The Great Hero Arden

The greatest legend and story that finds its roots embedded into all aspects of The Kingdom of Arden is that of the first King and founder of the country, known as The Great Hero Arden. Many tales of his deeds before the formation of the Kingdom and as his time as King are told across the land, be it from the halls of The Church of the Holy Light or by Bards that frequent the pubs and taverns of the land. These stories vary greatly, with the centuries of storytellers each adding their own twist to such heroic feats.
Despite this, there are main themes found within the stories, including the fabled Companions of Arden, along with the Trials of Arden that led to the uniting of the five Provinces.

Origins of the Great Hero

The true story of where the Great Hero Arden comes from is lost to antiquity. Several recounts of those early days are seldom trusted, although many agree that Arden was already a fully-grown man when he first started his ventures. As befits the hero of all the land, many of his origin stories told throughout the Kingdom seem almost too fantastical, and clearly have some poetic embellishment added to them. Such examples include:

• The Great Hero simply one day walked out of the sea, unharmed and pure as he approached some nearby fishermen from a small village. He proceeded to aid the fishermen in their catch, hinting at great things to come.

• It is said that at the height of a battle between warring settlements, a blinding light appeared above. From this light, a single figure descended to the ground, clad in cloth of pure white and emitting a radiance so pure that no man dared to continue fighting. The Great Hero had come to the land, and instantly brokered a peace between the two sides.

• In a terrible winter storm that ravaged the land, a single star fell to the world. The impact was heard for thousands of miles, and soon thereafter, a holy man was seen venturing the land - the Great Hero.

• Another tale has the Great Hero coming from the Northern Wastes, clad in simple leathers unfit for the harsh climate, but unscathed. He had come to warn that the peoples must unite, to ward off a terrible threat following him from the North.

Whatever the true story matters little, but many agree that the Great Hero Arden had been sent by the Holy Light to unite the Provinces and form a new Kingdom, one which he was destined to rule.

The Trials of Arden

Before the Kingdom, the lands that would become Arden were a very different place. Many still called it home, but it was a harsh and cruel place to live, with strife between neighbouring settlements common, plague and famine ravishing the land, and great beasts and terrors always lurking. Outsiders were seldom welcome, and survival was a constant struggle, even for those that found themselves within great stone walls.
To unite such a place was all but impossible. But the Great Hero did so. Travelling across the lands, the Arden preached his belief in uniting all for a greater cause. Unity was paramount to the survival of the many species that lived there, be it Human, Dwarf or Halfling.
Not everyone was in agreement with such a grande scheme, and many doubted the Great Hero's claims of being sent by a force outside of this world. To prove his claims, many would ask him to perform an impossible task. These would go on to be known as the Trials of Arden.
The Forest of Dalarn
The Dalarn Lowlands had once been its own individual state known as Dalarn, and indeed had its own Kings before the Kingdom of Arden was formed. The Great Hero approached the ruling King with his goal, but was quickly dismissed. After many days of discussion and debate, it was agreed the Great Hero would see to one task: he would go in to the vast woodland realm to the East of Dalarn and stop whatever it was that lurked in the forest.
Dalarn had fallen on hard times, and the resources of the forests to the East would see the state flourish. But all those that lived near the woods or entered were soon killed, the only evidence of what had done it was the masterfully crafted arrows found in bodies.
The Great Hero gladly accepted the challenge. Entering the forests alone, it was a full thirty days before he was seen again. He was not alone though, and a strange figure accompanied him. A Wood Elf by the name of Silverius had joined in the Great Hero's quest, and would become known across the land as one of the Companions of Arden. Travelling back to the King of Dalarn, the Great Hero shared his knowledge of the forest, and that of the The Wood Elves of Delastari. A pact was made that if the Wood Elves were left alone, so would they leave alone the people of Dalarn. The King was unhappy with this result, however, wanting the resources to bolster his power.
Many within the King's court disagreed, seeing the prevention of attacks on their lands as a good thing. Fearing the King would simply attack the Wood Elves to claim the resouces, the court rebelled against him, including his eldest son and heir. The King was soon removed from his throne, with his son taking his place and swearing Dalarn's allegiance to the Great Hero.
The Undead of Nelheim
Many journeys were taken across the northern part of Arden that would become Nelheim. Ruled by several Jarls, war and battle was common amongst the stubborn northern-folk. The Great Hero visited each of these Jarls in turn. It is in Nelheim that two Companions joined the Great Hero's quest: Hilda of Nelheim and Wulfstan. These two individuals were key players in getting the Jarls to agree in uniting.
It was the most powerful and influential Jarl of Clan Stiel that set forth a task for the Great Hero. It is said that before the Kingdom of Arden, the undead were rife in Nelheim, all created and under the command of a powerful Lich. The Great Hero and his Companions were tasked with ending the Liches' reign over the land. A great quest in itself, this task took many years of combating the Undead forces, and tracking down the Phylactery of the powerful being. The task was completed however, and the Jarls would join in forming the Kingdom of Arden.
The Marriage of Valgard
To the North-East of the Kingdom of Arden lies the Province known as the Valgard Highlands. Despite most of the lands suffering through hardships before the Kingdom, this area alone was beginning to flourish. Ruled by an elite class, the nation of Valgard had been united and several towns and a handful of villages enjoyed relative safety. When the Great Hero arrived however, he witnessed a vast imbalance in the people there. Those with power and wealth wanted for nothing, but those that served were little better than slaves.
When he met with the rulers, there was little that could be offered in return for their allegiance. However, stories had travelled, and the Valgard nobility sought to profit from what could be a new Kingdom in the making. A proposal was made: Valgard would unite with the Great Hero's cause and join his Kingdom, but he must swear that one of his future children will marry in to the Valgard nobility. The marriage arrangement was agreed, and Valgard would join.
The Tarrasque of Eastfold
To the east of the Minydenn Mountains lies a rough and rugged stretch of land, with very little soil fit for the cultivation of crops. Before the Kingdom of Arden and becoming the Province of Eastfold, only a few settlements existed here, and travel was all but impossible. When the Great Hero travelled this stretch of land, he discovered why. A terrible beast known as a Tarrasque roamed the land. A fifty-foot tall quadruped, with hide like armour and teeth that could slice through rock and metal and bone; entire settlements had fallen to the creatures hunger and wrath.
Learning this, the Great Hero made an oath to the few settlers of the east - he would slay the creature and free the land. Stories of this deed tell of months of tracking and travel, and of a fight that lasted for days with the Tarrasque. All accounts vary, but one detail remains the same. It was not the Great Hero himself that landed the final blow, but that of one of his Companions that had travelled with him on his ventures: a man by the name of Marik. With this deed, Marik would earn the title "Defender of the East", and later take up lands and found the town of Marikstead
The Dragon of Telmar
Regarded as the greatest feat of the Great Hero Arden is the freeing of the peoples of Telmar. This region was said to be ruled by a dragon known as Vastalion, whom demanded tribute of food from the towns and villages, which took the form of cattle. But if the quota was not made, a sacrifice of one of the residents was expected else the Dragons wrath would be turned against them all.
One of the may origin stories say that the Great Hero Arden came from this region, and it was this cruel way of living that started him on his quest. Only with the experience and combined might of the peoples across the land would he be able to best the Dragon.
From the tallest peaks of the mountains, to the coast of the The Sapphire Ocean, the Great Hero and his Companions fought Vastalion. The Champions eventually won, and the Dragon fell to the earth, its blood tainting the area. It is said that this became The Saltmarshes found within the Kingdom of Arden, and deep within this hostile location, the large skeletal remains of Vastalion can be found.
With the threat of the Dragon gone, the people rejoiced and willingly joined the Great Hero Arden.

The New Kingdom

With the peoples of the land all having sworn to follow the Great Hero Arden, it was not long before the Kingdom of Arden was soon founded. The The Standard Arden Calendar is measured from this date, with the birth of the Kingdom starting at 0 AF.
Being crowned as the first King of Arden, the Great Hero would go on to aid his people throughout his years, bringing law and peace to the land. The Provinces were officially declared, and lands given over to those that could be trusted to rule. The first Noble Houses helped govern the Kingdom along with a Royal Court, made up of the Great Hero's closest allies.
An ancient city found on the two largest rivers of the land was chosen to rule from, its central location being ideal for a Capitol City. In 47 AF, Ardenholt was officially declared as the seat of the King.
The Great Hero would go on to find a Queen and have many children - 4 sons and 3 daughters. Key alliances were arranged with the Nobility of the land via marriage, with the families of Marikson, Stiel, Beaumont and Warmour all being tied to the first King of Arden this way.
The Great Hero Arden would go on to live for many years - far more than a normal Human, which only went on to solidify his ties to the divine and the Holy Light. In 147 AF, the Great Hero is said to have died. However, even this is surrounded by legend. Some say he simply vanished, returning to the Holy Light. Others say he took a ship away from the Kingdom, to go and bring civilization to other parts of the world. Arden's Monument is the official resting place of the Great Hero, but few are allowed inside the vast catacombs within, and fewer still have ever ventured deep enough to determine if the Great Hero truly lies within.

Founded Settlements

• Ardenholt