Driran Kingdom: History and Rumors
The history of the Driran Kingdom is recent for it only came to be in 1408 when Elena Starphire declared herself Regina of the country. Until then, it was an integral part of the Dragonsong Dominion but internal dissent and a need to break with old tradition divided the old country. Prior to the schism, the northeastern region took a more relaxed approach to the Dragonsong Code (the tenets and codes that sought moral righteousness) due to the large presence of woodland folk like the elves of the Green Reaches, which are known for enjoying life and preferring contact with nature more than following, what they considered, rigorous values. The elves were not alone; the woodsmen that provided much of the firewood that fueled the forges to the southwest were men of nature that believed in benevolence and the balance between laws and freedom. Distance from the capital of Western Gate also factored into this relaxed view among the farming villages where the Code was used more as a general guideline instead of strict laws. On the other hand, large towns and cities, with the exception of Eastern Gate, were bastions of virtue.
During the occupation by Sinthar Bloodstone's army when the most urban areas except Eastern Gate were sacked and partially razed, the land was scarred by the horde but the woods were unscathed except in the region of Karali, the only stretch where elves did not dwell. The deep Blackwood was also tampered with, according to the braver rangers that dare travel there. Thus far, the extent of this corruption has yet to be fully understood.
On the retaking of the lands by the Western Army in 1394, Dominus Alexander Court reestablished the Dragonsong Dominion and named stewards based on popular and social recognition to head prefectures that were left without nobility. Castle Driran lay empty and the land around it was lawless because the ruling family had perished during the exodus. The stewardship fell on the family of Hector Starphire, an elderly and successful businessman. All his children with the exception of his youngest daughter, Elena, were also merchants.
Elena Starphire stayed with the monks at the Monastery of Dreams during the occupation. There she learned the ways of nature and balance, had contact with people during the occupation, and saw the destruction of the towns by Bloodstone's armies. In 1395, after finishing her studies, she returned to her family. Upon seeing the destruction of her home city, she immediately started taking an active part in her father's stewardship; first serving as liaison to the people and eventually reaching the post of councilor.
Ten years later, in 1405, Hector Starphire passed away but not before rebuilding and reestablishing part of the glory of the Driran Prefecture. By this time, Elena was his chief councilor and the acting steward on many occasions when her father's ill health kept him away from his duties. She had already headed the most popular and controversial public works that had been commissioned, such as the irrigation of the Driran military training grounds (former home of the Northern Youth Corps) and the employment of elven rangers to extract the most from the forests without harming them. It was only natural that the young woman of 30 years of age should continue her father's legacy, while her brothers and sister tended to the family's businesses and charities.
After officially assuming the stewardship, her reputation grew. She helped spread the idea that the nation didn't need a strong central government based on strict laws. Rather, it needed to reach out to people and care for them until they are strong enough to fend for themselves. She defended a more caring leadership, a nurturing one; one that should not act as a severe teacher that lectures hungry children on virtue and morals. The Dominion, in her mind, needed a rebirth, a new beginning where one's well-being was more precious than discipline and obedience to the state and subservience to the Dragonsong Code. Within months, she had caused whispers of worry in the halls of the dominus as she gained sympathizers. In 3 years, Elena's ideals had spread and deepened to the point that quiet dissent was surfacing among stewards and nobles.
The Council of Nobles of 1408 was being prepared and formal invitations from Fort Dragonsong were sent. At the same time, as an ultimate act of defiance, a letter from Driran Castle was also sent. In it, in plain letters, Elena refused to participate if the dominus did not take bolder steps to stem the poverty and death that plagued the land. The silence of the dominus' office was met with the silence of dissenting rulers as Elena Starphire and those that agreed with her did not appear at the Council. Precious order was nearly thrown into chaos as fear of repression by Fort Dragonsong spread throughout the land, while each prefecture mustered their army for civil war.
However, in a gesture that shook and fragmented the very foundations of the country, Dominus Alexander decreed a division of the country in two; one would maintain the old ways, name, and stay under his rule, while the other would be put into Elena Starphire's hand to do as she proposed. The dominus was seen as fragile by the loyalists. Though, among the dissenters, he was rejoiced and deeply respected. For in this act of boldness, the land could be made to heal quicker. In a heartbeat, Elena accepted this proposal amid pockets of protests in the new land that would be hers to rule.
She assumed power in a month's time and assumed the title of Regina; a title that had long been in disuse. She also declared the country as the Driran Kingdom. She purposefully kept the noble name of the house where her family served as a gesture of goodwill toward the Dominion and the nobility that were now to follow her. She had no intention of ignoring the past nor of destroying the Dragonsong heritage. She wanted a new beginning and her wish had been granted.
Her rule has been a generous one and some would even call it a lucky one as all the dice she has thrown have landed favorably. The Dragonsong Code has been substituted by an era of enlightenment where the folk work together toward the greater good and where medicine and science flourishes. Arts and music, especially the elven ones, not looked upon favorably by the old ways, were stimulated for the stability it lends the people as they walk the long road to recovery. Under Regina Elena's banner, the reclusive elves left the deep woods and freely teach the simple folk their skills in living off of the wood without destroying it.
The benevolence of Elena spread throughout the population of Driran, and she is now considered the savior of the people and is lovingly called The Benevolent by the humble folk.
