A Brief History of Carthmoor
Carthmoor's recorded history stretches far beyond the founding of the present kingdom, but the modern realm dates its years from Maedar's Conquest.
0 AC - Maedar's Conquest
Twelve and a half centuries ago, High Lord Maedar Jordayne began the campaign that transformed the political landscape of Brydd.
Backed by the Houses of Kheldish Riding, mercenaries from Falcor, and the Knights of the Temple of Ceros, Maedar conquered the Five Marches and united them beneath his Crown.
His attempts to extend the conquest farther did not bring all of Brydd under his rule, but the realm he founded endured.
The Kingdom of Carthmoor was born.
In return for the Church's support, D'Hassa received formal recognition as an autonomous city-state, and the Faith of Ceros became Carthmoor's official religion.
Heresy laws followed. Many were later softened or repealed by Carthmoor rulers, although the Church continues to retain them within its own law.
Maedar's victory established a new reckoning of years. The Conquest became 0 AC - After Conquest, a calendar subsequently adopted by many of Carthmoor's trading partners.
1150 AC - War of the Pirate Kings
Reign: King Taevar Jordayne
After centuries of persistent pirate raids against Carthmoor's coasts, King Taevar Jordayne ordered the royal navy to attack the island strongholds of the Pirate Kings.
Assisted by skrill riders from Falcor, Carthmoori forces broke several major pirate strongholds. Raiding diminished substantially for several decades but was never eliminated.
1170 AC - The Salt War
Reign: King Malaeron Jordayne
The Salt War began when intruders penetrated the protections surrounding Claen Gael's Burning Sea and stole several Ddraig eggs.
All but one escaped. The captured thief carried the seal of Great House Kilane.
The Morrighan retaliated against Wrexham's Salt Docks, destroying much of the harbor and its naval force. Wrexham responded militarily, and the conflict spread into the Connait.
As the fighting escalated, Carthmoor employed skrill riders, rogue dragonriders from Falcor, and secretly hired dragonslayers from the Howling Islands. Losses were severe on all sides.
Fearing that a wider war with Claen Gael would devastate the kingdom, King Malaeron sought the intervention of the Sidhe.
Kerowyn Trevalyan, ruler of Tir Ceilte, agreed to mediate a cessation of hostilities, supported at sea by forces from Tir an Aigean.
The peace endured, but relations between Carthmoor and the western Elder lands never entirely recovered.
1220-1250 AC - The Reign of Jorrel II
Jorrel II Jordayne ascended the Sapphire Throne in 1220 AC.
Known before his coronation as kind and well-liked, his reign became increasingly politically complicated, particularly in its later years.
Jorrel married Lady Maessa, who became Queen of Carthmoor and an influential figure at court.
Questions surrounding royal policy, Jorrel's family, and the succession would ultimately outlive his reign.
1250 AC - Death of the King
On the 7th Day of the 4th Moon in 1250 AC, King Jorrel II died.
His death was officially declared natural, although doubts remain.
The Lord High Chancellor summoned the High Council to determine which eligible member of House Jordayne would succeed him.
On the 15th Day of the 4th Moon in 1250 AC, Maessa Jordayne was confirmed as Queen Regent and assumed temporary executive authority pending the succession.