An Enchanted History
Before the Return, the Fae of Portland lived in small groups with very little contact with one another. The Boggans and the Trolls had a strong relationship, but for the most part each Kith left the others alone. This is regarded by most Kithain historians as the reason the Commoners fell to the Sidhe during the Accordance War.
Initially, a Gwydion Duke was placed in power. Appointed by King Sean, this Duke instituted a harsh rule over the Commoners. It was no surprise when, 2 years to the day into the Duke’s rule, he was overthrown. Not by the Commoners, though they had their part to play in the bit, but by a Count named Gregauren. Gregauren rallied the support of the Commoners and indeed many of the nobles in the city. The Duke was given one chance to leave, and wisely he took it. His name has not been spoken since his departure all those years ago.
Confirmed as Duke of Roses by King Sean shortly after the Coup, Gregauren elevated many of his Commoner allies to positions of power within the city. Needless to say, many among the Nobility were unhappy. Gregauren formed a privy council to aid him in his role as leader, appointing his long time ally Augustus to lead the council. For a time, there was peace in the Duchy of Roses.
It became clear, to those who see such things, that two distinct courts were forming in the City of Roses. The Loyalists, the majority of Kithain devoted to Duke Gregauren and his rule; and the silent minority, a shadow court made up of a small group of nobles unhappy with the position of power given to so many commoners. Many urged the Duke to do something about this group. They claimed they would be his downfall, his ruin. Gregauren was not resentful, he did not hate indiscriminately and he was never, ever disloyal to anyone that had sworn an oath of fealty to him. Sadly, his aids were right, this Shadow Court would one day destroy him.
***
Elsewhere in Concordia, the events were set in motion that would have lasting consequences for the whole of Kithain society. High King David, founder and leader Concordia, marries the lady Faerilyth ni Eiluned. Faerilyth was once the heir to the King Meilge, monarch of the Kingdom of Willows. Rumors abound that this Eiluned seductress is trying to steal the throne from the Gwydion, that she’ll sooner stick a knife into the King’s back than love him… but David’s affections, as well as her’s seem genuine. The two are married and Faerilyth is named High Queen, her powers equal to those of the High King. The two soon begin a grand tour of their realm. First stop, The Kingdom of Willows.
The news, late that summer evening in 1998 was grim. During the ball held in his honor, the High King simply vanished. Caliburn, the Sword of the High King appeared in the hands of an Eshu. In a whirlwind of activity over the course of the following hours, the Eshu Sief was knighted by the High Queen herself and charged with finding her husband. Almost immediately a division was formed among the High Nobility. Unsure whether the King is dead or simply missing, the Nobility has no mechanism for his replacement. David named an heir, Princess Lenore ni Dougal. The Princess has recently passed into her Wilder years and is claims she is of age to rule, though privately she is apprehensive about taking the title of High Queen. Morwen, the King’s sister has claimed Regency over the Kingdom until such a time that the Princess can claim the throne, though there are whispers that she intends to take control of Concordia herself should it be discovered that David is dead. And the there is Faerilyth. Poor Faerilyth. Her husband vanishes into thin air and she is, in the eyes of many, the primary suspect. The King imbued her with powers equal to his own, and in the world of the Fae, the word of a High King holds considerably more mystical might than one would think.
With the battle lines drawn, the three factions begin the dance of political warfare. Within two years, the Cold War between the three groups becomes hot and the Kingdoms of Apples, Willows, Grass and Northern Ice are torn asunder by Civil War. With over half of Concordia in the midst of a civil war, the regional Kings, Queens and other leaders are left to their own devices, each dealing with the crisis in whatever manner suits them. Commoners begin uprisings all across the continent. Many declare themselves independent from noble rule. In Portland, Duke Gregauren has his hands full keeping the peace, but he does, for six years he does… until one night, in the spring of 2006…
***
No one knows what happened, what really happened. On the morning of 15 March, Duke Gregauren was discovered in his bedchambers dead. Poison. Within an hour of this discovery Gregauren’s sons began vying for control of the Duchy. The elder of the two men, Donivar, came out quickly saying there is no evidence to show who committed this evil deed. He went on to say that he would do everything in his power to find and punish those responsible, going so far as to take an oath on the Dreaming. Before the magic settled in the air, his brother Michael stepped forward claiming it was a commoner motley that murdered their father. He denied them their independence so they killed him. He presented no evidence to back his claim but the Nobility supported him in an effort to seek “justice”.
Two commoners were apprehended later that day as they fled the city. Soothsayers claimed that these two had committed the murder. They were quickly tried and executed for their treason. After the trial, Michael claimed the Duchy for his own, with the support of much of the Nobility. Donivar, who disapproved of his brother’s actions, confronted the newly minted Duke. Only Michael and Donivar know what happened, but it ended with Donivar’s exile.
Freed from his last moral constraints in the form of his brother, Michael ordered all Commoners that wished to remain in the city must swear oaths of loyalty to the throne, as well as to their local counts and barons. Those that do not, would be considered enemies of the state. The Duke’s privy council objected and voted to veto a Ducal decision for the first time in it’s history. To this, Michael had the council dissolved and revoked the titles given to its members. This, it seems, was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
The Commoners gathered and voted to declare their independence from the Duchy of Roses, forming an independent government for themselves. This organization acted as a leadership council for the Commoner cause. This five member council was made up of one member for each kith in the city that agreed to this accord. Each commoner Kith has a representative on the Council and each selects its member in their own way. The Nockers and their Guilds declared themselves neutral in the conflict, while the Redcaps and Sluagh declined to join at first. The Council was led by a Chairman, selected by the members of the Council from its membership. The first Chairman of the Council was Augustus Franklin, the former steward to Duke Gregauren
For a time, the shooting war was avoided. Both sides kept apart, to themselves. The Duke made decrees from time to time, further limiting the rights of the Commoner Kiths. It was not until a motley of commoners, on an errand from one of the Pro-Commoner Nobles, discovered Lord Donivar languishing in a mental hospital outside the city that real action began. If the Duke could do this to his own brother, what would he do to the people of the city?
The Council met in secret, planning the next phase of their quiet rebellion. Before any action could be taken against the Duchy, a consensus among Commoners needed to be reached. Through intelligence gathering, the Council discovered ties between the Duchy and a number of strange Sidhe. It would not be known to the general public, but the newcomers were known as the Baobhan, servants of the Fomorian cause. Accusations of Fomorian influence was enough to rally the other Commoners (save the Nockers, they continued to be neutral, though they agree to send a representative to meet with the council).
The council was convened, now with members of all Commoner Kiths. They sat in discussion for three days, arguing on the next step. Some wanted open war, others wanted negotiation with the crown. Still others claimed abandoning the city was their only option if the Duke had indeed met with the Fomorians. On the third day of talks, the Council was addressed by Lord Donivar. The Dougal lord spoke to them of duty. Duty to their homes, to each other and to the Dreaming. Their duty to repulse the Fomorian threat, even if meant the death of his own brother.
The council, swayed by Donivar’s passionate speech, voted to support a coup with Donivar at the helm. Parties went out in all directions to find support amongst commoners and like minded nobles around the area. Their revolution, however, was nearly stillborn.
Donivar and a number of his supporters were captured and sentenced to death by the Duke. It was only through the cunning of Augustus that the group escaped via trod into the nearby Duskwood forest. The Duskwood, long believed to be haunted, was not a place these Kithain wished to be. For days they wandered, hiding from the Duke’s patrols. During the night, Donivar and his party were accosted by a pair of Ogres and taken captive. This was an unfortunate turn of events that led to their victory over the Duke in the city.
The Ogres brought their captives to the lair of an unsavory beast. Hideous beyond all comparison and black of heart, the creature identified itself as Éidigh, his son and servant-jailer. The Éidigh then proceeded with a dark and complicated ritual. During the course of this evil rite a great evil was unleashed upon the world, a foul creature not seen in an age. A White Fomorian.
In a matter of moments, the forest came alive with the sounds of battle. A company of Sidhe Knights rushed out of the woods, engaging the creatures. Thankfully, the battle was short as the enemy swiftly retreated, its goals accomplished for the time, its freedom finally won. It was in this moment that Donivar and his party believed themselves to be truly doomed. The Sidhe had caught up with them, an ancient evil had been unleashed upon the world… imagine their surprise when they were released and taken to a palace deep in the woods, hailed as heroes.
The Forest Realm of Lord Harkon ap Gwydion welcomed the Fae of the City with open arms. They learned that Harkon and his company of Knights had been guarding the forest for 30 years, waiting for the time when they would face the Fomorian locked deep within the earth below. During their stay here, Donivar is taken ill, a victim of some unseen curse placed upon him by the forest. Harkon and his company refuse to allow the Kithain to leave, claiming their safety as reason enough to hold them. The Sidhe then depart the castle, moving into the forest to hunt their enemy.
Days later, the army returns, bloodied from battle having lost over half their numbers. A sudden need arises for warriors. Pressed into service Donivar’s party accompanies the Sidhe army into the woods and face down the creature a second time. The battle this time is more to their liking. The creature is wounded and retreats, but in the fray Lord Harkon is killed. It is discovered that he was the Duke exiled from the city so very long ago and it was he who placed the curse upon Donivar upon entering his realm. With Harkon dead the curse is lifted and Donivar recovers. He offers the remaining forces the chance to battle the Fomorian influence in the city, he asks them to come with him and fight in the name of Arcadia. Naturally, they agree.
When they return to the city they find the revolt has already begun. Royalist forces have raided freeholds and murdered commoners on the streets. Worst of all, it is discovered that the Duke had already been overthrown. Replaced by his consort, Lady Alycia, Michael has vanished into the night. Donivar and company move on the Ducal Palace and their confrontation with the enemy.
A vicious battle is waged in the city as commoner fights noble and noble fights noble. In the palace, Donivar confronts Alycia. It is discovered it was she that brought the Baobhan to the city, her influence that swayed Michael’s in the months following their father’s death. All of this in the name of her dark house, Balor. The battle is joined. Donivar is nearly victorious when at the last moment victory is taken from him. The White Fomorian returns and in moments vanishes, Lady Alycia in tow.
The battle tapers off, Noble forces under the command of Donivar push the enemy back and out of the city. Donivar is declared the Duke of Roses. He reinstates all of the Commoner’s rights, going so far as to declare a new Commoner Council be created. This new council will be a representative body for the Commoners. When a new member is elected, that Kithain is temporarily imbued with the authority equal to the noble rank of Baron lasting for only as long as the Commoner serves on the council. This is widely regarded as the most radical move any Noble sense King David has made regarding the representation of the Commoner cause.
The rise of Duke Donivar is not the end to trouble in the Duchy of Roses. Commoner unrest continues as the Army of the Dreaming attempts to subvert the Council and the Duke as well. The plot is foiled before it can begin, but does demonstrate that there is still a great deal of work to be done. Nearly the whole of Concordia is still embroiled in a bloody war of succession. The forces of Faerilyth, Morwen and Lenore have battled on for nearly a decade. All sides are feeling the war weariness. Whispers abound that Faerilyth is considering calling for a peace conference to end the fighting. With the loss of her protector and staunchest ally, Sir Lieu, many say the would-be Queen has lost the will to battle on. Only time will tell if the worst of the fighting will break out in the Kingdom of Pacifica, but for now life has returned to normal in the Duchy of Roses and Duke Donivar intends on keeping it that way for just a while longer.
The Kithain of Portland
Duke Donivar ap Dougal
Countess Genyvra ni Fiona-Headmistress of the Pittock Academy in Portland’s West Hills and Countess of the Western County. She is a quiet supporter of the Reformist Commoner cause (A group of commoners who wish to integrate the Monarchy and Representative Government) and grants any Kithain asylum in her Freehold. Sense Donivar's ascension to the ducal throne she has become one of his closest advisors.
François, Kor Librarian
Count Drake ap Ailil- Count Drake was once on the outermost spheres of the ducal court. With the death of Gregauren, Drake has moved up socially. He was a supporter of Michael’s attitude towards the Commoner Kiths, at one point moving so far as to make all Commoners in his fief swear binding oaths of allegiance to him. With the overthrow of Michael, Drake's position had become less than stable. Duke Vogon's marriage to the Queen and Duke Alcren's ascension to the ducal throne of Vancouver have forced Drake to choose a side. Much to everyone's surprise (including Drake's), the Ailil Count supports Donivar. Even so, he has been known to move in circles outside those of the Seelie controlled Duchy. Most nobles consider him untrustworthy. He controls the Eastern County.
Lady Marissa ni Ailil- Count Drake's lover and co-ruler. She has been seen consorting with less that reputable Kithain as of late behind Drake's back. Few know where her true loyalty lies.
Count Jonathan, Ennobled Troll loyal to House Dougal- With the death of Augustus Franklin, Jonathan leads the Commoners of the city. He was made Count of the Outer Territory (lands between Portland and Salem) after the Queen gave the land Donivar had promised the Commoners to Duke Alcren ap Balor. With no way to be sure any lands given to the Commoner Council would be safe from the Royal Family Donivar ennobled the Commoner's leader. Some Commoners believe this to be a violation of the trust they put in Jonathan, that he is selling out, but all the Troll wishes is to help his people be prosperous.
Sir Harlan ap Dougal- Captain of the Guard
Freeholds, Households and Motleys
Caer Laurelhurst- The Ducal Palace in the Laurelhurst district of Portland. To mortals the old Victorian home is an eyesore, but one they are willing to live with and often forgotten. To the Kithain, their Duke's Palace rises above the surroundings, grand towers jetting into the sky and high walls of stone keep the unbelievers out. It is from here that Donivar, the Duke of Roses, leads the Kithain of Portland and beyond. The palace is guarded night and day by a Motley of Sidhe Knights led by Sir Harlan ap Dougal, a Knight from the days of Donivar's father.
Pittock Academy- Housed in the famous Pittock Mansion in the west hills of Portland. It is here that Kithain from across the Kingdom send their Children to learn about being Fae. The school is led by Countess Genyvra and has seen a number of Kithain, Gallain and Prodigal teachers giving the students a wide variety of experiences not typically known by young Kithain. The children are taught side by side mortal children in mundane studies, so as to teach the Childlings and Wilders how to hide in plain sight. The school has often been compared to Hogwarts School and Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.
Enchanted Portland
Coming Soon