Kiern Vale Handbook
Chapter 4: Kern A-Thel – The lands of
house Kor-Om'thel
Prologue | Landscape and Important
Locations | Local Population | Recent History | Characters
Organizations | Background of Player Characters
|Expansions of Further
Information
|
Recent history and the current campaign setting The Reign of Lord Ar'thirion Lord
Ar'thirion Kor-Omthel ruled over Kern A-thel region for over fifty years. He
was known as a stern but just ruler, and was quite popular among the
commoners. His
reign began several years before the Grey Rose rebellion erupted, and ended
less than a decade ago. Ar'thirion was considered a very upright man, renowned
for how his commitment to justice occasionally led him to rule against of the
interests of his own dynasty. Among other things, he insisted on not
sentencing to death the former priestess who murdered his best friend
(Ra'tharon of House Relaren), as he found some of her accusations justified -
thereby sowing bad blood between his house and the rulers of the
"Sinking Lake" in the west, an enduring enmity that continues to
influence the politics of the entire valley to this day. At
least once, Lord Ar'thirion ruled against one of his younger brothers in a
dispute with a simple shepherd and imposed a heavy fine on him - an issue the
aggrieved brother never forgave. Ar'thirion maintained a cautious alliance
with the priestess Lintoriel from the Blue Court (and indirectly with her
husband, Lord Anzarion) – largely as a check for the ambitions of Lord
Avaril. Ar’thirion surrounded himself with tough and efficient individuals
like himself, including seasoned officers, scions of respected local
families, and men he raised from humbler origins on the basis of their
abilities and loyalty. Although
Lord Ar'thirion was proud of his dynasty’s connections to the noble house in
Orm'theril, he distanced himself greatly from the policies of its rulling
prince, and especially from the mystic Tirnephel and his strange theory about
malicious apelike creatures fornicating with humans to contaminate humanity
with impure blood.
Nearly
a decade ago, Lord Ar'thirion retired from his seat - shortly after
celebrating his 80th birthday. He retired to one of the ancient temples in
the heights of the Karansil mountains, where he effectively withdrew from the
world. The
lordship of Thel a-Kern passed to his only son, Marnelion (now 61), who had impatiently
awaited his ascension to the seat of power for many years. The new lord is a hot-tempered
man, much less patient than his father, and notably lacks his stern wisdom. Initially,
Marnelion tried to follow in his father's footsteps, relying on Ar'thirion's
seasoned officers and loyal friends; however, over time, his frustration grew
towards his father's men, who he felt had never truly respected him and saw
him merely as a poor substitute for his father. Thus,
Lord Marnellion gradually began to align with his three uncles - his father's
brothers: Dameron (81), Eramel (76), and Tolvis (74). The three uncles,
considered greedy and arrogant individuals, had been resentful for decades at
the way Ar'thirion kept them at an arm's length from power and disregarded
their opinions - including their desire to strengthen ties with the land of
Orm'theril, a land of magnificent cities, markets bursting with luxuries, whose
nobles live in palaces putting the estates of the Granite Courts to shame.
The uncles encouraged Lord Marnellion's to sideline his father's loyalists
and bring in advisors from Orm'theril who gradually changed the face of the Granite
Courtyard. Their influence changed more than the apparel and fashions of the
Granite Courtyard; they have introduced to this remote the teachings of the
mystic Tirnephel - now the most powerful figure in the Prince of Orm'theril's
court. While
Lord Marnelion himself still refrains from publicly embracing Tirnephel's
teachings - having publicly denounced the mystic as mad just a few years ago.
Nonetheless, the Lord now displays a growing forbearance towards those in his
court who have adopted these beliefs, zealous converts increasingly pressure
holdouts rejecting Tirnephel's doctrine. House Kor-Omthel shifts sides By
strengthening ties with Orm’theirl, the Lord made a political shift by
distancing himself from the faction led by High Priestess Lintoriel, which
favores the peace agreement between the Blue Reflection loyalists and the the
Grey Rose regent. Instead,
Lord Marnellion forged an alliance with Lord Avaril and others who oppose the
peace agreement, and zealously insist on restoring the En’mirian empire to
its former purity. Many veteran officers of the Granite Courtyard have been removed
from their positions; some left willingly, while otheres were forced to
leave, and some were reassigned to lesser roles. Today's
Granite Courtyard is far more lavish than it was years ago, with a
significant presence of individuals from Orm'theril. However, the castle and
many of its residents are far more suspicious, and the whole place is far
more dangerous for those who cannot guard their tongues. The
three uncles, although two of them do not reside in the area (living in their
own territories to the west, on the hills of Drarun), have become very
powerful, fiercely protective of their honor and newly established rights. It
is highly dangerous to provoke their wrath, especially given their unofficial
alliance with the castle's garrison commander. |
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