Dragonsong Dominion: History and Rumors

The Dragonsong Dominion, which originally covered the whole island of Corsain, was formed by Christopher Brant from the several smaller states that were present on the island at that time; just a few years before the return of Sinthar Bloodstone. Before this, Corsain consisted of several smaller realms with similar outlooks and culture. In 1338, Christopher, an honorable swordsman and brilliant politician, convinced the last of the rulers to adopt his code and join his realm.

At that time, the Rohden Alliance, a defensive naval alliance consisting of all the various realms on Corsain and Tilmar had already been formed. Dragonsong, of course, remained a member.
The Dominion's law then and now is based on the Dragonsong Code, which is a list of tenets and codes that are all linked to order and honor'characteristics that have led to favoring Rofirein as the main deity in Dragonsong.
 
In 1392, after 51 years of being ignored, Bloodstone turned his eye to the island as a stepping stone into Dregar, Alindor, and Mistone. His massive incursion razed the land, its people, and its armies and armadas. The boot of his occupation would not last long, for in 1394 the tides were turned and the land was purged by dozens of heroes and the combined armies and navies of the western nations, but the land was now in shambles.
 
On the routing of the foul thrall, Alexander Court, eldest son of the previous Dominus, assumed the role of leader in Fort Dragonsong rather than in the traditional capital of Western Gate. Fort Dragonsong, which was used as a summer retreat to his family, is an old castle on the lake that gave the country its name. The gesture, intended to show the people that the regents would partake in the country's strife in rebuilding as it too was partially destroyed during the occupation, was well received, and the Dominion slowly began the long process of rebuilding. The old nobility was restored and for the prefectures without a surviving noble family, loyal and rich families were appointed as stewards; one of these was the Starphire family of Driran Castle.
 
Post occupation history can be divided into two separate periods: The Famine from 1394 to 1408 and 1408 onwards.
 
The Famine, an 18-year period after the reestablishment of the Dominion, was a delicate time as the people worked to reestablish order and prosperity. Just when things started to get better, the clouds came in 1402 and all that was sewn together became frayed again. Many of the already diminished population died of hunger during the years that followed and ties of fealty were stretched to the limit. Until, in 1405, Elena Starphire ascended into her family's stewardship and declared that the Dominion didn't need more order and peace, but needed a new direction and a rebirth.
 
The Dominus strived for unity until the fateful meeting of the Council of Nobles in 1408 where nearly half of the delegates, mostly of the east and northeastern prefectures, did not show up. Facing dissent, the Dominus was pressured to take action but only on his terms. The Dominion was divided into two parts: one would maintain the old ways, while the other would be placed in Elena's hands (as she represented the philosophy that emptied the Council). The Dominus of Dragonsong was seen as weak and even a traitor by some for his decision of not fielding an armed response against the dissenters and, while outward order is maintained, some of the nobles loyal to the Dominion questioned his ability to lead.
 
The division was not easy as families were separated along ideological lines. Landholders lost their titles and mass migrations caused turmoil as small towns along the new frontier started taking in refugees not wishing to be under the rule of the other side. Resentment divided the people, especially along the border where tensions grew as the armies took their positions, but so far no bloody confrontations have erupted.
 
Since 1408, Alexander's rule has led Dragonsong on a road of recovery. A diminished population, despite the sadness it implies, is easier to provide for than a larger one. Among his first actions, he redistributed the diminished land among the loyal nobility and new vows of fealty were sworn. An unexpected boost to the renovated sense of national pride is that now the population has an enemy to despise and no effort is being spared for the rebuilding of Dragonsong.