The History of Willowdark

A timeline of key events in the history of the Territory of Willowdark, from founding until present. Current as of May, 607

Summer 601

• The Concordance of Avalon commissions Sir Teerik Willowdark to lead an expedition to a relatively unsettled valley linking northern and southern territories in Avalon. To the west of Wolveria, south of Stonegate, east of Fengate and north of

Winter 601

• The first Willowdark expedition occurs. Sir Teerik Willowdark leads explorers and settlers into the Willowdark valley area. Initial maps and surveys are performed, and initial contact is made with local tribes and clans.

Spring 602-Fall 604

• Later expeditions to Willowdark are undertaken and a small number of settlers come to settle in Willowdark.
• A series of small villages and settlements are built, and numerous scattered ruins of an ancient civilization are discovered, including a large ruined city in roughly the center of Willowdark.
• Friendly relations are established with local barbarian and gypsy clans, elven hamlets, and the Ackralaun Dwarves. Relations with the emerald giants of the Wayside area are initially wary, but develop into being coolly neutral. Unfortunately the local population of orcs, trolls and kobolds refused diplomatic relations and maintained a hostile stance toward the nascent Willowdark government.

December 604

• The Concordance of Avalon recognizes the Territory of Willowdark as a sovereign nation and member of the Concordance.
• Sir Teerik Willowdark resigns as a Knight of Avalon to become the sovereign of Willowdark, taking the title of Lord Regent to represent that he holds sovereignty in regency until Willowdark is established and developed fully as a Kingdom.
• The Territory of Willowdark becomes politically unstable, with the four closest allies of the Lord Regent turning against each him and each other. They become warlords, each vying for power and sole rulership of Willowdark.

May 605

• Answering a public call, the first adventurers arrive in Willowdark. Gathering at Wayside Lodge they fight scattered forces from Lanessa’s undead during a massive flood.

September 605

• Assembling at the town of Hangman’s Pass, a group of adventurers uses a relic of the Plane of Light to seal the ability of Lycor’s men to shadow walk. Lycor first attempts to recruit adventurers to his service, then in an open field battle at night, his forces are sent into retreat from Hangman’s Pass.
• The Box of Enhancement is discovered in a treasure hoard of some monsters.

December 605

• Lord Ryric is temporarily corrupted by the Willowdark Taint, becoming a powerful and malevolent copy of himself. The taint is purged with the Box of Enhancement as the powers of the box begin to be understood.
• A tournament of arms is conducted at Wayside Lodge. Lord Icerider wins the tournament, defeating Deputy Sheriff Sanguine.

April 606

• The Warlord Blevin, fleeing from being overthrown by the Elemental Warlord, passes through Wayside Lodge with a small company of Golems. His golem army suffers massive losses in an encounter with local adventurers.

July 606

• Adventurers again gather at Wayside Lodge. After several crimes occur, the need for law and order inspires the Lord Regent to begin to name officials from the Adventuring population to uphold public order.

August 606

• In a massive magical explosion at Hangman’s Pass, a massive shell of magical darkness envelops the entire Hangman’s Pass area, trapping all inside on a specially created pocket plane. This effectively takes the Lord Regent, as well as his Elite Guard, prisoner.
• The Council of Willowdark takes temporary rulership of Willowdark until the Lord Regent can be rescued. Lord Icerider begins to establish diplomatic ties with other nations, while Lord Ebonwyrm begins the construction of Elmrisen as a military base.

October 606

• Tethrin’s shapeshifting forces attempt to exploit the weakness of Willowdark during the absence of the Lord Regent, but resourceful use of magic and the Box of Enhancement allows a temporary truce is arranged until the rescue of the Lord Regent.
• A rescue of the Lord Regent is attempted, but fails due to the magical protections surrounding him and the pocket plane.

November 606

• The Guilds of Willowdark are chartered and the first guildhouse is built in Elmrisen.
• The location of Elmrisen is publically revealed. Elmrisen is expanded from a militia base into an armed town.
• Lord Icerider gathers a massive force at Elmrisen to mount a rescue attempt of the Lord Regent and shatter the sphere of darkness around Hangman’s Pass. The attempt is successful and a grand banquet is held the following night to celebrate the return of the sovereign.
• Several trade and military agreements are negotiated between Willowdark and foreign governments and mercenary companies to aid the trade and defense of Willowdark.
• Lannessa leads a personal assault on Elmrisen, causing significant casualties, but is repulsed.

December 606

• Fort Vanguard at Hangman’s Pass is reconstructed to act as the personal keep of the Lord Regent. Hangman’s Pass becomes the de facto capital city of Willowdark.

February 607

• Construction begins on Willowdark Academy

March 607

• In a massive two-pronged assault, Willowdark forces engage in a massive campaign to liberate Mintergaus. Lycor’s forces suffer catastrophic losses and thanks the use of Dragon Magic and the Box of Enhancement, Lycor is stripped of most of his shadow-related powers.

April 607

• The last remnants of Lycor’s forces are defeated. Willowdark forces liberate the region of Mintergaus. While Lycor remains at large, he is stripped of most of his powers and no longer commands an army.