Kethira-720TR-Harn-Chybisa

Chybisa (kingdom)

From “A History of the Chybisan Region”, by Harien of Guinas, unpublished:

Chybisa is the name of the small kingdom along the wide bend in the Ulmerien River. It is centered on Burzyn, the royal keep. To the east, it is bounded by the Anadel hills; to the south, it is bounded by Horadir. Precise boundaries to the north and west are a matter of historical dispute. Founded in 163TR, its’ original northern borders extended well beyond the Ulmerien River to encompass much of the Upper Osel valley. The incursions of the Pagaelin during the Migration Wars effectively shrank the kingdom so that the Ulmerien River has largely become the northern border.

There is a well-defended portion just north of Burzyn that extends for about three leagues north of the river, and a group of ruined manors throughout the woods across the river to the north and east. The destruction of these ruined manors typically dates back to one of the wars that have raged around the region. Several of them date back to the Migration Wars. The woods themselves are considered Chybisan territory, although it is not well patrolled and Pagaelin tribes often hunt there.

Besides the Pagaelin to the north and west, Chybisa touches on the tribal lands of the Hodiri to the south, and the Bujoc to the east. The Bujoc presence is rather unfortunate, since their territories near Chybisa are disputed with the Pagaelin. In most confrontations, the Bujoc, shy in manner and few in number, either attack from hiding or lose.

However, all three nations remain on reasonably peaceful terms with Chybisa itself. Trade with Chybisa clearly benefits the tribes, and even among the Pagaelin those tribes staying near Chybisa have become comparatively wealthy by selling trade goods to other tribes.

This does not mean that Chybisa is a placid, peaceful place. The kingdom is politically very similar to Melderyn or Kaldor; it has owed both of them fealty at various points.

Chybisa exists for two reasons: The first and most important is that the area is extremely fertile and grows remarkable crops on small plots of land. Fresh soil seems to wash out of the Anadel hills in ways I have not found elsewhere. Chybisa exports food at a rate out of proportion to its’ size.

The second reason is that the only bridge across the Ulmerien River is at Burzyn. Traveling up the northern bank to the headwaters and back to the fertile valley floor on the southern bank of the bend would be a journey of some 60 leagues. Burzyn draws a great deal of wealth from bridge tolls and caravan traffic.

As a result, both nations have an interest in the kingdom. Currently, relations with both Kaldor and Melderyn are peaceful but somewhat strained; trade flows freely through Burzyn and visitors from both nations are fairly common.

The area is largely mixed woodland and forest, with extensive tracts of cropland and pasture. The Ulmerien valley has been continuously occupied since at least 1200BT, when it was settled by Jarin. Sindarin occupation previous to that was frequent but not continuous.

When the Sindarin abandoned the Anadel, Solora and Horadir regions after the Battle of Sorrows, most of the Jarin left the area as well. Those remaining were assimilated into the culture of the Lythian newcomers. Over the next few centuries, various settlements grew and spread throughout the region. Minor kingdoms rose and fell, as did many small tribal nations. Most of these cultures seem to have been fairly peaceful, and the period was generally prosperous. There appears to have been little warfare, since the area supplied their needs and there was little encroachment from outside cultures.

In 160TR, this idyllic isolation ended. Shobald, a knight of Melderyn, arrived. In short order, he unified the tribes and kingdoms, began an influx of immigration from Melderyn, proclaimed the Kingdom of Chybisa, and proclaimed himself the King. Many of the immigrants became major figures in the new kingdom, with its’ seat at the settlement on the north bank of the Ulmerien, across from the current-day site of Burzyn. It is not surprising that Shobald spent most of his reign securing the realm. This new kingdom had troubles early on. In 180-183, the Pagaelin attacked from the north, during the Migration Wars. The effect on Chybisa was traumatic, particularly since Shobald himself led a mission against the Pagaelin – and disappeared.

His successor, Verlid I, was an able general and kept all of the tribes at bay throughout his reign. His son, Verlid II, dramatically improved the defenses of the realm, particularly by constructing Burzyn Keep on the south bank of the Ulmerien. Soon after, as the Bujoc and Hodiri attacked in waves, Burzyn became the principal rallying point for the kingdom and was instrumental in Chybisa’s survival. Indeed, in 227, the Hodiri were defeated right at the gates to the keep. There has not been a serious tribal threat to the nation since.

Later kings of the House of Shosel showed little interest in expanding the tiny kingdom. Manors were built both north and south of the Ulmerien, but the period from about 230TR through 380TR was generally marked by static borders and peaceful prosperity. Verlid V fought on the side of Aidrik II during the Kaldoric Civil War of 362-377, and later gave sanctuary to Aidrik’s son. Late in the reign of Uthred the Usurper in Kaldor (362-406) Verlid VI favored the restoration of Aidrik III to the Kaldoric throne despite the considerable resentment this gained him from Uthred. It should be noted that this support was instrumental in restoring the House of Artane to the Kaldoric throne.

When Verlid VI died without an heir in 409, the succession council was faced with a difficult choice. The Pagaelin and the Hodiri were becoming increasingly aggressive, and no solid generalship was available after so many years of peace. The council offered the crown to Imadain I, then King of Melderyn. Shortly after Imadain accepted the throne of Chybisa, tribal hostility faded and ceased. From 409 through 475, a succession of Chybisan barons ruled in the name of the Melderyni kings. Melderyn royalty rarely visited Chybisa and seems to have taken little interest in the area.

In 458TR, an outcast Khuzan mason named Hazmaral of Orinain, arrived in the area and was quickly contracted to upgrade the fortifications of Burzyn. Over the next several decades, he dramatically improved modern Burzyn castle, using Khuzan techniques. His insistence on these techniques made Burzyn an extremely durable structure, but they were apparently too difficult for local masons and greatly delayed the project.

Melderyn has rather ambiguous succession laws. In 475, Erebir V of Melderyn was succeeded by Arabar II, a bastard son of his. The Chybisans immediately declared themselves outraged, and in an unusually-direct visit to the royal seat at Cherafir they seceded from Melderyn.

Arabar’s response still intrigues and confuses historians. Although such an action is a profound insult, he seems to have taken little notice. He did issue a proclamation denying their right to secede, but otherwise seems to have ignored the matter. This document forms one of the two bases of the continuing Melderyni claim of sovereignty over the area.

The Chybisan barons elected their most powerful member, Sharat of Lerenil, as their new king. This was an unfortunate choice, as he turned out to be corrupt and greedy, ignoring matters of state and the defense of the realm in order to line his own pockets with silver. His heirs followed suit, bringing Chybisa to unfamiliar depths and rendering many royal records untrustworthy.

In 529, Hazmaral abandoned the rebuilding of Burzyn castle and left Chybisa, apparently disgusted with the greed of his employers. By this time, the bulk of the project was finished with the exception of one tower and the connecting walls of the outer bailey. The remaining tower was built in the human fashion with a square design. It remains quite possibly the most impressive fortification in the human areas of Hârn.

In 559, King Lonabar and much of his family died of the Red Death. This massive epidemic of a spotted fever rampaged across Hârn for two years, concentrating in Tharda where it followed a series of floods that had already devastated the area. As a result of the Red Death, the throne went to Lonabar’s fourth child, Sabalyne. She became the first queen of Chybisa, ruling from 559 to 590. She gained the love of her subjects with her caring governance, but failed to erase the corruption in the government.

Her son, Gebral, ruled from 590-627. As the third son, he did not expect to inherit the throne. His eldest brother died in a hunting accident in 588, and the second son had chosen to become a Laranian cleric back in 581. Although not trained to rule, he proved to be a competent administrator. He was not, however, able to stem the graft throughout his bureaucracy.

In 627, Gebral was succeeded by his only daughter, Udine I. This was a remarkable woman, fair of face and an extremely competent administrator. She ruled for 34 years with compassion and wisdom, and was finally able to clear the rampant corruption from the royal government. This was not a reign unmarked by tragedy; in 648, she had to banish her husband, Kerepel of Harden, for infidelity. He retained little money and no honor, and ended up living in Tashal. In 660, a lesser branch of the family was massacred; evidence suggests a gargun swarm was responsible. A year later, Udine I died; the story persists that she died of a broken heart. The Chybisan people were united in their grief, and she remains one of the most-loved of Chybisan rulers. Soon after her death, Kerepel of Harden, by then a derelict, was killed by a knife attack in an alley; the attacker was never caught.

Udine I was succeeded by her only child, Udine II. She is recognized as Chybisa’s most unfortunate ruler. Clubfooted and hunchbacked, she was forced onto the throne by willful and unscrupulous barons, when she preferred only seclusion. One of their most compelling arguments was the promise of a quick marriage. Balesir of Geledoth was primary among these barons, although he is conceded to have been under the lifelong influence of his mother, Larane Horsaid.

Cunning, devious, and pitiless, Larane’s detractors have (correctly, I think) characterized her as the most evil woman to influence Chybisan policy. She has posthumously been accused of various charges ranging from murdering her son’s first wife to conspiracy in making the deaths of much of clan Burzada appear to be a gargun swarm. In part because of her, a marriage was not arranged for three years.

In 664, a Kaldoric knight, Sir Denil of Uberma, came to Burzyn to meet his intended bride for the first time. Upon seeing her, he publicly rejected the match. Udine II withdrew to her chambers and killed herself.

Her suicide left the throne vacant. It was subsequently offered to Balesir Geledoth, the Baron of Onden, who could claim descent from Gebral’s younger sister. Corruption soon followed. In 675, the Sword of Calsten was stolen from Kaldor, starting the Treasure War. Torastra, King of Kaldor, believed the sword was in Chybisa and came to reclaim it with a sizable army. After so many years of peace and decades of endemic corruption, Balesir’s army was no match for the Kaldoric knights. Following a hard-fought but futile battle north of the Ulmerien, Balesir found himself inside Burzyn and under siege.

The Khuzan rebuilding proved impenetrable to the Kaldoric knights, and the siege continued for three years. In 678, with disease and rebellion rampant, and the Baron of Geda (Sliris Wasal) swearing fealty to Torastra and lending his troops as assistance to Kaldor, Balesir finally surrendered. Receiving the honors of war, he and his loyal vassals became exiles in Melderyn.

This surrender is the basis for Kaldoric claims of sovereignty over Chybisa.

It did not last long. In 687, Balesir swore fealty to King Chunel of Melderyn and raised an army to take back his kingdom. He succeeded at the Battle of Geda and immediately after proclaiming himself again King of Chybisa, broke his promise of fealty to Melderyn.

Chunel is said to have received this news with laughter. He has since denounced this act of treachery and has not given up his claim to Chybisa, but has taken few steps to actively enforce his claim. This is the second basis for Melderyni claims of sovereignty over Chybisa.

Balesir, King of Chybisa, died of stomach cramps in 691 and was succeeded by his son, Verlid VII, the current King of Chybisa.

Verlid was 17 at the time. He has proven a competent monarch, if nervous. He has reason to be nervous, with two powerful kingdoms both having a claim upon his throne. In addition, Balesir ran up huge debts with usurers in Thay to pay for his army; those debts have not yet been paid. Reports of ulcers and a weak heart seem reliable, and believable.

However, Verlid VII has done much to improve Chybisa’s defenses. He encouraged much of the recent expansion by Baron Rythal north of the Ulmerien, and in confirming the granting of Geda to an Orbaalese warrior, Kjal Forsetha, (following a lost drunken wager by the previous baron), he has greatly strengthened the military situation in the southeast. There are persistent rumors that he has quietly been reclaiming several of the ruined manors in the western woods, but I have not been able to confirm this.

Verlid continues a policy of careful – VERY careful – diplomacy with both Kaldor and Chybisa, hoping that so long as they are willing to talk to his ambassadors they will not attack. He does seem to fear Melderyn more than Kaldor, and spends far more time dealing with the realm to the south.

From “Chybisan Politics”, 719TR, unpublished:

The external politics of the kingdom are a careful balancing act, keeping both Kaldor and Melderyn at bay. Both have viable claims on this fertile valley. Verlid VII seems to have no interest in expanding his realm, and ensures that trade with the tribes on all sides continues at a reasonable pace. This has helped him ensure that his borders are surrounded by a buffer of reasonably friendly tribes.

Melderyn has rarely sought new lands by force, but they have a long memory and things “seem to happen” in the Mages Realm. Melderyn has half again as many people as Kaldor, but is further away. Still, should Kaldor make serious plans to retake Chybisa, I would expect their first move to be the elimination of the Pagaelin as a threat to their supply lines. It would appear to be a simple logistical necessity, and would not be a task quickly accomplished.

Should Melderyn make serious plans to retake Chybisa, I would expect there to be signs of the movement of troops. I would certainly think that the first step would be massing troops in the area of Thay and preparing supply caches along the Genin Trail. As of the most recent reports, there appears to be no such efforts. Even so, I have grave concerns about the long-term stability of this situation.

The internal politics of Chybisa are those of any kingdom, in a smaller scale. There are five major clans and the Royal house, the House of Geledoth.

The House of Geledoth

The King’s parents are dead. His sister Dorane is married to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Tarsyl Legith. They have no children. His other sister Lenia is married to Tamric Larles, the Chancellor. They have two children: Burben is the Knight Commander of Ulmstane in eastern Chybisa, held from the Abbot of the Laranian Church; Jenkaes is the Inquisitor General and is married to Somilis Afaelin.

The King himself married at the age of 18 to Fairela Leahn. After 28 years and three children, the marriage seems to be stable but not particularly productive of heirs. Their first child, a daughter they named Cerael, died in her first year. The second child and only son was Balesir, currently twenty-one and the Constable of Onden. Their third child and only surviving daughter is Nerelin, only nineteen and married to Marak Semadin, the Marshal of the Royal Guard.

There is some concern about Balesir’s health and unconfirmed rumors about odd behavior and violent mood swings.

Beyond these, the King has few living relatives. The branch descended from Gebral the First ended in 660 with the death of Haelila Intrel at the age of ten. The branch descended from Gebral’s sister Tyfnial died out in 678 with the death in combat of Clivaer Branael. He was only eighteen, and held little status since Tyfnial Burzada and Mabrael Afaelin were never married.

The only other significant branches of the House of Geledoth are descended from Verlid’s great-aunts. (I think; they were his grandfather’s sisters.) Those branches are distantly related to the King but nonetheless hold status. The branch through Lornessa Geledoth is effectively over; the only surviving member is Barith Aathnar, who is the widower of Tilasin Sialar, the last of that line. The other branch, through Tevern Geledoth, has a few members; Apella Cemelryn is the widow of Halsin Geledoth and is nearly 70. Her daughter Merilia and her husband, Ralaen, have a surviving daughter, only fourteen or so.

The House of Afaelin

Martis Afaelin is the eleventh Baron of Aereben. His manor is in central Chybisa, just south and east of Burzyn. Something over sixty years old, he is one of the most feared men in the kingdom. Slowed somewhat by gout, he is nonetheless a shrewd and manipulative politician. Martis inherited the barony when his father was killed during the Treasure War. After the war was over, he was allowed to keep the title but was never particularly trusted. When Balesir returned and recaptured the kingdom, Martis immediately abandoned loyalty to Torastra of Kaldor and pledged loyalty to Balesir. He has no son, and his heir is likely to be Winnisea, the eldest of his five daughters. The Afaelins remain one of the most powerful clans in the kingdom, and it appears to be no coincidence that one of his daughters, Somilla, is married to Verlid’s nephew Jenkaes.

The House of Vastair

Kamaen Vastair is the third of his line. The barony of Andazyn was granted to Atamas Vastair for loyalty and heroism during Balesir’s exile in Melderyn. Kamaen inherited the barony about eight years ago, but does not much appear in public. The report I have heard – repeatedly – is that he is afflicted with a severe speech impediment. He is still a competent liege, but not spectacular. The Aereben domain includes a great deal of land, and sits about halfway between Burzyn and Geda to the east.

The House of Rythal

Jebril Rythal is the second Baron of Caermel, a bit small and quite close to Burzyn. Caermel is one of the last places you pass through going south before you reach Burzyn. He only succeeded his father last year. At 24, he is eager to expand the family holdings. His plan seems to involve rebuilding some of the ruined manors in the area, but this will almost certainly upset the Pagaelin. He is also a close friend of Crown Prince Balesir, which has not increased his popularity with the King.

The House of Forsetha

Kjal Forsetha is the Baron of Geda and first of his line, gaining the barony under unique circumstances. In 678 Sliris Wasal betrayed Balesir by swearing loyalty to Torastra and sending troops to help besiege Burzyn. When Balesir returned, Wasal led the Kaldoric army at the Battle of Geda and died in the battle. Balesir granted the barony to Hamarin Tesael in recognition of his aid during the exile. Although Hamarin was a solid knight and liege, his son Ulaed was a wastrel, a wenching drunkard.

Forsetha came to Geda in 708 with a small retinue. Of Orbaalese birth, it has been speculated that Kjal and his followers are survivors of the Cape Renda disaster. After 5 years in service to Ulaed Tesael as a mercenary, he was a well-respected man. In a fit of unusually-profound drunkenness, Ulaed wagered the entire barony that Forsetha could not lift Ulaed’s favorite horse off the ground unaided. Forsetha did, and proclaimed himself Baron of Geda. Ulaed protested when he sobered, of course, but his own unpopularity with the King produced a reaction he must not have expected.

Verlid VII observed that he was well rid of a fool who would so casually discard his entire heritage, stripped Ulaed of his lands and title, then confirmed the granting of the Barony to Kjal. Ulaed is believed to be living in Thay.

The Baron is well-known for his roisterous manners, and the Orbaalese feel of his court. Depending on his mood, he has claimed to be anywhere from fifty to seventy, and still seems able to lift a horse off the ground. He delights in feats of strength for visitors. He married the daughter of a Burzyn knight five or six years ago, and has a young daughter by her. He also has a son, Bjan, one of his original eight followers, and is rumored to have a number of bastard children.

Despite the odd manner in which he rose to power, he has proven to be a wise ruler, a surprisingly-gentle liege, and one of the King’s strongest supporters. Under his rule, Geda has grown richer and brighter, and his people support him with confidence.

The House of Legith

The fifth Baron of Lerenil is Salagys Legith. He succeeded to the title in 709 after the death of his father Tardane. Tardane has regained the barony after the Treasure War. Salagys is a skillful politician, and is probably the second most powerful noble in the kingdom. His keep is very nearly at the western border of Chybisa, but he clearly has plans to extend his fiefdom to the southwest. He is thirty-nine, and his younger brother Tarsyl is Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Such are the main Houses of Chybisa. There are other names, but they are not as politically important.

One name that does recur, with maddening irregularity, is Sir Jared. He is first mentioned in 713, right after a caravan of 14 laden wagons arrived in Burzyn at the end of the caravan season. There is a persistent rumor from the Bujoc that the caravan actually EXITED the Ancient ruins at Telumar, but this is largely discounted. Making arrangements to stay on the Sabalyne Commons, the caravanmaster paid his fees with a gold crown. I have been told that the coin was not one of Azadmere, but do not regard this as factual.

He also requested a private audience with the King. That the meeting happened is well-documented. It began just after noon and continued until well after moonrise. The King himself inspected the contents of several wagons, shown him by Kamun personally.

Soon after, riders in royal livery rode west on fast horses. They returned well after dark, speaking to no one but the King of their business.

The next day, over dinner with visiting nobles of Larner, the King proclaimed that the caravanmaster was in fact one Jared of Onden. The King pardoned him for actions “against the nobility of Chybisa” without being specific, knighted him, and personally settled on Sir Jared a fine battlesword.

Sir Jared left the room before the evening was done and has been rarely seen since.

Since then, there has been considerable quiet speculation that Sir Jared is some kind of special agent for the crown, or a spy for Melderyn. His name appears from time to time in Chybisan events, and I have heard mention of his presence in Kobing, Harden and Thay. I have heard Bujoc rumors of someone flying his pennant (a rising sun on a field of black) in the Anadel highlands from time to time.

But no one seems to know for sure. My sources in Chybisa suggest that he is something of a folk hero, a mystery name to which they can ascribe all the unexplained occurrences of the day. It may well be that he was justly knighted in honor of some act of valor that would embarrass the nobles involved, and died on unrecognized soon after. It has also been speculated that Sir Jared does not exist, and that the entire affair is some kind of ruse under which various agents of the Crown can operate.

The one thing known for certain is that little is known for certain about him.