History of Man -- Book 1: Westrun Part 14

At the start of the 50th century, Dane the Hale was still the High King of Westrun and had been for twenty years. Like all of the monarchs of Saklan, he was long-lived and rumored to have some elf blood in his veins. He was already an elder statesman when he was sentenced the throne which he held for a total of thirty years before stepping aside. A third of the way through Dane's reign, Brocius the Barbarian King had stirred his people to bloodlust and attacked the City of Bolden by sea, sacking and burning it before marching over land to attempt to do the same to Menea. While these depredations were occurring in the east, a separate band of barbarians lay seige to Wanderhalt in the west. Dane's war against the Barbarians lasted until 5007 and was decisively ended by the use of Battle Mages against his foes. Later in his reign as High King, Dane also prosecuted a war against the Goblins of Rakag.

In 5010 Gelder V of Bolden succeeded Dane. Protracted negotiations with Balduren over the issue of shield money inspired him to build a wall in the South to complement the one in the North. The Southern wall was considerably less ambitious than the northern wall, and was only intended as a fail safe should Balduren be overrun.

5030 saw Alacan II of Menea sentenced to the High Throne.

In 5036 Gregory of Rath succeeded Alacan and under pressure from the High Priesthood managed to extract the first three articles of the Censure from the Archmage Balakarde of the Dweomersecte. In 5048 Alfrend of Saklan took the High Throne and negotiated the next six articles of the Censure. Then saw to their agreement by the Grand Temple, and the Continuum. 

During the last years of his life, Archmage Balakarde struggled to keep the Dweomersecte together. Its status as a body was in serious question after the imposition of the Censure. During this time, the Circle of Eight was formed, including Magisters Mordenkainen, Bigby, Drawmij, Rary, Otiluke, Nystul, Leomund and Otto. Like many of their peers, the Circle of Eight did not agree with the decision of Balakarde, but they formed their alliance to work together should the Dweomersecte be dissolved over the matter.

In 5058 Magister Vecna was elected to replace Balakarde and he rose to that position largely on the promise to keep the Dweomersecte together. Bucknard did not agree to the rise of Vecna and made no secret of his opposition to the Archmage. When Bucknard disappeared in 5065 he was replaced by Tenser, who was chosen over Tasha, despite the "gifts" she gave to each of the Magisters of the Dweomersecte -- gifts they did not return and still use to this day.

In 5070 Alfrend was succeeded by Edwar of Menea and in 5088 by Leltward of Talir.

Histories of the High Kings of All Westrun: V - High Throne Expanding

Era of the High Throne Expanding

4901 Favian III of Bolden

4921 Timaldus I the Sage

4930 Gelder I the Paver (Bolden)

4946 Gelder II the Less (Bolden)

4950 Larcus IV the Liberator (Rath)

4980 Dane I the Unnoticed

5010 Gelder V the Wise (Bolden)

5030 Alacan II of Menea

5036 Gregory of Rath

5048 Alfrend of Saklan

5070 Edwar of Menea

5088 Leltward of Talir

The Fergus Codex: Law VII -- Concerning Marriage

Vyrum Law

Only the prince may have more than one mate; and only the prince may have a mate who shares an ancestor within three generations. 

Law of Fergus 4275

We desire that the customs of marriage be preserved in each kingdom and held inviolable by the other kings and their faithful lords. Neither daughters nor wives shall be carried off, lest the offender be treated as evil. Yet a couple may enter elopement and after seven years be treated as if a valid contract were made.

Law of Fergon 4301

We desire that each woman enter marriage with the maiden fee paid to her father, and that a dower be drawn from that sum and entrusted to her, to maintain her in widowhood. To that dower the husband will add an annual stipend for seven years, and to it he shall also add again the maiden fee first paid for any infidelity.

Law of Fergus II 4328

We desire that each man who sires a bastard must see to the upkeep of mother and child or else be fined the tenth part of his income until the bastard reaches his 18th summer. 

Law of Wald 4422

We desire that each woman put away by her husband be given her dower whole, and the same sum again in silver for her maintenance. But that her children must not become bastards thereby, nor lose their right to inherit. But a woman put away on account of infidelity shall not be entitled to the sum.

Law of Marten 4858

We recognize that the contract of marriage may not be valid without the express consent of the intended husband and wife. No man may become a husband before his 18th harvest and no maiden before her 16th with a visible flowering evidenced by blood.

Law of Gelder 5011

A contract which promised a maiden, but which was not delivered as such, shall be considered without force.

The Fergus Codex: Law V -- Concerning Crimes Felonious and Petty

Vyrum Law

The crimes of treason and murder are abominable and shall be avenged by the Range in which they occurred. Kinslaying is an abomination which must be punished by the faction which suffers the loss. Save that for all offenses, hallowed ground may offer safe haven to all those who seek its protection. 

Law of Fergus 4275

We desire that the crime of harboring those who have committed treason or murder shall be punished in like manner as the abominable crimes. For sanctuary can only be found on hallowed ground by a Priest. 

Law of Fergon 4301

We declare that nothing shall prevent a lord from seeking his own justice, if he is the victim of any abominable crime, regardless of where the crime occurred. Moreover, the crimes of robbery and theft shall be be worthy of maiming on the second offense, and considered abominable only upon the third offense. Moreover, no one who has stolen only food or water shall be guilty of robbery or theft if they have passed at least three towns without receiving any by begging.

Law of Etru 4376

We desire that to the abominable crimes of treason, robbery, murder and theft are to now added the crimes of counterfeiting, forgery and arson upon the second offense. For all abominable crimes a debt of silver may also attach and ransom accepted in lieu of punishment.

Law of Wald 4422

We desire to clarify that crimes can only be committed abominably when exercised against someone of equal or greater station: 

• Treason is the taking of arms by vassal against his lord, or else plotting with others to do the same. 
• Robbery is the unjust taking of property by force of arms, but shall not include the lawful spoils of war. 
• Murder is the unwarranted taking of a man’s life by a person outside of his family, except under a flag of war. 
• Theft is the unjust taking of property by deception, subterfuge or cloak of darkness, 
• Counterfeiting is the attempt to pass some material thing as an item of higher value by concealing its true nature. 
• Forgery is the attempt to pass as legitimate, the illegitimate seal or signature of a lord or noble house. 
• Arson is the burning of property belonging to another, or endangering the property of others by uncontrolled burning. 

Law of Marten 4858
We desire that the protections of forgery be extended to duly chartered companies, orders and factions which are enrolled with either the Devout Order of Clerics Regular of the Penitent Knights of Poverty, or of any of the noble banking houses. 

Law of Gelder 5011
We desire that Treason also be defined so as to include murderous threats breathed against any King, and affirmation of the same either by word or silence. 

Law of Thelstan 5108

We decide that the following offenses may only be punished as petty crimes in accordance with local customs: 

• Any abominable crime committed against someone of lesser station. 
• Assault 
• Bastardy 
• Bigamy 
• Excessive Indebtedness 
• Disturbing the Peace 
• Drunkenness 
• Riotous assembly 
• Oath-breaking 
• Poaching 
• Rape 
• Slander 
• Slave-dealing 
• Tax avoidance 
• Trafficking stolen property 
• Vagrancy 
• Witchcraft 

Law of Halinard 5285

Because Bounty Hunting is a dangerous profession, but one that is necessary for the good order of all societies and the protection of nobility everywhere, we therefore, bind ourselves to the institution and protection of the articles instituted by the Bounty Hunters Guild.

The Fergus Codex: Law III -- Concerning Titles and Coat of Arms

 Vyrum Law
The Prince is the lord paramount and known by his title of property and by the coat of arms which he bears. These he shall have the right to pass to whomsoever of his faction can properly inherit them.

Law of Fergus 4275
We desire that Princes should pass their worldly titles and goods according to custom. That sons should inherit in the order of their birth, but if no sons be found, then the sons of the sons, in the order of their birth. But if neither sons nor sons of sons be found, then the sons of the son's sons.  If none be found in that line, then brothers of the Prince in the order of their birth, but if no brothers be found, then the nephews of the Prince in the order of their birth, then the uncle and male cousins and male distal cousins. Yet we will not prohibit the curious customs of Saklan, nor that of the Kings of Balduren, Treft and Talir, which shall be in force in their kingdoms.

Law of Wald 4422
We desire that men of noble bearing have the same protection of title and arms that are due the Kings of the realms. That those which are land lords and who have kept their domains current with respect to taxes will not be dispossessed of title, arms and lands upon the death of their leige.

Law of Damon 4449
We declare that in cases among kings, where no heir can be found, it shall fall to the High King to determine who shall ascend to their vacant throne.

Law of Marten 4858
We desire that men of gentle bearing have the same protection of title and arms that are due the noble men of the realms. That they are likewise unharmed as land lords over any estates they hold, upon the death of noble men. We find also that the Captain's privilege as understood by the Vicenary Ports is incorporated into these laws.

Law of Gelder 5011
We decide that in cases among noble men, where no heir can be found, it shall fall to the king of the realm to determine who shall inherit the vacant manor and titles.

The Fergus Codex: Law II -- Concerning Principalities

Vyrum Law
The Prince occupies the place of honor and has no rival to his authority. He acts to shelter and support, serving as both father and mother to the masses. As his children the masses must be loyal and filial. Should they cherish wickedness and have rebellious hearts, they will offend the order established by heaven itself. 

Law of Fergus 4275

We desire that the Prince of Peakshadow shall only be seen as the first among princes. As the first among equals, he is able to judge among them for any disputes he shall be invited to hear. 

Law of Fergon 4301
We declare that whenever matters are in dispute among princes that only one party to the dispute must request a hearing for the Prince of Peakshadow to hold court. 

Law of Wald 4422

We acknowledge that the masses have no champion greater than the Prince of Peakshadow, and their mistreatment shall be as an affront to his throne. 

Law of Damon  4449

We recognize that the right to rule proceeds from heaven and to those princes who bear that divine right, and whom we now name Kings. We now name the Prince of Peakshadow as the High King. Beneath us are other noble classes, owners of estate and means, who along with kings rule the masses, but only when invested by kings with the divine right to do so. 

Law of Marten 4858

We specify that precedence shall be given to Kings and then Princes and all manner of royalty which are descended from them as custom shall allow. Next in precedence are the noble classes which rule over duchies and counties and baronies who shall in no way be denied the right of their stations and names. 

Law of Gelder 5011

We declare that inasmuch as the Patriarch has given places of honor above what is common to members of his ignoble clergy, we also deem that by acts of valor and other greatness, Princes may likewise elevate certain men to this gentle station. Such men shall in no way be denied the right of their stations and names. 

Law of Thelstan 5108

We recognize that when men of noble station are not on hand to make knights of the valorous and great, that other knights shall not be forbidden from doing so, as they are often the only witnesses to such acts as are deserving, and that this is in keeping with the most ancient of customs. In any case, we declare that it shall fall to men of nobility to ratify that which is recognized on the fields of glory.

The History of Gelder V the Wise

This is the history of Gelder V the Wise, whose given name was Gendry, son of Geldorf, and was oft called the Protector of the North.

Gendry of Bolden was sentenced to the High Throne in 5010ey succeeding Dane Halfelven. He was trained in law and an able jurist.

After reversing the ruling of his predecessor, Gelder began the segment of Damon's Wall that was north of Bolden. He is credited with fighting a long war on land and sea against the Northruners and keeping trade routes to the Free Provinces open. He also commissioned the making of many maps and the first land expeditions looking for a land route to Eastrun.

Gendry sired three children, and two sons, but only one survived to adulthood. Gendry ruled for two sentences until 5030ey. He was succeeded by Alacan II.

Gendry Geldorf died some eighteen years after departing the High Throne and was entombed high on the Breakwater Pass overlooking the Northrun approach to Bolden.