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THE
ERPHERONIAN
KING
ERDOLOMIN
THE RIGHTEOUS |
Erdolomin (852 b.S.-800 b.S.) was the eldest son of Myrwodin "the Cruel" and Queen Výsanýa, and eventual heir to the Erpheronian throne in 827 b.S. "Erdolomin the Righteous", as he was later on labeled, and his wife, Erýsa, raised five girls - Cathrena, Shaeossa, Essara, Weyalla - and a son, Aergarim. Though predisposed to show compassion, even to enemies, Erdolomin was responsible for finishing the War for Ancyros and renewing the Treaty of Veltin, which effectively eliminated much of Caltharia’s ability to maintain a military. After the War for Ancyros, Erdolomin worked to strengthen relations with neighbouring countries of Centorauria and Kyrania, and even developed a trade agreement with Caltharia. During his career, Erdolomin completed the construction of the Evergrey Bridge, which was important for the defence of Erpheronia during the war, but also became an important means of allowing greater volume of trade traffic to and from Voldar and Nyermersys.
Appearance.
Physically, Erdolomin was similar in appearance to his father, King
Myrwodin of
Erpheronia. He
was lean and rangy in build, of average height, with fiery red hair and gray
eyes. Unlike his father, Erdolomin kept his hair cut short and was always
clean-shaven. He had a rugged complexion, and was always tanned as he spent as
much time as possible outdoors, when he was not holding court or planning for
his kingdom. On most occasions he wore simple cloth tunics with long sleeves
that he held in place with a leather belt. He wore cloth leggings and
light-soled boots. He did not carry weapons
with him during court sessions.
In battle, Erdolomin wore a conical helmet with a partially open face that
protected the side of his head, but gave him an open view. Erdolomin was often
seen with a full-length chain mail armour, and arm and leg greaves. Over his
armour, he wore a blue tunic embroidered with the
Erpheroniana
coat of arms – a phoenix, placed above a
star of fire, and a brown cape with the same
coat of arms stitched into it.
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Personality. Erdolomin was confident in his ability to lead, and
therefore made a strong impression among the nobility. He was fairly well liked
by most of his countrymen and sought justice tempered with compassion when
required to resolve conflicts. Insightful and much less brash than his father or
his two brothers, Erdolomin carefully considered any situation before making a
decision that would impact other peoples’ lives. He also spent considerable time
with his mother, Výsanýa, who was a patient negotiator, and taught him the value
of making small, strategic compromises to make larger gains.
At a young age, Erdolomin had a tolerance of their
Caltharian neighbours, and did
not approve of his father’s hatred for them. Again, his mother was responsible
for Erdolomin's perspective on humanity - that
irregardless of tribe, Erpheronians
could gain by learning from and interacting with neighbouring kingdoms. The
young prince studied their culture, and resented his father’s invasion of
Caltharia. Though he was nervous
to do so, Erdolomin sought his mother's advice and support on whether to
approach his father. His mother told him to speak truthfully and simply. The
young prince never told his father of his mother's involvement, but at 10 years
of age, he disclosed the fact that he hated his father's invasion of
Caltharia. Despite this,
Erdolomin understood the relationship between his kingdom and
Caltharia, and knew that he could
not placate the rebel king Mertogran of
Cantollio, with an offer of peace, and so continued with his father’s war.
He understood the mechanics of running a kingdom. Erdolomin delegated minor
tasks to his advisors, rather than attempting to control every aspect of his
rule, but when necessary provided creative solutions to solve problems. He was
particularly careful to negotiate long-term trade agreements with neighbouring
countries so as to favour both sides, and thus earned their respect.
Erdolomin also understood military tactics, geography (a result of his father’s
– Myrwodin's – insistence), especially the location
of Caltharia’s natural resources
and defences, and the best overland routes to move large amounts of people and
supplies.
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Biography.
Myrwodin's Formative Years (852-842 b.S.).
Erdolomin, eldest son of King Myrwodin is born in 852
b.S. For the next ten years, Erdolomin, a serious and studious boy, spends much
of his time studying the various subjects his father required him to learn –
geography, warfare, negotiation, fencing and riding. This is the happiest time
of his life, as he is not exposed to the Myrwodin's
cruelty until the
War for Ancyros
begins.
Erdolomin’s Disillusionment (842 b.S.). One evening
after the Battle of Twinnean Peaks is fought, and the Treaty of Doovens is
signed, Erdolomin overhears a conversation between his father, his military
counsellors and a young officer named Jezla Khizaar. Erdolomin hears of a
particular incident in which Khizaar had a
Caltharian prisoner tortured and
killed as an example of what will happen to anyone else attempting to escape. He
is devastated when his father promotes Khizaar to Commander in the
Erpheronian army. Erdolomin
confronts his father, and labels Khizaar a vicious brute, unworthy of such a
position.
Erdolomin’s First Wartime Assignment (834 b.S.).
Nine years after the signing of the Declaration of Doovens, a civil war erupts in
Caltharia, as the
Duke of Cantollio, Mertogran of
Carmalad, tries to finally seize the
Caltharian throne.
Myrwodin is greatly weakened, so Erdolomin, who is
now 18, undertakes the task of reinforcing the garrisons in the town of Doovens,
which at this time are currently under
Erpheronian rule.
Erdolomin Completes Construction of
Evergrey Bridge
(833 b.S.). A year later, in response to the death of
King Artero and continued unrest as the
rebel Cantollian duke, Mertogran, proclaims himself King of
Caltharia, Erdolomin reinforces
the border patrols at Jernais and pushes for
the completion of the Evergrey Bridge.
He stations three units of foot soldiers, one archery unit, and one cavalry unit
at the bridge.
Erdolomin Ascends the Throne of
Erpheronia
(827 b.S.). With the passing of Myrwodin,
Erdolomin is proclaimed king of
Erpheronia. Though not in full agreement with his father on his dealings
with the Caltharians, he does
promise to finish the war.
Erdolomin Defends Against
Caltharian
Invasion (823 b.S.). A
Caltharian army crosses the border with
Erpheronia, and defeats
Erdolomin’s forces stationed at Doovens, and then at the
Evergrey Bridge. Erdolomin moves a
massive army from Jernais southward to
fortify the towns of Acht and Holt. Erdolomin wins an important battle – the few
Caltharian survivors are actually
cut off from the south and forced to flee northward into the Silvershire.
Ironically, the Silvershire is home to
halflings who are assigned to provision the
Erpheronian army. Erdolomin
moves most of this army just north of Veltin under Commander Khizaar, and places
two small forces at the Twinnean Peaks and the
Goltherlon.
Erdolomin Defeated at Twinnean Peaks and the
Goltherlon
(823 b.S.). Erdolomin draws Mertogran into
battle at the two lightly fortified border camps at the Twinnean Peaks and north
of the Goltherlon. The
Erpheronians are defeated on
both counts. Despite these victories, Mertogran
learns that Erpheronian forces
led by Commander Khizaar have massed north of Veltin and are prepared to attack
the Duchy of Salazar. Mertogran quickly changes
direction and brings his army eastward to intercept the
Erpheronians.
Erpheronian Victory at Salazar (822 b.S.).
Awakening Earth. Mertogran takes the remainder of
his forces east toward Salazar. This land, previously in
Caltharian territory, is now a
strong point for Khizaar’s army. Given that Salazar is of military importance
since it is so close to the ocean, Mertogran
orders an all-out attack. Khizaar wins with a smaller force by defending a
natural series of steep ridges that collapse the
Caltharian lines to half their
potential, preventing him from using greater numbers.
Mertogran is killed in 822 b.S. at the Battle of Salazar. Erdolomin recalls
Khizaar's army as Mertogran's generals concede
defeat.
Erdolomin Signs the Treaty of Veltin (822 b.S.).
Changing Winds. Erdolomin forces the
Caltharians to sign the Treaty of Veltin. This one is harsher, and less
merciful than the Declaration of Doovens. In the Treaty of Veltin, the demands of
the Declaration of Doovens are renewed and even more
Caltharian lands are taken over
by Erpheronian, among them
Thantocha, north-east of the Ancythrian
Sea, including the important city of Doovens. The treaty also restricts the
size of the Caltharian army, the
equipment their soldiers can legally use, and who can command the army.
The Massacre at Silvershire (822 b.S.). Singing
Bird. Erdolomin learns of the massacre and demands that Colonel Khizaar return
to Voldar immediately. When the
Erpheronian commander reports at
the capital, he lays blame for the destruction of Silvershire on the
Caltharian forces, and that the
Erpheronian army was too late to
stop the disaster. Erdolomin is criticized for accusing the war hero of breaking
the truce, and to save face, reluctantly promotes Khizaar to Colonel for his
part in the
War for Ancyros.
Beheading of Khizaar (822 b.S.). Rising Sun.
Erdolomin confirms Khizaar’s treachery and his true role in the Massacre at
Silvershire, and the Colonel goes into hiding. After a two-week long manhunt,
Khizaar is captured in Weyring, where Erdolomin has him beheaded in public as an
state an example.
Erdolomin’s Death (800 b.S.). Erdolomin rules in
relative peace for another 22 years before dying in a riding accident at the age
of 52. The kingdom is fairly stable at the time of his death, given his ability
to negotiate trade agreements with neighbouring countries. Even
Caltharia becomes a trade
partner, if on a limited scale, toward the end of his reign. Erdolomin is
succeeded by his youngest child and only son, Aeracor.
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Importance.
Erdolomin was an important historical figure in three respects. First, he
finished the
War for Ancyros,
during which time trade into both
Erpheronia
and
Caltharia
was limited, and brought economic instability to the area. Once the war was
concluded, trade agreements were re-established with
Centorauria and
Kyrania, and even
Caltharia
to a limited extent. In addition, he forced
Caltharia
to sign the Treaty of Veltin – effectively eliminating the King of
Caltharia’s
power, and annexing more
Caltharian
land. With the exception of the Duchy of Salazar, all the land east and north of
the Ancythrian Sea belonged to
Erpheronia
after the signing of this treaty. Though not officially a subject state of
Erpheronia,
Caltharia’s
autonomy was greatly reduced after the
War for Ancyros.
Finally, Erdolomin ended the career of Colonel Jezla Khizaar, a tough and
merciless commander of the
Erpheronian army, but unfortunately he was too late to
prevent the deaths of many innocents in the Silvershire.
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