The History of Volta

The History of Volta
This book contains a general history of Volta from the years 509-590. It is by no means complete, but merely gives a taste of the rich culture and history of this land and it’s people. The People of Volta are a passionate, fierce, and honorable people who have a long and glorious past.

509 ER

The seneschal of the Queen of Evendarr has traveled to Asland, the Voltan capital, to extend an offer for the Voltans to join the kingdom. The Voltan warchief refused the offer, and the seneschal left without incident. The Queen’s armies are poised on the Voltan borders. These armies hail from Ashbury, Niman, Rotaria, and Evendarr.

Argent Bearslayer of Volta assembles the warchiefs and convinces them that it would be a futile fight. Unified under Argent, the warchiefs meet with the Queen of Evendarr and her generals. A warchief from Dinsdale storms out of the council meetings and takes his troops home over the Anymdin Mountains. In a show of good faith, the Queen orders the Rotarian forces to remove themselves from the border. The Rotarians leave, feeling personally disgraced by the Queen. The Duke of Rotaria is insulted and bitter.

Council concludes, and the Queen announces to the armies assembled that Argent will be the new Duke of Volta. The Warchiefs of Cathym, Anym, and Zarkym are made Barons of their respective lands. Formal ceremony bestowing title on Argent is held. The Duke of Rotaria is not in attendance and is later reprimanded by the Queen. Argent and the Queen order that Dinsdale be annexed into Volta as another Barony.

Baron Tallon Gerling of Cathym asks to take a proposal to the Dinsdale warchief and council. He is permanently killed by the Dinsdale warchief during the attempt to do so. Of the entire delegation to Dinsdale, only one person escapes with her life.

Duke Argent declares war on Dinsdale for their atrocities. He asks Niman and Ashbury for support in the war. Ashbury forces arrive in time to save Argent’s troops from total rout. The siege of Hadran, the largest fortification in Dinsdale, begins. Fighting falls to a stalemate.

Again Argent sends a request to Niman for troop support, and a messenger is sent to Rotaria, and to the Queen. Ashbury sends additional troops in hope of ending the fighting by spring. Troops celebrate the New Year inside of Hadran Stronghold.

510 ER

As the year begins, Niman sends support troops into Dinsdale over the River Hadran, in an effort to crush the resistance between the two forces. The army of Dinsdale collapses to these combined forces at the battle of Hawley.

Duke Argent names Uma Rindall as Baroness of Dinsdale, and she takes the surname of Dinsdale. Baroness Uma orders her forces to rebuild Hadran Stronghold as the Baronial Capital.

Duke Argent, having free manpower to act now, sets out to build a proper capital on the shores of Lake Ardynn. He names this capital Unity. He also names Tallon Gerling’s oldest son Ian, as the new Baron of Cathym. Ian renames the capital of Cathym, "Tallon’sHold," in memory of his father.

512 ER

The capital city, Unity, is complete. The ceremonies include Duke Argent’s wedding to Bymar Nightbird, and Argent establishing the ducal family by taking the surname Voltan. Queen Lorelei and all her Dukes and Duchesses are present. Duke Argent also names Cecil Swordhand as General of the Armies of Volta.

514 ER

Uma Dinsdale is assassinated in her bed at Hadran Stronghold. Duchess Bymar announces that Uma’s assassins will be found and destroyed publicly for their crimes.

Duke Argent names his good friend Gunnid Douglas as Baron of Dinsdale. Baron Gerling asks for the Duke’s permission to extend the eastern borders of Cathym.

516 ER

Goblin armies attack several border outposts in the lands of New Cathym. Baron Gerling requests that the Duke’s armies be brought in to the Silver River area to fight the Goblins and protect the Voltan interests. Duke Argent sends Cecil Swordhand and his armies to relieve the situation at Cathym.

517 ER

General Swordhand, using his reserves and new recruits, catches the main Goblin Army with their backs to the Winterwyrm River. Cecil Kills the Goblin Leader, and the goblins with most of their army destroyed, flee into the Northern Downs.

518 ER

General Swordhand triumphantly returns to Unity. The Duke grants him the lands north of Lake Ardynn and east of the Silver River as far as the Winterwyrm River as his Barony. Cecil takes the surname of Eastwyck, and thus that barony is formed.

The Queen sends a message congratulating the Duke and his new Baron. She announces her plans to visit the Duchy early in the next spring.

Duchess Bymar gives birth to twins, a son and a daughter. She names them Argent and Tylin.

519 ER

On the eve of the tenth anniversary of the founding of Volta, Duke Argent announces the First Annual Voltan Tourney. The team of Baron Cecil Eastwyck wins the right to carry the Golden Sword and the Silver Shield for the next year, as well as the right to free run at any tavern in Volta for a year, for his team of four.

Duke Argent sends troops under the command of Baron Cecil Eastwyck to Ashbury to assist in their fight against the Northmen.

521 ER

With the fighting almost over, Cecil Eastwyck returns home to Volta after leading the charge in several major battles. He is married to a lovely young woman by the name of Gheral Nordenn, who is the daughter of the Baron of Nordenn, Bane Nordenn.

522 ER

Queen Lorelei dies and her son ascends the throne of Evendarr as King Hendrick II.

525 ER

Duke Argent is almost killed in Anym. Blame is placed on Rotarian provocateurs, sent to avenge the insult received from the Queen in 509.

526 ER

Duchess Bymar gives birth to another daughter, Starel.

527 ER

Roads connecting the five baronial capitals are finished on completion day. The celebration lasts long into the night, and through the morning of the next day.

528 ER

People in Zarkym, along the coast of Lake Ardynn begin to disappear mysteriously.

Voltans encounter the Naugas. This strange breed of herd animals lives near the Mystic Wood. The Duke enjoys the protection offered by their lightweight but sturdy hide, and orders a herd brought south to the capital.

531 ER

Road to the capital of Ashbury completed, linking Volta to Evendarr.

532 ER

People living along Lake Ardynn in Cathym begin disappearing. Duke Argent orders a search into the cause of these disappearances. The scouting party he sent never returns.

533 ER

The Duke allows Baronial teams to add one new member at the annual tourney. Baron Eastwyck wins for the sixth time, more than any other team. No team has as yet won two consecutive years as yet.

535 ER

Baron Ian Gerling of Cathym expands his lands to the North of the Mystic Wood, beyond the Silver River. He orders a Stronghold built to protect against the goblins, Northmen, and elements. It will be called Bearsden.

The first use of Nauga herds to outfit the Voltan armies with hide armor. This armor is found to take well to many different colorations of dye, and is an excellent source of protection in battle.

536 ER

Minuba Barnae replaces his father Ganud Barnae as Baron of Zarkym.

537 ER

Minuba Barnae christens the ducal ship "Ardynn" to expedite trade between Zarkym, Cathym, and Eastwyck. After 5 successful runs across the lake, the ship and her crew vanish without any trace of debris or survivors.

538 ER

People are disappearing from all baronies connected to the coast of Lake Ardynn. Anym and Eastwyck are reporting losses, now.

The road to Coventry, Niman is completed. Meligra Dalton, Baron of Anym celebrates the connection to his Nauga herds and markets with a weekend festival.

Talos Gerling, the eldest son of Ian Gerling vanishes while traveling with a company of men from Eastwyck. The group was investigating the mysterious coastal disappearances.

A crazed man stumbles into Griswold, Eastwyck screaming about a monster in Lake Ardynn. The town Guards lock him up, disregarding his ranting.

539 ER

Significantly more sedate, the man in Griswold claims to be Talos Gerling.
He tells the guards his story about the beast in the lake, and shortly thereafter dies of an unknown disorder. The body and the tale are brought to Tallon’shold, and presented to Baron Ian Gerling.

The 20th Annual Baronial Tourney is to take place at Unity. Tension runs high between Ian and Cecil, because of Talos’ death. Ian blames Cecil for the death of his only son and heir while on Eastwyck lands. Duke Argent intervenes to settle the controversy, but Ian leaves the Tourney in anger, taking his leading team with him. Eastwyck wins the tourney by two points.

Cecil sends his family home across Lake Ardynn, and rides to Tallon’shold to reconcile differences with his friend Ian. While in Cathym, word returns that Cecil’s wife and 2 eldest children were lost on the lake. Ian’s loss pales by comparison, and he apologizes to Cecil for being a fool. They both swear to eradicate the monster from the land together. Cecil sends word to Calvert to construct the largest and strongest craft possible to find the monster.

Gunnid Douglas dies peacefully in his sleep. His heir, Gilda Douglas, becomes the new Baroness of Dinsdale.

541 ER

Severe winter weather drives herds of Naugas south from Dinsdale and Cathym. The stampede kills hundreds, and destroys farms and roads. The herds are stopped in Anym, before they can cause more damage in Ashbury.

542 ER

Gilda Douglas dies in a bear-wrestling accident. Her brother Eathan is named Baron of Dinsdale.

Duke Argent Voltan dies in an avalanche at Bearsden. Prince Roderick attends the funeral.

Argent’s oldest son, Argent Hendrick Voltan becomes the new Duke of Volta. He calls for the construction of a magnificent castle to be built in the center of Volta (35 miles outside of Unity) in his father’s honor. The castle is to be named Three Spires.

543 ER

Duke Argent Voltan names his son Adrick Voltan heir to the Duchy of Volta at his birth.

The Ducal ship "Ironhide" is christened in Calvert. Baron Ian Gerling is aboard on her maiden voyage. Troops from Cathym, Zarkym, Eastwyck and Westmarch are aboard. The ship is never seen again.

544 ER

Duke Argent names his brother, Nabon Voltan as Baron of Cathym, as Ian had no heirs.

545 ER

King Hendrick Endarr dies.

The Duke of Volta, his Barons and all their courts travel to the Capital to be present at the coronation of King Roderick II of Evendarr.

546 ER

Thendrix Dalton attacks his father at the family keep in Vordinburg. He is stopped by the Baronial Guard and flees into the Anymdin Mountains.

547 ER

Meligra Dalton names his son Gregor, as the heir to the Barony of Anym.
Eathan Douglas’ Dinsdale Team sweeps the Baronial Tourney, winning all competitions.

548 ER

People along the coast of Lake Ardynn report seeing a large monster near Zarkym. Duke argent sends to Janitria for assistance with the problem. A group of scholars and esoterics arrives from Hollym to study the phenomena.

549 ER

King Roderick II Endarr attends the 30th Baronial Tournament. Baron Cecil Eastwyck wins his 8th tournament.

King Roderick knights Cecil’s eldest son, Larne, as a knight of Eastwyck.

Baron Nabon Voltan names his firstborn son Artos as heir to the Barony of Cathym.

552 ER

Scholars from the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts and Sciences start to disappear.
All of their research findings are returned to Lake Hollym for further study.

558 ER

558 Goblin raids from the north begin at midsummer due to unusually cold weather.

Larne Eastwyck forces the Goblins back into the Frostpeak Mountains. He is successful largely due to the large numbers of outposts developed on the northern borders during more peaceful times.

559 ER

King Roderick Endarr and members of his court attend the 50th anniversary of the Founding of Volta. With Tourney teams at 7 members, Anym wins for the 12th time, passing Baron Cecil’s record of 11. Still no team has won two consecutive tourneys.

Cecil Eastwyck remarries, to Donna Greypool of Westmarch.

561 ER

Donna Eastwyck gives birth to triplets, Uma, Ian, and Tallon.

565 ER

Northern outposts send word of raids by Goblins, (Cathym) and Northmen (Eastwyck).

Meligra Dalton dies in his sleep, and his heir, Gregor Dalton becomes the new Baron of Anym.

566 ER

War begins with the Northmen in the Northern Marches. The northern and eastern borders of Eastwyck are hit hard. Cecil Eastwyck assembles his armies and sends them north under the command of his son Larne.

567 ER

Sir Larne’s forces are decimated by the Northmen armies. Sir Larne Eastwyck is killed in battle, and dies permanently. After Sir Larne’s funeral, Duke Argent orders his Barons to assemble all available troops to go to Cecil’s aid during the coming spring.

568 ER

Duke Argent cancels the Baronial Tournament.

Cecil sends his troops north to fight the Northmen under the command of Darron Kelch. The troops fare poorly and Darron’s head is returned to Cecil. Duke Argent appeals to King Roderick for help in the war.

569 ER

Cecil Eastwyck and his entire family and household are slain by Northmen.
King Roderick personally leads his forces north to defeat the Northmen.

At the Battle of Blood River, Roderick is captured by the Northmen, and subsequently rescued by Captain Basil Ravenhurst.
His rescue and that victory swings the tide of the war, and the Northmen are driven back to the Northern Marches.

King Roderick names Basil Ravenhurst as the new Baron of Eastwyck.

570 ER

Baron Basil Ravenhurst leads his team to victory at the Duke’s Spring Tournament.

Without consulting his Dukes, King Roderick names Basil Ravenhurst Duke over the lands of Capulus, Eastwyck, and Westmarch.
The Dukes of Volta and Rotaria are understandably rather upset.

Duke Argent splits Volta into two counties, Upper and Lower Volta. Upper Volta consists of Cathym and Dinsdale, under Count Nabon Voltan. Anym and Zarkym make up Lower Volta, which is held by Count Gregor Dalton. Count Nabon names Artos as Baron of Cathym, and the new Baron of Anym is Thomas Fehdahl.

571 ER

Duke Argent meets with Duke Basil after his wedding, to Rowena Morganna to settle issues between them. Also present at the meeting is King Roderick, who emerges very pleased, although his Dukes are not overly elated.

572 ER

Count Nabon Voltan sends troops to Ravenholt to reinforce Captain Galen Cumberland.

575 ER

After a bad rain season, Argent and Basil trade Voltan naugas for Ravenholt grain.

577 ER

Baron Fendahl of Anym dies in a freak jousting accident. His son Darren ascends to the title of Baron.

579 ER

Boddin Douglas of Dinsdale leads his team to victory in the spring tournament. After the tournament he announces that he will take his father’s place as Baron of Dinsdale due to his father’s declining health and premature senility.

581 ER

Baron Minuba Barnae dies at age 76. Freedan Barnae, his grandson, is named the new Baron of Zarkym.

583 ER

More disappearances occur along the coast of Lake Ardynn in Zarkym. Count Gregor Dalton leads his armies to investigate, trying to avoid the destruction that claimed the Gerling family.

584 ER

Duke Argent assembles his court and travels to Evendarr City to attend the funeral of King Roderick, and the Coronation of his son Richard. On his return trip to Volta, Argent is kidnapped and slain. Adrick Voltan ascends to the position of Duke of Volta, and orders the execution of the men assumed responsible for Argent’s death.

587 ER

After more disappearances on the shores of Lake Ardynn, exterminators arrive from Lake Hollym and summon a water elemental to kill the monster in the lake.

589 ER

King Richard visits Unity for the 69th Baronial Tournament.

590 ER

Count Nabon Voltan dies. Baron Artos Voltan is made the new count of Upper Volta.

591 ER

Fluctuations in magical energies herald the beginning of the Change of Cycles

The Royal armies repel invading forces from the Sessuar Imperium

King Richard recognizes the sovereignty of Draelonde.

592 ER

Contact Earth ritual leads adventurers from Ravenholt seeking the spirit bottle of Kidnapped Duke Basil Ravenhurst to a hill just north of Unity.
This hill is apparently the base of operations for infamous Necromancer, Thorna Allinger

King Richard Endarr dies of natural causes.
Prince Joseph Saxony named King of Evendarr.

Basil Ravenhurst rescued from Liche Sakalid by adventurers.

593 ER

Princess Andrea Huntington of Northmarch kidnapped by The Black Rose.
Adventurers subsequently rescue her.

Basil Ravenhurst assassinated by rebels.

594 ER

Princess Andrea Huntington killed by The Black Rose.

595 ER

Prince Berthold Endarr named heir to king Joseph Saxony,

King Joseph Saxony abdicates as Mykel II Endarr is recovered from the past.
Queen Katherine and Prince Berthold return to the past.

596 ER

Re-Coronation of King Mykel II Endarr.

Civil war with Niman averted.

Highlander/Voltan conflict resolved.

Sessuar launch another larger invasion.

597 ER

Plague attacks Sessuar in Volta

598 ER

Sessuar War ended.

Tarlov Ghosthand destroyed in Bloodhawk Valley.