History

The Inquisition begins at a time of slowly encroaching peace over the turmoil of the last century, when King Dav ab Harmon began a bitter battle of conquest to enslave all of the outlying kingdoms to his own, Lithmore. Successful through largely perilous means, history reflects the views of those who won, and so it is that today, the Realm of Lithmore enjoys undying pride in its culture and practices, spreading them throughout the five duchies.

The realm, in reality an uneasy empire of five kingdoms reduced to duchies, focuses much of its attention on Dav's capital city, Lithmore. Here, history looms over the shoulder of the people as large organizations created to assist Dav's cause retain the power he granted unto them, clutching it to their hearts like lovers. These oligarchies, the guilds, frequently fight to maintain both their presence as well as their prestige and rights.

During the upheaval of Dav's reign, The Holy Order of Dav rose from the fringes of cult society to become the church of the realm. Their doctrine, militant and oppressive, is to seek out the vile taint of magic and those who support it to protect the citizens of Lithmore from the inevitable results of evil. They are the leaders of The Inquisition, and both feared and loved for the safety they provide. At the head of the Order, the monarch of the realm also enjoys the title Patriarch, and directly plays a part in ensuring their continued success. More than any other organization, the Holy Order of Dav and the Knights Lithmorran (formerly the Knights of the Chalice), dominate Lithmore's culture and politics.

The Knights Lithmorran serve as the sword arm of the church, capturing mages and heretics for inquisition. Theirs is a unique existence, violence balanced by piety. They take vows which bind them to their oaths of chivalry and high standards of living.

A powerful informants and entertainers called the Troubadours are welcomed into almost any company for their open and honest sharing of news. Acting as a repository for all knowledge, and known as such, the Troubadours educate their peers on current events, politics, history, and just abouteverything else in the oldest manner known to man: music and performances. The language of laughter breaks down all barriers within and without this guild, granting them unparalleled access to all social circles and peoples. Though not inherently powerful by any writ, the Troubadours own the heartsof the people, and thus have a far more innate support than many of thehigher guilds.

The hearts of men are not, however, the only means to power in a nation, and the city of Lithmore has its share of those who dominate it through sheer financial capability. The Merchants Guild, chartered long before the Consolidation, is probably both the oldest and the heartiest of the guilds. Bound into many a venture, many nobles are backed by their merchant lenders, and a case could be made that this guild controls the entire economy of the realm both inside and outside of Lithmore. Their members are skilled professionals that can demand their own price for their work, and frequently do just that.

The Merchants Guild encompasses services as well as goods, especially in the medical field. The Physicians maintain a high quality of professionalism, doling out skills to paying apprentices and tightly maintaining their presence and power through legal and financial means. At one point, they functioned as their own guild, but have recently come back under the auspices of the Merchants once more.

Where there is money, there's always someone willing to take it. The Brotherhood of Common Goods, perhaps more frequently dubbed "The Thieves", are more than happy to relieve the merchants and just about anyone else of their wealth. Their origins trace back to the Consolidation, smuggling commodities such as whiskey, bandages, and lamp oil to both armies during the wars. Before these ignoble men and women banded, criminals faced terrible odds on their own, but the Brotherhood both protects its own and prevents others from operating in their territory. Organized crime pays off better than any other kind, they say, and this "guild" has proven remarkably capable of confirming this belief.

The Reeves, however, stand in their way. Once an organized militia of both peasant and knight alike, the Reeves grew in prominence as both police and judges. The King of Lithmore now relies upon them more than any other group to collect taxes, keep the peace, and hold judicial hearings. Rich from both levies and taxes, they regulate trade, make laws, and enforce them. In recent times, their law enforcement duties were absorbed by the Knights Lithmorran, but have once again fallen to the newly reformed Queen's Guard, which handles enforcement of the law and the correction ofall secular crime.

Technology

TI is technologically based in Europe's early 900s AD. Any advances after this date may be considered witchcraft, and many educated advances from before what we would consider the Dark Ages may be as well, for a great deal of knowledge was lost during this time period.

Note: Technology refers to Urth's general sophistication on how to build new devices, interpret natural laws, and manipulate their environment. It does not refer to culture, mode of dress, general beliefs amongst the population, etc. Ultimately, remember that this is Urth, not Earth, and thus the two need not coincide.

Timeline

Current year is 303 SC. The original timeline can be found on TI's official website.

Baronial Council (1-32)

• 1 -- First Church of Lithmore founded. Adopts Sun Cycle as official dating system.

• 8 -- City of Vandago founded.

• 17 -- Lloryth ab Harmon is born.

• 17 -- A new Lithmore is built on top of the old.

• 20 -- Lithmore's entire reconstruction completed.

• 32 -- The Baronial Council disbanded, when several members were found guilty of corruption and treason.

• 32 -- Lloryth ab Harmon, the Baron of Eastgale's son, becomes the first King of Lithmore.

Lloryth's Reign (32-47)

• 32 -- Lloryth ab Harmon marries Eloina Talshar.

• 32 -- Anadona ab Harmon, Lloryth's eldest sister, marries Sir Dagnos Blackmoore, Count of Casterlay.

• 32 -- King's Law instituted.

• 32 -- Construction of Lithmore Castle begins.

• 33 -- King Lloryth's ab Harmon establishes the Mercers Guild in Lithmore City, and appoints the first Grand Magnate, Laurence Westfield.

• 34 -- Llewellen ab Harmon (f), Lloryth and Eloina's first child, is born.

• 35 -- Robear (m), Lloryth and Eloina's second child, is born.

• 42 -- Llewellen dies without issue (34-42).

• 43 -- Eloina dies without issue.

• 47 -- King Lloryth ab Harmon is slain on the field of battle against Charalin raiders (17-47).

Robear's Reign (47-64)

• 52 -- King Robear ab Harmon marries Silara Jash'ar.

• 54 -- Garth (m), first child of King Robear and Silara, is born.

• 57 -- Elspeth (f), second child of Robear and Silara, is born.

• 59 -- Dafydd (m), third child of Robear and Silara, is born.

• 64 -- Robear dies of unknown causes (35-64).

Garth's Reign (64-92)

• 67 -- Garth marries Charla Bestlan.

• 68 -- Pinalo (m), first child of Garth and Charla, is born.

• 72 -- Elspeth ab Harmon marries Horgan Paddock.

• 73 -- Siegurd (m), first child of Horgan and Elspeth, is born.

• 78 -- Rolf (m), second child of Horgan and Elspeth, is born.

• 80 -- Rolf ab Harmon Paddock dies without issue (78-80).

• 80 -- Danielle (f) and Alielle (f) are born to Horgan and Elspeth ab Harmon.

• 86 -- Siegurd marries Rosa D'olm.

• 87 -- Danielle ab Harmon Paddock dies without issue (80-87).

• 88 -- Dav is born to Siegurd and Rosa.

• 92 -- Garth ab Harmon dies of heart failure (54-92).

Pinalo's Reign (92-107)

• 92 -- Siegurd dies without issue (73-92).

• 97 -- Dafydd ab Harmon marries Aremis Ymmr.

• 97 -- Alielle ab Harmon Paddock marries Yult DeChainiene.

• 97 -- Annora (f), first child of Yult and Alielle DeChaniene, is born.

• 99 -- Ewan (m), second child of Yult and Alielle DeChaniene, is born.

• 103 -- Dav ab Harmon Paddock marries Celeste.

• 104 -- Alielle ab Harmon Paddock dies (80-104).

• 104 -- Owain (m), first child of Dav and Celeste, is born.

• 105 -- Fulk (m), second child of Dav and Celeste, is born.

• 107 -- Dinae (f), third child of Dav and Celeste, is born.

Dav's Reign (107-144)

• 109 -- The Bell of Lithmore was cast.

• 109 -- Dav's family is murdered by mages. The Inquisition into the Heresy of Magic begins.

• 109 -- The citadel of Nimrock is built by fledgling Kingdom of Vavard, with the knowledge that at some time Dav's army would be at its gates.

• 109 -- The Holy Order of Dav is founded by Dav.

• 109 -- Dav initiated the Consolidation.

• 110 -- Dav's champion, Aurthyn ab Sidharr, the Seneschal, is dedicated into service to the Holy Order as the Earl Marshall.

• 114 -- The Citadel of Nimrock is completed.

• 115 -- Adaon de Talfore, the future first Duke of Farin, is born.

• 117 -- After failure to take Tubor, Dav pulls his forces back to the mainland.

• 117 -- The 30 days' war against the Charali.

• 117 -- Jasper, the second Duke of Tubor, is born.

• 119 -- Elspeth ab Harmon Paddock dies (73-119).

• 120 -- Dafydd ab Harmon dies without issue (59-120).

• 127 -- Ewan DeChaniene dies (99-127).

• 132 -- Dav ab Harmon Paddock marries Elinda, Marquessa de Warsalus.

• 132 -- Jasper marries Jolene Sinclair, heiress of Duchy of Tubor, and becomes second Duke of Tubor.

• 134 -- Lord Adaon de Talfore marries Eleanor Beaufort.

• 134 -- Iain is born to Dav ab Harmon Paddock and Elinda.

• 134 -- Marcus, first child of Duke Jasper and Duchess Jolene of Tubor, is born.

• 135 -- Aiellen (f), second child of King Dav and Elinda, is born.

• 135 -- Sir Maximillian Caswell, founder of the Reeves, is born.

• 136 -- Freidrich (m), first child of Adaon and Eleanor Beaufort, is born.

• 140 -- Justine, second child of Duke Jasper and Duchess Jolene of Tubor, is born.

• 140 -- Simone, first child of Lord Adaon de Talfore and Eleanor Beaufort, is born.

• 142 -- The end of the Consolidation, with the annexation of Wilhelm and Lothos from Vandago, the surrender of Vandago itself, the defeat of Dav's army at the mouth of the Bren River, the overrun of the Charali nation, Tubor's defeat by Jaren's army and Dav's levies, and the final battle against the barons Warsalus, of Farin.

• 142 -- Lord Adaon de Talfore is named the first Duke of Farin by King Dav.

• 144 -- King Dav ab Harmon Paddock assassinated by an unknown faction.

Iain's Reign (144-170)

• 144 -- Iain assumes the throne, governed by Regency Council headed by Annora (first child of Alielle ab Harmon Paddock and Yult DeChaniene) and Stephen Farley.

• 150 -- Iain marries Clemence.

• 152 -- Annora dies without issue (97-152).

• 154 -- Albertus (m), first child of King Iain and Clemence, is born.

• 156 -- Albertus dies without issue (154-156).

• 160 -- Duke Adaon de Talfore of Farin dies in a border dispute with Daravi when outflanked by mercenaries of 18th Wolves Division (115-160).

• 164 -- Jasper, second Duke of Farin, is assassinated; Vavardian nobility is suspected.

• 167 -- Jorielle (f), second child of King Iain and Clemence, is born.

• 169 -- Dafydd is born to King Iain and Clemence.

• 170 -- King Iain dies in Kirulean Sea in a bizarre storm.

Dafydd's Reign (170-224)

• 170 -- Dafydd assumes the throne, ruled by the Regency Council of the four Great Lords of the Realm.

• 184 -- Freidrich (m), son of Duke Adaon and Duchess Eleanor of Farin, dies (136-184).

• 185 -- King Dafydd reaches his majority; the Regency Council disbanded.

• 185 -- The University of Lithmore and the Scholars Guild are officially formed. Roland ab Kieron is appointed first Headmaster.

• 187 -- King Dafydd marries Tarisha den Belgar, a Hillwoman commoner.

• 187 -- The Reeves are officially formed.

• 188 -- Llewyllen is born to King Dafydd and Tarisha.

• 190 -- Canon of Heresy is proclaimed against the Reeves.

• 192 -- Marcus, first child of Duke Jasper and Duchess Jolene of Tubor, dies (134-192).

• 192 -- Simone, second child of Duke Adaon and Duchess Eleanor of Farin, dies without issue (140-192).

• 192 -- Sir Maximillian Caswell, founder of the Reeves, dies of old age (135-192).

• 192 -- Sydonia (f), second child of King Dafydd and Tarisha, is born.

• 193 -- Canon of Heresy against the Reeves is revoked.

• 207 -- Justine, second child of Duke Jasper and Duchess Jolene of Tubor, dies (140-207).

• 208 -- Llewyllen marries Patrice Gorman.

• 212 -- Simon is born to Llweyllen and Patrice Gorman.

• 220 -- Jorielle, second child of Iain and Clemence, dies without issue (167-220).

• 224 -- King Dafydd dies without issue (169-224).

Llewyllen's Reign (224-252)

• 224 -- Llewyllen assumes the throne.

• 230 -- Simon marries Eleanor "Nell" of Daravi descent, in a much-contested wedding.

• 232 -- Bran is born to Simon and Eleanor.

• 234 -- Wilfred (m), second child of Simon and Eleanor, is born.

• 234 -- Clovius II, the first Cardinal of Farin, is born.

• 236 -- Sir Jennel Rythswyth is born.

• 237 -- Wilfred dies without issue (234-237).

• 249 -- Bran marries Caterana de Montford.

• 251 -- Jennel Rythswyth, secretly Jennelle Rythswyth, belted as a page.

• 252 -- King Llewylen dies of natural causes.

Simon's Reign (252-275)

• 252 -- Simon becomes King of Lithmore.

• 255 -- Iain II, 11th King of Lithmore, is born to Bran and Caterana.

• 256 -- Jennel Rythswyth, secretly Jennelle Rythswyth, is knighted.

• 262 -- Sir Jannelle Rythswyth/Dame Jennelle Rythswyth, first female Knight of the Chalice, dies taking a poisoned arrow for Cardinal Artolus II (236-262).

• 263 -- Iolaide is born to Rober le'Fontaine, Earl of Penmoor.

• 269 -- The Duke of Farin is kidnapped by the Daravi. Farin City is captured; Montford becomes the Ducal seat.

• 270 -- Carmina dul Antolini born.

• 273 -- Rebellions in Vavard.

• 275 -- Farin City is recaptured.

• 275 -- Clovius II is elected Cardinal of Farin.

• 275 -- King Simon dies without issue.

Bran's Reign (275-296)

• 275 -- Bran assumes the throne.

• 275 -- The Decree of Sodality is established.

• 276 -- The Royal Charter of the University is signed by King Bran.

• 276 -- First movements to grant equal rights to women.

• 278 -- Vavard becomes a Duchy. Sivernus dul Acris is granted the title first Duke of Vavard by King Brain.

• 278 -- Tirella dul Efsteyn's father is enobled by Sivernus dul Acris.

• 280 -- Sydonia (f), second child of Dafydd and Tarisha, dies (192-280).

• 281 -- Iain II marries Iolaide le'Fontaine.

• 282 -- A case in a lower court of the Reeves about seven years after Caterana became queen involved the rights of an ale wife's daughter to inherit her family's lace over her younger brother.

• 282 -- The Mandate on Women's Rights is signed by King Bran II and Queen Caterana I.

• 282 -- Jalla (f) is born to Grand Magnate Lavetta Westkiln and Paulos dul Thas.

• 282 -- Richael is born to Iain II and Iolaide le'Fontaine.

• 283 -- Baker's Rebellion, where Queen Caterana I made her personal appearance.

• 286 -- Brannos (m) is born to Grand Magnate Lavetta Westkiln and Paulos dul Thas.

• 286 -- Calinne le Vanse becomes the Duchess of Tubor.

• 286 -- Lavetta Westkiln dul Thas becomes the Grand Magnate of the Merchants.

• 286 -- Women are now able to hold offices of high authority as well as own their own property.

• 290 -- Ambros de Montford, younger bother of the former Duke of Farin, is appointed Earl Marshall, Commander of the Knights.

• 290 -- Sivernus, Duke of Vavard, falls in battle in the Charali plains. Eachan dul Acris, Sivernus' his son, inherits the duchy, with Tirella dul Efsteyn, Countess of Hafstan, as Regent.

• 293 -- Ambros de Montford, Earl Marshall of Farin, captures Daravi Prince Umwar Fehmid Cateran and brings him to King Bran.

• 293 -- The Duchy of Farin is attacked by the Daravi.

• 294 -- Artolus II, Cardinal of Lithmore, dies.

• 295 -- Ambrosia, Poet Laudate, steps down and is replaced by Jaccus op Svanfjeld.

• 295 -- Arienne Venois is appointed Magnate of the Merchants.

• 296 -- Garrid ab Versin becomes the Lord Justiciar of the Reeves.

• 296 -- King Bran dies (232-296).

Iain II's Reign (296-??)

• 296 -- Iain II assumes the throne.

• 296 -- Dame Paynifier Ahalin is appointed Grand Master of the Knights of the Chalice.

• 296 -- Carmina dul Antolini is appointed Proconsul of the Lithmorran Reeves.

• 296 -- Carmina dul Antolini dies of the plague (270-296).

• 297 -- Paten Boarding House purchased by the Holy Order and renamed after St. Celeste.

• 297 -- Soraya op Alcine is named Grand Bard of Tubor and Poet Knight of the Troubadour's Guild.

• 298 -- A Treaty on Slavery is signed by His Royal Majesty, King Iain II and Her Grace, Countess Tirella dul Efsteyn the Regent of Vavard.

• 298 -- Plague of Lithmore.

• 298 -- Jaccus op Svanfjeld marries Soraya op Alcine.

• 298 -- The Knights of the Chalice and the Queen's Guard of the Reeves are merged into the Knights Lithmorran.

• 299 -- Dame Paynifier Ahalin was killed in the pursuit of a fugitive mage, attempting to rescue a fellow knight (263-299).

• 300 -- Aleron ab Darton is appointed Grand Master of the Knights Lithmorran.

• 301 -- Charali Conflict begins.

• 302 -- Charali Conflict ends.

• 302 -- Aleron ab Darton died.

• 302 -- Queen's Guard re-established under the Reeves.

• 303 -- Queen Iolaide le'Fontaine executed for treason. No details given.

• 303 -- Decree of Sodality declared void by King Iain II.

• 303 -- The King's Confessor, Archbishop Narim ab Dekarti, named Regent for Pieter ab Harmon until he reaches the throne.

• 303 -- Conlan Dackombe appointed Earl Marshall and Aldan Bannick appointed Grand Master of the Knights Lithmorran.

• 303 -- Arienne Venois appointed Grand Magnate and Jameena Faras appointed Magnate of the Merchants Guild.

• 303 -- Aldan Bannick dismissed from Grand Master and the Knights Lithmorran.

• 303 -- Nathanial Half-Hand appointed Commissioner of the Queen's Guard.

• 304 -- Ysabel dul Selvecci appointed Justiciar of the Reeves. Nathanial Half-Hand appointed Proconsul.

• 304 -- Arienne Venois retires from Grand Magnate.