History of Savernia

The Kingdom of Savernia has had a fairly rough history. Starting within the Boulderov borders, becoming a central part in the 2nd Uldarash Empire and ending up an independent nation who had to stand up against foreign powers.

Founding
Savernia was founded on the 12th of July 2021. It consisted of a group of scavengers and friends led by Olly Ashwood. They settled the first Savernian city and named it Ashbury. Though unaware, they settled in Boulderov territory. The city was built by the group overnight and thus surprised the original rulers of the region. This soon came to be a heated issue and led to tension between the Savernian people and the Boulderov people. After many discussions and the fall of their friend and ally Midge from the neighbouring Kingdom of Falnir, the Savernian leader Olly Ashwood met with Panda, a high council member of Boulderov, and togheter they agreed that Savernia would become a province of Boulderov.

Independence
As of the 7th of October 2021, the High Council of Boulderov offered to grant the people of Savernia their independence in return for a large sum of gold. This deal was later agreed upon by King Mimek of Boulderov. As of that moment Savernia became an independent nation, part of the Second Empire of Uldarash. As a leader, Olly Ashwood became the first king of Savernia, though he was never formally sworn in. This earned him the nickname "The Crownless King". The Ashwood family became the royal family of the kingdom and a high council was put in place.

Uldarash Civil War Build Up
Upon the declaration of the illigitamancy of Empress Caterina of Montroig by The Auroran High Command of the Empire, Savernia cautiously sided with the Empire, having a stance of unity over bloodshed. With King Olly Ashwood making the following statement:

Following the statement, the people of Savernia made ready for the coming fight.

Outbreak of the Civil War
Upon the outbreak of the civil war, Savernia stood with the Monarchists and gathered with the forces of the Empire to defend the Empire. With many resources given to the aid of the fight and the few warriors of the nation bravely marching to the front Savernia stood stable and strong with it's stance and with it's people. Savernia had found it's place in the Empire.

Great War against the Eldham Entente
With the outbreak of the war being declared on Aurora after the Auroran higher ups stole from the strongest alliance in Eldham, the forces of Aurora defended their home against all odds and won while suffering heavy casualties. Following this small victory the Entente started approaching all states of the Empire, finding itself sending diplomats to Savernia. After much deliberation King Olly Ashwood decided to step down in order to allow the nation to chose it's own future.

Independence of Savernia
On the 5th of December 2021, after Olly Ashwood stepped down, his cousin Logan Ashwood took the crown and declared that Savernia would be peacefully leaving the Empire under the protection of the Eldham Entente.

Upon leaving Logan Ashwood made the following statement:

The crowning of Logan Ashwood
On the 12th of December, Logan Ashwood, first of his name and cousin of the former King Olly Ashwood, was crowned to rule the Kingdom of Savernia.



Death of Logan Ashwood and Crowing of Hazel Ashwood - 26th January 2022
Lost at sea in storms not of natural order. The ship broken down, sailors and soldiers and the King had fought back wave after wave of drowned and other unnatural creatures of the sea’s dark depths. The men and women on the merchant ship Moonlit Jewel fought for their lives despite the odds, and what they found had to be returned to Savernia. The King and the Ship’s captain spent the day of torrential rain devising a plan, resolute in the sacrifice that would have to be made, both of them knowing the unspoken outcome. “This has to work”

“It will work, your Majesty.”

Logan nodded and handed the small chest to the Captain. “Tell him to get this to Lady Hazel. She will see its return to the Cathedral.”  He opened the chest once more, checking the oiled skins that had protected the maps and scrolls from the elements for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. He then took off the signet ring and placed it an envelope with the letter to her. His chest tightened, and memories of her smile flooded his mind as he closed the chest hiding the key within a secret compartment and handed it to the captain.

As the sun slowly sank into the sea turning the sky bloodred, once more the air filled with electricity as the winds picked up and the rain started. The lookout at the bow of the ship shouted out and pointed to the east. “Here they….”  His words cut off with a gurgling scream as a sea serpent rose from the tossing waters and clamped its toothy jaws around him, dragging him down.

Lighting flashed as the last battle began. Drowned beating against ships hull, repaired holes breaking down as the ship took in more water. Waves crashing over the sides and bringing with them more drowned upon the decks. Everyone fighting for their lives and for their King. They all knew the ship was sinking and this was their last stand.

The Divines watched from the Heavens. William’s hand held back by celestial rules of engagement. Nymriand and Sylvannia fumed as the Jester laughed that his plan had worked. The precious scrolls of many of their secrets would be lost at sea, destroyed by the salty depths, ripped to shreds by the world's natural sea monsters. Glee danced in his eyes as he watched the humans fight knowing they would lose. Suddenly Havestian slammed down his gavel and the Heavens and the Sea shook from his power. “Too Far… you do too far Mortimas. I have decided. Logan Ashwood’s sacrifice will not go unnoticed.”  His voice boomed but the humans heard only thunder and saw only lightning as each prayed to their deity of choice.

The ship suddenly lurched up at the prow as tentacles snaked over the sides, crushing anything they touched. Drowned climbing onto the creature on onto the deck. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ship two sailors boarded a makeshift raft made of broken wood and barrels. One of them clutching the small chest with a white knuckled grip. He watched the battle thru the flashes of light. The King rallied the last of the crew as they charged the Kracken,  He was soon grappled by the tentacles, but he never stopped fighting, tentacles crushing thru his armor, his mouth filled with blood. As he was drawn to the snapping mouth, he shoved his sword into one of the eyes of the creature and it screamed horrifically bashing the King against the mast of the ship causing it to finally break and fall onto the deck crushing all beneath it. The ship started sinking faster, Logan’s last thoughts of their first kiss under the stars at Nyx’s statue, flowers in her hair, her eyes a deep green and shimmering with stars.

The sailor with the chest bowed his head, a blessing for Nyx to guide him to his heavenly rest. The other sailor watched the sea around them for signs they were being followed. He called upon Devistaria for strength to complete the mission. Permission be damned, from the back of the Divine’s Heavenly Chambers,  Nyx whispered into the storm filled sky and stars pointing home became a glow. She looked to William who nodded in return and he blinked from her sight. Soon the sailors felt a wind blowing, a flash of light as William’s sword struck a drowned that was almost upon them.

Many days later a fisherman found some of the wreckage of the small boat, and a pair of dead sailors. One still clutching a small chest. He tried to tug the chest away but the sailor suddenly woke up, not letting go. “Savernia… Lady Hazel… “ His only words as he passed out again.

Hazel was making potions in the armory when the word came she was needed at the pier. She didn’t see the serious look on the worker’s face, her only thoughts that he had finally returned. The smile turned to confusion as no ship was at the dock, just a fisherman with a hurt sailor in his boat.

“He asks for you m’lady, the man should be dead but he clings to life looking for you”

She approached the young sailor and knelt beside him, now lying down being tended to by others. “You are from the Moonlit Jewel…”  The dying man barely nodded and whispered with his dying breath. “He said get this to Lady Hazel and here I am m’lady… He fought to the end to get this to you.”  His mission complete, his grip now gone, the small chest fell to his side.

Everyone silenced at his last words, Lady Hazel retrieved the key and opened the chest. Opening the envelope, the signet ring fell into her lap as she read his last letter. She could barely breathe, willing her hands not to shake or her voice to quiver. She slowly rose to her feet and drew in a deep breath.

“The King is dead”

"Long live the Queen"

Reign of Hazel Starlyn
On the 13th of March 2022, Hazel Starlyn-Ashwood was crowned to be the new queen of Savernia. She led the kingdom until she abdicated the throne on the 21st of May 2022.

The return of Olly Ashwood
After Hazel Starlyn-Ashwood stepped down, former leader, Olly Ashwood, took the task upon himself to lead the kingdom again.

The Laumont War
The conflict, known as the Laumont War or War against the Horde, started after the people from Decesmont requested independence from Savernia. They claimed the cultural difference between their local citizens and the rest of Savernia was too big and that the collaboration with the High Council was nonexistent. Feeling left aside and based upon their people’s history, they sided closer to the Kingdom of the Lorent and the recently formed coalition, the Horde.

King Olly Ashwood quickly met their demands and stated that the new Kingdom of Laumont would become independent. Though he refused to accept the allegations made against him and Savernia. As a reaction, and full of confidence with their newly acquired diplomatic victory, the leader of Laumont claimed that the eastern parts of Savernia, the Whiteshore and Holskir hold, were rightfully theirs. Backed by the military might of the Horde, they announced that they would fight Savernia if their demands would not be met. The Savernian High Council couldn’t agree with the unsubstantiated claims and so tension quickly rose up until the kingdom of Laumont declared war upon the Kingdom of Savernia.

As troops on both sides prepared for the inevitable fighting, diplomats still tried to avoid an all on open conflict. Leaders from all over Rathnir expressed their opinion about the conflict and many chose sides. The Kingdom of Savernia was being backed by the nations from the Commonwealth of Haven, the Constellation of the North, the West lands alliance, Tortuga, Borhammer, Sylvania and many more. While the Kingdom of Laumont was mainly backed by the nations who were part of the Horde coalition, for example, Vinovia, Plagetea and the Lorent, together with Kartek and the Goblins from the north. Once all diplomatic possibilities were exhausted, there was only one way to solve the conflict, by clashing steel and spilling blood.

The battle for Antler’s Rest
The attackers arrived on the 6th of July, 2022 at the fields around the town of Antler’s Rest. The defenders were stationed on the fortified walls of the city and the castle. The local citizens, together with the help from supporting nations, hastily had put up defenses. Though the attackers were wielding mighty swords and easily broke through whatever obstacle was in their way. The fight was short but intense. Soldiers on both sides fell and the city took a lot of damage. The attacking army managed to break through into the city and claimed a victory. Though the defenders would not give up and the attackers returned to their siege camps and waited until the next opportune moment to deal out the final blow.

While both sides had suffered many losses during the first attack, both in men and equipment, this short break, gave them the opportunity to regather strength. When the second battle started, on the 13th of July 2022, the defenders had strengthened their fortifications, retrained soldiers and forged brand-new armor and weapons. Full of confidence, the attacking soldiers moved forward, ready to take the castle. Again, a bloody battle began, but this time, the defenders had learned from their past mistakes. Conquering the town wasn’t that easy anymore and taking the castle itself proved to be an almost impossible undertaking. Though the enemy was desperate and used all the destructive power they had. To no avail. The clashing armies both withdrew and the conflict was over. Antler’s Rest, though heavily damaged, was still in the hands of the defenders. In the meantime, a group of special trained soldiers, had infiltrated the city of Decesmont and such caused chaos in the ranks of the attackers.

Though many expected a third battle for the Antler’s Rest, it would eventually never happen. A change of leadership inside the Horde, lead to a change of mind on the ongoing conflict. The attacking armies, returned home, heavily weakened and in disarray. While the Kingdom of Laumont lost most of it’s support. King Olly Ashwood, together with its allies, claimed the victory, which ended the Laumont War.