The Origins of Haradel

The Urdaggar push south to retake their lands from the Traazorites defined modern Isarshael. Lands occupied by Chaler usurpers for thousands of years suddenly fell back into the ownership of the Faelers, and the crowding that had come to define Urdaggar lands since the Krai Jan Empire was suddenly lifted.
There were many different reasons that the Faelers suddenly moved south from their confinement beyond the Moonshadow Mountains and the Dorsang Danar. Some of these reasons were social, some were political, and some were deeply personal.
Jorav Korsar, a Wolf Tribe Chieftain, led the immigration movement from north of the Moonshadow Mountains, putting together a confederation of Urdaggar from many different tribes that believed in a better life by taking back lands from the Traazorites and building a new civilization.
Many other Urdaggar were happy to ride this movement to take back lands from the Traazorites, which had hunted their people for too long. They may not have cared as much for Korsar’s vision of a future society or any notion of civilization but loved taking the war to the Traazorites while regaining their ancestral lands.
While Korsar’s movement poured out of the Moonshadows and east across the Fel Nevilin, an entirely different group of Urdaggar poured across the Fel Orm, the Fel Sha’elthi, and finally the Fel Ars in numbers that were too much for the Traazorites to turn back.
The grassy plains and farmland between the Dorsang Danar and what is today Hercourt had been a battleground for years. The Traazorites weren’t powerful enough to hold the area from Urdaggar raids. However, the buildup of Urdaggar in the area invited powerful Traazorite incursions that would inflict heavy losses on the Tribespeople.
The area became a chaotic mixture of small Traazorite farming settlements, Urdaggar raiding parties, and roving Traazorite Legions trying desperately to protect their frontier. These conditions persisted for many years until Korsar began his coordinated push south at about -25.
With Korsar waging war against the Traazorites south of the Moonshadows, more Tribespeople moved over the Fel Orm and poured out of the Dorsang Danar. Urdaggar forces, nominally united under a Lion Tribe Chieftain named Tharg Bonecruncher, included warriors from the Lion, Eagle, Bear, Wolf, Serpent, Boar, Stag, Spider, Bat, Jackal, Vulture, Falcon, Owl, Raven, and Horse Tribes.
For the first time on Isarshael, the Traazorites faced war across their entire holdings. They had spent years building their military force to run down raiding parties and Tribal incursions. They didn’t have the troops necessary to withstand a united Urdaggar people.
Within 25 years, Korsar had not only recaptured what is now Falkaar, but he had established a Kingdom there. Sporting a new religion and a new culture, the Falkaarans began sending troops to help the Urdaggar push the Traazorites off the continent.
Only the lands of Koronna remained, but by 86, the Moons-worshipping Chalers had declared independence. With Urdaggar pressure from the East and north, Isarshael was finally rid of Traazorite influence.
While Korsar built a new civilization in the lands he had liberated, Tharg returned home to his Bonecruncher Clan, content that he had beaten the Traazorites and opened the Shel Tha’elthi basin back to his people.
Without Tharg to hold them together, the alliance of Tribes he had forged through will and power fell apart quickly. New Clans formed, hunting and herding lands were staked out, and life went on much as it had before, only now with new neighbors.
This continued unabated for two centuries. During this time, the Urdaggar fought many small battles against Korsar’s new Kingdom of Falkaar, and constant border skirmishing with a now-freed Koronna and the City States that became Thormenal in 205 began to tell on the leaderless and disjointed Urdaggar.
The prime farming land of central Haradel began to call to these new Kingdoms, and their incursions were gaining more and more land once reclaimed by the Urdaggar. Adding to these troubles, Varanic priests and priestesses worked among the Clans, spreading Korsar’s new religion. This further divided the people, and those that chose the Varanic faith over the old Totem gods had much more in common with their civilized neighbors than they did with the clans. Some of the Clan from the Ruin Tribes, had already begun allying with Falkaar and Thormenal, fighting against their fellow Tribes for money and wanton carnage.
A time was swiftly coming when a boiling point would be reached, and the destiny of the Urdaggar in central Isarshael would be decided. With all the forces arrayed against them and more infighting than agreement, it looked like the Urdaggar would be destroyed piecemeal.
285 was the year everything changed.
A loose confederation of the Lion, Stag, Boar, Bear, Raven, Falcon, and Eagle Tribes in the region put aside their petty feuds and decided to come together to choose a leader to counter the threats culminating against them. The Ruin Tribes opposed them, while the Serpent Tribespeople disappeared into the shadows.
The Ruin Tribes, sensing weakness, used the moment to strike against the other clans. They banded together under Argo Bloodwing, a Bat Tribe Chieftain. They unleashed a terrible war on the Valor and Omen Tribes for their betrayal in considering to become more like the peoples to the west and south.
Argo burned and pillaged his way north to south, terrorizing and killing. Finally, in the area where the Fel Sha’ Elthi and the Fel Sha’Eltarv come to confluence, Bloodwing and his army were brought to battle.
A confederation of Omen and Valor Tribes led by Krendar Proudmane united against the Ruin Tribe marauders. Krendar and his allies soundly defeated Bloodwing’s army, a fight that would be remembered as the Battle of Two Rivers.
Though the victory was decisive, it cost Proudmane’s confederation much. Now, more than ever, the Urdaggar would have to unite or face annihilation as they recovered from the Ruin Tribe’s treachery.
After the battle, Krendar, along with delegations from the other Valor and Omen Tribes, met at what is now Hercourt to crown a leader.  As per Urdaggar custom, they would choose the new leader through ritual combat.
A champion was chosen by each of the Tribes present:
Krendar Proudmane was chosen for the Lion Tribe.
Rirda Skyclimber was chosen for the Eagle Tribe.
Dalka Stonetusk was chosen for the Boar Tribe.
Torg Redmaw was chosen for the Bear Tribe.
Kenda Mosspaw was Chosen for the Stag Tribe.
Molis Darkfeather was Chosen for the Raven Tribe.
Walk Greymane was Chosen for the Wolf Tribe.
Sarlo Cloudchaser was chosen for the Falcon Tribe.
When the contest was over, Krendar was the only Champion left standing. Later, the other champions would say that Krendar moved and fought with the ferocity of an actual lion.
After the rest of the champions lay defeated at his feet, Krendar held his sword aloft in victory. A voice boomed from nowhere. It identified itself as Vidunar and bid Krendar to raise each of the fallen champions and demand their allegiance.
In awe of the voice but confident in his victory, Krendar went to each of the fallen and stood them up, demanding they swear fealty to him and the voice. Their wounds healed at Krendar’s touch, and they each took an oath to serve Krendar. Krendar glowed with an otherworldly light as he helped each of the Champions to their feet.
When the last Champions had arisen and swore allegiance to Krendar, the voice came again, declaring itself Vidunar, god of light and virtue. At this point, Krendar was glowing like the sun, so bright that none could look directly at him.
Vidunar continued by stating that Krendar was His chosen one, the first King of these people. Vidunar also promised that they would forever be His people and that He would guide them, care for them, and lead them to victory if they would acknowledge Him and the Varanic gods and goddesses.
Vidunar declared that everything from the Dorsang Danar to the Bar Nol, from the Inner Sea to the Bar Mahn, was forever theirs, to be stewarded by the Crown of Haradel that would begin with Krendar.
Krendar and the Champions took new oaths to the Varanic gods and goddesses that night. Vidunar named an attending Varanic Priest, Elinev Solk, to aid and advise Krendar in Vidunars’ ways. Elinev became the first Arch Bishop of Haradel.
During the night, each of the Champions was visited by one of the Varanic pantheon, revealing themselves to them and declaring them their chosen, promising to give them the strength and wisdom to lead their people from that day.
The next morning, each awoke with a new outlook and a holy purpose: To cleanse their new land of the Ruin Tribe taint, removing the specter of war and chaos from among them. They were to bring peace and prosperity to the people.
This was known as the First Quest.
The Heroes promised they would know no home or rest until this Holy Quest had been completed. They would ride out immediately, each with their fellow Tribespeople, to hunt and eradicate Ruin from the land Vidunar had granted them. They considered it a sacred duty to defend the land from them and their corrupting ways. Elinev Solk blessed them in the name of Vidunar before they departed.
The First Quest dominated the first ten years of Haradel’s history. Many trials were overcome.
Falkaar tried Krendar’s resolve. Incursions from Thormenal kept the heroes of the First Quest on their toes, valiantly defending the land that Vidunar had granted them.
When the last of the Ruin Tribe had been purged and sent fleeing beyond the Dorsang Danar, The Varanic Champions returned to the site of their initial revelation, at the edge of the woods where Hercourt stands today.
This was known as the Second Congregation.
Krendar proclaimed their new land Haradel that day, and Vidunar its True King. In Vidunar’s stead, and only by Vidunar’s Grace, would Krendar and his line rule. He promised to build a mighty town to memorialize Vidunar’s revelation, a city where future Kings and Queens would rule in Vidunar’s Virtue.
He dispensed lands and titles to the Champions, corresponding to where their people had settled. He revealed the Nodga’a - The Holy Order, establishing Wardens, Counts, and Thaels over these areas, each acting as agents of the Crown and giving fealty to the rank above them.
The land would be served, ruled, and protected. An army could be assembled quickly to counter any threat, and Vidunar’s reign over Haradel could be complete. With the help of Elinev Solk, Krendar also established the Varanic Knightly orders. The first Knight’s Commanders to oversee their orders were chosen from among the heroes of the First Quest.
To Dalka Stonetusk, now Barek’s Champion, Krendar gave the title of Warden and seated her at Erlodan, a small but growing settlement in the Dunrian near the site of the Battle of Two Rivers, where she acquitted herself with honor and drove the hordes of Ruin into the river. She would now defend the southern borders of Haradel, keeping the Thormenalans and Koronnans at bay, using Barek’s domain of the Bar Nol to aid her.
To Walk Greymane, now Valar’s Champion, Krendar gave the title of Warden and seated him at Arsmouth on the Inner Sea. Arsmouth had been a Traazorite trade city before it had been reclaimed. Walk had protected the flank of Krendar’s Army against a Spider Tribe counterattack during the Battle of Two Rivers, and now he and his people would defend the western border of Haradel from Falkaar. Krendar was sure Valar would give him the wisdom to do so.
King Krendar Proudmane took the final Ward for himself. He declared that any noble not dedicated to physically protecting Haradel was no better than the chaotic Ruin Tribespeople that they had uprooted during the First Quest. He cursed any future King or Queen that did not take their duties as Warden seriously, proclaiming that by Vidunar, they would grow sick and die dishonorably, making way for someone willing to fight for Haradel.
To Kenda Mosspaw, Now Modo’s Champion, Krendar gave the title of Count and seated her in Dunstan, deep in the Dunrian, a place holy to Modo and all creation. Kenda’s healers had been indispensable at the Battle of Two Rivers and had continued to heal the people of Ruin’s depravities during the First Quest. Krendar wanted the Champion of Modo at the heart of Haradel, a healing influence to all those around her.
To Molis Darkfeather, Sylvia’s Champion, Krendar gave the title of Count and seated her in Ram-Anar, now known as Raman, the Traazorite mining city. Molis’ ability to stay one step ahead of the Ruin Tribes during the First Quest convinced Krendar that she was up to the task. To Darkfeather, Krendar gave responsibility for watching over the troubled Dathglar and mining the riches of Ram-Anar’s gold.
To Torg Redmaw, Champion of Glareyn, Krendar gave the title of Count and seated him in Bretan, a barely-there pile of stones and determination clinging to the Dorsang Danar above the roaring Fel Orm. From Bretan Redmaw and his warriors, the Walking Bears, would secure the Fel Orm from further Urdaggar raids and establish trade with their now distant kin. Redmaw’s ferocity and belligerent nature would be perfectly suited to the cold climes and sparse living of the northwestern frontier.
To Sarlo Cloudchaser, now the Champion of Tahnar, Krendar gave the title of Count and sat her at Teberlin, a long-abandoned outpost of the Traazorites from their furthest advance north. Cloudchaser would protect the Layn Kirin from incursions by the enigmatic Trilians, and patrol the mountains to ensure that all the Ruin Tribe filth stayed where they belonged. Sarlo’s pragmatic personality and ability to act independently, far from oversight, was perfectly suited to the far side of the Kingdom.
Finally, Rirda Skyclimber, now a wise Champion of Ailea, was given the title of Count and sat at Mahnlin, the last Traazorite stronghold to fall to the Urdaggar, and captured by the then Chieftain of the Skyclimber Clan, Thaad Skyclimber. Rirda’s dedication to peace, even when it takes war, made Krendar sure that only she could defend the Soremna, a pass where no less than three Kingdoms meet, and a place where the three Kingdoms could find common ground, trade, and a lasting understanding.
With Haradel secure, Krendar began building Hercourt to honor Vidunar. Though much work was accomplished, Krendar died in 302. He passed on his life’s work, including the first Temple to Vidunar in Haradel and the Crown Citadel, to his firstborn son. Krendar II would finish what his father started and bring the fledgling nation of Haradel to the forefront of Isarshael politics during his reign.
Haradel would face many more challenges in their infancy. Border conflicts, Urdaggar incursions, and a violent religious war with Falkaar tested the fledgling nation. Undaunted courage, constant vigilance, and the grace of Vidnuar would see them through.