Wars and History of the Edra Dynasty

Below digs into the accounts of foundation of The Edren Empire and the short Dynasty of it's God-King Edra.

The Conflict

Prelude

At this time, The First Calamity had sundered many of the the great powers leaving the continents traditional heartland between the now ruined elven states of Lakolis, Sudolis, and Elvolis in the hands of elven warlords loosely under one King Philip of Evolis. Advanced, but with a crippled infrastructure they failed to inherit the Sea Elf Empire's luster, and worshiped the traditional Elven gods.
In the east and south human tribes migrating past the sea for land and plunder had formed into loosely these tribes, some names are purely historical notation and not how the tribes would have called themselves in their day. In the south in the modern lands of The Kingdom of Undland were the hardy swamp folks called Undallocks. Worshipers of Valkur and the traditional human gods of the tribes, these folk were hardy and gifted at skirmishing. They were however an ununited series of villages and minor kings.
East of them in the modern lands of The Confederation of Wallachia were the Wallocks, the undisputed most powerful of human tribes. They were famous for their religious zeal, monotheistic, and oppressive of Goliaths and Dusk Elves whom natively held the lands south of the Long Sister River. Famous as horse lords and great eagle riders. They were not unified politically by kings, instead they had traditional chiefs called Boyars underneath the religious priesthood of The Morning Lord 
North of the Long Sister River were the Goathlanders, one of the earliest tribes to form on the continent. Farming folk whom famously rode great lions into battle. They were united behind their patrilineal King Erik whom ruled towns and villages all the way to the Wolf's Wood west and north almost to Lakolis and our final tribe. They worshiped both human and adopted elven gods.
Skipping over our final tribe, there was one last recorded major tribe north of the Edrani River between it and the The Northern Jungels river basin. The Riverlanders of Riverway whom we know the least about. Though largely populated by Orcs slaves, a human tribe ruled the rivers. Known for their cruelty and violence it is reported they worshiped a long lost bloodgod along with traditional human gods, but how much of this is truth or propaganda is unknown. Their king, Averill Bloodwater is considered by historians inseparable form his mythological villainhood, and his actual character is unknowable.
Lastly ruling the south banks and mountain holds of the river Edrani were the Edrallocks. And early tribe whom seemed to have been pushed north by elvish and Undallock migrations. An unusual tribe, unlike the others they did not just worship the elven or human gods from across the sea, but also the Edrani River spirit by the same name, and the dragons whom ranged wildly then. Close to both elves and the Dwarves of the mountain, they were famously one of the first to adapt to new steel metals and technology.
They were a united peoples and under its a non-gendered Kingship, held at that time by King Edra. Likely named after the river spirit, they also had two legendary aides we must mention for their historical important. First the childhood best friend and, by heretical writings, former paramour General Undala, mistress of blades, and by most legends Edra's right hand most of their life. Known by some to be their darker half, their prowess in tactics was only matched by their gift with a halberd on horseback. Next was Edra's teacher and childhood mentor Runesmith Mscholars,

Historical Significance

Giant War

The history of Edra's rise comes shortly after their ascension to the throne. Their unnamed mother had been killed the winter previous during raids by a storm giant the legends call ountainjusticemountainMordin's Spine Mountains
Edra seemed to have done so. The following spring with Dwarven arms, armor, and Dwarven support, along with a host of dragonborn forged by the silver dragons whom joined the host. Must is written about this early campaign. Which met with initial setbacks in it's first year, however by winter Edra's army had become experienced and capable. Eventually laying siege to a castle in the mountains, the details of which is lost to us. Some texts say Undala lead a sortie that opened its great ice gates in the dead of night and burned all the stables and food stores of the giants to cause chaos. This would make sense as she was famed for her skill at subterfuge and sabotage. Other's say Mimir built a rune canon that sundered the keep, and such rune cannons have been found in the archeological exhibits. However it is clear by the end that Edra had slew the Giant whom killed their mother and fulfilled their oath.
They had also freed the dwarves from their vassal hood. Together, they swore and oath of eternal friendship. The Dwarves would protect all of Edra and their lands below, and Edra would do the same above. This eternal alliance was so strong it lasts to this day, and in its time many dwarves would stay with Edra till their death making up the bulk of their personal guard. Edra was also given for their honor and victory, the famed Shield of Edra, an adamantine shield enchanted by Mimir and blackened by Bahamut's flame to make it immune to both fire and resistant to magics. Less famous was the rune infused mithral platemail they were given as well as the sword Storm Sunder, a sword made by the dragons out of a dragon fang and the destroyed Ødger's axe. The specifics of these relics locations and powers is hidden from scholars.

Siege of Edren

However, during that year and a half campaign, both the Riverlanders, and the Goathlanders saw opportunity. Assuming the campaign would either end in failure or take much longer, both armies encamped on either side of the Endrani river, intending to split the Edrani lands between. They wagered whomever broke the gates and stormed the city first would keep it, and so both armies rushed to shatter Mimir's rune infused walls.
Undala, already leaving early to rule in Edra's stead, arrived to a terrified populace, unaware of the end of the war and with their morale near breaking. She rallied the defense. News of their kings victory saved the cities morale and Undala's sorties at night allowed her to continually burn the ramps and siege towers of the allied enemy.
Edra arrived soon, at the head of a united, smaller, but much more battle hardened army. One knight was recorded to have joked, that "Goathlander's are four times as small as giants, I intended to slaughter four times as many." Encamped on the mountain Edra seemed to ponder how to defeat their enemy and not risk weakening their already wounded army. On which is said they connected with the spirit of Edrani, and revealed they were in fact the spirit in mortal form. It is said Edra used their divinity to cause an unseasonable rainstorm that flooded the river. Both armies, having known the Edrani river for its famously predictable flooding patterns, encamped clamped close to the rivers for easy water and crossings to support one another. Both camps were flooded, taking hundreds to their muddy deaths. Edra assaulted that same knight, seeming united with the storm. This victory was complete and devastating, named the first miracle of Edra. Heretical scholars however claim this suspiciously sounds like a native more comfortable with their weather and knowledgeable of the river than foreign armies.

Marriage and the River War

At this time, the struggling Elven city states saw Edra's rise to prominence, and long in need of allies to staunch the bleeding seeked this upjumped neighbor. King Philip a wise and elderly elf, offered to marry his daughter, Myrrine to Edra. Religious text state she was already known as the mortal form of the goddess Myrinne, however heretical accounts say she was at the time simply a priestess of Ioun, the Elven goddess of secrets, and an absurdly talented mage. Edra, in need of additional forces to supplement their elite and advanced, but shrunken army, agreed.
It is said that Myrrine at first disdained the idea, but after spending an elven ball with this barbarian human king, she was floored by their generous spirit, gracious humor, and infectious energy. They fell in love. Marrying ahead of schedule as Edra planned their campaign against the Rivermen whom threatened their boarders. They became inseparable. Myrrine took sharply to the court, her eye apparently key to uncovering some unspecified plot and expelling many spies. In lore this marriage marks the supposed alliance of Bahamut, Edra, and Myrrine as the Dios Ragnium, and the supposed plan of creating an empire that could save the world from it's inevitable end.
The River War is fuzzy in the record. It is clear that on marching into the river basin Edra was horrified with the enslaved treatment of the Orcs and under Myrrine's suggestion, aware that Goathland would not be licking their wounds, used magic to communicate with many of the Orc leadership, promising to allow free worship of Grummesh, and enable a mostly free Orc vassal kingdom with it's own courts and laws to flourish in the River valley, so long as they joined Edra's host and rebel. This was stunningly effective. Myrrine herself teleported into Riverway, along with Undala and many many arms, and the city was captured itself by an orc uprising. The war was over before the host even arrived at Riverway.
Now victorious, Edra's army became infused with Elvish skirmishers and battle mages, dragonborn elite legions, experienced dwarven line holders, wyvern and dragonriders, Orcish irregulars, as well as Edrallock mounted knights and now professional soldiers. It was clear, looking back, that the axis of the world had turned, and even if one at the time might have understood the signifigance of the momment. Edra and their kingdom, was now truly the great regional power.

Goathland War

Goathland had not been idle. Having escaped with a great deal of their cavalry alive, the king seeked further forces in mercenary knights from Wallachia, as well as quickly conquered down the long sister river looting and pressing into service many smaller Undlander tribes. However, that proved not enough to pay for his new mercenary army. Erik needing funds for his army turned to the at the time rich, but weak Elven city of Lakolis, as the Edren capitol was too defended to loot. Elven goods would supply his army long enough to allow him to defeat Edra. They raided up the wolf wood taking whatever they could find from Elves, Edrallocks, and Goathlanders alike, the Wallock and Undlander core hungry for plunder. Soon they were on Lakolis, and while Edra conquered Riverway, King Erik began to loot Lakolis. The walls fell quickly however, hungry for plunder more than victory, his army began looting before securing the bulk of the city, getting quickly bogged down in street by street violence.
Edra on hearing the news departed immediately. Aware the city was divided by the river, they split their forces into two armies. Their own lead by themself and Mimir and the other by Undala and a dragon known to history as Iceviper. Undala was given the bulk of the elven skirmishers and elves along with the edrallock footmen. Edra kept the dwarven core, dragon legion, orcs and Edrallock knights. Edra side of the battle was triumphant, but not particularly interesting. Their dwarves held the enemy Wallock core down while Orcs and elite knights cracked through the weakened and low moral Goathlander flanks. the Wallock leader, known as Vitali in the text was so amazed she supposedly swore loyalty then and there.
Though they were unaware at the time, Undala's detachment was up against the weaker, but larger core of Erik's army that had taken camp in the lower levels of Lakolis. Undala, not wishing to engage a defended larger enemy, sent secret messengers to the Undallock core, offering that they could keep their ill-gotten loot if they simply slaughtered their king and army at night during the chaos of a night sortie Undala would lead. They took the offer and that night slaughtered the army to a man. The scene was reportedly horrific, Erik, his husband, several thousands of elf civilians and Goathlander troops were killed, mostly in their bed. Bodies were piled and burned, and Eriks skull was carved out and given to Undala. Undala for her part considered this, sending the skull and a simple report to Edra. Sources claim the report was one line: "Stunning success, the city is ours, Erik is dead. Minimal casualties."
Edra's horror on arriving inside Lakolis to see it looted by forces Undala had incorporated into her own, as well as the brutal and unhonorable method of their victory created a rift between them. It is said Edra could not even bare to look at Undala whom seemed unbothered by the sacking. Some scholars believe this account could be a way to pass blame on the brutal end from Edra to Undala, but most agree this matches Undala's character more. Especially with what follows.
Edra would keep them separated. Paying a weregild to Philip for Lakolis. Undala was allowed to keep her Undlander mercenaries, along with the elves and her personal guard, and was pointed towards Goathlands western holdings in Undland along the long sister. This assignment was a bit of an insult, but many have suggested it was a means to keep Undala away from Edra without the dishonor of relieving her command. We will cover Undala's actions later. Edra's main core marched towards the capitol, the now imperial city of Goathlind. The now king Erikson fought harassing actions that delayed the march a moth but after a days siege he began negotiations. Goathland would be reduced to just the upper Long Sister, and the capitols personal holdings. They would swear peace with Edren, but as Edra hungered for the end to wars, they agreed to let Goathland remain independent, something all agreed was naïve.

Myrrine's reforms, Edra's nation building

Myrrine left for Edren before the war even ended along with Mimir. The capitol had long been leaderless. The nation had quadrupled it's holdings, gained vassals and allies. Went from human majority to a multicultural empire. Myrrine and Mimir set about eliminating local adversaries, expelling unloyal lords and setting many dwarf warriors as land owning citizens of Edra. Myrrine wanted to use dwarven expertise and loyalty to ensure the growing merchant class would remain loyal and to limit the power of other major families. She also developed many of the legal systems still used in imperial court. To understand this achievement she needed to create a legally sound system that would come off as fair and not too based in any one cultures system, creating the concept of juries as separate from judges and codifying laws as set by elites, but interpreted by educated centralized elites. She also had Mimir work on infrastructure and revitalizing the city, starting the highway that would be the basis for the modern stone highways between the empire's cities.
Meanwhile Edra stayed on the roads. Many of their veterans from the giants war were given land to tend to throughout the depopulated and conquered territories. Specifically to insure the locals loyalties and to insure if levies needed to be raised in the new territories, they would be experienced and still have arms and armor. They founded the city of Borz a castle on the Long Sister river to act as both a check to the Wallocks and Goathlanders. Based in the newest of castle science it was in it's day considered an unrivaled fortress. They also insured Goathlander villages in their territory would be treated fairly, and that local gods were added to the official state religion.
During this process, Edra and Myrrine exchanged a furious correspondence of letters. Coded and tragically burned in mass, the few we have allow us to read fragments of an intense love. These letters are considered holy relics and are rarely permitted to be seen, as such many scholars bemoan the lack of details. However it is clear that these two remained loyal, taking no other lovers and wishing only to go home. However, Edra would not be permitted. They would receive word. Undala had conquered all not just the Long Sister, but all the way to the Edrani, scaring the elves with worry that they might be next.

Undala's conquest of Undland

Undala's core began to dutifully capture the towns and villages of the lower Long sister, largely being treated as a liberator to the occupied undallock tribes. Perhaps scorned by Edra or simply too heart broken at the rift between them, she did not seem to stop once the Goathlander portion of the long Sister was hers. From the egging on of a Undallock captain named Waters, she kept "Liberating" down to the end of the river. Capturing the village a the Long sister's mouth, giving it to her advisor Waters and founding Water's Keep. This however meant they began to face real resistance. Undallock tribes began to fight back in mass numbers. Expert skirmishers in the swamps of their homes.
Undala had her own Undallock tribes however, and what Edrallocks and elves she had with her were battle hardened and carried steal weapons and armor against the bronze and leather of their enemies. More than that the natural horses of undland were longer but weaker legged, and the hippogryph failed to match to the power of a wyvern. Undala butchered her way through east Undland. conquering and looting any village that resisted. She was clever however and spent days learning the local Undallock dialogue and the history of the sub-tribes and their many grievances. Soon she was treating and turning major tribes to her side, settling old scores and incorporating allies among the locals. Giving groups modern weapons and armor in exchange for loyalty as her lords. Soon all of Undland was hers the remaining Undallocks naming her king. A title she initially refused, but began to use more and more.
However, such a title was a betrayal of Edra, something she had to know. It seems no surprise then that she would build her new capitol in the north, Castle Gris, the undallock word for grey, apparently the color of Undala's banner. It would seem to those living in this age that war between Undala and Edra was inevitable. Edra marched on the edge of the wolf's wood, but crossed it with only Myrrine by her side. The official statement from the church is that Undala was so overcome with worry for Edra on hearing that, she rushed into the wood with her own guard. Some less kind Scholars think this was simply the most expedient way to win the war, as Edra had no Heir.
We have no details of that meeting in the woods. Many say simply Edra pleaded with her old friend. That Myrrine used some magic to charm her. The church claims they revealed their divinity to Undala and she understood her place in their plan. Regardless. Edra returned to Edren and Undala to Gris. Undala was King of Undland, but with Edra named Imperator of Kings and made officially her supperior. Undala's heir would be chosen by Edra and Undlands laws second to Edren's. Undala would never marry. She would have several unacknowledged bastards, but no proper heirs, rejecting the very feudal monarchy she fought to make for herself.
Tragically Undala conquest is so well written about and famous, it has overwritten Undallock culture. Even the name Undallock comes from the name Undland, Undala's Land. Current Undland kings claim relations to Undala not the Undallock tribes. The only thing that remains of Undallock language is in the local Undlander Dialect of imperial common. Their history is lost, even the Valkur worship of the day is nothing like the old native practice.

Morning Lord's War

King Erikson of Goathland this entire time was buying up steel to reoutfit his army, and courting in secret the Morning Lord Worshiping Wallocks. Selling them fears of their church being destroyed and that these dragon worshippers were forcing Wallocks in their territories to convert. This wasn't true at least according to the Imperial sources. This seemed to work as the church began to push the boyar lords to take up a crusade against the pagan Edrallocks. Eventually the boyars elected Andrea of Sarudinka to be their King, a position that existed only for wars that threatened the church, to lead a crusade. This crusade became official after the building of Borz and the conquest of Undland made the lords feel as threatened as the church. They assaulted Borz taking everything except for the island castle itself. Unwilling to be bogged down Andrea left a small siege force and met up with King Erik to assault the heart of Edren and finally sack the city itself.
Wallock population was huge, and advanced. despite the size difference in terms of land this was a real threat. Edra on hearing this army had crossed the boarder sent dragons to their allies summoning them to Edren once again, reminding them all of their oaths. Though given little time the response was massive. Dwarves from the Mordin Spine, Orcs from Riverway, Elves from Evolis, and new recruits and old veterans formed up at Edren. Edra's Wallock mercenary knights even remained loyal, as did Undala who spent the entire war leading a guerrilla and raiding war throughout the swamps of Wallachia.
Edra had more forces pouring in each day, but determined that the Wallocks needed to be defeated quickly and so they left to meet the Wallock army on the field of battle in the fields outside a village called Racca. It would be on open ground where the Wallock horse lancers, horse archers, and great eagle riders based army would have the advantage. Edra however, performed their second great miracle. They ordered a full charge on the cavalry force. A dangerous tactic to use on an army use fighting in retreat. However, Edra, to show that the Morning Lord did not favor the invaders, used their divine magic to block out the sun. This disorganized Andrea's army of religious fanatics, sending panic through them. Many retreated, others advanced. No one seemed to listen to the undefeated Andrea or King Erikson, whom had fought Edra before. The battle was chaos. Dragons and magic artillery flying down from dark sky. Wallock horse archers firing on each other in the dark.
After two hours this strange eclipse faded. King Andrea had escaped with much of her elite force, but her levies, all of the Goathlander allies, and the totality of her camp and baggage train was captured or killed. Erikson was captured as well and remained in Edra's camp the rest of the war. Low on supplies, Andrea retreated to her forces in Borz, lifted the siege and tried to gather what Wallocks would come to her aid. However legends of the blackened sun would leave many to believe that the Morning Lord did not bless this army, and that the night mothers wrath was upon them.
With Borz relieved, Edra continued into the Wallock heartland. They rushed out towards every direction sieging the major towns and cities with forces too small to storm the occupants but enough to deny them supplies. They gained help and guides from local Goliaths whom had never assimilated to the church and dusk elves whom hated the oppression. The war would go on for five bloody years with no major battles, but constant small actions throughout the kingdom. Only Roshtsck-Skonye actually surrendered to Edra's army. However with all the major settlements starving, the clergy called for peace talks. Finally accepting surrender under the the terms that the church be permitted to stay an independent institution, and that no imperial attempts to the convert the populace would occur south of the Long Sister River. Edra agreed, so long as non-religious laws of Edren would be respected, and that the Goliaths and Dusk Elves would have freedom of religion, a right not extended to Wallock humans as a red line for the clergy. Edra would also add the Morning Lord to the pantheon, merging him with the existing sun god Lathander. Without the support of the Clergy, the Boyars could not maintain the support of the war, and soon agreed to the terms, with the added caveat that they be establish as nobles and demanded no large scale Edren repopulations of the country side occur as happened in Goathland.
Goathland, with far less room to negotiate, was allowed to have King Erikson remain as the monarch, but as a vassal king under the same Imperator of Kings as Undland. He was also forced to pay reparations and by all accounts almost bankrupt hsi entire dynasty. Edra signed this agreement finally bringing peace to their new grand kingdom.

Edra in Peace Time

With the human tribes united under Edra, along with Riverway as a vassal and the Dwarves and Elves as close allies, Edra looked to solidify their new nation. Though the country side remained with no new settlers. Edra ordered that their camp in Wallachia be made into a capitol for the territories administration. Mimir would be put to the task, building the castle of Ozerud and in turn, much to his surprise, being made Edra's viceroy in Wallachia, a job he would keep for the entirety of the Edra Dynasty.
Edra would similarly order the small town of Dobruja be given special rights to entice merchants. They planned to turn it into a major trade hub and sea connection to their kingdom they otherwise sorely lacked. Though they would abandon their mortality before this plan came to fruition, both were massive successes.
They returned to Edren and ran as co-ruler with their queen Myrrine and according to religious Scholars Bahamut. They continued to follow Myrrine's reforms. Standardizing taxes and performing a great census. New irrigation systems were built into the realm, and if we believe religious sources, no harsh winters struck the realm so long as the two remained in Edren. Finally the two had a child. A young girl named Lysandra, ending unease about the heirlessness of this great human kingdom.
However, after ten years of peace, people noticed a horrific sight. The River Edrani, had turned red with blood.

The Calamity that never Came

Much about hells invasion is unknown. Our sources do not explain where the legion came from, of the Heretical texts no explanation given, but the church claims that Tabaxi sorcerers opened the profane portal at the center of the The Desolation by accident, but provides no details. The legion appeared, cutting a bloody path through Undland, burning down many villages and towns and sacrificing its populace to dark rituals. Gris was spared, but just barely. Mean Undala was injured in the fighting. Unable to help after a failed sortie. The city of Sudolis was sacked, its population had evacuated without a fight. Those who remained were butchered. Evolis begged for aid as they prepared for a siege by hellish ships made of obsidian and coated in dead.
Edra called their banners and allies immediately. Demanding all form together at Lakolis and save Evolis. Almost all answered the call. Most surprisingly was an intense host of Wallocks believing this to be the end days and a more worthy crusade. Elves already rushed to Evolis, but Orcs and Dwarves came in vast numbers. It is said that every second child over 16 in the Edren holdings was called to serve to stop this hellish invasion. By the time that great host formed Evolis was destroyed, its great walls torn down, and King Philip tortured to death for standing up to the King of Hell. Lysandra was left in Edren under the care of an unknown and unnamed female Dwarven body guard, whom legend has it slayed 10 devils who planned to assassinate the babe.
The two armies came to blows 3 times, trying and failing to stop the hellish legions from striking Lakolis. Each time casualties were unimaginably in number. The Lake of Ioun's eye grew fat on corpses. Eventually, the third miracle of Edra. They challenged Asmodeus to a duel fought in the flooded banks of the river. If they won, the legion of hell would leave the material plane. If they lost their soul was Asmodeus'. The King of Hell agreed. Religious sources claim the fight lasted three days and three nights, only for on the last, Edra to make a winning blow against Asmodeus' shoulder. The King of Hell, cheat as he is, noticed Edra's impenetrable shield drop in victory. He stabbed Edra in the ribs with a cursed knife. Unable to break his promise to abandon the campaign, he had made no such promise not to strike Edra after loosing.
Edra began to die, cradled by their wife. The lament of Myrrine is a common piece of art in religious imagery, as is Edra bleeding into the river amongst the dead. It is then that Edra ascended, knowing only in divinity could they keep protecting humanity. Their last words were begging Myrrine to protect and guide their shared people, and ensure the calamity never comes again.

The Interregnum of Myrrine and Formation of Empire

An uneasy time came to the new nation, as Myrrine took hold. No one made moves against her, the entire kingdom lost in Grief. Though never again the warm woman she reportedly once was, Myrrine took to rulership immediately. First she used the army as construction labour for a new capitol south of the mountainous capitol of Edren. This city, called Nova Edren or New Edren in Draconic, would sit at the cross roads of the empire's highway, and would be called Nova Edren. She also began to construct the modern institutions of The Arcanium and the first official Bard's College. She would devote herself to formalizing the system of government that first made up the empire. Creating a senate of minor kings and lords that would be called Patricians. She established the emperor and guide system still in use, with the intention of setting herself up as The Imperial Guide and her daughter as Emperor. The dragons were made into the revered and impartial judges of the empire, and the Dragonborn into an elite military caste. Though this constitution has changed in many ways, the ideas and bodies are still in use.
She would see Sudolis and Evolis rebuilt, and many cathedrals constructed. She officially incorporated the Elven city states into the empire. As Philips heir and with the elves neither in the position nor of the mindset to reject this arrangement, she expanded the empire by a fourth without ever fighting a war.
Her achievements in the arcane were so grand, her ascendance set the empire's magical research back centuries purely from the loss of her mind. Many classic spells of this day, Magic Missile, Sending, Teleportation Circle, mage hand, are reportedly her invention. She is said to have even mastered the lost and ancient magical art of Words of Power. A field of magical research beyond that of even the weave. Later in her life, as Lysandra took more and more leadership, Myrrine became ever more withdrawn into the magical sciences. Devoted to using magic to improve the state and ready it for the next Calamity.
Many feared Undala would rebel after Edra's death. However, Undala became closer to Myrrine then ever. Taking on much of the young Lysandra's tutorship and acting as Myrrine's military enforcer. Some say they were united in grief, both having suffered greatly at Edra's death. The Heretical writers claim they had begun an elicit relationship, however in this case it is my personal feelings that the Heretical writings are attempting to be more scandalous than illuminating. Many remembered and feared Undala, and so no civil strife broke out in that 18 years of interregnum.

The Reign of Lysandra, first Emperor

Much writing about Lysandra were destroyed, though we do not know why. As such her mystery remains a topic of debate to this day. What we know as follows. Lysandra was named Emperor formally beginning the Empire at year zero. She had been raised with the most elite of tutors. Learning combat with Undala, science form Myrrine and even took to Runesmithing at Mimir's teaching. Lysandra by all accounts was gifted, energetic. Very charming and capable of magics like her mother. She was sometimes disparaged as noticeably half-elf, human racism towards elves greater in her day, but it did not seem to bother her as a butterfly at court. She preferred diplomacy to war, and though she came into conflict with Leon and Sea Kingdoms, she resolved this mostly through low intensity combat and negotiation. A delight after a near world ending war. She was a capable warrior still, preferring great axe to the traditional Edrallock sword.
If there was any fault to Lysandra, it was not any lack of talents, but her preference for adventure. She lead personal expeditions into the northern jungles, scientific expeditions into the desolation, and personal tours along the boarder and into other nations. Though she retained the protective service of her parent's mostly dwarven body guard, she often was seen in the city streets alone. Famously learning carpentry and pottery from the lower classes at night, and showing up to court meetings half asleep. Many would comment that she seemed somehow aware of the limited time she had in life, a rarely found in those with elven blood. It often put her at odds against her mother.
She dreamed openly about spreading the advanced civilization of the east to the western savannahs that made up the lands of Sudellind and Elvlind. As such she spent much of her time funding and personally constructing new towns and forts on the boarder. She was frustrated greatly by raids to the north and west by Yaun-ti and Gnoll's respectfully. Failing to make as strong a standing against enemies she could not negotiate with.

Conquest of Aragon

The name while a historically agreed name, is a bit of a misnomer. Aragon was a sparsely populated land known to have but isolationist wood elves in the hills, and halfling wine makers in the countryside. Some humans had moved into the region, but largely assimilated into the same life as the local Halflings who treated it as a vineyard for the great kingdom of Leon. The conquest began as Lysandra personally saw to the construction of the city of Lyse as part of her plan to civilize the western borderlands. She planned to make it a major port, a western sister to the growing port of Dobruja.
The city itself did not seem to bother the Halfling populace, whom enjoyed the new port of export for their goods. But with an Edren city came Edren legions patrolling the roads, now being built through the vineyards. Nor did they enjoy the Edren tax collects and new Edren settlers whom filled the newest province of the empire. Infuriated, the Halflings sent envoys to the court of Leon, claiming to be an occupied part of the kingdom. Leon, while never militarist, hated any disruptions to status quo and sent an army to destroy the new Edren settlements.
Unaware of this, Lysandra heard reports of halfling raiders riding war dogs, and promptly lead a her personal guard to see them destroyed. The two forces met, Lysandra unprepared for an actual war, was soundly defeated, only barely escaping with her life. She fled Lyse for Nova Edren in a notable panic. The Halflings surrounded Lyse and seemed confident in their victory, the new city shocked to find the Halfling besiegers lazy and unused to real warfare between states. Often the halflings would trading directly with the town, selling food for gold and allowing merchants to leave and come back as they wished. One poet joked that it was the largest war between two sides that neither understood how to fight, nor had any interest in learning.
The comical air died as Lysandra returned with five legions of Dragonborn warriors, crushing the sieging halflings whom, despite their inexperience, fought valiantly. Lysandra was said to have mourned the whole event, and found no joy in the victory. Negotiations would follow with Leon formally acknowledging Aragon as part of the empire. Thus the gulf of wine became part of the empire with little fan fair. Many people in Aragon never knew they were conquered, or of the war at all for how little of an event it was, however the embarrassment followed Lysandra, who threw herself into marshal education after.

The Disappearance of Lysandra and Ascension of Myrinne

Lysandra's disappearance is perhaps the greatest mystery of the first empire. It's foundational to the course of our lives and the fate of our Imperial republic. Likely without it we would still be a monarchy ruled by a divine bloodline. After the conquest of Aragon, the largest threat to the imperial west came in the form of Gnolls raiding the savannah. Having learned from her previous adventure, Lysandra marched in with a heavily armed detachment of three draconic legions, and a private host of Wallachian and Edren horse riders to give chase along the grasslands. They hunted along the empire's frontier, but whenever the Gnoll host seemed caught it would melt into the Great Savanah. Seeing no solution, Lysandra followed after hunting pack after pack of Gnolls, earning renown. However, the Centaurs of the Savannah believed the empire intended to stay.
Soon the hunt turned into a war. Seemingly accidental. Writings on the Savannah conflict is unclear and the battles scattered. Lysandra neither knew the territory nor had proper guides, but training and a competent military pulled through. She turned from surviving to dominating. They sacked the grass tower, unaware of its importance. Armed with loot and a confident score of Gnoll pelts, the exhausted army of Lysandra retreated. She would later write that the conflict with the Centaur's was a regrettable given the mutual dislike of Gnolls, however it did much to fix her reputation as not just a diplomatic leader but a military one.
However, the Centaurs would renew their friendship with the drow once again. The Drow would introduce themselves to the Empire by raiding Sudelind and Evlind along with the Centaur tribes. At this time the Drow were almost unknown to the empire, it had been five hundred years since the last conflict between them and the high elves of Evolis. Lysandra called forward any and all experts, seeked council with Myrrine, and Bahamut. She learned only that they lived beyond the Savannah and into the great desert unknown to human kind. Feeling she had no choice she prepared a force to invade her unknown enemy.
She did not see about this foolishly. She had the most elite of the Dragonborn legions, taking only the best and most mobile of them to form into her core. She called forth for the best riders in the empire. Flying creatures were determined to be of intense importance. She had a second force devoted purely to building forts to secure her supply line and cartographers to insure she would not be lost in the sands. This great effort of men and gold pushed the state and formed the most professional army the continent had seen since Edra's heyday. With that army she fought through the Savannah, capturing the Grass Tower, building many forts to the edge of the sands. Then, the record ends. Lysandra was lost to the desert. The worlds deadliest army, gone without a trace. The raids stopped, the Savannah accepted being an vassal for a time, but the Emperor was gone.
The event threw the empire into political chaos. Undala followed with her own army into the desert coming back with 1/10th of her forces and not a sign of her liege. Myrrine ruled her second interregnum, but was consumed in grief. She formulated a new succession method after Undala's return. Swearing the whole of the empire's leadership to follow it's instructions. After which she left political life, developing more and more of the Arcanium. She built a sanctum of knowledge and wrote prophecy scrolls still zealously guarded by the Church. She built systems and sent instructions all from her fortress library at the heart of the capitol. Eventually, with little fanfare. She Ascended to godhood. Abandoning the mortal form for a divine hand whom would guide the Empire for all time, convinced that any system could not be trusted without a divine form to protect Edra's dream.

Reign of Emperor Alfrida von Halrick, Edra's Cousin

Alfrida the often maligned second emperor, is often not given much of her deserved credit. She was a second cousin of the god king, and a known for being a charismatic statesmen. Well liked, and close to the senators, Myrrine allowed her selection before her ascension. Alfrida's reign often is called, uneventful, though our sources argue this is both untrue, and a dismissive account. Uneventful after years of off and on wars and the disappearance of Lysandra is an achievement in and of itself. Alfrida spent much of her reign traveling from imperial city to imperial city, promoting a sense of national unity and insuring local loyalty in chaotic times. She made personal friends with the greats of the time like the now elderly Undala, the famous Mimir, Andrea of Sarudinka, and the Silver Dragon Iceviper. She most famously was close to King Malcome of Goathland and his wife Hildagard. However, perhaps by design, she was not a fighter, famously fairly heavy set and distasteful of all things military.
She was often ridiculed for her lavish parties, and for the scandalous behavior she performed. At many times she would allow herself to be embarrassed within limits, and be approachable to lower and upper class guests alike. She was famous for her paramours and the rumors surrounding herself. However, one source suggests she was the source of many of her rumors. She supposedly purposely allowed the topic to distract her enemies, and make sure they were entertained and underestimating her at court. She would also formally write many law books and standardize legal codes. This work is lost to us now, but many scholars note it as a major but unappreciated achievement in it's day.
She would also be the first Emperor to pick a new guide, one to replace Myrrine after her ascendance. Who and when however are lost to history.

Goathlander's Wife: How Alfrida Fucked away the Dynasty

Alfrida's end is more famous in many ways than her life. She had been, according to the bards, having a long time affair with Queen Hildagard of Goathland. Letters detailing their affair are the only written work of either of them we have to this day. She would often take Hildagard and her husband on her trips across the empire, and Hildagard made a major habit of staying half the year in Alfrida's palace in Nova Edren. Malcome seemed sure this was just a friendship, but sources writing after the events claim it was an open secret. Rumors of Alfrida and Hildagard hosting orgies while not to be taken as fact suggest this was at least partially true of how well known the affair was.
This would end in tragedy, as during a tour to Goathlind, King Malcome caught caught them in bed. He, in rage, slashed Alfrida 12 times with a shortsword. Her escape, leaping through a window and beyond the meager palace garden, is well known to bards. Famously her half brothers would find her dying on the Goathlind bridge and stay with her in her last moments. The song Goathlander's Wife notes her final words, asking not to bemoan her death as she died having made loved to Hildagard. She would be the last of Edra's line, and on her death her personal guard and the Edren garrison, lead by her brothers, would slaughter King Malcome and burn down the palace. This resulted in city wide riots killing almost all involved. Undala, now near death, ordered a legion into Goathlind to end the riots by any means needed. The army would destroy the Goathlind state and nearly the city with it, fully incorporating it in the new heartlind province.
This was the end of the Edra line, but the empire would select a new Emperor and continue until this day, founded by these first three great kings and their divine dynasty. Whose short length does not dismiss it's incredible importance.

In Literature

Looking into the accounts our primary sources are the Imperial Church of Myrrine's foundational text Origins of the Dios Ragnium as well as the more secular account of the Historian Li Hu-Chen's collected volumes of A Heretical History. This page leans toward the secular account. Beyond that we have Sigismund's Mystery of Lysandra written 100 years after her disappearance, and Tollard's Book of Legends and Bards song, histories main resource for Alfrida, most famously the song The Goathlander's wife, a bard song that remains popular, about Alfrida's deadly affair with Goathland's last king.

Technological Advancement

Though most human tribes at this time used bronze and brass metals for armor and weapons, the Elves, dwarves, and Edralocks all introduced steel. The Wallocks seem to have had large iron weapons and armor at this time, as had some scattering elements of the other tribes earned via trade, but the others lacked this means.

Conflict Type

War

Start Date

-1032

Ending Date

-971

Conflict Result

Edrallock Victory and the formation of the Edren Empire

Maps

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  Map of Southern Faerun.

  A map ordered by Emperor Lysandra the Fourth, the Liberator, in honor of Unity day. For display in the throne room.