The Provincial Rebellions

Early in its history, the The Kingdom of Arden faced a period that almost smothered the country before it could flourish. Over the course nearly a hundred years, turmoil struck the realm as varying factions vied for the upmost position; the throne itself. Known as the Provincial Rebellions, historians now look back at these dark times as a blemish on the early days of the Kingdom.

The Great Hero's Heir

In the year 147 AF, The Great Hero Arden, the first King, comes to the end of his reign. The circumstances that surround this event still remain a mystery, but it is widely agreed that old age finally caught up to the monarch. Before his end, the Great Hero left a ruling; his first-born son would inherit the crown. And thus, King Andreas the First is crowned.
Upon his ascension to the throne, there is an immediate unrest in the noble houses of the land. Whispers come from both the Valgard Highlands and Dalarn Lowlands, both independent states governed by their own Kings before the rise of the Great Hero. Secret meetings against the Crown and the new King are held arccos the realm, and dissent is soon spread.
In the year 149 AF, the first challenge to King Andreas' authority is openly expressed, and the seeds of rebellion sown.

Turmoil and Upheaval

Grievances over taxation and governance come chiefly from Valgard and Dalarn, and it is not long before these two Provinces declare independence. Widespread civil unrest breaks out, with the authority of the Royal Court in Ardenholt being challenged.
In the year 173 AF, disaster comes at the most inopportune moment. King Andreas I meets his end in a tragic hunting accident. Rumours quickly circulate that this was orchestrated by the rebellious nobles of Valgard, and the position of the throne is destabilised further.
The crown is passed on to Andreas' eldest son, crowned King Aethal. Immediately, the new King dispatches envoys to negotiate with the rebel Nobles, seeking a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Despite his best efforts, the calls for peace and unity fall on deaf ears. Chief amongst the demands of the rebel Provinces was greater autonomy, with ties to central governance being decreased.
King Aethal's reign is cut short by an unexpected illness that befell him during a royal banquet. Despite the proclamation that this was of natural causes, poison is never truly ruled out, with deep mistrust being spread amongst the Royal Court.

The Escalating Conflict

Aethal had two sons at the time of his death; Arturus and Averadus. Younger and less experienced than the King's that predated them, the first in line was Arturus, who is crowned in the year 187 AF. Taking a more rash course of action, King Arturus attempts to quell the rebellion through military campaigns. Skirmishes break out across the land.
The conflict never quite reaches all-out civil war, but the fighting is still fierce. Internal spies in the Royal Court lead to a series of defeats for the Crown, with the King's efforts to regain control faltering.
After only 6 years on the throne, King Arturus' reign comes to an end in 193 AF. A conspiracy is orchestrated and the King assassinated in his bedchamber. Confusion and discord quickly fall across the Royal Court as the perpetrators frame a loyal House for the murder.
With no heirs, Arturus' brother takes the throne and is crowned King Averadus. With a rage fuelled by the death of his brother, the King takes to the field amongst his men. Military expeditions lead to sieges and open war. Royal forces suffer heavy casualties in the bloodshed over several years. Eventually, King Averadus meets a tragic end on the battlefield, his reign coming to an end by spear and word in 202 AF.
Now with no direct heirs, the throne of Arden is left empty, and the Kingdom descends in to anarchy.

The Kingless Age

A period of time known as the Kingless Age lasts from the death of King Averadus in 202 AF until 247 AF. Political turmoil overtakes the realm as numerous contenders for the throne arise. Conflict between Noble Houses spurs on growing hostility and troops are mustered. Power struggle nearly rips the Kingdom of Arden apart, and several petty warlords and tyrants take claim to their own domains.
Several attempts to seize power happen across the decades, always seeming to be a resolution to this dark time. Each is thwarted as plots and schemes from opposing factions constantly undo any work that is done.
Those that aspire to the throne all meet an end n varying ways, most succumbing to the violence of battle, blade or poison. Others fade in to obscurity or are exiled, never to be seen or heard of in the Kingdom again.

Aelred's Ascension and the End of Rebellion

Of the factions vying for power in the Kingless Age, one appears to have a direct claim to the throne above the others. The House of Warmour, from Nelheim, traces its lineage back to before the coming of the Great Hero Arden. But within this, they can identify that their House was married to one of the Great Hero's daughters.
With this direct connection, the current head of the family, Aelred, sets out to claim what he values as his birthright. With a combination of cunning and manipulation, the Noble begins to undermine other claimants to the throne. Eschewing nobility and honour, it is thought that subterfuge, trickery and even blackmail wee employed to achieve such ends.
It is not long before Aelred is thought of as the true heir to the throne amongst most of the Provinces, and in the year 240 AF it is proclaimed that King Aelred is the rightful ruler of Arden. This does not stop the Provincial Rebellions immediately, and for 7 more years, the new King ruthlessly embarks on rooting out dissent within the kingdom.
Stability is restored to the Kingdom of Arden in the year 247 AF, as the Provincial Rebellions end. King Aelred rules for many years after, his reign characterized by an iron-fisted approach to governance, and ruthless pragmatism.

Start Date

149 AF

Ending Date

247 AF