Kiban
Location: Miona Hundred, Balimshire, Kingdom of Kaldor
Status: Seat of the Earl of Balim
Holder: Earl of Balim, Troda Dariune of Kiban
Liege: King Miginath Elendsa of Kaldor
Population: 2,200 (approximately)
Kiban is the second-largest settlement in the Kingdom of Kaldor and the principal seat of Clan Dariune, the Earls of Balim. Kiban was a small agricultural castle town not many years ago but is now an emerging center of trade, especially in weapons and jewelry brought down the Silver Way from the Kingdom of Azadmere.
Earl Troda Dariune is Kaldor’s Chancellor of the Exchequer and a cousin of King Miginath (son of Kathele, sister of the late King Torastra). He has powerful allies, including key Laranian churchmen, as well as many enemies.
Kiban was originally an outpost in the Kingdom of Serelind, which had been formed in 140 TR. A small fortification of earth and wood, Kiban was strategically located where the borders of Serelind, Kephria, and Pagostra met.
In 184, King Orsin of Pagostra joined his realm to that of Medrik I of Serelind. Orsin was granted an earldom that included Kiban and took the title Earl of Pagostra. The formation of Kaldor placed Kiban comfortably in the interior of the country. Over the next century, the surrounding croplands were developed. Around 300 TR, the sixth Earl of Pagostra improved the fortifications by building a stone keep.
The tenth Earl of Pagostra supported Aidrik II in the Kaldoric civil war. Realizing his mistake, he withdrew his support the day before the Battle of Kiban (377 TR). Denied the defensive capabilities of the keep at Kiban and having to guard against his former ally to the rear, the fate of Aidrik II was never really in doubt.
Although the earl expected Fierth’s gratitude for his betrayal of Aidrik, Fierth had him executed and granted the earldom to a favorite baron, Qywald Dariune, who became the first Earl of Balim in 378.
Clan Dariune managed to survive the restoration; in fact, some claim they arranged it. They proved to be able administrators and a long succession of capable earls expanded the holdings. During the Baronial Revolt of 599, the twelfth Earl of Balim, Allesa, wisely stayed above the conflict and declined to press his legitimate claims to the throne. Throwing his full support behind Clan Elendsa, he established himself as a close confidant and advisor to the king and was the second most powerful person in the kingdom.
One indication of royal favor was the granting of a charter to permit the building of a stone castle. Construction of Caer Kiban was started in 605 and completed in 653. The original stone keep was torn down and the stone used in the new castle.
The relationship between the Elendsa and Dariune clans has been maintained to the present day. Many scoffed at the succession of Miginath and predicted his imminent death. However, Scina, the father of the present earl (681–714), strongly championed the new king. Again, royal pleasure was expressed. In 701, the king granted a charter to wall the town of Kiban.
Construction began in 703 and is scheduled for completion in 723.
Upon the death of his father in 714, Sir Troda Dariune became the 20th Earl of Balim. Like most of his predecessors, he prefers to work behind the scenes, using indirect and sometimes unconventional means to achieve his ends.
Sir Troda also serves as Kaldor’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, an office with considerable power. Many have taken notice that Clan Dariune has prospered more than most during the reign of King Miginath.
The Dariunes have long supported Clan Elendsa. As a cousin to the king, Sir Troda has a claim to the throne but has a confidential understanding with King Miginath to leave the choice of heir to the succession council. His blood ties to Clan Elendsa give Troda a seat on the council and thus influence over the outcome.
Negotiations are underway for the betrothal of Scina, the Dariune heir apparent, to Cheselyne Hosath (the Younger), who has a claim to the throne as granddaughter of Miginath’s dead elder brother Haldan. Her mother, Lady Cheselyne (the Elder), who was passed over once in favor of Miginath, is a cunning but unpopular woman. The daughter is equally cunning and far less scrupulous.
In 712, the wealthiest of Azadmere’s four mercantile clans was tempted by tax concessions to leave the Silver Way at Naniom Bridge. Instead of going through Gardiren and on to Tashal, they now transport their goods down the Nephen River to Kiban.
This greatly distresses Earl Hemisen Curo of Gardiren as well as the Tashal Mangai, who have voiced their complaints to the crown.
The king refers all such petitions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. In response, the Baron of Getha, in his role as Sheriff of Nephshire has exercised his obligation to “protect the Silver Way from all deprivations and disruptions” by establishing a small village and toll at the bridge. Earl Dariune is furious with the sheriff over this development.
Status: Seat of the Earl of Balim
Holder: Earl of Balim, Troda Dariune of Kiban
Liege: King Miginath Elendsa of Kaldor
Population: 2,200 (approximately)
Kiban is the second-largest settlement in the Kingdom of Kaldor and the principal seat of Clan Dariune, the Earls of Balim. Kiban was a small agricultural castle town not many years ago but is now an emerging center of trade, especially in weapons and jewelry brought down the Silver Way from the Kingdom of Azadmere.
Earl Troda Dariune is Kaldor’s Chancellor of the Exchequer and a cousin of King Miginath (son of Kathele, sister of the late King Torastra). He has powerful allies, including key Laranian churchmen, as well as many enemies.
History
Kiban was originally an outpost in the Kingdom of Serelind, which had been formed in 140 TR. A small fortification of earth and wood, Kiban was strategically located where the borders of Serelind, Kephria, and Pagostra met.
In 184, King Orsin of Pagostra joined his realm to that of Medrik I of Serelind. Orsin was granted an earldom that included Kiban and took the title Earl of Pagostra. The formation of Kaldor placed Kiban comfortably in the interior of the country. Over the next century, the surrounding croplands were developed. Around 300 TR, the sixth Earl of Pagostra improved the fortifications by building a stone keep.
The tenth Earl of Pagostra supported Aidrik II in the Kaldoric civil war. Realizing his mistake, he withdrew his support the day before the Battle of Kiban (377 TR). Denied the defensive capabilities of the keep at Kiban and having to guard against his former ally to the rear, the fate of Aidrik II was never really in doubt.
Although the earl expected Fierth’s gratitude for his betrayal of Aidrik, Fierth had him executed and granted the earldom to a favorite baron, Qywald Dariune, who became the first Earl of Balim in 378.
Clan Dariune managed to survive the restoration; in fact, some claim they arranged it. They proved to be able administrators and a long succession of capable earls expanded the holdings. During the Baronial Revolt of 599, the twelfth Earl of Balim, Allesa, wisely stayed above the conflict and declined to press his legitimate claims to the throne. Throwing his full support behind Clan Elendsa, he established himself as a close confidant and advisor to the king and was the second most powerful person in the kingdom.
One indication of royal favor was the granting of a charter to permit the building of a stone castle. Construction of Caer Kiban was started in 605 and completed in 653. The original stone keep was torn down and the stone used in the new castle.
The relationship between the Elendsa and Dariune clans has been maintained to the present day. Many scoffed at the succession of Miginath and predicted his imminent death. However, Scina, the father of the present earl (681–714), strongly championed the new king. Again, royal pleasure was expressed. In 701, the king granted a charter to wall the town of Kiban.
Construction began in 703 and is scheduled for completion in 723.
Current Situation
Upon the death of his father in 714, Sir Troda Dariune became the 20th Earl of Balim. Like most of his predecessors, he prefers to work behind the scenes, using indirect and sometimes unconventional means to achieve his ends.
Sir Troda also serves as Kaldor’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, an office with considerable power. Many have taken notice that Clan Dariune has prospered more than most during the reign of King Miginath.
The Dariunes have long supported Clan Elendsa. As a cousin to the king, Sir Troda has a claim to the throne but has a confidential understanding with King Miginath to leave the choice of heir to the succession council. His blood ties to Clan Elendsa give Troda a seat on the council and thus influence over the outcome.
Negotiations are underway for the betrothal of Scina, the Dariune heir apparent, to Cheselyne Hosath (the Younger), who has a claim to the throne as granddaughter of Miginath’s dead elder brother Haldan. Her mother, Lady Cheselyne (the Elder), who was passed over once in favor of Miginath, is a cunning but unpopular woman. The daughter is equally cunning and far less scrupulous.
In 712, the wealthiest of Azadmere’s four mercantile clans was tempted by tax concessions to leave the Silver Way at Naniom Bridge. Instead of going through Gardiren and on to Tashal, they now transport their goods down the Nephen River to Kiban.
This greatly distresses Earl Hemisen Curo of Gardiren as well as the Tashal Mangai, who have voiced their complaints to the crown.
The king refers all such petitions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. In response, the Baron of Getha, in his role as Sheriff of Nephshire has exercised his obligation to “protect the Silver Way from all deprivations and disruptions” by establishing a small village and toll at the bridge. Earl Dariune is furious with the sheriff over this development.
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