King Donald I
King and Imperator Donald Goldwyrm
King Donald, sometimes known as Donald the Stupid, Donald the Usurper, and Donald the Fat, was a former king of King of the Eldrian Empire amd grandfather to the current king, his grandson, Donald II. This is a position he held from 989, 3a when he usurped his first cousin once removed, Queen Hilda, after spending the previous twenty years fabricating scantly proved lies that she was an illegitimate ruler, until 994, 3a following the Eldrian Civil War.
Donald is seen as an unpopular and arrogant king amongst the common folk of the empire, especially in its provinces. He is said to hold bigoted views regarding the 'lesser' cultures his empire rules over. Considered to be popular amongst wealthy merchants and aristocrats for his favouring of high taxes on the poor and relaxing of trade and fairness regulations, they view him as a valuable asset to gaining their own power and influence. His lack of diplomacatic tact has seen tensions with the empire's neighbours fray in the last 12 years, with The Silverwood and Estrella both being hostile to the king.
In Rainfall of 992, Donald's pericived tyranny and supression in response to the assassination of his son and High Chancellor triggered the Eldrian Civil Wars, with the first two initial conflicts being declared that month. He was forced to divide his armies between dealing with the newly declared Commonwealth and the Tumbrian rebels.
Early Years
Donald was born in Tay's Spire castle in Taylock, Eastaxe in the Eldrian Empire during the reign of his materal grandmother, Queen "Iron" Mary. His parents, Duchess Margaret of Eastaxe, was the youngest daughter of Mary and sister to the heir apparent, Edward, Prince of Middleaxe. His father, Trydin Goldwyrm, was the Great Grandson of King Rordin III, making his wife his second cousin. Donald was baptised by Cardinal Alistair Marrisford, the Bishop of Icespire at three months old. During his early years, Donald was seen a simple and spoilt child. His mother had suffered three miscarriages before giving birth to Donald and doted on him excessively. His father on the other hand was more distant and crueller, and struggled with tutoring his child in warfare and statecraft. His mother taught Donald basic philosophy and etiquette. By the age of 9, Donald’s younger brother Victor was born which took his mother’s attention away from him. His father saw this as an opportunity to educate the boy and sent him away to the royal court for training and education. His time in Eldron was allegedly miserable and Donald struggled with most of his studies, however, the boy was impressed with the elegance and power his uncle, King Edward V, held. Donald was sent back to his father’s court at the age of 15. He spent much of this time squiring under his father and spending time with his mother. During this time, he and his brother, Victor, formed a tense rivalry. Victor was less loved by his mother but lived up to his father’s expectations. This would be a rivalry that would last until their adulthood.Lordship and Dukedom
In 930, 3a, Lord Trydin became severely ill and frail with old age. Donald began a regency period as Lord of Taylock almost immediately. During this period, Donald dismissed his entire council and tried ruling absolutely. This broke down in Auldlyne 931 when his father eventually passed. Following this, the Barony revolution broke out as minor nobility around Eastaxe rebelled against Donald and his mother. Early loses including the Battle of the Shells on the shores of Lake Avos saw Donald nearly fall to the nobility. At this time, Donald called upon support from his uncles, King Edward V and Duke Richard of Westaxe for assistance. His uncle, Richard, send a small handful of Mercenaries and Edward V offered a small amount of gold, seeing this more as a local dispute . Donald then turned to a small inner circle within Taylock, including his brother Victor. The rest of this inner council, including Earl Grantham, Baron Howard, and Lady Nightingale, formed a new army and took over much of the responsibilities from the Lord. Victor especially was instrumental in putting down the Baron’s revolt, with the Battle of Hexham seeing the rebel army destroyed. After the Baron’s Revolt, Donald relied more upon his new inner council and stepped back from direct rule to enjoy courtly life. Donald also began tours around other noble courts and raising finances and taking on debts to repay his uncles. Around this time, his marriage with Katherine was breaking down. Rumours around the numerous courts of the realm of her extramarital affairs, alongside Donald’s romancing of courtiers and ladies in waiting.Duke of Eastaxe
The culminated with the Vinyeard Affair, a romantic scandal between Baron Howard and Katerine Dunfold. This was revealed at the Yuletide celebration of 934. By this time, Donald had assumed the role of Duke of Eastaxe, and was living high on increased income and riches from his new palace in Execaster. He was in the process of handing over his title as Lord of Taylock to his brother, Victor, when his spymaster, Lady Nightingale revealed the whole affair. Donald sent a troop of knights led by Donald stormed the Vineyard Inn, a small coaching establishment on the Fae Road between Hexham and Hollyrest. The vineyard was owned by Baron Howard, and at the time he was courting Lady Katrina in his personal chambers. Howard was murdered as he tried to grab his blade, and Lady Katrina was captured. Katrina was tried at a kangaroo court in Execaster in Auldlyne of 935. He execution was sanctioned by the Bishop of Execaster, and she was beheaded at a public execution on Auldyne 31st 935. Following this scandal, the bastard children of Katrina and Baron Howard were smuggled out of the empire. The middle period of Donald’s reign as Duke of Eastaxe was relatively simple. It was marked by his illicit affairs with numerous minor nobles and commoners. Rumours were that by the end of his reign, Donald had at least 100 bastard children by numerous women. This period was also notable for Donald’s failed investments, including in a trade company that went bankrupt in 939.Sucession Crisis
The succession crisis of 940 put Donald in a difficult position. Following the death of his uncle Edward V, there was no valid male heir from his marriage to Wilmina Von Ludwin. The Royal Council opted to grant the crown to Richard, the Duke of Westaxe. During the crisis, Edward’s daughter Mary rose up in a brief rebellion in the Northing. Donald sided with his uncle, Richard, hoping for royal favours in return. Donald’s army, led by his brother Victor, met with Mary’s army outside New Pines. Rather than fight, a truce was declared and the rebellion died out. Donald, expecting reward or new titles for his support and supposed victory other the rebels, was denied this opportunity. This led to a growing resentment between Donald and Richard and a growing conspiracy led by Donald and other dissatisfied nobles. In 951, Donald Married Marina Burst, a minor noble from Tumbria in an attempt to secure allies from the provinces. Donald also travelled to the Tumbrian Confederation, courting princes and signing alliances and trade treaties. Although claiming full credit for these achievements, official records show that Earl Grantham was the main negotiator. During his tours of courts, Donald began spreading a conspiracy that Richard was an illegitimate heir, and rather the crown should be passed down his mother’s line, making him the rightful emperor. Although generally being dismissed as fringe lunacy, the conspiracy gained the attention of wealthy elites who sought to curtail King Richard’s reforms and liberalisation.Latter Period
969 saw the birth of Donald’s first child, Heinrich. This also saw the death of Richard, and the coronation of Tristan II. Tristan, a liberal ruler and highly skilled warrior and artist, loathed Donald and saw him and his conspiracies against his father as a threat to the realm. Donald, irritated by this snub, wrote numerous letters to major nobles around the realm questioning Tristan’s lineage, implying his mother was a milkmaid. This conspiracy was a complete copy of his previous conspiracy against King Richard, yet the nobles and guilds who were angry with Tristan’s modernisations saw this as an opportunity to secure more power and revert his changes. Following this campaign, Donald was fined for “treasonous script” of 10,000 crowns. This nearly bankrupted the Duke, and forced him to take unfair loans from the Banker’s Guild. This relationship saw the Banker’s Guild start to exert more control other Duke Donald. Donald’s second child, Francis, born. Following his fine, and curtailing of his powers by King Tristan, Donald began to move towards open rebellion. This was spurred on by nobles and guilds from around the empire who were opposed to modernisation, who saw Donald as a largely useless figure who they could easily control. In an attempt to expand his armies and alliances, Donald married his sons off. His eldest, Heinrich, was married to Joan Le Roi of East Marcia, whilst Francis was married off to Rina Moss of Oidis.Usurpation
The death of Tristan II saw the coronation of his only daughter, Hilda. By the time of her coronation in 981, Donald’s conspiracy around Tristan’s lineage had spread throughout the realm. Tristan had also changed succession laws, which ended male-preference primogeniture. This angered many traditionalist nobles, and Tristan’s sudden death presented an opportunity. Hilda, in an attempt to make peace with Duke Donald, invited him with royal privileges to her coronation. Donald snubbed, and instead held a feast in Execaster, inviting nobles and guild heads to discuss a potential rebellion. In Flowertyme 981, Hilda warned against treason and proposed a compromise on her father’s reforms with the nobles. This was seen as inadequate, and the rumours of her illegitimate heritage had been successful spread throughout all rungs of society. On the 13th, Donald officially declared his intentions to usurp Queen Hilda and install himself as king. Donald rallied troops from East Marcia, including some Knights of the Circle, all the forces of Eastaxe, the nobility of the Northing, the Tumbrian Confederation, and numerous nobles from around the empire including the Blackeeps of Cape County and O’Lyre’s of Gwenydd. The Rebellion broke out and was largely financed by the Banker’s guild. Donald delegated much of the military command to his allies and granted overall control this his brother, Lord Victory of Taylock. Donald was only personally present for one battle of the Goldwyrm Usurpation, the final battle at Eldron. He spent most of his time in Execaster Castle living a life of luxury, boasting and taking credit for his allies’ victory across the realm. The final Battle of Eldron saw Donald’s forces, largely led by his martial Lord Victor, breach the city walls and defeat the final armies of Queen Hilda. Hilda managed to escape, fleing north into the Vale. By Snowfall of 981, Donald was coronated at the Cathedral of the God King in Eldron. His coronation was open to the common public, who could stand in the open courtyard and look in through the doorway. His coronation was largely seen with celebration by the nobility and commoners. Those who sided with Queen Hilda to repay his debt to the Banker’s Guild.Reign as Emperor
Donald’s early reign saw him imprison much of the Westaxian nobility and replace them with his own supporters. He also began heavily taxing the provinces and granting monopoly charters to the banker’s guild and their subsidiaries through the Monopoly Act of 983. This saw the new King’s popularity massively decrease in the provinces, especially in coastal provinces of Tumbria where he granted royal charters exclusively to his wife’s family. The 980s saw Donald renovate the imperial palace, revoke the modernisation and anti-serfdom laws of his predecessors, and generally grant more power to the wealthy merchant and noble classes largely at the expense of the lower groups of society, with major punishment granted to all classes in the provinces. Donald’s asset stripping of the provinces saw an increased level of resentment against him across the regions. Even in the Empire itself there was growing dissatisfaction from those who saw Donald’s nepotism and cronyism as damaging the progressive improvements. Although no open rebellion was declared, Donald sent imperial forces to punish and patrol various local rulers for failing to pay appropriate taxes. The Royal Mandate of 987 saw Donald install military governors across Gwenydd in response to King Llwellyn’s election as petty king in the province. Donald stripped Llwellyn as ruler and forced the clans to elect Finn O’Finnlan, the infant child of a rebellious clansman from Pennygyntaff. This led to an even larger resentment from Gwenydd. Additionally, Donald’s asset stripping of Iron from Cape County saw the beginnings of organized conspiracy against him in those regions. Within the imperial heartland, Donald had a mixed reputation. His line was seen as relatively stable, he had a male heir in Heinrich, a spare heir in Francis, and Heinrich’s first child, Donald the Younger, was born in 990. His only threat for succession came from two sources. Hilda, the former queen, had taken refuge in the Vale of the Elves, a long term ally of the Eldrian Empire. Donald’s response to the Vale’s asylum of Hilda was to break off diplomatic contact with them and threaten war. This was only stopped by his royal council refusing to approve any declaration, warning it would result in the Vale allying themselves with the Seldrinar Supremacy. Donald’s second threat came from the would be usurper before him, Mary the Ice Princess, daughter of the former king Edward V. Her line was only placed into submission by generous laws of autonomy to their territory in the Northing. Generally, Donald’s early reign was seen as peaceful. There were no massive open rebellions due to strict fines and imprisonments alongside a cunning propaganda machine. His allies were rewarded well and his enemies punished. Although reversing much of the liberties the lower classes had received in the past few decades, his propaganda and cult of personality secured a level of underserved popularity amongst the common folk. Donald also decreed a change of procedure for Empire Day. Rather than celebrating the empire as a whole, it was dedicated largely to him. There was to be at least 1 statue, portrait, bust, or monument erected in his honour in each province every empire day otherwise the ruler of that region would face a severe financial fine, or potentially imprisonment.Decline
In 991, the Salian Isle Scandal was revealed by a minor land baron, Sir Sodlark, of Salian Isle in Cape County. With the aid of adventurers Sodlark revealed a plot that saw the wealthy tin mines of Salian Isle being asset stripped by the Banker’s Guild, funnelling all wealth directly to the King, with additionally support from Goblin Warbands. This scandal, and Sodlark’s overthrow of the Banker’s Guild in Salian Isle and his ascension to the title of Lord of Salian Isle shook confidence from the guilds in Donald’s rulership. This loss of assets and backlash from nobles completely damaged the Banker’s Guild, and thus affected the control that Donald could wield as his main money source was now gone. The next crisis to his reign came in Rainfall of 992. King Duan II of Cape County had been organizing a rebellion across the provinces against Donald’s rule and supplying smaller rebel groups with assets to engage in terror activities against the empire. This led to the assassination of the Chancellor of the Empire and the assassination of Crown Prince Heinrich. Donald’s response was to declare a martial law across Gwenydd. In response, protests amongst the nobility and common folk rose up across the provinces, centred in Gwenydd, Cape County, and coastal Tumbria. Angered by this questioning of his rule, Donald sanctioned the violent putdown of these protests in the Edict of Blood, declaring all those who spoke treasonous thoughts against him as rebels against the empire. The imperial response led to bloodshed across the provinces in the 14 days of Tears. This was largely led by Donald’s trusted aid, Earl Grantham, who was well into his 90s. Following this event, nobles across Cape County and Gwenydd declared open rebellion against the empire in the Commonwealth War for Independence. Some nobles remained loyal, but imperial troops within the provinces alongside governors were defeated or turfed out of cities across the provinces. Earl Grantham himself was slain by Duan’s forced in Saunton, his head sent to King Donald via teleportation circle. Donald’s response to this insult was to hire a mercenary general named Azumon the Burning One and his Dracolich Galvurnax to lead his armies in the provinces. Azumon himself was defeated in the Battle of Saunton, and his armies scattered. The Commonwealth was officially declared and the war was all but other. Scattered fighting continued till 994, but the Empire never regained any foothold outside the Tawu valley again. In the north, the Tumbrian Revolt began along the coast, seeing imperial shipyards plundered and the Burst family persecuted for their role in the oppression of their own people. The golden statue of King Donald was torn down by the revolt in Draconhiem, led by the revolt’s de factor leder, Kadir Adelheit. Both revolts ended in 994 with the Treaty of Ravenheim. Donald was left humiliated and bankrupt from the war. The provinces of Gwenydd and Cape County were fully independent in the newly declared Commonwealth, and half of Tumbria was granted freedom from the empire as an associate territory rather than a direct province. The Empire had lost most of its key trading ports along the Terrassic trade routes, large swathes of their natural resources, and prestige amongst their neighbours. Internally, Donald had bankrupted the empire. His treasury was in incredible debt, and he had even begun taxing and fining former allies on a whim. His bases of powers were rapidly shrinking, and internal revolt was brewing in the imperial heartlands against him.Eldrian Civil War
Donald had lost his pillars of power and growing resentment against him from all classes of society was leading to. Donald’s response was to seal himself up in in his palace and ignore the problems piling up against him. The realms debt was leading to a major economic decline, seeing whatever strength he had in support from the commoners and merchant classes completely decline with raised taxes and declining income. In 995, unknown to Donald, a conspiracy had been built up amongst the nobility. Nobility in Southaxe, Halshire, Westaxe and Hildian Loyalists around the Arthurwold in Eastaxe had been conspiring with the exiled Queen Hilda and her heirs. In Axefall 995, Hilda was smuggled into Westaxe. An official declaration of war was given on the 19th. Donald, angered by this, levied his troops and nobles still loyal to him. To his surprise, two additional rebellions were declared on the 21st. The first came from Iron Mary, although old, she still believed her claim to the throne to be the most legal and legitimate. Her forces, although small, were based in the Northing, with some allied nobles in Southaxe, Halshire, and Eastaxe. The second surprise declaration came from the King’s own brother and former loyal ally Lord Victor of Taylock. Victor’s forces were the smallest of the rebellions, centred in County Taylock with the Earl of Arunford also supporting his claim. Although Donald and Victor had shared a lifelong rivalry, Victor’s betrayal and rebellion still came as a shock to the aging king. Victor was seen as the right hand of the King, and his martial prowess was formally a key asset of Donald’s regime. In response to the rebellions, Donald was in full denial. It was up to his royal council, namely his surviving son Duke Francis and Earl Arrogan of Chapeltown. The Civil war, although starting beneficially for the King’s armies, eventually began to turn following the defeat of Francis in 996 at the Battle of Eronia. Queen Mary surrendered to Lord Victor in Sunfall 996, and gave her remaining armies to him. The Northing and the entirety of Eastaxe were now under the control of Victor, whilst Halshire, Fainshire, and Southaxe were under the control of Hilda. In Fainshire, commonfolk led by Eoin Weldwyn rose up against Donald’s nobility and allied themselves with Hilda on the promise she would secede their territory to The Commonwealth. Donald remained in denial the entire time, with his treasury almost entirely depleted and his armies losing his forces faced mass desertion. After the battle of Rovald’s Bridge, Donald’s forces were pushed into Middleaxe. 997 was a brief reprieve for his forces, as Hilda and Victor battled across their respective territories. The winter of 997 was also a harsh winter, and led to famine and sickness amongst the troops. In the battle of Taylock, Victor was defeated and Hilda assumed control of all the Empire bar Middleaxe. Most the nobility in Middleaxe new defeat was communing. The Lord of Sparrowcrest was the first to defect, with the Lord of Ghostkeep being next. Donald fell into a complete state of insanity, and his son Francis assumed a regency control. Francis sent Donald the Younger and his sister-in-law in disguise to East Marcia to take refuge. Francis rallied what troops he could and met with Hilda on the fields of Gath. Francis, faced with unbeatable odds, denied the opportunity for peace. His army was quickly defeated, with Francis dying at the hands of Prince Tristan, Hilda’s first-born son. Hilda entered the city, and her army ended up sacking the metropolis against her orders. Donald was found in palace, unaware of the entire situation. His wife had committed suicide in the royal chambers expecting retribution, and the royal council had done the same. Hilda had Donald imprisoned immediately, and sent to Roric Castle.Execution
Donald spent three months in prison. His insanity led him to believe that he was back in his palace in Taylock as a young man. He was heard talking to a hallucination of Katherine, his first wife, numerous times during his imprisonment. Hilda was at first hesitant to have Donald executed, but pressure from the nobility and the common classes saw her sign a writ of Execution on the 13th Endstarre. Sentenced to beheading, Donald was brought to Imperial Square in front of jeering crowds. His final words before execution according to the Imperial records was simply a muttering of, “I will be the king… I will be the king.” Hilda has Donald buried in an unknown location somewhere in Eastaxe. Rumours of his grave include the crypts of Execaster, Avos Monastery, St Wayne’s Chapel in Eldron, and even next to his mother’s grave in Taylock.Reputation
King Donald I has a poor reputation since his death. During his life, he was somewhat regarded as a shrewd and clever negotiator, a firm ruler, and an economic genius. Alongside that, he was often ridiculed as a fat oath who was controlled by wealthy nobles and guilds. In terms of foreign policy, Donald severely damaged the Eldrian Empire’s sphere of influence through his insults of foreign leaders. Additionally, Donald’s threats of war against the Vale of the Elves alienated him from surrounding powers. This led to the Seldrinar Supremacy to push into Eldrian control. Militarily, Donald’s latter reign saw most of the imperial army and nobility slain during the Commonwealth Revolution and Eldrian Civil War led to a massive decline in imperial military standing that never recovered. At home, Donald’s reign reversed much of the modernisation and equality achieved by the Marolingian Kings. This caused a deep seated division amongst the ruling classes and commoners. Economically, Donald granted nepotistic grants to his allies that damaged free trade and general output. Secondly, his loss of the provinces that formed the Commonwealth saw a major depletion in natural resources and trading routes. This gravely affected the empire’s output and domination of the western kingdoms. Donald I is widely regarded as failed monarch who cost the Empire their territory, international standing, and economic power. Although his grandson and eventual successor Donald II, did build a large memorial to him in Eldron, this has failed to cast him in a beneficial light.Social
Religious Views
Divinitism
Relationships
Alignment
NE
Current Location
Species
Ethnicity
Honorary & Occupational Titles
| Title | Date | Predacessor | Successor |
| Lord of Taylock | 930-934 | Lord Trydin Goldwyrm | Lord Victor Goldwyrm |
| Duke of Eastaxe | 934-989 | Duchess Margaret Marolingian | Prince Francis |
| King of Middleaxe | 981-998 | Queen Hilda | Queen Hilda |
| King of Southaxe | 981-998 | Queen Hilda | Queen Hilda |
| King of Westaxe | 981-998 | Queen Hilda | Queen Hilda |
| King of Eastaxe | 981-998 | Queen Hilda | Queen Hilda |
| King of the North | 981-998 | Queen Hilda | Queen Hilda |
| Duke of Faineshire | 981-998 | Queen Hilda | Queen Hilda |
| Imperator Rex | 981-998 | Queen Hilda | Queen Hilda |
| High King of Gwenydd | 981-995 | Queen Hilda | Title abolished |
| Imperator of Kernow | 981-995 | Queen Hilda | Position Abolished |
Date of Birth
15th Sunfall,
Year of Death
998
Circumstances of Death
Executed
Birthplace
Taylock
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Gender
Male
Eyes
Brown
Hair
Red
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
White
Height
5"5
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