Baraton IV 'the Young'

King Baraton Blakfort (a.k.a. the Young)

Lived: 1090 - 1138
Ruled: 1107 - 1138

Overview

Baraton IV was revered by his subjects for his Honesty, Diligence and Generosity. He was active throughout his life, improving many aspects of the kingdom.

Early Reign

Baraton IV was only 17 when the Eternal Crown of Blakfort was placed upon his head by the Primas, earning him his nickname. Despite his father's demonic end, Baraton looked up to him and followed his fascination with learning. He continued on his father's work.
In 1109, he declared war on the Atacodian Kingdom in an attempt to take East Codager despite not having a claim on the territory.
Following 4 years of smaller battles and victories, the war was won by Blakfort. On the same day, Baraton ordered his architects to plan and start the construction of Merilacus, a new city planned to be the perfect city.
He also instructed his scholars to integrate the Thurukyan Duchy into the Kingdom. In just two years time, they completed the paperwork and officially declared Thurukya as part of the Blakfort Kingdom.

Merendellian Inheritance War

In 1115, the Merendellian Inheritance War broke out between the current ruler and her subjects. Baraton followed its events very closely and supported the loyalists with both money and weapons.
In 1118, the powerful kingdom of Ostatoras also entered the fray and decided to conquer some of the Merendellian territory. The Queen of Merendell called Baraton to war, but he refused to enter the war against a much more powerful enemy.
As the war raged on, more and more subjects joined the rebels against the Queen. Baraton could no longer stand by idly as his family's legacy was threatened. He joined the war on the loyalist's side and marched his army into Merendell.
It wasn't his plan to fight the rebels however. Despite the fact that he refused to join Merendell against Ostatoras he marched towards their armies and started to harass and attack them unexpectedly. He continued to do this for the next 2 years.
In 1122, the Merendellian Inheritance War ended with the surrender of the rebel forces and Baraton was forced to retreat in fear of entering an open war with Ostatoras.

Small Gains

He didn't wait too long after his armies returned to his lands and declared war on the Krovian Kingdom in 1123.
The war was long, but easy as the centaurs and horse-riders of Krovia refused to meet in battle. After 3 years of fighting, the Blakfort army took enough territories to win the war.
In 1128, his uncle asked him for a favour. He wanted Baraton to press his claim on an Atacodian duchy. As Atacodia was weakened by years of internal conflict, he decided to attack the Atacodians.
He was surprised to hear that the Probare began organizing a second Holy War in 1129 and started it in 1130. In 1131, he won his war against Atacodia and put his uncle on the seat of his claimed duchy.
The Holy War was going badly for the followers of Order. Hearing this, he decided to ignore it and focus on his own realm.
In 1133, the Holy War was lost and the Order members suffered their first great defeat against the soldiers of the Soul Jar.

End of his Reign

During the same year, yet another civil war broke out in Merendell, but the loyalists were way more powerful this time. Some of Baraton's subjects decided to travel to Merendell as mercenaries.
In 1135, his son and heir did the same, but suffered from a terrible fate. During a battle, he was killed by the rebel forces and his body was taken away.
This led him to a life of seclusion and he started to spend more and more time gathering and reading books of every kind.
In 1137, his new heir started showing symptoms of Jacob's Curse. Strunitor Braidbeard, the family's Archmage tried to save his life, but didn't want to make the same mistake as with Boris. His caution cost the heir's life.
In the same year, the Duke of Avadell inherited the Kingdom of Merendell, effectively gaining his independence.
A year later, Baraton IV disappeared without a trace while visiting the Austium Cathedral.

Legacy

• Noble Blakfort Veins

Major Events

• 1115-1122 - Merendellian War of Inheritance
• 1131-1133 - Second Holy War in the name of the Order

Territory Gained

East Codager

Merilacus

Territory Lost

Avadell

Striflucas

Cirflucas

Wolvewich

Conlus

Norwich

Species

Humans

Ethnicity

Lacrian

Previously Held Ranks & Titles

• Blakfort King

Life

1090 AU 1138 AU

Family

Blakfort Dynasty

Parents

Boris 'the Demon'

Children

• Kirk II 'the Wise'

Related Historical Events

• 1129 AU
  Second Holy War in the name of the Order