History of Borost

The History of Borost is difficult to trace with a satisfactory amount of precision, but a general timeline has been agreed upon by Dwaerkar scholars. This commonly-acceptable timeline is known as the Biredich narrative, and is the one that should be used for nearly all purposes, outside those dedicated to a specialized investigation of the lore of other races.

However, the Biredich narrative is unacceptable to many of the non-Dwaerkar races and cultures in the land, as it is unsensitive to their religious or cultural concerns. For the sake of thoroughness, a brief overview of the principal competing narratives of the land -- how it came about, how it became population, what has transpired since, and so on -- will be presented in this article.

It is important to note that legend mixes with reality with alarming frequency in Borost, particularly among the simple-minded folk. For this purpose, it is important to understand that all of the following narratives, except for the Biredich narrative, include legendary components, which many consider to be factual in accord with the narrative they prefer.

Biredich narrative


The Biredich narrative, also known as the Dwaerkar narrative, is the account of choice of the Academia, including many Borostí and Tirsosí scholars, as it includes the least amount of legendary elements. Nonetheless, it is difficult to trace its earlier segments with satisfactory precision. Regardless, it is widely held to be the most authoritative account of the land.

This narrative is named after Tzulft Biredich, a Dwaer who successfully compiled the narrative into the Compendium of the History of Borost and the Nearby Lands, which remains the authoritative account of history.

Prior to Borost
As would be expected, there is no evidence as to what existed before Borost acquired the space and matter which it currently possesses.

The majority of Dwaerkar, adherents of the Faith of Kel, believe that the Lonely God lived alone in the Immaterial Plane. Most believers in Kel maintain that Kel is eternal. Eventually, Kel fashioned the Skeleton of the World, the offspring of his thought. With Magic the first of the Arts of Kel, He forged All Lands, known and unknown.

Early Borost
Early archaeological records of Borost, as found in many ruins and artifacts, seem to indicate that the dark elves first inhabited the land.

The people were divided into a large number of competing war-clans, enlargened families that fought for power and land.

At some point in this timeline, the Covenant, the faith of the Borostím, arose.

In roughly -4220, the city of Tirsos was established to the South of Borost.

Koss Gaer
Tavres Ilsím established Koss Gaer ca. -2200. Koss Gaer flourished as the capital at the centre of the new country, which at that time was largely uninhabited, and grew into the largest city on the continent, with settlers forming new cities in Bryn Gaer (Goustad) and Kellinstyddyn (Kelinschap), Bahyrst, and Myddynslys (Middenhal).

The destruction of Koss Gaer took place in about -2050. The Dwaerkar narrative maintains that the destruction of Koss Gaer was likely the result of civil strife, possibly a succession crisis, as Ilsím was known to have perished at around the same time.

Ilsím line
As Borost’s size and influence grew, so did its wealth, as the kingdom came to be at the centre of a network of trade that stretched from the Great Swamp to Tirsos. In no small part was this a result of the Borostím’s own significant contribution to the crafts, and arts, which was spread throughout the continent.

In -1900, however, this system of trade began to shrink as the northernmost kingdoms started to fall to the Serpent-folk. The Serpent-folk, in those times, did not attack in Invasions, but as a regular realm, with periodic wars breaking out between Borost and the Serpent-folk.

At that time, the lizardmen were not seen as a significant threat to Borost itself. However, tensions and the arrogance of the Third King, Kelin Ilsím, led to Borost closing its ports to those ships who came from further north. The men of the North were forced to journey to the Kingdom of Men and further south for their refuge, where they became embittered by the Borostím’s failure to help them.

To the displeasure of those who despised it, the Kingdom of the Borostím remained quietly wealthy. The growth of the new capital, Koss Dyren, continued in step with the growth of the Borostím’s wealth under the rule of Kelin, leading to the construction of the great monument of Heneb Kelin in the middle of Kossllyn lake.

Kelin’s showy style drew the ire of a number of his vassals, which led to the King being exiled to his own edifice just as it completed construction, his ships kept from shore by a navy of the rebellious Marquis Celyn Cylfred, ending the rule of the short-lived Ilsím dynasty and beginning that of the Cylfred dynasty.

Cylfred line
King Celyn Cylfred began a period of isolation for the Kingdom which only ended under the reign of King Emrys Cylfred ca. -1300: under Celyn’s rule, great public works were begun, including baths in all of the great cities of Borostím, grand temples, new roads, and the reconstruction of living space for the commoners. For his efforts, Celyn gained the title of “the Builder,” beginning a tradition of assigning titles to the kings of Borost.

Celyn was followed by Gawain Cylfred, “the Eldest,” Anirrin Cylfred, “the Devout,” and Dynol Cylfred, “the Musician.” The details of their reigns were lost after the Grand Library at Koss Dyren was destroyed, although they are generally known as fairly unimportant rulers: collectively, their reigns ended somewhere around -412, when Eira Cylfred, the first Queen of Borost, was crowned.

Eira’s rule was marked by the end of isolationism and the forging of new ties with both Tirsos and the Realm of Men, as well as the reconstruction of various monuments and a grand patronage of philosophy and the arts.

Despite her magnanimous nature, she suffered from controversy as a result of multiple courtships, and was ultimately murdered in -623. The crown was then disputed between her two children, Deryn “the Red” and Gwyn “the Pious” Cylfred, in the Siblings’ War, which only ended in -549, when the death of Gwyn left Deryn as the only claimant to the throne.

Deryn’s reign, both as ruler of half and the entirety of the kingdom, is broadly recorded as a brutal one if only by necessity: traitorous elements and opponents to the Queen were slaughtered without mercy, and Deryn’s personal security and martial strength allowed her to remain largely unopposed throughout her reign.

By -223, the crown passed to Deryn’s son, Mair Cylfred “the Great”, whose reign was broadly seen as more compassionate and wiser than that of Deryn. Under Mair, the kingdom entered a period of reconstruction, although the utter destruction of the Duchy of Tyllstir (modern Tielsland) showed that Mair was also unwilling to tolerate dissent.

Tyllstir was ordered to be a land “devoid of speaking life,” with natives of the country either slaughtered or forced to leave. Mair was succeeded in -18 by his daughter, Aderyn “the Just” Cylfred, who revoked the orders that Tyllstir be left lifeless after the first Dwaerkar settlers arrived in +0. This led to the now-forgotten Dwaerkar celebration of the Day of Friends, begun in honor of Aderyn’s generosity.

Dwaerkar arrival in Borost
In the first of Aalderas, of the year +0, the Dwaerkar landed in Borost for the first time. They were led by Ouwe the Founder, who established Ouwestad. For many years, the Dwaerkar began to carve their imposing capital into the rock of the Barends. The dark elves knew not to expect a city to be built underground, for which reason the true power and mastery of the Dwaerkar remained undetected for many years, and were dismissed as a backward mountain people.

Middling years
Meanwhile, Aderyn’s rule gave way to that of Berwyn “the Selfish” Kaelwyn in +164.

The Invasions
In the winter of +220, the First Invasion was launched. Borost forsook the request for aid from the Realm of Men which came so far as to scar the northern reaches of the elven kingdom. Fortunately for mankind, they proved skilled enough in arms to repel the invaders with their warriors.

Subsequently, Berwyn was wise enough to reinforce the northern border with the help of the Dwaerkar, who not only erected fortresses in the Tammerllyn (Tamersberge) mountains, but were also responsible for the construction of the long fortifications, now largely abandoned, along the Cadarnfford (Bolwerksweg). The strength of the western fortifications managed to defeat the brunt of the Second Invasion, which largely penetrated the Realm of Men unscathed, in +240.

After the Third Invasion, the fortifications of Borost were completed, which greatly augmented the defence of the Kingdom. As a reward for their service, Berwyn granted the Dwaerkar the right to settle along the Afon Haul (Zonstroom), leading to the modern size of Tielsland.

War of Ÿphergund
In +431, the War of Ÿphergund erupted
 * +431 -- The War of Ÿphergund begins.
 * +453 -- Fragmentation of the Dwaerkar freeholds.
 * +458 -- End of this war.

Conflict and stagnation

 * +510 -- Ythred's War
 * +523 -- Izlentenft War

Present day

 * +545 -- Present day.

Borostím narrative, 'Orthodox'
The Orthodox narrative of the Borostím is widely held by the clergy of that people. It is popular among all of the dark elves. Nonetheless, its accuracy and reliability are now subject to close scrutiny.

Please note that the events herein illustrated are presented in the Dwaerkar calendar.

Borostím narrative, 'Heterodox'
The Heterodox narrative of the Borostím is the newest account developed by that elven populace. It is largely upheld by the Borostím academia, and attempts to solve many of the inconsistencies presented in the Orthodox account.

By the nature of its genesis, the Heterodox narrative has gestated a large number of tributary narratives. For that reason, only the central branches of this narrative -- as agreed upon by nearly all those who subscribe to this account -- will be presented. A brief summary of points of important contention will be presented at the end.

Please note that the events herein illustrated are presented in the Dwaerkar calendar.

Free Cities narrative
The Free Cities have taken to maintaining a stoic grip on their Tales of Old. These tales, nonetheless, have been vastly disproved at this point, and they are only believed by radicals and activists in Borost.

The Old narrative, as it is also known, is very similar to the Orthodox narrative. However, there are a number of important differences, which are listed below: