DragonsGuard

The County of Dragonsguard is a located in the west mountains in the Queendom of Valron on the continent of Cymru in the Autokratoria Sirradra. DragonsGuard was formally known as Tiham, managed by Nicholas Lim, however after the discorvery of there being no Tiham wiki it was renamed to DragonsGuard by Cold Aasim and given new lore. It is now run by Joshua Ark.

The Beginnings of Dragonsguard
Centuries ago, nestled in a valley, there existed a city known as Tiham. It was a humble and thriving community, blessed with bountiful lands and hardworking townsfolk.

One fateful day, as the people of Tiham went about their daily lives, an injured dragon descended upon a towering mountain overlooking the city. The townsfolk, curious and concerned, ventured towards the mountain and discovered the wounded creature nestled in a deep cave. Moved by compassion and kindness, they decided to tend to the dragon and nurse it back to health. And, as the Years went by, the dragon recovered under the care of the townsfolk. As gratitude for their kindness, the dragon began to aid the city in various ways. It fended off the threat of marauding wolves that terrorised the outskirts, protected the city from raiders seeking to plunder its riches, and stood as a vigilant guardian against any harm that may befall Tiham.

However, the tranquillity of the city was shattered when another dragon, a fearsome and foreign creature, descended upon Tiham. Chaos ensued as the new dragon unleashed its fury upon the city, wreaking havoc and instilling fear among the populace. The townsfolk, in an act of desperation, beseeched their saviour for help. The dragon, filled with a fierce determination to defend the city it had come to call home, engaged in a colossal battle with the intruder. The clash between the two mighty creatures lasted for three gruelling days and three sleepless nights, shaking the very foundations of Tiham. The Protector of Tiham emerged as the victor, defeating the foreign intruder, but it paid a heavy price.

Battered and mortally wounded, the dragon lay on the ground, its strength waning. The surviving townsfolk rushed to its side, attempting to heal its wounds as they had done in the past. But this time, the injuries ran too deep, and despite their best efforts, they could not save their noble protector. As the townsfolk watched in grief, the dragon's body began to emit a radiant glow. A sense of awe filled the air as they beheld a sight they could scarcely believe. The dragon's body slowly crumbled and faded away, leaving behind only a shimmering essence that ascended into the heavens. The dragon had transformed and ascended, forever destined to watch over the city it had so valiantly defended.

In honour of the dragon's selfless sacrifice, the townsfolk renamed their beloved city Dragonsguard. It became a symbol of their gratitude and a testament to the courage and protection bestowed upon them by the dragon. Tales were told from generation to generation, the city expanded to rule over an entire county, and yet, even to this day, the residents of Dragonsguard speak of the dragon spirit that can be glimpsed atop the highest peak of the surrounding mountains, ever vigilant and guarding the city, and county, from any potential threats.

The Great Fire of Old Tiham
It was an unassuming day for the denizens of ancient district of Tiham, the Common folk tended to their fields with hopes of a bountiful harvest to sustain them through the impending winter. Yet, fate took a fateful turn as a spark ignited in the fields, rapidly transforming into a blazing inferno. Panic swept through the populace as the fire devoured the southern fields and began to spread north and into the city proper. Many, fearing the unchecked spread of destruction, fled to the safety of nearby towns and cities. And, though the fire had stopped as it reached the new districts of the city, as winter descended upon Dragonsguard, the ravages of the fire became even more painfully apparent. A bitter famine gripped the city, sparing neither the lowliest peasants nor the highest aristocracy. Amidst this dire situation, desperation and anger brewed among the masses. The common folk, driven to the brink by hunger and inequality, grew furious and sought retribution from the Aristocrats who still possessed resources.

Under the cover of night, the pent-up rage of the common folk culminated in a violent uprising. Houses belonging to the wealthy were invaded, their precious stores of food seized in a desperate bid for survival. Battles across the city raged for hours. Yet, fate proved unrelenting as another fire, likely as a result of the conflict, erupted, engulfing the stolen sustenance in a cruel twist of destiny. The result was a city plunged into chaos and darkness, its people suffering in both body and spirit. Desperation gave way to anarchy, leading to the execution of the aged High Elder in a frenzied attempt to assuage the masses' fury. In the midst of this turmoil emerged a beacon of hope: a young man named Nicholas Lim. The tale of the city's plight reached his ears, igniting a fire within him to alleviate the suffering of his fellow citizens. With determination, he procured whatever food could be salvaged and embarked on a journey to the mountainous realm from the Capital of Valron.

Nicholas's journey was not in vain. He arrived with provisions that would breathe life into the withered city. Witnessing the extent of the devastation, he resolved to do more. Enlisting the aid of his brother Yoda Lim and other like-minded individuals, he marshalled a small group of helpers to contribute to the city's reconstruction. Together, these valiant souls toiled tirelessly, brick by brick, to rebuild what had been lost. Their efforts were infused with a spirit of unity and resilience, embodying the very essence of Dragonsguard itself. The people of the city, witnessing Nicholas's boundless generosity and unyielding commitment, extended their gratitude in the most profound manner—by electing him as their new High Elder, eventually leading to his ascension as Lord Protector of the County.

The Districts
As of Current, the County of Dragonsguard is divided into 10 Districts and 2 Supplementary areas, these being the University of Valron and the Centralis Area.

The Baronies
In addition to the districts, within Dragonsguard lies a web of holdings, overseen by a diverse array of Lords and esteemed Noble and Aristocratic Families. These holdings, positioned throughout the county, serve as seats of power and influence, exerting control over resources, and trade. They form one of the pillars of the region's economic stability and play a role in maintaining the balance of power within Dragonsguard to this day.

The High Elder and Lord Protector
Historically, the roles of High Elder and Lord Protector stood as distinct positions, each with its own jurisdiction. When Dragonsguard became the Capital of its own County, The Title of Lord Protector was created in order to oversee the administration of the county as a whole, while the High Elder's role remained over the affairs of the City of Dragonsguard itself. However, after the revolution, this changed with the Barons electing (former) High Elder Nicholas Lim as the Lord Protector of the county. This pivotal moment marked a turning point, as subsequent High Elders, from Cold Aasim to Joshua Ark, assumed the dual mantle of both High Elder and Lord Protector. This fusion of roles underscored a new era, blending the responsibilities of governance and tradition, and ultimately shaping the course of Dragonsguard's modern history.

Aristocratia et Nobilitas
It should be noted that, despite the County once housing a greater number of noble and aristocratic houses, the current count is notably diminished. This shift can be attributed to a, relatively recent, significant uprising that unfolded in the County's Capital, leading to the tragic demise of numerous aristocratic and noble families (though this was largely focused within the historical district of Tiham). The aftermath of this event prompted the migration of many surviving families to holdings situated beyond the county's borders. The repercussions of this upheaval have left an indelible mark on the noble society of the area, reshaping its dynamics and leaving somewhat of a power vacuum within the county.

The Ark Clan:
Despite the relatively recent arrival of the Ark Clan within the County, and Country as a whole, the Ark Clan's influence has swiftly woven itself into the fabric of Dragonsguard's political landscape. Located largely on the southern border of the County of Dragonsguard and the Valron City Metropolitan area, the Ark Clan's holdings (specifically the House of Ark's Holdings) within the County are technically divided under 2 baronies. These holdings, divided under the Barony of Arkton, ruled by Baron Joshua Ark, and the Barony of Carlark, Ruled by Baron Carlos Ark, paint a vivid picture of titles, roles, and power dynamics. However, in reality, Joshua Ark being the Current Lord Protector and High Elder of the County, in addition to being the Head of the entire Ark Clan and all its houses, holds a significantly more dominant role. In contrast, Baron Carlos Ark, a member of a cadet branch of the House of Ark, embodies a facet of the broader noble hierarchy, and shows the swift integration of the Ark Clan's heritage into the Clan's Politics within Dragonsguard.

Background:
Born to the House of Ark of the Ark Clan, Joshua would sail the Oceans of Rathnir travelling across the world as part of the Ark Fleet. However, tragedy would strike, as at the age of 15 the fleet would be attacked by a sea monster and his parents ship would be sunk. Orphaned, Joshua would ascend to the position of Arkhon, becoming the leader of both the House of Ark and the Clan as a whole.

1 year after the Tragedy while on land Joshua would meet a Traveller who would invite him to the then Kingdom of Valron. He and a portion of the Clan would decide to Establish themselves in the Nation whilst the rest would remain at sea, travelling and settling in whatever nation they felt like.