Javier I, King of Norland

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Javier I Eiriksson King of Norland Reign: 1620-1640 Coronation: 8th of the Snows Maiden, 1620 Vjorhelm, Norland Predecessor: Artyom I Successor: Jevan I Chancellors: Orvar de Frey Ser Rodrik Ashton Born: 10th of the Deep Cold, 1557 Bonefort, Dreadlands Death: 15th of the Grand Harvest, 1662 (aged 105) Ruriksgrad, Norland Spouse: N/A Issue: Jevan I, King of Norland Jory I, King of Norland Jorvik I, Earl of Nordengrad Jorik Rorik Jorin Ruric House: Ruric Father: Hakon Ruric Mother: Lorina

King Javier Eiriksson Ruric, also known as Javier "The Undefeated" (10th of Snow’s Maiden, 1557 – 15th of the Grand Harvest, 1662) of the House Ruric ruled as the eighth King of Norland from the years 1620 to 1640 until his eventual abdication of the throne to his son Jevan Ruric. A scion of the Ruric dynasty, his ascension to the crown of Norland came throughout that of birthright and formal election by the Norlandic people, defeating his cousin Exander Edvardsson Ruric who would have become King if Javier had not returned and volunteered so quickly. This would lead Exander to have a constant boiling hatred for Javier throughout his reign. Javier’s tenure would be seen as successful having accomplished numerous acts prior Norlandic kings failed to do.

Javier’s rule was shaped by numerous key factors: the Romstun War, Third Coalition War, Third Crusade, internal conflict with vassals and family members. Javier’s aim was to bring yet another golden age of Norland, as well as a sense of Norlandic pride and unity by establishing one of the worlds strongest military forces, although this proved for naught as Javier could not actually maintain a standing army, rather the people were his army, seeing no need for armored guards as he knew the people of Norland would defend him if a situation arises that threatened his life, such seen during the Serene Slaughter, or the Romstun war where a great deal of Norlandic citizens flocked to take up arms in defence of Norland and their King, it is also worthy to note of Javier’s discord with a great deal of other Rurikid most namely Exander Ruric and the Edvardsson Clan, being seen as the line of snakes, Javier wanted to ensure no Edvardsson took the throne, and rather an Eiriksson rested upon it, seeing the Edvardsson line as incapable and craven leaders. This caused a great conflict between Javier and the Edvardsson clan, in which Javier would appear victorious.

Regarded as highly educated in the art of warfare, Javier was seen a great deal of his tenure as king planning battle plans during the dead of night to ensure victory would be won the next morning, such dedicated from a Norlandic king had not been seen since under his father Hakon Ruric. Javier moved on to have four sons, two of which became King, the others became renowned military geniuses and favor’d people within Norland. Javier unable to find a suitable spouse, carried on the Ruric tradition of bearing bastards, which had been in the family since under the reign of Eirik.

Biography

Early Life

Javier was born a bastard of the beloved Hakon Ruric to an unknown woman on the 10th of Deep Cold. Javier throughout most of his childhood spent his time preparing and training himself for when he was able to reach the age of 16, to where he would be old enough to command raids himself, for those years of waiting he joined his father Hakon Ruric on numerous raids upon the Holy Orenian Empire, with the attempt to weaken them and lower morale. They created a strong bond and together they lead the Ashguard, while trying to restore their reputation, under Hakon’s late Vailorian rule, many tournaments, feasts and other social events were held, during this time of constant combat and festivities, Javier met Princess Kaia Kharadeen and they began frequently visiting each other. Things went well for some time, talks of marriage even arose on several occasions. Though eventually Kaia grew sick of Javier’s brutal lifestyle they then stopped seeing each other. This gave Javier more time to focus on combating the Orenians during this time of bloodshed.

A sketch of Javier Ruric at the age of 19, circa 1576

Dreadlands Conflict

Javier was brought up in the House of Ruric home territory at the time, the Dreadlands, a nation of cut throats, marauders, bandits, and exiles. With this, the Dreadlands was always naturally engulfed in conflict. Once Javier turned sixteen, he really began taking up leadership roles within the Dreadlands, beginning with leading foraging parties to gather much needed supplies for the depleted Dreadlands, after this he began performing simple roadside banditries with the Ashguard, which whom at first despised him. After numerous raids Javier began to quickly rise in the ranks of the Ashguard, going from a Veteran to the Second in Command. Recently after achieving this position news came to Javier that his father, Hakon was outnumbered in a large skirmish against the empire, he quickly rallied the Rurikid vassal House Silversteed, led by Ethan Silversteed, and marched to his father's aid. Once arriving Javier took command of the Silver Regiment, cutting through large amounts of Orenian Soldiers, finally reaching his father, and the weakened Ashguard, directly after this skirmish, Javier and Ethan were both taken to the Bonefort, the seat of House Ruric, Javier was then legitimized by his father at the age of eighteen, thus naming him rightful heir of House Ruric. Javier began to command large amounts of his own raids, having never lost a single one, a few months after the descendants departed from Vailor, the Dreadlands came under siege. Javier rallied as many bannermen as possible until realizing that it would not be enough to defend against the Orenian onslaught. He then ordered all Rurik men to disperse into a nearby forest, where they would live out until they could acquire a new home.

The War of Grudges

Main Article: War of Grudges

Javier recently returning to Norland after fleeing alongside the Norlandic people into the woods after the fall of the Dreadlands. He came to find his people submerged into a brutal war between themselves and the entirety of Dwarvenkind. He found his distant cousin Arytom locked into a coma unable to command the soldiers, and his kinsmen Donovan Ruric taking up the helm as King and fronting the war, all seemed lost as the Dwarven attackers were on the gate of the Krag. Javier informed Donovan that he was going to take command of the entire guard on the walls whilst Donovan commands the back half, the battle ensued lasting long and through two attempts by the Dwarven Legions, if not for Javier’s military genius the battle surely would have been lost. Just days before the start of the siege Donavon Ruric was able scrounge up enough mina to hire the Dunamis mercenaries, if not for this the battle may have not ended the same as it did. Javier was present for the signing of a white peace between Norland and Urguan, he then later fled after the death of his father to mourn in silence. He returned to Norland after hearing of its eventual downfall due to poor leadership.

Ascension as King

After successfully leading the defense of the Krag during the War of Grudges, Javier remained in Norland , getting acquainted with the new era of Norlanders and their ways of life. Javier never wanted to ascend to the crown as King of Norland, only a military strategist as he was during the Dreadlandic era. Though his ideology quickly changed after taking up residence in The Krag, he witnessed his cousin Artyom’s reign rise, making Norland very powerful and reviving them, though, he watched Artyom begin to lose steam and Norland going on an economic and political downslide. He did not want to witness his people return under the reign of a failed king, so he spoke to Artyom and told him he should abdicate his throne, letting another Ruric take charge. Artyom agreed, being stressed out and mentally battered from the tasks of Kingship. Exander Edvardsson declared them self as a candidate to become King, Javier, seeing the Edvardsson line as poor leaders with craven traits declared himself a candidate and received almost every single vote during the Norlandic moot.

Javier Ruric being crowned as King of Norland by Arthas Ruric, by Sigurd Tolsson, 1620

With the return of my cousin Javier Ruric, the Norlandic peoples once again possess a natural, charismatic, and strong leader. His exploits have led the Norlanders and Ashguard to fame and glory in the past. And I have no doubt that he will be able to recreate these past successes.

Reign

Javier’s first act as King was to construct a new city since the Krag, the former capital, was in ruin due to the two year long dwarven siege. He drew designs for the city, not focusing mainly of defense as The Krag’s main focus was, rather he made plans for a political and economic hub, with the help of his most experienced architects, most namely Ser Edward and Wydren Volaren, together they commanded and assisted in the construction of the new Norlandic capital of Vjorhelm.

Javier viewed the Norlandic military in shame, deeming it was not fit for a King such as himself, he then proceeded to found the Rurikguard in 1622, meant to replace the ancient military order the Ashguard. Originally tasked with the purpose of defeating House Romstun, who Norland was in a brutal war with at the beginning of Javier’s reign, the Rurikguard found purpose being the overall military. The military was not the largest military force in Norlands history, but was filled with the most elite, many being veterans of the Krag siege, and others old members of the mercenary company of Dunamis. The large fraction of Norlands army tended to be mere serfs looking to acquire glory and faithfully serve their king, as well as do their duty as a Norlandic citizen.

Javier was always one to do everything by himself, often seen constantly micro managing the realm, not delegating many positions to his advisors. This put a physical toll on Javier, making him very busy, with little time to interact with his people. This was noticed by his bannerman during a court session, and they suggested the creation of a council, this idea was predominantly spearheaded by Lord Avalon Silversteed and Ser Rodrik Ruric. These men drafted numerous copies of the formation of the council, and how all positions would work, Javier approved of the creation of the council, officially marking the formation of the Ashen council, the first ever council in Norlandic history.

Javier brought Norland back to prosperity and activity, after his cousin, Artyom I revived the ruined nation then ran it into the ground due to losing momentum. Many Norlanders said that Javier was leading them through another golden age; a golden age that came to an end after he abdicated the throne of Norland to his son, Jevan Ruric.

Romstun War

After being crowned King of Norland, the Romstuns began trying to vex Javier into attacking Javier was faced with the Romstun Attack, it was apparent that the Holy Orenian Emperor devised a plan with Deano Romstun, allowing the Romstuns to participate in border skirmishes with Norland, with the overall goal of weakening their defenses and troop morale, allowing for an Imperial invasion later on down the line, but this plan proved to be yet difficult, as Javier held the Norlandic lands firmly, managing to somehow hold their own against the elite Romstun Marauders, decisively defeating them in every defensive raid and nearly every border skirmish. This caused the House of Romstun to lose momentum and cease all military operations against the Kingdom of Norland. Eventually the Emperor declared war upon the House of Romstun, unknown of the plan of the eventual destruction of Norland, Javier declared his support for the Emperor and sent a retinue of Ashguard to fight alongside the Orenian Emperor, this retinue sustained heavy casualties during the battle. But nevertheless came out victorious successfully beating back the House of Romstun.

The Serene Slaughter, by Ernmund Onund, 1630

The Serene Slaughter

Having just fought alongside each other during the Prince Philip's War, conflict arose between the two factions of Norland and Oren, during this time of tension, the House of Serene, a small house under Oren attacked several Norlanders who were drinking at a tavern. Javier’s son, Jevan, retaliated and began performing constant raids on Serene land. Once the house had little fighting men left and ran out of equipment and rations due to the demoralizing raids carried out by his son, Javier called for a peace meeting. During the meeting in Vjorhelm with the former Orenian vassals. Javier Ruric's life was attempted on by the Serene House leaders and their guards, thus resulting in the Rurikid household guards to take up arms and slay all those bearing the Serene banners, those who were captured were either beheaded by Javier himself, hung from the Ashtree, or thrown off the side of the Norlandic capital island, reaching their utter end by the sharp rocks forming around the capital city of Vjorhelm. After this confrontation, House Serene began to further fall apart, having it lost many of its notable leaders at the hands of the Norlanders, the house could never find a strong enough leader and thus never returned to its former prominence.

Edvardsson Conspiracy

Since the ascension of Javier Ruric as King of Norland, Exander and the Edvardsson clan despised him and the entirety of the Eiriksson lineage, tracing their hatred back to the days of Eirik and Edvard. Since the Edvardssons could not muster enough support to directly confront the Eiriksson family namely Javier, to gain an upper hand they attempted everything in secrecy, from attempting to persuade Javier’s loyal bannerman to join their cause, to building elaborate underground tunnel systems which only they knew in case of conflict, until being discovered by Javier and the Eiriksson family days before their betrayal.

Javier’s just a warmonger, he will lead Norland through the fires of death and destruction, as the Allfather hasn't blessed his reign, we are all doomed.

Prince Exander Ruric painted by unknown Norlandic artist

Another namely offence of the Edvardsson clan was when they attempted the life of Javier’s son Jevan Ruric during an execution trial, not deeming the Prince’s decision just, they publicly committed treason having their personal bannermen draw weapons against the Prince, their overall intent was unknown. But if not for the entrance of Javier, the Grand Hall of Vjorhelm would have erupted into a bloody skirmish, ending the lives of many key Norlandic figures. Javier swore off the Edvardsson clan, jumping atop the table and informing them if such uprising happened again he would put all of them to the sword, just after Javier went with his axe and executed the prisoner himself. After this public defeat of the Edvardsson Clan, they no longer attempted their plots against Javier or the Eiriksson lineage for sometime.

You, Exander, have taken arms against not only my son, but the Norlandic people, doing such is an act of treason, although you are of my blood, and thus I shall let your head remain on its shoulders, do not abuse my mercy, as if such attempt is tried, the outcome shall certainly not be in your favor.

Although this would not be the end of the Edvardsson conspiracy, as they would eventually return upon Javier’s abdication, seeing an opportunity to take advantage of his son, Jevan Ruric to attempt to take back the throne. Jevan was no pushover, he did not let them get close to taking power. Jevan’s first act was to remove the Red Faith to avoid the crusades cause, this angered the Edvardsson clan, having them be very fond of the Red Faith and Allfatherism, eventually leading to their uprising and fighting against their Norlandic brethren during the Siege of Vjorhelm, this would cause a great deal of hatred towards the Edvardsson clan for some time, having slew their own brothers in the time of battle, as well as informing Renatian leaders routes into the city using their revamped underground tunnel.

Jevan Ruric circa 1638, during the period of the Keintanian Rebellion

Keintanian Rebellion

Main Article: Keintanian Rebellion

House Keint declared independence from the Kingdom of Santegia, and Santegians did not have the manpower to successfully quell the rebellion, so being their ally, Javier dispatched his son, Jevan Ruric with two thousand Norlandic heavy infantrymen to deal with the threat, with the idea of grooming him to lead in combat. The battle was a swift victory with few allied casualties, further strengthening the bond between Norland and Santegia, so it appeared.

The Third Coalition War

Main Article: War of the Beards

Javier attended a meeting with the Holy Orenian Emperor, and the Grand King of Urguan, talking about the issues of the realm, the meeting was said to be long, Javier believing the meeting to be concluded departed the Urguani capital of Kal'Omith, later to only receive word that the Emperor and Grand King made plans to turn on Norland after the War of the Beards, Javier later that day declared his support for Kal'Ulrah and began mustering his troops. On the eve of battle, Javier delivered an expert war speech, Javier took control of the Coalition Infantry, leading them to their first major victory of the war the Battle of Jornheim Fields, the Orenian and Urguani hosts were on the run giving Javier and the coalition leaders enough time to construct siege equipment as well as regain the troops he had lost, once this was complete the attack order was given and a siege began on a mighty Haensetic fort, the siege lasting a few months, Verthaik eventually managed to create a large hole in the side of the fort with Dwarven trebuchets, allowing for Javier to attack, the battle would last a few hours, with the Coalition armies coming out victorious, this battle would be known as the Siege of Fort Kovakirr, a summit was later held in Jornheim where it was let known that the Grand Kingdom of Urguan surrendered all their land and titles to Kaz'Ulrah.

Third Crusade

Main Article: Third Crusade

After assisting in the downfall of the Grand Kingdom of Urguan, Javier turned his eyes towards Orenian Empire, an Imperial nation that had done his people wrongfully for the past hundred years, bringing only bloodshed and death, Javier rallied the banners of Norland and the coalition, beginning a long march towards the Imperial Capital not being informed that Aurelius Horen was staging a coup on the city.

Javier Ruric marching alongside the Norlandic troops prior to the Battle of the Bloody Road, by Bodalf Bolverk, 1638

On the march they met a large rally of Imperial Soldiers seeming to be Oren’s last good men, they were quickly cut down in a battle known as the Battle of the Bloody Road, having finally reached Adelburg Javier began to set up a siege camp, although he was not around for the majority of the construction as he fell deathly ill.

Javier finally received word that Adelburg was taken by another, going by the Kingdom of Renatus, he quickly pulled his men out only to hear the news of a crusade called upon him, initially there was to be no skirmish with the Renatians, but his eldest son Jevan managed to muster up a small bulk of the Norlandic army and march them against the Rentians with the goal of slowing down their invasion, allowing for the coalition armies and his sickly father to get back to Vjorhelm, the delay nearly failed as a large majority of Norlanders were lost during this battle, upon his sons return to Vjorhelm, Javier revealed the day before his abdication to his son that he was wounded during the battle of the Bloody Road, and had fallen very ill and was unable to lead the Norlandic people anymore. The next day he abdicated to his son Jevan, thus bringing an end to the Javier era.

Abdication

After the Battle of the Bloody Road and the defeat of the Holy Orenian Empire, Javier returned back to his Great Hall in the Norlandic capital city of Vjorhelm, staying secluded and away from issues regarding statecraft. Instead, delegating these issues to his sons and other Norlandic officials. Many thought he was sick, or wounded. While staying away from duties as King, he noticed his son Jevan picking up these duties.

Death

After his abdication to his son Jevan Ruric, Javier continued to fight alongside the Norlanders, under both Jory, Jevans as well as his grandson Goddens reign although not partaking much in the fighting, he offered advice to all three kings on the matter of warfare, allowing for the Norlandic kings to persevere on the battlefields. Javier fought in the Siege of Ruriksgrad, only to have received a life threatening blow to his right shoulder. The surviving Norlanders managed to get Javier to the nearby forest where he died of his wounds days after the Norlandic defeat, his grandson, Godden Ruric, welted into tears upon seeing the lifeless body of his beloved grandfather and ordered that Javier was, preserved and carried about until a new home was found and a crypt was built.

Impact and Legacy

The legacy of Javier lived through many years after his death, the mention of Javier reminds the Norlandic folk of the Golden age. Javier is mentioned as a saint in a great many books, songs are sung of his triumphs during the War of the Beards and Battle of the Bloody Road, in every grandhall there is a painted picture of Javier to remind all those of their great King and Commander. Javier went on to have two of his sons become kings, one an earl, and the other founding the House of Rorik, Javier is seen as the last militaristic King of Norland, having not lost a single battle during his reign.

Character and Personality

Javier was seen as a dedicated, wrothful, and strong man. Standing at the height of 6’0, he is of standard weight for his height. His face would be in a rather diamond shape. Not carrying the standard Ruric, black hair and blue eyes, Javier inheriting the trait from his mother had brownish hair with blue eyes.

He is prone to all arts of warfare, namely swordsmanship and horseback. He could most often be seen training in the fields of Vjorhelm or planning for the upcoming battle to ensure victory. He was often caught up in the deals of King, either busy with politics, economics, or furthering Norlandic society, not often seen around by others during reign.

Titles, Styles, and Honors

• 1573 - 1576: His Lord, Javier Ruric, Commander of the Ashguard

• 1619 - 1621: His Highness, Javier Ruric, Prince of Norland

• 1620 - 1640: His Majesty, Javier Ruric, King of Norland and Chieftain of the Norlandic People, Jarl of Vjorhelm, The Krag, Svenheld, Silverholt, Ashton, and Dragonwood, Defender of the Red Faith and Bulwark of the Norlandic People.

Full title as King of Norland

His Majesty Javier I of the House Ruric, King of Norland and Chieftain of the Norlandic People, Jarl of Vjorhelm, the Krag, Svenheld, Silverholt, Ashton, and Dragonwood, Defender of the Red Faith and Bulwark of the Norlandic People.

Issue

Javier sired four children, all of them belonging to male descent. Two of which went onto become Kings of Norland, another became the Earl of Nordengrad and a notable marshal. Whilst Jorik went onto serve under Godden Ruric and achieved many new heights, most namely was the execution of a Renatian Prince.

Name	Birth	Death	Marriage	Notes
Jevan Ruric	15th of Malin's Welcome, 1613	Deceased	Married to Andrea De Castro, 1640	Inherited the throne after Javier’s abdication, reigned as king for 2 years before going missing after the Siege of Vjorhelm
Jory Ruric	10th of the Amber Cold, 1614	Unknown	Married to Jordan	Took up the throne after his brother Jevan went missing.
Jorvik Rorik	6th of the Grand Harvest, 1612	Deceased	Never Married	After the Crusade, and Jevan's abdication, Jory made Jorvik the new marshal of Norland, Later became Earl of Nordengrad.
Jorik Rorik	10th of the Deep Cold, 1615	Deceased	Never Married	Made Chief Justice of Norland during the reign of Godden Ruric.
Jorin Ruric	16th of the Ambers Cold, 1617	Deceased	Never Married	Fourth son of Javier Ruric.

Ancestor

Ancestors of Javier I, King of Norland

8. Thoromir I, King of Norland                       4. Eirik I, King of Norland                             9. Unknown                       2. Lord Hakon Ruric                                   10. Unknown                       5. Sylvie Ruric                             11. Maradeith                       1. Javier I, King of Norland                                         12. Brandon                       6. Arthur                             13. Leenia                       3. Lorina                                   7. Vivian                           See Also House of Ruric Third Atlas Coalition War Battle of the Bloody Road Jevan Ruric Jory Ruric