This page describes the Lordship of Arverynn. For the city, see City of Arverynn. For the river, see Arverynn River.
The Lordship of Arverynn, later Empire of Arverynn, self-referred to as Ynnic Empire, sometimes called Sarda Empire (not to be confused with the post-1811 Sarda Empire), also styled as the Teal Crest after its emblem, was one of the successor states of the Ynnic Empire.
Following the fall of the empire and the death of Fineas Vyrekynn, last reigning emperor, Arverynn would be one of the many states vying for the remains of the empire, in a period posteriorly called Age of Petty Lords. This period ended with the return of House Vyrekynn, who styled themselves as emperors once again and led to Arverynn's resurgence in power until its annexation by High Havoral in 1789. The rebellion that later ensued and which restored Vyrekynn rule would lead to what outside powers would refer to as the Sarda Empire.
History[]
Founding of the City[]
In 900, following the Battle of the Arverynn, Emperor Calrodiy I recognized the town of Arverynn's defensibility as well as its strategic proximity to both Dolindha and the Veykodan Overlands, and ordered it to be renovated and an artificial hill to be constructed to hold lavish housings for the knights and military, dubbing it Vyrisar Hill.
The Pansvovych Idea.[]
In 951, Emperor Armynn II sought a solution to the issue of the neighboring Veykodan Buycev who pestered and often raided and devastated parts of Sarda. He was of the opinion that traditional military methods didn't not, and would not, prove effective. Instead he proposed creating a system of client states and Ynnic colonies in the Veykodan Overlands, which would play the Veykodan against each other and organize them under a proper feudal system, suffocating their rebellious ways and culture, and securing the riches of the eastern lands. This idea, which would come to be known as the Pansvovych idea was both controversial, and never came to fruition, as Armynn II died but a year later.
Age of Petty Lords[]
Following the death of Fineas the Lynched, minor nobles would attempt to rule the great city during the 13th and 14th centuries. With the task of fighting off economic decline, the odd rabble-rousing preacher and the schemes of their own court, Arverynn would continue to lose influence and its capital's population continued to shrink as it lost its relevance. Once loyal subjects such as the lords of Stanyrhrada could no longer be controlled, and the Veykodan frontier was left more and more unguarded.
Return of The Emperor[]
In 1386, Calrodiy IV, last scion of the house Vyrekynn returned to the city at the head of a company of shining knights and mercenaries, and took control over the lordship from the petty lord who occupied it. He was eagerly accepted by the citizens and celebrations were held in his honour, The city celebrated Calrodiy as a liberator, and he returned this warmth with weeks of festivities. However, this victory would be Calrodiy's first and last. The aspiring emperor overestimated his neighbours' willingness to submit to him and rejoin the glorious empire, losing the chance for peaceful reunification with his diplomatic blunders, and emptying the treasury with his lavish festivities.
Alaran's War[]
Alaran yen Cestor, a young lord of minor prestige from Trompolere, embarked on a military campaign to restore the Ynnic Empire in 1443. Initially he defeats Fadhevych and forces them out of the war, following this he marches on Arverynn. He meets the army of Arverynn near Arvezl and scores a surprising victory once again. Filimir II, lord of Arvezl and an Iosahar of Arverynn, switches sides to Trompolere, along with most of Arverynn's surviving knights. Following his victory, he continued towards the city of Arverynn. Calrodiy IV, knowing that he had no army to defend his city with, took to diplomacy instead. Calling in every personal favor he could, he manages to pool together enough funds to bribe Alaran to not besiege the city, and take his conquests elsewhere. This left Arverynn deep in debt, with little hinterlands, a weary populace unwilling to serve in the army, and an emperor with one foot in the grave.
Emergence of the Veykodan Guard[]
Calrodiy IV's last notable action was one that had drastic effects on the Lordship, and some even attribute Arverynn's resurgence to it. Lacking the manpower to even enforce taxes in the lands he controlled, Calrodiy IV increasingly hired Veykodan adventurers and fortune seekers to supplement his military. While many saw this as controversial, it allowed Arverynn to enforce control over what little territories it had remaining.
Rule of Carodin II[]
Carodin II, son of Calrodiy IV, succeeded his father in 1448, inheriting a destitute city, with little armies to speak of, a bureaucracy that was dated and too expensive, surrounded by enemies. Carodin II sought solutions both in new and old ways. Old titles, unused for centuries, were repurposed as a way to reward loyal and competent servants to the throne, along with generous wages to ensure they stayed that way. These titles were non-inheritable, and as such Carodin II was able to redistribute them to new blood when the old perished. In 1450, he formalized the Veykodans adventurers in service of Arverynn into the Veykodan Guard, a unit of Veykodan soldiers that would soon become the core of Arverynn's army until the creation of the Predyvens System. The Veykodan Guard allowed Carodin II to succesfully reclaim large amounts of lands during his reign, with many of the Sarda not being used to fighting Veykodans, their last major invasion being almost two centuries ago.
Rule of Calrodiy V[]
Following the death of Lord Ultaran the Kind of Vels Bacar without an heir, Vels Bacar Transitioned into a republic by his will. Seeing opportunity, Calrodiy V, declares for one of his vassals (Baron Armynn of Poelnebo) who had a claim on Vels Bacar, starting the War of the Bacaran Succession. While Arverynn was victorious, the war had exhausted Arverynn's manpower, with many of its farmlands now without owner, nor soldiers to defend the newly conquered territories. As a result, in the decade that followed the Bacaran succession war the Predyvens System was implemented.