History

Early History

The region of Scyltheld was once home to the ancient race of the Äälar, who lived in harmony with the enchanted forests that blanketed the land. But their tranquillity was shattered with the arrival of men, who brought with them destruction and war.

Arrival of Man

The first men to arrive were the Cathirs, who settled in the fertile lands of Berengaria, Willawald, and Brunenburg. They built great fortresses and castles, but their expansion was halted by the fierce warrior-king, Arthod the Great, (or Conquerer depending on who you ask) an exile of Orkfjarr to the northwest, and of the dynasty of the Oskarians. Arthod defeated his Cathirian brothers and claimed their lands as his own, but his brutal rebellion drove the Cathris to flee southeast.

Arthod Supreme

With the Cathirs gone, the Scyltheldish ruled supreme, and Arthod was regarded as a great warrior-king, feared and respected by all. But as he grew older, his thirst for conquest turned towards the Äälar, and decades of warfare began between the few. Following Arthod’s death however, the moors of Scyltheld became a haven for raiders and bandits, who pillaged and plundered with impunity. The men of Scyltheld have waged a never-ending war against these marauders. Meanwhile, to the east, the Äälar of Sarańavaama watched with growing concern, their once-great forests threatened by the unchecked expansion of men.

Present

And so, the land of Scyltheld has become a place of darkness and conflict, where men struggled against men, the threat of raiders from Orkfjarr remained ever present and the ancient beings of the forests fought a losing battle against the march of progress. The only unifier was the blood of Arthod will ran through the veins of the kings, and does so in the current Cynric, Alfred I.