The Early History of Ravenholt:
Years 507 - 523 ER

Part One: the Creation of the Duchy of Volta | Part Two: the Creation of the Barony of Eastwyck | Part Three: the Creation of the Barony of Westmarch

Part One: the Creation of the Duchy of Volta

The area known as the Northern Marches remained virtually unexplored until the year 507 ER. Prior to that year, the northernmost points of the Kingdom were Ashbury and Niman. Mountainous in its geography, the area north of Rotaria was considered inhospitable and ill-suited for civilized colonization. The plains north of Ashbury were considerably better suited, but were inhabited by a savage race of barbarians.

The King, seeking to expand his kingdom, offered the barbarian chieftains the choice of joining under his rule peacefully, or by means of war. Arrayed in his cause were the combined armies of Ashbury, Evendarr, and Niman. Faced with this large, battle-ready force, the chieftains prevailed upon the peaceful course of joining the kingdom. Thus the Duchy of Volta was formed in 509 ER. Being allowed autonomous rule within their own borders with the simple requirement of taxes and troop assistance was an incentive as well. New Trade opportunities and amiable relationships with the existing citizenry of Evendarr began the process of acclimating the Voltan people into the Kingdom.

The strongest of the barbarian chiefs, Argent Bearslayer, was granted title by the King as the first Duke of Volta. Subsequently, he chose to take the title of his lands, Volta, as his surname, and began a tradition carried on to this day by the Dukes of that Duchy.

The area known as the Northern Marches remained virtually unexplored until the year 507 ER. Prior to that year, the northernmost points of the Kingdom were Ashbury and Niman. Mountainous in its geography, the area north of Rotaria was considered inhospitable and ill-suited for civilized colonization. The plains north of Ashbury were considerably better suited, but were inhabited by a savage race of barbarians.

The King, seeking to expand his kingdom, offered the barbarian chieftains the choice of joining under his rule peacefully, or by means of war. Arrayed in his cause were the combined armies of Ashbury, Evendarr, and Niman. Faced with this large, battle-ready force, the chieftains prevailed upon the peaceful course of joining the kingdom. Thus the Duchy of Volta was formed in 509 ER. Being allowed autonomous rule within their own borders with the simple requirement of taxes and troop assistance was an incentive as well. New Trade opportunities and amiable relationships with the existing citizenry of Evendarr began the process of acclimating the Voltan people into the Kingdom.

The strongest of the barbarian chiefs, Argent Bearslayer, was granted title by the King as the first Duke of Volta. Subsequently, he chose to take the title of his lands, Volta, as his surname, and began a tradition carried on to this day by the Dukes of that Duchy.

Part Two: the Creation of the Barony of Eastwyck

Northern Cathym had been peaceful since the King's army had forced out the Goblin tribes before returning south. It remained peaceful until 517. In that year, Goblin tribes with somewhat stronger members and with better organization than seen previously began raiding Cathym once more.

The new Duke of Volta took charge immediately by sending one of his most trusted war chiefs, Cecil Swordhand to push the offending goblins back into the wilderness. Arrival of Baronial aid from Ashbury signaled the process of rousting the goblins to begin in earnest. Rising to the challenge laid before him by his Duke, Cecil Swordhand cunningly and with superior command skills, all but decimated the goblin resistance. The battles were long and bloody, claiming many lives on both sides. However, after a year of constant battle, the goblins were driven out of the area. Some fled to the north, others to the strange forest just west of the Northern Downs.

In recognition of his brilliant strategic work and battlefield command, Swordhand was granted the lands to the west of Cathyn and north of Lake Ardynn. Taking the last name of Eastwyck, he accepted the reward and thus the Barony of Eastwyck was born in 518.

Northern Cathym had been peaceful since the King's army had forced out the Goblin tribes before returning south. It remained peaceful until 517. In that year, Goblin tribes with somewhat stronger members and with better organization than seen previously began raiding Cathym once more.

The new Duke of Volta took charge immediately by sending one of his most trusted war chiefs, Cecil Swordhand to push the offending goblins back into the wilderness. Arrival of Baronial aid from Ashbury signaled the process of rousting the goblins to begin in earnest. Rising to the challenge laid before him by his Duke, Cecil Swordhand cunningly and with superior command skills, all but decimated the goblin resistance. The battles were long and bloody, claiming many lives on both sides. However, after a year of constant battle, the goblins were driven out of the area. Some fled to the north, others to the strange forest just west of the Northern Downs.

In recognition of his brilliant strategic work and battlefield command, Swordhand was granted the lands to the west of Cathyn and north of Lake Ardynn. Taking the last name of Eastwyck, he accepted the reward and thus the Barony of Eastwyck was born in 518.

Part Three: the Creation of the Barony of Westmarch

Meanwhile, the northern Barbarians had begun raiding Ashbury on a more frequent basis. Known locally as "The Northmen", these Barbarians used a new battle tactic: cavalry. With the main force of Kingdom soldiers being foot soldiers, it was nearly impossible for Ducal forces to stop the constant raids upon the people of the fledgling Duchy.

In an attempt to aid the Ducal forces, the King dispatched a portion of his army under the command of Boran Westmarch. Boran took to his task with fervor. The hideous battles raged night and day in an attempt to drive The Northmen out of the area. It is said that battle cries never ceased, and that more than one soldier had recurring dreams of these bloody battles for years afterwards. Ferociously following his duty, Boran Westmarch began a campaign by the banks of the river fed by Lake Ardynn, just before winter. The ferocity of the battle and sheer carnage that resulted gave the river its name: the Blood River.

By late in the year 521, the Northmen had all but been driven out of the region north of Ashbury. For his decisive work in driving off the Barbarians, Boran Westmarch was granted title to the lands he had fought so valiantly to secure. In addition to such a large gift of land, he was granted the title and rank of Baron. The newly made Baron named his lands after himself and in the year 522, the Barony of Westmarch was born.

Diligent in his duty to his new lands, the Baron began to bring order. It was on one such expeditions he came upon a strange ruins in the northern reaches of the Grey Hills. The ruins were of what appeared to be stone that was seared and melted from indescribable heat. In these strange but beautiful ruins, the Baron encountered a new tribe of peoples. They called themselves Ardynnites. In speaking with the Ardynnites, he learned of their unsurpassed skill in stonework. Seeking to expand the kingdom for the King, the new Baron asked the local people to join the Kingdom. By spring of 524, a treaty had been agreed upon, and the Ardynnites officially joined the Kingdom of Evendarr.