The History of The Kingdom of Balian

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The History of The Kingdom of Balian

13th Sigismund’s End  73B.A

 

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The Following is an essay recapping the histories of the Kingdom of Balian up to the year of 73 B.A by Princess Sibyl Gwyneth as part of her ongoing studies.

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The nation of Balian is one of an extremely storied history, emerging from strife and building itself into a renewed Grand Duchy, only to become a Kingdom in time and grow to a geopolitical force to be reckoned with. Having only existed and steadily grown for little over seven decades, one would be mistaken for thinking Balian has few tales to tell but this is far from the truth, having experienced wars, attacks by an undead dragon and the ending of a continent as well as much development.  

To start a story of a nation with its founding would be foolish, as truthfully that is not when the nation begins. Balian finds its origins from the Brother’s War of the Holy Orenian Emperor. Two opposing sides between the loyalist side of Peter ‘the Bald’ the firstborn of Phillip III ‘Patricidia’ and the rebelling side of Frederick ‘Fratricidia’. The war was a bloody and violent one, friends turning on one another and families falling into discourse over who was the true heir. After several fights, the two sides came face to face at the gates of New Providence, clashing blades as many lives were lost in the battle. As it came to a close, it would be obvious that the loyalist had lost, and as such the Prince of Oren and Uncle to Peter ‘the Bald’, John Casimir took the lead of the displaced people, and decided to head to the southern continent of Almaris. 

Following the fabled constellation of Saint Lothar, the resilient Prince had across a red mountain within the later-titled Lotharene Desert, it was upon this mountain where the diaspora would find a new home. As he stood below the star of Saint Lother, he would place down his armour and plant his sword into the rock atop the mountain, declaring the land, the Grand Duchy of Balian. Building both a new city, known as Atrus, and his chambers of his founding members. The first chambers consisted of Leopold Alstion. Jarad Munnel, Peter d’Arkent, Ledicort Vuiller, Viktor Darkwood and Constantine Malenos, these people would, along with Prince John, be known as the founding fathers of Balian. Forming the new realm as a Grand Duchy, the former Prince would become known as Grand Duke John I. 

The formation of the realm would go rather well, sustaining a strong beginning for the nation, finding close allies with the nation of Norland and other members of the south, as the leaders brokered peace within the aggressions of the south before forming the Pact of the Southern Winds. These pacts would soon come in handy as the nation was assaulted by the Naasifah Confederacy. A force of people considered native to the southern lands, the Confederacy viewed the upstart nation as threats to their own lands. With their allies in Norland and Hyspia, the Grand Duchy would combat their adversaries on their several attacks of both Balian and Norland. While no counter-assaults were ever made, the defence of the Grand Duchy had essentially destroyed the confidence of Confederacy’s army leading to them leaving the surrounding area, to find a new home elsewhere. Once more the Grand Duchy would be at peace.

As the nation further improved their diplomatic relationships, Grand Duke John and his new Seneschal Rev Vuiller would set about assuring that Balian was improving in all forms of possible, creating new jobs, areas and raising the standard of living for all within the nation. With this came the eventual ability to expand the nation’s borders as expeditions were made to take land for the nation, on which the Viscounty of Darkwood would become the first nobles to settle, creating a large fort that would later become very important. With the expansion, the canonist church finally recognised the efforts of the nation and opted to offer coronation to the Grand Duke, allowing him to become King John I of the Kingdom of Balian. With this, the varied detractors of the nation would be silenced as it had finally proven that it was worthy of such a high rank.

While Balian ascended to the status of Kingdom, their allies began to experience tensions with the Orcish nation of Krugmar. After several escalations, and the expression of wishing to launch a war, Urguan and Haense would invite Balian to join the Tripartite Accord. Together the Tripartite would put pressure on the orcs, until the Kingdom of Oren would eventually involve themselves in the conflict. A constant opposing force since the end of the Brother’s War, the Balianese saw this as an opportunity to finally enact vengeance against the nation. However, Oren would quickly back out of the war, causing the Tripartite to win, as Oren fell into open rebellion as it was overthrown to become the Harvest Confederacy, the Balianese succeeding past those who had taken their home from them. 

During the next following years of the Kingdom, Balian would manage to situate many of its peers, with their own lands, where they would craft villas, castles and in some cases small villages for their family. This expansion ushered in a new for the nation as Rev Vuiller would die, leaving his son Ledicort Vuiller to become the new Seneschal of Balian. He would immediately bring about structural reform in the abandoning of tax exemption statuses, rewriting of his old legal code, definition of peerages and separation of executive and legislative bodies of the nation. However soon after these changes, the Acreans of the Harvest confederacy would launch a raid in order to kill Baron of Castelorena, Lucius Galbraith. With the calling of various allied nations, the Seneschal and Crown Prince would see to it that the perpetrators were either slayed or captured. Judging that the leaders should be spared to undergo less swift punishment rather than death, Alexander would begin a long history of being just. Soon after this had occurred, Balian would join Haense and a few other nations as they judged that Petra would secede and a new leader would be elected for the confederacy, which would lead to formation of Aaun and the new Alstion dynasty. 

Soon finding a strong alliance with the new Archduchy of Petra, King John would have his son Constantine marry the Archduchess to enshrine the nation’s bond. As Balian gained alliance with not only the new Petran realm, they would also find themselves in a strong alliance with the Haelun’orians who had also opted to move south as the Balianese had previously done. The growing hegemony and strong alliance with the southern nations had birthed a new title for Balian, soon being considered ‘The Protector of the South’. This title would soon come to be tested as the goblin nation of Un’Satum also formed within the south, a nation that quickly became hostile to the strong human nation. Trying to convince the Kingdom’s allies to turn against them with little luck, the goblins would quickly set about raiding the Kingdom infrequently. However while this continued through the years, little came of it, Un’Satum soon disappearing into obscurity. 

As Balian grew to a point where all their peers were settled and their diplomacy, lands and even capital had expanded substantially. The nation had began to flourish within the desolate lands of the south, strongly holding onto its titles. However, as it had managed to maintain its own peace, it would soon become apparent that such was not happening within the north, amongst their fellow human nations. Haense and especially Petra had begun to experience turbulence with their Aaunic neighbours, and war seemed as though it was upon the horizon. There would be few and far between encounters between the sides that had formed, but the Balianese would find themselves involved within the conflict. At a meeting that would ultimately resolve the conflict, the nations would air out their grievances and come to mutual understandings that allowed for them to be at peace once more. 

Thirty three years after he had found the nation, King John I ‘The Founder’ fell bedridden, and despite his best efforts to govern his nation with his chambers in this time, the man would soon succumb to his illness and die, leaving a legacy of persistence and strength. Within very little time, his son King Alexander I would be crowned and placed upon the throne of Balian, to the applause of his still mourning populace. Alexander and his wife Yelena would soon work quickly to revitalise both the nation’s governance and courts, leading to a big uptake in the varied aspects of the Kingdom’s jobs. Within little to no time, Alexander had established that he was a capable leader, working with his chamber to expand their diplomacy, borders and most importantly their culture.

Some years after taking his throne, and as his son and heir, Hadrian came to be older, Alexander would receive a letter from the throne of Ba’as. Using a member of their governance, Sarson Halgrim, the envoy of Ba’as would meet with Ledicort Vuiller. While the meeting was not long at all, it was most definitely productive, prompting three major results: the promise of Hadrian to marry Princess Andromeda of Ba’as, a Lothar tablet for translation and aid in reforming the nation’s chambers. The result of the latter was the reformation of the executive into the Duana, with the Seneschal now taking the title of Amiratus as the leader. This change allowed the Duana to be far more transparent and efficient than it was before, and marked the first of several Rhenyari influences upon the nation's development.

While the nation's new developments seem to improve many aspects of the nation, it was something that was soon followed by a great sense of doom looming over the flourishing nation. Soon, via a benevolent Bronze Elf named Luthriel, the information of an undead necrotic dragon named Cloudbreaker, who was headed with hordes of undead to the city of Atrus in an attempt to destroy it. Wasting no time upon learning this information, Ledicort would have already amassed alchemical weapons before returning to Balian to inform the King and Duana. Thus, the King, Ledicort and Legate Princess Persephone Maxima would set about attempting to rally Almaris to aid their defence, spending hours upon hours in such discussion. The walls grew, the armoury gained weapons that would be considered both rare and impressive from the Kervallen alchemists and the varied realms would pledge their aid. With both a Paladin and Druidic superweapon now placed in their lands and Almaris united in a singular goal, a meeting would be held amongst the world leaders to discuss the upcoming battle, organised by Princess Lydia Antheia and Ledicort Vuiller. Such designated varied armies in different places of the city for defence, and most importantly created the Atrus Covenant. This was a pact that placed almost all nations within a pact that would ensure descendant-kind would fight Ibleesian forces. Balian had now prepared a strong defence, and just in time, as it would now be tested.

Darkness soon came over Atrus as the continent prepared for the oncoming siege. Reports of several armies of undead within the region began to prop up as weapons were loaded and barricades were reinforced. The well over hundred and fifty thousand man force split up into four groups. Three equal sized forces were made, one to defend the front gate, one the back wall and another to fight the incursion at the canyon while a smaller fourth group would take to adventuring to a phylactory rumoured to be in Petran lands, that should kill the dragon once destroyed. As the battle commenced, the arablests would fire upon the dragon, taking it down several times, only for it to once more revive. The defenders upon the wall fought bloody battles, ultimately coming down from the wall to engage in melee combat against the dragon as the canyon warriors were successful in their combatting of their enemies. However, as Koko Mama, the druidic tree and the paladin’s sunbreak failed to defeat the necrotic horror, cloudbreaker would soon unleash torrents of horrific fire upon the city, destroying everything in its path. As the defenders ventured underground to escape, a miracle would occur, the adventurers had found success, ending the dragon’s life as it fell down outside the city. While they sought to confirm the kill, the descendants would find themselves faced with a horrendous worm, who would soon disappear, burying itself as an omen for what was to come. 

Remaining in the confines of Castel Renduzzo, the Darkwood fort, as the new city was built, the Balianese would by no means struggle to retain their persistence. All too familiar with the struggles of the world, the nation would rebuild their city, bright and more beautiful than it had been beforehand. However, as seemed to remain a permanent fact, this peace would not last long as a rebellion within their strong Aaunic ally’s  land would demand the interest of the Crown. Swiftly offering aid to their allies, the Balianese would soon come to form the Canonist League with the Kingdoms Haense and Aaun and later Petra due to the evidence of draconic taint within the rebellious Adria. For King Alexander, there was truly only one goal, the dream of Pax Humanis, the ideal that humanity could be united in the maintenance of peace. Seeing the Canonist League as a step towards this ultimate goal, Alexander would become the most outspoken advocate for the organisation as the Adrians seceded and the war became more of a slow burner. 

The aforementioned Lothar Tablets soon became of more importance as the nation sent expeditionary forces to the Pirate controlled area known only as ‘Old Balian’. The Company led forces would uncover more of the tablets akin to the one given by Sarson and another under Atrus, which would be given to the academic force of Cardinal Teodosio Tyria, Princess Royal Elena Casimira and Amiratus Ledicort Vuiller. The combined effort would lead to the discovery of the Old Balthalite Imperial Culture, the predecessor of both Ba’as and the Kingdom of Balian, such would be used to influence the further development of Balianese culture as it is known today. During this period of development, the Princess Royal would find herself victim to accosting by the security of the Prideful Countess of Darkwood, leading to a dilemma for the King. While many would have found themselves eager to enact harsh punishment for such treatment of their children, the King once more proved his just attitude by merely enacting a demotion.

In addition to the Canonist, along with his new Amiratus Gaius var Ruthern, Alexander would form the Sol Entente, a new pact with Krugmar, Haelun’or and Amathine, as well as Nor’Asath later, to expand the friendships of the nation. The reign of Alexander would soon come to an end a few years after Gaius took the role of Amiratus and worked with Magister Robyn de Lyons to create a new set of laws. King Alexander I ‘the Just’ mere hours after the birth of his first grandchild, his grand heir Crown Princess Johanna, would pass of illness in his bedchamber within the Palatio Monterosa. Opting to take the Regal name Adrian, the new King would, just as his father had, establish his strength quickly through varied edicts. Unlike many canonist princes, both contemporary and of old, Adrian found himself as an accomplished alchemist, capable of crafting impressive items from such a practice. This is something he would come to be known for, using it both to aid the people of his Kingdom and also as gifts to those he viewed as having contributed much to the nation and deserving of such gifts. 

King Adrian’s reign, much as his predecessors, would come under stress as the Mori’Quessir would begin to plague the lands of Almaris. A force to be reckoned with, the Mori had garnered an army stronger than anything Almaris could have foreseen, as they slowly but surely took down all the realms of the continent. Soon the Kingdom would fall, a flesh worm attacking the nation as it was engulfed in a sandstorm. The descendants of Almaris would find themselves concentrated in the ruins of Savoy as they prepared a final stand against their new enemies. However, they would not succeed, managing to escape via a tunnel that the Mori had lived in. Spending a few years within the tunnels, the new continent of Aevos would soon be discovered on which the Balianese would once more be able to settle. King Adrian would, with his Duana and populace by his side, oversee the creation of Portoregne, the new capital city. Designed by Head Architect Guillermo Rutledge, this city would be luscious and grand, situated in the southern tropics of the new continent, a perfect home for the people of Balian. 

Quickly getting back to work upon this new continent, King Alexander and Amiratus var Ruthern would be instrumental in the innumerable meetings that would be held between the Canonist League and the Duchy of Adria. While raids and combat were still commonplace, it would soon begin to die down as the sides declared a ceasefire in order to come to an agreement of peace. While it took several years for such to come to fruition, it eventually would work out as the sides eventually side a peace treaty that resolved their issues with one another, once more allowing canondom to return to a sense of peace despite tensions still remaining and flaring up from time to time. 

With Aevos at peace and a new home for their people, the Kingdom’s leaders would soon begin to look inward once more, in order to improve their standard of living. Creating the Segnoria and City Charter as legislative bodies for both the nobility and commoners respectively, the participation of citizens in the running of the nation would grow further, a sight that was increasingly rare in modern nations. To complement this, with the appointment of Dante deNurem as the head of the nation’s army, the Company would be greatly reformed. Due to the new seafaring capabilities of the coastal Kingdom, Dante would see it fit to found the Royal Balianese Armada. While the Armada maintained its ability to fight upon the land, they sought to expand their naval abilities further in order to accommodate the new land they found themselves living in. This change greatly attracted both current citizens of Balian and new immigrants to the nation as people sought new challenges upon the waves of the southern sea. Such changes would grow Balian into a new age, one in which they prospered like never before, academic, cultural and structural developments accommodating the mass immigration to the lands.

In the streets of Portoregne, the tenacious adventurer spirit of Crown Princess Johanna would be seen vividly as she paced the streets with her pet Panda, sisters Princess Sibyl and Eirene and various friends. The young Crown Princess would take several adventures with her group known as ‘The Company of the Comet’, finding themselves in all manner of places as they discovered the new lands of Aevos. However, it would be this great spirit of Johanna that would become her undoing. On a fateful boat trip off the coast of Balian to find some islands for exploration, she would not be seen returning, later only the wreckage of the ship she had taken would be found by the King and his Armada. Soon the funeral would be held, with the Royal Family and nation devastated by the loss of such a beloved member. Prince Alexander Casimir would be announced as heir to the Kingdom, but the nation would not soon recover from such a loss.

The Modern Era of the Kingdom of Balian has been dutifully led by King Adrian I and until more recently Amiratus Gaius var Ruthern. Within the southern tropics several nations would find themselves clustered together, a matter that has prior led to wars for land, however preempting this, the King, Amiratus and Legate Elena Casimira would call for a meeting of the nations to sort the matter out. During this meeting, the Sol Entente and other Southern nations including the Vale of Nevaehlan would find themselves able to agree on border expansions in a manner that would allow for peace to be maintained in the tropic region. Riding off of this victory, Gaius var Ruthern would, as a final act, reorganise the City Charter into a progressive and revolutionary form of government, the Commune. The Commune is a legislative that was based off the theories and ideals of a direct democracy, allowing for all citizens of Balian to have their say in the running of the ever developing nation. 

Despite being born out of the strife of a turbulent Civil War and living through several wars from both descendants and supernatural forces, Balian has stood the test of time as all strong nations must. As the Kingdom continues to grow and develop, it will undergo several more difficulties, however the Balianese spirit is one of defiance and resilience, so the nation will always continue to weather through it.

Signed,

Her Royal Highness, Princess Sibyl Gwyneth Novellen d’Atrus, Princess of Balian, Countess of Senna.

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Rhys reads over the newest publishing with a frown, saddened that Grimhildr didn't make it into the books.