Baraton II 'the Fecund'
King Baraton Blakfort (a.k.a. the Fecund)
Lived: 953 - 1019
Ruled: 993 - 1019
In practice however, this meant the forceful integration of the people of the Blakfort Kingdom. While the cultures of the different people in Blakfort were quite similar, Baraton thought that this was not enough and enacted laws that would force a Lacageran way of life on the people of the Kingdom.
Following the Elevalan methods, Baraton established the Squire Traditions of the Blakfort dynasty. He declared that all male members of the Blakfort dynasty must become a squire at the age of 16 and serve a knight before they can be eligible for inheritance. His goal was to make sure that all Blakfort rulers knew how to be a noble, a warrior as well as a ruler.
Due to some "bad luck" in the Duchy of Kerev, the heirless ruler and two of his three sisters died in the span of a few months and the only remaining member was married to the grandson of Baraton. This ensured that all of their descendants will be of house Blakfort.
Ruled: 993 - 1019
Overview
Baraton II was the black sheep of the family as he became an Elusive Schemer, which went against the tradition of Honour in the Blakfort dynasty. Despite his shadowy deals, he was an Honest and Callous man, with little regard for the feelings of others. On top of that, he inherited her mother's Cynicism.Early Reign
Like his predecessors, he was quick to wage war after the Oathmen swore fealty to him. His wife was a low ranking count in the Krovian Kingdom and he declared war on the rival dynasty to incorporate his wife's lands into the Blakfort Kingdom. While the war was raging, he started a secret affair with a barmaid he met on one of his 'adventures'. In 996, the war ended in a victory, but as an honest man, he found it impossible to lie about his affair. Pressure from his wife made him confess his secrets. He revealed that he seduced the barmaid. However, this was mostly ignored as he also revealed that he was a Kaolite in secret. Following his confession, he chose to repent publicly and return to the Order. In 997, his allegiance was tested as an ally called him to war against his Brican relatives. He accepted the call to war, but didn't send any help against his own kin. Even without his help, Brica soon lost and its territory diminished. In the year 1000, another war broke out between the Blakfort and the Krovian Kingdom. The goal of the war was to capture the remainder of Thurukya, which was still under the rule of the Krovians. While the war was raging, Baraton divorced his wife and married his lover, the barmaid instead. In 1003, the war against Krovia ended with a decisive victory, but Baraton couldn't capture the entirety of Thurukya yet. Norlawich and Confinia remained on the hands of the Krovians. He secluded himself for an entire year to escape from the stress.A new Era
Upon his return, he announced that the people of Blakfort will enter a new Cultural Age, the Elevalan Age. He stated that this new era shall be based on the values of Elevalos: Solidarity, Empathy and Cooperation.In practice however, this meant the forceful integration of the people of the Blakfort Kingdom. While the cultures of the different people in Blakfort were quite similar, Baraton thought that this was not enough and enacted laws that would force a Lacageran way of life on the people of the Kingdom.
Ambitions
In 1008, one of the nobles of Brica found out that Baraton was plotting against her in an attempt to kill her. Naturally, Baraton denied the accusation, but his reputation was tarnished. In the following years however, many nobles and rulers found themselves dead under mysterious circumstances with no way to return them to life. In 1012, Baraton decided to pursue his goals in a more direct way and declared war on the Krovian Kingdom once again. This time, he was determined to capture Norlawich and Confinia. While his army was greater than that of the Krovian Kingdom, he called all of his allies into war. Seeing the war as an easy win, his allies answered his call and the first, decisive battle was fought near the town of Padun, which was at the time part of the Brican Duchy. Following the battle, Baraton saw no point in chasing the defeated warriors and marched towards the Krovian capital in order to sack it. The siege went smoothly and the walls were breached in less than a year, but Baraton underestimated his opponent. As an answer to the sacking of their capital, the remnant of the Krovian army marched to Austium and besieged it. Fortunately, the Blakfort army could react in time and defeated the Krovian army at the gates of Austium. This completely shattered the Krovian military and Norlawich was easily captured in 1014 with Confinia falling a few weeks later. The war ended and the duchy of Thurukya was firmly under Blakfort rule.Following the Elevalan methods, Baraton established the Squire Traditions of the Blakfort dynasty. He declared that all male members of the Blakfort dynasty must become a squire at the age of 16 and serve a knight before they can be eligible for inheritance. His goal was to make sure that all Blakfort rulers knew how to be a noble, a warrior as well as a ruler.
Due to some "bad luck" in the Duchy of Kerev, the heirless ruler and two of his three sisters died in the span of a few months and the only remaining member was married to the grandson of Baraton. This ensured that all of their descendants will be of house Blakfort.
End of his Reign
Baraton's reforms weren't very popular however and another peasant uprising took place in 1017. Rebellious serfs in Austium and Lapidewich took up arms and tried to take their respective cities by force. While the royal army successfully defended Austium, they were too late to save Lapidewich. The rebellion didn't last long and all of their leaders were hunted down and killed by the end of 1018. Baraton finally succumbed to stress and old age at the year 1019.Relationships
Legacy
- Elevalan Age
- Squire Traditions
Territory Gained
Thurukya
Species
Ethnicity
Previously Held Ranks & Titles
Life
953 AU
1019 AU
Family
Spouses
Mariana Litvak
(Wife)
Edita Kapa
(Wife)
Siblings
Comments