Welcome.

[King Aedan]

A few notes, before we launch into our history. This is a fantasy RP because it's alternate-world, but you can safely assume it isn't very alternate. There are no races other than human, and no magical powers other than those the superstitious believe in. There is, however, plenty of drama...

The History:

The northern kingdom of Scalia was expanding, but doing so to the detriment of its people, who were milked dry by taxes. One hotheaded soldier, Sir Aelfric Kilgour, took matters into his own hands when he was sent to the island of Thiasa to subdue the natives. The charismatic leader stole away with troops at his command--some 10,000 men in total. More would join him, and Scalia, now sunk in civil war, could do nothing to stop him from breaking off from the rest. Once in Thiasa, he quickly won the only Scalian on the island, Lord Heaton, over to his side, and their collected forces drove the unprepared barbarians swiftly to the south.

The barbarians, or Baskar, as they called themselves, had only bronze weapons, which could not stand up to the steel of the Scalians. Besides, they were split into two warring tribes whose internal strife over a religious conflict made it hard for them to work together. After ten years of bloody battle and great loss of Baskari life, they reached the cincture, as they called it--the place in the middle of the island where it narrowed slightly. At the western side of the island a natural border was demarcated by the Oran River, and it was here that they drew a line in the sand. With the island split down the middle, the Thiasans stationed troops at the border and settled down to an uneasy peace, while behind the borders both the Baskar and the Thiasans prepared for another clash: the Baskar to take back what had been rent from them and the Thiasans to finish the conquest they had begun.

In time, the old King Aelfric died, leaving his 25-year-old eldest son, Aedan to rule. Now 30, the young king wishes to complete his father's work and seize all of the island for himself, establishing a true kingdom at last. Altogether, 25 years have passed since King Aelfric first began his campaign in Thiasa.

But at the same time, the two tribes of the Baskar have reached a truce, and they now prepare to turn on the Thiasans, expelling them from their lands once and for all... and the king, while he is sure the Thiasans will prevail over the barbarians, still has no wife or heir.

Who will prevail?

[King Aedan]

The Timeline

(M.E. = Modern Era)

0 M.E. King Ignatius I of Scalia ascends to the throne, bringing in the era of Scalian Independence from the far-reaching Camarian Empire.

12 M.E. Camarian Empire falls; the seat of Catholicism shifts from Camaria to Roma, which lies in Northern Scalia.

30 M.E. King Cassius seizes the Scalian throne after murdering Ignatius at a dinner party. The Papal Army moves against him; Scalia is seized with its first civil war.

40 M.E. Scalian Civil War ends with King Cassius victorious; the Pope dies, and he appoints a new one. Riots in the streets of Roma.

46 M.E. Pope Innocent VI assassinated. Pope Clement X ascends.

52 M.E. King Cassius assassinated. The new country of Scalia tears itself apart as barons fight over who will succeed him. The Second Scalian Civil War erupts.

108 M.E. After a long, bloody war, Scalia settles into a loose collection of baronies, with no central power save the Pope.

139 M.E. The Church begins an official Inquisition to root out Jews and pagan practices in the countryside. Economic collapse ensues.

151 M.E. Uprising against the Church. The Papal Army puts down the riots of the citizenry, but power shifts from religious to civil authorities.

173 M.E. Arabian Mohammedans invade. The baronies unite under a temporary Commander in Chief to drive them out. The Arabian War ensues.

189 M.E. End of the Arabian War; Scalia succeeds in driving out the Arabians. All remaining Mohammedans are prosecuted and required to convert, or killed.

190 M.E. During this time of renewed prosperity and confidence, former Commander in Chief Hadrian Ammadan declares himself king. His family reigns for four generations.

270 M.E. King Hadrian V finds his kingdom subject to series of bad harvests. The baronies declare their independence. He attempts to flee the country, but is stopped before he can reach the Northern kingdom of Duain.

279 M.E. King Hadrian's son returns from his self-imposed exile in the countryside to take his place as King of Scalia once again. He manages to unite the country with the promise of rich conquests to the West, where there lie 'barbarian' lands (not Baskar, but Northern barbarians, chiefly Vikings and Celts).

281 M.E. Lord Hebert Heaton establishes the first Thiasan colony; the tradition of naming such colonies fiefdoms rather than baronies is established. Jurisdiction of a fiefdom does not extend over nearby towns as is the case with baronies--only the town enclosed within its walls is part of the fiefdom proper.

283 M.E. The first Thiasan mines are established, exporting gold and iron to Scalia. First skirmishes with the Baskar.

283 M.E. King Hadrian VII born.

284 M.E. First Catholic Mission to convert the Baskar is established.

285 M.E. Baronies rebel against King Hadrian VI. The Third Scalian Civil War breaks out, with the Pope taking the side of the baronies. King Hadrian marches on Roma and is excommunicated, along with his children.

286 M.E. First Catholic Missionary in Thiasa is killed by the Baskar. Further skirmishes.

288 M.E. Aedan Kilgour is born.

289 M.E. Sir Aelfric Kilgour seizes control of troops despite his low rank, and leads them from Western Scalia across the channel to Thiasa. He persuades the new Lord Bertram Heaton to aid him in his campaign against the barbarians. He declares himself King of Thiasa.

290 M.E. Barbarian Wars begin.

292 M.E. Cliona Kilgour born.

294 M.E. Fergus Kilgour born.

297 M.E. Erin Kilgour born.

299 M.E. King Hadrian VI dies; young King Hadrian VII (then 16) inherits a riven and tumultuous kingdom. Further rebellions against the new king.

305 M.E. Barbarian Wars end in stalemate, a line drawn across the middle of the island separating Thiasan land from Baskar Lands. King Aelfric I begins the ten-year process of creating his kingdom and builds Thiasa Keep. A series of good harvests aid in prosperity, and continuing trade with Scalia allows the economy to flourish.

313 M.E. King Aelfric I dies. King Aedan I ascends to the throne and begins planning for war.

318 M.E. Present Day.