Richard I, Duke of Nevaria

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Richard I Arden Duke of Nevaria Reign: 1666-1669 Predecessor: Title created Successor: Title Destroyed Count of Jornburg Reign: 1664-1669 Predecessor: Brunn Silversteed Successor: Title Destroyed Born: 20th of the Deep Cold, 1622 Unknown Death: 10th of the Suns Smile, 1669 Ashwood, Nevaria Spouse: N/A House: Arden Father: Alexander II Mother: Unknown

Richard Arden, also known as Richard "The Dog" (20th of the Deep Cold - 10th of the Suns Smile, 1669) of the House of Arden, ruled as Duke of Nevaria from 1666 until his death during the Siege of Ashwood in 1669, called The Dog by Aurelius I during the Staunton Uprising, for his refusal to bend the knee to the throne of Renatus Marna.

Biography

Early Life

Richards early years was spent under the tutorage of the Norlandic peoples, having not been able to meet his father or his people, all he knew is he was of Stauntonite blood. He was educated in matters of state, and warcraft, becoming rather farmiliar with the art of warfare. Richards first test of true leadership was to slither his way into the Arbor ranks and befriend that of Avalon Silversteed and his council, this was very successful as he transported large sums of armor, swords, food, and other neccessitites to the reigning King of Norland Jory Ruric, he would continue to do this until the eventual duel of Jory Ruric and Avalon Silversteed, resulting in a victory of Jory. Richard was no longer needed to continue his work in Arbor, rather he continued his work for Norland by fighting in numerous raids against Curon and Marna, having been a major contributer in those battles slaying many himself, although, despite the success in the war, Richard grew depressed having known he had slain his kinsmen. After the abdication of Jory Ruric, went missing, rumored to have travelled the isle of Atlas.

Upon the dissolution of Norland, Richard returned to Ruriksgrad only to find it set in ruins, Richard was in great dispair having seen the littered bodies of the people whom had raised him from a young age. A hatred brewed in Richards heart for the Renatians, causing for him to search the countryside for the fleeing Norlanders, only coming in contact with a few hundred of the thousands that still remained. He took this force and began training in the swamps of Norland, ensuring himself and the others were up to par with swordfare. Upon a travelling march he came across the old Silversteed fortress known as Jornburg, seeing as it had been relinquished to ruin just like Ruriksgrad, he began the construction of the once benevolent fortress. Upon its completiton hundreds of Norlanders flocked to his banner, he took up the title Count of Jornburg. Now being settled, Richard set his eyes on numerous other abadoned Norlandic forts, aswell as outlying independant baronys to join his cause.

Reign as Count of Jornburg

After successfully settling in Jornburg, Richard sent numerous diplomats to outlying settlements with the intention of vassalization, one of which was the Renatian vassal residing in Ashwood, belonging once to the Caunters, and now to the Lombardi's. After talks with the Baron, Richard swayed his opinion of the Renatians, informing them of the treachery they forced against the Norlanders. They signed a contract of vassalization, allowing for the Lombardi's to remain in control of Ashwood and its surrounding regions, whilst Richard maintained his status as Count in Jornburg. He later moved unto vassalizing another baron in the far snowy regions of Atlas, calling the fort Driftwood due to the amount of wood trapped within the frozen streams. Richard influence grew across the Norlandic hinterlands, eventually reaching the ears of the Renatian king Aurelius I Horen. Richard also attempted talks with the old High Keeper of Norland Galen, allowing him to continue his teachings of the red faith within the confinements of his realm, Galen opted to refuse not wishing to go under such a ruler as himself, Richard took a great deal of offense to this and began planning an invasion of the keep.

Reign as Duke of Nevaria

Having reigned as Count for numerous years, and his land expanding, he deemed it fit to name himself the Duke of Nevaria, he would reign for only a few or two before engulfing his land in war, this being is ultimate demise, as he quickly followed the House of Staunton into war, by allying himself to them and fighting against the Crown of Renatus-Marna in a war that would be known as the Staunton Uprising, Richard moved his army to a more defendable keep, that being Ashwood. Where he would siuate himself and run the Nevarian war effort from there. Upon his march to defend the Stauntonite capital of White Peak, he was held up, some say it was a Renatian raiding party, some say it was a group of bandits trying to reign havoc upon his capital, nevertheless he was never able to offer his support in the war. After the Staunton defeat in the Siege of Whitepeak, Richard recieved a letter from the King of Renatus-Marna, stating that if they were to make himself and his people under the Crown of Renatus-Marna once again, there shall be no harm upon his people. Richard responded in a few months, stating that he would not go under the tyrants of Horen, this of course would be the end of Richard Arden, as huge Renatian army showed up at his door steps.

Death

Richard died during the Siege of Ashwood, having being one of the main commanders during the battle it is rumoured that Richard took down atleast four Renatian Soldiers during the battle, before eventually falling to the blade of an unknown Renatian soldier.

Titles, Styles, and Honors

Titles and Styles

• 1664 - 1666: His Grace, Richard I of the House of Arden, Count of Jornburg

• 1666 - 1669: His Grace, Richard I of the House of Arden, Duke of Nevaria, Count of Jornburg and Ashwood, Baron of Ashton, Defender of the Ardenin peoples

Notable Feats

• Duke of Nevaria

Established himself as a Duke due to him believed large sum of land, reigned for only two years, before his death, the title was then dismantled.

• Count of Jornburg

Took over the old Silversteed Fortress of Jornburg, thus naming himself the Count, he garnered the old peoples of Norland under his reign, being able to rally a small sum of men before elevating himself to Duke of Nevaria

Issue

Name	Birth	Death	Marriage	Notes
Kjartan Arden	19th of Malin's Welcome, 1657	11th of The Grand Harvest, 1688	Unmarried	First son of Richard Arden, reigned as Baron of Ardenhall, died to unknown causes.
Stefan Arden	1st of the Deep Cold, 1665	Alive	Unmarried	Second son of Richard Arden, current reigning Duke of Northwatch
Alexa Arden	5th of Malin's Welcome, 1665	Alive	Unmarried	First Daughter of Richard Arden
Benedict Arden	22nd of the Suns Smile, 1669	Alive	Unmarried	Third son of Richard Arden, currently reigning as Baron of Ashfeld.