Wesnoth

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Kingdom of Wesnoth

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The capital of Wesnoth, Weldyn, on a map of the Great Continent.
Races Humans


The Kingdom of Wesnoth was a human kingdom on the Great Continent. It was founded by King Haldric I, and suffered numerous invasions by orcs and undead over the course of its existence, as well as a civil war. After a failed attempt to raise a third sun into the sky, the capital was destroyed and the kingdom was torn apart by civil conflict.

History

Founding

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A Wesnothian fortress in the summer.
The word 'Wesfolk' is from your old tongue. It means 'People of the West'. The elves call us the people of the west-north. Under the same old tongue that would be 'Wes Noth'. So I suggest that the new kingdom be called 'Wesnoth', in honor of our old home.
—Lady Jessene suggests the name of the Kingdom of Wesnoth.

The Kingdom of Wesnoth consisted of plains to the north and south of the Great River, as well as the hills to the south of the Great River. The land originally belonged to the elves, but during negotations, it was given to Prince Haldric from the Green Isle for his refugees to settle in.[1] After engaging in subterfuge against the elves,[2] routing orcish and undead forces belonging to the Lich-Lord Jevyan, and scattering the orcish forces,[3] Prince Haldric brought his most loyal followers together and discussed their new homeland. Realizing that now owning land, Prince Haldric became King Haldric I, and pondered over what to name his kingdom. Lady Jessene, his companion, suggested that they draw on the etymology of the words 'Wesfolk' and 'Wes Noth' to create the name 'Wesnoth'. It was thus that the kingdom was named, populated by Haldric's people and the Wesfolk.[4]

After Haldric I and Jessene married, their miscegenation inspired their people to do likewise, resulting in their two ethnic groups merging.[4] The subterfuge that Haldric I had engaged in meant that the orcs on the Green Isle believed that the elves now possessed the Ruby of Fire, a valuable and coveted artifact.[2] Despite this, Wesnoth initially upheld its agreement with the elves by helping defeat the last of the orcs on the island. He also planned to build towns throughout the land, and to establish the capital itself inland.[4]

Early invasions

Friends, today we have won a great victory, though it lost us good men. Let this be the beginning of a new alliance between our people.
—King Haldric II congratulates the elves on their combined victory at Tath.

The first notable invasion of Wesnoth came when one of its earliest settlements, the coastal city of Elensefar, was attacked by a swarm of drakes from Morogor. The drakes killed and ate the people of Elensefar, but chose to migrate elsewhere and avoid further provoking the humans.[5] In due course, Wesnoth later reclaimed the city.[6]

When orcs began to harass the elves,[7] Haldric I repudiated the Pact of Mutual Aid and sent back the elves' emissaries.[8][a] This may have been in part due to his neglect of his military during this time.[9] By breaking the pact, Haldric I soured relations between the humans and elves,[8]

In 15YW, Haldric I passed away, and King Haldric II ascended to the throne. At this time, the human settlement of Tath was surrounded by the orcs, and Haldric II attempted to renew the treaty.[10] A number of elves and mercenary dwarves hastened to the battlefield and prevented Tath from being overrun.[11] Haldric II arrived shortly thereafter and signed a new treaty with the elves, although denied High Lord Kalenz's request to launch an offensive against the orcs.[9] Kalenz's decision to form a treaty with Wesnoth was not supported by the Ka'lian.[12]

In its unprotected state, the Ruby of Fire could have averse effects on those who wielded it, as happened to Haldric I.[9] In 25YW, Haldric II brought the ruby to Rugnur, paying him ten thousand pieces of silver to forge it into a sceptre, thus containing its power.[13] Haldric II's bodyguard Alanin remained with the dwarves for ten years, then was sent back to Haldric II to report the status of the Sceptre of Fire.[14] The sceptre was lost in the Heart Mountains during an erruption,[15] which Alanin saw from a distance. After Alanin reported back to Haldric II, the king decided that searching for the sceptre was hopeless, but its existence was written down in the history books.[16]

Notes

  1. ^ In approximately 15YW,[17] Lord El'Isomithir described Haldric's betrayal as having taken place six years prior, around 9YW.[8] This is when the first orcish incursion occurred.[18]

References

  1. ↑ The Ka'lian, The Rise of Wesnoth
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Plan, The Rise of Wesnoth
  3. ↑ The Rise of Wesnoth, The Rise of Wesnoth
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Epilogue, The Rise of Wesnoth
  5. ↑ Elensefar, Wings of Victory
  6. ↑ Lava and Stone, Secrets of the Ancients
  7. ↑ Defend the Forest, An Orcish Incursion
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Council of Hard Choices, Legend of Wesmere
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 The Treaty, Legend of Wesmere
  10. ↑ News from the Front, Legend of Wesmere
  11. ↑ Human Alliance, Legend of Wesmere
  12. ↑ Council Ruling, Legend of Wesmere
  13. ↑ A Bargain is Struck, Scepter of Fire
  14. ↑ Towards the Caves, Scepter of Fire
  15. ↑ Caverns of Flame, Scepter of Fire
  16. ↑ Epilogue, Scepter of Fire
  17. ↑ Legend of Wesmere (main)
  18. ↑ An Orcish Incursion (main)
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