich mine of the legendary metal known as Aeshil and second is a crystal that is brimming with light magic and that he wishes to buy that land within Ystain Mountain, Aston, reluctant at first, but then asked the man what he would do and the man replied ''Protect this world''.

Intrigued, Aston then asked how and he said by that he had discovered a way to create Paladins, warriors capable of feats greater than any most beings in this world, however, it requires Lightborne, beings born with a small amount of light in them, this light they are borned with gives them the chance to withstand the immense power of the crystal and that there should be a decree that allows him to recruit any Lightborne within Winajaraldum even if he or she are in the army, Aston agreed but curiously just asked who.

The man removed his hood and it was revealed to be none other than the legendary Paladin Immanuel Dawson himself, at this reveal Aston was filled with joy and hope and he both signed the Decree and hired men, Grande Reptila and Dwarven workers to build a mighty fortress deep within Ystain Mountain.

#### The Lava Sprout War (Winajaraldum Civil War) (145 - 148 AFA)

But that bright and shining future was put on trial once again, as the Lava Sprout made many other tribes jealous and two decades after the Bandits tribes were defeated, a war broke out between Cerendar and neighbouring tribes, Cerendar alone was outnumbered, however, the Elves & Dwarves felt they had to aid Cerendar due to the strong ties and friendly tone.

The war was brutal and exhausting, but the skilled hunters of Cerendar managed to ambush many invaders, however, Cerendar had their population had exploded the last decades, now having an standing army of 15,000+, a decent training regime and many of the soldiers having served during the Bandit War made up regiments with great eperience.

##### Battle of River Family (146 AFA)

A year into the war, a scout charged with all haste he could muster in to the throne room of Cerendar, revealing that an united army will pass River Family and that the army consists of Grellers and Humans of Wickers Town, Aston quickly prepared and marched his army to River Family, at the camp, Aston and his high ranking officers discussed the battle plan, seeing that he would be outnumbered, Aston hired a few hundred travelling mercenaries

##### Battle of Augul Town (147 AFA)

A year into to war, the neutral Augul Tribe sent an diplomat to both Cerendar & various tribes in order to make peace, but when the diplomat sent to one of the invading tribes were outright executed, Augul swore allegiance to Cerendar, even though they were outnumbered, Augul had almost as many soldiers as Cerendar & Elves combined, Augul was strategically located as it guarded the only bridge in the area, this was a heavy blow as Augul now controlled its passage.

After a few years of fighting with many skirmishes, ambushes and battles, the war reached its climax when the hostiles sent a massive united army to conquer and subjugate Augul.

Cerendarians rushed to Augul's aid while Elves and Dwarves were much further away, the Elves on their way to aid Augul, the Dwarves had been requested to strike against the town of the attacking tribes instead, at the moment, the defenders severely outnumbered, Aston Arkinan and Augul commander choose to meet the enemy at Augul Town, while the majority were stationed inside the town, however, a small detattchment of a few hundred barred the bridge a few kilometers north of the city, this eliminated the ability of outflanking, Cerendarians and Augulians saw the massive army approaching, but they stood firm and many of the soldiers of Cerendar reckognized Augul soldiers that had saved them at Battle of Cerendar during the Bandit War and would rather die than betraying their loyal allies and friends.

The battle begun swiftly, the Elves releasing their bows, killing many while the Augulians & Cerendarians protected the walls, however due to enemy sheer number, ladders & ram, they eventually broke the gates, the enemy poured into the city and a brutal street fighting began, but the Cerendarian regiments defending Augul, had experience of this during the Bandits War final battle, gaining the upper hand, but after hours more of fighting, Aston took an arrow to the gut, being carried away from the frontlines and uncertainty of his survival, the command was passed down to his son, Daron Arkinan and althought untested in an actual war, Daron possessed many of his father's abilites like tactics and showed his men the heroism by leading from the front.

After many hours of fighting, the casaulties of the defenders began to really stack up, but at this time, the the few hundred, defending the northern bridge had routed the attackers, built a strong blockade and having marched back to Augul, the reinforcements arrival relieved some of the preassure, however the enemy still vastly outnumbered them, Daron knew this and that the battle would decided on the Elven aid and managed to negotiate a truce untill dawn.

Hours into the black night, the attackers were feasting and celebrating setting ablaze many huge bonfires, at this the Elves arrived and saw them clearly and unbeknownst to the Elves that the truce was still in effect, they charged and the sleeping and well fed attackers were taken completely by surprise and killed, the battle was over swiftly andof the 40,000+ attackers that arrived, only a few thousands managed to escape.

##### The Offensive March and End of Civil War (148 AFA)

Althought he did not blame the Elves for the truce and thanked them for their aid, Daron still had a bitter taste in his mouth, taking a few extra days of rest and preparations, they marched to Strongwood Town, but was greeted by the mayor and he told that the Dwarves had allready been there and they submitted to them without bloodshed, he also told that the Dwarves had continued to their next target which was Wicker, Cerendarians, Augulians and Elves forced marched their armies to Wicker but as they approached, they saw the Dwarves slaughtering every man, woman and child within reach.

Shocked, Daron demanded an answer why they would do such an atrocity, the current Dwarf commander told them their general had gone into the city to negotiate peace, but were executed and their beard cut removed, cutting of a Dwarven beard is a sin equivalent of treason, Daron understanding their reaction, but told them to stay put to rest and resupply for a few days before marching to another tribe.

However, that march never happened, as the news of the Dwarves brutality made the remaining leaders come to Wicker and 2 days after Wicker massacre, a treaty was signed and after 3 year long war that cost the lives of nearly 170.000 was finally concluded and the Augul Tribe, Elves of Bharandmaar, Dwarves of Doront Nar and Cerendar Tribe, made a military pact to aid each other in dire times of need.

#### Doront Nar Events (Beast Lord War) (234 AFA)

One day, a few decades after The Lava Sprout War or Winajaraldum Civil War as some calls it, a Dwarven emissary approached Aston Arkinan with a dire request, the Dwarves was being attacked by humans that have tamed beasts of nature, not wanting to betray their allies that helped them end The Lava Sprout, Aston simply stood up and said ''The army will aid its friends, but it will take some time, so I will send a small vanguard and thus Cerendar and Augul prepared for war once again, but this time, it was not the unruly Bandits or fellow human tribes but skilled hunters and animal trainers, however, the Dwarves was not alone, to the north of Winajaraldum lies Ewardan Kingdom and they had also been reuqested to aid their armies to help the Dwarves.

The vanguard arrived at Doront Nar's capital Kvaerndurn, they were then ordered to the town of Dugh Ulum, arriving there, they were saluted by Mountain King Borumbir Kegthane, the tallest of all recorded Dwarven history, standing heads higher than even Humans, as Hangurum, had allready fallen to the Beast Lords, the Dwarves formed a new defensive line via Garladhur, Den Farum and Minulbaladar, however, the Doront Nars real strength was not their main army but their Rangers, knowing their Kingdom in and out, they were busy keeping The Beast Lord invaders at bay with ambushes, scouting and message deliveries.

However, having been under siege for weeks, the majority was in the front at the main gate

#### Fall of Merethan Kingdom

Decades passed since the Beast Lord War and the various tribes of Winajaraldum lived in peace and unity, their populations along with economy and trade exploded after Iron mines were slowly discovered throughout Winajaraldum and their standing armies grew as more war refugees from other places came to them, but one day, east of Ystain Mountain, the neighbouring Kingdom of Merethar would see its first and last major war, when the town of Reiant was attacked, its population slaughtered, the Merethan Army found the dead, they discovered that the people slaughtered there

it would it would only take a century before Zentharians, also known as the Slaver Empire found & subjugated them.

After decades of oppression and tyranny, and many failed rebellions by the different tribes of Winajaraldum, however, one day, the daughter of Cerendar's tribe leader were helping some innocent woman being beaten by a drunk Zentharian soldier, this turned out badly as the drunk soldier stab her with his spear, killing her.

When Aston Arkinan learned of his daughters death, he went & arrested the soldiers, but just before the soldier was about to be executed, Zentharian garrison showed up, the commander stating

''You no have authority over mighty Zentharian soldiers & he the right to defend himself''.

Aston Arkinan complied, but little did the Zentharian soldier murder & commander word know they had started a chain reaction that would eventually spell the fall of the Slaver Empire.

Being the man of results, Aston Arkinan wasted no time & started a secret training regime, and after a few months, Winajaraldum soldiers hid amongst the civilians & when the time was right, they struck so hard & fast that the Zentharians had no time defend or counter before laying on the ground with spasm in pool of their own blood.

When the Zentharians from other Winajaraldum garrisons heard of this \*disobedience\*, they gathered to assault Cerendar, however the Winajaraldums were skilled hunters & with the secret training, they picked off many garrisons marching before they even manage to unite into a bigger army, Zentharians still manage to attack Cerendar, but without proper siege engines, they had to rely on ladders & Escalades, but no matter how numerous the Zentharians were, they would take the palisade walls of Cerendar before being forced back by the skilled & determined defenders, this went on for days.

Immediatly after the original Zentharian garrison was defeated, Aston had sent messengers to all other tribes, telling of the massacre of the garrison & when the current garrison had marched a good distance, the tribes rebelled & slaughtered any Zentharian they could reach, However, feeling they owed Cerendar for what they started, the tribes marched to Cerendar too aid them.

Meanwhile, after days of battling, Cerendar defenders started loosing due to Zentharians huge number & when the wall was overrun, a brutal street & house to house melee fight began, pushing both sides to their limit for a grand victory, but when it looked as darkest for steadfast defenders of Cerendar, a few hundred Ewardanian cavalry archers appeared on the forest behind the Zentharians & started to harrass them, when many started attacking the cavalry archers so they rode away, taking a big portion of the attack with them.

After nearly half hour of fighting, some thounsand strong Ewardanian army appeared, they charged and boxed the defenders in & with no chance of escape, the enemy courage started rapidly failing, however, the enemy that chased the cavalry archers had now returned boxed the Ewardanians in, 2 big groups were now boxed in, exhausted & fighting for their lives, however, seeing the Ewardanians come to their aid, Cerendarians were invigorated, hacking & slashing Zentharians and slain all inside the city, recapturing the gate, they opened it for boxed in Ewardanians, allowing them too rest, still numerous pushed on, but then, the Ewardanians sounded the horn and out of the forest rushed out of the forest & outflanked them, seeing this, the remaining Zentharians ditched their weapons & routed as fast as they could, but their fortune lasted a few minutes as the cavalry archers returned and swiftly cut them down.

The battle of Cerendar was over & Cerendarians & Ewardanians had lost over thousand soldiers combined, Zentharians had however lost 24,000, but it was not just the massive amount the soldiers that died but the after effect that would take place, because in his heart Aston knew that even Winajaraldum was now free of Zentharians, they would be back & engulf Winajaraldum in flames once again but he also knew that their main army was on the other continent of Ail & this gave him time... Precious time that he would not waste in the slightest.

The mighty Zentharian main army were on their way & Aston Arkinan knew that the armour & weapons provided by the Dwarves alone could not save them from the sheer number of the enemy, and so Aston reorganised the military structure & with he help of Dwarven Enginners & Elven Rangers, they learned how to operate artilleries such as Ballistas, Catapults while the Elves thought Bow techniques & thus began a training regime the world had never seen before.

Years later, on a late summers day, the Zentharian army arrived on the horizon, between 700,000 - 800,000 strong, Aston learned of this & with the aid of the Elves, they prepared an ambush at Strait of Cerendar, setting up archers at the cliff sides and ballistas at the shores.

Waiting in anticipation, the scouts reported that a vast majority of Zentharian fleet was heading for the Strait, luckily for Aston & his forces, the weather was foggy and obscurred their view & their ships slowly sailed into the ambush.

When their large ships sailed into the narrow Strait, disaster struck as they got clogged up, blocking the retreat of the smaller cogs and preventing any support, the Zentharians had only one option, that was to leave their transport and land on the shore where the main Winajraldum army was waiting, Aston seeing this opportunity, ordered the ballistas and Elves to release their arrows, slaying hundreds Zentharians each volley.

Even the Zentharian managed to land a few thousand of infantry at the shore, the Winajaraldum and Elves managed to keep them at bay and about 2 hours later, more than 40,000 Zentharians had lost their lives & even though it was just a small part of the invading force, the news of this slaughter made Zentharians no longer view the Winajaraldums as simple tribesmen but as skilled soldiers and tactical genius