Taland Kingdom
History
Only the God knows how long ago people started inhabiting the west coast of the continent. Mild climate, plenty of resources and territory made the first people thrive in this area. The oldest city Croostek (means "motherland" in old Common) soon enough after its foundation around 90s became the biggest on the coast. Green River became the central vein of the transportation into the eastern territories. First people on these lands called themselves Lants and in 150 years they inhabited the region from the coast to the valley of the river Aleda on east, Elven Woods to the north-east, Windy Flats to the north-west and Sunlands to the south.
Era of expansion (216-262). First king - Seok-the-Smart.
This fast growth in territory exploration some connect to the discovery of an ancient technology. Old Scrolls keep records of multiple ancient ruin discoveries, that left after the Vanished Civilization. Use of this technology was also connected to the successful suppression of forest elves in Messina area later in 244-250. It is believed that the first king of Lants - Seok-the-Smart (born in 180th) - was actually the person who found that technology and earned the power that made the rest of Lants bow before him. As of the year 216 he became a self-claimed monarch of the kingdom of Taland (means "Home of Lants" in old Common). Influence of Seok's huge family spread fast - cities that did not want to join the newborn kingdom were taken by power. After claiming the crown, Seok took last name Broogentant (means "Powerful ruler" in old Common) and started the first royal dynasty in Taland (Broogentant Royal Lineage of Taland ).
Baliptar was proclaimed the capital of the new kingdom as it was situated where Green River meets the ocean. In just 30 years it became bigger than Croostek (which also situated on the coast). Seok was a productive ruler and expanded the territories of Taland considerably.
Northbound expansion
In 230 his oldest son Kran started expansion to the north part of the coast but met a lot of resistance from barbarian tribes that lived there. Several villages were successfully taken in the area of Windy Flats but Taland did not have enough military force to continue further expansion. In 238-239th the Union of Northern Lords (Princely Lands of Brondan) was created and Kran Broogentant was forced to give up two villages and retrieve from some of the newly claimed territories. Fort Nord Eye (also known as Nord Eye Tower) was built there to observe the Windy Flats for possible attacks from brondans.
North-east expansion
While expansion to the north-west did not go far, technologies of Taland were rapidly improving. In 240 there was a breakthrough that helped to developed a new type of weapon, likely powered by magic, that gave it military advantage against elves that lived in north and north-east woods (historically called Messina woods, but no one remembers where did this name come from). Wood there was so plenty that it is became obvious that attaching these lands to the kingdom will make it very economically succesul and will supply wood for many and many new cities. In 244 Seok's son Tyleron led the freshly equipped forces right to the Messina Woods. As the result of "10-year forest war" Elves were pushed to the very edge of the continent - to the coldest and deepest woodlands. River Evellanta considered to be a geographical border between human and elven lands.
By the end of the "forest war" Seok was 74 year old and had his 5 sons ruling different parts of the country. On his 75th birthday (255th) he was murdered by unknown mercenary and his son prince Kran Broogentant (born in 216th) became the next king of Taland.
Eastbound expansion
His brother prince Giron (born in 220th) was governing the east most city of the Taland - Mayhon (means "Greenhill" in old Common). His father's dream was to expand the lands of the kingdom even farther to the east but only after king Seok's death Giron finally had courage to cross the mountain ridge and, unfortunatelly, disappeared. Up until 306th despite of its resources and beauty this area remained poorly governed and structured. The Grey Mountain Ridge remained the east most border of the kingdom.
Temperate forests with its long wild rivers to the south-east were quite a challenge to conquer for Taland people. Many attempts to claim these lands were unsuccessful due to unknown reasons. Legends speak of cursed ruins, deadly monsters, native cannibal tribes and mysterious network of caves. Therefore river Aleda considered to be the south-east border of the kingdom with three towns aligned along the river - Midele, Brita and Tala - named after three sisters that sacrificed themselves for the first settlers to survive.
Southbound expansion
During period of fast growth of the kingdom south and south-west borders expanded greatly. The coastline was claimed by Taland down to the Speaking Rocks, which considered to be very hard to cultivate and make it habitable. It was discovered that dry lands are inhabited by nomadic tribes and are not very good for agriculture.
Expansion farther to the south was limited by the border with Gvedaria (Hvedda in southern native language). Gvedaria was friendly country to its northern neighbors and for hundreds years established successful trade with Taland.
Era of development (262-304)
King Kran died in 262 from unknown disease. There were a lot of conspiracy about his death. It was rumored that his younger brother prince Tyleron wanted to take his place so badly that he sent a pie made of poisonous berries to his brother. True or not, but prince Tyleron (born in 218th) as the oldest brother of the family, became a king in the end of 262th.
But there was a problem. He was controlling the area of Messina woods which was quite far away from the capital. He was afraid that if he leaves the area and moves to the Baliptar to take the throne he will loose the loyalty of Messina people. Moving a capital to the woods was not even a question. Under pressure of his royal duties he made a decision to leave Messina region under supervision of his younger brother Midus (born in 223th) in Silstan (largest city in Messina area).
At the beginning of his ruling Tyleron established a trade route over the Grey Mountain Ridge with Stoneheaven . This was a big achievement for the kingdom's economy.
Despite some new improvements in economy and infrastructure Taland accumulated many problems. After the technological breakthough in 240th it was found that not every solder can use magical weapon. Nevertheless the use of the technology should be regulated as in wrong hands it could be a threat to the kingdom integrity. Here and there case of misuse of the new weapon were reported, despite king Tyleron attempts to keep the technology safe. Failures of six expensive expeditions that were sent over the ocean created a need for shipbuilding improvement. Inefficient tax system, stagnation in technology development and religion-based conflicts between east and west and huge need of manpower for building roads and new cities created a lot of pressure on Broogentant royal family. Kingdom needed reformations, and in 283th king Tyleron created new code of laws that implied changes in internal trades between regions (or feuds), tax reform and work obligations for poor.
New reform could not fix every issue and also created more tensions between Messina area and the rest of the kingdom. In 284th Tyleron's wife queen Lila died and the king became very depressed. Last year of his rule he barely participated in the kingdom's politics and died in 285th. Prince Midus took the crown after him as the oldest in the family. However, his ruling did not last long.
In 291th king Midus, his wife and all 4 children were killed by the accident during the annual Royal Games Show (roof fell on them). Again, conspiracy theories spoke of organized murder. Year 291th called in Taland history "year of chaos". Prince Leon (last Seok's son) died in 270th so the oldest male descendant of Broogentant family would be prince Pion - Kran's son (born in 232th).
Crowned in 292th king Pion made a few improvements in Taland. Under his rule development in technology, transportation and agriculture were made. With improved transportation developing of south-eastern region began. New trade routs with Gvedaria and Shefrima were established. Such southern cities as Cleo and Panand doubled their economic success.
Same time it made Messina area richer, while loyalty to the crown decreased even further. King Pion died in 300th leaving behind the beginning of civil war.
Era of decay (305-
At the start of 300th Taland obtained huge territories. Some of them thrived and developed quickly - cities grew fast, resources were plenty. Others - had harder times.
Next king - Seok II, Tyleron's oldest son (born in 241th) inherited very tense relationships between Messina people and the crown and he tried to use force to handle it. Unfortunately, it made things even worse and after 4-year-long military conflict in 304th Messina declared independence. Seok II health quickly declined after that, and he died in 305th. Next monarch, Bareon - the youngest son of Tyleron was crowned in 306th. He was born in 252th as was prince Giron II, the only son of prince Giron I who disappeared in Grey Mountains 50 years ago. With the crisis that came with independence of Messina , another internal tension started to develop - race for the crown. Even technically king Bareon was 2 months older that his cousin, Giron II started spreading gossips that Bareon was a half-elf bastard and is not a legitimate ruler. Up until Girons II death in 325th there were constant conflicts and civil disturbances inside the kingdom, but king Bareon managed to keep his royal status. He died in the age of 106 in 358th - his longevity was supporting rumors about his elven blood. During his ruling Bareon suppresed multiple rebellions against the royal authority.
Economy of the southern part of the country was now relying on trade with Shefrima and Gvedaria. When the Southern Crisis started, it touched Taland too. Now without Messina woods and decline of trade with Sunland countries Taland needed a strong and talented monarch who would make the kingdom great again.
King Bareon's oldest son prince Natus (born in 285th) was crowned next day after his father death. To straighten relationships with southern countries he took princess Kalaya as his wife. This helped to bring more gold to the country but Natus was the one, who would rather build himself a new royal palace than address issues with technological progress, infrastructure and others. While he was enjoying life with his luxury residence in the beautiful warm coastal city Immara, plague stroke the east-most region of the kingdom in 373th.
No one knows exact source of the plague but it started spreading in the farmland area nearby lake Blue Flower. Disease took thousands of people and livestock around the kingdom. Shortly after the spread of plague, hunger followed. People of Taland were furious about king Natus' inaction and a wave of rebellion started growing. In 375th his residence in Immara was sieged. The city guards were unable to fight off the angry citizens for three days and king Natus was captured and dethroned. This event in history was called "Bloody three-day." Instead of killing ex-monarch instantly rebells hid and locked him down in a barn with infected cows to make him suffer from the plague that he ignored. His plague-mutilated body was found a week later behind the city walls. His wife queen Kalaya managed to escape the catastrophe, while his younger brother prince Darek was killed during the "Bloody three-day".
The question - who become the next king - was open, as Natus's siblings Swana and Hord were too afraid to repeat his brother's fate and prince Hord refused to take the crown.
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