The Man of Douver
Though the country of Frauglafer had existed for hundreds of years before when this story starts. However, the man of Douver details how a single man changed an entire country to become one of the first human empires instead of a kingdom. The man of Douver is the first recorded instance of the title of Geard, to which Dhai Miguu is attributed to be the creator of the original title due to the prevalence of the story.
Summary
Long ago when Frauglafer was still an infant country, there lived a Duke who ruled from atop his castle atop a cliff overlooking the town of Douver. Duke Grieser was a man of short temperament, and little love for anything which did not agree with him. The duke ruled over everything he could see at the highest point from his castle, leading towards many avoided conflicts throughout the countryside for years.
The duke and his wife bore ten children, five daughters and five sons. The daughters were tasked with educating the public as soon as they learned to read and write, as it was the duchess who decided the best way for her children to learn was to teach. And so, the Grieser Ladies became the teachers of Douver. The sons were tasked with protecting the city. Between fighting off incursions, training the guards, and ensuring the safety of the realm itself, the Grieser lords became the walls and protectors of Douver. All of them were loved by the people.
Duke Grieser was not as well loved as his children however. He was known to be ruthless, and demanded nothing but the greatest loyalty from his soldiers even long after they no longer worked in his service. Duke Grieser ensured this loyalty by awarding those underneath him for bringing forward any soldier, or any man who spoke ill about the duke, to which the offending party dissipated without a trace. This was well known throughout Douver, and the surrounding countrysides. Because of this, the Grieser family was well feared far and wide.
Of those that feared the duke, non disrespected him more so than bands of Orcs from the northeast, from the The Outlands. They consistently traversed the countryside raiding caravans. Due to this, many traders from outside the country chose to simply not travel to the city of Douver. Annoyed by this, the Duke sent out countless battalions to fight back the orcs from interrupting trade.
One day, arriving at the city gates was Dhai Miguu, a half orc looking for a place to stay, and down on his luck. He arrived, dirty, smelly, and with few coin to to his name, but was hoping for honest labor. He was quickly detained as an enemy of the state, and was set for execution for the crime of being an orc, as well as a potential interloper for his countrymen in The Outlands .
Dhai was not the most beautiful of men. Nor the strongest of orcs, nor even some would say the wisest man of his time. For all things that Dhai was, he was pitiful. And a chance meeting on his way to the dungeon, he was spotted by the eldest Lady of the keep.
Lady Grace Grieser, in her early 30s, unmarried, and considered the brightest scholar of the city, caught eyes with Dhai, and ordered the soldiers hauling him away to stop. The soldiers, loyal only to her father, confused by her orders demanded a reason. Lady Grace gave none, and so, the soldiers and lady went before her father, Duke Grieser himself, to gain an answer.
The Duke was mortified on the orc in chains in his hall before him, demanding an answer. The soldiers stating that the lady herself stopped them from taking away the orc to be executed. Duke Grieser looked to his eldest daughter, demanding the same thing they did, a reason to stay his execution. Lady Grace looked to Dhai, who locked eyes with her again. Only then did Lady Grace discover her reason before speaking to her father.
"Duke Grieser. You have executed countless orcs, those who conspire against you, and those who actively attempt to destroy what power you have congregated to protect the country you care so earnestly about. This orc, no, man before you is different from the rest. He is not as mighty as his orc countrymen within The Outlands, nor did he come here with intent to harm. You can see this in his eyes. I wish to teach him of our ways, maybe convince you that the strongest of all orcs are those that wish to stand beside us, instead of against us."
The Duke, intrigued by her words answered slowly and with great care. "My eldest daughter. You know the enemy is close by and yet you ask to teach them the ways of our people. I shall allow him to go free, and he shall be your pupil. But know that he shall be your only pupil. Should he learn to fight in your care, he will be executed. Should he fight among my men, he will be executed. Should he betray the trust of me, the city of Douver, the country or its countrymen itself, he will be executed. Should you wish to teach another, he will be executed so you may know where your focus truly lies. If you accept my ruling, he will go free immediately. Should you decline, and wish to continue teaching others, I will have him executed immediately, here in my throne room. Now, is this orc worth this much trouble my daughter?"
Taking only but a moment to decide, Lady Grace bowed to her father. "As you wish, my duke." To which the lord kept his promise, and had Dhai unchained. Thankful for his life being spared, he bowed to the duke, on his hands and knees before the Duke shook his head. "Don't bow to me orc, bow to my daughter as the one who had spared your life. I will simply wait until they tire of you before we proceed with your execution." To which the half-orc turned and bowed to Lady Grace, his forehead firmly planted on the floor. "Thank you. I am Dhai Miguu. I will do my best to exceed every expectation you have of me my lady."
Over the next three years, war was on the horizon for Frauglafer. Many from the countryside fled from raiders of The Outlands, and the patrols that were sent to stop this advance were instead being slowly pushed back to patrol closer and closer to Douver for their own protection, and that of the Duke. Of those that fled to Douver, many of the non-human races were driven to Douver seeking protection as well from the invaders. At first, a select few were allowed into the city walls, yet as more and more non humans were turned away, the half-orc saw many of his own kind, orcs, and other races executed without reason or trial. Though this guilt was strong as he was spared unlike many others, he did not let it impact his studies, knowing he owed his life to Grace, and was determined to ensure she knew him a worthy student.
Dhai proved himself to be a very successful poet, writing numerous books on the subject with Lady Grace's help. He also learned defensive tactics, reading, the sciences, and a large portion of religious and historical studies as well. Dhai was not the only one learning from this partnership however. He shared with grace the language of orcs, meditation, of his time before coming to Douver, and the beliefs of both Animism and The Arborole, supplimenting his studies of The Pondarac Pantheon.
It was after these three years that a verifiable army of orcs from The Outlands were spotted congregating to the far east of the city, an outland siegeparty. Fearing for himself and his kingdom, The Duke had all his children brought before him, and demanded all of them, including Grace, stop their normal lessons, and start teaching every man, woman, and child in the city how to fight for their city to best protect what land they have.
Only his two youngest sons agreed without issue, but the rest of his children argued against him. His other sons demanded that those who were not capable of fighting, or those who had already finished their service, had already done the work neccessary for their country, and should be allowed to flee or hide before the army approached the city. His daughters argued that an educated populace would survive wartime long after a soldier would do so normally, and that should part of the city fall, the crafstmen that would be lost from such a battle would set back the city by half a century. Lady Grace herself even argued that she was being forced to break her promise, guaranteeing that Dhai would be executed if she were to agree to her fathers demands.
Duke Grieser was furious with his children. Not only had they argued against his demand upon them, but his own children actively told him he was wrong. As a ruler, he believed this conspiracy against him would only cause the populace to agree with his children, sewing dissent throughout his troops, his city, and the kingdom itself. As such, he could not let his children roam freely, nor continue these conspiratorial remarks. Eight of his ten children were arrested, and due to be executed at sunrise the next day, by decapitation.
As they were being arrested, Duke Grieser decided that he had enough with the non humans of his city, and as they were taken away he declared that all non-humans in the city would go without food rations, and be banned from purchasing any goods or services within Douver, under penalty of death for those who defiled his ruling on the matter.
Dhai was nearby to hear the entire exchange and there to see Lady Grace being taken towards the Dungeons, ready for execution. After being protected for so long by this noblewoman who decided to spare his life by giving up the freedoms she had, Dhai decided to finally protect his lady, and save her for a change. Dhai was determined to save the life of his lady, and her family before they were executed. Even after all his schooling, he was not bright enough to formulate a plan, so instead he prayed for strength and for mercy on the oaths he wished not to, but was ready to break the following morning.
The next morning, just before dawn, the 8 Grieser children were brought before the chopping block, shackled and bound before a grand audience, made of the people of Douver. Duke Grieser himself stood atop a stage adressing his people, ready to swing the sword himself, executing his own children to prove a point to those who would conspire against him.
With a sword in his hand, surrounded by a small army of soldiers, and inside a town where loyalty was demanded by the duke above all else, Dhai Miguu showed no fear climbing atop the stage. He wore himself, tall and proud of his accomplishments, and willing to accept what fate was to bring forward to him this day. Between the two, the Duke and Dhai looked as night and day. The duke wearing some of his finest garments, while the half orc wore nothing but simple clothing. They were not quite the rags he was wearing when the duke first met him, but the strength behind the simple fabric was well known enough to cause any man to pause before striking him.
"My lord, As I am part human within the city of Douver, I must make two demands. First, I am only half an orc, so by your decree yesterday, I demand that us half breeds loyal to you gain half rations, so we may better fight alongside our people." said Dhai. The duke was neither willing to bargain, nor willing to accept this abomination in his presence, and called on his soldiers to attack, arrest, and execute the orc before him, who "seems to have forgotten his place."
Dhai however proved this demand from the duke to be a fruitless, impossible task for every soldier in the country. Dhai for the first time in his life, after training for decades on how to fight, and protect those near him, chose to break his vow of the pacifist. Every soldier that approached, attempting to capture the half orc, were quickly disarmed, knocked unconscious, and moved aside, ready for the half orc to fight another. The audience were awestruck seeing this man who had been with them for three years and never raise his voice in anger, knock out a man bigger than he was with a single punch to the torso, not even denting the plate. After twenty men fell to Dhai's combative skill, the half-orc approached the Duke yet again.
"My second demand, is that you spare your children, who only wished you a strong populace as well as an army. They spoke against your judgement when they know the people of your kingdom better than you do. Were it not for your children's love, your people would have suffered greatly, as will throwing them woefully unprepared or unable into battle make them, and you suffer more. Cease this execution, or I will be forced to protect what you have failed to."
Insulted by the peasant overwhelming his own troops without weapon or armor, he ordered his children still loyal to him to attack the orc. Their advanced training and technique with working together proved to be a bigger challenge for Dhai, keeping him occupied while an archer near the back of the crowd took aim, and fired into the melee. Dhai, managed to grab the arrow out of the air just before it hit the youngest child in his eye. Seeing that Dhai truly desired to protect the two of them, the duo backed down to let the half orc protect their elder siblings, as they could not find the strength to fight against their father. Another 80 men arrived to wipe the half-orc traitor from the face of the earth, and each time a soldier tried to arrest him, yet another man lay weaponless, unconscious, and among his companions on the ground.
With now a hundred men failing to land a blow, his own two sons giving up a fight, and even archers failing the task of taking down this foreseen threat to himself and his kingdom, the Duke himself attacked the orc. Dukes Grieser draw his sword, ready to strike down his opponent. Just as easilly as Dhai had defeated a hundred men, the duke was disarmed, both in style, and literally as Dhai severed the Duke's hands in a single swift strike of his own sword.
Duke Grieser felt his mortality grip him like a hand around his neck when the orc, appropriate as Dhai grabbed him by it, and pointed the executioners sword at his throat. "Now since you refused my two demands, I will give you a choice. Leave the town of Douver forever. You and those who still believe you are a worthy lord, and unlike what you did to many people seeking refuge, I will ensure you will leave in peace. If you refuse, than I shall break more of my sacred vows. Should I be forced to break them, where you stand, I will have you executed."
Realizing that the power of his army, his dukedom, and the kingdom itself meant nothing against this half orc demigod of a fighter on his mission. Duke Grieser fled Douver, along with a handful of soldiers who still believed in him, traveling far to the south. Upon seeing the duke run, Dhai untied, and unshackled the remaining lords and ladies of Douver, and hugged the new true lady of the keep Grace, happy to have finally accomplished protecting someone he cares about.
Though the immediate danger was over, Dhai knew that he had limited time to save the rest of the city, with the invasion of The Outlands only a few days away. He pleaded with Lady Grace after releasing her that they must travel east, towards the Grey Mountains, and find the tribe preparing to attack their kingdom, taking along carts full of furs, food, and warm clothing. Grace, still astonished by what previously unseen power Dhai was able to accomplish against the rule of her father, carefully agreed to his request, and gathering three carts overflowing with Dhai's requested items. And so, Dhai Grace, and several townsfolk managed to set out a caravan towards the greatest danger against Douver.
It took two days to get to the base of the mountains, close enough to find a large encampment of orc raiders ready to start their march on Douver when Dhai and Grace were spotted. Their caravans were taken, and the two were brought before the Right Hand of the Frost Rock tribe.
Dhai knew that his and Grace's life were potentially forfeit, should their negotiations fail, and yet the three of them spoke in orc for a long time about the fall of the Duke, and what avoiding war could do for both the Frost Rock Tribe, and for Frauglafer as well. These talks went for hours, but by the end, an agreement was made.
The furs that were brought, were of moderate quality, well enough to be used by the Frost Rocks back in The Outlands. The clothing was also of good quality, well enough to be used by the chieftain himself, and trade for other goods within their country, should there be more clothing than necessary. Finally, the food was dispersed to the army, to allow them to march back home to tell tails of their victory without bloodshed.
Dhai even convinced Grace that the tribe would be allowed into Frauglafer during the coldest of winter months when their food migrated, giving them partial citizenship, and rights to hunt fish and game within Frauglafer. As payment, the Frost Rocks agreed to be conscripted into the army or guard of Douver during those months, allowing those who wish to join on fields of battle, to satiate bloodthirst, or the pang of exploration.
The Right Hand questioned only a single matter regarding Frauglafer however. The matter of its leadership, and who had the right to rule. To which Dhai motioned to Lady Grace between them. "No smarter man or woman exists in Frauglafer. She is the leader of her people." To which the Right Hand showed some discontent. "I never heard of a woman leading." "She leads, she teaches, she preaches, and she fights. She is a chieftain."
The Right Hand accepted this argument, allowing Dhai and Grace to leave back to the city. Grace was not happy about being announced the leader without consulting her family, especially not the heir to the Grieser throne. Dhai asked Grace to not worry, and allow him to speak to the rest of her family about the matter.
Arriving back Frauglafer , Dhai brought together the family in their great hall in the castle of Douver. Dhai learned that the eldest son had taken up residence as leader of house, home, and Douver during their absense, with a great focus on rebranding the army and ensuring the safety of the lives within their walls, even to the point of helping townsfolk move out of the area if needed be. Dhai gathered the ten Grieser children, and explained everything that occured on the journey, and the agreement with the Frost Rock Tribe. Appreciating the trade, and the promise of peace and a larger standing army and guardforce, the Grieser lords and ladies accepted the new reality before them.
Everything other than who the leader should be that is. Graces eldest brother, only a year her junior, stood and claimed that he should become the duke. Dhai stood as well, claiming that the dukedom should be destroyed, to protect the kingdom itself from its power. Instead, the one claiming the throne of Douver, would be more likely to hold Frauglafer as its own kingdom with the support of the orc tribes, and the orc tribes agreed on Grace to become their partner.
"But should you choose to commit yourself to law, than I shall ignite divine law, and challenge your rule over my ladies, through trial by combat." Grace tried to speak, but Dhai motioned for her silence but for only a moment. This moment was long and drawn out as the future of Frauglafer hung in the balance, but in the end, there was no more need of violence, more blood had been spilled than was truely neccessary, and similar to how his father had felt the grip of death at his throat, this time, Dhai didn't even need to touch the young lord to understand his defeat was guaranteed. Sitting at the head of the family, the country, and the kingdom of Frauglafer as its next ruler, was Lady Grace.
It was only on the night of her Coronation, a week later, attended even by the high chieftain of the Frost Rock clan that Grace spoke with him again, upset about his ironclad demand that she become queen. "No my lady, I never said you should be queen. Instead, you should rise above that, and take on a stronger title, to better unify the numerous cultures underneath you. To the east lies the country of Drakenvald , one that we spoke of great length about during our studies. You taught me how it came to form under the leadership of Gerard Schwert. Though you may not see so yourself, you have the tenacity of such a great general, and yet the focus of expanding your kingdom greater than any leader that ever graced the halls of your father. Your determination is testamount to your leadership, and should you speak, many will follow, just like Gerard himself. Perhaps a title stronger than king or queen, for a woman as strong as you would be more appropriate. You should be named 'Geard' your majesty." to which he bowed to Grace, his grace, and the grace of a country that now ruled much farther than the eye could see.
Grace attempted to embrace her longtime student, friend, and protector, but Dhai refused her advance with a gentle touch. "Your grace... My grace. You do not need strength such as mine near you constantly. Should you need me, I need to make stronger warriors and can be found in the east. Search for me, or my students, and Frauglafer will be protected a thousandfold."
After his discussion, Dhai left Grace to her own devices. Some say he saw the coronation, in order to protect the new leader of Frauglafer. Other say that night he went south, and demanded that the king give up his own country for the new Geard to the north. Others say he did none of these things, as none would be bold enough to destroy the newly created title of Geard on its first inception. None would find a blade pointed at the ruler of Frauglafer without their arm being broken into ten places by its most devout of servants or followers. But most of all, none would dare cross the legendary teachings of Master Dhai Miguu, the man of douver, the protector of the Geard, or any under his charge.
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