But that is immaterial. The initial settlers spread out very rapidly, as few native tribes existed in enough numbers to oppose them. At first, it was one large kingdom in name, but very shortly, this large kingdom began to fragment, as it was simply growing too fast to keep together. The Great Empire of Yodru formed north of the Bleak mountains, while the Kingdom of Vopraba formed in the south, occupying the areas that the Free State of Sashef and the County of Gimyu does now. That lasted for many decades. Then a powerful new leader arose in the north-eastern portion of the Great Empire. His name was Bahoze, and he was extremely ambitious. Allying himself with the Orcs, he quickly raised a small army through sheer force of his powerful personality.

Although some political decay had occurred, the Empire was not completely oblivious. They formed up an army to drive off the orcish hordes. However, they underestimated both the size of the orc army, and the cunning and tenacity of Bahoze, as well as his sheer power. Bahoze personally led his troops into battle, and after a bloody melee that ensued for days, The Empire’s army was shattered. Bahoze was not stupid; he took this opportunity to “request” a free state of orcs to the north. The Empire, glad to be rid of such a menace, agreed. Unknown to them, Bahoze’s army had nearly been wiped out in the massive battle, and could have actually been defeated by a second attempt. Rumors tell that spies had informed the king of Bahoze’s situation, but he had decided against action.

The consequences of this were far from over. A few years later, the south-eastern portion of the Kingdom of Vopraba, after seeing the success of Bahoze, decided to split. The consequences here were much more dire. An army from Vopraba was sent in, and it was not opposed by any significant force. Within a year, the attempted split off had failed, and the duke incarcerated.

Unfortunately for the King of Vopraba, this did not end his troubles. The duke was seen as a living martyr by the people he had intended to save. The nonhumans in the kingdom, who had been oppressed for years under the teachings of clerics of Wastri, rose up and started a ferocious guerilla war. No caravan could approach the forests, for fear of elven rangers. The kingdom could not spare troops to clear the forests, for his armies were occupied by the dwarven army that was forming in the north. In deep winter, the dwarves attacked, bringing the full fury of three delves to bear on the human army. The battle was long and vicious. It is said that the blood of the dwarves has stained the ground of that battlefield for all eternity.

After the carnage was over, it was a loss for both sides, but mostly for the humans. The dwarves had been almost entirely anihilated, as they had been outnumbered but refused to retreat. However, for every dwarf that fell, at least two humans fell with him. The cost to Vopraba had been horrendous, making it a pyhrric victory at best. The release of the duke a month later by a clever band of halflings and elves finished it. The King forced himself to face reality, and granted independence to Gimyu. (more to come later)