DarkLordBuster

Beginnings
DarkLordBuster's past is unknown and shrouded by both a colossal amount of alcohol and a trance lasting many years. What he has been able to piece together suggests he was once a mage of some kind. The last solid memory was of him wandering into the woods and passing out on a fairy mound.

Highlands
DarkLordBuster awoke in the land of Eldham, and found shelter in an abandoned bunker complex in the AWE. One day, while mining for terracotta in the nearby hills, he met "Mad" Arthur, ruler of Highlands. Arthur took him in as a citizen, and there he would learn the skills that would serve him well later in life. He developed a variety of farming methods to help maximize yield and, in the days before the Curse of Plague, worked as a smith and enchanter.

First Years
When the province of Stone was split, the city of Highlands joined the Soolianic Congregation instead of the AWE, creating a very messy border situation. Despite generally cordial relationships between Soolia and the AWE at the time, DarkLordBuster was charged by Arthur to create and rule a fort for defensive purposes.

The fort, which he named Dun, was eventually built along the northeastern border with the AWE, just south of Artemis. Though small and perpetually under-garrisoned, it was nonetheless a formidable defensive strongpoint, well positioned to control any road that might connect the two nations.

As the Lord of Dun, DarkLordBuster didn't find terribly much to do. Despite occasional tensions abroad, war was far off and almost never involved the Congregation. There, he farmed and did some experimentations in brewing, alchemy, enchanting, and redstone, but otherwise was left to his own devices.

Siege of Hefnaheim
When word came of the war between Skjold and the Zamotz Union, and of the Congregation's involvement, DarkLordBuster leapt at the opportunity to join the siege of Hefnaheim. However, he was delayed by a storm, and thus arrived just in time to witness the horrific slaughter of the defenders. Shaken by the massacre and recognizing any chance of victory was lost, he attempted to guide as many survivors away from the fallen fortress.

High Kingdom of Soolia
The disaster at Hefnaheim sparked outcry, and drove Block Fjell to institute reforms that resulted in the restructuring of the Soolianic Congregation into the High Kingdom of Soolia in October of 2021, crowning himself as High King. DarkLordBuster was an ardent supporter of this change, believing the unity of centralized power would help strengthen the nation as a whole.

In November of 2021, he was elected Minister of War, and set about testing and strengthening the nation's military. During his tenure, he held one military exercise, Operation Ripple, which highlighted the generally low quality of the nation's soldiery, and pointed out several candidates for leadership.

Reign of High King Block Fjell (BlockNutBoi)
The reign of Block Fjell was, by all accounts, was a stable and moderately prosperous one, as he was an active and vigorous monarch. Between the reaffirmation of the nation's population, a nebulous thing at the best of times, and extensive governmental reform. He would often personally lead raids into foreign territory, securing a great deal of wealth for the nation. During this time, DarkLordBuster worked on the nation's military as Minister of War, but otherwise was content to stay at his fort of Dun with only occasional participation with national efforts.

Reign of High King Abydos Fjell (gbmc_)
After the abdication of High King Block due to severe illness, his grandson Abydos took the throne. At around this time, the nation had started to stagnate, suffering from a noted population reduction and a relatively weak economy. He continued building infrastructure has he had as Minister of Building under his predecessor, as well as maintaining good diplomatic relationships. However, without the leadership of High King Block, DarkLordBuster became more reclusive and reluctant to leave his holdings.

Succession Crisis
Not being particularly active, DarkLordBuster was taken by surprise when word arrived that High King Abydos had died and his former liege, "Mad" Arthur, was claiming the throne. Being not of Fjell blood, Arthur faced significant opposition among the leadership of Soolia, and an opposing candidate was found in the form of King Dvusi Fjell of Irulan.

For a time, it seemed as if civil war would break out, and DarkLordBuster was torn between loyalty to the nation and gratitude towards his former liege, who took him in and provided shelter in the very beginning. However, a compromise was reached: Arthur would be adopted into the Fjell family as a prerequisite for ascending to the throne.

Reign of High King Arthur (yourfriendmad)
While initially seemingly acceptable, High King Arthur soon began antagonizing the AWE above what seemed like everything else. Having holdings in the south of Stone, he never liked the messy border or the fact that Willowreach, a city right across the road from his home of Highlands, had grown larger than ever before under the AWE.

It was later when DarkLordBuster would unwittingly edge the High King to make a decision which would cause immense grief and bitterness. When "Mad" Arthur approached regarding the question of joining the Empire of Plagatea, the Lord of Dun, unaware of many of the specifics of various treaties binding the kingdom or the political landscape, advised accepting the offer.

The Stone Cession
The decision to join Plagatea came soon afterwards, and the AWE was enraged at the apparent encroachment on "their" territory, the province of Stone having originally been a protectorate of theirs. Despite attempts at negotiation, it was clear that war was imminent. Worse still, High King "Mad" was increasingly living up to his name and was almost eager for the war. When Plagatea decided to extricate itself from the looming war, the High King declared independence. DarkLordBuster was charged with conducting sabotage within the AWE, which he did for a short time before getting lost in the jungles around Willowreach.

By the time he had returned, the High King had concocted a plan to lure the AWE's forces into the recently built castle of Terranhof and, should victory by force of arms fail as it surely would, detonate the castle with TNT, taking everybody down with it. DarkLordBuster was hesitant, as he recognized the plan was unfeasible; there simply wasn't enough money or people in the entire realm to commit such a deed. However, though the former gratitude had long since faded, it was still the will of his sovereign.

Eventually, a diplomatic compromise was reached. High King Arthur would abdicate, and the entirety of the Duchy of Stone, as well as large parts of the Duchy of Allium, would be given to the AWE in exchange for peace. The offer was accepted and Mad Arthur, now raving about eternal glory and the favor of a figure named "Stoney," was unceremoniously deposed. DarkLordBuster, not wanting his home to fall into foreign hands, took what belongings he could to the Soolian capital of Rolk before destroying Dun.

The Long Road Back Up
After the High King was deposed, it was decided to form a regency council to rule Soolia while a new monarch was found. The council, consisting of DarkLordBuster, Gunnar Fjell, Torm Naktimol, and Frodi Brekkholm, set about finding a new ruler while ensuring the nation's precarious state didn't collapse. It was decided that Dennis Godd-Fjell would be best suited, being a young, active candidate as well as boasting connections to other Fjell ruled nations such as Irulan.

The nation, by now being too poor and underpopulated to warrant a coronation, immediately went to work rebuilding itself from the neglect of its previous sovereign. As his first act, High King Dennis ordered the complete teardown and reconstruction of Rolk, the initial dismantling being completed by February 2022. DarkLordBuster participated extensively during the initial stages of Rolk's reconstruction, particularly the terraforming done to the main mountain which would eventually house the citadel.

As time continued and work progressed, new citizens began trickling into Soolia,

Battle for the Rattican
DarkLordBuster heard of the dire situation and arrived in the middle of the battle. Though wounded multiple times, he returned as soon as possible each time, helping kill multiple giants, withers, and lesser creatures. Despite the valor of the defenders, the city was ultimately lost. The extent of his injuries was such that many believed he would surely perish, but he was able to return to Rolk and recover in the wake of the calamity.