The Return of the Dragonhawk

Restoration - YBS 3015

No year in the history of the Order spawned as much heroic verse as 3015 -- the Year of Restoration. The poetic narratives are animated with high adventure and lofty ideals, magical beasts and improbable feats, fact intertwined with fancy. What we can know for certain is that when spring gladdened the land, the Five Kingdoms flew the Ohar and Axen alongside their own flags, and all set themselves to the study of the Ur-Tongue, so that they might once again enjoy the advantages of having a language in common. They did not entrust themselves to the rule of High King at that time, but nevertheless, theirs was a formidable confederation which no enemy dared touch. Even Pavlento of Armelion sent ambassadors to inquire whether the Dominions south of the Wall might join the Alliance, but he withdrew his initiative when confronted by the armed opposition of his close neighbour, the Dominator of Tansis.

The Order of the Brazen Stallion once more flourished in Akynadar, guided by Halyrr Horakkyn, who recovered his rightful throne without opposition. The years that followed are often called the Golden Age of the Order, since everything in the land was governed by its ideals, without distinction between spiritual and secular rule. The old capital of Horak was restored, leaving Muktarshold to traders and craftsmen. Muktar's ravaged palace was never re-built, but its ruins remain even today as a warning to any who would allow themselves to be consumed by lust for power.

After disposing of all opposition with a swift and ruthless hand, Lothar Baldursson crowned himself king of the Northern Tribes. He meant to name his brother Gundar co-regent, but that young warrior found peace too tame for him.  After the Tirena S'Alyn rewarded his faithfulness by releasing him from his bond, he prevailed upon his brother to provide the means to build a great seafaring boat, the Lili. Before summer had fully come, the young prince set out to explore the world with a band of like-minded adventurers, both male and female, whose exploits are colourfully recorded in the Saga of Gundar the Golden-Haired.

King Abbelard never fully regained his spirit or his wits. The Tirena S'Alyn declined to reclaim her kingdom, but left the crown to her brother Segon under the wardship of the nobles of the Conclave of Kyra. The kingdom was weakened by corruption and dissension, but flourished nonetheless, surrounded as it was by capable allies.

Torn by the bitterness of many factions, Helion continued in anarchy for the better part of a year, until a new order was established under the iron hands and combined magicks of Cerena Calchis and the mage Acontis, who resumed the title of Heliotes Megos. Both men and women held equal ranks, as they had of old, but the Great Council did not regain its full power for many years to come.

Megira Rhoz, the presumed Mother of Nations, did not consider it politic to return to Helion, but lived out her days in Land of the Azure Dragon by the side of her beloved Alyx, who became best known not as an innovative ruler, but as a breeder of superb horseflesh, all claiming descendance from his mystic steed Dragonfyre, who is said to have led his herd from their pastures to fight for Dys on the last day of the Great Battle of the Restoration. The legend persists that, after slaying Halgrim the Dark with his magical breath, the Azure Dragon graced the Kingstower for a decade to follow. Even today the more simple-minded folk of Dys hope for his return.

Chronicles of the Great Alliance

by Halyrr Horakkyn Minor

historiographer of the Order of the Brazen Stallion, YBS 3405 - 3431