History of Talingrad

As the Dawn war concludes, halfling settlements begin to emerge across Talingrad. Archaeology suggests that they are the first residents of the island and it's natural population.   Halfling control is thought to have lasted for thousands of years, bur during the middle of the first era elves descended through the fey gates after the death of the god Freyr within the Fey Wilde. Gnomish settlers were not more than a few centuries behind, similarly descending through the fey gates after the imprisonment of the Queen of Air and Darkness by Pharasma.   Towards the end of the first era, Human settlers from the Empire of Thassilon in what is modern day Varisia settle upon the eastern border of the island. They serve Xanderghul, Runelord of pride, Satrap of Cyrusian and First among Equals.

During the middle of the third era, Dwarven Thane Zhaanzen and close to four thousand followers abandon the city of Kaz-Turin in search of a new home. They will found the city of Zhaanzen-Kryr within a century.   Capitalizing on the event, goblin raiders sack the city of Kaz-Turin. Dwarves flee to the surface in an event known as the "race for the sky".

The Quintarchy takes shape. The five nations of Prumor, Urdria, Bralan, Cerdic, and Allain compete for dominance.

Halflings from West Edrim, led by the warrior Connie McPhane, enter into an alliance with the Elven triumvirate of lords from Fa Gladria. They are later joined by gnomish mystics from the Caer Bryr, led by Kayne of the Labyrinth. These three factions together form into the First Union against the Talin.   Initial battles prove successful for the Union, and territory is reclaimed for all three nations in the north and south for ten years.   During the conflict, Karlsguard raiders arrive in Talingrad seeking food, geld, and battle. They find all three in the “First Great War” and many join as mercenaries on the side of the Quintarchy. They gain much treasure for themselves in the ensuing conflict, and some will return to Karlsguard speaking of great riches on the island.   Elsewhere, Dwarves emerge in Talingrad, and join quickly in human society, many are pressed into the war in exchange for promises of land and titles. Others join with Svirfneblin in the Undercity below Ghastenhall in order to maintain neutrality.   By 1130 however the cause begins to turn against the Union due to influxes of additional troops for the Quintarchy, and the discovery of iron mines on the eastern side of the island. The increased use of plate armor proves invaluable for certain legions of fighters, including a soldier named Iomedae.   After a long and prolonged struggle, Halfling forces lose control of the western half of the Cambrian bay to the kingdom of Allain. Some of the Halfling forces defect to the kingdom of Allain, allowing their men to pass into western territory unimpeded.   In the Caer Bryr, Iomedae infiltrates the Irain and disrupts a ritual to summon the beasts Ygg and Yggotha. Within a few years she will also slay Nakorshor’mond, putting an end to the great dragon ally of the Snow Elves.   In 1135, House Barca Betrays the Union, and comes over to the kingdom of Prumor. The Elven Triumvirate is assassinated.   In 1136 the "First Great War" comes to an end. The union is defeated, Halfling and elven forces are pushed into the north of Talingrad in a mass exodus. The Caer Bryr remains undisturbed, but individual Gnomish kingdoms outside the Caer Bryr are assimilated into the Quintarchy.

A coalition of The Deigh, their Goblin allies, the remaining snow elves, and the Duergar from Zhaanzen-Kryr enter into an alliance known as the “Second Union Against the Talin”.   Over the next two decades, the kingdom of Bralen is badly beaten by the dwarves of Zhaanzen-Kryr as armies break through part of the newly constructed Watchwall.   Simultaneously, The Kingdom of Prumor is defeated by the Deigh coalition. King Accarius IV, called the Architect is killed in battle. The Union begins the deconstruction of areas of the Watchwall that they control, a process that is far easier than the building of the wall.   In 2931 As Urdria begins considering suing for peace, A discovers Iomedae’s cloak in a small village called Fallingsbridge. Knights of Urdria receive visions of Iomadae leading them into battle. The knights paint VMI on their shields and defeat a hobgoblin Righ at the battle of Fallingsbridge.   By 2932, The cloak of Iomadae is made into a banner, and is led by the now established Knights of The Mantle. The army liberates the siege at Prumor. Several Halfling commanders request amnesty and pardon south of the wall in exchange for their assistance. The requests are granted and the coalition army pushes back against the halflings in Prumor, knocking them out of the war.   During battle in 2934, the great Righ of the goblin hordes is killed in battle by friendly fire. The goblin horde is routed and flees into the north.   That same year, Dwarves flying the cloak of Iomadae hold the line against the duergar of Zhaanzen-Kryr for three days until the liberating army arrives. The Duergar flee back into the mountains upon seeing the united front against them. With the defeat of the union, the "Second Great War" ends.

Consisting of much of the remains of Prumor and Allain, the kingdom of Gradia is formed as an independent nation in the on the western coast of Talingrad.

Peasants revolt in across Talingrad due to poor farming conditions, claims of corruption by shire magistrates and abuse of the commons. The nobility initiates reforms on land to satiate the populace, and pardon the rebel leaders. A court of appeals is created to allow direct intervention by the monarch in the event of local corruption.

The first Ship of the Line is constructed in Ghastenhall. The prototype will pave the way to thousands more.

4137: Duke Barca is crowned king with the support of Ghastenhall's nobility and much of the borderlands. Duke Darin is crowned king with the backing of the clergy of the Inheritor, who grant him the title Fortem among other honorifics.   4140: King Markadian I called the Brave of house Darin defeats King Jaraad Barca at the battle of Tamberlyn Fields. The King spares the lives of house Barca.

4254: Talingrad signs a long term trade agreement with Karlsguard, cooling tensions between both nations.   4356: The Dawn Triumphant sinks of the shores of Talingrad. The Archbishop of Matharyn pays thousands of crowns to attempt to recover the contents, but to avail.   4258: Queen Ericka I leads an army into the savage north to dispel another bugbear incursion. She earns the name the Ironbound from her troops in battle for refusing to yield a vital bridge point.   4262: Archaeologists discovery evidence of Kaz-Turin’s existence in the form of ancient pottery, validating millennia old beliefs in the cities location and spurring renewed interest in the search.   4263: Crown Princess Dariah Augustus Darin celebrates her 18th birthday. Some protest that she should immediately take the throne but the Princess and Queen decline, stating the Crown Princess will wait until sufficiently prepared.