First Drillian Civil War - Drillian - History
This five year time period from -252 SKR to -247 SKR is sometimes called the War of the Kings. Drillian had a tradition of Kings from the founding of the Kingdom by William (later known as the first), his son William II and a string of successful Kings expanded the land to the south and through the swamps. King Charles I expanded the Kingdom to its current boundaries in the east, south and west with expeditions against the Cold Blooded Races that inhabited the northern reaches of Great Swamp. During this time his grandson Chandler Cowles explored the Green River to ascertain why no one had previously been able to hold the territory.
During this trip King Charles' son Samuel rose up in rebellion and the kingdom was split in two during a civil war that lasted 5 years. In the end Chandler Cowles returned from his journey and defeated the rebel forces. He moved his family Estates to the southeastern portion of the Kingdom to establish a power base there. This assembly of rulers is often called the twelve kings of Drillian, excluding William IV from the list.
During this First Drillian Civil War several of the noble families split along religious lines. The families in the Northern part of the country predominately were of the Suomi faith while those in the Southern part of the country followed the Kayugan faith.
The sides taken by families were called the North and the South. The key point of contention for the Southern forces was that King Charles I had the right to choose to bypass his son Samuel and have his grandson Chandler inherit the throne. The Northern forces felt that this breach of traditional succession would lead to further erosion of Noble Rights and sided with Samuel in demanding that King Charles rescind his proclamation.
The Northern forces started wanting a strict inheritance of first born male child and during the beginning years of the war added an additional call for elimination of the ownership of slaves and full freedom for all to practice the craft of their choice. This was not well received by the Southern forces who wanted to keep a more autonomous rule where their fealty was to the King and the King would protect but not impose additional restrictions on them.
The Northern forces consisted of the Cowles, Mosskin, Quelkin, Quellcon and Uklo families with several lesser houses with the Southern forces formed by the Cowles, Mosskin, Vilmar, Medipop and Eustace houses.
Significant Events:
- 16-11-(-248) SKR Battle of the Crystal River
- 3-4-(-247) SKR Death of King Charles I beheaded by a hobgoblin chieftain
- 24-8-(-247) SKR surrender of the leadership of the Northern Forces to Chandler Cowles
In the end Chandler Cowles and his generals were successful in putting down the rebellion of the Northern Kings. King Cowles gave his estates in the North to General Jerilkin Mosskin and King Cowles moved his family holdings to the southern part of Drillian. General Jostin Vilmar was given a noble title of Count and his own estates surrounding the site of his famous battle.
