The Early History of Ravenholt:
Years 570 - 589 ER

Part Seven: the Creation of the Duchy of Ravenholt | Part Eight: the Creation of the Barony of Cumberland | Part Nine: a Time of Turmoil

Part Seven: the Creation of the Duchy of Ravenholt

It began to occur to King Roderick that the lands in the Northern Marches were just too untamed to be allowed to continue as disconnected and autonomous baronies. The need for solidified government and a unified Duchy began to become apparent. However, this posed a problem. The King needed a strong military leader, as well as someone that could be fair and just in ruling the lands. He chose the new Baron of Eastwyck. Thus in 570, Basil Ravenhurst was elevated to the rank and title of Duke. The newly formed Duchy was called Ravenholt. When the new Duchy was created, it included Capulus, Westmarch, Eastwyck and the newly conquered Northmen, as well as the Barony of Elfheim.

Around the same time, the young Duke met a noble lady from Elvestove (in Cumberland), named Rowan Morganna. To the delight of both, they fell in love and were married in April of 571.

Part Eight: the Creation of the Barony of Cumberland

What should have been a time to begin to thrive for the new Duchy sadly was not the case. The following two years after Duke Basil's marriage were harsh, with cold winters, small harvests, and worst of all, the Goblin raids had begun again in Westmarch an Eastwyck.

Command of the army fell to a young lieutenant named Galen Cumberland. In March of 572, with the newly promoted lieutenant in command, the army left for the front. The Goblin King, Frankie-The-Too-Many, was a bit smarter than his predecessor. It appears that the Goblin King received word of the advancing army, and almost all but decimated the Commander Cumberland in an ambush. Rallying his forces just short of being routed, the Goblin War officially began.

Taking advantage of any opportunity presented to him on the field of battle, the Commander began to push the Goblin armies back. He successfully mounted several attacks which resulted in the Goblins being hemmed in just south of the Kragen Moors, and assumed that their defeat was upon them. Much to his perturbation, the Commander soon discovered that the Goblins had managed to rally together, and outnumbered his army almost three to one. Not one to be dismayed in the face of adversity, the young Commander was determined to crush the Goblins before the onset of winter. Daring ( and considered insane by some), the young commander set up a defensive line and proceeded to taunt and goad the Goblins into attacking his lines directly by shouting insults and flaunting the Goblin dead. His tactic worked, and the Goblins soon charged. Leading the flanking attack himself, the Commander Cumberland broke through the Goblin host and struck down the Goblin King. Sadly, the Goblin King's son escaped the battle.

In reward for his routing of the Goblins from the Northern portion of the Duchy, the Commander was awarded the lands he had just secured and the title of Baron. In 573, the Barony of Cumberland was formed under the rule of Baron Galen Cumberland.

Relieved to have the battle finally done, the new Baron sent for his betrothed, Aradia Trace. In honor of his paramount love for her, the capital city of Cumberland was renamed from Greystone to Aradia.

Part Nine: a Time of Turmoil

In 579, Willfred Northridge died leaving his eldest son Vandal Northridge as Baron of Westmarch. A widower after the loss of his wife three years prior, it was a bittersweet succession for Vandal. In a scandalous turn of events two years later, his son Vandal Tigerfist Northridge attempted to assassinate his own father, and failed. In disgrace, he fled into the Dragons Teeth Mountains.

Sadly, in 584 King Roderick died, leaving his eldest son Richard to assume the throne. Thus, in 584, Richard became King of Evendarr.

Just one year later, Baron Timmon Montesque married Xerina Whintyrr, and named her heir to the Barony of Capulus. Sadly, two years afterwards, in 587, Timmon was killed in an avalanche and never seen again. Xerina Montesque became Baroness of Capulus, and together with Lord Desmond Capulus (the grand-nephew of Mandrake Capulus), ruled over the Barony. Some say that she was smitten then, however it would be four years before she announced her intention to marry him. The Baroness sought permission from Duke Ravenhurst to hold the ceremony in his hall in June of 589. Her request was granted.

In what some now say was an ill-fated action, Baron Northridge of Westmarch was named Count over the Baronies of Westmarch and Capulus just one day prior to the wedding. His first act as Count was to announce a dramatic increase in taxes for all the lands under his jurisdiction. The following day after the ceremony joining Xaerina Montesque and Lord Desmond Capulus in marriage, Count Northridge was prevailed upon to offer a toast in the couple's honor. Upon raising his glass, he offered the following toast. "May your lives be as long and happy as mine." After raising his glass to his lips and taking a draught, he suddenly fell over dead, spitting blood. Rushing to his side was Mother Merry of the King's Healers Guild. Though she tried valiantly, in the end even she could not aide him - his spirit had been ripped from his body. In another horrific turn of events, his heir was slain the next day in the same confounding manner. Thus ended the line of Northridge.

In a bold attempt to seize more power for herself, soon afterwards Baroness Montesque claimed the lands of Westmarch by an ancient (and highly disputable) law. In outrage, Duke Ravenhurst refused her claim to the lands. Driven by anger and thirst for power, the Baroness vowed to take the lands by force. So began the Westmarch War.