The Kingdom of Giwen was a medium sized nation nestled between Arilaand, and the then fledgling Theozzian Empire. It was a fairly well off faction, with a powerful economy, and decent standing army. They were feudal, like most human factions, and relied on loyal Lords and their levies to maintain order, care for the locale, and pay taxes to the King.
History[]
Giwen was most known for its nobility - Lords that preferred to lead formations, rather than command from the rear. It was thought of as foolish by other factions nobility - but it could not be argued against that they were some of the most effective leaders and warriors encountered in human lands.
Giwen, despite its warrior-capable leadership, was a relatively peaceful kingdom. It had its problems and issues like all others - but all in all, a good place for most to live. Elves and Dwarves were not quite treated the same, but they weren't actively hunted, either. However, its borders were shared with two other Kingdoms, called Astegon and Leodour. As expected, times of war would come and go, as borders were disputed, and fought over.
These disputes would come to an end, however, when King Volkan Rhinnal demanded a treaty of non-aggression, after breaching both Kingdoms borders at the same time. After this show of force, and the immediate willingness to end conflict after an obvious victory that could have been pressed, both kingdoms agreed, and the disputes came to an end. This, although unknown at the time, signified the end of a period of warring, and turned into a generation of prosperity for Giwen and its neighbors. But alas, this newfound, lasting peace was not to last.
The Theozzian Invasion[]
About 24 years ago or so, The Empire began to stir. Word reached the kingdoms that the Theozzian Empire had gone to war with the far off elves and dwarves in the east. Expecting a swift defeat of this self important Empire, the news was disregarded.
After three years, it became clear that this was no upstart. The Theozzian Empire had absorbed the distant forests and mountains, claiming it as their own. By this time, refugees, elves who had once lived in those forests, dwarves who had once lived in those mountains, streamed across Giwen’s borders.
Horror filled stories of non-humans burned alive, entire House’s murdered and set ablaze, amidst other atrocities were reported. This horrified the nobles of Giwen, and the King himself convened with the powerful Houses of his nation. It was agreed upon quickly that if the Empire was truly able to quell both non-human races, and several provinces, they could very well be next.
As more and more tales of butchery reached their ears, Giwen prepared. Non-humans were allowed to volunteer into Lords levies. Fortifications, garrisons, and ambush routes were all planned in case of this invasion. In addition to this, King Rhinnal reached out to his fellow monarchs and brought this information forth. He made a strong case, and with that, the unthinkable happened.
An Alliance of 3 powerful Kingdoms was formed - known as “The Trinity of Liberation”. These Kingdoms promised to help the persecuted non-humans regain their lost homes, in return for original Empire land. Thusly being agreed, the alliance came to life. The next year was spent preparing the borders for an advance on the Empire before its armies could march back west. The alliance vastly underestimated the might and ability of the Theozzian Empire.
The Battle of Eternal Day[]
21 years ago from the current day, during the Battle of Eternal Day, it all fell apart. The Theozzian Empire crossed the entirety of their land with frightening speed. It was… a slaughter. Theozzian Cataphracts ripped through lines of allied troops. Never before had such powerful cavalry been fielded so far west - and the allies were woefully unprepared.
As the lines were broken, lines were quickly formed behind the Theozzian Empire cavalry - Heavy Imperial Infantry, clad in the finest plate, regimented and drilled by veteran soldiers of the eastern wars. With their superior weapons and armor, the Theozzian shock infantry had a massive advantage, and they cleaved into the already broken formations of run-down Giwen men. It was a brutal battle, proving the worth and excellence of State Troops drilled by their Elector Counts. With this, the shock infantry was able to easily pull back, making way for friendly riders to bring the battle to an end. The initial lines shattered, the Theozzians charged their Imperial Cavalry once more, signalling the route of the alliance's first battle at their own border. It would only get worse from here.
The Fall of Giwen[]
Over the next several months, the Trinity of Liberation would be defeated over and over, without mercy. Newly erected forts and walls were no match for Imperial might. Well drilled infantry shock troops, and heavy cavalry ruled the day. While the Lords of Giwen could hold their own in the field, it was not for long - as soon as the Cataphracts came into play, the lines would shatter. There was only ever one recorded instance of Theozzian cavalry being routed by Giwen nobility - and even then it cost them their entire infantry formation.
By the end of the year, the alliance was annihilated. There was little to no resistance, and by this time, the nobles of Giwen were being rounded up, and executed, or forced to bend the knee. Many lords refused, and thusly were burned alive for their transgression. Pockets of resistance popped up, as Lords of Giwen, seeing their fate, took up arms in the face of a staged peaceful transition. They did not last long, one falling after the other, as the legions of the Empire made their way to the capital of Giwen, Ardmont.
As the capital was seized, the Emperor himself came forth, commanding King Rhinnal to renounce his crown, and bend the knee, in exchange for his life. The King remained defiant, right up until he died, burning alive at the stake before the Emperor and former Lords. His family followed soon after, before the remnants of the nobility.
At this time, the last living heir of King Rhinnal, Egon, who was but a 6 year old child, was freed from captivity at great loss by a small loyal retinue of Lords and their men. After several long days being pursued by a force of highly trained Inquisitors, they agreed to split off - half going to make their stand, and the other to smuggle the young boy to Arilaand. To the anger and dismay of the Emperor, the lordling was not found amidst the corpses of the force he believed to have him in their possession. By the time this was realized - it was too late.
To this day, it is uncertain as to the fate of Egon Rhinnal, heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Giwen.