Cordor: Political & Regional History, AR 126-130
Politics: King Orders Bombardment of Wharftown
In early 130 AR, King Edward I, monarch of Cordor, declared the bombardment of Wharftown. The Amnian fleet was to sail into the Wharftown bay and raze the town unless in six tendays from the date of the order Mayor Caedare of Wharftown was to surrender himself and vassal Wharftown. This caused widespread acclaim, panic and condemnation.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Event: Princess of Sea Elves Rescued
In mid 130 AR, the Amnian fleet called upon by Cordor had its route blocked by fish people. In order to clear the channel, a bargain was struck with the sea elves of the area. Their princess, who had been captured by the fish people, was to be rescued. Gnl. Dan?ethe, V. Chancellor Thron, Alara of Myon, Green Hawk Faeren and Cpt. Kareshk.
The group was given twelve hours to do so. It was done in four. The route was cleared, and the Amnian fleet proceeding with their order to bombard Wharftown.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Politics: King Edward?s Speech
?My fellow Cordorians, members of the military, and esteemed guests in this city. We stand at a most difficult time in the history of this island, and of this city. There are, no doubt, many who feel as I do that the coming action is necessary, but neither am I deaf to those who are alarmed by the events that now unfold before us.?
?Cordor has never sought to be a conqueror, never sought to build an empire. We have led not through force, but through example. Ours has been a benevolent state and the freedom enjoyed throughout the northern territories has been testament to that fact. But at what price? How many of our fellows have died in these interminable wars? How many innocents must die to satisfy the pride of these toy-box tyrants??
?I come to you now, with an answer to that question. No One More! The great irony of this, is that Wharftown itself was itself founded by refugees, and guided by paladins of light. Yet, over the last hundred years that light has died. It is a place now synonymous with evil, bloodshed and cruelty. To petition for peace would bring what? A few weeks, perhaps months of stability before this cycle once again began? I know, that many of you have long since tired of that.?
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Politics: King Edward?s Speech ii
?We also know that the many of those there have pledged to continue their fight with or without the town, and likely they shall. But stripped of their legitimacy they will fight only as the common cutthroats and outcasts they have shown themselves to be. Proven, without doubt, that they cared nothing for those they once pledged to protect.?
?Fellow Cordorians, let us not take pride in our actions, for there is no glory to had in what we set out to do.The pride is here, the honour is here. In the stones, in the streets, taverns and houses of this fine city. In the peace we live by, and the tolerance we preach. Long Live Cordor!?
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Series: Lead up to Bombardment
In mid 130 AR, Cordor was abuzz with preparations for the climactic battle. Bendir and the Cavalry Co. built a makeshift refugee camp at the garrisoned farmhouse, the volunteers styling themselves the ?Helping Hands?, various trade agreements were formed between the settlements opposed to Wharftown, and Edward King made several public appearances, motivating his people.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Inauguration: Valentina Ortega
In early 130 AR, Valentina Ortega (b. 108 AR) of The Fool?s Clover party was inaugurated as High Chancellor of Cordor. She was the proprietor of the Fool?s Clover tavern and a devout Waukenaar. She appeared as a white-skinned, red-haired human woman.
Her significant political opponent was Elona Winsbane of the Temple of the Triad. The significant members of her regime were Vice Chancellor Elwood Thron, Lord of His Majesty?s Exchequer Erasmus Bishopthence, Ambassador Shauna Flanagan, Lady-Magistrate Arael Laceflower, General Ceviran Dan?ethe and Public Works Official Elona Winsbane.
The key promises of her rule were a more regulated military, tax rebates to encourage trade and to end the war with Wharftown.
At this time, Cordor was independent, populated by 85 citizens and traded with Brogendenstein, Guldorand, Myon & Bendir. It was at war with Wharftown. Its stockpiles were low in stone and wood and extremely high in metal, food and cloth. Its treasury was 4,278m with a tax rate of 12.5%.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Event: Cordorian Gala
In early 130 AR, to distract from the violence of the war, Cordor hosted a gala. It took place out front of city hall. It was a costumed event. It was an attendance of over 20 people. To the mutual amusement of the guests, the summoning of the Neg-o-Mental was mocked, with some dressing up as both the elemental, and the despised necromancers who brought it about.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Overview: Reign of de Lanza
Casimir de Lanza (b. 65 AR) of the ACL Corporation reigned as High Chancellor in Cordor from 129 AR to 130 AR, succeeding Chancellor Flanagan. He was primarily an alchemist, merchant and archmage, worshipping Azuth, Waukeen and Siamorphe. He appeared as a white-skinned, brown-haired, brown-bearded greying human male.
The significant members of his regime were Vice Chancellor Shauna Flanagan, Lord of His Majesty?s Exchequer Erasmus Bishopthence, Ambassador-at-Large Valentina Ortega, General Jharock Never and Lady-Magistrate Arael Laceflower.
During his reign he abolished the Cordor Guard and the existing legal code, replacing them respectively with the ?Company of the Golden Eagle?, a private military, and a new legal code that introduced a grading scale of punishments and the ?patrician? societal class, and reintroduced the Magistracy. For much of the latter days of his rule, Mayor Caedare?s Wharftown waged a brutal war with Cordor.
The treasury at the time of his inauguration was 4,428m, with a tax-rate of 0%. The treasury decreased '8% to 4,074m by the end of his rule, tax rate 12.5% (largely an anomaly due to the war). The stockpiles were high in metals and low in stone. There were 84 citizens in Cordor. The city was independent and traded with Brogendenstein, Guldorand, Bendir and Myon. It was at war with Wharftown.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Politics: Trade with Wharftown Discontinued
In late 129 AR, Lord of His Majesty?s Exchequer Erasmus Bishopthence, upon witnessing the bloody aftermath of an Underdark raid, and seeing that Mayor Caedare had struck a bargain for protection with a recently arrived pirate armada,
the Fleet of Three (see: ?Politics: The Fleet of Three Arrive?, 129 AR, Whft) out of desperation, ended Cordor-Wharftown trade negotiations. This was both to condemn the leadership of the town, and to discourage Cordorians from from travelling there.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Arbitration: The Execution of Sarina Dragonsong
In late 129 AR, after being found by the Tower Master and scrier Elwood Thron alone on the vessel ?Liberator?, disgraced ex-Commander Sarina Dragonsong was captured by General Never and brought before Lady Magistrate Laceflower. Dragonsong was found guilty of High Treason and sentenced to death. She was beheaded, her last words being ?Jadoth?.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Politics: Cavalry Mercenary Company Granted Land
In late 129 AR, the Cavalry Mercenary Company (see: ?Founded: Cavalry Mercenary Company?, 129 AR, Maj. Fac.) was leased the garrisoned farmhouse by General Jharock Never.
Formerly an archive for Cordor Guard case files, the Cavalry were given the municipal property under a contractual agreement that they would act in the Company of the Golden Eagle?s authority in the area, guard Cordor?s eastern coastline and north-eastern roads, and supply men in war-time.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Event: The Nomad Tavern Putsch
In late 129 AR, Mara, assistant to Lord Anden Smith, proprieter of the Nomad Tavern, harboured a runaway Orog slave in the premises. A contingent of Elite Guards stormed the building and removed the Orog, presenting to Lord Smith, a patrician, no magistrate-signed warrant as the law demands.
After the fact they refused to leave the premises, not only refusing to acknowledge Lord Smith?s privilege to use magic, but nulled magic in the area completely. Requiring magic to assist the operation of the tavern, Smith was at loss.
A small band of bystanders and tavern employees, namely Buppi and Aerin, protested the action of the Elite Guards, citing trespass laws. Refusing to relinquish their arbitrary mandates, refusing to leave, refusing to even answer the incensed mob, the Elite Guards were beset upon by the furious Cordorians. Two Elite Guards were killed in the scuffle, along with a troupe performer, who could not be raised for the magic block.
The Elite Guards returned with reinforcements, led by Lt. Sarah. They accused the Cordorians of murder, but acting magistrate and Lord of His Majesty?s Exchequer Erasmus Bishopthence defended their actions as legal. Unwilling to vocalize that the Elite Guards did not respect the people?s government or law, the Elite Guards dropped the charges and left tail between legs. Bishopthence proclaimed all present to be patricians, and many drinks were had.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Politics: Cordorian Legislature Abolished, Rewritten
In mid 129 AR, the bloated and technicality-riddled Cordorian laws were completely abolished and replaced by a legal code authored by Lord of His Majesty?s Exchequer Erasmus Bishopthence. The most significant change was the introduction of societal classes, where property owners among others, patricians, were afforded more legal protections and civic privileges.
The Cordorian Magistracy was re-introduced. Acting magistrate Bishopthence authored a ?Magistrate?s Covenant? and then handed the gavel to the first Lady Magistrate, Arael Laceflower.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Politics: Cordor Guard Disbanded
In mid 129 AR, by decree of High Chancellor de Lanza, the Cordor Guard, which had existed in continuity for over a century, was disbanded and dissolved. Believed to be ineffective and disgraced, the faction was replaced by the ?Company of the Golden Eagle?, led by General Jharock Never and staffed by Captains Arawn Dullahan and Justian Fearshald (former commander).
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Event: Abomination Loosed on Cordor
In mid 129 AR, a disgruntled necromancer and her male concubine summoned what has been described as a ?negative energy elemental? in the streets of the city. The ritual was performed at the docks, with the necromancers promptly escaping the isle via boat.
The monster was battled by, among many others, the Ambassador Valentina Ortega, the halfling druid Buppi, the Archmage of Necromancy Jacob Swift and ex-Cordor Guard Anden Smith.
This battle raged all through the Government District to the Cultural District, then to the Farmlands, where it was at last destroyed. However, the damage was already done. Cordor?s crops were blighted and the river poisoned, according to the aforementioned druid and Archmage. Trade agreements were quickly negotiated with Brogendenstein and Guldorand, which had surpluses of food but a scarcity of cloth, a commodity Cordor is plentiful in.
The exact logistics of the reparations are yet to be determined.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Series: Rise of Anti-Magic Sentiment
In mid to late 129 AR, as consequence of (unsuccessful) magely intervention on a blighted Cordor, King Edward I proclaimed a moratorium on magic within his kingdom. This was eventually properly codified in governmental law, but this regnal interference caused widespread protest and damaged relations between the Arcane Tower and Cordor.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Battle: The Skirmish at the Toll-Gate
In early 129 AR, believed to have occurred shortly after the ?Slaughter at Stonehold? (see: Wharftown), a force of Underdarkers assembled at Cordor?s toll-gate in the frontier. Receiving them was a sole ex-Corporal, Aurora Blackmoore.
She was overwhelmed and killed, but her actions -- brave or foolish -- are thought to have stalled the advance of the raid, forcing them to retreat with the coming of the dawn.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Politics: Changes in the de Lanza Cabinet
In mid 129 AR, Valentina Ortega, co-owner of the prominent tavern ?the Fool?s Clover?, was by decree of High Chancellor Casimir de Lanza installed as Ambassador-at-Large. Taking complaint with this, Minister of Commerce Andore Greaves furiously resigned from both the cabinet and the Cordor Press (which he operated) citing ?corruption?.
It was understood that prior to this outburst, despite being a mere Minister of Commerce, he had been taken very quickly to his new political position and used it to bully his citizenry, demanding to be referred to as ?Minister?, making threats and generally grossly overestimating the power he was entitled to. Completing his disgrace, he emptied the Ministry?s bank account before taking off -- ironically, the only act of corruption in the government to date.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Series: The Undoing of the Cordor Guard
In early 129 AR, beginning with the mutinous coup attempted by disgraced Lt. Mathias Blackmoore, the Cordor Guard underwent rapid decline. Soon thereafter, after a period of declining mental health, commander of the Cordor Guard, Sarina Dragonsong, eloped with the Red Witch Sabine, Infernal cultist.
Her apologists argued she was ensorcelled against her will, others were skeptical of this and claimed she went willingly, scrying of the women allegedly revealed Dragonsong lucid. This sequence of events resulted in her former subordinate, Jadoth Dawnfire, confronting her and the Priestess of Eilistraee, Elona Winsbane, in the Cordor outskirts.
Enraged at her betrayal, and being subject to a decline in mental health of his own, Dawnfire loosed a ball of spellflame on Dragonsong and Winsbane, killing them both, ravaging the city and claiming many innocent bystanders. During this time many of the Guard resigned or were killed in vain attempts to rescue the disgraced former commander, leaving a force of untrained recruits led by the last remaining suitable candidate: Justian Fearshald, Banite.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Politics: Promulgation of Anti-Lycanthrope Legislation
In 129 AR, shortly after his inauguration, High Chancellor Casimir de Lanza passed the ?Load up on Silver Shot? act. Effective immediately, all those known to willingly carry the Lycanthrope disease were legally considered Pariahs and, if their name was specified on a to-be-erected board of known werewolves, subject to a bounty on their corpse no less than 25,000gp.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Inauguration: Casimir de Lanza
In early 129 AR, Casimir de Lanza (b. 65 AR) of ACL Corporation was inaugurated as Chancellor (styling himself High Chancellor). He is primarily an alchemist, merchant and archmage, worshipping Azuth, Waukeen and Siamorphe. He appears as a white-skinned, brown-haired, brown-bearded greying human male.
His significant political opponent was Kyle Frayer-Eldafire of the Temple of the Triad. The significant members of his regime were Vice Chancellor Shauna Flanagan, Lord of His Majesty?s Exchequer Erasmus Bishopthence, Minister of Commerce Andore Greaves, with other seats in his cabinet yet to be filled.
The key promises of his rule are meritocratic economic prosperity and reformation, legislature overhaul, upright defense including recreation of Cordorian law enforcement.
At this time, Cordor was independent, populated by 100 citizens and traded with Brogendenstein, Guldorand, Myon & Wharftown. Its stockpiles were low in stone and extremely high in metal. Its treasury was 4,428m with a tax rate of 0%.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Overview: Reign of Shauna Flanagan
Shauna Flanagan (b. 102 AR) of the Red Quill reigned as Chancellor in Cordor from 126 AR to 129 AR, being re-elected once. She is a pale-skinned, blue-eyed, red-haired human female, a journalist and alchemist by trade, non-religious.
The key members of her regime were City Works Administrator Casimir de Lanza and Commanders Stellen Varg and Sarina Dragonsong. She was preceded by Malak Al?Abrash and was succeeded by Casimir de Lanza of ACL Corporation.
Her primary policies promoted trade, maintained stability and adjudicated over the growing number of neglected embassies in the city. The significant events during her incumbency were the Underdark raids involving the rescue of commander Stellen Varg, and the failed coup orchestrated by Lt. Mathias Blackmoore of the Guard.
The treasury at the time of her inauguration was in the ?high three million?, with a tax-rate of 5%. The treasury increased '120% to 4,569m by the end of her rule, tax rate unchanged. The stockpiles were high in metals and low in stone. There were 100 citizens in Cordor. The city was independent and traded with Brogendenstein, Guldorand, Myon and Wharftown.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
Event: Mutiny of Mathias Blackmoore
In the town square, in plain daylight, Lt. Mathias Blackmoore of the guard, assisted by the werewolf Feluka Foxwood, attempted to kill Chancellor Shauna Flanagan due to her disobedience of his illegitimate commands. This debacle originated with the ex-Tower mages and lovers Ava Dal and ?Poe?, a necrotic half-elf, attempting to start an independent magic academy (?The Sacred Weave?) in the city.
Flanagan, who considered Poe a personal enemy due to him capturing and torturing her a decade ago, revoked their property deed and kicked them out. Blackmoore, likely manipulated by the aforementioned (personal friends of his, as he used to be a Tower warden) considered Flanagan a tyrant and her actions ?against the law?.
Unwilling to accept that the law is quite literally whatever the incumbent Chancellor wants it to be, he violently attacked her after attempting to arrest her. Blackmoore and Foxwood were exiled, and the mage academy dismantled.
Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR
Erasmus Bishopthence
[Wiki Editor's Note: Due to an in-game bug, some of the older player written notes had their dates reset to Day 8, Month 11 (Uktar), 139 AR. As a result, the exact dates for the records above are not known. However, we can determine from these writings that the events took place between 126 - 130 AR.]