Introduction
The Ordrish era of Arc, a period spanning 150 years from -2140 to -1990, is an epoch of both grand ambition and devastating conflict. Established by Traedas Ordrish, the Ordrish dynasty was born from the ashes of the Vannic empire, an empire fragmenting under the weight of its own legacy.
At the heart of the Ordrish era were two great themes - the pursuit of wealth and power, and the internal family dynamics that played out on the grand stage of Arc's history. The Ordrish rulers, beginning with Traedas, aimed to amass wealth and increase the power of Arc by controlling trade routes across the Greater Arc Sea. Military campaigns were launched, ports and markets captured, and rival successor states of the Vannic empire were crushed. These included the proud merchant republic of Halvera, the seafaring kingdom of Ebris, and the warrior tribes of Rhavanke. Yet, for all their successes, the Ordrish rulers became overstretched, failing to fully re-establish the empire. A full restoration would not be accomplished for another century and a half.
Simultaneously, the Ordrish era was marked by a series of familial conflicts that played out across generations. From the beginning, the Ordrish dynasty was defined by an internal struggle for power. Traedas, in his quest for power, sidelined his familial obligations, notably his relationship with his daughter, Annai. Yearning for recognition, Annai suffered through two failed marriages and became a tragic figure, living out her days in seclusion. When she died childless, her niece Yula ascended to the throne at a young age. Her disappearance and mysterious return from Gol, along with her peculiar aversion to footwear, sparked rumors of her becoming a sorceress, a rumor she did little to dispel.
The final chapter of the Ordrish era came with Yula's two children, Ravaar and Thorane, who took power in a forced compromise to prevent civil war. A bitter rivalry arose, leading to Thorane's assassination by Ravaar in -1995. In response, Thorane's son Hakei declared himself emperor and waged war against his uncle. The Siege of Arc in -1990 marked the end of the Ordrish line. After Hakei fell in battle, Ravaar was slain by Hakei's loyal friend, Jorei Starrander, who was then offered the throne.
In summary, the Ordrish era was a time of power struggles both within and outside the royal family, characterized by ruthless ambition, strategic maneuvering, and tragic personal stories. Its legacy is a poignant reminder of the cost of ambition, the complexities of familial bonds, and the relentless pursuit of power that can shape the fate of an empire.
Harenian historians have described the Ordrish years as being 'the tree of six branches', referring to the six key historical themes that shaped the period:
1. Expansion and Conquest: The Ordrish rulers seemed to have a constant focus on expansion and conquest, both across the Greater Arc Sea and inland against the various successor states of the Van Empire. This era could thus be characterized by almost endless war and military pursuits.
2. Trade and Wealth Accumulation: With control of trade routes, ports, and markets being a major motivation for their military ventures, it appears that the Ordrish era was also heavily focused on trade and the accumulation of wealth. This would also mean a period of increased maritime exploration and naval power.
3. Urban Development and Establishment of Power: The Ordrish rulers were able to increase the wealth and power of Arc. This suggests a period of significant urban development and administrative reorganization, along with the establishment and consolidation of political power.
4. Cultural Transformation: The transition from the Vannic to the Ordrish rule would have likely involved cultural transformations, as the new dynasty sought to assert their identity and values. The emphasis on trade and foreign conquest could also have brought foreign cultural influences into Arc.
5. Overreach and Decline: The Ordrish rulers' ambition to re-establish the empire eventually led them to overreach, leading to a period of decline. This can be an important theme towards the end of the Ordrish era, setting the stage for the events of the following centuries.
6. Survival of Vannic Knowledge: Dures II's establishment of the Library of Harenis suggests that a significant amount of Vannic knowledge was preserved. The Ordrish era could therefore also involve the continued preservation, interpretation, and perhaps even the evolution of this knowledge.
Traedas Ordrish
Assuming the throne in a time of upheaval and uncertainty, Traedas Ordrish found himself in a difficult position. Unlike his predecessors, he lacked direct Vannic lineage, an essential aspect that secured legitimacy among the Aruhvian Church and the empire's populace. This lineage also allowed access to the revered Hall of Shade at Dancare, where ancient Vannic kings' cherished relics – crowns, swords, and artifacts symbolizing royal heritage – were preserved.
Customarily, a new emperor chose a sword from this hall, one that belonged to a particular ancestor, symbolizing the continuation of Vannic lineage and sovereignty. However, Traedas, without the requisite lineage, found himself bereft of this privilege.
Recognizing the crucial need to assert his legitimacy, Traedas demonstrated a remarkable political acumen. Instead of attempting to fake Vannic heritage, he crafted a different narrative. He requested the Firg, renowned smiths and craftsmen, to forge him a unique sword. This new sword served as a symbol of his rulership – distinct from the Vannic tradition, yet undeniably regal and authoritative.
Simultaneously, he compensated the Firg by offering them a settlement on the coast of the Greater Arc Sea, a region that would later become the thriving city of Wardenhal. This act demonstrated his capabilities as a leader – wise, resourceful, and strategic.
Traedas' early years as ruler thus embodied a balance of diplomatic finesse, strategic decision-making, and a keen understanding of his unique circumstances. Despite his lack of Vannic lineage, he successfully managed to assert his authority, navigate the complex dynamics of the empire, and lay the foundations of the Ordrish dynasty.
Halvera and War
The early years of Traedas's reign were marked by an amicable relationship with the merchant republic of Halvera, a powerful entity that lay to the west of the Arc Sea, where the lands of Welland now stand. Recognizing Halvera's economic potency and strategic location, Traedas pursued an alliance with the republic. The mutual trade agreements and pacts established during this period boosted Arc's burgeoning economy, ensuring a steady flow of commodities and wealth into the empire.
However, as time passed, Traedas began to change. What had once been a clever and insightful politician slowly transformed into a suspicious and vengeful ruler. His commitment to proving his worth as Dures's heir, coupled with a growing sense of insecurity about his non-Vannic lineage, began to cloud his judgment. His desire to expand Arc's borders and his lust for power outstripped his once diplomatic approach.
In this maelstrom of ambition and insecurity, Halvera became a target of Traedas's aggression. The once friendly republic, with its thriving markets and trade routes, was seen as a potential threat, a rival power that could potentially undermine Arc's supremacy.
Tensions mounted, and the once lucrative trade agreements and pacts began to disintegrate. Accusations of treachery and espionage flew from both sides, fostering a climate of distrust and hostility. The breaking point came when Arc, under Traedas's orders, imposed heavy tariffs and trade restrictions on Halveran goods, sparking outrage and retaliatory measures from the republic.
These actions marked the beginning of the decline in relations between Arc and Halvera. Where once there had been diplomacy and commerce, there was now suspicion and a looming threat of war. The insightful and diplomatic Traedas of old was replaced by a ruler driven by vengeance, suspicion, and an all-consuming desire to prove his worth as Dures's heir, even at the expense of his empire's prosperity.
Tradean Innovations
Traedas Ordrish's mid-reign was marked by a determined effort to solidify the Ordrish dynasty's hold on Arc, exemplified by significant administrative changes and infrastructure development. He aimed to consolidate power within the heart of the empire, while concurrently encouraging local governance among the various regions. This dual approach intended to ensure loyalty to the Ordrish rule, all the while maintaining a robust administrative framework.
The city of Arc underwent a transformation under his reign, as he invested significantly in fortifying it. The city's landward defenses were enhanced due to the state of almost endless war in the Odrish era, making it an impregnable fortress city that served as both a physical and symbolic testament to the Ordrish dynasty's strength and resilience.
Simultaneously, Traedas grappled with the task of claiming the legitimacy of his Vannic forebears. Despite his indirect lineage, he asserted a connection to Emperor Dures II, attempting to link the new Ordrish rule to the ancient Vannic heritage. To underline this connection, he commissioned grand structures and art pieces commemorating the Vannic emperors.
Perhaps the most striking of these was a towering statue of Dures II, erected in the bustling heart of Arc. This monument served as a constant reminder to the people of the city of the Vannic Empire's past glory and the supposed continuity of their rule under the Ordrish dynasty. Through these strategic moves, Traedas sought to craft a narrative of legitimacy, linking his rule to the revered Vannic heritage. Despite his indirect lineage, his aim was to forge an unbreakable bond between the past and present, between the Vannic and the Ordrish, thus ensuring his dynasty's place in the annals of Arc's history.
Traedas and his children
Traedas's reign was fraught with internal strife and personal dramas, emblematic of the tumultuous Ordrish era. Amidst the backdrop of political maneuvering and expansionist ambitions, his domestic life was marked by neglect and estrangement, particularly in relation to his daughter, Annai.
From a young age, Annai yearned for her father's love and recognition, yet found herself cast aside as Traedas's obsession with power and legitimacy intensified. Deprived of paternal affection, Annai sought solace in matrimony, marrying twice in an attempt to fill the emotional void. Her first husband, Yeruthline Kavvar, a prince from the old Vannic lineage, was a poor substitute for the fatherly love she craved. His neglect and eventual death left her heartbroken. The second marriage to Tovar Andrase, a knight of Arc, was fraught with scandal and ended tragically when Tovar was slain in battle.
As the years passed, Annai receded further into the shadow of her father's neglect, living out her life in seclusion and bitterness. Her death marked the end of a tragic chapter in the Ordrish family saga, but it also ushered in a new era with her niece, Yula, ascending to the throne.
Yula's reign was steeped in mystery and intrigue from the onset. At the tender age of sixteen, she vanished for months near Gol, only to return barefoot and never again wear footwear. This peculiar behavior, along with her sudden disappearance, sparked rumors among the populace that she had embraced the mystical arts, becoming a sorceress. Despite magic being considered a vestige of a bygone era, Yula did nothing to dispel these rumors, adding to the enigmatic aura that surrounded her reign.
While the Ordrish era was defined by many dramatic events, perhaps none were as personally heartbreaking for Emperor Traedas as the death of his eldest son, Dures. Born as the first of Traedas's five children, Dures was widely anticipated to follow in his father's footsteps and ascend to the throne. However, fate had other plans.
Dures was a promising young man, imbued with the traits of a leader and the charisma to unite the people. His untimely death before he could reach the throne dealt a devastating blow to Traedas, whose heartbreak was palpable. The loss of his chosen successor shook him to his core, perhaps further escalating his obsession with power and legacy.
Following Dures were his siblings Annai, Veren, Hestia, and Lucian. Annai, as previously noted, lived a life of emotional hardship and solitude. Veren, Hestia, and Lucian, while less prominent in the annals of the Ordrish dynasty, were nonetheless witnesses to their father's growing obsession with power and their sister's tragic life. Each, in their own way, experienced the dramatic familial and political upheavals that defined the Ordrish era. Their experiences, together with their siblings', contribute to the multifaceted and complex legacy of the Ordrish dynasty.
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