The Stalwarts
Basic Information
Corundum is the oldest kingdom in the Valley and is ruled by the Stalwart dynasty. Not much is known of the kingdom, except that its inhabitants have lived in the Valley ever since the first age and they somehow survived, the Usurpation, the creation of the Shogunate and the invasion of the Wyld. Even after the Empress succeeded in activation the Defense Grid, Corundum was still often attacked by the Wyld. One of the country’s borders lies next to a patch of land connected to the Wyld. To aid in the country’s defense its leaders build a wall alongside the river separating creation and the Wyld. They also created one of the most efficient and effective armies ever seen.
When the new inhabitants of the Valley first came into contact with the kingdom they were turned away at the borders. The kingdom had survived for centuries on its own and had adopted a very nationalistic worldview. This angered the new Emberborn kingdom and the two countries often had altercations with one another. Though the Emberborn never succeeded in breaching Corundum’s borders.
While the new inhabitants became more and more widespread Corundum eventually did decide to open trade, at least a little bit. Because the kingdom had stayed in tact ever since the First Age they had a lot of information the other new provinces and kingdoms were interested in. Knowing this the Stalwart family decided to distribute little bits of knowledge – very sparingly – in return for valuable artifacts or rare minerals.
Power Structure
History
Early years
Corundum didn’t have very good relations with anyone in the Valley. The Emberborn were envious of them, the Thalassica tribes often raided their shores and the Mistrals and tribes roaming the Eastern forests lived to far away to come into regular contact with the secluded kingdom. As a result diplomatic relations with the others were strained and no visitors were allowed to enter the Kingdom.
As a result of this policy the other kingdoms were surprised that not long after the anathema were discovered in 511, the Stalwarts called for a parley between all kingdoms and tribes. The location of the conclave was in the Stalwart stronghold of Lethaya. Every power in the bay sent at least a delegation, curious about why the recluse kingdom would join the international stage now.
Great was the surprise when the Stalwarts didn’t offer advice or even military aid against the Anathema. Instead Vidor Stalwart – king of Corundum, wielder of the Chain, defender of the wall and hero of the battle at Elbrus – pleaded with the other leaders to leave the Solar exalted in peace. Legend has it that he defended his case for four days on end, but to no avail. After four days of negotiating, begging even, the delegations left.
After the failed talks, the war against the Anathema started early in the year 512. Not soon after the Emberborn sent out their first Wyld hunt The legions of the Stalwarts invaded Emberborn lands. The following conflict is remembered as the most bloody war the Valley has seen since its rediscovery. For 10 long years the provinces and kingdoms sent army after army against the Anathema, while the Stalwarts did their best to aid the Solars (Anathema) while simultaneously fighting the Emberborn and Thalassica armies and defending their borders against the Wyld and raiders. Eventually though the Solars were defeated and the Stalwart’s armies ended the siege of Rubellite. They retreated behind their old borders, sacrificing their hold on the cities Andesine and Zircon, which they had conquered over the past 10 years. Corundum severed all remaining ties with the other inhabitants of the Valley and prepared for a prolonged siege. The other kingdoms made plans to invade Corundum.
After the failed talks, the war against the Anathema started early in the year 512. Not soon after the Emberborn sent out their first Wyld hunt The legions of the Stalwarts invaded Emberborn lands. The following conflict is remembered as the most bloody war the Valley has seen since its rediscovery. For 10 long years the provinces and kingdoms sent army after army against the Anathema, while the Stalwarts did their best to aid the Solars (Anathema) while simultaneously fighting the Emberborn and Thalassica armies and defending their borders against the Wyld and raiders. Eventually though the Solars were defeated and the Stalwart’s armies ended the siege of Rubellite. They retreated behind their old borders, sacrificing their hold on the cities Andesine and Zircon, which they had conquered over the past 10 years. Corundum severed all remaining ties with the other inhabitants of the Valley and prepared for a prolonged siege. The other kingdoms made plans to invade Corundum.
The Long Dark
Before any of these plans could be put into motion the First Long Dark started. The following years the kingdoms of the bay could do little but try to defend against the incursion with their weakened armies. Eventually after 30 months of fighting the undead the combined forces of the Valley had been pushed back to Cornus. It was then that the armies of the Stalwarts joined the fray. Their ships first landed at Wallace Mappleheart’s position, where they quickly disembarked and went to the aid of the decimated 7th legion. Giving Wallace and his few remaining men a small reprieve. After a day of reinforcing Wallace’s position and leaving behind a small regiment, commanded by Vidor’s youngest daughter – a woman named Adaila who had just exalted three years prior – they continued on their way to Cornus.
When Vidor Stalwart arrived at the stronghold of Cornus, he did so in full battle regalia, his trusty Warhammer called Vindication loosely held in his left hand, around his right a bright silver chain was coiled, seemingly humming with power. His two oldest daughters, Avianna and Accalia, on his right side and his most trusted generals on his left. Behind him more than 30,000 fully armed, well trained, well rested and experienced troops wielding a variety of magical imbued weapons. The ragtag forces of the other kingdoms stood in stark contrast to this obvious display of strength.
It is said that Vidor look at the generals of the combined forces with revulsion in his eyes, the sight of Wallace his abandoned soldiers still fresh in his mind’s eye. He never raised his weapon or his voice, he simply looked the Emberborn king in the eye until that proud man crumbled beneath the judging stare. Vidor told the others that the old stronghold of the Solars, might be capable of pushing the undead back out of their lands. The problem was, that said stronghold had been lost in the first three weeks of the war. Which meant they had to fight their way back over there and then figure out how to operate the machine.
Two days later their combined forces left Cornus. Another month of fighting their way to the old stronghold and then another two weeks defending the area while their scholars figured out how to activate the defenses. In the end all parties suffered numberless casualties. Vidor’s oldest daughter missing and two of generals dead, together with almost 11,000 of his soldiers. To say the Stalwart king was resentful towards those that brought this catastrophe on all of them would be putting it mildly.
Vidor was impressed with Wallace though,. the man had shown loyalty and dedication towards his troops and countrymen. Wallace was just as resentful of the other kingdoms for leaving him and his men alone, as Vidor was for causing this whole mess to begin with. In the end Vidor decided to support Wallace his claim of independence for the Cinder district. A claim the Emberborn were not likely to accept, so it helped that Vidor supported the Mapplehearts. It also didn’t hurt that Vidor’s youngest daughter fell in love with and married Wallace. Thus securing an alliance between Corundum and The Mapplehearts for years to come.
When Vidor Stalwart arrived at the stronghold of Cornus, he did so in full battle regalia, his trusty Warhammer called Vindication loosely held in his left hand, around his right a bright silver chain was coiled, seemingly humming with power. His two oldest daughters, Avianna and Accalia, on his right side and his most trusted generals on his left. Behind him more than 30,000 fully armed, well trained, well rested and experienced troops wielding a variety of magical imbued weapons. The ragtag forces of the other kingdoms stood in stark contrast to this obvious display of strength.
It is said that Vidor look at the generals of the combined forces with revulsion in his eyes, the sight of Wallace his abandoned soldiers still fresh in his mind’s eye. He never raised his weapon or his voice, he simply looked the Emberborn king in the eye until that proud man crumbled beneath the judging stare. Vidor told the others that the old stronghold of the Solars, might be capable of pushing the undead back out of their lands. The problem was, that said stronghold had been lost in the first three weeks of the war. Which meant they had to fight their way back over there and then figure out how to operate the machine.
Two days later their combined forces left Cornus. Another month of fighting their way to the old stronghold and then another two weeks defending the area while their scholars figured out how to activate the defenses. In the end all parties suffered numberless casualties. Vidor’s oldest daughter missing and two of generals dead, together with almost 11,000 of his soldiers. To say the Stalwart king was resentful towards those that brought this catastrophe on all of them would be putting it mildly.
Vidor was impressed with Wallace though,. the man had shown loyalty and dedication towards his troops and countrymen. Wallace was just as resentful of the other kingdoms for leaving him and his men alone, as Vidor was for causing this whole mess to begin with. In the end Vidor decided to support Wallace his claim of independence for the Cinder district. A claim the Emberborn were not likely to accept, so it helped that Vidor supported the Mapplehearts. It also didn’t hurt that Vidor’s youngest daughter fell in love with and married Wallace. Thus securing an alliance between Corundum and The Mapplehearts for years to come.
War with the Thallisca tribes
Even though the relations between Corundum and the others – with the exception of the Mapplhearts – were strained there was no outright war. The pirates from Thalassica lands did still raid the borders of the secluded kingdom but they never launched a full scale invasion. In 591 (60 years after defeating the Long Dark) high ranking nobles of the Stalwarts met with delegates of the Thalassica on Grey Stone Isle in hopes of reaching an agreement and stopping the raids. However, something went wrong and a huge explosion ended up killing almost everyone of the Stalwart delegation. The Thalassica denied any involvement but Vidor would hear none of it. 6 years later an unmatched fleet of the Stalwarts set out to fight the Thalassica family on their own turf.
After one year of naval combat it was clear that Corundum was gaining the upper hand. Because of this Thalassica begged The Coalition for military aid against the invasion of Corundum. But the diplomats from the Heartlands - under direct orders of Wallace - fiercly opposed any military intervantion by members of the coalition. The Mistrals were proponents of a peaceful resolution. But because members of the Mistral family were fighting with the Thalassica armies, this intent was not taken serieusly.
After another year of fighting Corundum breached the defenses of the main thalassica stronghold. The armies of Corundum disembarked and marched to the royal palace where the king of the Thalassica family was holed up. At the same time the navies of the two kingdoms were still fighting for dominance of the surrounding sea. Vidor and his personal guard easily struck down any and all resistance on their way to the palace grounds. But before they could reach the palace itself a loud voice was heard all over the warzone, raging against the Stalwarts for invading and against the Mapplehearts for denying the Thalassica aid. This enraged speech ended with the proclamation: "If I'm going to die, so will all of you!". Immediatly after saying this an enormous wave engolfed the entire island and surrounding sea. Effectively sinking the island, and killing anyone on it, as well as sinking many ships, both Stalwart and Thalassica. The surviving Stalwart and Thalassica navy worked together to help drowning civiliance and soldiers of both sides. The survivors of the Thalassica were deposited on a large landmass that had risen above the water as a result of the sinking of the main Thalassica stronghold. Here they founded The Hub.
After one year of naval combat it was clear that Corundum was gaining the upper hand. Because of this Thalassica begged The Coalition for military aid against the invasion of Corundum. But the diplomats from the Heartlands - under direct orders of Wallace - fiercly opposed any military intervantion by members of the coalition. The Mistrals were proponents of a peaceful resolution. But because members of the Mistral family were fighting with the Thalassica armies, this intent was not taken serieusly.
After another year of fighting Corundum breached the defenses of the main thalassica stronghold. The armies of Corundum disembarked and marched to the royal palace where the king of the Thalassica family was holed up. At the same time the navies of the two kingdoms were still fighting for dominance of the surrounding sea. Vidor and his personal guard easily struck down any and all resistance on their way to the palace grounds. But before they could reach the palace itself a loud voice was heard all over the warzone, raging against the Stalwarts for invading and against the Mapplehearts for denying the Thalassica aid. This enraged speech ended with the proclamation: "If I'm going to die, so will all of you!". Immediatly after saying this an enormous wave engolfed the entire island and surrounding sea. Effectively sinking the island, and killing anyone on it, as well as sinking many ships, both Stalwart and Thalassica. The surviving Stalwart and Thalassica navy worked together to help drowning civiliance and soldiers of both sides. The survivors of the Thalassica were deposited on a large landmass that had risen above the water as a result of the sinking of the main Thalassica stronghold. Here they founded The Hub.
Surprise attack by the Emberborn
During the war against the Thalassica the Emberborn organised a surprise attack on the stronghold of Lethaya, thinking they could easily overrun the remaining battalion stationed there. Their plan was to afterwards organise an invasion into the mainland of corundum. But the Emberborn underestimated how fiercely the Stalwarts would defend their home. Every inhabitant of Lethaya did what he or she could to aid with the defense against the invaders, children brought water and food to tired soldiers, every able bodied man and woman rejoined the army and shop owners freely gave to the defense of their city. This tactic made sure the city held out until Vidor's younger brother returned with a small part of the army. His plan was simple, take out the commanders of the Emberborn in order to stop the siege. His battalion easily cut through the surprised Emberborn soldiers and they would have succeeded in their attempt, if not for Maladred The Mad.
Maladred and his undying had joinded the siege with orders to take Lethaya and proceed further into Stalwart lands. When the stalwart army reached the officer tents they did not only find the officers they were intent on killing but also Maladred. Maladred and his undying engaged the stalwart soldiers and stopped their offensive. Meanwhile one of the Emberborn generals was fed up with the stronghold's resistance and ordered the entire destruction of the city. An act that was later attributed to Maladred. After destroying the city the army intended to march over The bridge into Stalwart lands. However when they came to the bridge they saw the remainder of the Stalwart army ready to meet them. Maladred met with the new leader of Corundum and they agreed to a ceasefire.
After this the new king of the Stalwarts decided to join the coalition and to help the survivors living in the Hub. He mended relations with the other kingdoms, but visitors to his kingdom are still watched carefully.
Maladred and his undying had joinded the siege with orders to take Lethaya and proceed further into Stalwart lands. When the stalwart army reached the officer tents they did not only find the officers they were intent on killing but also Maladred. Maladred and his undying engaged the stalwart soldiers and stopped their offensive. Meanwhile one of the Emberborn generals was fed up with the stronghold's resistance and ordered the entire destruction of the city. An act that was later attributed to Maladred. After destroying the city the army intended to march over The bridge into Stalwart lands. However when they came to the bridge they saw the remainder of the Stalwart army ready to meet them. Maladred met with the new leader of Corundum and they agreed to a ceasefire.
After this the new king of the Stalwarts decided to join the coalition and to help the survivors living in the Hub. He mended relations with the other kingdoms, but visitors to his kingdom are still watched carefully.
Kingdom: Corundum
King:
Capital: Rodan Population: unknown - Estimated 150.000
Main Export: Artifacts, Technology & Ores
Standing Army:
Estimated 40.000 soldiers
King:
Capital: Rodan Population: unknown - Estimated 150.000
Main Export: Artifacts, Technology & Ores
Standing Army:
Estimated 40.000 soldiers
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
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