First Dekàli House of Terrud

1-1246 HK. First Dekàli House of Terrud.

The First Dekàli House of Terrud is not technically a House at all, but rather a roster of successive High Kings and Queens elected from the city-states of the Empire.

Lineage

  1. High King Tadras the First (of Panæð). 1-9 HK. Lord Tadras was a nobleman scholar without political connections or experience. He had worked alongside the nascent Council of Lanàdus for many years, preparing the Pact of Lanádrynágdralyð to establish a High King of the empire. When King Berun I died returning from campaigns in Tassèrus, the Council selected the Panæðyn as First High King. Tadras was crowned on the 1st of Amàrad, 1 HK. From the very beginning, the Council exerted great influence on the newly crowned king, who is not believed to have made any decrees or decisions without their approval. The Council’s power was apparent to the Empire’s ruling houses who conspired to force another crowning. Tadras I was assassinated in 9 HK. Instead of the High Crown passing to a new High King, the Council decided to seize power and establish a theocracy. This triggered the Dekàli Civil War, a series of independent conflicts where city-states sought to wrest power from Lanàdus. Most state Crowns and Temples (all but Æzàlar) struggled for power in the name of the Council and the original Contract, respectively. The victor of this protracted and bloody conflict arrived at the head of an armada of Æzàlari warships…
  2. High Queen Āúla the First (of Æzàlar). 14-23 HK. Queen Āúla I of Æzàlar was crowned in 14 HK, after storming Kryr Trèmendūm at the head of an invading army. Her first act as High Queen was to dissolve the Council of Lanàdus, exile its members to a prison isle, and summon new members. Her second act was to amend the Pact of Lanádrynágdralyð, limiting the High Crown to sitting Kings and Queens. The High Queen enjoyed a popular, if short, reign and is widely remembered as the first true High Monarch. She died in 23 HK. The High Crown passed to a Kændalyn…
  3. High King Mordūn the First (of Kændal). 23-51 HK. King Mordūn Dara of Kændal… Dispatched Ðard Gùruf to Ildûn in 26 HK. The First Ildûni War embarrassed Mordūn I with the first major defeat of a sitting High King. When his army returned, he summoned Ðard Gùruf. Predicting his demise, the ðard stopped at every tavern between the port and Kryr Trèmendūm to drink with the common folk. When presented before Mordūn I the belligerent ðard astonished the court with a long tirade of accusations and invective. Further embarrassed, the High King drew his sword, stepped down from the throne and confronted the warrior. Ðard Gùruf unbelted his scabbard, let his sword clatter to the floor, made an indecent gesture, and was executed by the High King. Mordūn I was a good ruler and efficient steward of the empire, but he is often referred to as Mordūn I, with the “I” unspoken except by Guruf’s middle finger. He died in 51 HK. The High Crown passed to a Panæðyn…
  4. High Queen Agæðôni the First (of Panæð). 51-67 HK. Queen Agæðôni I of Panæð was crowned in 51 HK at Kryr Trèmendūm. Her exceedance was reluctantly accepted on behalf of her state, which gained esteem and influence from the selection. She used her influence to help fund the building of the Nine Halls of Pæð. She held regular meetings with the Council of Lanàdus on matters of state and religion. She was reportedly as well-versed on ecclesiastical matters as any priest on the Council. In this capacity she encouraged each of the Dekàli cults to produce religious volumes that comprised all major scriptures and rituals for each deity. Though she did not survive until the projects completion, she was credited with sponsoring the first editions. She died in 67 HK. The High Crown passed to a Kændalyn…
  5. High King Mordūn the Second (of Kændal). 67-85 HK. King Mordūn II of Kændal was crowned in 67 HK at Kryr Trèmendūm. Seeking to secure the western border of his homeland, he initiated the Nūlēuni-Dekàli Campaign, sending military commander Rûn into the Snaking Pass to conquer all lands from Kændal to the Eldorn. Upon learning of Rûn’s victory and decision to rule from Wyrðyr Tor, Mordūn became enraged and stormed through the halls of Kryr Trèmendūm cursing the name of the Dekàli hero. In the days and weeks to follow, the High King’s obsession with Rûn’s “treachery” consumed him and his advisers appealed to the Councils. In the eighth month of 85 HK, the High King was removed from the High Throne. The High Crown passed to an Æzàlaryn…
  6. High Queen Ānùrēa the First (of Æzàlar). 85-118 HK. Queen Ānùrēa I of Æzàlar was crowned in 85 HK at Kryr Trèmendūm. She immediately turned her sights toward Ildûn, northern neighbor to Æzàlar, with plans to succeed where Mordūn I had failed fifty years earlier. The Second Ildûni War began in 98 HK with the landing of Savàrin the White. The war was prosecuted for another 18 years. Though Ānùrēa I eventually did see the Ælyryr defeated, she died before Ildûn was made a state. A proponent of Agæðôni I’s trade strategies, Ānùrēa I sent out a number of expeditions in the hopes of finding new ports and resources. In 106 HK, Ollùk Peráram landed along the southern coast of Tassèrus in a region now named the Peráram Coast. The colony of Æva Tereð was attacked by Sha’al in 113 HK, a conflict that would become the First Sha’al-Dekàli War. Undeterred, Ānùrēa I sent war galleys from Æzàlar. She died in 118 HK. The High Crown passed to a Lanàdyn…
  7. High Queen Agydira the First (of Lanàdus). 118-121 HK. Queen Agydira I of Lanàdus was crowned in 118 HK at Kryr Trèmendūm. The selection of a Lanàdyn was well-received at first, until the population of Lanàdus learned of her grave health. She died in 121 HK. The High Crown passed to an Ummònyn…
  8. High King Dēōdin the First (of Ummon) 121-154 HK. King Dēōdin I of Ummon was crowned in 121 HK at Kryr Trèmendūm to great fanfare. Stories of Dēōdin I’s father had become almost legendary in the three decades since his triumph at Wyrðyr Tor. In 124 HK, Dēōdin I crowned fellow Ummònyn, Lord Savàrin, King of Ildûn, at Kryr Trèmendūm. In 125 HK, childless Dēōdin I adopted the orphaned King Agnar III of Lanàdus. In 132 HK, the High King’s wife produced a living but sickly boy and Agnar III was increasingly marginalized thereafter. When Agnar III reached adulthood in 134 HK, aged 18, he was all but evicted from Kryr Trèmendūm. Dēōdin I spent much of his reign dealing with the Sha’al-Dekàli War started by a predecessor, Ānùrēa I. As the first Ummòni High King, he refused to withdraw from southern Tassèrus despite great costs. He could not however break the dreadful stalemate. In 153 HK, Dēōdin I received word from Ummon that his son, King Dēōdin II, had been imprisoned for dishonorable combat. His son’s betrayer was none other than King Agnar III, who the High King had “adopted” 26 years earlier. In 154 HK, the elder Dēōdin I challenged Agnar III (27 years junior) to an Ummòni duel. Angar III accepted, provided priests of Irāyn and Īrul officiated. Both men were mortally wounded, Dēōdin I died on the dueling floor; Agnar III died days later. The High Crown passed to an Æzàlaryn…
  9. High Queen Dyrádrēa the First (of Æzàlar). 154-188 HK. Queen Dyrádrēa I of Æzàlar was crowned in 154 HK at Kryr Trèmendūm. The reason for her selection is not recorded, but Æzàlaryr had proven to be dependable and capable rulers in the past; that was about to change. Dyrádrēa I arrived in Lanàdus to the expected welcome, pageantry, and fanfare. Her peculiar passions became evident quickly. For the first few years of her reign, the High Queen was not called on her extravagancy. Many believe that Dyrádrēa I maintained close relationships with key members of the Council to insulate herself from political injury. Enabled by the resources of Empire, the High Queen’s thirst for depravity deepened. By 160 HK, “uninitiated” priests and advisors were barred from Kryr Trèmendūm. In 162 HK, the High Queen gave a public address before thousands of Lanàdyr, naked upon a settee while being serviced by a writing hill of men and women. The following year, the High Queen suffered grave injuries that her doctors claimed would prevent possible heirs. The High Queen grew visibly frail and sickly following her injury, and as a result her passions evolved from lascivious to pernicious. Orgies were replaced with elaborate spectacles of torture. In 170 HK, the High Queen’s engineers constructed disemboweling machines, with prizes granted to those who kept their subjects alive the longest. A wizard named Zēámas of Adæran was admitted to the High Court for weaving a “slow-fire” spell. By 178 HK, turn-overs within the Council of Lanàdus led to agitations for abdication. The High Queen’s advisors argued that Dyrádrēa I had broken no laws and so-long as she upheld her responsibilities to the Empire, their threats were empty. The Council voted to remove the High Queen in 178 HK but when guards entered Kryr Trèmendūm, they could find neither Dyrádrēa I or the High Crown. For the next ten years, a succession crisis paralyzed the Empire. In 188 HK, the High Queen and a small entourage were discovered on a remote refuge in the Lanàdi Isles. Dyrádrēa I was hauled back to Lanàdus where a court sentenced her to life imprisonment for crimes against the Empire. Her death date is unknown1. The High Crown passed to a Panæðyn…
  10. High Queen Avàlðiran the Third (of Panæð). 188-197 HK. Queen Avàlðiran III of Panæð was crowned in 188 HK at Kryr Trèmendūm. She was well-known to the Council and Crown for her criticisms of the Sha’al-Dekàli War and the need to end the interminable conflict. Following her coronation, the Wizard High Queen sailed to Æva Tèreð to oversee preparations first-hand. She conscripted a small army of Dekàli magicians to accompany her. In 195 HK, Avàlðiran III ordered the collection of all residents of prisons, dungeons, asylums, and poor houses to be shipped to Æva Tèreð, where amnesty and opportunity awaited. Upon arrival, the refugees were magically enslaved and marched toward Elnàdra. Though the slaughter was immense, the Dekàlyr emerged victorious against the Sha’al. When the Battle of Elnàdra ended, the spells were lifted and the conscripts freed. Returned to their rightful minds, the slaves were horrified by the massacre that surrounded them. Weapons in hand, the slave army turned against the Dekàlyr and the Second Battle of Elnàdra was engaged. The untrained slaves were no match for the Dekàli regulars however, and Avàlðiran III’s army shredded the disorganized forces. In 197 HK, Avàlðiran III crowned the first Jædðàri King. Triumphant, Avàlðiran III returned to Kryr Trèmendūm to great fanfare. She died days later in 197 HK. The High Crown passed to an Ildûnyn…
  11. High King Eréves the First (of Ildûn). 197-225 HK. King Eréves I was crowned in 197 HK at Kryr Trèmendūm. One of greatest internal crises of House Terrud occurred when Eréves I proposed the Councils of Anðus and Ildûn. The High King’s proposal would establish additional governing chambers beneath the High Crown each with power equal to the Council of Lanàdus. The effect would be a dissolution of the Cults’ influence. The High Priests argued that any erosion of the Council’s powers was forbidden by the Pact of Lanádrynágdralyð and a betrayal of the blood of Anðus I. The High King’s counselors argued that the Amendment would better represent the strengths of the Empire by including generals and wizards, proven and essential assets. Debate continued. Frustrated with the Council, in Vulūne 205 HK, Eréves I ordered that Cults be forbidden to collect taxes on their own behalf, ruling that all tithing should be voluntary. Conflicts erupted throughout the city-states as Temple forces clashed with armies of Crowns. Despite open warfare throughout the Empire, Eréves I enjoyed the support of his Crowns who were able to fill their own treasuries with Temple taxes. The Act of Councils was signed in Amàrad 207 HK. The Temples conceded to the creation of the Councils of Anðus and Ildûn provided the shared power of the new councils together (not separate) was equal to theirs. Following his victory against the Temples, Eréves I turned his attention outward. In 207 HK, he initiated the Northern Campaign, hoping to expand Kændal’s borders into uncivilized lands. Expeditions along the North Coast uncovered the prosperous Kingdoms of Alùrin. Curiously, the kingdoms had no credible armies so Eréves I sent emissaries instead of armies. In 220 HK, the combined kingdoms of Alùrin became the city-state of Taldàna. No swords were drawn and no Kings were crowned. The Council of Lanàdus unanimously approved the Charter of Taldàna, realizing that the Holy Queen would never send a representative to the Council of Anðus. Taldàna secured, Eréves I turned his attentions beyond Taldàna and the Dwürdeni kingdom of Glor Dün. The lands beyond Taldàna would remain elusive for another two centuries. Before the Empire could push past the Tor’n Evàlshat, it would have to deal with internal growing pains. Eréves I died in 225 HK. The High Crown passed to a Lanàdyn..
  12. High King Saldāyr the Second (of Lanàdus). 225-261 HK. King Saldāyr II was crowned in 225 HK at Kryr Trèmendūm. He inherited a rich, wide, and vibrant Empire of six city-states. He enjoyed the first peace the Empire had experienced since its inception. For eighteen years, his reign was interrupted by only parades, festivals, holidays, and sporting expositions. In 234 HK, he traveled to Taldàna where he was welcomed by High Priestess Teáda I. The meeting must have had a great impact on the High King, for when Teáda I died two years later, he commissioned the Colossus of Amra in her memory. In 238 HK, tensions began to boil over in Kændal. Skirmishes erupted, stemming from taxes implemented by the new Queen and the perception that Kændal was taxed more heavily than other states. Crown storehouses soon burned across the Fertile Coast. Lords begged Queen Erádēna I for assistance, but armed responses only inflamed the problem. In 242 HK, Erádēna I’s navy burned an exporter’s ship illegally leaving the Port of Termàrið. News spread and civil war followed. By the fall of 242 HK, Erádēna I realized she could not quell the rebellion alone and sailed for Lanàdus to beg the High King’s assistance. Saldāyr II’s ships arrived in Kændàli ports in the Spring of 243 HK as Ummòni columns arrived from the west. He orchestrated the Kændàli response from Kryr Trèmendūm, using the captive Queen’s husband as a mouthpiece. The war ended in 250 HK. He died in 261 HK. The High Crown passed to a Jædðyn…
  13. High King Vārēeð the First (of Jædð). 261-278 HK. King Vārēeð I was crowned in 261 HK at Kryr Trèmendūm. His exceedance was a welcomed one for many believed it placed him outside the reach of Jædðàri poisoners. Vārēeð I turned the Empire’s attention to Tassèrus once again, as he lent support to House Sulūð’s dreams of expansion. Under his leadership, the Second Sha’al-Dekàli War was entered in 265 HK. Within four years, Jædð’s borders reached throughout the Dreamlands and a series of fortresses were established along the spine of the Sleeping Mountains. He died in 278 HK. The High Crown passed to an Ummònyn…
  14. King Kirûn the Second (of Ummon). 278- HK. King Kirûn II was crowned in 278 HK at Kryr Trèmendūm.

Footnotes:

  1. Dyrádrēa I was posthumously made a Vældyrim of Tyçal in 238 HK.

242 HK: First Kændàli Civil War; 415 HK: Oð conquered by Dekàlyr; 745 HK: High Queen visits Oð