The History of Grydain pt. 1

This is part one of me diving into the setting and history of the world I'm creating for my ongoing Dungeons and Dragons game, where I'm the DM (most of you already know this but just in case). This is a whole new world that I and one of my players have created. This particular post is the history behind Grydain, where the game is primarily taking place. Please enjoy.

The city of Grydain lies within the country of Nyldaria. Nyldaria was founded centuries ago, while Grydain is approaching its 200th anniversary. The Royal Family has a tradition that whenever they reach adulthood they may either become the new ruler of one of the cities as Jarl OR they may found a new city and become it's Jarl.

The Royal family also has a history of being notoriously prejudice against certain races. Most races in fact.

Now the Country of Nyldaria has been at war with the orcs for centuries. The orcs were/are relentless, as they have right to be (they were the original inhabitants of the land). In fact, the orcs were so hellbent on taking back their land that they began conquering and pillaging smaller cities and settlements. This in turn left many races seeking shelter and refuge.

The Royal Family lived in the City of Joelby, which was at the very heart of Nyldaria and was only allowing the wealthiest and noblest families to live their. It was full of Humans, High Elves, and Mountain Dwarves, and that was it.

When the refugees began pouring in, the Royal Family turned them away completely, with no hope of and type of aid or assistance.

This troubled Reynholm, the son of King Thomas. Reynholm, despite his raising, felt compassion for the refugees. He wanted to help them in some way.

And so, when he approached the "Age of Nobility", as the Royal Family had taken to naming their tradition, instead of accepting a Jarl position from one of the already established cities, he told his family that he wanted to establish a new city for the refugees that had nowhere else to go.

Outraged, his father rejected his proposal immediately. However, his mother, Lillian, reminded him that this was tradition, and they had no choice.

So, Thomas agreed to allow his son to establish a new city, but under two conditions:

1. He would receive no aid from the City of Joelby OR the Kingdom.

2. He had to have the City "up and running" with a Keep, a council, and a steady flow of economy ready in two years time.

Obviously, King Thomas assumed that his son would fail completely and come running home to take on a more "acceptable" position, but young Reynholm was determined to succeed.

And so, Reynholm left with only his family, a few guards, and some gold and provisions that his mother Queen Lillian provided for him secretly.