History of Elizadale and The Kingdom
Thousands of years in the past in the time before recorded history, the continent of Elizadale was divided into countless territories. Over the ages there was constant struggle over the land. Empires and dynasties grew and were toppled, while some smaller villages went about life unnoticed. During this time a common townsfolk became the leader of a small fishing village. This was the first of the Pendragon family. Under their leadership the village prospered and grew, eventually becoming the small city of Candrea Bay.
The leadership of Candrea Bay remained under the Pendragon family, and the city became more prosperous with each generation. Hundreds of years after the city was formed nearby villages came under their control. The head of the Pendragon family declared the formation of the Kingdom of Candrea Bay. Just as his family had done for generations, he continued to be a fair ruler. He grew a proud kingdom that loved their ruler and saw him as benevolent father. No decision was made unless it would benefit the entirety of his kingdom, and that is how all of the heirs of the Pendragon royal family are taught to rule.
Eventually Alistair Pendragon came to power, leading his kingdom as all of his family had done before him. A few years into his rule the Kingdom faced its greatest threat. As the Kingdom’s lands and influence grew, naturally other powers in the world took notice. At this time Candrea Bay didn’t have control of the entire continent. A great power rose in the east, sweeping across the land. Not much is remembered except the ferocity and sheer size of the armies that moved from town to town, taking any able to fight. The invaders were called the Moritani, and their invasion was fast and so brutal. Alistair deployed as many troops as he could as fast he could. He also tried to reason with the invaders but his messengers found no success and were given no quarter. One name rose from the fire spreading across the Kingdom’s lands, Batu Kar.
Left with no other option, Alistair sent his army. They had very little experience in combat and were greatly outnumbered. The war was very one sided, and after many battles the Kingdom’s military was pushed back to the capital. This commenced the Great Siege of Candrea Bay. The people of the Kingdom were unable to escape as their foes blockaded the sea. The royal family served alongside their people all the while running their military and defenses. They volunteered everything they could to help the general public. Whether it be labor to help rebuild homes destroyed by the invasion, or tending to the sick, not one member of the royal family neglected their self-imposed sacred duty, until something changed.
Two months into the siege and the entire royal family fell victim to illness. They retreated into the castle and only allowed access to the Kingdom’s best healers and most trusted advisors. For the next week, the citizens heard nothing from the royal family. On the dawn of the 7th day after the royal family became ill, Alistair Pendragon and his family emerged from the castle. They appeared physically unchanged, but clearly there was something different about their demeanor. The King addressed his weary people, promising them that they would push back the attackers and take back their lands. That day the siege ended. As their strongest attack mages rained a barrage of spells on their foes, the entirety of their military rushed out of the gates. Led by the King and the rest of the royal family, they cut through their foes like a storm. The royals showed a strength and ferocity that none had ever seen and has remained unmatched to this day.
When the dust settled, those left alive from the besieging force were allowed to keep their lives, but were taken prisoner. The King had his military spread across his lands, with each of his children a general of their own small force. They took back their lands and proceeded even further. They moved on to the lands of their enemies. With their lands regained and the addition of new territory, Alistair sent his prisoners back home. Their generals were stripped of land and title, and those blessings given to those found more deserving.
King Alistair realized that conflicts like this would continue to arise in the future, so he set out to prevent them before they started. After life in the Kingdom was back to normal and the military was back to its proper strength, Alistair redoubled his efforts to approach the nearby countries and kingdoms to form alliances and to offer aid where needed. Most accepted, and over the years, when their rulers would pass, their new rulers chose to come under Kingdom protection and rule. Other countries refused until they would fall into poverty, and the King would extend his offer for aid again and again, until they accepted. Some countries chose to respond by attacking the Kingdom, and they would meet the same defeat as the Moritani, the country whose true name is lost to all but the most scholarly.
After a couple hundred years, the Kingdom of Candrea Bay controlled the entire continent. All of this still under the rule of Alistair Pendragon and his family, who seemed to have stopped aging from the moment they came out of the castle and ended the siege. Most people don’t remember exactly how long Candrea Bay has been in control, but for nearly a thousand years Alistair Pendragon has driven the Kingdom to new heights, and continues to strive to maintain peace and prosperity throughout the continent.