Levendan

The **Kingdom of Levendan** was one of the first human nations to emerge in South Orentia.

## History

### First Century

The Levendanese emerged in South Orentia in the early Fourth Age when a group of tribles settled on the Gandurein River valley region. Mal Vernus rose to become King of the Levendanese around 9 AD and setup court at Araldawn. Throughout his reign he faced numerous attempts and rebellions against his rule. Chief Dumna fought a two year rebellion from 11 AD to 13 AD against King Mal. During the rebellion, Dumna captured Mal's wife and four sons and had them executed. Mal was eventually victorious in defeating Dumna.

Mal was killed by his brother, Gerdwyn in 17 AD and took the throne for himself. Gerdwyn consolidated his rule by defeating Chiefs loyal to the former King. Gerdwyn's four sons, Maltis, Clondor, Eribert and Gundor led the Kings armies and between them competed for their fathers favour. Word reached the King that Clondor was scheming to kill Gerdwyn and take the throne resulting in his banishment. In 25 AD Maltis was killed by Eribert which resulted in Eribert's banishment.

Gerdwyn fell ill in 36 AD and his youngest son and heir Gundor became regent in his absence. When word reached his older brothers of their fathers ill health, they both rallied armies and returned from exile. Gundor first defeated Eribert and had him imprisoned. Gundor then defeated Clondor, who escaped capture and returned into exile. Gerdwyn made a full recovery a year later and in recognition of Gundor's service proclaimed him heir to the throne. Gerdwyn disowned his exiled son Clondor and ordered the imprisoned Eribert to be executed, however before this could happen, Eribert managed to escape.

In 49 AD, Prince Gundor was killed fighting the eastern tribes and Gerdwyn was said to be heartbroken. His nobles managed to broker peace between the King and his two exiled sons and Clondor and Eribert were welcomed back to court. Clondor and Eribert continued to try and win their father favour but the king refused to announce his heir. Further ill health of the King in 53 AD saw Gerdwyn narrowly survive death and upon his recovery in 54 AD called all his nobles to the capital where he wished to officially announce his successor. Clondor, as the King's eldest son expected his father to proclaim him heir whilst Eribert, who had gained a fearsome reputation as an elite military commander expected his father to choose him. Both however were left disappointed when Gerdwyn proclaimed his nephew and son of Mal I, Gisil, as heir to the throne.

In Gerdwyn's remaining years he suffered from further ill health and by mid 59 AD was permanently bed ridden. By early winter Gerdwyn died. Rumours spread that Prince Clondor suffocated his father and when the heir apparent, Gisil arrived in the capital, he found the gates barred and Clondor refusing him entry. Gisil left to rally his banners and Clondor called his fathers bannerman to proclaim himself King. However at Clondor's coronation his fathers bannermen turned on Clondor and executed him, with the ringleaders taking in turns to stab the Prince. Unbeknown to Clondor, Eribert had convinced the nobles to back his own claim.

Eribert then raised an army and met Gisil in battle at what became known as the Battle of Red River. The two opposing armies met on the banks of the Gandurein River where a ferocious and bloody battle took place. Thousands died leading to the river turning red and it was Gisil who won the day. Eribert, who was injured in the battle was executed by Gisil on the battlefield and thrown into the Gandurein. Gisil returned to Araldawn where he was finally crowned King.

During Gisil's 23 year reign, he fought numerous campaigns, expanding his Kingdom east and south. His two sons, Weland and Arnaud, earned reputations as great military leaders. The nobles of Levendan feared another power struggle between Gisil's sons which resulted in the laws of inheritance being created and the eldest son, Weland being proclaimed heir.

King Gisil died in 82 AD and his eldest son, Weland was crowned King. Levendanese explorers announced in 83 AD that they had successfully landed in Meridia and the King gave permission for further expeditions. In 85 AD, Weland dispatched his brother, Arnaud to Meridia to establish a Levendanese colony. Weland was said to have had a poor relationship with his brother since being crowned and it was seen as a safe precaution to send his brother far away from the royal court. Arnaud arrived in Meridia and established the settlement of Cape Rosetta.

Arnaud expanded the lands in what would become known as West Levendan and discovered vast gold, copper and jewel reserves in the Artorian mountains to the west of Cape Rosetta. The ships that returned to Araldawn laden with gold, copper and jewels allowed King Weland to increase the size of his armies and he further expanded his lands to the east.

In 95 AD, Arnaud came into contact with the aggressive Ludarakorin and Entembe tribes. With the warlike Meridian tribes opposed to the arrival of Levendanese, Arnaud fought many campaigns against them and took thousands of prisoners who he transported back to Araldawn, starting the Levendanese slave trade.

### Second Century

When news arrived that Weland had died in 98 AD and his son, Leomer had been crowned King of Levendan, Arnaud declared West Levendan independent and proclaimed himself King. With Arnaud declaring himself King and cutting off the transport of gold, copper, jewels and slaves, King Leomer was forced to raise an army and sail west in 99 AD. A year long war was fought between Leomer and his uncle Arnaud, which became known as the First Artorian War, which resulted in victory for Leomer. Arnaud was trialled for treason and upon being found guilty was executed. Leomer placed his trusted liege, Dagobert Tissiere as ruler of West Levendan and created the title Crown Lord Protector of West Levendan. Dagobert proved a competent ruler, but cruel and violent. He expanded the lands of West Levendan and brutally oppressed the native tribes. Dagobert despised the growing Adeleyn faith which was spreading throughout South Orentia and **Levendan** and in the early 100's AD expelled hundreds of Adeleynists and seized their properties.

Between 105 and 107 AD Leomer fought the First Calcassis War against Ackeran. Levendan was victorious in the war expanding its northern territory. Leomer proved to be not only respected military leader, but also an illustrious statesman. Levendan experienced a golden age under Leomer with grand building projects, territorial expansion and technological advances thanks to its trade and import from its over seas territories.

Upon the death of Leomer I in 121 AD, his eldest son, Leomer II was crowned King. Leomer II proved a dissapointing ruler after the golden age of his father. Where his father was a proven statesman, Leomer had little interest in governing his Kingdom, which he left to his Chancellor, his brother Prince Taryn.

Levendan fought the Second Calcassis War between 134 - 140 AD, with the Levendanese army led by the Kings brothers, Prince ALdon and Prince Taryn. After a six year war, Levendan was victorious over Ackeran resulting in Levendan claiming eastern Ackeran.

Leomer II survived numerous assassination attempts throughout his reign and in 145 AD was killed after a plot between his own brothers and sons, who not only opposed his lack of rule but concerns over his unstable state of mind by the end of his reign. His son Weland I

## Kings of Levendan

* Mal I 9 AD - 17 AD
* Gerdwyn I 17 AD - 59 AD
* Gisil I 59 AD - 82 AD
* Weland I 82 AD - 98 AD
* Leomer I 98 AD - 121 AD
* Leomer II 121 AD 145 AD
* Weland II 145 AD - 163 AD
* Boda I 163 AD

## Timeline

* 59 AD - Gisil I crowned King after death of Mal I.
* 82 AD - Weland I crowned King after the death of Gisila I.
* 85 AD - Levendese merchants establish Western Levendan in Meridia.
* 85 AD - Weland I funds a significant improvement in communication, constructing a series of way stations, stocked with food, water, and fresh horses allowing messengers to cover 125 miles per day.
* 98 AD - Leomer I crowned King after the death of Weland I.
* 105 - 107 AD - First Calcassis War fought between Levendan and Ackeran
* 107 AD - Refugees from Levendan establish Rhyndarran in north Meridia.
* 118 AD - **Levendese** merchants establish the colony of Tal Addan in northern Felistria
* 121 AD - Leomer II crowned King after the death of his father Leomer I.
* 143 AD - Refugees from Levendan flee persecution by King Leomer, founding Tol Nairne.
* 145 AD - Weland II crowned King after the assassination of Leomer II.
* 148 AD - Failed assassination attempt on King Weland II.
* 153 AD - Gil Arn attempts to overthrow King Weland II but fails.
* 154 AD - Mara Hol completes the Book of Levendan, a lengthy epic that describes the heroes and battles between Levendan and its neighbors.
* 163 AD - Boda I crowned King after the assassination of Weland II.